CHAPTER NINE
Oh my God, I had sexwith Zach.
That was the first thought Libby had as she woke from a very deep sleep. Her second, as she turned over, was panic. He was still there.
Shit.
Despite what they’d each agreed, last night had been the least casual sex she’d ever had. They’d connected on a level that Libby hadn’t even known existed. After hearing him talk about his brother so honestly, it was like all those emotions that poured out between them had to go somewhere. And that somewhere was sex.
Back was the warning alarm in her head. This time it was deafening. For a moment, she thought her eardrums might burst as Zach leisurely drew her very naked body into his arms. But then she remembered they were imaginary bells.
You’re a dumbass.
She was. A dumbass who might have already caught feelings. After one night!
What the fuck, Libby?
She tried not to panic. Maybe this was just a bad case of emotional attachment after sex. Yes. That’s it. It was just her hormones playing tricks on her. That’s why she was enjoying snuggling so much. Simple biology.
“Morning, princess.” Zach’s husky, sleep-worn voice really wasn’t helping things.
I mean, who has the audacity to sound so frigging sexy in the morning?
It dawned on her then, just how much of a wreck she was. Bad breath, smudged make-up, knotty hair and let’s not forget, really freaking naked.
“You okay?” Even the concern lacing his tone was making her feel all gooey.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“I-I should go clean up. I must look like shit.” She figured she might as well put it out there. There was no hiding it. He needed to know there was no perfection when it came to Libby in the morning.
Instead of allowing her to crawl out of bed with what was left of her dignity, in one quick move, he flipped them until she was on her back, and he was hovering above her, all of his weight resting on his elbows. But she couldn’t even look at him. God knows what kind of hot mess was staring back at him.
“Look at me.” He waited patiently. Too bad she wasn’t playing ball. “Please, baby?”
Interesting. They’d graduated to “baby”. Just then, a flashback from last night caused her to squeeze her eyes shut. Oh no. She’d been the one to call him “baby” first.
Seriously?
“Libby?”
It must have been at least a minute before she mustered enough courage to look into those serious blue eyes.
“Listen to me.” A big swallow later, she got a taste of her own morning breath. “You’re stunning. You take my breath away, you hear me? With make-up, without it, nothing will ever change how I feel about you. I think right now, you’re the most beautiful you’ve ever been.”
Liar.
But it worked. She’d also been awfully slow in realizing just how naked he was too, and how a certain appendage, in particular, seemed to wholeheartedly concur with his statement. And just like that, the rest of her body woke up.
It only took one innocent squirm for him to realize just exactly what she was thinking. His mouth crashed down onto hers seconds later and all of a sudden, morning breath was the last thing on her mind.
***
As it was Zach’s lastday off before he had four days on shift, they spent all of Sunday together. Mostly in the bedroom. Eventually, they made it downstairs to eat. But after stocking up on calories, Libby was promptly carried back upstairs. To her delight.
It was now Monday morning and Zach had been gone for a grand total of twenty minutes. While she was pretty annoyed at herself for apparently having no self-control whatsoever, another part of her was beyond satisfied. Not because the sex was so damn good. Or because she had finally scratched that itch. It was more than that. And it scared her.
In true female fashion, she needed a second opinion. Luckily, despite it being super early in Wyoming, it was the afternoon in England. Which meant Cat would most likely answer her phone if she called.
Sat at her kitchen table with coffee now warming her insides, Libby pulled her legs up and rested them on the chair opposite her. A smile graced her lips as her gaze went to the table. And her cheeks began to warm as she caught sight of the countertop behind it.
Oh my God, stop. You can’t start blushing like a schoolgirl every time you look at a particular surface.
She could and she would. Evidently.
Shaking her head, her attention went back to her phone. Scrolling to Cat’s name, she hit the call button, switched on loudspeaker and waited. Hoping her friend had time to talk.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Cat chirped. “Sheesh it’s early over there. Don’t tell me ... another toaster fire?”
“Don’t even joke about that! You’re gonna jinx me!”
Libby heard her friend laughing down the line, which may have made her own lips twitch a little. “Well, at least if you set the house on fire again, you have a hot fireman on speed dial to come to your rescue, right?”
Even just the mention of Zach caused her stomach to somersault.
Oh God, this is bad.
Scrubbing her face, she took a deep breath. “Yeah. That’s actually why I called. I need some advice.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. So ... something might have happened with Zach.”
“Might have happened?” Cat repeated, not hiding the amusement in her voice.
“We, y’know, may have taken things to the next level. A few times. Maybe six ...”
