CHAPTER | TEN
Zoe returned to the nurses’ station and stifled a yawn. Things had been crazy all week. Every crazy known to man, and a few undiscovered species as well, had turned up in the ER.
They’d had a record number of MVAs, at least a hundred sick, sniffling kids and an equal number of bitchy parents, and even two pregnant women who presented to the ER in active labor and fully dilated. Yeah, it had been a fun week. She’d twice been named a godmother. All because the other nurses suddenly found other patients to manage when the pregnant ladies checked in. The experience had been enough to put her off motherhood for at least a decade.
She’d barely seen the guys on account of pulling double shifts to handle the overflow. She hadn’t even had much time to talk to Chase on the phone because she hadn’t caught a long enough break to do it.
She missed them. All of them. She sighed as she checked the physician’s orders for one of her patients. Another late clock-out was in her future. On the upside, she had two consecutive days off, and this time, she was turning her pager off. The downside was that Chase and the guys had started a forty-eight just that morning.
Her hair fell over her face, and she tiredly shoved it back behind her ear. She had two patients to admit and another to discharge and then maybe she could head home, get something decent to eat, and catch up on some sleep.
An hour later, she clocked out, collected her purse from her locker, and headed back by the nurses’ station on her way out. She was so absorbed in getting to the exit that she nearly walked past Chase, who was leaning against the desk talking to one of the techs. He looked up and grabbed her by the waist. Before she could react, he crushed his lips to hers.
She managed to pull away. “Well hello, fancy meeting you here.” She glanced down, expecting to see him in fire gear, but he was wearing street clothes. “Catch a break?”
He smiled. “Something like that. You out of here for the night?”
“Yeah, thank God,” she breathed. “I was just on my way out. Want to walk me out?”
He fell into step beside her. “I’ll do you one better.”
“Oh?”
They hit the automatic doors at the main ER entrance, and she was further surprised to see Chase’s truck parked in the ambulance bay.
“Yeah, come on, I’ll give you a ride home so you can pack a bag.”
She stopped and stared at him in confusion. “Bag?”
He smiled and pulled her into his arms, tipping up her chin to kiss her on the nose. “You, my baby, have been working way too hard, and I haven’t seen nearly enough of you. I intend to rectify that right now.”
A smile rippled over her lips and tightened her cheeks. “Bag?” she repeated. “Where are we going?”
“Nothing too fancy. I thought a weekend in Houston. Good food. Our favorite bars.”
“I thought you had to work.”
“I did. I called in a favor.”
She threw her arms around him and hugged him fiercely. “Can I just say how much I love you?”
He stiffened and then slowly pulled away from her grasp. Utter seriousness and a little shock reflected in his eyes. Eyes that bored into her with intense scrutiny.
“Say that again,” he said hoarsely.
Oh hell. This hadn’t been the way she’d wanted to tell him. She gathered his shirt in her fists and let her head fall forward.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” she muttered as she beat her head against his chest.
“Hey,” he said. He tucked his knuckle under her chin and nudged until she looked up at him. “What’s going on?”
She sighed. “This isn’t the way I wanted to tell you.”
He smiled and ran his thumb over her cheek. “But you meant it.”
“Yeah, I meant it. I’ve loved you for so long, Chase.” She leaned into his body and kissed the hard line of his jaw. “But I wanted to tell you when things were perfect. But I can’t seem to get a time when we’re together and not working lately.”
“I can’t think of a more perfect time or place,” he said huskily.
He found her lips and covered them with his. Heat snaked down her spine as he hungrily devoured her mouth. Their breaths grew more strained, and her chest tightened as her oxygen-starved lungs begged for mercy. His tongue pushed inward, coaxing her to return his advance. She licked the tip of his tongue with hers and then sucked it farther into her mouth.
He pulled away, his eyes blazing. He palmed her face and stared intently down at her. He trailed his fingers down the line of her face, stroking and caressing.
“I love you too, Zoe. So damn much.”
She smiled until her lips hurt. “What a pair we are.”
He reached down and took her hands in his. “Come on. Let’s blow this joint.”
She laughed and let him pull her toward his truck.
