Change With Me (With Me in Seattle 17.5)

“Wait.” Zane holds up a hand and then pulls that same palm down his face. “There is so much to unpack there. I don’t even know where to start.”

“I’m just babbling.” I shrug and take another sip. I’m starting to feel the buzz, and it’s welcome.

“Back up to the sex part. You’ve never had it?”

“Shit, did I say that out loud?”

“Yes. You did.”

I blow out a breath through my lips, making a raspberry sound. “If you must know, no. I’ve never done it. But I will. Someday, when I’m not dealing with six-year-old bullies.”

There’s a knock on our door.

“Shit, is that Timmy’s dad, here to bust my ass for saying that I live with you?”

“No, drama queen, that’s the chef here to drop off dinner.”

Zane laughs as he opens the door. In walks a gorgeous woman, carrying a big, insulated bag, which Zane takes from her.

“Hey there, handsome,” she says with a wink. Her smile dims when she sees me. “Oh, hello.”

“Hey.” I nod at her and take another swig from the bottle. Her eyes widen. “It’s been a hell of a week.”

“I guess so. I’m Amy. I’ll be bringing in meals for you two. Tonight, we’re starting with…”

She starts to ramble about whatever she cooked and gives Zane instructions to just pop it in the oven if we’re not ready for it now.

“It’ll actually pair really well with that wine you’re drinking.”

“Awesome.”

Zane walks Amy to the door, where she assures him that she’s only a phone call away if he needs anything at all.

I smirk.

“What?” he says after he shuts the door.

“She’s hoping you need her. She practically threw herself at you.”

“No, I’ve seen throwing plenty of times, and that wasn’t it. She was just hinting.”

“She nearly pushed her boobs against your chest.” I sniff the air and have to admit, it smells good. “If you go for the fake triple-D types.”

“Are you jealous?”

“No, I’m irritated. And not even with Amy. I’m just tired, and I’m failing at my job. And maybe I shouldn’t have had so much wine.”

“Okay, okay.” Zane slides dinner into the oven, then comes around the island to wrap his arms around me. “It’s hard to start a new job. And kids are difficult. Take a deep breath. Why don’t you go take a shower and get comfy? Then we’ll eat our weight in pasta.”

“There’s pasta?” I sniffle.

“Didn’t you hear her?”

“No, I didn’t pay attention. Actually, we should do that in the other order. Eat, then shower. Because I think I need that pasta to soak up some of this wine.”

“Good idea.”

* * * *

An hour later, my belly is full, I’m fresh from the shower, and I feel a lot better. Zane made me laugh during dinner and then told me to go shower while he cleaned up.

He’s handy to have around.

Honestly, he’s nice. So much nicer than I expected.

And he’s hotter than hell.

I still can’t believe I told him that I’m a virgin.

I walk out of my bedroom to get something to drink from the kitchen. When I’m on my way back to my room, I see that his bedroom door is open, and he’s sitting on his bed, watching TV.

I wander over to his door and lean on the doorjamb. He smiles when he looks my way. His eyes roam over my simple white tank and red boxer shorts and seem to gleam when he looks back up at my eyes.

“Do you feel better?”

“Yeah. I do, thanks. What are you watching?”

“Early episodes of the show I’m going to direct.”

I nod and glance at the TV. I’ve never seen this one. It’s a medical drama.

“Do you mind if I join you?”

“Not at all.” He scoots a little to the side, and I climb up onto the bed with him, set my drink aside, and we watch the show for a few silent minutes.

“Here, give me your foot,” he says, holding out his hand.

“For what?”

“I’m going to rub it, Aubrey.”

“Oh. Well, then.” I shift so I can put my feet in his lap. When he pushes his thumb into the arch, I have to bite my lip so I don’t groan out loud.

Good God, this man is good with his hands.

“You’re on your feet a lot,” he says quietly.

“Part of the job.” I sigh. I can’t help it. My eyes feel a little heavy, and my stomach tightens when his hands travel up my calf to massage the muscles there.

My body always comes to life when he’s around. When he kissed me in my classroom, I almost died from the pleasure of it.

I didn’t want him to stop.

I may be inexperienced, but I know what feels good when it’s happening, and Zane makes me feel good.

“Oh, I forgot to ask you,” he says as he pulls his fingers firmly down my shin. “Luke asked me to join him and his wife for dinner tomorrow night. I’d like for you to come with me.”