Breaking All Their Rules

Zac’s eyes widened and his tongue did another lick of his lips.

With one forefinger she began lowering her panties, never taking her eyes off his. She saw when they widened, when his chest began rising and falling faster, when his erection strained tight. Swinging a leg over his body, she hovered above him, moving so that her centre barely touched the tip of his shaft.

‘Oh, sweetheart, let me touch you.’ Those firm hands she craved on her skin covered her breasts, lifting them, caressing and gently squeezing them. His thumbs teased her nipples into hard, tight peaks.

Heat spread throughout her body like a slow burn, sending lazy flames of desire to every corner, warming her skin, drying her mouth. She began to lower herself over him, taking him deep inside.

Zac moved his hands to her buttocks, and he held her still. ‘Not yet.’

Suddenly Olivia was on her back with Zac above her, kissing every inch of her heated skin, drowning her in need and longing. Taking his time to work down her body. They’d never made love like this.

This felt like lovemaking; not hot, frantic sex.

And when Zac moved over her, claimed her, they moved in unison, a slow rhythm that built and built till finally they reached a crescendo that stole the breath out of her lungs and sent her spinning out of control.

*

Olivia woke slowly. A heavy weight lay over her waist. Zac’s arm. His breaths were soft on the back of her neck. His knees tucked in behind hers, and his stomach pushed against her lower back. Wow. This was amazing. Comfortable and cosy, warm and sexy. But mostly wonderful. Something she’d never experienced before. She snuggled nearer, closing her eyes to absorb every sensation moving through her. Warmth from that splayed hand on her stomach, from those thigh muscles behind her.

‘Morning, beautiful,’ Zac whispered against her neck.

‘Wow,’ she said. Hard to believe what she’d been missing out on. A small laugh escaped her. Slipping her fingers through Zac’s on her stomach, she admitted, ‘I’ve never had a man stay the night.’

Warm lips laid a soft kiss on her shoulder. ‘Glad I’m the chosen one.’ Another kiss. ‘It’s not something I normally do either.’

It was as though her whole body smiled. She and Zac had slept together, as in ‘closed their eyes and gone to sleep’ slept. She’d heard women talk about how good it was to sleep, spooned with their partner, and had thought they were exaggerating. Now she got it.

Careful. This was starting to feel like a relationship, as in not just about sex. Olivia tensed. Really? Damn. Just when she was beginning to enjoy things reality raised its annoying head to remind her she knew nothing about a good, solid, loving relationship between a man and a woman. Neither did Zac.

‘Hey, relax. I’m not going to bite.’ Zac’s voice sounded sleep-laden.

No, but was he going to hurt her? Not today, or next month maybe, but eventually would he realise he didn’t want to spend time with her, and walk? She had to protect herself. Wriggling free, she sat up. ‘I’m going to take a shower.’

Zac reached for her, pulled her down. ‘Come here. Let’s stay tucked up for a little longer.’

‘But…’

‘Do you have to be somewhere in a hurry?’ he asked reasonably.

‘No.’ Neither could she deny that lying in Zac’s strong arms gave her a sense of belonging. Something that had been missing most of her life. Tension began tripping up her spine. Not good. Belonging went hand in hand with a serious relationship. Squeezing her eyes shut tight, she worked at banishing the negative feeling. She’d make the most of this moment; give herself something to remember later.

*

‘I can’t believe that in less than two weeks we’ll be lying under palm trees.’ Excitement warmed Olivia as she talked to Zac on the phone the following Thursday night. ‘I’m going on holiday.’

‘Says the woman who went out of her way to avoid it.’ Zac’s laughter rolled down the phone.

‘Yeah, well, I’m glad I came to my senses. A holiday is definitely what I need. How are you getting on with sorting your surgical list?’

‘Not too bad. Because Paul’s taking over my private list I haven’t had to change too many appointments. Most patients I’ve talked to have been understanding about the change.’

Olivia grimaced. ‘I wish mine were as accepting. There’ve been a few tears and tantrums, but I think I’ve got it sorted. I’ll be working some long days leading up to our departure and will be busier than rush hour on the motorway.’

‘Wonderful,’ he groaned. ‘Are you going to sleep the whole time we’re away?’

‘Absolutely not.’ Somehow she doubted she’d sleep much at all, knowing Zac was in the same room and out of bounds. Why had he suggested that? Getting to know each other was one thing, but seriously? No sex? This would be a very interesting holiday. ‘I’m going shopping for bikinis at the weekend.’

‘Can I come?’

‘I don’t think so.’ She grinned. That so wasn’t happening.

‘What if I waited outside the shop and took you to lunch afterwards?’

‘What sort of lunch?’

‘You’d have to wait and see.’ Zac laughed again.

‘Sorry, not happening.’

‘So where do you go shopping for beach gear in the middle of winter?’

‘My favourite fashion shop has an accessories section all year round. Apparently bikinis are holiday accessories. Who’d have thought it? But, then, I haven’t owned a bikini in more years than I care to count.’ Or gone on a holiday.

?

?Don’t you go to the beach?’ Zac asked.

‘Going to the beach is a family thing, or a teen group party.’ Which had been the last time she’d gone with a crowd.

‘I think it’s time you started getting out there and living, CC. All work and no play is not healthy.’

‘Didn’t you tell me how little you do outside work?’ They were a right messed-up pair. ‘We’ll make up for it in Fiji.’

‘Can’t wait.’ A sigh filtered down the line. ‘I mean that. You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to this now that it’s real.’

‘Oh, but I do. After at first refusing to accept the trip, I now find I’m often daydreaming about being on the beach or swimming with the fishes. I don’t remember being this excited about anything since… Well, I don’t remember.’

‘We are going to have a blast.’ Now he was sounding like an excited schoolboy.

‘Sure are.’

Another voice interrupted the moment. ‘Olivia, sweetheart, where’s the tonic water?’ Her mother’s wheedling voice grated more than usual.

‘Zac, I’ve got to go. Talk to you again.’

‘Something up? Your tone changed. Is your mother there?’ He missed nothing, damn him.

‘Yes, she is.’ Sometimes her mother could be demanding and unrelenting in her quest for whatever today’s greatest need was, and other times she’d be all sweetness and light. ‘I’ve got to go.’

‘Hey, I’m here for you.’ The excitement had gone, replaced with concern. ‘We can still have that lunch.’

‘I’m good, Zac. Truly.’

‘Olivia, tonic water. Where have you hidden it?’ Mum stood in front of her, her eyes bloodshot and her tomato-red lipstick smudged on her upper lip.

‘Talk to me, CC.’ Zac was in her ear.

‘It’s complicated.’ And ugly.

‘Try me,’ he persisted.

‘Not now, Zac.’ Her mother was in her face. ‘Talk later. Bye.’ Olivia pressed the off button, dug deep for patience. No surprise. She was all out of it. ‘There’s no tonic in this house.’ There hadn’t been any gin either until her mother had arrived with a bottle an hour ago.