They stopped at the house first. While she showered, Chase packed a bag for her. In a half hour, they were on the road to Houston.
Two hours later, Chase parked under the hotel awning. “Want to come in with me to check in?”
He came around to open her door, tucked her hand into his, and they walked into the spacious lobby.
“Gorgeous hotel,” she whispered as they approached the front desk.
He shot her a curious look. “Why are you whispering, babe?”
She laughed. “Sorry, it just seemed the thing to do. Everything looks so . . . regal.”
“You’re a nut.”
He tucked her hand into his as he gave the clerk his name and got the keys.
“Tell you what,” he said as he handed her a key. “Why don’t you go up to the suite and wait for me and I’ll get the luggage and meet you there.”
She leaned up to kiss him. “Deal.”
Chase and Zoe left the restaurant hand in hand and walked down the street toward a trendy bar they frequented when in Houston. The day had been fantastic. The previous night as well. They’d made love and whispered the words that felt so squeaky new and clean. In the morning, they’d ordered room service and eaten in bed. Then they’d made love again and gone shopping at the Galleria.
Full from a delicious dinner, they entered the bar and headed over to get a drink. Zoe rested against Chase’s hip as he placed their orders and sighed in contentment as he dug his fingers into her hair and stroked through the tresses.
“I had so much fun today,” she said when their drinks were shoved across the counter.
Chase kissed the side of her neck, causing her to shiver in delight.
“You’ve worked way too much lately. You needed the break, and I was getting tired of never seeing you.”
She smiled and leaned farther into him. “I’ve missed you, too. I’ve missed Brody and Tate, too. The house is quiet without you guys.”
“They’re missing you, too. They get all grumpy and surly when you’re not around,” Chase teased.
They settled onto chairs by the bar and watched the colorful array of people buzz around the small dance floor and the bar area. It was nice to get out after being cooped up in the ER all week. If she had to see one more sick person, she was going to be on sick leave herself.
“You ever fantasized about picking up a stranger in a bar?” he asked casually.
She cocked her head and considered it. “Yeah, I guess. I mean I don’t know if it has to be a bar exactly, but meeting a hot stranger in a public place is always titillating.”
Chase tipped his beer bottle in the direction of the door. “What do you think about him?”
Zoe turned and surveyed the tall, well-built guy who’d walked into the bar. He had on jeans that cupped him in all the right places. The T-shirt he wore stretched across a broad chest and muscular shoulders. Tattoos ripped down his arms in colorful patterns she couldn’t discern from the distance.
“You mean Mr. Bad Boy?” she murmured. “What do you mean what do I think?”
“Would you fuck him?”
She laughed. “You mean would he replace anyone on my current to-do list?”
Chase grinned. “I’m thinking he wouldn’t overtake The Rock or Oded Fehr.”
Her lips twisted into a dreamy smile. “Nope.”
“But would you fuck him? He’s looking at you right now. I’d say he’s definitely interested. He’s looking at you, then looking at me and trying to figure out what my status is.”
It took all her restraint not to whip her head back around to look.
“I guess I’d fuck him if you weren’t available,” she teased.
“Go talk to him.”
Her eyes widened. “What? Are you crazy? What am I supposed to talk to him about?”
Chase smiled. “You talk to him about fucking you. Take him back to our hotel room. I want to watch.”
He was serious. Behind the easygoing smile, his eyes glittered. Was the purpose of the unexpected trip? Had he done it to set up another sexual fantasy? But whose was this, his or hers? Both?
She glanced over at the stranger to see that he’d made his way to the far end of the bar. He was talking to the bartender. When he got his beer, he turned to survey the room, one hip resting on the scarred wood of the bar. He sipped idly at the beer, his interest seeming to be on scanning the occupants of the crowded pub.
Then he turned his head and met her gaze. She almost ducked guiltily away, but something in his eyes made her remain steady, staring back unabashedly as his gaze drifted up and down her body.
His eyes were dark. Either really dark brown or maybe hazel. His hair was black as midnight and hung to his shoulders in unruly stands. He wore a tan that said he spent a lot of time outdoors. He could be twenty-five or thirty-five. He had a timeless look he’d probably carry with him into his fifties. Rugged, masculine, mouthwateringly handsome. His arms were made to touch, and his chest to lick. If his cock was as impressive as the rest of him, he’d be one hell of a package.
