or cautious or for once, give into her passions. She saw a ravenous need in Zach’s gaze that called to something inside her. She’d been taught to ignore her needs. But somehow, the tug she felt toward Zach was stronger than anything she’d ever felt before.
Tina rose from the cab with all the grace she’d been taught since she could walk and accepted his hand. “Your place,” she whispered.
Chapter Two
Tina stepped across the threshold of Zach’s apartment, her heart hammering in her chest. When Zach flicked on the light behind her, she stared into the spare, generically furnished living space and felt her stomach dip with reticence. What was she doing?
“Let me get you something to drink,” he said, walking past her and removing his hat. “Sorry I don’t have much to offer. I spend most of my time working when I stay here instead of at my ranch.”
She followed after him and watched as he stared into a near-empty refrigerator. “Juice, water.” He craned his neck. “Beer and chardonnay.”
“Water’s fine,” she said, licking her lips.
“Sure you don’t want wine?” he asked, looking over his shoulder.
“Maybe just one glass,” she said. “Besides ranching, what kind of business do you have?”
Zach grabbed a beer, then opened the bottle of wine and poured the golden liquid into a glass. “My brother and I own some companies together—information-sharing systems and upgrading equipment for mid-size companies. We also offer consultation for trading futures and trade them ourselves.”
“Sounds busy,” she said and accepted the glass of wine.
“What do you do?”
“I work in public and international relations,” she said, not wanting him to ask any further questions. She took a quick sip and stared into his gaze, feeling her stomach dance with nerves.
He skimmed his gaze over her, then took a long drink of beer. “Listen, if you’d like me to take you to Keely’s—”
“No,” she said, quickly, breathlessly. “Unless you want me to go.”
“No,” he said just as quickly, but his voice was rougher with a sensual edge to it that affected her on a visceral level.
She took another sip of wine and willed herself to be more brazen. She took two steps forward then stopped. “I’m not accustomed to making the first move,” she whispered.
He raised his eyebrows and nodded, taking another long drink of beer. “Maybe I can help with that,” he said and closed the space between them.
Inhaling deeply, she caught the scent of him, soap, cologne and just a hint of musk. He smelled male, good, seductive. He slid his hand over hers and tugged her toward the kitchen counter where he propped his can of beer.
His hand felt strong and warm around hers. Taking her wine glass from her hand, he took a quick sip, then also set the glass on the counter. He dipped his fingers into the wine and rubbed them over her lips.
She blinked at the raw seductive move, but had no desire to object.
“I think I need another taste of that wine,” he said and lowered his mouth to hers. His mouth was firm and sensual. He slid his tongue over her lips and she felt his hunger vibrate inside her. When he pulled her against him, his hard-muscled frame made something inside shudder and relax at the same time.
She wasn’t dealing with a college boy here.
She remembered her first time as heavy kisses, awkward fumbling, a rushed penetration followed by a stab of pain. Afterward, she’d wondered Why bother?
Tina knew she was experiencing the opposite side of the spectrum. Zachary was a man, and he clearly knew what he was doing. He knew what he wanted and at this moment, she knew that he was what she wanted. From the time she’d been born, Tina had been bred for duty and responsibility. Her position was more important than her desires or personal needs. She was always to behave responsibly. If things went wrong, then she was supposed to fix them. She would always need to remain on guard.
For the first time in a long time, if not forever, she let down her guard. She had the bone-deep sense that Zach was the most responsible man she’d ever met. For now, his responsibility meant taking care of his needs and her own, and she felt a delicious anticipation that he could achieve both tasks. She sighed with a combination of relief and excitement and clung to his strong frame.
Giving herself into his sensual care, she drew his tongue into her mouth, savoring his taste. He quickly inhaled in surprise or approval, or both, and rocked her pelvis against his hardness.
A thrill raced through her and she pressed her breasts against his chest. He gave a low growl. “Are you sure you—”
“Yes,” she whispered desperately against his lips and slid her hands upward, knocking his hat from his head.
Within seconds, he had pushed off her coat and unzipped her dress. Tina felt a draft of cool air when her dress pooled at her feet, but his warm hands replaced the fabric, quickly distracting her. She tugged at his jacket and tie then fumbled as she unbuttoned his shirt.
It seemed like both forever and no time at all before she felt his naked warm skin against hers. The sensation of her breasts against his chest made her nipples tight with need. Heat and desperation grew inside her. When had she wanted like this? When had she allowed herself to want like this?
Her brain shorted out as he dipped his head, taking one of her nipples into his mouth. Tina gasped in pleasure.
He swore under his breath. “You’re so sexy. Don’t know how long I can wait.”
“Don’t,” she urged, sliding her fingers through his hair. “Don’t wait.”
Taking her by surprise, he pulled her into his arms and carried her out of the kitchen down a hallway. In a darkened room, he set her down on a bed and pulled back. During those few seconds, she felt cold without him.
“Zach?”
“Right here,” he said, returning, leaning over her as he opened a foil packet and protected himself. “I don’t trust myself much longer.”
He slid his hand through her hair and down her face to cup her jaw. “I never thought I’d feel this—” He broke off and shook his head. He trailed his hand down over her breasts and lower, over her abdomen and between her legs where she was hot and moist. “Perfection,” he muttered. “All woman.”
Toying with her, he took her mouth in a French kiss. The desperation and need tightened inside her so she could hardly stand it. Unable to bear another second, she slid her hand down to where he was hard and big and all male. She stroked down his shaft and he gave a hiss of arousal.
“That’s it,” he said and pushed her thighs apart. One breath later, he plunged inside her, stretching her, filling her.
He swore. “You feel so good,” he said and began to pump. She moved in counterpoint to his sexual invasion, craving every millimeter of him.
She
