“At least someone cares about me.” I said as I grabbed Renata by the waist and pulled her closer towards me. “Give me one last hug and I’ll leave you two alone.”
“Wait, you’re not staying?” Ren asked, her face falling.
“No, I was only joking around. I don’t want to intrude. Besides, I need to take you out on a proper date where I can ask you to be my girlfriend.” I wrapped my arms around her and buried my face in her hair, unable to get enough of her scent.
“Puke.” April said. “I’m going to the kitchen. I need a drink. See ya later, bro.” She flashed me the peace sign.
“Bye, sis.” I called, before returning my full attention to my beautiful woman. “So, will you go on a date with me tomorrow night?”
Renata’s eyes lit up, and she smiled from ear to ear. “IstheZion really asking me on a date?”
“Yes,theZion is. I know I kind of bombarded you with all this,” I motioned between her and me, “but once I was back and April said she was cool with it, I couldn’t wait any longer. I feel like I’ve waited long enough. I love you, Renata. I always have.” I cupped her face with both of my hands and kissed her softly at first, the kiss growing more intense quickly.
When we broke apart, breathless and dizzy with each other, Renata whispered, “I love you too, Z. Forever and ever.”
She lifted onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips against mine, opening her mouth and sliding her tongue inside to dance with mine. She tasted so fucking good and I wanted more, so much more.
We stopped kissing, yet I kept my forehead touching hers, my breath falling onto her lips. “Walk me to the door?”
“Of course.” Renata wrapped her small hand around my large one and led me to the front door. “How is this really happening?”
“It’s happening, baby. Don’t you doubt that.” I squeezed her hand. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow night around seven?”
“Perfect. I expect you on your best behavior.” Renata teased as she rested her hands on my chest and slid them lower. She must’ve felt my hard muscles beneath, her fingers growing possessive almost, her nails trailing lightly over the flannel material.
“I can’t make any promises. Not when you’re around.”
“You had great restraint for so long. I doubt one night will change much.”
“Ha!” I half snorted. “That restraint was gone as soon as my lips were on yours.”
“Okay, then I won’t kiss you tomorrow. So don’t even try when you come and get me tomorrow.”
My mouth fell open slightly. “That’s not fair. Now that I can finally kiss you, you’re telling me I can’t?” I hooked one finger under her chin and lifted her sexy eyes resting on mine.
“You just need to wait longer. Then you can unleash it all.”
I threw my head back and laughed. I forgot how much this woman could make me laugh. “Be careful what you wish for.”
“I know what I’m getting into. I think I can handle it.”
We kissed and kissed and kissed some more when finally Renata opened the door for me. “Goodnight, sweet dreams, Z.”
“Goodnight, Ren.”
When she closed the door, I did a little jump and cheer. Okay, so maybe I was a dork.
But I was a dork who just won the woman of his dreams.
And for that, I’d be thankful every damn day.
CHAPTER FIVE
Renata
“I can’t believeyou’re in love with my brother.” April said the next morning over coffee and bagels. Zion dropped them off this morning from the bakery in town, Appleridge Sweets. How he didn’t mind driving around in the snow I’d never understand. But he was always the way. When he first got his license, he loved driving in the snow, scaring April and I half to death as he did donuts in the snow.
I shot her a devilish grin, and she rolled her eyes playfully. “Is it weird now? I’m sorry.”
