“You’re trying to weaken my resolve, woman,” he said against their joined mouths.
“I wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing.”
A second later, her hand snaked around to his crotch. His shaft blossomed in her grip. Allowing himself to enjoy several seconds of Zahra’s stroking him, he pulled away from her hold and mouth. She donned a pouty face that made him laugh. Trapped in a fog of desire, he’d nearly forgotten he had a gift for her.
“I have something for you.” He pointed to the medium-sized box on the table.
Zahra’s eyes glowed with excitement, despite saying, “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.”
Retrieving the box, Zahra eased herself onto the sofa. After removing the bow, she lifted the top of the fancy enclosure. Pushing aside the blue filler, she gasped. He gave a modest smile when she glanced up at him. When he’d contemplated what to get her, he knew it had to be something meaningful. By the warmhearted expression on her face, mission accomplished.
She lifted the stuffed dog from the box.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“I love it. It looks just like Waterspout—er, Brownie. I love it.”
The way she hugged it to her chest, he believed her. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
Fifteen minutes later, Gregor and Zahra were seated at the chef’s table inside the bustling kitchen of The Duchovney Steakhouse. The way Zahra’s eyes had lit up when the restaurant’s executive chef came to personally welcome them gave him a feeling of triumph. He couldn’t explain why her happiness was so important to him, but it was.
Honestly, he couldn’t explain a lot of anything when it came to Zahra: why he thought about her constantly, why her touch uplifted him, why her smile ignited his soul. He’d never been that guy. The type to free-fall for a woman he barely knew. Yet, he was in full spiral.
“It smells amazing in here, Gregor,” Zahra said. “The fresh bread, the spices. It’s a sensory overload. Plus, we’re sitting in the kitchen where all the magic happens. And we got a visit from Chef Norton. I follow him on social media,” she whispered. “How did you manage to get reservations? They’re booked for like the next eight months.”
“I’m Gregor freaking Carter.” He winked. “I know people.”
While the prestigious Duchovney usually only offered one chef’s table—that, coincidentally, had already been booked—a second had been placed to accommodate him and Zahra. He and his teammates were longtime supporters of the restaurant—putting them on the map, some would say—and it was where the team held the majority of their celebrations. So, when Gregor’s assistant had called to secure reservations, it hadn’t been a problem.
Another thing he liked about the place was their discretion. Gregor knew that they wouldn’t walk out to a sea of flashing cameras due to one of the staff having alerted the media to his presence. Mark Duchovney always made sure their privacy was respected and had once fired an employee for trying to score a payday off several players on the team.
After a five-course meal fit for royalty, Gregor paid the check, thanked the kitchen staff for their hospitality, then led Zahra to the waiting car to take them to their next stop.
“So, what did you think?” he asked, threading his fingers in hers.
“My taste buds are still celebrating. That Parmesan and herb-crusted salmon was amazing.”
Gregor laughed. “You’re the only person I know who comes to one of the most renowned steakhouses on the East Coast and orders fish.”
“I like fish.”
“Yeah, but you could have gotten a forty-two-ounce tomahawk rib eye. I was paying, remember?”
“You’re saying I should have taken advantage of the fact that you were paying and gotten something I didn’t want just because it was expensive. Plus, what in the world would I have done with forty-two ounces of meat?”
A roguish grin spread across his face, an ungentlemanly-like image flashing in his head. Zahra leveled him with a playful scowl, and he laughed. “What?” he asked.
“Behave yourself.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed the back. “I just want you to have a great time tonight.”
“My great time started the second you rang my doorbell. Everything that follows is just a bonus.” She shifted slightly in her seat. “Gregor, I’m not with you because you can buy me hundred-dollar steaks. I can buy my own steak.”
Curiosity got the best of him. “Why are you with me, Zahra?” It clearly wasn’t for his money. And she wasn’t a fame seeker. If rich and influential wasn’t a draw, what was?
Straight-faced, she said, “Because you’re just so damn good in bed.”
Gregor barked a laugh. “Oh, you’re only with me for my meat. I see how it is now.”
She smirked. “Well, we both know that’s not true, because you won’t let me have any of your meat. And about that—”
Before she could launch a protest, Gregor latched his mouth to hers and kissed her senseless. The sweet wine they’d had at the restaurant still lingered on her tongue. He savored it just as much now as he had then. Even more so.
When their kiss ended, Zahra rested her hand on his cheek. “That’s one of the reasons why I’m with you.”
His brow furrowed. “Because I’m a good kisser?”
“Because you give me spontaneous kisses. You make me feel like a giddy, inexperienced schoolgirl, and I love it. I’ve never been kissed the way you kiss me. Completely. Thoroughly.” She paused a minute. “It feels like you leave behind a piece of yourself every time our lips touch. I’m going to hold them safely and securely and keep collecting them until I can complete this puzzle known as Gregor Carter.”
Had anyone ever said something so poetic to him? If they had, he couldn’t recall it. “You think I’m a puzzle?”
“Yes. Sometimes, you look as if you want to share something with me. But just when I think it’s coming, you falter.”
“I’ve shared things with you.”
