“Everyone, if you want to head into the kitchen where I have prepared some snacks and a smorgasbord of drinks.”
“Smorgasbord. What the fuck does that mean?” Kye snorted.
“It can mean either a range of open sandwich type canapés… and nobody cares.” I flushed bright red. “I blame the champagne. I ramble when I’ve had a drink.”
And maybe, just maybe, it was the nervous energy coursing through me.
Zane banded his arm around my waist and dipped his face to the crook of my neck. “You are so fucking cute right now.”
Everyone headed into the kitchen, but Nate hung back. “And for the special couple.” He dangled a key in front of us.
Zane snatched it off him and said, “Thanks, man. I owe you.”
“Have fun.” Nate winked, before he disappeared into the kitchen.
“What was all that about?”
“You’ll see, come on.” Zane took my hand and moved down the hall until we were at the back of the house.
We entered a utility room and slipped out of a door leading to the yard. The Millers’ pool shimmered under the moonlight as we crossed the yard to the beautifully lit pool house.
“It’s so pretty,” I said, a trickle of anticipation going through me. Because we were alone at last.
Zane unlocked the door and turned to me, his eyes simmering with hunger. “I know it’s not a fancy hotel room,” he hesitated, “but I thought…”
“It’s perfect. Take me inside, Zane.”
No more words were spoken between us as we entered the pool house. Zane closed the door and slipped his arms around my waist again, dropping his chin to my shoulder. “I wanted us to have a do-over.”
“A do-over?” I craned my neck to look at him.
“Your first time… you deserved more.”
Turning in his arms, I rested my palms against his chest. “I don’t regret it, Zane. Not for a second.”
“Still, I want to make it up to you.”
A shy smile formed on my lips. “I wouldn’t say no to that.”
“We have the place to ourselves for the night. If you want to—”
“I do. I really, really do.”
“Thank fuck. Come here.” His hand curved around the nape of my neck so he could draw me closer. Our breaths mingled, our eyes saying everything we wouldn’t yet.
“I want you, Zane Thackeray Washington. I want you so much.”
“You’re mine.” He kissed me hard, licking his tongue deep into my mouth, making my stomach clench with need.
Zane’s hand dropped to the backs of my thighs, and he lifted me up, carrying me further into the pool house and down the hall. He nudged a door open and lowered me to the floor.
I glanced at the queen size bed and inhaled a shaky breath, desire swirling through me.
“Hey, we go at your pace, okay?” Zane stroked a finger along the curve of my jaw and along my collarbone.
“I don’t want to take it slow,” I whispered, my fingers going to the buttons on his shirt, popping them open until my palms found his smooth, warm skin. My dress was next, his hands making light work of the zipper in the back.
When we were both naked, Zane picked me up and carried me over to the bed, lying me down and falling on top of me. “Hi.” He nudged my nose, stealing a kiss.