Chapter 14 #2
"Good." Zane made a point of glancing at his watch. "I believe I've exceeded my five minutes." He turned toward the door, and his hand was on the knob when she spoke.
"I love my daughter. I know you don't believe that, but I do."
He turned to look at her, his cool gaze flicking over her face. "Then show it."
Katherine sat there rigid for a few minutes after he closed the door.
*****
It was the longest day ever, Kara thought wearily.
There had been no court today, and she had spent most of it wading through paperwork and case files.
And her mind had been on other things. Abigail had been out of the office for most of the day and only breezed in for thirty minutes.
The first question out of her mouth had been whether Kara had mended the wrong she had done.
When she prevaricated, Abigail had sent her a very disappointed look that made her feel even worse.
She was still thinking, wasn't she? Was it wrong for her to wish that he would do the calling? And he hadn't, which meant he was no longer interested.
It was for the best, she decided as she slung the briefcase strap over her left shoulder and pulled her jacket closer around her on the way to the car.
She was on top of him before she noticed he was there, and when she did, her heart did a flip that landed at her feet.
Her breath tangled inside her throat and her legs went weak.
He was wearing his usual black, and his hair was tied back with a leather thong.
He had his foot on the pedal or whatever it was called, and he looked dangerous and appealing.
Putting his helmet back on, he jerked his head. "Get on."
"I don't-"
Hissing out a breath, he climbed off and walked toward her.
Taking the briefcase and the key fob, he unlocked the car and tossed the briefcase onto the back seat before locking it again.
Pocketing the fob, he simply lifted her up and deposited her on the motorcycle, securing the helmet on her head himself.
"I suggest you hold on tight," he shouted as he gunned the engine.
She screamed, her hands wrapping around his waist as he swerved out of the parking lot.
Fear kept her rigid for ten full minutes as she plastered herself to his back, her knees weak.
He was weaving in and out of traffic with little care for any danger.
She sank her fingers into his jacket and closed her eyes for the first half of the ride.
Then things changed as he turned off from the main road and she was able to appreciate the scenery whizzing past her, and feel the wind on her face. To her surprise, she found that it wasn't so bad after all. It was, in fact, exhilarating!
Zane was not having a good time of it. She was pressed so tightly against him that her nipples were branding into his back and making him rock hard. Swearing beneath his breath, he swung away from the road to enter the private one that led to his property.
Taking the route that led to his trailer, he drove in, killed the engine and just sat there for a while.
"Home sweet home." Tugging off his helmet, he hopped off and lifted her to the ground. Removing her helmet, he put the two of them into the holder and secured it. Without a word, he strode to the steps and unlocked the front door, not even looking to see if she was following.
"It's a little messy," he said carelessly as she stepped into the small foyer.
That was, in fact, an understatement. Clothes were strewn everywhere, and a coffee cup and an empty pizza box sat on a charming oak table in the living area.
Shrugging out of his jacket, he slung it over a chair before heading into the kitchen.
"Why have you brought me here?" She stood in the doorway, hands linked as she watched him open the refrigerator. The kitchen was surprisingly homey, with all the modern appliances.
"I want to talk."
"So you just thought you could kidnap me?"
"Beer?" When she shook her head, he took one out and popped the cap. Leaning on the counter, he studied her. This time the outfit was a combination of cranberry red and navy blue. The jacket was snug and the pants fit her slender curves like a glove. She looked good enough to eat.
Turning away from his intense stare, she went to look out the window. "I'm sorry," she whispered faintly.
"What was that?"
"I'm sorry I offended you."
Taking a long swallow of his beer, he studied her back. Putting the bottle down, he went to stand behind her. "That's it? Nothing else?"
Her eyes met his through the glass before skittering away. From where she was standing, she could see a very pretty glossy brown pergola with vines climbing all over the sturdy structure.
"I-I panicked."
Clamping his hands on her shoulders, he turned her to face him. "Let's straighten some things out, shall we? This is me. I live here and it's home to me. I don't want fancy trappings. I spent my life living in the lap of luxury and decided it didn't suit me."
