Nine #2
Bray immediately removes his arm and steps a whole two steps away from me. Huh, maybe he thinks Zac would really break his arm. I doubt he would, but it’s not worth testing the theory right now.
Thinking back on what Zac said, I question the both of them, “What do you mean he makes you a lot of money with that arm?” I have no idea what Bray does, other than live to get a rise out of his brother.
Zac looks at Bray before giving a nonanswer. “I’ll tell you later.”
Bray raises his eyebrows in shock, shaking his head.
He picks up keys from the coffee table, throwing them at Zac.
As Zac catches them, Bray smiles and says, “The McLaren’s back from the detailers.
You know, I never could figure out how you managed to get chocolate muffin crumbs all over the car when you’ve never so much as had water in the car, and you don’t even like chocolate.
” He looks directly in my direction before adding, “I think I get it now.”
My mouth hangs open and I look at Zac questioningly. I thought he was joking about the car being at the cleaners. Instead of answering, he grabs my hand and starts pulling me towards the door.
Just as we’re all about to get in the elevator, I ask, “Is Ella coming tonight?”
All three men, all at the same time, say, “Not a fucking chance.”
“Huh, you know, it’s cute how you all can finish each other’s sentences like that.” I smile innocently, stepping inside. Turning around, I’m greeted with three very intimidating scowls; but for some reason, I’ve never felt safer.
Sitting in the passenger seat of the Batmobile, the guilt of making such a mess that Zac had to have his car detailed plays on my mind. “You know, I can pay you for whatever cost you had to pay to clean the car.”
I look over to Zac; he’s looking back at me with his brows creased. “What are you talking about?”
Rolling my eyes at him, I respond, “It was me that put chocolate muffin crumbs everywhere. If it’s true you don’t eat in your car, why the hell would you give me, probably the messiest eater on the continent, a bloody muffin to eat in here?”
Bringing my hand up to his mouth, he kisses the inside of my wrist. I can’t help but melt a little at the action and he knows it.
“Sunshine, I eat in the car. I just don’t let Bray or anyone else eat in the car. I happen to love this car way more than him.”
Zac looks across to me, his eyes drifting down to my legs, where my dress has ridden up high on my thighs, before looking back at the road. “Please, tell me you are wearing underwear under that shirt you’re wearing as a dress,” he groans.
“So, you let me eat in the fancy-ass Batmobile but not your brother. You know, that’s crazy. What if I stained the carpet or got crumbs stuck in crevices you’ll never get them out of?” Staring at him expectantly, I wait for an actual answer.
“It just so happens I like you way more than I like this car, so you eating is more important to me than having a clean car.” Squeezing my hand, he looks over at me. “Now answer my question. You are wearing underwear under that dress, right?”
All I heard out of that was: I like you more than I like this car. And I swoon. This is a really freaking nice car. Wondering how much information to give him about the underwear that I’m wearing, I give the best innocent smile I can muster.
“Umm, underwear?” I question.
“I swear to everything holy, sunshine, if you tell me you’re not wearing underwear, I’m turning the damn car around and taking you home and handcuffing you to the fucking bed.”
Well, okay then, I was not expecting that reaction. The mention of handcuffs, and what little underwear I’m wearing is becoming very wet.
“Of course I’m wearing underwear, Zac.” Smiling at him, I decide to tell him exactly what kind of underwear. “I happen to be wearing a lacy white thong under this dress.”
The car swerves to the side of the road, skidding to a stop. I don’t even have time to think about what’s happening before Zac’s tormented gaze is searing into me.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now? Your ass is uncovered? You bend over and every fucker around is going to see your ass.”
“Well, I don’t plan on bending over, Zac, and just so you know, I’ve been wearing dresses for a while now. You know, considering I am a girl, and a girl who likes dresses, I know how not to show my ass to everyone when wearing one. It’s a skill really, a talent some might say.”
Just as he’s about to say something, his phone rings over the Bluetooth of the car, announcing that the caller is Bray. “What?” Zac grunts out.
“What the fuck did you stop for? I’ve got plans; some of us actually want to get to the club before it fucking closes,” Bray yells back. Looking in the rear-view mirror, I see the Range Rover behind us; Dean’s driving and Bray’s in the passenger seat.
