“How happy I am that you are both here.” She lifted her drink, and each woman tapped her glass. “To the women who love Zachary.”
“And to the one who won his heart,” Simone added as they both looked at Regan.
After brunch at Audrey’s, the women, tipsy on mimosas, fell into the car laughing as the driver took them to the spa, where Simone had arranged an entire day of pampering.
“I have never had a spa day,” Regan confessed as she dipped her feet into the footbath filled with rose petals.
“Oh, mon ami, you will need to become accustomed to this.” Simone sipped at a glass of wine as the manicurist massaged her feet. “This will be our very own tradition. We will start it today. When I am in town.” She tipped her wine glass toward Regan. “Or when you are in France, we will spend the day being pampered by strangers and drinking champagne.”
“I do feel a little guilty skipping work to be here.” But she couldn’t feel too guilty. Zach had sent her.
“I think you definitely should quit your job when you and Zachary are married. There are many fine things for a woman who is married to wealthy man to enjoy.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of quitting.” Regan’s eyes were wide. “I love my job.”
“Well, that itself I do not understand. How could anyone love working?” Simone laughed. “Well, when I am in the country you will take a holiday and spend it with me doing wonderful things like this.”
“That is assuming I marry Zach.” She bit down on her lip. “There is the matter that I turned down his proposal last night.”
“Stupide! Zachary had a temper tantrum, and I’m still angry that he woke me at four in the morning.” She set her glass down on the table and switched feet for the manicurist to massage the other.
Regan shifted in her chair uncomfortably. “He called you?”
“Of course he called me. He calls me for every damn thing!” She raised her shoulders and let them drop. “He’s not used to people telling him no or making him wait. When you did not accept his proposal, his feelings were hurt.” Simone turned her head toward Regan and locked her eyes on hers. “Tell me you do not plan to tell him no. You do plan to marry him, don’t you?”
Regan looked away as she felt the piercing in her chest of sadness and regret. “I plan on him walking away.”
Zach had gotten close to other women, and he believed Simone had chased them off on purpose. But her motives were different now. He knew she had finally come to grips with the fact that he didn’t love her. If anything, she was the sister he’d never had. Even better, she lived in France and only visited a few times a year.
The thought amused him as he rolled up the blueprints for the L.A. project and secured them in their tube. He laid it on his desk and opened the drawer.
The blue box from Tiffany’s sat there with its glistening silver bow. It would be his secret that Simone had helped him pick out the ring. However, it would ensure Regan would love it. He envisioned giving it to her in L.A. A nice dinner, champagne, and a moonlight stroll along the beach. He’d move her with his romantic plans. He’d get down on one knee and promise to her that he’d love her forever. No matter what or who had come before him.
Chapter thirteen
Regan hurried to pack the last items in her suitcase while Carlos waited at her bedroom door. He’d offered to drive her to the office, and he’d more than once told her he was sincerely regretting it.
She’d made a list of everything she’d need for the trip and the meeting, but she’d left it at the office and was racking her brain trying to remember what was on it.
Carlos checked his watch, leaned against the doorjamb with his arms crossed over his chest, then checked his watch again. “This is not the first business trip you’ve been on with the man. Why are you taking so long?”
“This one is very important. It’s the biggest build he’s ever taken on. He sold it, he designed it, and he’s in charge of seeing it through. I want to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.” She flew through the room gathering the last of her toiletries.
“God, you’re going to walk into that boardroom and fall through the door, aren’t you? Flat on your damn face.” He had a crooked little smile that made him adorable, and she worried he was dooming her success.
“You’re a shit.” She threw a shoe at him only to have him catch it before it hit him.
“You’ll be fine.” He handed the shoe back to her and turned her from her suitcase. “I don’t think you could ever disappoint the man. He loves you too much.”
“I love him too, and that’s why I’m so nervous for him.”
“Love, it sucks doesn’t it?”
“Yes, in the most wonderful way.” She touched her brother’s face. Then she turned back to the suitcase and pushed in the contents until she could zip it shut. When it was zipped, Carlos pulled it from the bed.
“God, did you forget anything?”
“You’re a big, strong man. You can handle it.” She passed by him, headed toward the stairs, and led the way down. “So what are your plans this weekend?”
“Christian’s birthday.”
“Oh, Carlos. I forgot. I’ve never missed his birthday.”
“Damn you.” He laughed as he dropped the suitcase at the foot of the stairs. “He’ll get over it. Besides, I recall you missed a few when you were in Hawaii.” He raised his eyebrows.
“Yes, I did. I am very sorry about that.”
“You couldn’t help it.” He rested a hand on her arm. “There was no coming home.”
“It was a year ago.” She looked down at the floor, feeling ashamed. “I called in sick on Tuesday,” she admitted, and her voice shook. “Audrey brought me soup, and Zach left work early to sit with me.” She wiped a stray tear that ran down her face. “I didn’t even have the courage to tell him why I’d stayed home.”
“You deserve to mourn.” His touch comforted her and his voice was soothing.
