When he pushes his lips against mine, I see stars. For a second, I worry this is another episode of my sick brain, but that thought vanishes when Zane’s hands curl around my waist. He pulls me closer to him, until I’m plastered to his rock-solid chest. My first thought is that my husband is built. But then everything goes away.
I’m still lost in him, his touch, his kiss, when my stupid dog pulls on my dress with his teeth. “Tassels!”
Zane leans down and pets him. Tassels, the ever sucker for affection, licks Zane’s face and hands.
It seems I’m not the only one in this house who wants a kiss.
Zane continues to play with him a little more while I try to get my breathing under control.
When he gets up, I’m ready with the gift bag.
I kiss Tassels on his forehead before locking the door.
Zane and I get in his car, and just when I think we won’t talk about the kiss, he asks, “How d-did I per-rform in the s-second exercise?”
He peeks at me through his lashes, and I can’t hold back the butterflies going crazy in my stomach.
“It ended too soon. We’ll have to test again.” My voice is hoarse, but I don’t miss the grin on Zane’s face as he starts the car.
9
ZANE
“You can still change your mind, Zane,” Vienna says from the passenger seat as I’m driving toward Zander’s estate.
If I had any doubts of marrying her, it definitely evaporated after that kiss.
A kiss she asked for, and even graded, sealed everything. Never in my life have I felt more alive.
“There’s-s nothing to th-think about.” I cock my head toward her and give her a tiny grin.
And the nervousness on her face is replaced by her own wide smile, which has the power to erase all the darkness from this world.
“Your brother lives here?” she asks when I take the narrow road off the highway. I’m not surprised by her shock. Everyone who comes to Zander’s estate for the first time has this jaw-dropping reaction.
I nod. “My oldest brother, Zander, made this estate for his wife, Rose.”
I park the car, and Vienna gets out after me. The gift bag shifts in her hand. For some reason, it makes me happy that she thought of getting something for my family.
I’m about to lead her inside when she grabs my arm. “Are you, like, a very rich man?” Her eyes are wide as she glances around. “What do you do, Zane? Are you some illegal mob boss?”
I chuckle at her absurd comment. “D-do you really th-think I can be a mob boss?”
She looks at me and then smirks. “Who knows? Maybe you’re some dominating alpha, with your chest covered in tattoos behind that sweet exterior.”
I can’t hold back my laugh. “You’ll be d-disappointed to know th-there’s no ink on me. I am s-squeaky clean with-thout even a hair on my chest.”
My heart does a flutter when her gaze skids from my face and settles on my chest. “Now I’ll spend a hell of a lot of time imaging your bare chest,” she mumbles. She groans once more before looking around. “But you’re rich?”
“I’m okay.” Before she can ask more, I notice my nephews’ faces plastered on the floor-to-ceiling windows in Zander’s living room. I cock my head, and Vienna grins as she takes note of them. “Come on, before th-they break that glas-ss and pop out.”
I’m about to ring the doorbell when she grabs my hands.
Vienna closes her eyes as she sways on her feet until I catch her in my arms. My pulse takes off like a runaway train when she stays out for another second, but then she slowly opens her eyes. My heart rips at the sight of fear on her face as her grip curls around my jacket.
“Everything will be fine.” I pull her close to me, telling her that I’m here and not going anywhere.
She stays in my arms as I wait for her to get her bearings.