Chapter 17
Dillon
Dr. David Roth was just as much of a prick as I thought he would be. In the hospital, I’d always gone out of my way to steer clear of him, but in his home I couldn’t exactly do that. Within fifteen minutes of sitting at the dinner table with him I was devising ways to silently kill him without anyone noticing. The only problem was he never shut up. The man loved the sound of his own voice.
I couldn’t understand how a woman as sweet as Danielle could end up with someone so awful. There were brief glimpses of an actual human when he doted on her, but the man was awful to her children. He belittled their opinions and argued with everything they said. I struggled to keep my mouth shut after a heated discussion about a surgery that Zane was adamant was screwed up by the original surgeon because they were either high or drunk.
The douchcanoe actually implied that maybe it was Zane that was impaired.
I rubbed my hand over Zane’s leg to help calm him down. He’d gone a bright color of red that I’d never seen before and didn’t particularly want to see on him again. When David turned his dark eyes on me, I had to stop myself from wincing.
“Dillon Hart, you’re a journalist aren’t you?”
I took a sip of wine before answering. “Yes, I am. I work for the Georgia Inquirer.”
Zane rested his arm over the back of my chair. “She’s won several awards and she’s one of the only active AP reporters on staff.”
David leaned back in his chair. “I don’t think there’s much integrity in journalism these days.”
I raised my eyebrows and gave him a pointed look. “I think that’s true in most professions. There are tons of doctors around the city that I would say the same holds true.” Zane squeezed my leg in warning. “I think it just depends on the individuals’ veracity.”
Try me asshole. I’ll cut you at the knees.
I looked around the table and saw Kade hiding a grin behind his wine glass, while Danielle just looked confused at the hostility bouncing around the table. Savannah and Justin shared a look. Damn it, as much as I wanted to bring this prick down a peg, I wouldn’t do it at the expense of their special weekend. I straightened my expression and smiled at David. I was rewarded with a confused look on his face before I turned towards Savannah.
“Are you ready for the wedding? I can’t wait to see your dress.”
She smiled gratefully. “Everything is all set. Now as long as all my bridesmaids get here on time, we’ll be good to go. The rest of the wedding party should be here tomorrow.”
Justin took Savannah’s hand in his. “As long as the snow holds off another few days we’ll be just fine.”
We finished dinner in silence, no one tempting fate at trying to hold a conversation. Even Danielle was quiet. I tried to keep my head down, but I felt David’s stony gaze on me as I quietly ate my dinner. Within ten minutes Zane was pulling me away from the table with Kade, Justin and Savannah following closely behind.
“I never thought we would escape,” Justin said, closing the door to the library behind him quickly and walking over to the drink cart. He pulled out five glasses and started pouring. We all needed it.
“That was the worst—and best—dinner we’ve had in a while. You definitely make things interesting, Dillon.” Savannah smirked at me. “I used to rile him up too. It’s fun to piss off the old bastard.”
“Yeah, but there’s—”
Zane cut me off quickly. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’ll take care of it. Mom is probably going to chew him out for running off a potential wife.”
Maybe he doesn’t want everyone to know about the article.
I giggled. “No chance of that happening, you’re safe. She won’t have another wedding to plan anytime soon.”
Zane tried to laugh, but there was no humor in his expression. What the heck was that about?
“Let’s do something tonight. We don’t ever get to spend evenings together because of our insane schedules,” Kade said from one of the plush leather sofas. He’d made himself at home, sprawling out over the large piece of furniture. “We need to celebrate your last few nights as single people.” He leaned up and smirked while looking at Justin and Savannah. “I dare you.”
Justin, Savannah and Zane groaned at his words and I looked at them in bewilderment. Why would they have a reaction that strong to a child’s game? Zane took my hand and squeezed. Justin handing me a lowball glass and I sniffed.
Scotch.
I was in heaven. These men had great taste in women and drinks. Now if I just had a cigar I would be one happy girl.
Justin was standing at the drink cart pouring the next glass. He turned back to tell me what was going on. “Back in college we used to play truth or dare. We played all the time, randomly daring each other to do stupid things.” He glared at his friend from across the room. “Kade never learned boundaries.”
Savannah shook her head. “Thanks to Kaden, I have a permanent record.”
“What?”I squealed. “You?”
She nodded. “Yep. This asshole dared me to flash a cop. It just so happened that the one he picked out the one cop at SCU that didn’t have a sense of humor and he charged me with disorderly conduct. The guy tried to get me on public indecency, but luckily we know a good lawyer.” She winked at Justin. “Yet we all still continued to play his stupid game.”
