by Peggy Hunter
Bri kept her gaze averted. She grabbed her brush off the dresser and carefully ran it through her hair. “Tell you what?"
Zach stepped forward and tore the brush from her hand. She twisted to look at him, gasping when she saw the spark of anger in his eyes. “You know damn well what,” he said. “Why didn't you tell me you weren't gay?"
Anger coursed through Bri's veins as she reached for her brush and tore it away from him. “I didn't think I had a reason to,” she said through clenched teeth.
"You didn't?” Zach said as though his mind struggled to comprehend her words. “Our entire friendship was based on a lie."
Bri's heart thundered in her chest. “What lie? I've never lied to you.” In fact she'd been too honest with him. He was the only one she'd allowed to see her pain when her relationship with Don ended.
"You led me to believe you were gay!” Zach yelled. “All this time I thought I was free to—” He stopped mid-sentence, almost as if he was ashamed of what he would have said.
"Free to what?” Bri asked, her heart pulsing in her throat.
"Forget it,” Zach said. “I've got to get dressed for the rehearsal party."
When Zach turned toward the bathroom, Bri ran up behind him and curled her fingers around the towel cinched around his waist. When she yanked it off his hips, she stood back, holding the towel behind her. When Zach faced her, she tried to keep her eyes focused on his face. “What did you think you were free to do?” she asked.
Zach cocked his head to one side as his eyes settled on her. “If you think you'll force me to talk because I'm naked, you're sadly mistaken."
The air whooshed out of Bri's lungs, depleting her, making her feel weak. She tossed the towel on the floor and sank onto the bed. “You're right,” she said when she finally got her breath. “I give up trying to understand you. Go get ready for the rehearsal party."
Zach hesitated at the bathroom door. “You'll get ready too, right?"
Bri sighed. “No. I think I'll take a pass on this one.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees and covering her eyes with her hands. How could she have gotten herself into such a mess?
It wasn't until she felt the mattress give under Zach's weight that she realized he was there. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her against him.
When she would have said something, he shook her gently. “Let me talk."
His spicy scent filled her senses and she was keenly aware he was still naked when he pulled her head against his rock-hard chest. When she opened her eyes, she stared down at his wide-spread legs and his sleeping cock.
His chest vibrated when he spoke. “You know I've had a lot of affairs over the years."
Bri nodded.
"Well, when I met you, I thought you'd be the first woman I could actually be friends with. You struck me as feisty ... kind of butchy."
Butchy? What the hell? She would have moved away from Zach to say something but he continued to hold her close.
"The first time I met you at the bar, you were willing to take on a drunken asshole by yourself. And then, when we got to know each other, you mentioned your relationship."
This time, when Bri pulled away from his chest, he didn't stop her. “I thought I was in love."
Zach nodded as he released his hold on her and let himself fall back on the bed. “I know. And she ripped your heart out. If she had been a guy, I'd have ripped him limb from limb."
"She...” Bri grimaced. “He was a guy."
Zach rolled his head to one side, his eyes gazing at her. “What do you mean? You called her Dawn."
Bri sighed. “His name was Don. D-O-N."
Zach winced as he pressed his hand over his eyes. “There were other things."
"Like what?"
"I couldn't beat you on the squash and tennis courts."
Bri sighed. “So, of course I must be a lesbian. Any other woman would let you win so you could feel like a big man."
Zach tore his hand away from his eyes and gave her a scornful look. “Hey, that's...” his voice trailed off. And then he added. “Yeah, I guess so."
Bri sighed. “I treasured our friendship,” she said softly. “But you're right. Even though I didn't know it until now, our relationship has been based on a misconception.” Bri moved to get off the bed. “Since you thought I was gay, I suppose you thought I'd never ask anything of you ... not even after we'd had sex."
"That's not true."
Bri ducked his reach and landed on the floor. When she got up, she glared at him. “You dumbass!” she yelled. “I think you chose to believe I was gay to suit your own needs. You wanted me as a friend but if I wasn't gay, you'd feel pressure to screw me."