“Oh, I can answer this one, sweetie.” I turn on my sugary sweet voice and smile at Zac, who, by the way, is now frowning at me.
“Oh, this is gonna be good,” I hear Dean mumble.
“Bray, it’s my fault. Obviously, I should have waited until we got to the club before describing what kind of underwear I’m wearing.” Laughing a little to myself, I stop when I notice that no one else is laughing.
Zac looks like he’s about to burst a blood vessel in his forehead, and Dean and Bray are so damn quiet I thought they were disconnected until I hear Bray’s voice again.
“Lyssa, don’t take this the wrong way, because I like you, like really fucking like you.
But could you maybe wait until you provide me with a nephew before you give my brother a heart attack?
Because I’m really fucking great uncle material.
Uncle Bray has a ring to it, don’t you think? ”
At the mention of kids, I can feel the panic overtake me.
My skin feels clammy. I’m nauseous. I need air.
I need… oh god, I can’t breathe in here.
I need to get out of this fucking car. Searching around the car, I look for a way out, a way to wind the damn window down, something.
Zac notices my distress and grabs my arms, stopping me in my place.
“Bray, we’ll meet you at the club.” Disconnecting the call, he doesn’t wait for a response.
“Sunshine, breathe. You’re okay.” Although his voice is soft, I can hear the worry in it. “Alyssa, baby, breathe with me, okay? In… out… in… out.”
He brings his face right up close to mine, his lips just shy of touching mine. I can feel his breath on my lips, breathing in deep as I inhale his scent.
“That’s it, baby, just keep breathing with me.
You’re okay. I’ve got you. I’m never going to let anything happen to you.
” His voice is soothing, and he’s rubbing his hands up and down my arms. I can feel myself relax, and with that, comes the embarrassment.
I can’t believe I just had a panic attack in front of Zac, surely now he will see just how broken I am.
Attempting to turn my head so he can’t see my shame, I’m stopped as his hands cup my face. “Sunshine, you never need to be embarrassed in front of me, ever.”
He’s so sincere. I can’t take it. My eyes well up and before I can stop it, I feel a tear drop down my cheeks. Zac uses his thumb to swipe it away.
“I’m gonna fucking kill him,” he mumbles.
Confused and wanting the focus off me, I ask, “Who?”
“My fucking idiot brother. Whatever he said made you panic and cry.”
Shit, I don’t want to cause issues with his family.
“It’s not Bray’s fault, and I’m sorry. Sometimes I have panic attacks. I can’t predict when they’re going to happen. They don’t happen often though. This is the first one in over a year.”
Shaking his head, he leans in and kisses my lips ever so lightly. “I’m still going to rip him apart.” He pauses and then asks, “What did he say that caused the panic? And don’t try to tell me it wasn’t him. I know it’s something he said.”
Not really having any other option, I go for the truth and if it makes him want to run far, far away from me, well, I will survive, I think.
“He wants to be an uncle,” I say, looking down at my fingers.
“Why would Bray wanting to be an uncle make you panic?” he asks. He’s patient and waits for me to answer.
“Because, well, because I don’t think I can give you that.
I don’t think I want to have kids and if I can’t give you that, you’ll want to find someone else who will.
I can’t… I can’t…” Shaking my head, I feel another tear escape.
Zac swipes it away and kisses my lips again in an ever so light touch of his lips.
“Alyssa, Bray’s a fucking idiot. That’s all there is to it. He was joking, okay? But it doesn’t matter anyway.
Do you know why?” he asks. I shake my head no in answer.
“It doesn’t matter, because I couldn’t give two fucks if Bray wants to be a fucking uncle.
I have raised Ella and Bray since our parents died when she was only thirteen.
I’d do anything for them. But I don’t need to have kids of my own.
If we have kids, that’s up to us to decide, not anyone else.
I don’t want kids if it means not having you.
There is nothing you can say that is going to make me want to look for anyone else, okay? ”
“Okay,” I agree, not sure if I believe myself.
“Do you still want to go to the club? I can and will take you home if you want, or anywhere else you want to go.”
Reaching up and kissing his lips, I say, “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you, but I’m not giving you back, so I hope you realise you’re stuck now. Yes, I want to go to the club. Let’s go.”
Zac pulls the car back out onto the road. Picking my hand up and kissing my wrist, he says, “There’s no one else I’d want to be stuck to.”