Ashrika
“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELLme you were coming back today?”
“Because I wanted to surprise you.” On the deck outside the restaurant, Zayne turned to face me and tweaked my nose.
I stared up at the handsome man with his dark hair tousled like he’d just gotten out of bed, black V-neck t-shirt sticking to every ridge and hard muscle of his torso. His amber eyes drooled with affection and smiled back at me. There was no denying, the man in front of me screamed power and was intimidating.
Zayne Morrone. My savior, my reason for living, my friend, the only family I knew for the last four years, and my husband. He was my one source of comfort on a bad day, my reason to laugh on a good one and never failed to treat me like a damsel in distress. Yet, an air of foreboding just added to the mystery that was him. Quiet, broody, thespeak when he wanted tokind of guy, whom I’d come to adore.
“Did you meet anyone nice?” I teased.
He’d left on a business adventure to Japan for the last five months. I had no idea what he did for a living and saw no reason to question him. Even in his absence, I felt his presence in the form of bodyguards he had following me. While they remained invisible, I sought comfort in the knowledge they were around. That was the extent of his care and although we chatted on the phone daily, I missed him like crazy.
“And cheat on the love of my life.” Despite the light smile, his words packed a punch.
“Oh, my heart.” I placed a hand to my chest and fluttered my lashes. He let out a deep, sexy laugh, mock-punching my chin. “So, what did you bring me for our anniversary?” I wiggled my brows not caring that I sounded like an excited twelve-year-old. With Zayne I could be myself. There were no walls to hide behind. He knew everything about me. Literally.
Grinning, he withdrew a box out of his jacket pocket and opened it. I stared at the center stone, a mixture of pearl and green, set inside a circle of diamonds on a gold band. “Wow. It’s beautiful.”
“Just like you.” I wrinkled my nose at the compliment. Smiling, he took out the ring, set the box on the railing, and reached for my hand. “It’s a moonstone, known for new beginnings and said to encourage inner growth and strength.” I gazed up at him, my smile wide. “According to the jeweler, when starting afresh, this stone is claimed to soothe those uneasy feelings of stress and instability so you’re able to move forward.” He slid the ring down my finger then gently kissed it.
Smiling, I admired the precious stone. “How ironic. Given I’m stuck in a—” I broke off as I glanced over Zayne’s shoulder, my gaze clashing with eyes that burned hotter than blue flames. Considering he held the ability to steal the oxygen around him, I didn’t doubt their intensity.
My arrogant diner raised a brow as if expecting me to respond. With what? A wave? Smile perhaps? I frowned instead, baffled by the abrupt scowl plastered across his face. If I didn’t know any better, I could’ve sworn he was jealous. I almost laughed at the notion before his square jaw worked a smile that prefaced his deviant intentions. My body reacted with a shiver of pleasure that tingled and stirred right down to my nerve endings. His effect on me was bizarre, leaving me confused. Now that he was standing, I couldn’t help noticing the way his impressive height filled out his dark suit, hinting at the broad shoulders and a masculine build beneath the expensive material.
“Do you know him?” Zayne broke the connection. I was so caught up in my introspection, I didn’t notice him glance over his shoulder.
Mr. Ballsy’s appearance threw me for a moment, more precisely his insane effect on me. “What? No, I don’t,” my reply rushed out between breathless inhales. My already warm face flushed a shade deeper.
Zayne turned to look at me. “You sure?” His lips parted in a slow smile. “Don’t think I’ve seen you this flustered before.”
I rolled my eyes more to cover my irritation with the other man’s influence on my thoughts once more yet still stole a glance in his direction. He offered me another decadent smile which under normal circumstances, I would’ve returned. Normal meaning, he was just an ordinary person greeting me. But with each passing moment, I had to admit there was simply nothing ordinary about him. I balked when he took a step toward us, then seemed to think better of it, changed direction and re-entered the restaurant. Grateful, he hadn’t approached, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
Zayne noticed though and cocked a brow at me. “Something you want to tell me, baby?”
Although I shook my head, I found myself responding, “I have no idea who he is. Arrived here one evening, asked if he could speak to me then disappeared. Two days later he returned and has been back every day since.”
His brow creased. “Want me to speak to him?”
I shrugged. “If you want to. I’m not interested in whatever he’s hoping to offer.” While I uttered the words, that earlier niggle was back, its taunt clear. Mr. Ballsy didn’t look like a man who gave up easily once he set his mind on something. Again, I wondered about his interest in me.
“I think I will.” Zayne slid an arm around my shoulders, pulling me tight into his body.
I loved his protectiveness and felt safe when he was around. Together we walked back inside and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t keep my gaze from straying toward Mr. Ballsy’s table. I was surprised to find he’d left. Maybe after seeing Zayne, he’d given up his endeavors to meet me. Strangely, I found myself wanting him to be someone I knew with a lot more intimacy than our less than salient relationship warranted.What are you thinking, woman?I admonished myself as Zayne pulled my attention once more.
