For love and coffee, p.11
For Love & Coffee, page 11
“I’ll take the small Caesar salad and the steak tips,” he shares.
“Got it.” I call and place our order. “We have about thirty minutes. Let’s set up outside while we wait. You might want some more clothes though.”
“You want me to cover up?” There’s a devilish twinkle in his eye.
“Hell no! I mean, I don’t want to share the view with anyone. Also, it’s breezy on the deck.”
“A tad possessive of my abs?”
“Not only your abs. All of you.”
He hauls me flush against his body and kisses me slowly. “Good, I feel the same about you.” He releases me and tugs on a shirt before we step outside to set up for dinner.
I tug the pillows out of the storage bin and set them on the rattan furniture.
“The view is amazing,” he says, leaning against the railing. “A similar view was on my wish list when I bought my townhouse. Nothing was available at the time.”
My condo is directly across the street from the beach. Someday I’ll need a new place to live, and the hefty price tag that comes with a view like this one and a bigger place will be astronomical. “The view sold me on this place. I’m going to miss it when I have to move.”
“Why would you move?”
“At some point, I would like to live with my husband and children instead of Lia. She’s great, but I’m not looking for a wife.” I grin at him.
“We never did finish our conversation about kids. You mentioned you wanted a family but not how large.” He looks at me expectantly.
I don’t want to scare him off. Not sure I can, but… “I want at least two children. However, I’m leaning toward more after meeting the Morgans.”
“You thought that might scare me?”
I shrug. “Maybe a little.”
“Not even a little. You forget I know the Cappellis well and there are five of them. The bond they have is extraordinary. I would love for my kids to have the same.” He presses a kiss to my temple and moves away from the railing. “Let’s get our food.”
Much to my dismay, though required, we take a break from our conversation to go pick up our dinner. It takes literally five minutes for us to walk downstairs, check out, grab drinks, and return to the porch. I devour my salad and then my lobster mac and cheese. Zack takes his time with his steak tips though. Once I’m through, I curl into the corner of the couch and listen to the waves. It’s faint, but I can hear it. It’s much harder during the tourist season. He hauls me into his arms once he finishes eating.
“Please thank Gladys and your sister profusely when you talk to them next,” I mumble against his neck.
“I will. What do you say to a movie or an episode?”
“Episode works.” We clean up and watch an episode of our show snuggled in my bed with the French doors open. Midway through the second one, I slip beneath the covers and kiss my way from the top of his foot to the juncture of his jaw. He squirms when I drag the flat of my tongue along the V cut at his hips. At least this time it appears Zack is willing to let me be in control.
“Relinquishing control is killing you, isn’t it?”
“Not yet, but I’m nearing the end of my patience.”
“We shall see.” I lower my lips to his, and our tongues dance and twist until we’re panting. Leaning over, I grab the strip of condoms, tear one off, and set it beside me. I shimmy down a bit and intend to nip and kiss my way back to his toes. When I reach his navel, he hooks underneath my arms, hauls me up, and rolls the two of us over. I’m trapped beneath my carved specimen of the male species. I revel in the power of him for a solid minute before I devise a plan to retake control.
A grin materializes on his face when he whispers, “It won’t be easy.”
“I’ll figure it out, charming.” The fact we’re still learning one another is my best weapon right now. I snake my hands along his flanks before encircling his shaft with one hand and skimming my fingernails down along the inside of his thigh. The instant his eyes snap closed, I hook my leg around his knee and flip us back over.
“That’s dirty, sweetheart.”
“Is it?” I sheathe his length, notch him at my entrance, and take him deep in one downward plunge.
Once the sheer bliss of being nestled between my legs again sets in, he adds, “You’re a vixen. You’re giving me two options: try to control you in the bedroom and fail or unequivocal surrender. Correct?”
I rise and impale myself on him again before replying, “You can try, or you can come along for the ride.” I hinge forward, changing the angle of my hips and grind against him. The additional friction on my clit is heavenly.