“It’s a fun game,” Kade defended, but not meeting anyone’s gaze.
“Until one of us end up drunk with sharpie all over our face and body twenty-four hours before we have a law school interview.” I stifled a laugh as Justin glared at Kade. “I still owe you for that one.”
“You still got into Harvard, asshole. It’s no biggie,” Kade said, taking a drink of his scotch. “The one that should really be mad is Zane. You two really screwed him over on that one.”
I glanced over at Zane. His jaw was set and his hands wrapped tightly around his glass. If looks could kill, his best friend would be dead on the ground.
“Maybe we should leave that story for another time,” I said quickly. “What’s the plan for tonight?”
“I think we should play,” Zane spat, his voice tinged with irritation. “It could make the weekend more entertaining.”
“Okay,” I said slowly, unsure that this was a good idea. “What are the rules?”
Justin shook his head. “There are no rules, only the most outlandish dares and invasive truths you could ever think up.”
Oh dear. This could be really fun, or this could end up going really badly.
“I’m making up one rule,” I said, looking around the room. “No messing with the bride or groom in a way that could screw up the wedding or their pictures.”
Savannah smiled. “I knew I liked you.” She turned back to Kade and narrowed her eyes. “I’ll murder you if you ruin my wedding by dying my skin a weird color, or cutting Justin’s hair so it looks fucking ridiculous. Mess with me and I’ll kick you in the balls so hard you won’t have kids for two lifetimes.”
Zane, Justin and I started laughing.
“Is that threat really necessary?” Kade asked wincing. “I might be an asshole, but I wouldn’t fuck up your wedding.”
From the looks on their faces, yes, the threat probably was necessary. It crossed my mind that I might be in over my head here.
“Kade.” I smirked. “Is there a bar in town?”
“Yes,” he said cautiously.
“How far away is it?”
“Not even a quarter of a mile away,” Zane answered for him.
“I want to start this night off right.” I winked at Savannah. “Kade, I dare you to walk there in nothing but a pair of socks. There is snow on the ground, so I guess you can have your boots too.” I smiled serenely. “We’ll follow in the car and if you make it all the way without giving up, I’ll buy you a drink of anything you want.”
He looked at Zane. “Is she serious? That’s all it takes?” Zane just shook his head. “I have expensive taste.”
“And I have deep pockets.” I grinned. “Let’s go.”
“Now?” he asked. “It’s still light outside.”
He didn’t seem so confident now.
“What’s the matter, Kade?” Zane asked. “You can dish it out, but you can’t take it when it’s your turn?”
Kade’s jaw tightened. “Let’s just get this over with.”
I grinned as I watched him start pulling his shirt off over his head. Next came his jeans and boxers.
“Kade, you should cover your junk so mom doesn’t have to see it when you’re going down the stairs,” Zane said laughing.
Kade flipped him off and went over to the door. He pointed at me before twisting the knob. “Hart, I’m coming for you next.”
“Bring it on,” I taunted.
After the fun walk down to the bar, where Savannah and I teased Kade mercilessly about the cold and shrinkage and if his sperm count would ever come back up after his stroll, I did end up buying him a drink. The whiskey he ordered was only a hundred and fifty dollars. It could’ve been much worse.
I gave him props because it was cold as hell outside and he didn’t complain once. It’s possible that he couldn’t because his jaw was frozen shut, but he did complete his dare.
There were some tamer dares and a few truths while we were at the bar, but nothing too crazy. I kept scooting my chair closer to Zane’s until he finally just pulled me into his lap and nuzzled my neck. A soft sigh fell from me as he nipped at my earlobe.
“Ready to go back?” he asked huskily.
I nodded and grabbed my purse off the chair next to us. Justin and Savannah smirked as we stood up.
“Going somewhere?” Savannah asked.
Zane didn’t even bat an eye. “Yes.”
Kade leaned in. “They’re going to fuck,” he said in a stage whisper.
I laughed. “Yeah, we are. I’m sorry all you’ll have for the night is your hand, Mr. Shrinkage.” He swore under his breath and I smiled at him sweetly. “Good night everyone.”
We left Justin and Savannah laughing at the table as Zane threaded his fingers through mine and led me outside. The cool night air had me moving closer to him and urging him to put his arms around my waist. I shivered from the sexual energy coursing between us. It took everything I had not to throw myself at this sexy man as we walked the few blocks back to the amazingly romantic house we were staying at.
Somehow I’d found myself in this fairytale story, except I knew my prince was a beast most days. And damned if I didn’t like it. I was under no disillusions; Zane was the big bad wolf that was going to eat me alive.
