“Always. Anyway, first request…will you be my date to the party tonight?”
She dropped her eyes and wrung her hands together. When she bit her lip I knew I was done for. She was nervous. Zoe was never nervous. She was usually the confident, charismatic woman who walked with her head held high. I couldn’t handle seeing her like this. Something squeezed my heart. Hard.
“Thought you’d never ask.” I winked, putting her out of her misery. When her eyes met mine, I could read the relief there. “What was your second question, Pippi?”
“Stay here with me until I fall back asleep. I understand if you don’t…”
“Don’t even finish that sentence! Just scoot over.” I waved my hand and she wiggled across to the other side of my bed. Kicking off my shoes, I laid down beside her and was instantly engulfed by her scent. It was everywhere. It was on my pillow, on my sheets, and on the woman curled up beside me. I’ll be damned if it didn’t smell like heaven and hell combined.
I tried to make myself comfortable but I was being so careful to make sure I didn’t accidentally bump her. She didn’t need me getting too close. But fuck, if I didn’t want to. I wanted nothing more than to wrap myself around her and never let go.
Exhaling heavily, I sunk my head into the pillow and stuffed my hands under my head. Maybe if I restrained them they couldn’t unwittingly touch against a soft curve that they shouldn’t. Closing my eyes, I settled in for a long, tortuous nap.
My eyes had been closed barely five minutes when a skinny, soft arm wound its way around my waist and a head covered by an untamed mane of brown hair dropped onto my chest.
“Thank you, Spencer. For everything,” Zoe whispered into my ear. The warmth of her breath on my neck sent all of my blood rushing south. I could do nothing but groan.
I woke up because I was warm. Too warm. As soon as my eyes adjusted to the dark room I knew why. The lithe brunette was wrapped around me like a vine. Suddenly it didn’t matter how hot I was. At some point during our nap I’d managed to pull Zoe flush up against me and wrapped her in my arms.
Slowly I untangled us and stole a glance at my watch. It was just after six in the evening. I knew it was time to wake Zoe. If she still wanted to go to Katie’s party she’d have time to get ready. If she didn’t…well, I’d order some pizza and we could just slouch on the couch for the evening. I know which I’d prefer but I wasn’t about to take the choice away from her. That had already happened enough to her today.
“Hey Zoe,” I cooed softly in her ear as I brushed an untamed curl from her forehead. “Come on. Time to wake up, Pippi.”
“Don’t touch me!” she squealed, leaping from the bed, arms flailing about like a wet cat.
I watched her for a moment as she adjusted her eyesight, got her breathing under control. “Fuck, Spencer. You scared the shit out of me!” she panted, clutching her chest dramatically.
With a wide grin, I crawled from the bed, straightening the covers before turning my attention back to Zoe. She was a sight for sore eyes. Standing there wearing only my shirt, which hung down to just above her knees, she stole my breath. The black eye and split lip were an ugly reminder of what she’d been through. A realisation that iced the adult only thoughts running through my mind.
“Sorry, it was time for you to wake up.” I winked as I tossed a pillow back into place.
“Yeah, I suppose. Thanks, I guess.”
“So Zoe, about the party…”
“I’m not going to argue about this one, Spencer. I came home for Katie’s party and that’s what she’s counting on. I’m not going to let her down,” Zoe reaffirmed.
“I’m sure she’d understand, considering?”
“No, Spencer. Not considering. I’m here and I’m going. The only thing you need to decide is if you are coming with me.”
I remembered why stubborn Zoe drove me insane. When she wanted something she didn’t back down. Not for anything or anyone. It was a trait to be admired. Generally. Right now, she was being a pain in the ass. When she pouted though, she knew she won.
“Fine. You can use the bathroom first,” I conceded, heading towards my wardrobe. Gee, I hope I had something clean I could wear.
“Thanks, Spence.” Zoe smiled as she kissed my cheek and disappeared into the bathroom.
I waited until I heard the groan of the pipes as the shower came to life before I sunk down on the bed. How the fuck was I going to get through this night? There would be people everywhere. People who wanted to talk to Zoe. People who wanted to touch her. That thought alone made me queasy. “Fuck it!” I cursed, dragging my hands through my hair. It was going to be a bloody long night.
Reluctantly I searched the wardrobe and found some clean clothes. They needed ironing, that wouldn’t take long. I heard Zoe shut off the shower and was shocked when she walked into my bedroom wearing nothing but a towel and a sly smile. She looked amazing. Fresh. Young. Free. My Zoe was still in there and she was as sexy as hell.
“Mind if I get dressed in here? I figured you wanted to use the bathroom,” she cooed innocently.
I don’t know if she knew what she was doing to me and if she was playing it up or if she was just that good that she didn’t have to try to make my dick twitch in my pants. Groaning uncomfortably, I backed away and stepped into the hall.
“Good thinking,” I tossed out over my shoulder as I stepped into the bathroom into what I knew had to be a cold shower. An icy cold shower.
