Chapter 15
Dillon
Zane Turner was a fucking asshole. I never wanted to see him again. The only good thing about him was that he’d lit a fire under my ass to get to the bottom of this ESEC thing. After I wrote this article I was going to take a vacation. I’d probably go to somewhere warm. Maybe I’d spend Christmas in Jamaica.
“Earth to D,” Piper said from across the couch. We were having a girl’s night to help me clear my head after the week from hell.
“Sorry, what was that?”
“I asked if you were ready to order the pizza.”
I shrugged. “I guess.”
She frowned. “Maybe we should go out. Staying in obviously isn’t helping you forget about he who must not be named.”
I sighed and took a sip of my drink. “I don’t want to go out.”
She moved closer to me on the couch. “You can’t sit around sulking anymore, D. It’s been a week since you saw him and gave him the papers. Zane Turner is not worth the freaking whiplash you’re putting yourself through.”
“I’m not sulking. I just don’t want to go out and meet some guy at a club to hook up with.”
Piper gave me a look. “You never hook up with guys in clubs.”
“See no reason to go,” I said sweetly. There was a knock on the door and I looked at her curiously. The only other person that could get inside the building without my approval was Jake, and he was on duty tonight. She shrugged and followed me into the foyer. I peeked through the peephole and gasped.
“Why is Zane standing in the hallway?” I hissed.
“I don’t know,” she whispered back.
“Did you do this?”
She held up her hands. “No, promise. I have no clue why he’s here.”
“Why don’t you open up the door and I’ll tell you why I’m here,” he said from the other side, clearly exasperated.
I closed my eyes and braced myself before throwing open the door. “What do you want Dr. Turner?”
He grinned. “We’re back to Dr. Turner now are we?” I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him. “I’m just kidding. Lighten up.”
I raised an eyebrow as he leaned in and handed me a familiar looking manila file folder. It was thicker than when I’d last left it with him. He pushed his way inside and into the kitchen.
“Piper, can I have a second alone with Dillon?”
This time she crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you serious? After all the shit you pulled, you son of a—”
“It’s fine, Piper,” I said, staring down at the file in my hands.
She pointed at her eyes, then back at Zane in an I’m watching you motion. I stifled a laugh as she walk towards the bedroom. At least I knew she had my back.
“What are the chances that she’s actually not going to listen at the door?” he asked.
“Slim to none,” I answered honestly.
“That’s what I thought.” He took my hand carefully, almost like he was scared of my reaction. I raised an eyebrow, but let him lead me further into the kitchen. This had better be good, or I was kicking him out on his ass and telling my doorman to never let him in again.
“Why are you here, Zane?”
“I looked over your research. It’s good, but there were things that I could help with. I added everything I could find on the financials for the hospital, original scripts, copies of both mine and the forged ones that came from somewhere else. The pharmacy had to know that they were phony.” He led me over to the couch. “I’m sorry, Dillon. For everything. You deserved better and I wanted to kick myself as soon as you left the other day. I’m trying to make it up to you by helping.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need your help, but thanks all the same.”
“You don’t, but I can make it easier by giving you everything I have access to and you don’t. What else can I do?”
“Leave?” I asked hopefully.
He ran his hands through his hair—a nervous habit that I’d picked up on. “Dillon, I’m sorry.”
“You keep saying that Zane, but you forget that you basically called me a whore and questioned my integrity. I’m not the kind of woman that gives a fuck what you think; you should know that by now. I don’t need your approval for how I live my life or how I do my job.”
“I do know that.” He threw his hands into the air. “God, you’re not going to make this easy, are you?”
I cocked my head to the side and give him a fake smile. “I’m not here to make your life easy. Now, can we be done with this conversation? Piper and I were about to go out.”
He reached out and lightly grabbed my arm as I turned to walk away.
“Damn it, Dillon. I get that I hurt you, but can you really not forgive me? I explained why I reacted like I did—not that it makes it okay—but I’m fucking trying here.” He ran a hand through his hair again. “Look, I’m not going anywhere. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
I put the folder down on the bar even though I was dying to see what he’d added. I hadn’t been able to get my hands on the financials. There had to be something in there. “Well, you’re leaving tonight. I’m going—”
Zane’s mouth slammed against mine, cutting off my words and making me forget everything I was about to say. My fingers dug into the soft fabric of his shirt as he cupped my face. I parted my lips, allowing his tongue to sweep into my mouth. Every ounce of pain and hurt came out in that kiss, finally leaving me feeling like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. After a few breathless minutes Zane pulled back and rested his forehead against mine.