I couldn’t freaking wait.
Zane squeezed me tighter and shot a heated look in my direction as he sped up our steps. If I didn’t hurry I had the feeling he planned to throw me over his shoulder and run the rest of the way to the house. He paused when I reached out to get his attention.
“I can’t run in heels, Zane.” He glanced down at my boots. I loved these shoes. They were a warm camel leather color with buckles. “Don’t make me break my ankle. Or scuff my boots, these are my favorite.”
“They’re all your favorite,” he mumbled before tossing me over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold. I squealed and latched onto his back.
“Zane! Don’t drop me!”
“Well quit squirming around and I won’t.”
He slapped my ass and chuckled into the dark, night sky. The sound reverberated off the snow covered buildings. I’d only heard him laugh like that a few times and it was breathtaking. I reached down to pinch his butt and giggled as he jumped.
“I really will drop you if you don’t stop that.”
I grinned as his hands travelled further up my leg. He gripped tighter before swaying a little from the alcohol. My shriek made him laugh harder. We were a hot mess right now, drunk and giggly, basically making a scene for anyone that saw us.
Zane struggled with the lock to the house when we finally made our way to the front entry. We tried to be stealthy getting inside and going upstairs, but he backed into a table and nearly knocked it to the floor. I slipped down a stair and narrowly missed rolling back down them. It didn’t help that Zane’s hands were all over me. He peeled me out of my jacket as soon as we walked in the front door and continued to leave a path of our jackets and shoes through the house as we made our way to our room. Vaguely, I realized we were drunker than we thought.
I flicked on the light as we walked into our room and shut the door behind us. When my eyes met Zane’s hungry gaze, I felt wanton.
Devoured.
Like he was absolutely going to eat me alive.
He’d already unbuttoned his pants and tugged his shirt off over his head. My gaze ran over his muscled chest and fell to where his hand rubbed his cock through his jeans. It wasn’t fair that he was having all the fun. I tugged my sweater over my head and threw it to the ground. Zane’s eyes raked over my body as my pale skin came into view.
“You don’t play fair, Hart,” he growled. “You’re killing me, baby.”
I preened at his words. With that simple admission, the tides shifted. I wasn’t the one being hunted anymore, I was doing the hunting. As I stalked towards him his eyes widened in interest. It took one good shove to push him back on the bed. His hands automatically went to my hips as I climbed over him. A lazy smile covered his handsome face and I smirked down at him.
“It’s time for you to stop talking, Dr. Turner.”
My body rubbed along his as I stretched up to kiss him. Our lips crashing together cut off his husky moan. He tasted like whiskey and sin.
My favorite combination.
The heady feeling from the alcohol wasn’t dissipating, if anything it was getting stronger because of the intense sexual tension flowing between us. My fingers trailed up Zane’s ribs and cupped his neck to deepen the kiss. We pulled away breathless and gasping for air. I was desperate for more, but getting oxygen was more important than Zane’s mouth at the moment.
“You’re intoxicating, Dillon. You’re so fucking tempting.” He ran his tongue up the side of my neck and a shivered.
Oh god, fuck oxygen.
No man had ever spoken to me the way Zane did. He could be so infuriating one moment and utterly sweet the next. I slammed my mouth back down on his, fusing us together, desperate for more.
I ended up on my knees with Zane behind me, his strong arms holding my back against his front. It took him seconds to sheath himself with a condom. We watched the mirror in front of us as he pounded into me, my breasts bouncing with each thrust of his hips. One of Zane’s hands rested lightly at my throat and the thrill of helplessness made me desperate for more. He was controlling my body and my every movement.
And for once I didn’t want to be in control.
I wanted Zane to take me to places I hadn’t been in a long time. He nipped at my shoulder with his sharp teeth bringing me back to reality. His eyes met mine in the mirror and I couldn’t break the connection we had as we stared at one another. My body shattered and I felt myself slump forward to the mattress.
Zane shouted out and I felt him pulse inside me as he came. My limbs felt numb. I stretched my legs out behind me and slid down onto my stomach. A lazy smile made its way across my face when Zane stretched out beside me, his arm snaked out and pulled me closer into his side. I yawned once.
“Did I wear you out?” he teased.
“This whole day wore me out.”
I fell asleep quickly, between the sex and the alcohol my body was sated and relaxed. At some point during the night, Zane picked me up and moved us so we were under the covers. My hand rested lightly on his chest and our legs were entangled when I woke up a few hours later as sunlight just started to peek into the room. It was odd being here with him, but I didn’t want to fight how Zane made me feel, not right that second.
For once I was going to enjoy the moment.