“Zoe,” Will whispered, “we can’t do this here.”
Zoe stepped out of Will’s embrace. Ice water poured over him. “We’re not,” she smiled.
Laughing, Will shook his head. “Get in the car, woman, before I change my mind.”
CHAPTER 8
Saturday morning, after tossing and turning all night long, Zoe awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside her window. Still in disbelief of her bold actions last night, Zoe rubbed her eyes with the palm of her hands. It was safe to say there was no turning back now regarding her relationship with Will. Lines were crossed. Zoe’s fingers moved from her eyes to her mouth, where her lips tingled from heated dreams of Will. Her heart raced at the thought of seeing him again. Her body shivered with the idea of seeing him alone on the alleged date he said he wanted to take her on when they returned. She couldn’t wait.
Eager to see him again, Zoe kicked her comforter off her body and headed for the bathroom. She gave her side of the door a soft knock, just to be safe. No one answered. Not sure why she was disappointed, Zoe went ahead and took her shower. Steam hung in the air and coated the mirror by the time she finished. A thick, daffodil-yellow towel soaked up the moisture on her body. She tucked it under her arms and wiped down the mirror with her bare hands.
Tonight was their last night at Magnolia Palace. Kenzie had set up a fancy dinner. Yesterday while in the bathroom fixing Kimber’s emergency, Lexi had mentioned she planned on sending over a proper dress for tonight’s event. Zoe trusted Lexi’s taste and couldn’t wait to see what her friend chose. She couldn’t wait to see Will in his suit. Hell, she couldn’t wait to see him this morning.
“Hey, Zoe,” Will said, knocking on his side of the bathroom door.
Zoe, careful to tiptoe on the rugs to avoid the cold floor on her bare feet, stepped over and opened the door. What did he call her last night? A tease? She’d show him. “Good morning,” she said lightly.
From the way he was dressed, in a pair of black baller shorts and a black sleeveless T-shirt, along with the sweat glazing his hard muscles, Will had already been up and working out. He held a piece of perfectly crisp bacon in his big hands.
The look of shock on his face was perfect. Will’s mouth dropped open. His eyes immediately went to the droplets of water dribbling from the wet curls of her hair and to the cleavage created by the way she held the towel. The Adam’s apple at his throat visibly bobbed up and down as he tried to find words to say.
“Did you need something?”
“Um,” Will began. “You have…”
“I have what?” Zoe shook her hair loose with her free hand.
Will blinked several times.
She reached for the lavender bottle of body cream, courtesy of Ravens Cosmetics. “I love this stuff.” Zoe held the bottle for him to read the label. He didn’t, so she popped the cap open and squirted the magnolia-scented lotion into one hand. Skillfully, she held the towel tucked under her arm and cocked one leg on the counter for a better angle to smear the product on it. The towel was long enough to cover the important parts.
“Will?” She tried to snap but her moistened fingers lacked the friction.
“Sorry,” said Will, finally finding his voice. His eyes glanced up to where steam billowed out into his room. “There’s someone here for you.”
“Someone or something?” Zoe asked. “Lexi said she was sending over a dress today.”
“Someone,” Will repeated. He took a bite of his bacon and closed his eyes for a moment while he chewed. Zoe’s stomach began to rumble from hunger for food and the man. “Actually, several people are here for you.”
Zoe’s brows fused together. “What?”
“Get dressed and meet me downstairs.”
Curious, it took Zoe a matter of seconds to find a pair of blue gingham shorts and a matching plain blue top. She bounced down the steps toward the sound of chatter. Lots of chatter. The moment her foot hit the bottom step, a gaggle of girls began screaming. Zoe glanced over her shoulder for the rock star who must have been behind her. There was no one. They must have been screaming for her.