“I’ve missed you. Most of my staff is avoiding me because I’ve been the biggest asshole since I walked out your door. Kade hasn’t talked to me in two weeks. Savannah and Justin won’t return my calls.” He ran his fingers up the side of my face. “I don’t want to fight anymore, Dillon.”
“Okay,” I whispered. “No more fighting.”
“Believe me, I realize how awful I was to you and I’m so, so fucking sorry.”
I was sick of being miserable all the time. Yes, Zane had said things, horrible things, but I hadn’t been completely honest with him from the beginning. He wasn’t the only one at fault. Neither of us knew how to be in a relationship, if that’s what this even was.
“I’m sorry too. I should have told you sooner.”
“Don’t apologize. You told me when it became necessary. I know what you risked by telling me.” He kissed my forehead. “I think I can help you though.”
I nodded. “Okay. Let’s see what you’ve got Dr. Turner.”
* * *
Zane took me out several times that week. Every date was better than the last, but I still was weary of fully trusting him. I wanted to—God, how I wanted to, but things were different between us. He could tell I was a little more closed off than I’d been before and we hadn’t had sex since the night in my kitchen, but he didn’t push. Maybe he understood that I was still feeling vulnerable, not something I wanted to admit, even to myself.
The wedding was getting closer and we’d had dinner with Savannah and Justin a few days before. She didn’t press the issue of if I was coming or not, but she did mention that she would like me to come as Zane’s date. As much as I liked them, I wasn’t sure I was ready for that step.
Tonight we were sitting on Zane’s couch in his house. I was reading while he was mindlessly watching television. He wasn’t focused on what was going on, mainly just relaxing deep in the cushions. I kept looking out of the corner of my eye at him. Zane was stretched out comfortably, his fingers threaded through mine as he closed his eyes and rested his head on the back of the couch.
“What do you think about going to Niagara Falls with me for the wedding?” he asked, without opening his eyes. “I know you’re reluctant, but I would really like you to go with me.”
I sat up straighter. This was news. He’d acted so nonchalant every time it came up with Justin and Savannah. “You want me to come?”
He opened his eyes and looked up at me. I was floored by the vulnerable look shining back at me. “Of course. Things are still new between us, but I want you to come. Savannah and Justin both want you there. My mom wants to meet you.”
“You even said that last part without shuddering,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
“Thank Savannah for the fact that she even knows we’re dating. I don’t make it a habit to talk about my personal life around mom and David.”
I shifted towards him. “Does he know that I’m writing an article about ESEC? The fluff piece, I mean.”
He squinted his eyes as he thought. “Maybe, but I’m not sure. He hasn’t said anything to me about it, but there’s not much going on at the hospital that he doesn’t know about. We won’t mention it unless he does.”
“What’s the story about how we met then?”
Zane grinned and moved on top of me. “The club. You don’t remember me saving your ass, do you?” He used the same smoke and gravel voice that had completely enamored me that night.
“I just remember some jealous asshole trying to mark his territory,” I said giggling. “You should have peed on me; I think the scent marking works better that way.”
He ran his nose up the side of my face and stopped as his lips were touching my ear. “I remember wanting to take you home that night.”
“You do?” My voice sounded breathless even to my own ears.
“I also remember you telling me that you were using self-restraint because you didn’t do one night stands.”
I started laughing. “Clearly it didn’t last too long.”
He grinned. “Nope, but I’m definitely thankful for that.”
“Seeing you in my office that next morning was the last thing I expected. I never thought I’d see you again.” His fingers trailed up my side slowly. “I expected some old man with a pot belly, not this little sex kitten in heels.”
“I’m not a sex kitten,” I yelped.
The laugh lines at the corner of his eyes deepened as he smirked. “I think you’re a very,” he kissed my collarbone, “very sexy little kitten.”
His hard length dug into my belly as he moved me so I straddled his lap. I wanted this, and apparently so did he.
“You’re ridiculous,” I said, smiling against his mouth.
