True, but he’s not in love with me. He doesn’t even want a relationship with me. Sleeping with him will tether me tighter to him, but it won’t affect him. I need to keep my distance.
Starting now. I quickly do my business and don my clothes.
But when I open the bathroom door – intent on fleeing the house – Zane is there. He’s leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his bare chest. Too bad he put sweats on. I wouldn’t mind one last chance to memorize his body.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“I need to pick up Boozer.” I nearly pat myself on the back. Excellent excuse, Sloane.
“You can pick up Boozer after we talk.”
I nearly shiver at the demand in his voice. It’s the same voice he uses when he’s giving orders in bed. Orders, I’m happy to follow since Zane knows how to make a woman feel good. I guess practice does make perfect.
At the reminder of just how much practice he’s had, I scowl. Players are always going to play.
“Scowl all you want. This conversation is happening.”
Zane shackles my wrist and leads me toward the bedroom. I plant my feet.
“I’m not having a conversation without coffee.”
He pivots toward the kitchen without saying a word. When we reach the table, he pushes me down in a chair. “Sit. I’ll make the coffee.”
“I’m perfectly capable of making my own coffee.”
“Are you going to argue about every-damn-thing this morning?”
I shrug since it’s quite possible I will argue about everything this morning. Especially if this ‘talk’ will result in me losing my position as his nanny and being kicked out of his home.
My stomach falls. I didn’t think this through. I never should have had sex with the man I’m working for and living with. Could I be more stupid? Have I learned nothing from my mom and how I grew up? Bouncing from house to house as she switched from boyfriend to boyfriend.
Zane kneels in front of me and clasps my hands. “Just breathe, sweetness.”
“I am breathing.”
“There’s no reason to panic.”
“Ha! Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who’s going to be kicked out of the place where she lives today. I don’t want to live in my car again. It’s cold and scary and loud. I guess I can stay in a hotel for a few nights. Shit. It’s New Year’s Eve. I’ll never find a hotel room tonight. They’re booked up months in advance on Smuggler’s Hideaway. Even theMermaid Motelis fully booked this time of year. I can’t exactly crash with—”
Zane places his finger over my lips. “I’m not kicking you out.”
I slap his finger away. “But we had sex. This is what you do. You have sex and kick the woman out the next morning.”
He growls. “You aren’t some woman I picked up in a bar.” I open my mouth to respond but he snaps at me. “I’m speaking now.”
I motion for him to continue.
“I don’t sleep with women. I don’t cuddle women all night long. Only you.”
A tiny spark of hope ignites in me. Is he serious? Am I different?
“Why am I different? It’s not as if you’re going to suddenly decide, ‘Hey! I’m no longer terrified of relationships.’”
He clears his throat. “Actually, I am.”
My mouth drops open. “W-w-what?”
“And, technically, I was never terrified of relationships.”