“Surface things.” She placed her hand over his heart. “I want to hear the things you have locked away here. The things that truly make you who you are.”
Feeling a smidge too vulnerable, Gregor looked away from Zahra’s penetrating eyes. “Those things aren’t pretty.” Holding her gaze again, he said, “I don’t want to scare you away.”
She shook her head, the most sympathetic expression playing on her face. “You won’t.”
He eyed her in silence for a long moment. “Give me time?” It was more a question than a statement.
Leaning in, she kissed his temple, his cheek, a corner of his mouth, then pecked him on the lips. “I’ll be right here when you’re ready.”
He was about to speak when Zahra’s cell phone rang, startling her. “That’s Ava’s ringtone. I had better get it. She’ll just keep calling until I do.”
Gregor nodded his understanding, then slid his gaze out the window, focusing on the world zipping by. Admittedly, he’d never been an overly emotional person—another one of his ex’s quips—but what Zahra had said overwhelmed him and had him feeling things he wasn’t sure he was ready for.
“Ava. Esha? Is everything okay?”
When Zahra’s body tensed beside him, it clued him in that something was wrong.
Chapter 16
The call from Ava’s best friend, Esha, was the moment that had turned one of the best nights of Zahra’s life into one of the worst. Though Esha had assured her Ava was okay, Zahra wouldn’t be satisfied until she’d assessed things for herself, seen Ava with her own two eyes.
She rushed through the emergency-room doors of Carolinas Medical Center. For a Saturday night, it didn’t appear all that congested. Her shoes clacked against the polished tile as she made her way to the reception desk.
Whispers swirled around them
, and she noticed several sets of eyes staring past her, focusing on Gregor. Obviously, the lack of his beard made him recognizable, but no one approached for autographs or pictures. She did, however, notice several folks trying to use their phones on the sly to steal shots.
The women ogling him so intently didn’t faze her. All she could focus on was getting to Ava. Approaching the desk, she gave the heavyset receptionist with purple hair her sister’s name. The woman tapped on the keyboard, then provided her with a bay number. Purple Hair clicked the lock to the security door that separated the waiting area from the patient intake area, and Zahra rushed through.
Just as he had during the trip into the building, Gregor fell in step with her. She hated having to end their date night prematurely, but Ava needed her.
Or so she thought.
Laughter guided them to the location. When Zahra entered, Ava lay reclined in the bed, laughing at the handsome doctor who’d obviously told her a joke. Ava’s blissful laughter calmed Zahra’s frazzled nerves. All types of horrific thoughts had swirled inside her head on the drive here.
Other than an oximeter attached to her finger, no other machinery was connected to Ava. That had to be a good sign. No serious injuries. Esha was nowhere in sight. Had the woman left Ava there all alone? The thought frustrated Zahra.
“Sissy,” Ava said, attempting to come up on her elbow. “Owww,” she moaned, easing back down.
“Careful,” Dr. Handsome said, flashing Ava a toothy grin.
“Yes, Doctor.”
The brown-skinned, tall, slender man seemed completely enthralled with Ava, not giving them so much as a sideways glance. Aaron Culpepper, MD, the black stitching on his white coat read. Zahra reached Ava’s bedside and took her hand into hers. “What happened, sweetie? Are you okay? Did you get hurt?” She shot questions off like missiles.
“I’m fine, Zah. I promise.” She shifted her focus briefly to Dr. Handsome, who was grinning at her like a Cheshire cat. “I’m in good hands.” Addressing Zahra again, she said, “I told Esha to tell you not to come.”
Like that was supposed to stop her. “Where is Esha?” she asked a little too snappily.
“She went to the cafeteria.”
So Esha hadn’t abandoned her, after all. “Okay, so tell me, what happened?”
“Some idiot on his cell phone ran the red light. Thankfully, the sedan only hit the front end. A little more it would have T-boned me.”
Zahra’s gaze slid to Dr. Culpepper. “Is she going to be all right, Doctor?”
Dr. Culpepper’s focus left Ava. “A bit sore for the next couple of days, but other than that, she’ll be fine.”
“See. I told you.” Ava looked past Zahra. “I see you hiding back there, Gregor. Sorry for ruining your date.”
Gregor took a step forward. “No harm, no foul. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
The smile on Dr. Culpepper’s face dimmed when he eyed Gregor. By the slight wrinkle of his brow, he’d recognized him, too. But not in an I’m-a-Carolina-Thoroughbreds-fan kind of way, but more like a personal one. Gregor nodded at the man but hadn’t reacted with familiarity. A beat later, Dr. Culpepper informed Ava a nurse would be in soon to discharge her, then excused himself from the room. Judging by his speedy escape, he definitely had some connection to Gregor. But how?
After a little more small talk, Ava insisted they leave and continue their date, assuring Zahra Esha would make sure she got home safely. Zahra wasn’t having it. Asserting her big sister authority, she informed Ava that she would be the one making sure she got home unscathed.
Ava threatened to call security and have her removed from the premises. They all shared a hearty laugh. Eventually, Zahra surrendered. But under one condition—Ava called her the second she arrived home, just to put her mind at ease. Ava agreed.
