by Lea Hart
CHAPTER SEVEN
Zach stood at the Sandstone Quarry Trailhead, slid his day pack over his shoulder and tried to quell his desire to grab a handful of Cecily’s ass.
Rolling his shoulders to get rid of some of the tension, he let out a breath and couldn’t fathom why she had to wear workout gear that left so little to the imagination.
Was she trying to torture him?
Was she seeing how tight he could be strung before snapping?
Was she testing him on every level?
Or was she just making do with the clothes she had available?
Staring at her tawny skin, he licked his lips as she spread sunscreen over her shoulders, and was momentarily transfixed by the little constellation of freckles. When was he going to be granted the privilege of running his mouth over it?
Based on the way things were going, he didn’t think it would be any time soon.
Since they were friends.
A concept he both loved and loathed in equal measure.
“Do you need help, baby?”
“No, thanks. I’m all done.” Sliding her ball cap on, she gave him a smile. “How long is the hike?”
“The Calico Tanks Trail is two and a half miles round trip, and we’ll get a good view of the city at the end and maybe see water along the way.”
“I’m excited, Zach and appreciate you taking your Saturday to show me some local sights.”
Taking her hand, he felt a river of satisfaction run down his spine since he’d done something she approved of. He was a damn dog lapping up her approval and knew he should be bothered but couldn’t seem to manage it. “Baby, this is just the beginning.”
Letting out a snort, she patted his arm. “One step at a time.”
“How do you feel about ten or a hundred at a time?”
“I’m going to let you answer that question yourself.”
“Come on then, and let’s get this hike started before you kill any more of my hopes and dreams.”
“Based on your macho bravado, I doubt it’s even possible.”
“If only you knew,” he mumbled quietly as they began walking north along the gravel wash.
“Was this really a quarry at some point?”
“Yes. It operated in the early nineteen hundreds and was never profitable, so it was closed after less than ten years.”
“I’ve never taken the time to think of what Vegas was like before Bugsy Siegel and his friends arrived.”
Taking her hand as they passed the sign for the Turtlehead Peak Trail, he noticed she smiled. Maybe she wasn’t as immune to him as she was pretending. Wanting to impress her, he cleared his throat. “Want a little Las Vegas history 101?”
“Sure.”
Catching sight of her hips swaying out of the corner of his eye, Zach let out a breath and directed his gaze toward the sandstone near the trail. “I just finished up a personal protection assignment for Gio’s younger sister, Allesi, and she gave me the Cliffs Notes version.”
“So the rumors about the Zanetti family are true?”
“Not all of them, but probably quite a few. The family has been in the city since the thirties and was one of the first to come over from Sicily.”
“I didn’t think the city took shape until much later.”
“The construction of the Hoover Damn brought a massive influx of males with no attachment to the area, and that created a market for large scale entertainment. The local business owners along with the mafia were the first to develop casinos and ‘showgirl’ theaters to keep the men entertained.”
“Really?”
“According to Mario Zanetti, who’s the Don of the family, that’s how the town got its start.”
“So what happened after that?”
“Before I answer that, I want to point out the difference in the colors of the rock.”
Stopping, she looked back and forth. “What made some of the rock turn red and the rest remain tan?”
“I think it’s iron oxide, but to be sure we have to check the information table on the way out.”
Patting his arm, she smiled. “Very impressive, Mr. McCallan. I had no idea you were such an informed guide.”
Straightening his shoulders, he preened a little. “I’ve done this hike with Seth, and he always likes to read all the signs and displays.”
“Information is power and that’s becomes more true every day.”
“And Seth knows that better than anyone, since he spent some time in intelligence.”
“Was he a spymaster?”
“No,” he replied with a laugh. “And truthfully I’m not exactly sure what he did for the alphabet agencies he’s worked with. He does have a hell of a clearance though and sometimes goes out of town for several weeks at a time.”
Clapping her hands, she looked up. “That’s so…”
“Dangerous and life threatening?”
“Exciting and sexy.”
Frowning, he tightened his hold on her hand. “You think my baby brother is sexy?”
Stepping back, she looked up to the sky. “Lord, please save me from Zach and his craziness. I promise to do better and will never curse at anyone for cutting me off on the freeway ever again.” Tipping her head down, she closed her eyes. “Amen.”
“Are you done?”
“Depends on what other ridiculous questions you’ve got up your sleeve.”
Pulling her hand, he started walking down the trail again. “You didn’t answer the question.”
“And I’m not going to, since it doesn’t warrant a response.”
“It’s going to get a little more rugged up ahead, so let me know if you want to stop.”
“I may not look like I’m in good shape, but I am, so don’t you worry.”
Noticing her frown, he stopped. “What does that mean?”
“Women don’t have to be tiny to be in shape and—”
“You are fucking perfect to me, and there’s nothing you got that I can’t handle.” Looking from side to side, he shook his head. “I’m just going to put this out there so we can get it out of the way, because I don’t want to bleed for someone else’s sins.”
