Wrapped in You (The Monroes 1)

But there was something about Zach that made her want to stake her claim. Not that she had a claim over him, but she sure as hell did over this woman.

“I can take a message,” Sophie stated when the silence stretched too long.

“No. No message.”

With a wide smile, Sophie disconnected the call and handed it back across the desk. “She didn’t have anything to say.”

Speechless, Zach kept staring at her. Sophie didn’t know whether to applaud her performance or cringe at her boldness. On one hand, the neighbor was beyond beautiful, but on the other, Zach had made it perfectly clear he wasn’t interested.

“Did I go too far?” Sophie asked, biting her bottom lip.

“Not at all,” he told her, taking the phone and just barely grazing his fingertips along the back of hers. “I’m just . . . I have no words.”

Sophie shrugged. “I didn’t think before acting. I’m sorry I grabbed your phone and just . . . well, implied things that aren’t true.”

Zach shoved the phone back into his pocket. “Don’t worry about it. Maybe she’ll stop harassing me. I tried to steer her toward one of my employees, but that didn’t last long.”

He wasn’t addressing the fact that she’d pretty much told someone that she and Zach were together . . . as in, together. In this small town, if his neighbor started talking, everyone would know. Granted, Sophie hadn’t identified herself.

This is why she preferred a game plan. She was the one to always think things through, looking at the scenario from all angles so she could choose the best option. And she truly wished she knew what was going on between Zach and her.

“You’re overthinking this,” Zach chimed in, interrupting her wayward thoughts. “Forget the phone call.”

He obviously wasn’t too concerned as he relaxed in the chair, fingers laced over his flat abs, so why was she?

“Okay.” Sophie blew out a breath and glanced back down to her notes. “We’ve got the basics down. I’ll have an appraiser go through the house and get back to me. Then you and I can discuss the price. I’m sure you’ll want to talk with Braxton and Liam about that as well.”

Sophie came to her feet, wincing when that familiar pain gave her pause. Zach instantly stood, reaching across the desk.

“No, it passed.” She stepped around the desk to face him. “See? Nothing to worry about.”

His eyes roamed over her, affecting her body just as if he’d actually touched her. Those beautiful lips thinned as his eyes narrowed in on hers.

“I’ll call the appraiser tomorrow,” she told him, purposely trying to keep tension from settling between them. “I’ll let you know what he says.”

Zach took a step forward, minimizing the space between them and effectively towering over her. “Are you always going to ignore the pain? Are you expecting me to ignore it every time I see you hurting?”

“I don’t ignore it,” she replied, tipping her chin up to meet his gaze. “I’m used to it and it will pass. It’s really nothing more than a twinge most times. Besides, you’re pretty good at ignoring things. You’ve pushed aside your feelings for years, so just add this to the list.”

“I’ve not pushed them aside.” He leaned in, still not touching her, but his warm breath tickled her face. “I live with them every single day.”

“Well, you should be commended for your self-control. After what happened at my house the other day, I would’ve thought . . .”

Sophie shook her head and pursed her lips. After a moment of staring at each other in some sort of modern-day standoff, Sophie sighed. “Go home, Zach. Go to the Sunset Lake property or wherever. We’re done here. The ball is in your court, so whatever happens next is up to you.”

Just as she turned, he reached for her shoulder. He didn’t grip her or demand she stop, but that subtle touch halted her movements just the same.

“Soph.” His soft tone washed over her. She closed her eyes, absorbing his words. “The last thing I want you to think is that I’m rejecting you.”

“What am I supposed to think, then?” she whispered, her heart hurting for the years of angst that remained between them.

His hand dropped. “It’s difficult to take something so precious from you.”

Sophie whirled on him. “I’m not a virgin, Zach.”

“Damn it.” He slid a hand along his jaw and smoothed his beard down. “I’m not saying that. I’m saying I know you wouldn’t take intimacy so lightly and there’s no way I would ever take that from you. You deserve more than . . .”

Sophie nodded. “You can’t even say it. It’s fine. Just go.”