Ooh, La La!, page 28
It was a light kiss, tender and full of longing. He pulled back and gazed into her eyes, searching her face. Kate’s arms wound around his neck. She stood there, lost in his eyes, holding the man who held her heart.
“Hey, Jackson—kiss her again!” called a nasal male voice.
Zack whipped around to see a man crouched about four feet away, a large camera obscuring his face, clicking off shots. His stomach sank to the pavement. Kate gasped and drew back. “What the hell are you doing?” Zack demanded.
“My job, man. I’m with the National Inquisitor.” He clicked off another shot. “Give the professor another kiss, okay? Only this time turn around so I can get more of your face.”
Zack struggled against a surge of anger. “Come on, now. You don’t want to use this stuff. Give me the film and I’ll get you something better. I’ll set you up with Lena or George.”
The man’s mousy shoulder-length hair waved as he shook his head. “I was sent to shoot you and the lady professor.”
“Sent by whom?” Zack demanded.
He shrugged. “My editor. He got a call from someone who said you two were an item and that you’d be here together.”
A vein throbbed in Zack’s temple. Goldman was probably behind this, but he’d never be able to prove it. He reached for his back pocket and pulled out a checkbook. “How much do you want for that film? I’ll buy it from you.”
The man’s horselike face grew indignant. “Hey, what do you think I am?”
Zack’s control snapped. “I know what you are," he snarled. “Bottom-feeding scum. Now give me that film.”
The photographer backed away, wagging his finger as if Zack were a naughty child. “Uh-uh, uh-uh—that’s no way to talk to the media. Besides, you know what they say—there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
“There’s no such thing as a pain-free broken nose, either,” Zack snarled.
The photographer turned and fled. Kate grabbed Zack’s arm as he started after him. “Don’t!” she begged.
Zack hesitated. The photographer dashed into the crowd, his flak jacket flapping. A moment later, he disappeared around a corner. Zack blew out a hard sigh. “Hell, Kate—that photo’s going to be in the next issue of that gossip rag.”
“Yeah, well, if you’d attacked him, you’d be reading it from jail. It would be pretty hard to direct a movie from behind bars.”
Zack raked both hands through his hair. “Damn it, the last thing I want to do is cost you tenure.”
It was true. He gladly would have gone to jail rather than hurt her. When had Kate become more important than his movie, more important than his career? The thought sent a rush of alarm through him.
“I don’t think that’ll happen,” Kate said. “The movie’s as accurate as it can possibly be, so no one can fault me professionally. And the dean has called a couple of times, telling me how pleased he is with the positive publicity the university has gotten. He’s practically assured me tenure.”
Relief poured through Zack. He smiled at her. “Well, then, this does have an upside.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah.” He took a step toward her. “Since the whole world is going to think we’re fooling around anyway, there's nothing to stop us from actually doing it, is there?”
He was right. Kate’s heart skipped a beat. Did she dare?
Did she dare not?
When she was old and gray and rocking on her front porch, looking back on her life, would she prefer to regret loving Zack, or not loving him?
“Have dinner with me tonight,” he urged.
Kate arched a brow. “You’ve already told me what a man is really asking when he asks a woman to dinner.”
“So, what’s your answer?”
“Yes.” Her pulse was loud, but her voice was soft. “My answer’s yes.”
“They’re back,” Ruth said late that afternoon, peering out her kitchen window. “Wow, that’s some bus Zack rented!”
Fritz joined Ruth by her sink and watched as two dozen adolescents bounded down the steps of a luxury tour bus. “When Zack does something, he doesn’t do it halfway.”
“Look—there’s Skye! She’s beaming from ear to ear. I don’t know when I’ve seen her so happy.”
“Looks like everyone had a great time. Especially Zack and Kate.”
Ruth watched the couple stroll toward the house, their arms looped around each others’ waists. A wide smile split her face. “Yes, indeed—and it’s about time! I was beginning to wonder if those two were ever going to come to their senses.” She turned from the window and grinned at Fritz. “Looks like a red-letter day all around.”