He cocked one eyebrow as if in question, then tipped his beer bottle in salute.
“Probably has a small dick,” she muttered. “Too much perfection.”
Chase choked on his laughter. “I don’t hear you complain about my dick size.”
She broke her fascination with the stranger and turned back to Chase. “That’s because you are the perfect package. Unusual. I count myself lucky I don’t have to settle. You have a great dick, but you aren’t one,” she added cheekily.
Chase pulled her into his arms until they circled her waist. He leaned in to nibble at the side of her neck, and her knees buckled.
Oh sweet, merciful God.
“Stop that,” she hissed. “I’m not going to orgasm in public.”
He chuckled and kissed the soft pulse underneath her ear. “Go talk to him, Zoe. Ask him to dance. Invite him back to the hotel.”
She gulped nervously. “Are you sure?”
“If you’re sure. Tell him where to meet you. I’ll drive you back over. I want to make sure you’re safe.”
“Is this your fantasy or mine?”
“For now, it’s mine. Later it can be yours,” he said with a hint of amusement.
She twisted in his arms, then reached up to trace the line of his jaw. “And what do you want him to do to me?”
“Whatever he wants to. Whatever you want him to.”
She shivered under his hands as he stroked down her arms.
“In that case, I’ll be right back.”
She pushed away from the bar, swallowed the butterflies, and started resolutely in the direction of her target. She stifled a giggle at the idea that she was targeting a man who was twice her size. He could probably snap her like a twig.
Trying not to focus on that particular thought, she stopped beside the guy and motioned for the bartender. Her mystery man slid his gaze sideways, then turned so he faced her.
He didn’t say anything at first. He studied her with a lazy gaze that seemed to peel every piece of her clothing off. One piece at a time.
She leaned closer to the bartender as he came over, and she caught a whiff of her guy’s scent. Mmmm. He smelled good enough to eat. Or at least pounce on and do her best to lick every inch of him.
When she would have extended her credit card to the bartender, the man beside her put his hand on her arm.
“Whatever the lady wants, put it on my tab.”
His low, husky voice washed over sensitive nerve endings. The hairs at her nape prickled and stood up. Her nipples puckered, and a delicious twitch between her legs had her squirming her discomfort.
Was this supposed to turn her on as much as it did? She wondered if she should feel guilty but quickly shook off that notion. Chase had always encouraged her fantasies, and since this particular one was his suggestion, she could hardly be blamed for taking him up on it.
“Thank you,” she murmured. She cocked her head to the side and allowed her gaze to drift over his chest and down to the bulge in his jeans. “What’s your name?”
“Dillon. Yours?”
She extended her hand and smiled. “Zoe. Glad to meet you, and thank you for the drink.”
He closed his fingers around her hand and instead of shaking, he gripped it, turned it up, and rubbed his thumb sensuously over the top of her knuckles.
“Zoe. It suits you. And you’re quite welcome.”
The bartender slid the amaretto sour across the counter, and she picked it up to sip at the tart drink.
He watched her drink, watched her swallow. His gaze never left her, and her internal body temp had just skyrocketed.
“Do you like to dance?”
She set her drink down. “I do. With the right partner.”
He moved in, cupped her jaw, then slid his fingers down the column of her neck and over her shoulder.
“I don’t think you’ll find me . . . lacking.”
“No,” she whispered. “I don’t suppose I will.”
Her drink forgotten, she allowed Dillon to guide her toward the dance floor. His hand burned the skin of her waist, and when they reached the center, his palm slid over the bare skin of her belly as he turned her to face him.
She had no knowledge of what played—fast or slow. The only thing she was aware of was strong arms enfolding her, pulling her against a hard body, and a warm spicy scent that filled her nose.
His hands drifted downward to cup her ass. He paused a moment and stared down at her as if gauging her reaction. She liked his directness. He’d seen something he liked, and like her, he was going after it.
His fingers spread wide, possessive, and he pulled her into his groin so she could feel the hard bulge straining at his fly.