“Option two sounds like so much more fun,” he forces out before meeting me in the middle.
“It is. That falls into the little more give I asked for earlier. Unequivocal surrender… sometimes.”
“I can work with it.”
“Glad to hear it. Like I’m willing to attempt to let you be in control too.”
“Would my control allow for restraints?” His question comes out soft, testing what my boundaries are.
“I’m not opposed to trying anything once.”
“Noted, gorgeous.” The tension in his body increases exponentially. His fingers bruise the curve of my hips as we chase ecstasy together. “Let go with me, baby.”
Arousal floods my core, my muscles clench around him, and the waves of my climax crest at the same time he explodes. I collapse against his chest. His hands slide up and down my back in opposite directions. Once our breathing is back to normal, I attempt to move.
“Give me a few more minutes,” he murmurs against my skin.
In my sated state, I’ll give him anything he asks for, including my whole heart. I’m falling in love with him. Soon thereafter, we clean up in the bathroom and strip my bed. I start the laundry while Zack remakes my bed.
“Want to finish the episode I interrupted?”
“No, I want to sleep with you in my arms until morning.”
I nod and join him in my bed.
Despite our good intentions of sleeping, which we both desperately need, we spend hours exploring every dip and curve on one another. For each kiss or nip from me, Zack offers the same. The taste of us on my tongue, coupled with the pleasure zipping between us, engraves onto my soul.
His alarm wakes me way too early. He slips out of bed as silently as he can. I catch his gaze. More accurately, he catches me ogling him. He winks at me and says, “Stay there, gorgeous. You can sleep a bit longer.”
I shake my head. “I’ll make you some coffee and lunch.”
He glares at me. “I can handle it.” He finishes dressing and sits on the edge of the bed. “Have a great day. I’ll see you tonight.”
“You too. Be safe.”
My words make him hesitate for the slightest of moments, so slight that I almost missed it, and he’s beside me. “Always.” His kiss reaches from my lips to my toes before settling into my heart.
Thankfully, I’m able to grab some extra sleep. I stumble into the kitchen near nine and find Lia doing laundry.
“Hey, girl. How is Lily holding up?”
Lia shrugs. “I’m not sure. She went to Boston for work to avoid the whole night.”
“Why didn’t you come home?”
“I didn’t know until I was deeply ensconced in her Dunne’s ice cream stash and my book.”
“Did you know you could get pints of Dunne’s and bring it home?”
“Duh! How’s it going with Zack?”
I attempt to hide the smile the mere mention of his name causes, but I fail spectacularly. “Good—well, great. I care about him, Lia. I may be falling for him. I know it’s soon, but we feel different.” It’s more than “may,” but I’m not ready to let Lia in on all my feelings yet. I want to make sure first. It isn’t something I can take back.
“Ohhhh. Yay! I’m so happy for you!”
“Thanks, Lia. What are your plans for today?”
“Laundry, studying, and sleep. You?”
“Studying until work.”
We settle into our respective study space, me at the island and Lia sprawled out on the ottoman and couch, and get to work. The only interruption is a text notification near lunch.
Savi: Hey, sis. When are you and Zack free to have lunch with us?
Me: Hey. I’ll ask him to check his schedule. Kiss the kiddos for me.
Savi: Sounds good. I will. Love you.
Me: Love ya too.
I text Zack to remind myself about lunch and crack the books for a few more hours before I shower and head over to work.
Chapter Thirteen
Zachary
I push through the precinct doors and stand in line for roll call. The good news is I have desk duty today. Thankfully, it won’t be taxing. Spending the majority of yesterday ravishing Scarlett and allowing her the same courtesy was decadent and unmatched. It was worth it, but I should have taken advantage of the time to sleep well.
Once Cap finishes, Greyson elbows me. “You look exhausted.”
“I am.” The lack of sleep is a completely acceptable trade-off.
“What’s her name?”