“Don’t you wish we’d gone?” he asked.
Her stomach clenched with anxiety. “Oh, I had a wonderful time here with you. I love gardening. And I especially loved the afternoon nap.”
“That was my favorite part, too." The mention of the hour of passion on the sofa made him smile. “Listen, Ruth—I have to go back to L.A. to take care of some business next week. I’d love for you to come with me.”
Panic jumped to life inside her. “Oh… I-I can’t.”
“Sure you can. It’s just for a couple of days. Kate will keep an eye on your house.”
“But Kate or Skye might need me.”
“They'll be fine without you for two days.”
Ruth shook her head. “I-I just can’t.”
He blew out a sigh. “These fears of yours are ruining your life, Ruth.”
“I’m working on it. I’m doing better. We went out to dinner the other night, and I was fine.”
“Fine? You were so tense and nervous you couldn’t eat. You couldn’t wait to get home—and then you had to search this place as if it were Jesse James’s hideout, even though the burglar alarm was on and you had three dead bolts locked. In my opinion, that’s not fine.”
“I’m trying.”
Fritz’s eyes grew somber. “You need some help, honey. Why won’t you get it? I don’t understand why you’re being so stubborn.”
I don’t want to discuss this anymore.” She turned toward the cupboard. “What do you want for dinner—spaghetti or chicken?”
“Damn it, Ruth!” His voice was husky with frustration. “If you won’t talk to me, this is never going to work. I’m trying to be patient here, but I’m at the end of my rope.” He snatched his helmet off the kitchen table. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“B-but I thought you were staying for dinner.”
“I’ve changed my mind. I’ll catch a bite somewhere later.” Ruth watched him stalk toward the door, tears brimming in her eyes. Fritz was the best thing that had happened to her in the past twenty years. They’d talked about a long-term relationship, about the possibility of a future. But there would be no future if she couldn’t get her act together. If she couldn’t conquer her fears, she was going to lose him.
And with him, a real chance at happiness.
Twenty minutes later, Kate looked up to see her mother at her kitchen door. “Come on in, Mom.” The automatic ice dispenser on the refrigerator door rumbled as she filled a glass with ice. “You’re just in time for Happy Hour. What’s your pleasure— Hawaiian Punch, Barq’s, or iced tea?”
“Tea, please,” Ruth said.
“Grams—you missed the best time ever!” Skye took a long swig of root beer and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “We went on this awesome roller coaster called the Wildcat, and then this cool ride called the Cajun Mixer, and there was this giant thing that drops you so fast you can’t breathe. It was totally awesome. And everyone from my class came, and Mary Ann and I are becoming best friends!”
“That’s wonderful, honey.” Ruth patted Skye’s hand, then grinned at Zack, who was leaning on the counter close to Kate. “Sounds like the party was a hit.”
“It was great,” Kate said, handing her mother a glass of tea. “Zack gets the prize for throwing the all-time best birthday party a kid ever had.”
“I’m not a kid anymore,” Skye piped up. “I’m a teenager.”
“Don’t remind me.” Kate groaned.
“I got some great gifts, Grams—and a whole bunch of CDs. I can’t wait to go listen to them!” She turned to Kate. “Can I take my drink upstairs? I’m thirteen now and I promise not to spill.”
“Okay.”
“Thanks!” Without another word, she bounded out of the room.
Ruth took a sip of tea. “That is one happy kid. Sounds like she had the time of her life.”
Kate nodded. “No question. Did you and Fritz have a good day?”
“Um—yes. Very nice.”
Something in her voice didn’t ring true. Kate knit her brow. “So where is he?”
“He, was, um, tired. He’s gone back to his room.”
That was odd. Her mother and Fritz had become inseparable. “Ruth, can I ask you a favor?” Zack spoke up.
“Sure. Just name it.”
“Would you keep an eye on Skye tonight so I can take Kate out?”
“Of course.”
“It’s likely to be a late night.”