Regan shook her head and pursed her lips. “It’s been a year. I shouldn’t be mourning. Everyone was better off.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, and Regan shot him a look. “Don’t be mad. I was just asking.”
Regan ground her teeth. “Look at me and Arianna and yourself. You tell me how things would have been for us had Mom and Dad not happened into our lives. I did the right thing. I will never regret that. I gave a woman like Mama a gift. I only regret loving the man and believing him.”
“And now you hold that against Zach?”
She wanted to swing at him with her fists. She wanted to beat him to the ground for making her think about it. If he wanted to make her feel bad, he was doing it. If it was his intention to make her second-guess everything she did, it was working. But in all their life, Carlos had never meant her harm. He’d always had her back, and that would never change. She fought back tears and nodded. “What will he think of me?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Give him a chance and find out. Just remember, after you tell him, give him some time to process it.” He kissed his sister’s cheek. “I bet you’ll be surprised.”
To be surprised was exactly what she didn’t want.
Zach enjoyed watching Regan enjoy the perks of first class. She sipped her champagne from her plastic cup and stretched her legs out far in front of her. For that reason alone he promised himself she’d never have to fly coach again.
The trip was going to be the most successful one of his life. It would make up for the weeks he’d spent since his father had died, reevaluating everything he’d ever done. This time, he’d not only come home with signed contracts, finally, for a building he had so much pride in, but he’d have the woman he loved—and they’d be engaged.
Warmth filtered through his core, and he relaxed into his seat as Regan rested her head against his shoulder.
He could feel the box in his pocket, which held the ring he’d give her. The look in her eyes when she saw the sparkling diamond would be priceless. It would always be his s
ecret, though, that Simone had been the one to pick out that ring. He’d had another in mind, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Simone knew beauty, and she’d been quite frank in letting him know the ring he’d picked wasn’t as brilliant as the woman who was going to wear it.
It pleased him that the women who’d meant the most in his life adored the one he loved. Love—he’d never considered it before, and now he’d never want to live without it.
He’d given great consideration to the wedding and the honeymoon. Of course he would let her plan every moment of it—after all, that was what most women dreamed of—but he had ideas. He’d like her to become his wife in the rose garden at his parent’s home, and perhaps a honeymoon on the yacht owned by Simone's father. Simone’s father had always been fond of him. Though he didn’t know if he’d allow him to honeymoon on the yacht if he wasn’t marrying his daughter. It was worth asking.
Regan cuddled closer to him, wrapping her arms around his arm. “You haven’t said a word since we took off. What are you thinking?”
“Nothing.” He kissed the top of her head. “How long has it been since you’ve been to L.A.?”
He felt her stiffen against him, but he didn’t react. She didn’t answer right away, but she relaxed against him again. “I left there five years ago.”
“Do you miss it?” He ran his thumb over her knuckles.
“No.” Her answer was definite. “It was where I landed after college, but I have no sentimental attachment to it.”
“What about Hawaii? Do you miss it?”
She shook her head defiantly. “No.”
Zach squeezed her hand tight. “I didn’t mean to bring up anything bad. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” He brushed her lips gently with his, and she closed her eyes and let out a low hum.
“You promise? That sounds like you have a plan.” She slowly opened her eyes.
“Regan, you’ll spoil my surprises if you talk about it further.”
She sat up in her seat as the captain announced their descent. “I hope you didn’t go out of your way.”
“Oh, you have no idea.” Zach rested his head against the back of his seat and closed his eyes. The moonlit walk on the beach, the ring on her finger, the lifetime ahead of them couldn’t come soon enough. “You’ll hate me for them. But—”
“You’re a pain.”
“So you’ve said.” He smiled, his eyes still closed.
Zach kept Regan wrapped in his arms as the elevator carried them to their floor in the hotel. He’d had their luggage sent up when they checked in, and then they’d had dinner with John. He’d spoiled Regan with champagne and dessert. Now it was time to spoil her for the rest of her life.
Zach pushed open the door to their hotel suite, and Regan walked in, still talking about how wonderful dinner had been, but then she stopped and gasped. Dozens of roses adorned the room, and their scent filled the air.
“Oh, Zach.” She lifted her hand to her mouth.
“Do you like it?” He rested his hands on her shoulders and kissed the back of her neck. The floral scent of her perfume intoxicated him and the softness of her skin enticed him, but he had to pace himself. Every moment of their time in L.A. had to be perfectly executed.
“Zachary Benson, this is amazing.” She turned into his arms. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
He moved his hand up her back and cupped her neck in his hand. “Is it working?” He traced a finger down her throat.
“Oh, I think it’s working.” Her eyes shut and her voice was airy.
Every part of him was stirring. He held her back slightly so as not to rush the moment, but his body was far ahead of him.
“There’s more.”
“More?” Her eyes opened slowly as she looked up at him.
“Come with me.” He walked her to the bedroom, where a white box tied with a large ribbon lay on the bed.
She smiled. “What is this?”
“Open it.”
Regan took a deep breath and slid the bow from the box. “Zach…” She laughed as she pulled a long white satin negligee from the box and held it against her body. There was a smoldering in her eyes, and he knew at that moment, inside of her burned a flame as hot as the one heating him up.