“Zach, you don’t—”
He put his hand up and closed his eyes. “Let me say this.”
“Fine.”
“I like you just the way you are and am man enough to take you on. I’m six-foot-four, two hundred and sixty pounds, and I’m betting when I have the privilege of laying you out and taking you into my arms that we’re going to fit perfectly. So whatever crap you’ve got flying around in your head, needs to find a new spot to live, because it has no place in what we’re making.”
Crickets.
That was the sound he heard.
Cecily stared up at him with her mouth slightly open and did nothing but take small breaths in and out. Was she pissed? Was she pleased? He had no idea.
“So, what happened after electricity came to the Valley and all those casinos could light up the night sky?”
He laughed and the sound bounced off the canyons surrounding them, and he knew she was in no way ready to handle his truth. “I know you don’t give a shit about Las Vegas’s history, and my declaration has you scared out of your mind since you’re not sure you can handle what I have to give.”
Blowing a raspberry, she started walking along the trail. “That is so inaccurate, it’s laughable.”
He took a couple of long strides and took her hand again. “I’m guessing that I’ll be the first man to satisfy you and the very concept has you scared out of your mind.”
“How do you know I haven’t had dozens of men satisfying me already?”
He raised an eyebrow and barely kept himself from snorting. “If that were true, then they never would’ve been able to walk away. If you gave a man a chance like that, he’d have no choice but to tie himself to you and do whatever it took to have just one more minute of your attention.”
More silence.
And then Cecily broke his fucking heart, because a si
ngle tear slipped down her face.
Pulling her into his arms, he hugged her tightly and didn’t know if he should be mad at himself for shooting off his mouth or the men who’d come before him for making her believe his words weren’t possible. “Maybe I should go back to talking about Glitter Gulch and how the mafia made it’s way into hotel industry and got their foothold in the high-class casino world of Vegas.”
Nodding into his chest, she let out a laugh. “Or you could talk about the rocks again.”
Pressing a kiss to her head, Zach gave her one last squeeze and then let her go. “Pick your poison, because both are bound to bore you at some point.”
“Boring is the last word I’d use to describe you.”
Hitching his finger over his shoulder, he grinned. “Let’s test that theory and keep walking.”
“I’d love nothing more,” she replied as she walked ahead of him.
Watching her ass sway, he groaned and bent his head, hoping for a strength he wasn’t sure he possessed.
***
After ascending the stone steps that were carved into the side of the mountain, they were high enough to get a great view of the canyons beyond. There was a wide shallow pool of water in the distance and Cecily admired the sun reflecting across the surface. “I can’t believe there’s water back here.”
“That’s courtesy of those storms we had over the last couple of weeks.” Leaning down, he dropped his head close to hers. “This is the end of the trail, but if you would like a view of the city, we can keep going.”
Turning, she kissed his cheek and smiled. “I want to see everything.”
“Damn, woman, you have to give me a warning when you’re going to do something like that.”
“Thought you could handle me.”
“Oh, I can. Believe you me.”
She patted his arm and then started walking. “I don’t know, Zach. You may be all talk and no action.”
“I got plenty of action for you, so get your mind right and yourself prepared.”
She threw him a wink and watched as he crossed his arms over his chest, pulling his T-shirt tight across his broad shoulders. The short sleeves were pulled up by the move and she was granted a view of his delicious sinewy muscles and tats. Swallowing, she shifted her gaze, knowing that jumping him in broad daylight wasn’t an option. “So…”
“You looked flushed. Are you okay?”
“Perfectly,” she replied before pushing out a fake laugh.
“All right, if you’re sure.”
Turning toward the trail, she started walking and hoped he’d bought her lie. “Are there any other interesting facts I should know about our hike?”
“Not that I can remember, but we can ask Seth later when he joins us for dinner.”
“I wasn’t aware we had plans together.”
“We do.” Taking her hand, he led her toward a rock ledge that gave them a great view of the city. “I’m grilling steaks, and you’re making the salad.”
“Did I agree to that?”
“Pretty sure.” Dropping his arm around her shoulder, he hugged her against his side. “What do you think of the view?”
“It’s spectacular, Zach. I can see the Stratosphere in the distance.”
“Told you.”
Dropping her pack off her shoulder, she collapsed on the rock and leaned back, taking in the view. “I never realized there was so much beautiful nature this close to Vegas.”
“Did you know that part of the Red Rock Canyon Park is only eighty miles from Bakersfield?”
“I had no idea.”
“Not that it’s much of a selling point, since I don’t go back very often.”
“Neither do I, because my sister and mom moved to Seattle.”
“Why Washington?”
“My sister got married, and her husband was transferred there. When they started having kids, my mom decided to relocate so she could be close to her grandkids.”
“Do you see them very often?”
“At least four times a year.” Opening her pack, she pulled out two waters and handed him one. “Is Vegas your home now?”