Kate’s heart pounded.
“I’ll have Skye spend the night with me so you can be as late as you want.” Ruth’s eyes lit with all-too-familiar worry. “You’ll take the flashlight, won’t you? And be sure to stay in well-lit places? The later it gets, you know, the more dangerous it becomes.”
Zack raised his hand as if he were making a solemn vow. “I’ll protect Kate with my life.”
“You’ve got to protect yourself, too.”
“Why, Ruth—I’m touched that you care.”
Ruth grinned. “Of course I care. If a crook gets you first, Kate’s a sitting duck.”
“Mom!”
“I’m teasing. But only a little bit.” Ruth made a shooing motion with her hand. “Go on and get out of here.”
Zack tightened his hold on Kate. “Come on.”
She hesitated. “I-I really ought to shower and change…”
“Why don’t you just grab your swimsuit? The Hyatt has a great pool. We can swim, have dinner at the hotel, and just have a low-key evening.”
Kate knew that swimming wasn’t the only activity he had in mind. If she went back to his hotel, she’d be diving into more than water.
But her heart had already taken the plunge. She gave him a soft smile. “I’ll just be a minute.”
“If you pull me under one more time, you’re really gonna get it," Kate warned.
“Oh, yeah?” Zack’s teeth flashed in the moonlight. “What are you going to do?”
“This.” Drawing a deep breath, Kate dove under the warm water and tackled his legs. Unfortunately, they were as immovable as tree trunks. She tugged and tugged to no avail. She finally came up for air to find him laughing.
“You don’t have to work so hard trying to knock me off my feet, Kate. Don’t you know you already have?”
Kate’s heart did a flip. The romp in the deserted pool had been lighthearted and playful, but currents of serious attraction were growing stronger every moment. Zack moved closer and pulled her up against him. “Now, if I could just come up with a way to sweep you off yours.”
The feel of his naked chest against the thin nylon of her lime green tankini sent heat pulsing through her. His hands went around her waist, pulling her flush against him.
“This is working,” she murmured.
“Kate.” Her name came out as a low, hungry growl. He tightened his hold on her and claimed her mouth in a kiss. The hard surge of his arousal pressed closer, setting off a hot ache deep within her.
She parted her lips and the kiss deepened. His tongue mated with hers, leaving her breathless and dizzy and weak with wanting. His mouth moved to the sensitive flesh of her neck. A shiver skittered down her spine.
“Let’s go to your room," she whispered.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
He looped his arm under her legs and carried her to the side of the pool, where he hoisted her up on the edge. He climbed out after her, his obvious erection making the front of his swimsuit look like a tent.
Kate couldn’t help but grin. “So, Chief Tight Britches—is that a teepee in your pants or are you just glad to see me?"
He grabbed his towel off the poolside chair and swatted her with it. “I’m very glad to see you. I just hope my gladness doesn’t get me arrested on the way to the room.”
He wrapped the towel around his waist, then held out another one for her. She folded it around her, tucking in the ends above her breasts.
The elevator was mercifully empty but cold. By the time they got to the room, Kate was shivering.
Zack noticed. “What do you say to a warm shower?”
“Sounds great.”
Zack strode to the bathroom and turned on the water. He tested it with his hand, then bowed to Kate with a sweeping gesture. “Our shower awaits.”
“Our shower?”
“Sure. What kind of a host lets his guest shower alone?”
Kate laughed and followed him inside. The bathroom lights were off, and it was lit only by the glow from the hallway. Feeling suddenly shy, she decided to keep her swimsuit on. Dropping her towel, she stepped into the glass shower and under a spray of deliciously warm water.
“Oh, that feels wonderful,” she sighed as the water poured over her, enveloping her in heat.
Zack entered the shower behind her, closed the glass door, and pulled Kate’s back tight against his chest. “It sure does."
Warm water sluiced down her breasts as Zack’s hands slowly slid up toward them. She stood perfectly still, letting the sensations pour over her—the soft drumming of the warm water, the masculine solidity of Zack’s chest, the exciting feel of his hands moving up her swimsuit.
