Chapter 11
eleven
ZACH
I’m painfully hard as I make it back to my apartment. As I key in the code I send up a prayer to the god of hard-ons for the private entrance into the apartment. I’m not sure how I’d explain myself to Hudson’s executive reception staff.
Kicking off my shoes, I walk straight to the shower, throwing my shorts, athletic shirt, and socks on the cool marble tiles as I head into the oversize walk-in shower and switch it on until it’s steaming.
It should probably be cold. But I also shouldn’t chase beautiful redheads with a primal kink before most of the town’s even had their breakfast.
And I definitely shouldn’t make them come.
The steam fills the bathroom fast, curling around me as I brace my hands against the tile, water running down my back.
Every breath I take brings her with it. Her scent, her voice, the sound she made when I caught her.
The way her body went from rigid to soft, like she’d finally stopped fighting what she’s wanted.
I shouldn’t have touched her. Should’ve walked away the second she looked at me with those pretty green eyes. But then she leaned back into me, trusting me. That blind, reckless trust that felt like a punch to the chest.
I squeeze my eyes shut, remembering the heat of her skin, the tremble in her breath. The way she melted, pliant and perfect, while my pulse hammered so hard I could barely think.
Groaning, I curl my fist around my cock, thinking of the way she felt when I slid my fingers against her. She was as wet as I was hard. I tighten my hand, thinking of her. God.
I shouldn’t do this. But I don’t think I can stop. My hand is stroking faster now. Harder. Remembering how her body looked under her crop top and shorts, how her stomach was pale and smooth and taut. How I sank my teeth into her neck and it took her pleasure to the next level.
“Fuck.” I reach the edge so quickly it takes me by surprise. Pleasure rises through me as I come, hard and fast against the tile. I see stars. Actual fucking stars.
And maybe that’s what scares me more than anything.
It takes me a moment to get my vision back. When I do, I look down at myself. At the water washing away the mess I made.
This has to stop. It shouldn’t have started. But I’m a greedy bastard who always wants what he shouldn’t have.
And apparently, what I want is a pretty redhead who came so hard on my fingers I’m not sure they’ll ever be the same again.
By the time I walk into the Salty Dog that evening, I’m back on an even keel. The place is buzzing, another sign the island’s waking up for late spring. I shoulder through a group of older guys arguing about baseball and head for the bar, the aroma of beer and fried shrimp assailing my senses.
Asher’s leaning on the counter, his hand wrapped around a beer like it’s been personally offending him.
He called earlier, muttering about Francie being away on “a book thing”, and asked if I wanted to grab a beer.
The man hates being alone. Or at least he hates being without his wife.
Either way, the distraction suits me fine.
“Hey,” I say, grabbing the stool next to him. Maud, the barmaid who’s worked here since forever, walks over and I order a pint of beer. As she wanders off, Asher looks at me.
“Thanks for coming,” he says, taking a sip from his glass. “It’s good to catch up.”
“It’s fine. I didn’t mind being fifth choice.” I grin at him, because Hudson already told me Asher called him earlier. Apparently, he called Parker and West, too, desperate to find a drinking buddy.
Asher grunts, not even pretending to deny it. “Hudson said it’s his turn to get the kids to bed. Parker’s knee-deep in baby bath time. And West’s busy teaching his dog not to hump visitors.”
I raise a brow. “How’s that going for him?”
“About as well as you’d expect.” Asher takes a sip of his beer, lips twitching. “Eden says the dog’s just following West’s example.”
That makes me laugh, loud enough that Maud glances over. “Poor bastard. Guess he finally met his match.”
“He met more than that,” Asher mutters, shaking his head with mock disgust. “Our sister’s got him wrapped tighter than one of his tailored suits.”
“Yeah, well,” I say, lifting my pint. “Welcome to the Fitzgerald curse. None of you can say no to a strong woman.”
He gives me a sidelong look. “And you can?”
“Well, I’m not counting down the hours until I can have sex on camera with my wife, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “That’s a low blow. And if I find out who told everybody about that…” Asher shakes his head.
