Compromising Love (The American Soldier Collection 10)

She stared up into his handsome face. His blue eyes held her gaze and he inhaled, as if he was taking in her scent. It did something to her, aroused her, but then she reminded herself that he had been testing her and showing her weakness to a man’s attempt at seduction. That was the only reason why he kissed her that night on the balcony.

“Steak good for dinner tonight? Weston left a little earlier to get things started.”

She nodded her head as he reached up and ran his fingers along her neck. She shivered from the intimate touch as he zeroed in on her breasts and gently, slowly pulled the necklace from confinement.

Zin slid his fingers down the string of pearls and softly feathered over her cleavage to set them over her blouse causing the material to pull together and hide her s

kin.

“How about a little wine with dinner tonight? Maybe it will relax you a bit,” he suggested, and she stepped back and reached for her bag and her purse.

“I’m pretty tired. So much so that a glass of wine might do me in.”

“It may make for a good night’s sleep,” he said as she headed toward the door, him turning the lights off behind her.

She knew what he was hinting at and she wasn’t going to get into this with Zin, with any of them.

“I’m fine, Zin,” she said.

He said good night to the secretary, who was gathering her things, and a few other stragglers, including one woman Pamela, whom Aspen had already added to her watch list. Pamela’s eyes landed on Zin and then his hand as Zin kept it at Aspen’s lower back as he guided her out of the office toward the elevators.

“Good night, Zin,” Pamela called out. He gave a wave and Aspen harrumphed under her breath. It was obvious by the woman’s expression and eyes that she had a thing for Zin and was jealous of Aspen. Definitely one woman to keep an eye on and never turn her back on either.

They got into the elevator, and as Zin pressed the button for the lobby, Aspen caught sight of Pamela staring at her as she spoke on the cell phone she put to her ear.

“What’s that expression for?” Zin asked, crossing his arms and looking at her as he stood slightly in front of her. He was always in a protective stance. Like her own shield of armor.

“Nothing, just noticing the way Pamela looks at you.”

He raised one eyebrow up at her in that sexy way that Zin knew turned women on. She would be lying if she said it didn’t affect her.

“One of your regulars?” she shot back at his cocky expression. He stepped forward and she instinctually stepped back, her rear hitting the wall of the elevator. One of his hands went to her waist and the other over her shoulder and against the wall.

“Jealous?” he challenged.

She chuckled but it came out as an odd sound that gave away her frazzled state. Not many men could frazzle her. Zin obviously could.

“No.”

He pressed his body against hers and whispered close to her lips. “Liar.”

The elevator stopped and the doors opened but he didn’t move. She raised one eyebrow up at him and he let the hand that was above her shoulder slide down her arm to her hand, clasping his and hers together.

He pulled her along and she had no choice but to follow him through the lobby and past the security cameras as well as the security desk. The men working there smiled wide and said good night. It was in that moment she realized why Zin was doing this, making a show of possession. Those same men flirted with her the first few days. In fact one of them mentioned having drinks this Friday after work and her joining them. As they walked out the front entrance the black SUV was sitting there running.

“Jealous much?” she asked as he opened the door and there were Storm and Winter. Both Weston and York were probably both preparing dinner back at the estate. She climbed up into the SUV, her blouse obviously parting again as Storm and Winter looked directly at her chest.

She sat back against the seat, placed her bags on the floor and then adjusted her blouse.

“All set?” Storm asked. Zin mumbled a “yes.” Then Storm began to drive out of the parking lot.

* * * *

Zin was feeling pretty damn angry and hell yeah, jealous. Those fucking guys downstairs that worked the security desk had been talking about Aspen since day one. They were talking about her body, how hot she was and even had the nerve to flirt with her and ask her to meet them for drinks. They were some of the best guys they had working for them but he would fire their asses if need be.

He completely forgot about how annoyed Aspen looked after Pamela said good night to him and flirted. Aspen thought he had slept with Pamela. He wanted to kiss Aspen in the elevator and nearly did when the doors opened. Then he completely forgot about all of it as she waved good night to the guys and they checked out her ass and all smiled and waved good-bye.

“I wasn’t the least bit jealous. I just don’t think any of those guys are your type at all,” he told her and she turned to look at him. His remark grabbed Storm and Winter’s attention, too.