Hold Me (Love The Way Duet 2)

“There’s this bar down by the trolley in the city we lived in; it’s the first floor of Monet’s. It’s where we first met.” I smile at the memory as the car moves and the world blurs around us in a beautiful hue of greens and blues. The trees are only just starting to turn to auburn shades. Licking my lower lip, I continue, staring out of the window. “I knew of him, of James,” I say, correcting myself. “I knew he slept around. I’m sure he knew I did the same.”

I can feel Zander’s eyes on me, but I don’t look back at him. Instead I remember the din of the bar and the way James smiled at me, like I would jump at the chance to fuck him. I’m certain I roll my eyes now just like I did back then. “He was cocky, came from money but invested in a few companies at the right time.

“Rich Prick is what we used to call him.”

“Sounds like Prince Charming,” Z jokes and I finally turn to him, letting him see how happy that comment made me. His strong hand lands on my thigh and I place mine on top of his, not wanting him to let go as I remember the first time I spoke to James, years ago.

“He wanted my number when I turned him down.”

Z looks back at me, curious without an ounce of jealousy. His thumb travels over my hand as I tell him our story.

“He said he’d change my mind.” My heart does a painful flip in my chest remembering the timbre of his voice. “There wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to sleep with him. I was getting over a different guy. So …” I take in a deep breath and huff it out as I lay my head back on the seat. “So when he asked for my number,” I say and smirk when Z’s eyes meet mine, “I gave him my ex’s number. To piss two men off at the same time.”

The low, deep rumble of Zander’s laugh spreads a much-needed warmth through me. “That’s one way to make an impression.”

My smile is dull, but it’s there. It lingers along with the grief that comes with the past.

“So you were always a smart-ass, stubborn woman?”

“You mean a bitch?” I question and Zander’s quick to say, “I’d never call you that.”

“Well, I would. I could be a bitch when I wanted to be one.”

“I don’t want you to call yourself that.” His admonishment is a simple statement and as he turns the wheel, he has to remove his hand and along with it goes the warmth. Dom Z has returned it seems.

“Yes, Sir,” I murmur sarcastically.

“Don’t make me pull this car over and spank your ass because of your mouth.” The warning on his lips changes the atmosphere of the car instantly.

His tone heats every nerve ending in my body at once. I wonder if he knows how much power he has over me.

“I’m sorry,” I say and pull the hem of my black dress down. With my pulse quickened, I change the subject, back to Zander and Quincy.

“Do you have any stories?” I ask him.

“Stories of what?”

“Of you and Quincy.”

He’s quiet for a long moment, too long. An awkwardness slips between us. “You don’t have to tell me if you—” Just as I’m offering the both of us an out, he speaks up.

“I was drunk and wanted to pick a fight.” He peeks over at me, smirking, and his hand returns to its rightful place on my thigh. “It also started at a bar.”

His gentle smile picks up the corners of my lips. His jaw is strong, covered in a five o’clock shadow as I gauge his expression in profile.

“I was pissed. I’d gotten into a fight with my brother over our parents. He wanted them to go live with him. I wanted them to move down south where it was warm. It’s what they wanted really.”

“Why did they want to move?”

“Mom had chronic pneumonia and … well, things had to change. Pops had a hard time taking care of everything although he wouldn’t admit it.”

“Did he love her?” My question throws Zander off and I almost feel compelled to explain myself. “I don’t remember a time when my mother was alive, really … only moments and they were fighting.”

“Yeah,” he says and nods, taking my hand in his and kissing my wrist before setting both our hands back down on my thigh. His thumb moves in soothing circles. “He loved her and she loved him.”

“They’re gone?”

He nods slowly and says, “Yeah, they had just passed. One after the other and my brothers just made things worse.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to keep saying that, my little bird.” I swear he almost says something else but stops himself. “She passed quickly. My father died later that year.”