“Since we both know it was Francie gossiping to Autumn and Skyler, I’m pretty sure you’re not gonna do a damn thing about it. Because you’re whipped.”
Maud passes me the beer and I thank her, then lift it up to my brother. “Here’s to being allowed out on a school night because we don’t have screaming kids or randy dogs.”
Instead of lifting his glass, Asher lifts a brow. He suddenly looks less grumpy and more… smug.
“What are you grinning like that for?” I ask him. Then it hits me. I just mentioned us both not having kids.
“Shit. Francie’s pregnant?” I say, unable to keep a massive smile from my face.
He nods. “Yes, but it’s still the first trimester and I’m not supposed to tell anybody.”
“And you’re doing a damn fine job of it.” But my smile doesn’t waver. “To little Ashers or Francies” I say, keeping my voice low. “Have you figured out how to put a tracker on a fetus yet?”
“Fuck off.” He’s still grinning. “And while the kid is in Francie, I don’t have to worry.” He tips his head to the side. “So when are you going to settle down anyway?”
I blink at the abrupt change in topic. “When hell freezes over,” I say. But the truth is, it hits me deep in the gut.
I can’t. I can’t put somebody else in the position I’m already in.
Asher takes a long drink, eyes still on me over the rim of his glass.
“It’s funny, I thought that too. And then…
Francie, you know? It just happens. And I swear it begins with wanting to come home, back to Liberty.
” He takes a long sip of beer. “Hudson thinks it’s his idea that you came back. But I’m not buying it.”
I arch a brow at his attempt at reading me. I blame Bro’s Book Club. Life was easier before my brothers got in touch with their emotions. “You think I have another reason to be here?” I ask him, hoping he doesn’t know how close to the truth he is.
He shrugs. “You tell me.”
That makes me huff out a laugh. “Maybe I like being with you all.” I keep my face impassive. I can’t tell him about my eyesight. Not yet. Not until the gala is over. And all the test results are back.
Asher studies me for a moment, like he’s looking for cracks in my armor. He’s always been that way. Always trying to solve a puzzle, find the pattern, uncover the formula.
Finally, he nods once. “Okay, sure. You just felt like coming home.”
“Exactly.” I lift my glass and take a long drink, pretending that’s the whole truth.
Because it’s easier that way.
He leans back on his stool, a knowing glint in his eye. “Still sounds like bullshit, but I’ll let you get away with it for now.”
I’m about to reply when the door opens and the movement catches my attention.
A flash of red hair passes to my left. My chest tightens before my brain even catches up.
And then another part of me tightens, because Jesus, this woman is absolutely perfect.
Wearing a pair of jeans and a white top, her pale skin contrasts perfectly against her blazing hair.
A moment later she’s at the bar. Her eyes meet mine and her cheeks pink up. The memory of her skin, salt and sweet on my lips rushes through me.
And then, because I’m an asshole, I look away.
I can’t fall for this woman. I can’t risk wanting more. I can’t give her – or anybody else – a piece of me.
The consequences are too harsh. And the kind that nobody should pay.
God knows it’s already costing me way too much.
SADIE
It’s been one of those long, messy days, full of stock deliveries, supplier calls, and the kind of customers who want to tell you their life story before they buy a bookmark.
Oh, and Zach Fitzgerald chased me like he hated me then made me see stars so hard I couldn’t stand up.
Yeah, there’s that. So it’s just my luck that he’s here, sitting at the bar with a beer in his hand, looking far too composed for a man who had his hands on me this morning.
And in me, too.
I walk straight to the counter, pretending not to notice him, even though every nerve in my body knows exactly where he is.
“Hey, Maud,” I say, setting the paper bag down between us. “Your book finally came in. I thought I’d save you the trip.”
She beams at me like I’ve handed her a winning lottery ticket. “You’re a star. I’ve been dying to read this one.” She leans closer. “It’s the one with the Scottish duke who pretends to be his own twin.”
I nod, pretending to listen, even as my skin prickles. Because I’m so aware of him it isn’t funny.