“See what you do to me?” he whispered into her ear.
“What are you going to do about it?”
“What are you proposing?”
She looped her arms around his thickly corded neck and cocked her head back to stare into his eyes. She’d definitely been right. Dark with just a few flecks of gold and green. He was exotically handsome. His face held a hint of wild, and it excited the hell out of her.
“One night, no strings. You show me that magnificent body of yours and everything you know about pleasing a woman.”
His nostrils flared and his arms tightened at her waist. “I’m liking your idea.”
She leaned in close so he’d be sure to hear what she said next. “There is one condition.”
He arched a brow questioningly.
She nodded toward the bar where Chase lounged on a bar stool, his back to the bar. He was nursing a beer and watching Zoe and Dillon with hooded eyes.
“See that guy?”
Dillon nodded. “What about him?”
“I came with him. He’s my boyfriend. He gets to watch.”
Dillon paused, then turned his gaze back on Zoe. “And he’s okay with this. You and me, I mean. He’s just going to be okay with me taking his girl home to fuck?”
She shook her head and allowed her hands to wander down his chest, enjoying the dips and lines. It was all she could do not to lean in and kiss him. A man who looked this good had to taste divine.
“We go to my hotel. Separately. Chase will be there to make sure I’m . . . safe. He wants to watch. What happens between us is up to you. No interference unless you cross the line.”
Dillon glanced back at Chase and then turned her into his arms as they moved across the dance floor. He backed her to the far wall, trapping her between the surface and his chest.
“So you and I fuck. He watches. Tomorrow morning we go our separate ways. No strings.”
She nodded. “If that’s acceptable to you.”
His grin was slow and so damned sexy. “Sugar, I don’t know a man alive who wouldn’t think he’d just been handed the keys to the kingdom. Where are you staying?”
Her excitement growing, she leaned up on tiptoe and let her lips brush over his ear. She whispered the name of the hotel and her room number.
“Meet me there in an hour,” she said as she drew away.
She started to move around him to return to Chase, but he caught her arm and pulled her back between him and the wall.
“Not so fast. I want a little appetizer to tide me over.”
Before she could respond, he lowered his head and crushed his lips to hers. He placed both hands on her belly then pushed upward to the underswells of her breasts.
She tasted beer on his tongue and lips. It mixed with the fruity sweetness of the sour she’d drunk. He delved deeper, his mouth moving possessively over hers. He rubbed his thumbs over her nipples, and she tensed as intense pleasure radiated through her belly.
Not willing to let him get away with winding her up, she lowered her hands to his groin and cupped him intimately. She let her fingers wander over the growing bulge and heard him swear against her lips.
She smiled and pulled away. “See you in an hour?”
His eyes blazed with desire, and harsh breaths spilled from his mouth. He looked like he wanted to devour her whole. She was more than willing to let him. He could eat her piece by piece just as long as he had that sinful mouth on her body.
“Bet on it.”
She cupped his cock in her palm one last time before finally pulling away to walk back toward Chase. Her eyes found Chase, but he was looking beyond her to Dillon. She turned to look over her shoulder to see Dillon’s gaze locked with Chase. There seemed to be some weird male communication going on. Maybe Dillon was making sure it was okay with Chase or maybe he was saying he simply didn’t care.
When she returned to Chase, he pulled her into his arms and found her lips in a fierce, possessive kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with equal fierceness.
“You okay?” Chase asked when he finally pulled away.
She smiled as she dragged deep breaths into her lungs. “I was scared to death at first, but he’s an okay guy. Not an asshole at all.”
“And he turns you on.”
She nodded. “Yeah, he does.”
Chase thumbed her swollen bottom lip. “It turns me on to see you turned on. Watching the two of you all but go at it against the wall over there was incredibly hot. I wasn’t the only one who thought so, judging by the number of guys checking it out.”
She grinned. “Maybe you should ask them over to watch.”
“You’re turning into quite the exhibitionist,” he murmured. “I think I like it.”
“I told him to meet us at the hotel in an hour.”
Chase tossed a few bills onto the bar and then stood, circling her waist with his arm.
“Then let’s get out of here.”