After her took a big drink, he wiped his mouth and nodded. “Yes. Our business is thriving, and me and my brothers have houses on the same street, so relocating would be damn near impossible.”
“I don’t know if I can give up living in Northern California for the desert, and I’m going to have to make a decision before too long.”
“Has your company given you a deadline yet?”
“No, but I imagine it’s coming, so I’m hoping the headhunter I’ve been working with can give me a couple more options before I have to make a final decision.”
“Maybe you’ll fall in love with the city, and moving here will be the easiest choice in the world.”
“You never know, Zach. It might just be possible.”
Moving closer, he took her hand. “You may even find someone who you can’t stand to be away from.”
“But Henry Cavill lives in London, so I don’t know how that would be possible.”
“Superman,” he sputtered. “That’s your celebrity crush?”
“Yes. And don’t say it like that. Henry is an accomplished actor and very…”
“Wimpy.”
“He is not. Did you see the latest Mission Impossible movie?”
“No, I didn’t happen to catch it. It’s all special effects anyway.”
Snorting, she picked up her water bottle and drank half of it down. “He doesn’t need any,” Cecily mumbled.
“I don’t either,” he responded as he cupped her face.
Feeling his hands on either side of her face made the vast space around them shrink a little. The wind no longer seemed to whistle as loudly, and the way her heart kept missing beats told her Zach probably had his very own bag of special effects.
His face moved closer and the moment his lips brushed against hers, the world exploded as she pulled him nearer. Tasting his mouth, she sighed as their tongues tangled and sparks spilled over her skin, igniting a fire of want she didn’t think she’d survive.
The kiss burned her alive, and the feel of his roughened hands made a little voice in the back of her head whisper it was him, she’d been waiting for.
How that was possible, she had no idea.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Zach watched his brother Seth walk out the front door and then topped off Cecily’s wine glass. Leaning back, he studied the pool. “How are you doing?”
“Tired, but good. I’m going call an Uber as soon as I finish this wine and then head back to the hotel and crash.”
“The hell you will,” he replied before taking a sip of his bourbon. “Spend the night here, and—”
“I’m not…”
“Sleeping with me?”
“Yes!”
“I know and that’s why I was going to offer you my guest bedroom before you interrupted me.”
“Oh…that’s very nice, but I shouldn’t impose.”
“Having you here is not an imposition, and the guest room is fully decorated and very comfortable thanks to Alessi.”
“Why is Gio’s sister responsible for your nice guest room?”
“She stayed there for three weeks while she was my fake fiancée. I kept her out of the hands of a crazy Russian whose dad runs a nasty faction of the Bratva, and she fixed up a couple of rooms.”
“Is that the assignment you were talking about?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t believe you were a fake fiancé for a mafia princess.”
“Mafia politics and a couple of bad dates made Alessi’s safety a little dicey, so I was hired to play the part of her intended.”
“Jeeeze, your life is interesting.” Cecily lifted her wine glass and took a sip. “Nothing like that ever crosses my radar.”
“Which is a damn good thing, since you mixing with the mafia, bratva or any other organized crime group is nothing I need to deal with.”
“Bu
t you can.”
“Of course, since I can more than handle whatever shit comes my way.”
“Very…”
“I know it’s impressive baby, but I’m just a regular guy, and there’s no need to let yourself go and drown me in sexual favors just ‘cause it turns you on.” Wagging his eyebrows, he grinned. “But if you can’t help yourself, then go ahead. I promise not to gloat.”
She laugh-snorted, spitting out the wine she had in her mouth. “You are such a pig.”
Leaning forward, he handed her his napkin and smirked. “I’m guessing that’s some sort of thinly veiled compliment.”
She wiped her face and picked up her wine glass again. “You would be wrong.”
“Am I, though?”
“So did you enjoy being almost married to the mafia?”
“Does that mean you don’t want to talk about how irresistible I am anymore?”
“Yes.”
Zach shrugged then sat back. “Fine. And to answer your earlier question, the fake engagement was uneventful, but not anything I need to do on a regular basis. Alessi is a sweet lady and a hell of a chef, so having her as a roommate wasn’t horrible. The bullets flying on public streets, however, was not something I enjoyed.”
“I don’t remember reading about any gangland fight in the streets of Vegas. How did it stay out of the news?”
“The Zanetti family handles things privately, so not even the local authorities were aware of what happened.”
“You have some good work stories, Zach, and hearing a recap of your day is likely never going to be boring.”
He took her hand and winked. “You’re making me feel all giddy, baby.”
She rolled her eyes and put her feet up on the facing chair. “Thank you for dinner, by the way. It was delicious.”
“Alessi taught me a couple of dishes while she was here, and I can more than keep you happily fed with the dozen or so things I’ve mastered.”
“A man who can cook is rare.”
“Not really, but a man who can do the dishes is.”
“True.” Sitting up, she set her glass down. “I really should get going before I fall asleep.”
“My invitation to spend the night was serious, and I promise to behave.”