“Dude, again with the lack of respect. Not only are you disrespecting me but my woman too.”
“So you’re admitting there is a woman.”
I consider avoiding his question, but I don’t. The idea of making our fake marriage real doesn’t terrify me, nor does sharing we’re dating. “Yes, there is and, no, I won’t tell you who she is.”
“Why not?” Greyson almost whines.
“You don’t need to know. Eventually, I’m sure you will meet her.” I would prefer to keep Scarlett to myself if possible. I know it isn’t realistic, but my stunning woman is perfection in a curvy package. “I respect her and myself too much to gossip about our relationship. You should consider it yourself.” I walk away. I give Greyson until the end of the day before he spills the little bit of news he learned and I have a flood of inquiries about my woman. At lunch I check my messages and reach out to Nadine.
Scarlett: Hey! Please remind me about lunch with Savi and Sam.
Me: Okay. See you later.
The call connects with my sister. “Hey, sis!”
“Hey.”
“Thank you again for forcing us to leave.”
“You’re welcome. I remember the strain, especially the lack of sleep. I mean, I slept, just not well or enough. It wasn’t the only issue in my marriage, but it certainly pushed us over the top.”
“I understand. Given your subterfuge with Gladys, has she updated you on Mom’s status?”
“She has, but I would appreciate your perspective.”
I drop my head. “She’s on a roller coaster, Nadi. One day she has a good day, up and about playing cards with Gladys and watching Hamilton, and the next….”
Nadine fills in the rest. “She doesn’t know your name or where she is.”
“Yeah, exactly. It’s awful.”
“I’m not sure if it’s worse for her or for us.”
I reply, “I would say it’s about even or slightly worse for us.”
“I agree. I wasn’t a fan of moving her in with you, but it was necessary. That isn’t a slight.”
“I know. You feel like you failed her by having to choose your family over her. I get it.” The guilt Nadine carries is too heavy for the choices she was forced to make. I know we made the right decision moving Mom in with me.
“Exactly.”
“We’ll see what her doctor recommends, but I’m not sure I can handle moving her yet.”
“I get it, more than you know.” Nadine pauses and then switches topics. “On a completely different note, Scarlett is—”
“Everything I need and ever desired for myself.”
“I was going to say perfect, but your words are better. I love her for you, Zack.”
“Thanks.”
“Balancing yourself, Scarlett, and Mom isn’t going to be easy. Please ask for help next time well before you’re overwrought and exhausted.”
“I will.”
I field one inquiry all day but patch through numerous calls despite the fact it’s Sunday. When I arrive home, Scarlett is already there, and Gladys is gone.
“Hi, Mom,” I say as I step into the kitchen and find my woman and my mom cooking. “Hi, babe.” I kiss Scarlett lightly. “What’s going on here?”
“I wanted to help cook,” Mom explains. “Scarlett suggested we make your favorite dish for dinner. It’s almost done.”
I never told Scarlett my favorite meal. “Sounds perfect. I’m going to change. I’ll be right back.” When I return, they are plating dinner. By the looks of it, Scarlett either guessed properly or Mom told her. My favorite childhood meal is homemade macaroni and cheese with three varieties of cheese. I’m secretly hoping for the former.
I pull out Mom’s chair, then Scarlett’s, and take a seat. “This looks amazing!”
“Of course it is! Your wife slaved in the kitchen,” Mom informs me.
Scarlett stifles a chuckle but watches me until I take my first bite. It’s scrumptious. “Well done, sweetheart.” I lean over and kiss her.
“Hey, I helped,” Mom interjects.
We laugh and enjoy the rest of dinner. I don’t need Scarlett to share Gladys’s report for the day. Mom had a good one.
“Son, can you handle the dishes while Scarlett helps me turn in?”
“Absolutely.” I clean the kitchen in about the same time it takes for Scarlett to assist Mom. “How was the rest of your morning? Did you sleep in?”