“I couldn’t resist. Though I’m not sure you’ll have it on long.” He couldn’t help but think about what seeing her in it was going to do to him. If she didn’t hurry and try it on, he wasn’t sure she’d have a chance. Never in his life had he been so aroused.
“Let me go slip it on, then.” She walked across the room toward the bathroom, keeping her eyes locked on his.
“I’ll wait here.”
Zach propped himself up on the bed and watched for her to make her appearance.
When she returned, she’d slipped into the negligee and pulled her hair up, away from her slender neck. She’d glossed her lips, and the twitching in his pants was probably as obvious to her as it was to him.
Regan sauntered toward the bed, running her hand over the fabric that clung to her curves. He sat up. “You look wonderful.” He stood and slid his hands around her waist, feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin material.
She lifted her lips to his ear. Her breath was hot. “Kiss me.” She closed her eyes, and he watched her for just a moment before lowering his lips to hers. Pliant under his, her mouth easily opened to him, and her body molded to his. Her breasts pressed against his chest, her thighs against his thighs. The negligee was so thin he could feel the heat of her against his already aroused body.
He slid his hands up the sides of her body, enjoying every curve she offered under the satin. Wanting to taste her, need burning through him, he moved his kisses from her lips to her neck. Her pulse quickened under his tongue, and he felt the tightening of her hands on his arms.
Zach turned her toward the bed and gently lowered her beneath him. He moved his kisses from her neck to her silk-covered breasts. Her nipples peaked beneath the white cloth. Gently he teased them with his thumbs as she arched against him.
His hands moved from her breasts and he began to gather up the silky fabric at her waist. He was happy to find the negligee was all she wore. Time was theirs, and he meant to enjoy every moment thoroughly, kissing her stomach and down her legs, taking time to nibble at her knees and ankles and back up again.
Regan squirmed with delight as Zach savored her body inch by inch. She tangled her fingers in his hair as she moved against him. He cupped her, and a gasp escaped her throat. When he slid his fingers inside her, she pulled him closer to her as he licked and teased and drove her to the peak of climax, then again.
Zach watched her as he pleased her. It drove him mad to see the smoky change in her eyes as she gasped in pleasure.
Regan sucked in breaths, and her eyes softened in color. Then she reached for his shirt, releasing buttons as quickly as her fingers would allow while he slid his pants to the floor. She opened up to him, pulling him inside of her, urging him deeper.
He said softly as he rocked against her, “Tell me you love me.”
Her eyes fluttered up to look into his. “I love you.”
“I want to always please you, Regan. I love you.” He continued to push them both to where their bodies blended into one.
He felt the piercing of her fingernails in his back and her legs wrapping around him, pulling him tighter to her. He moved his mouth over hers, searching for the warmth of her tongue. She was moving with a rhythm that mimicked his. He felt his body tighten as she pulled him deeper.
He buried his face against her neck as he released, and she shuddered beneath him.
He wanted to take that moment and save it. He wanted to push away all plans, give her the ring he’d bought her, and convince her to marry him.
Instead, he lay there above her, catching his breath.
“I don’t ever want to move,” he said once he could speak.
“You’ll have
to sooner or later.” She laughed huskily. “But for now, hold me tight.”
Zach slept for the first time in weeks. When he woke and the sun peeked through the curtains, he sighed. Regan lay beside him. Her white negligee lay discarded on the floor. Her hair fanned over her pillow, and her chest moved with the slow rhythm of her dream.
He touched her shoulder and ran his fingers slowly down her arm as he kissed the back of her neck.
She stirred, rolling slowly toward him. He pushed back her hair and gazed at her.
“God, you’re beautiful in the morning,” he said.
“You look like you finally slept.” She looked up at him, her eyes still hazy.
“Finally.” He kissed her gently. “I’m going to take a shower and then order us up some breakfast.” When she lazily closed her eyes and nodded, he added, “I’d enjoy someone washing my back if you’re up for it.”
“Ah, I think that’s something I could manage.”
When Regan emerged from the bedroom dressed in a new black suit and black sling-back pumps, she was ready for the meeting. She took in the view of the room and laughed aloud. She wasn’t sure what Zach had been thinking when he ordered breakfast.
There were plates of eggs and pastries. There were bowls of fruit and cereal. A pot of coffee and two different juices sat in the middle of the table.
Zach looked up from a piece of toast that he was picking apart. “I’m nervous.” He wore a custom-made dress shirt with his initials embroidered on the cuff in a deep blue, which made him look even more sophisticated.
Regan kissed him gently on the lips and brushed a crumb from his tie. “Zachary Benson, how many times have you gone to the table and signed contracts?” She tried to keep her calm for him, but inside her stomach fluttered like a jar full of butterflies fighting for their freedom.
“I know. It’s this investor. He’s…well, he’s a piece of work. I just don’t like the way he conducts business and the condescending way he treats his trophy wife.” He picked up his coffee and sipped. “If you don’t walk out of the room and quit today, I’ll be surprised.”
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