No need to be rude.It isn’t his fault Zach is a jerk.From what I remember, Donovan is a nice guy and at one point, I had wanted to pursue something with him.
“Sorry about that back there.”He points toward where I just escaped.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“So, you and Rothwell, huh?”
I shrug, not really having a comment.If I dare speak about Zach, I’ll end up saying something I’ll regret.Not fully aware of Donovan’s relationship with Zach, I don’t want to screw up anything by saying something inappropriate even if the jerk deserves it.
“I’m guessing it’s serious if you’re going to the board dinner.”He pushes for more and quickly fills the silent void as my lips remain sealed.“I’ve known Zach for easily half his life and this will be a first—bringing a date to a board dinner.”
“Mine too,” I relent, smiling weakly.He doesn’t have to know that I’m no longer going.
“Listen, if you’re leaving.”His eyes flick behind me, the way I came, as if expecting Zach to show up any minute now.Not a chance.“Can I buy you a drink?”
I’m not thrown by his invitation.I could see his intention in his gaze, and I don’t answer right away, weighing what a drink with him could mean.
He will want to probe for more about Zach and me, figure out what exactly is going on.As for my interests?I don’t have any where Donovan is concerned.That ship sailed a long time ago.
Sure, he’s handsome, but I’ve sworn off men.And then there is Zach.
Speaking of the devil, he barges past Donovan, eyes, as well as the rest of him, gunning for me.
“Zach—” His name lingers on my tongue as his large manicured hands cup my face, shooting tingling waves to every part of my body.
It happens so fast and so slow.His icy blue eyes peer down at me and my attention drifts to his lips.The very ones twisted in anger not too long ago.But now, they are wet and softly parted as he bends to take mine.
Pleasure floods my body, pulsing through my belly, and I lower my eyelids as the heat of his kiss consumes me.Some kind of ding goes off somewhere in the distance and it’s followed by movement close by.
“I don’t have to tell you two to have a good night.”Donovan’s humorous comment vaguely penetrates my drunken kiss-induced haze.
I can barely form a coherent thought.
I’m kissing Zachary Rothwell.
No, make that Zachary Rothwell is kissing me.
And holy hell, the man knows how to kiss.
Somewhere in the back of my mind I register that this shouldn’t be happening, but I just can’t, not even for my own self-respect, care.
I’m enjoying it way too much.More than I should.
Before I can take stock and catalogue every stroke or command of his tongue, teeth, and lips, he breaks the kiss.
He’s still holding my head, and we’re close enough that I could lean in and take more.There would be no effort on my part, only pleasure, to cover my mouth over his and take.Get my fill of this infuriating man who knows how to kiss the ever-loving daylights out of me.
My brain is mush and my knees aren’t much better.
So this is what it feels like to be marked.
“I was...”His voice is husky and anything else he was goingto say fades.
We’re not even an inch or two apart, he’s still bent, cupping my face, and our foreheads are plastered together.
“Out of line,” I say, and he nods.
“A jerk,” I continue and again his head nods in agreement.
