“Not particularly.”
“Too bad.You’re going to hear it anyway.”I lean in closer, hoping to get a better view of his expression.“I think what bothers you the most is that you’re locked in this unspoken battle of wills with your grandmother.It’s more about control or beating her than anything else.”
He turns to face me, his gaze intense and unblinking.He’s silent, not quick to refute my inference.
“Doesn’t it bother you that you’re lying to Nan?Now that I know our fake relationship is all for her, I’m…”
“Having second thoughts?”He eats more of the little space between us.
“Kinda.I don’t like lying to her.”
“I don’t either, but she’s given me no choice.My venture will be good for the company in the long run.”
“What’s your plan?”
He doesn’t miss a beat or hesitate to share his idea of expanding into hotels and his conviction is contagious.Even knowing nothing about the real estate industry, by the time he’s done explaining his vision, I’m behind the idea.If I had the money, I’d give it to him.
“And to further set ourselves apart from the other luxury hotels, we’ll focus on mainly sustainable features, reducing our global footprint.And furthermore, I want to expand this thinking and eventually retrofit our other properties.”
“I like it.I can’t see why Nan wouldn’t.Did you tell her all of this?”
“Our conversation doesn’t usually get that far.She shuts it down and walks away.”
“I’m sorry.That must suck.”
He chuckles.“You have a way with words.”
“Don’t I, though?”
“Yeah.”His smile slides into a neutral line and his features sober.“How are you doing with all of this?”
“What?Our deal?”
“No.Everything else.What happened last night.”He stares hungrily into my eyes, bringing his palm to my face, and my insides quiver.Visions of his lips and tongue dancing with mine swamp my thoughts.
“Okay.I guess.I’m not looking forward to the police station tomorrow,” I admit in a moment of truth and vulnerability.
I have done everything in my power not to dwell on my upcoming visit to the station.It’ll be relatively simple and straightforward, but the sooner I can put Joel Hummel behind me, the better.
“I’m going with you and Tamara will meet us there.”His fingers stroke my jaw and my eyes flutter closed.
“You don’t have—” I’m about to mention Tom will be there tomorrow when he cuts me off.
“I want to.”With one final caress, he releases my face and lies back onto the pillow.“Tell me if you need anything, all right?”
“Uh-huh.”I’m unable to form words thanks to the swelling in my throat at this strangely intimate turn to our conversation.
“Night, Paige.”With one final look, he turns away from me.
“Night, Zach.”
Iwake to someone peeling my fingers from a hard, warm abdomen.My face is plastered to Zach’s bare back and I’m nestled against him, hugging his body as if he’s my favorite stuffed animal.
God, no.I’m a hugger and usually cuddle an extra pillow while asleep.I must have latched onto Zach during the night.
I squeeze my eyes shut, willing them to relax along with the rest of my body, as he extricates himself from my death grip.By the time he’s out of the bed, I’ve managed to calm both my breathing and muscles.
He slips into the bathroom and I sigh with relief, although my mortification isn’t too far behind.A few hours pass and our paths don’t cross as he works out, showers, and dresses.Later, I’m staring up at the closet shelves when I hear him enter the room.