Before Zahra reluctantly left, she hugged her sister as tight as she could without hurting her, said “I love you” a hundred times, ordered Ava to never scare her like this again and promised to allow Ava to tell their parents.
They bumped into Esha on their way out of the room. Zahra made sure the woman would, indeed, make sure Ava got home okay. Satisfied with her response, they said another round of goodbyes and continued out of the room.
In the hallway, Gregor turned Zahra to face him. He rested his hands on either side of her neck. “She’s fine. Are you?”
Zahra appreciated Gregor’s concern. “Yes. I’m just a little overprotective of the people I love.”
Zahra kicked herself for using the term love. She didn’t want Gregor to misinterpret what she was trying to say. Would he think she was hinting at being in love with him? No. Gregor was far more astute than that. She was just being paranoid.
“We all are,” he said. “Your sister is just as protective over you. Trust me.”
Zahra groaned. “Oh, God. What did she say? She threatened you, didn’t she?”
Gregor smiled, then started moving again. Yep, she threatened him.
Zahra threaded her arm through his. “I won’t be much fun for the rest of the night, Gregor. You should probably just take me home.”
“Woman, do you actually think I’m going to let you be alone tonight?”
She’d hoped he’d say that. Spotting Dr. Culpepper at the nurses’ station, Zahra wanted to thank him for tending to Ava, but when he spotted them, he took off in the opposite direction. Gregor was clearly oblivious to the man’s odd behavior, but she wasn’t. Then again, maybe she was the one misinterpreting the situation.
“Do you know him?” she asked.
“Know who, babe?”
“Ava’s doctor. Dr. Culpepper.”
Gregor looked baffled. “I don’t think so. Why?”
“No reason.”
Moving down the brightly lit corridor, Zahra noticed things she hadn’t before. Like the framed photos of North Carolina landmarks that lined the walls, the multitude of beeps and chimes, intercom chatter and the heavy smell of disinfectant.
Zahra chuckled. “These shoes were definitely not made for a lot of walking,” she said.
“I can carry you,” Gregor offered.
“As tempting as that sounds, I think I’ll pass.” All she needed was pictures of Gregor carrying her through the halls of the hospital plastered on the front page of the morning paper. And speaking of media, she’d half expected a frenzy to be waiting for them as they left the hospital, looking to spin some ridiculous story. Luckily, there hadn’t been.
The car waited for them when they exited the building. Zahra assumed they’d be staying the night at her place, but Gregor instructed the driver to take them to his.
“Are you okay going home with me?”
“Of course I am.”
A soft smile hiked one side of his mouth. “Good.”
He lifted her feet into his lap, removed the black four-inch heels she wore and began to massage her feet. She released a deep moan of satisfaction.
“You like that?” he asked.
Zahra responded in a drawn out yes.
The sedan pulled into the underground parking garage at Gregor’s building a little after nine. Strapping back into her shoes, she exited the vehicle with him and took an elevator to the thirty-eighth floor. A short walk down an elegantly decorated hallway led them to Gregor’s front door. Instead of using a key or the numbered pad, Gregor accessed the lock with his thumbprint. Stepping aside, he allowed Zahra to enter first. The second she walked into the foyer, motion-activated lights illuminated the impressive interior.
“Wow. Your place is...” Her words dried up. “Just wow.”
The condo had to be at least six thousand square feet. The dramatic color scheme was dark, yet somehow welcoming. It suited Gregor. A modern design with an open floor layout made the place seem even larger. Walls of windows gave way to a breathtaking view of the city that she could get
lost in for hours. The spotless kitchen was decked out in state-of-the-art everything.
Gregor took her coat and hung it in a closet near the front door, then removed his own. “Can I get you anything?” he asked.
Facing him, she said, “No, I’m fine.”
“Yes, you are.”
Gregor wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her flush against his chest. The tiny peck he gave her only revved her up for more, but she warned her body to behave.
“Have I told you how amazing you look tonight?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “Once or twice. But can a woman really hear it too much?”
He chuckled. “You. Look. Amazing.”
The kiss that followed was the kind she was used to receiving from him.
Deep.
Passionate.
Long-lasting.
Exhilarating.
The list could go on and on, but she chose to put her focus elsewhere. When Gregor pulled away, it took all her might not to follow his lips.
“Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.”
Gregor climbed the floating staircase, eyeing her all the way to the top. When he moved out of sight, she took the opportunity to thoroughly scrutinize her surroundings. Something was missing here. After several sweeps of the room, it finally hit her. Photos. None of friends. None of family. None of himself. Nor were there any personal effects such as awards, trophies, degrees. Nothing. The space was sentimentally barren.
Moving toward the sofa, she changed her mind and veered, instead, out onto the massive balcony. The gust of cold air that greeted her made her shiver. She closed her eyes and inhaled a deep, cleansing breath.
“There you are. I walk away for five minutes and you disappear on me,” Gregor said. He draped a throw over her shoulders, then wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing the crook of her neck. “What are you doing out here?”
“Enjoying this magnificent view and thanking God for protecting my sister.”
Gregor kissed the back of her head. “If you have a moment, say a prayer for me.”
Then Came You ; Written with Love Page 27
