It Was Always You
Page 8
His gaze burned as he stepped back. “Do something for me.”
“What’s that?”
“For Cade’s party.”
“Sure,” she said. “What do you want?”
“No panties.”
Her mom entered the kitchen. His grin was sinful.
“I mean it, Zoë.”
Moisture left her mouth at the command in his tone and her pussy clenched with need. Her mom spoke and she struggled to decipher the words attempting to penetrate the haze Zane left her in.
Chapter Eight
Zane leaned against the porch railing, a beer dangling from his fingers. Friends and those who were like family mingled around, laughing, dancing to the music, and enjoying the food prepared by the woman who would soon be his mother-in-law. The turnout was spectacular and he was pleased his brother had great friends.
He sensed Thomas behind him and waited for the man to say something. Silent, he sat on the rail, his own beer bottle held by his fingers. “I really want to plow your face in for touching my sister.” He cleared his throat. “My baby sister. My only sister. How could you?”
“Out of all the men out there, am I really that bad?” He sliced his gaze to look at Thomas.
The man scowled. “If I hit you, you’d just sit there, wouldn’t you.”
He drank some beer. “I’ve got nothing to prove. You want to take a swing at me, do it.”
A few moments passed. “You’ve changed, Zane. The one I went to school with was forever trying to show everyone he was top dog.”
“I still am top dog. I know it. I have no need to fight all the time. Trust me, I’ve done enough of that for a lifetime.” His gaze lingered over Zoë, who was speaking with Cora. Zoë’s short, flirty dress had his blood rushing south. Her hair hung in a French braid and he longed to release it so all the strands could fall free over his skin.
“Didn’t stop you the other night.”
He sliced his gaze back to Thomas. “When it comes to Zoë, I will always fight for her. You and I both know either one of us would have done the same thing for any woman.”
“Rescued them, yes, but you damn near killed them.”
“They deserved to die. I had a bit of control so they lived.” Miraculously he’d had enough control to rein in the murderous rage coursing through him. Although if he wanted to be honest about it, he stopped because Zoë had said his name, redirecting his attention to her.
“Thanks, for saving her.”
Zane didn’t respond.
“Where are you two going to live?”
“Haven’t discussed it yet.” Hell, we’ve not even talked about living together.
“She’s my sister, Zane.”
“And the mother of my unborn child. She’ll be well provided for.”
“Do you love her?”
Zane grunted and walked away without answering. The first time he said those words, they would be to the woman he loved, not one of her family. The one he sought danced with Cade beneath the crisscross of multihued lights. His brother twirled her around as they laughed.
Galvanized tubs full of ice held a variety of drinks. Wine was on a table, as was harder liquor. He passed it all nodding—not smiling—at those he moved by en route to Zoë.
Cade spun her toward him and Zane caught her easily. It pained him to notice how her joy dimmed a bit. “Why the frown?” he asked, cradling her close.
“You have a scowl on your face.”
“Do I?”
She reached up, lacing her arms around his neck. “You know you did.”
“You’re in another man’s arms.”
“That’s Cade, and I’m pregnant by you.”
He stopped dancing before striding off the floor with her in tow.
“Zane,” she demanded tugging on her hand.
He realized he’d been dragging her behind him. “Sorry.”
“I don’t know what that was all about but I have to go get some more food to set out.”
Without releasing her, he escorted her into the kitchen. He worked alongside her as she refilled trays and sent them back out.
“What about the cake?” he asked as she washed her hands in the half bath.
“That’s coming up in a few hours. Not sure when Nate will want it out.” She walked up the hall, back toward the party, when he lifted her around the waist and stepped into the hall closet.
“Eep. What are you—?”
He kissed her. Her protest turned into a wanton moan. One that launched rivers of fire through his veins. She scrambled nearer, lacing her legs around his waist and nipping at his invading tongue. He shoved them back, the shelves holding extra towels and other bathroom supplies in their way. Items fell to the floor as they jockeyed for the position they wanted.
He kicked his boot heel against the door, closing them into the dark room.
Sliding his hands around her back, he inched them down over her ass. A pleased rumble escaped when his palms encountered her bare skin.
“No panties?”
“You ordered me not to wear any. I do listen at times.”
Lust overruled everything else. “I’ve been fantasizing about your hot pussy gripping my cock all day.”
“I’m right here. Stop fantasizing. Fuck me, Zane. ”
He fumbled with his jeans, freeing his hard length. Zane pressed into her with a single thrust.