“Are you starting to get warm?” he murmured.
She turned to face him. “Very warm.”
“Well, then, let’s go for hot.” His mouth came down on hers, his lips both soft and demanding. She arched against him, fitting herself against his erection.
The water tumbled down, and so did her inhibitions. Zack slipped off a strap of her swimsuit, then lowered his head to kiss her shoulder. His mouth went lower, trailing kisses on the skin above the fabric. Slowly, slowly, with exquisite, agonizing slowness, he slid her top down, kissing each new inch of exposed flesh. Kate leaned against the wall of the shower, her head thrown back, as Zack finally eased the top all the way down and off.
“Good Lord, you’re beautiful,” he murmured.
Cupping a breast in his hand, Zack lowered his mouth and trailed a languorous kiss across it, burning a trail of pleasure. She gasped as he pulled a pebbled tip into his mouth. Her nipple swelled and hardened, causing her to moan with pleasure. His mouth slid to her other breast and he pleasured it as well, until it, too, was kiss-swollen and aching.
His lips moved up her neck, across her face, and back to her mouth, his erection pressing hard against her belly. Leaning back, she ran her hands down the soft/rough hair of his chest, down the hard horizontal muscles of his belly, down to the trace of hair that disappeared into his swim trunks. She tugged at the waistband.
His eyes held a hidden fire, a fire that thrilled her with its heat and intensity. He put his hands on hers to stop her. “Oh, no. Ladies first. Turn around."
She did as he asked. He pulled her back flush against his chest and slid his hands around to cup her breasts. His erection rested on the small of her back as his hands slid low, then still lower, down, down, down her belly. His fingers toyed with the top of her bikini bottom, then he slowly peeled it off.
Kate leaned back against him and closed her eyes, weak-kneed with desire. His finger moved down the center of her femininity, past the delicate nub that ached for his touch, past the spot that ached to be filled. The pleasure was acute and sharp, and a moan escaped her lips.
“You like that?” he murmured in her ear.
“Ohhhhh, yes.”
He repeated the magical movement until Kate was writhing against him. The sensation of his finger sliding on her naked, aching flesh was almost more than she could stand.
She felt as fluid as the warm streams showering down upon them, wetter than water, as if her joints were turning to liquid.
Zack didn’t stop. She moved against him, driven by a need so intense that it obliterated all thought, all awareness, all reality except the feel of his fingers. Her need grew to an unbearable peak, a peak that had her panting.
“Please—oh, please,” she whispered.
Finally, finally he slid a finger inside her. She immediately convulsed around it, arching her back against him as spasm after spasm of unspeakably hot, sweet, pleasure-drenched sensation rocked through her.
His arm caught her as she sagged against him, her legs weak and trembling. His hands moved up to her waist, and she turned in his arms to face him.
She looked into his eyes, eyes that held an intoxicating mix of passion and tenderness, and her already full heart swelled to overflowing. She loved him—completely, thoroughly, without reservation. With all her heart and soul and mind and body, she loved him—loved him with a depth and intensity she’d never felt for another man.
It was not a love that would be returned. He didn’t believe in love, didn’t even believe in giving it a chance. He believed in expiration dates, in walking away before relationships soured.
The knowledge cut like a surgeon’s scalpel, but it couldn’t excise the love from her heart. It only made the expression of it more urgent. Winding her arms around his neck, she pulled his head down in a kiss, pressing herself against the hard ridge of his erection.
A groan hissed from his lips. Her hands skimmed down his body. She grabbed the waistband of his swim trunks and tugged them down. Impatiently he kicked them the rest of the way off, and hauled her against him. She stood on her tiptoes and wound one leg around his thigh. He lifted her off the ground, his hands under her bottom, and backed her against the wall of the shower. She wrapped both legs around his hips and gasped as he drove inside her, stretching and filling her, doing to her body what he’d already done to her heart.