I risk a glance his way. He’s there, a few feet away, talking to Asher, the light catching his dark hair. Our eyes meet, and for a second, I swear I can still feel his teeth on my neck like he wants to taste me. And then he looks away. Cleanly and deliberately.
It feels like I’ve had a bucket of cold water dumped on my head. For a moment, I forget how to breathe.
Yes, I made it clear it was a one time thing. And yes, I was the one who walked away earlier, but it hurts that he’s now doing it too.
God, I’m such a hypocrite.
Maud carries on chatting, blissfully unaware that my dignity is lying somewhere on the floor between us. “I’m a sucker for Dukes,” she says dreamily. “They’re always so… rich. And grumpy, but I’ll take that with the money. Better to be rich and unhappy than poor and unhappy.”
I blink, trying to catch up. “Right. Rich Dukes. They’re the best.”
She nods, clutching the bag to her chest like it’s a treasure. “I’ll report back on which twin she ends up with. My money’s on the one with the scar. Women always go for the difficult ones.”
My laugh comes out thin and shaky. “Ain’t that the truth?”
Behind me, I hear the low rumble of Zach’s voice as he says something to Asher. I don’t look again. I can’t. Because I already know what I’ll see. A man who can touch you like he’s starving one morning, and act like you’re invisible by nightfall.
“I’ll leave you to it,” I tell her, because I actually have two more deliveries to make before I can head to bed. I know they could wait until tomorrow, but I also know the pain of waiting for a book. “Don’t stay up all night reading.”
She laughs, like she’s definitely planning to do just that. “See you later, Sadie.”
I turn, planning to leave without looking at him again, but then my voice is called out, but by the wrong brother.
“Sadie.” Asher’s voice is warm and easy, cutting through the bar’s noise.
I pause, forcing my shoulders to relax before I turn toward him. He’s smiling, that Fitzgerald charm on full display. “Hey, did you know Francie’s on the mainland today for a signing?”
“Yeah, she told me. How’s it going?”
“Look at this,” he says, getting out his phone.
“The line is around the block.” He shows me a photo of avid readers patiently waiting for the signing to start.
He looks so proud it touches me. “She refused to let me go with her because she thought it would be a bust. Next time I’m not taking no for an answer. ”
“You should definitely go next time,” I tell him. “She’s a huge hit.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I feel Zach’s presence like it’s weighing down on me. But I don’t give him the satisfaction of a glance. He wants distance? Fine. I can match that stride for stride.
I smile at Asher, steady and calm. “Tell her good luck from me. I’m heading home. Early start tomorrow.”
“Get home safely.” That’s Zach. So the man can talk? Who knew.
I smile widely at him. “I always do. I’m a strong, independent woman.”
His lips twitch, like he’s fighting a smile. “Pretty sure that’s what all the horror movie heroines say right before the monster chases them.”
Oh, so we’re doing this. I lift a brow and press my feet firmly against the ground.
“I don’t run in the dark,” I tell him, refusing to break eye contact. “And if I did, I’m pretty sure I could outrun the monster. Unless I let him catch me, that is.”
Asher frowns, completely oblivious to the undercurrent between me and his brother. “Why would anybody let the monster catch them?” he asks.
Zach looks down at his beer. “Why indeed?” The way he says it, low and thick, reminds me of earlier. Of his words, his touch, his damn teeth.
“Maybe she likes the rush,” I tell Asher, ignoring his brother. “Just as a one time thing. Like scratching an itch and walking away.” I flash him a smile. “I have to go, I have a couple more deliveries to make.”
Asher’s still frowning, like he’s trying to solve a riddle. “Right… goodnight, Sadie.”
Zach doesn’t say a word, but I can still feel the weight of his gaze as I turn toward the door. It skims over me, dark and hot, like a secret I shouldn’t know exists.
I don’t look back. I’ve thought about him enough for today.
But as the door swings shut behind me, my pulse still runs wild, like I never stopped being chased.
And I know I need to get over this. Before I do something to embarrass myself even more.