Zach leapt up from the bed. “That's not true at all."
"Oh really?"
"Yes, really,” he replied smugly. “I'd thought of fucking you many times but kept myself in check."
Bri gaffawed. “Did you just hear yourself? And, by the way, you failed at keeping yourself in check last night."
"Don't blame me. The second I touched you, you squatted like a bitch in heat."
Bri blinked as the words settled over her. And then every fiber of her being fired up. She lunged at Zach, wanting to rip him apart. Her movements seemed to happen in slow motion ... her hands wrapped around his neck, her torso pressed against him and her legs wrapped around his waist. The force drove them down on the bed. She wrapped her fingers around his throat as she glared down at him.
"I hate you!” she cried.
"I hate you too,” Zach replied. Yet his hands tore at her clothes. He pulled her blouse open and ripped her bra apart. She gasped when his mouth settled over one of her ripe nipples. He sucked hard as his hands pushed her jeans and panties off her hips. He wasted no time before his fingers settled between her thighs, stroking her clit, drawing her into his realm.
Bri wanted to fight him, she wanted to say no. But her body wanted him more than she ever had before. When he worked her jeans and panties over her hips, she quickly bucked them off. She wanted to feel him.... all of him ... against her skin.
When she braced her feet and opened her knees, Zach leaned over her and chuckled. “You're assuming a lot."
Reality slammed into Bri at his statement. Her body went cold. “Damn you!” she cried.
But when she would have gotten off the bed, Zach pinned her down. “Whoa, stop,” he said softly against her ear. “I was teasing. My bad."
Bri didn't want to give in to him. Her brain told her to run for the hills. But her body, her weak body, enjoyed his touch and wanted so much more.
Just once more. Just one more time and she'd be done with him.
She turned to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him close to her as she drank from his lips. Her body ignited as the length of him stretched against her. His ripe cock pressed against her thigh. When she reached down and stroked a finger over his length, Zach groaned. He wanted her touch as much as she wanted his. The knowledge gave her the freedom she needed to explore his body.
Zach let out a long breath when she suddenly moved over him. She braced her knees on either side of his hips and gazed down at him. He returned her gaze with blazing eyes ... inviting her to do what she wanted.
Bri had never felt this kind of control over a man before. She bit her lower lip as she tried to decide what to do next.
As of sensing her hesitation, Zach ran took her hand and drew it against his lips. “Don't be afraid to make demands, Bri. I'm yours."
Unable to voice her wishes, she braced her hands on either side of his head and leaned over him, letting her breasts hover just over his face.
Zach knew what to do. In fact, he moved so quickly Bri found herself breathless. His hand cupped her breast as his mouth closed over the ripe nipple. His tongue laved and then sucked and then laved again before he turned his attention to her other breast. As his hands slowly slid down her back and cupped her butt, Bri cried out. He pulled her down against his rock-hard
penis. Her body rocked against him but held his cock at bay.
Zach bit back an oath in sheer frustration. His cock was ripe and ready and wanted to sink into her. Bri bit back a chuckle when he pushed against her. It was too easy to pull away in spite of the fact his hands were on her ass.
And then his hands tightened, felt like steel bands over her ass. Bri blinked down at him. His eyes were blazing, his jaw set tight.
"Laugh at me, will you?” he said through clenched teeth.
Before Bri could reply, his fingers dug into the flesh of her hips and rammed her down over him. She cried out as his angry cock filled her. While she grappled to escape, his hungry cock devoured her, sucking all her energy, making it impossible. And so it began. With his hands holding her hips steady, he moved against her. Slow at first but then picking up speed. With every thrust, her body jolted over him, her breasts bounced just above his mouth and her mind reeled.
She didn't want this. She didn't want to feel so helpless in his arms. And yet, his cock made her his prisoner. She'd never know another man like him, never know another man's touch without thinking of Zach.