He ran a finger over my lips and kissed me softly. “Is this okay?”
I nodded slowly. “When have you ever asked if it was okay to kiss me?”
“Since we haven’t had sex in over a month and I really don’t want to get kneed in the balls tonight.”
“I don’t plan on maiming you.” I giggled before pulling him down so I could kiss him again. He adjusted his hips so his bulge pressed against a more interesting spot. It didn’t take long before my fingers were digging into his shoulder as he rubbed against me. My hips moved on their own accord, trying to find a release of some sort.
We finally broke our kiss and I gasped for air as he pulled back. “Is it your goal to have me so worked up that I come the second you touch me?”
He smirked. “It wasn’t the plan, but I’m not opposed. Is that what you want?”
“Definitely not.”
I tugged at his shirt, encouraging him to pull it off over his head. I was treated to the sight of his muscled chest as the fabric was tossed away. My fingers itched to run up and down his soft, tanned skin. The stubble lining his jaw ran my neck as he sucked gently. I licked my lips as I tried to hold back the moan trying to escape.
His hand trailed down between my breasts and into the waistband of my yoga pants. Zane pushed two fingers inside me slowly. My breath caught as he swiped his thumb across my clit.
“You are so fucking wet.”
I bit down on my bottom lip to hold back a moan. “It’s been a hot minute.”
He moved his thumb again and I whimpered against his mouth. Zane leaned back, tugging my pants further down my hips to give him better access. I ran my fingers along the indentations of his abs, causing goosebumps to rise on his heated skin.
His smile spread even more as I tugged my shirt up over my head, freeing my breasts for his mouth and hands.
“You weren’t wearing a bra?”
“You knew that,” I teased. He’d been staring all night.
“Maybe.”
I moaned as his mouth clamped down on one nipple, his teeth biting down just hard enough to make me arch against him. I scrambled to unbutton his pants and shove them down as far as I could, all while his fingers still worked inside me.
He pulled away all at once, standing up and staring down at me, his gaze making me flushed with need. I wanted to get his thick cock in my mouth. He kicked off his pants and underwear and made quick work of getting rid of mine. I squealed as he pulled me off the couch and spun us around, tugging me back down so I was straddling his lap.
He laughed as I pretended to scowl at him. “Stop it, you like being manhandled.”
I pouted. “Only when it benefits me.”
“Oh, it definitely will, baby. Get the condom out of my jeans.”
It only took me a few seconds to have the condom opened and rolled down on his hard length before I hovered over him, ready to have him deep inside me again. He groaned as I lowered myself on him. He shifted his hips and my moans bounced off the living room walls. His hands rested lightly on my hips, helping me find a slow rhythm that drove both of us wild. His head dropped to the cushions and his mouth parted. Something inside me pulled at the sight of him so undone.
As his fingers dipped down to my clit, I moved faster, leaning forward over him, one of my hands resting on the couch and the other at his neck. He thrust up, meeting my hips and giving us both the friction we both needed. I leaned back, allowing him to slide one hand up my stomach and grab my breast. My hand went over his and gripped tightly as his fingers pinched at my nipple. I cried out and moved faster over him in response. This was raw and animalistic and I fucking loved it.
His large hands grabbed onto my hips, holding them in place so he controlled our movements. As he thrust up into me faster and harder, my loud moans filled the room. Sweat gathered at the nape of my neck and his chest was covered in sweat. Neither us of wanted it to end, but at the same time we both wanted the sweet release. As my body finally shattered, he thrust up and pulled me down against him, finding his own release deep inside me.
His cock pulsed, causing me to shiver against him. We laid in the satisfied silence until our breaths came back to normal. As the waves of pleasure ebbed, I leaned down over Zane, pressing my forehead against his. He brushed away a piece of hair that had fallen down in my face and gently pressed a kiss to my lips. It was amazing how we’d gone from wild, uninhibited fucking to such tenderness in seconds. Zane was smiling up at me when I opened my eyes. I smiled back at him and laughed a little.
“That was insane,” I whispered.
“It was.” He ran his hands up and down my back gently. “I do have a question for you though.”
“Hm?” I said as I cuddled into him.
“Are we ever going to have sex in an actual bed?”
I grinned and rubbed my face against his chest to hide it.
“Beds are overrated.”