“Six? Holy shit, girl! Can you say jack-fucking-pot? Are you ringing me just to brag? ‘Cos that’s not cool. You know it’s been a freaking eternity since I’ve had any action.”
This time, Libby joined her friend in laughter. She might have been bragging a little. Or maybe she was still slightly delirious from all the orgasms she’d had in such a short space of time. Either way, it was a pretty damn good situation to be in.
“You could always move over here? Zach has a lot of friends. And like three brothers. I’m sure at least one of them would be able to help you out with that.”
Cat groaned. “Don’t tempt me. I miss it over there. Brighton just doesn’t do it for me anymore. And don’t even get me started on my mum. If she asks me one more time when she’s gonna get grandchildren, you may actually hear me screaming from all the way over there.”
God, she missed her friend. It had been two whole years since she’d moved back to England, and she hadn’t been back to the States since. Maybe it was time to plan a visit.
“If that’ll tempt you then I’m gonna start taking pictures. Photo evidence that you can get laid if you move here. Plus ... I have this big house now. Want me to send pics of the spare room?”
“Oh my God, stop!” Cat giggled. “You’re not playing fair. Although, if you just so happened to have a couple of photos on your phone of hot guys, it’s not like I could stop you from sending them or anything ...”
Like most of their calls, it descended into chaos quickly. There was a lot of laughing. So much that tears streamed down her face on more than one occasion. For at least forty minutes they aimlessly chatted, catching up with what was going on in each other’s lives.
When they did get back around to the topic of Zach and the two nights they spent together, Libby had a feeling she already knew what Cat was going to say. And bingo, she was right.
“Just stop overanalyzing it and enjoy it. Look, yes, the whole friends compromise is a little wild, but who cares? I thought the whole point was that you were scared of being in a relationship. Well, he’s not your boyfriend. Friendship and sex can imitate a relationship all it likes; it doesn’t mean it is one. You haven’t got the labels and you’re definitely not planning a future together, so there you go. You got what you wanted. Relax. Let yourself be happy for once.”
All good points. As usual. However, there was still that niggling feeling that she couldn’t shake. It made her itchy. But Cat was right, she couldn’t remember the last time she just let herself enjoy something. And if ever there was something worth enjoying, it was Zach.
***
Work had been kickingLibby’s ass all week. One unhappy client had meant she’d been working on just their site for so long, other clients were getting left behind.
The one good thing about being swamped at work was that she’d been distracted. Meaning she didn’t have time to overanalyze all the messages Zach had been sending. From selfies to “I miss you” texts, you name it, she’d received it.
The real tragedy though was that she loved it. All of it. She loved the attention. Loved the pictures. And loved the warmth that spread over her like a wildfire when she saw his name pop up on her phone.
Let yourself be happy for once, remember?
She needed the reminder. Especially now. It was Thursday, in five minutes Zach would finish his shift and then have four days off. The original plan was to see each other tomorrow. But Libby had other ideas. She missed him too much. So, she’d decided to throw caution to the wind and take a chance. This chance involved a visit to the fire station to surprise him. And hopefully take him home.
All she had to do now was work up the courage to go inside. Which was taking much longer than expected.
You can do this, Libby. He tells you how much he likes you every day, he’s not gonna be pissed you’re here. He’ll be happy. You won’t get rejected.
She really hoped that was true.
Flipping down the visor mirror, she checked her makeup for the millionth time. But it was fine. Just like it had been five minutes ago. Probably because she’d spent an awfully long time getting ready. She’d curled her hair to near perfection, expertly applied her eyeliner and was wearing the tightest dress she owned.
It was official, she’d lost her mind. But it was too late to question her sanity. She was there and she was definitely going to get out of her car.
In a minute.
It only took two more pep talks before she climbed out. Slowly, she approached the station, ignoring the rhythmic clinking of her boots against the cobblestone, the sound now echoing around the eerily quiet parking lot.
Inhaling a calming breath, she entered the building, totally unprepared for the stares that greeted her.
It’s fine, I’ve got this. I think. Maybe.
A few appreciative whistles signaled her outfit”s success. Nonetheless, as she scanned the room, there was no sign of Zach.
“Can I help you, darlin’?” A tall and rather wide man, with dark hair, drawled as he sauntered over, casually wiping his hands with what appeared to be an old rag.
“I’ll be happy to help with anything she wants,” another man joked to the others.
“Get in line, man. What’s up, sweetheart?” yet another man hollered.
She was starting to feel like she’d been thrown to the wolves.
Deciding Old Rag Man looked the most trustworthy, she turned to him. “Uh, I’m looking for Zach?”