Breathless, she collapsed against him. But Zach was still very much in the game. He rolled over on top of her and pulled her legs over his shoulders. When his cock thrust into her again, he pressed his fingers over their connection. His thumb stroked her clit as his cock pounded into her.
Bri stuggled, trying to curb the sensations wracking her body. But Zach's touch was too strong. He demanded her release and she felt powerless to stop the tide washing over her. When the climax overtook her, her body convulsed against him. And then he moaned as he succumbed to his own release.
When he collapsed over her, she held him close and struggled to keep her tears at bay. He would never know ... she could never tell him ... but she loved him with all her heart.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 7
When Zach woke, he knew he was alone. Bri had left.
Damn!
He tossed the covers off his hips and shoved his legs into his jeans. Maybe he wasn't too late, maybe she hadn't left the ranch yet. He grabbed his shirt and ran out the door.
When he pounded on the ranch house door, it seemed to take forever for someone to answer. He impatiently tried the door. Locked. He pounded again.
The door suddenly swung open and Zach took a step back as he saw his oldest brother filling the frame of the door. “What the fuck is your problem now?” he said through clenched teeth.
"I'm looking for Bri,” Zach replied.
Leigh showed up at Alex's side. “She left,” she said. “She asked me to call a taxi for her at seven this morning."
Zach frowned. “What time is it now?"
Alex growled. “It's eight. She left an hour ago."
Zach ignored his older brother's angry scowl and focused on Leigh. “I take it she was heading to the airport in Winnipeg."
Leigh nodded. And then a slow smile crept over her lips. “If you hurry, you can still get her back here in time for our wedding."
Alex's brows knitted low on his brow. He looked at Leigh and then back to Zach. While his gaze was thunderous, he nodded toward his SUV. “I'll get the key."
When Alex returned, he pressed the key into Zach's hand and glared at him. “Fuck this up and you know what'll happen."
Yeah, he'd be ripped limb from limb. But it wouldn't matter if he couldn't make Bri listen to him.
As he fired up the engine of his brother's SUV and headed out, he wasn't sure what he'd say to her. He wasn't sure what he was feeling at all. He just knew he wasn't ready to let her go. Surely she'd give him time to figure things out.
* * * *
Frustrated, Bri sat on a bench in the airport. The earliest flight she could get to Toronto was at eight that evening ... a four-hour wait. After the bumpy ride from the ranch to the Winnipeg airport, Bri was fit to be tied. And now she had to put in hours before she could board a plane to go home.
Her heart ached. Sooner or later, she'd probably have to face Zach. She supposed it would only be by chance. It was unlikely he'd ever show up at her bar again. She'd give up her membership to the gym they'd frequented, stop going to the places they went for lunch and dinner and basically hide away in her apartment for as long as it took to wash Zachary Diamond out of her life for good.
Bri sighed. She wasn't so sure she could ever wash him out of her life. But she had to try. He'd based their friendship on a misconception. She'd been too blind to see it. Still, she knew one thing for sure, the love she felt for Zach was lost on him. He'd never feel the same way she did. The explosive sex they'd had over the weekend was as big a lark as their friendship ... he thought he was stealing forbidden fruit. He thought he'd be able to walk away from it unscathed. After all, why would a lesbian expect anything from him?
Bri thought of Leigh and her impending wedding. Her heart ached knowing she would not be there to share Leigh's joy. How lucky she was to have found someone who truly loved her. The fact he was a Diamond made it even more remarkable.
"Ms. O'Ryan?"
Bri shook herself into the present and gazed up at a pimply faced young man. “Yes?"
"You're in luck. We have a cancellation on Flight 2051."
Bri continued to look at him. “And this means what?"
"If you want the seat, your flight will leave in twenty minutes."
Bri bounded up from the bench. “I'll take it!” she said, raising her hand to give pimple-boy a high five. When the kid winced and stepped back, Bri grinned awkwardly and let her hand fall. “Sorry."