He shrugged. "I'm the heir to a fortune, and I'm not saying I despise money. I don't. It has its uses. But I'm not going to let it control me or allow it to make me think I'm better than anyone else."
"I live life my own way. I have tattoos because I wanted them and I bloody well do as I please. That said-" He paused, studying her face and feeling the yearning that had been with him ever since he met her.
"That said, ever since I met you, things have changed for me. My perspective is different. I'm not going to change for you, but I'm willing to compromise. I'm in love with you-" He stopped and smiled grimly when she jolted, her eyes going wide.
"I felt something from the very first time I saw you and the feeling just increased.
" His hands drifted to her throat and upward to cup her cheeks.
"You hurt me that last time we were together and made me consider changing my entire lifestyle.
But I want you to accept me for who I am, just as I'm prepared to accept you for who you are.
And I want you to marry me. What do you have to say to that? "
Kara wondered if he could hear how much her heart was thundering. The sound of it was drowning out everything else.
"Zane." She had to swallow the lump in her throat. "I-we barely know each other."
"That's not an answer, and we can remedy that starting now. Will you marry me?" His expression gentled. "I cannot settle for anything else. I want it all. I want to be there for you, to see your face when I wake up each morning."
His thumbs caressed her smooth cheeks. "I want to be your protector, your best friend and the person who holds you when you're feeling sad. I met with your mother today."
She blinked. "What?"
"I saw your mother today. I had to set her straight on some things."
Kara stared at him dazedly and wondered if she was dreaming. "You-you spoke to my mother."
He nodded.
Understanding dawned and had her eyes widening. "That would account for the very strange phone call I received from her this afternoon, right before I left the office."
"Oh?" He lifted his brows as he waited for her to explain further.
"She wanted to apologize and wish me all the best. She also said she would not be questioning my choices again, and that everything she ever did was because she loved me." Her hands crept up his chest as she tilted her head to stare at him.
"You did that. You made her call. What did you say to her?"
"I persuaded her in my own way to reconsider her position when it comes to you and me." He did not bother to tell her about the threats. After all, the woman was her mother and soon to be his mother-in-law.
"Zane, this is crazy."
"Do you love me?"
"I-" She closed her eyes briefly. "Yes. I'm in love with you. But-"
"We're going to leave it at that."
"But the time-what will people say? And your parents-I've never even met them."
"You will on Sunday. We're going there for dinner."
Her hands curled into his sweater. "What if they don't like me?"
"They will."
"What if they don't think I'm good enough?"
His lips curled into a smile. "They'll probably think you're too good for me."
She gasped when he suddenly swung her into his arms.
"What're you doing?"
"Taking you to bed." He closed his mouth over hers, preventing her from saying anything else. Kara felt her body going limp and had no choice but to indulge in the kiss. Her arms went around his neck as she met his hungry demands with an ardor of her own.
She had been wondering and despairing whether she would ever see him again, and now she was here in his arms. He had not only declared his love for her but had proposed. And oh God! She was going to say yes.
Lifting his head, he scanned her face, his eyes glowing with golden fire as he took in the languid passion that glazed hers.
"You haven't answered my question."
"What question?" she asked dazedly. Her lips were throbbing and her body was on fire.
"The one where you decide if you want to marry me."
"Oh, that question." Stretching languidly, she waited until he had set her down on the bed. A seductive smile curved her lips as she watched him sit on the side to take off her shoes. "Will I have to clean up your mess? You're not very tidy and I'm obsessively organized."
He glanced over at her, his expression indulgent. "We could come to a compromise. I'm loaded. We could hire someone."
"I'm not sure I would like living in a trailer."
He tossed the shoes behind him and scooted up some more to start on her slacks. "I like your cottage and I'm secure enough in my masculinity to move in with you."
She blinked at him. "You would?"
"Hmm. Anything else?"
"Not right now." She lifted her arms so he could remove her jacket and blouse.
"Good, because I don't want to talk anymore."
"The answer is yes," she murmured.
"What?" He was busy taking off her bra.
"I'll marry you."