The man’s already wide grin grew bigger. “You’re Zach’s girl?”
Straight away she wanted to deny it. She wasn’t anyone’s girl. But something stopped her. Maybe it was the way the other guys were looking at her. Or maybe she just wasn’t in the mood to debate misogynistic labels with a bunch of firefighters. Luckily, she didn’t have to decide. Zach was finally in sight. And he looked pissed.
Shit. Is he angry I’m here?
“Wanna put your eyes back in your socket, Dave, before I find another use for them?” Zach growled as he continued to stomp over to her.
Once he reached her, instead of the romantic embrace she was expecting, he clasped her elbow and practically dragged her into a room just off of the main floor.
Oh dear.
The slam of the door made her jump, but it was the expression on his face that was making her the most nervous.
“Are you okay? You’ve gone all red.” And he had. Like a tomato.
“Have you lost your mind?” He whipped his head around to face her. “Turning up here, looking like that?”
Well, yeah, she kind of had. And it was all his fault.
Suddenly she felt exposed. She never should have come. What had she been thinking? Seeking comfort, she crossed her arms, creating a make-shift shield.
“Hey.” Zach instantly softened. He went to her. Gently, he unwrapped her arms and kept hold of her hands, then carefully lowered them back down to her sides. “I’m sorry, princess, I didn’t mean to snap at you. You look fucking amazing.” His gaze wandered down her body. “And the fact you’re here to see me, well, that makes me the luckiest man on the fucking planet.”
“I should’ve called first, I just thought ...” She paused. The point was she didn’t think at all. Only felt. And followed.
His finger went under her chin, nudging up, until he had her eyes. “Libby, listen to me. What happened out there wasn’t about you. It was about me being a possessive asshole. You don’t understand how goddamn beautiful you are.” He sighed. “I’m man enough to admit that I hate the way those motherfuckers were looking at you. I’m jealous as hell.”
Zach’s admission caught her off guard, he was constantly surprising her with his honesty. He really wasn’t like any man she’d met before.
Enough thinking. That’s not why you’re here.
Another reminder she needed to hear. It was time to take what was hers.
Standing on her tiptoes, she reached for him. Her arms encircled his shoulders, hands fingering his shaggy hair. When her lips finally latched onto his, they felt like home. When his mouth parted to welcome her, the tingles returned.
She tugged, and he took. Greedily. His lips stayed pressed to hers as he walked them back toward the closed door, sparks igniting as he pushed her against it. He wasn’t done though. Still connected, he picked her up as if she weighed nothing and folded her legs around his waist.
With their bodies keeping the door firmly closed, she was thankful no one could get in. Her dress had ridden so high, it would be hard to think up a plausible excuse as to why. Not that she had the mental capacity to think anything up right now. Her brain had officially left the building.
“Fuck, I’ve missed you,” he rasped.
Her mind only got foggier as Zach trailed soft kisses down her neck, only stopping once he reached the curve. That was when he started sucking.
Holy shit.
Her legs squeezed around him, trying her hardest to find some relief. But the sweet torture had only just begun.
“Did you wear this hot little dress for me, princess?” A soft whimper was all she could manage as his teeth grazed her, sending shivers down her spine. “I want to hear you say it,” he demanded.
“Yes,” she whispered breathlessly, throwing her head back. “I wore it for you.”
“Were you trying to make my dick hard, baby? Is that why you wore it?”
Her skin heated and her throat constricted as his tongue traced teeth marks.
She couldn’t freaking take it anymore. She wanted him. Now.
Another “Yes” escaped her lips as her hands dropped and began fumbling with his belt.
With help from Zach, she released the metal clasp and got to work yanking down the zipper of his pants.
They were really doing this. Right there, right now. And she couldn’t be happier. He’d turned her into a crazed addict. Four days had been far too long. Thank God she didn’t have to wait any longer.
“You gotta be quiet,” he said through ragged breaths. “Promise me you’ll be quiet or you’re gonna have to wait.”
Waiting was not an option. It would be damn cruel to leave her in this state. So she nodded before going back for another taste. To which he happily obliged.
Libby was so lust drunk on Zach’s lips that his hand on her panties hadn’t even registered. Not until she heard them rip.
Pulling back, she gasped. “Oh my God, you ripped my panties! I can’t believe you ripped my panties!”
“Shush, baby. Quiet, remember?” He chuckled into her mouth before laying gentle kisses around it. “Are you ready for me, princess?”
There was only one answer to that question. It started with a “hell” and ended with a “yes”.