“Oh God yeah.” Her words echoed in the small space.
He had no way of explaining what being surrounded by her wet heat was like. Capturing her lips, he began to move. In and out he thrust. Long strokes. Short jabs. He worked his hips, her moans on a direct line to his dick.
She came hard around him and he continued to piston his hips. Outside the door he heard voices.
“Anyone see Zoë?”
She stiffened and Zane flicked a finger over her clit. “Shh,” he whispered before he took her mouth once more.
“No, not since she and Zane finished putting more food on trays.” That voice belonged to Cora.
Zane worked his cock in her slowly, not stopping, just delivering long, steady strokes.
“Did she leave?” This time it was Cade who asked the question.
“I don’t know,” Cora said. “I’m standing here with you.”
Zane fucked the woman in his arms. He put his mouth by her ear. “I love you, Zoë Duncan.”
“Zane.” She spoke his name on a shuddering sigh.
“Trust me when I say this will work out. You and me. Whatever the future brings. It’s about us. You and me.” Her internal muscles rippled around his shaft. He nipped at her earlobe. “Come around my cock.”
She obeyed, burying her face in his neck. The voices outside the door rose as Cora and Cade argued more but they faded into nothing as he covered Zoë’s womb with more of his seed. He kissed her as their hearts slowed down.
“I love you too, Zane,” she muttered into his neck. “I’ve loved you for so long and I’m scared I’ll wake up and this will all be a horrible dream.”
“I’m right here, baby. And I’m not going anywhere.” He smiled briefly. “Neither of us are right now, from the sounds of things.”
She flexed her fingers, nails digging into his shoulders. “Not much else to do in here then is there. And, let’s face it, I’m already pregnant. Make love to me, Zane.”
His cock stiffened and he began to move again. He knew at some point they would make it back out to the party but right now this time was theirs and theirs alone. As he delivered her to another orgasm, he knew it had always been her and always would be.
About the Author
Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She is married to a career military man. They are owned by three Borzoi, and a DSH cat. She spends her days sharing time between work, writing, and dog training. She loves to hear from her readers and can be found on Facebook or Twitter @AliyahBurke96.
For more information on other books by Aliyah, visit h
er official website: Aliyah-Burke.com
Also By This Author
Sensual Romance Publishing:
Megalodon Team
Kincade’s Rose
Harrier’s Healer
Connelly’s Flame
Greeley’s Spyce
Vittano’s Willow
Dimitri’s Moon
O’Shea’s Love
Chayton’s Tempest
Haikon
A Love for Lera
Rakes & Rogues
What the Earl Desires
Her Reluctant Viscount
Her Pirate Rogue
Cottonwood Falls
Relentless
Fracture
Ravish
Spark
Savor (releasing March 2015)
Intensity (releasing June 2015)
Zulu Spectre
Hearth, Holly, & Honor (3 in 1)
Holiday Surprise: Unwrapped
Raw Exposure
If You Dare
His Purrfect Mate
Totally Bound Publishing:
Seducing Damian
Through the Fire
Preconception
Serial
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 1
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 2
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 3
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 4
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 5
Astral Guardians
Chasing the Storm
Highlands at Dawn
Interludes
Temporary Home
Alone with You
Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore
In Aeternum
Casanova in Training
Harbour of Refuge
Protected by Shadows
Polar Opposites
Code of Honour
A Marriage of Convenience (part of Camouflaged Hearts antho)
The Lieutenant’s Ex-Wife
A Man Like No Other
When Stars Collide
Co-written with Taige Crenshaw
Talios
Devi
Linc
Saffron
Taber
Ashia
Co-written with McKenna Jeffries
All the Wright Moves
The Best Thing Yet
Risky Pleasures
Pure Harmony
Irresistible Forces
Seductions Dance
TE Publishing:
Denim & Spurs
With This Ring
Phaze:
The Detective’s Lover
Just a Dream
Add A Little Mistletoe
Sin is Not a Four Letter Word
Born to Fly
Landing in Love
You Save Me
Wild as the Wind
Parker:
On the High Seas (in What White Boyz Desire collection)
Passion in Print:
Under the Mask
That Fateful Ride
May You Always
Something Tangible
Coming Together:
Dutch & Lobo (in In the Trenches collection)
Love Under the Endless African Sky (in the At Last Vol 2 Collection)