The water gradually cools and he reaches past me to shut it off.
“I didn’t get to wash your hair,” I protest.
His mouth kicks into a devilish smile. “I came in here to get dirty, not clean.”
My gaze strays in the direction of Chance’s room and Z chuckles. “Parents still do that, right? I mean, otherwise everyone would be an only child.”
I don’t have an answer other than to laugh.
He steps out of the shower first and scoops me up.
“We’re all slippery.” I dig my nails into his shoulder. “You’re going to drop me.”
“You’ve always been hard to hold onto.” He sets me down on the counter. “But I’ve got you for good this time.”
No point in searching for the double-meaning there.
He steps back and reaches out to lock the bathroom door. “Just in case.”
“What do you think is happening in here?”
I’m kidding, of course. The answer’s written on his face. In the way his eyes blaze a trail over my body as he prowls closer. And if those things didn’t clue me in, his thick erection is a statement all its own.
“I missed you.” He braces his hands on my knees, gently pushing them apart and stepping between them. “A lot.”
“I’m all wet.”
“Good.”
No more talking. He traces a line up my leg with his fingers, stopping to settle his thumb in the crease of my thigh, then crushes his mouth against mine. I’m so caught up in his kiss, I gasp in surprise when he slips his arms under my knees, lifting and tilting me.
“Hang on,” he rasps. “This’ll be quick and furious.” One corner of his mouth lifts. “And quiet.”
I open my mouth with a sassy comeback. Something like, “I’ll do my best.” Instead, I end up moaning as he pushes against me.
“Open,” he orders, lifting me higher.
I wrap my arms around his neck, holding on tighter. “Oh.”
“Shh,” he reminds me.
“You feel so good,” I whisper. Good god, how did I survive the last couple days without him? Suddenly sex with Z is as necessary as air and water.
He fucks with slow movements, leaning back to stare down at where we’re joined. His thumb finds my clit and he rubs in time with his thrusts.
Delicious pleasure builds, everything inside me feels tight, urgent, ready to explode.
Finally, I break, shattering like pieces of glass showering down around us. I’m panting with the effort of swallowing down my cries of ecstasy.
“Fuuuck,” Z grits out in a low rasp. His eyes clench shut and he groans against my mouth. “My siren,” he whispers as his movements still. “You’re going to kill me.”
“I love you too much to kill you.”
His eyes open and he stares at me with lazy, loving, satisfaction, slowly kissing my cheek and forehead.
“I think you made more noise than I did.”
He chuckles as he pulls back. “Maybe.”
Slowly, I release my stranglehold on him. He glances over his shoulder and swipes his hand over a spot on his back. Blood’s smeared on his fingers. “You ripped me open, Siren.”
“I’m so sorry. You had me hanging on for dear life.”
He swoops in and kisses my forehead. “Don’t be sorry. It’s hot.”
After we both clean up again, Z follows me into my bedroom, watching me get dressed.
“Are you planning to go to dinner in a towel tonight?”
He glances down. “If you want me to strip, just say so, pretty girl.”
“Oh, I’d have you walking around naked all day if I could. Only for me, though.” I wink at him.
Z seems to glow from the compliment, something I find endearing. As soon as we’re both dressed, he pulls me into the living room.
“Come here, I have something for you.”
Still weak-kneed and wearing a love-drunk smile, I follow him. “You already gave me plenty.”
His dimples are on full display. “I’ll give you that anytime you want.” He leans over, plucking his leather cut off the couch and pulls a small, flat white box out of an inside pocket. “This is something special I saw and thought of you.”
“Oh.” My breath catches.
Z’s always been thoughtful. Several times in the few years we’ve known each other, he’s surprised me with small things he knows I’ll like. This doesn’t feel small, though.
It feels profound.
I slip the lid off the box and gasp at the pendant nestled on a pad of black velvet. It’s more than a pendant. A solid white gold chain with a 3D mermaid suspended in the middle. The exquisite detail highlights her struggle to free herself from an anchor embedded in her tail.
“She’s strong. Determined. A fighter. Like you.” Z’s low voice slides over me like honey, making the moment even sweeter. “My beautiful siren.”
“It’s gorgeous. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“You’ll wear it?”
“Yes. I love it.” I turn and lift up my hair. “Will you put it on for me?”
He takes his time, tracing one warm, rough finger over my collar bones. The sensation shoots straight to my nipples and he chuckles low and sensual against my neck.
The pendant rests cool and heavy against my skin. I press my hand over it. “Thank you so much.”
There’s a thump and a stirring from Chance’s room. Z leans down to kiss me again. “I’ll get him.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, still reeling from how well Z knows me.
Z
“You don’t have to come inside with me,” Lilly says as I pull into her brother’s driveway.
I glance over at her but don’t respond. She should know me better than that.
Alex opens his front door with a less smug than usual expression. His face brightens when he sees Chance, which helps me dislike the dude less. He might be an ass in general, but at least he’s good to my son. And Chance seems to love him, so that’s something.
“Hi, Z.” He holds out his hand and I shake it.
“Thanks for watching him tonight,” Lilly says, ushering Chance inside.
“No problem.” Alex glances at me, then Lilly. “You’re going to see Ted?”
So, he knows Ted? Does he know the guy proposed to his sister too? Bet Alex would rather have a doctor for a brother-in-law than a biker. Too bad.
“Yes.” Her eyes dart my way. “He’s heading home tomorrow.”
“Tell him I said hi.”
“I will.”
“Mom?” Chance tugs on Lilly’s hand, pulling her further into the house.
“I’ll be right back.” Lilly turns my way and raises an eyebrow. Silently asking me not to kill Alex? Probably.
I watch Alex for a few seconds without saying anything.
“Lilly tells me you’re getting married,” he finally
says.
Surprised she told her brother, I just nod.
“Don’t see a ring on her finger yet.”
Now that makes me laugh. “It’s coming.”
He crosses his arms over his chest.
If he’s waiting for more information, he’s about to be disappointed. “Would you mind keeping Chance tonight?”
“Not at all. Why?”
“Not sure how late we’ll be out.” I flick my gaze down the hallway. “Don’t mention it to her, though.”
“I probably don’t want to know. Do I?”
One corner of my mouth twitches up, but it’s not a dirty night of pleasure on my mind. No, I want to have a certain discussion with Lilly. And since she made it clear that’s not happening with Chance in the house, this seems like my best opportunity before I have to go downstate again.
A lick of guilt brushes against my conscience. It feels like I’m orchestrating an ambush on the woman I love. But I need those answers.
“I’m off all day tomorrow. Let me know when you want to pick him up. Or I can drop him off.”
“Thanks.”
Chance races around the corner, stops and grins up at both of us.
“You going to be good for Uncle Alex?” I ask in a dad voice I didn’t even know I had.
“Yup.”
As attached as Chance is to Lilly, he doesn’t get upset when we leave, which is a relief.
“Was Alex okay?” Lilly asks after I start the car.
“Did you see me punch him?”
“Not funny. I’m serious.”
“That was the least dickish he’s ever been.”
I don’t have to glance over to know she’s rolling her eyes. “What did you talk about?”
“Chance.” Not a lie. “Oh, and I guess you told him we’re getting married?”
“Oh.” She hesitates. “I’m sorry. Did you not—”
“You tell everyone and anyone you want, Siren. He wanted to know where your ring was.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. I hope you told him it’s not the 1930’s?”
I snort but her answer bugs me. “You’ll have a ring.”
“Oh thank God,” she says, mocking me. “I was worried you were going to tattoo ‘Property of Z’ on my forehead.”
“We can do that too.” I glance at the upcoming ramp for the Northway. “Which way am I going?”