"Whatever.” He rolled his eyes. “If you want the flight, get to gate seven right now."
Bri quickly gathered her bag and made her way to the gate. Soon she'd be able to put this entire weekend behind her. Soon she'd embark on a new life. Her heart sank ... a life that didn't include Zachary Diamond.
Just as Bri got to the gate, the nasally voice of the intercom system announced that Flight 2051, from Winnipeg to Toronto, was boarding.
Just as Bri handed her luggage over, another announcement sounded. “Brianna O'Ryan, please come to the courtesy desk."
Bri hesitated. Why on earth would she be called to the courtesy desk?
"Your ticket, ma'am,” the attendant said as he held out his hand.
"Yes,” Bri said as she held it out. The attendant nodded as he checked her ticket.
When the attendant nodded for her to pass, another announcement sounded. “Brianna O'Ryan. Come to the courtesy desk for an important message."
The attendant glared at her. He tsked impatiently. “You're holding everyone up. Please follow the others onto the plane."
Bri's eyes glazed as she looked up at him. “Yes, this is me going right now."
When Bri took a step forward, another announcement sounded.
"Brianna O'Ryan, please come to the..."
The nasally voice cut off, static ensued before another voice, an all-too-familiar male voice, sounded on the system. “Bri, get that pretty ass of yours over here right now!"
Zach! He'd come after her. Tears sprung into her eyes as she looked up at the attendant. “Sorry to hold you up,” she said as she turned into the crowd behind her and made her way out of the line.
When she got out of the congested line, she realized she'd left her bag behind. But it didn't matter. Let it go back to Toronto without her.
As Bri approached the courtesy desk, she tried to stamp down her hopes. Just because Zach came after her didn't mean he wanted a future with her. Wasn't it possible he just wanted her in his bed again? That he'd only want her for a short time ... like he did all the women he'd taken to his bed?
Her heart pounded in her chest when she caught sight of him leaning against the courtesy desk. Dressed in a tight white t-shirt and jeans, he looked sexier than she'd ever seen him before. The woman at the desk beamed under his attention. But he seemed to sense her approach and when he turned to look at her, Bri's heart almost stopped.
His grin reached into her soul as he walked toward her. His hands cupped her shoulders and then pulled her against him. “I should turn you over my knee for this stunt,” he whispered into her ear. “How could you leave me like that?"
Bri wrapped her arms around him. “I thought we agreed our friendship was shattered. I needed to get away."
"When I woke up without you this morning, I realized something very important."
"What was that?"
"I can't imagine my life without you in it. If you're willing to take the chance, I think we can be best friends and lovers at the same time."
Bri hesitated. She pulled herself out of his arms and turned away from him. “After everything that's happened, I don't know if that's possible,” she said.
"Bri,” Zach's voice was low, pleading.
Bri whisked around and ran to him. He laughed when she landed in his arms. “Okay, let's give it a shot!"
Zach's mouth closed on hers as he kissed her long and hard. When he pulled away, he smiled down at her. “If I don't get you back to the ranch soon, we'll miss the wedding."
"I don't care,” Bri said. “Let's find the closest hotel room—"
"No,” Zach cut her off. “If we miss the wedding, Leigh will be upset and if Leigh's upset, my brother is going to rip me limb from limb."
Bri giggled. “Oh, come on,” she said. “I can't imagine Alex would do something like that."
Zach's hand circled her waist as he escorted her out of the airport. “I'd rather not take the chance."
[Back to Table of Contents]
About the Author
The Diamonds Are Forever Series has been a labor of love for Peggy Hunter. She's enjoyed writing the second of the series and hopes her fans love reading it.
When Peggy's not writing, you'll find her enjoying her recently rekindled love, quilting. She lives in midwestern Ontario with her husband, son and the various animals that make her life complete.
[Back to Table of Contents]
For your reading pleasure, we invite you to visit our web bookstore
* * * *