She wrinkles her nose. “I tried to, but I’m no longer a fan of sleeping alone.”
“I like waking up with you tucked against me too.”
“Good, I plan on using your comfy bed instead of the guest bed.”
“I see. Are you going to steal half of my closet too?” I see thoughts and ideas spin in her mind.
“Not yet.”
I’m completely on board with her sentiments. I don’t know exactly how our future will play out. As long as Scarlett is beside me, I can handle anything. Well, at least I hope I can study without her innocently distracting me while she does the same. “Time to study?”
“Yes, no wiggling out of it for either of us.”
“Fine.”
“First, my sister wants to have lunch with us soon. When is your next weekend day off?”
“I have Saturday off in two weeks. Work for you?”
“Sure. I’ll text her right now.”
While she texts her sister, I grab drinks and my books. We spend the next few hours studying before falling into bed. Near one, a loud thud startles us awake.
I’m on my feet and partially dressed when I hear Mom’s voice echo up the stairs. “Scarlett.”
Scarlett is halfway downstairs.
I tug on some clothes and follow her. My mother is lying on the floor at the foot of her bed. She’s wearing pajamas, a sock on one foot and a flip-flop on the other. Scarlett is examining her from head to toe.
“Carol, what day is it?”
“It’s the weekend. Sunday, I think.”
“Good. Can you wiggle your toes for me?”
Mom does.
“Can you squeeze my hand?”
Mom complies.
“Carol, can you sit up slowly?”
“Yes.” Mom sets her hands on the hardwood and pushes up to sitting with Scarlett’s help.
Scarlett’s tone is soft and calm when she asks, “Where were you trying to go?”
“Home. This is your home with Zack. I don’t belong here.”
“Right now, you live here,” Scarlett reminds her.
“No. My address is 18… 1882 Gerrard Lane.”
Scarlett drops her head. I don’t recall telling her my childhood address, but Gerrard Lane isn’t correct.
“Let’s get you back into bed, Carol,” Scarlett suggests.
“No, I want to go home.”
I join them on the floor and face my mother. “Mom, this is your home now.” Maybe we were wrong moving her here. Perhaps I should’ve moved into our childhood home instead of her moving to Nadine’s first. No matter what we choose, this disease continues to steal my mother away.
“No, this is your home.” Mom’s tone is adamant and steadfast.
“It is, but it’s your home too. You sold the house.”
“Why would I do that?”
Anguish flows through me. I glance over at Scarlett who nods slightly. It’s plausible my words will send my mother into a full-blown episode. “You sold the house after Dad died. Then you lived with Nadine for a little while, and now you live here.”
With tenderness and sadness, Mom whispers, “My Saul is gone?”
“Yes.”
A wave of unmistakable grief passes over my mother. She pushes to her feet. With assistance from Scarlett, she resettles into her bed and tugs the covers to her chin.
“Good night,” she dismisses us.
We leave her tucked in her bed. The turmoil she must be feeling is unfathomable, her soul-crushing grief renewed. The moment we’re in the living room and obscured from Mom’s view—although she’s likely not focused on us anymore—I hold Scarlett flush against me. Her heart beating against my chest soothes me more than I could possibly explain. After an indeterminate amount of time, I add some space between us. “How did you know that wasn’t my address?”
“It’s the address of the Tanner family from Full House. She presses a kiss to my lips and sets her head against my shoulder, her breath teasing the crook of my neck. “You should go get some sleep.”
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Not alone.”
“I need to stay down here for a bit longer to make sure she’s okay. Go. I’ll be up in a little while.”
I shake my head defiantly, settle onto the couch, and open my arms to her. “I’m staying with you.”
“As much as I want to feel your arms around me, you need good sleep, Zachary.”
“I appreciate your desire to take care of me, but it’s either okay sleep here with you or crappy sleep upstairs wishing you were beside me.” Note to self: Scarlett melts into a puddle of mush when confronted with pure, unadulterated honesty.
