‘This is so much fun.’ She turned her face up to him, her breath grazing the side of his neck. The lambs made little bleating sounds that made her chuckle and that tickled his skin. He rested his head against hers and took the punch of pride that resonated through his chest at her smile.
‘Well, there’s lots more to come. So when you’ve finished with little Lamb Chops there, we’ve got a lunch date.’
‘Lamb chops indeed.’ She gave him a stern look and covered the sheep’s ears. ‘Hush. You’ll scare him.’ Then she nuzzled the wiry fleece. ‘He didn’t mean it. Nasty old Zachary.’
His heart snagged again as he watched her stroke the animals and wave goodbye to little Lamb Chops as if the darned thing was her pet. Taking his offered hand she jumped down from the stage. Kept tight hold as they ran across the car park back to the van.
‘That was great.’ She smiled up at him before climbing in. ‘Thanks.’
‘My pleasure.’ God knew, he meant it too. ‘Now, let’s go eat.’
‘You are joking?’ Ten minutes later her voice was thick with laughter as he came out of the fish and chip shop with a hot bundle of paper that smelled like salt and vinegar heaven.
‘Got to have a good old-fashioned Kiwi lunch.’ He drove as fast as he dared down to the lake shoreline. Pulled up in a little deserted car park off the main drag and set up a picnic table and chairs outside in the weak early-autumn sunshine. Dappled light glinted off the serene deep blue lake that bordered the town and then stretched out across to dips and troughs of volcanic hills, some covered in the deep lush green of grass, others peppered in pine forest or majestic flax.
A family of ducks waddled past their feet, clearly in a hurry to finish some pressing business at the lake edge. Nothing else stirred.
Grabbing a couple of champagne glasses and a bottle of fizz from the fridge Zac smiled at Dani’s frown. ‘Don’t worry—I only break some of Davide’s rules. It’s just sparkling grape juice. Nothing but the best for my...’ His words stalled. His what exactly? His girl. His friend. His date? ‘To one day.’
‘One day.’ She seemed to hesitate slightly, took the glass and sipped. Then dipped the hot chips in tomato sauce and ate them with her fingers. Whilst she’d opened her heart to him yesterday he got the feeling she still didn’t quite trust him. To be so wary and on her guard the whole time, never knowing who was a true friend, had to be hard. But her smile seemed genuine. ‘These are so yummy. You know how to treat a girl.’
‘I certainly do. Sunshine and hot chips beats a swanky restaurant any day. Tell me, Daniella, what do you do when you’re not touring the country with a rugby team? I don’t feel like I know much about you.’
‘And yet you know so much more than most.’ She reached across and squeezed his hand. ‘But I’ll do you a deal. A question for a question.’
Not where he wanted to be going. But he weighed up the pros and cons. If he wanted more information he had to give some too. Fair deal. She had a point. ‘Okay. One question each. And then we’ll see how we go.’
She nodded, took a breath. ‘I love my job at St Clare’s. It’s in a poor area so there’s lots of need. The girls are often stuck in a situation at home that they don’t know how to get away from.’ Her shoulders lifted. ‘I know what that feels like. For them sport is a good way out. So I work hard to keep them well and active. When I first started there I got a bit of resistance from the staff and parents. But I proved my worth, the girls seem to like me and not one of them has ever mentioned where I am or what I do to the press.’
‘I admire you. It would take a lot of guts to give up what you knew to work somewhere like that. You have your own place? A flatshare?’
‘That’s two more questions, Zachary. I’m counting.’ She winked at him, easy and assured. The shadows that seemed to dog her earlier had fled. When she talked about her real life—not the crazy of now—her eyes lit up. ‘I have my own cottage which I love with a passion, and a small garden. I can do what I like. No pets though. But now I’m seriously thinking about getting a lamb.’
‘Oh, sure. That’s the perfect pet to have in suburbia. No more lawnmowing required. And no more plants. Period.’ She didn’t need a pet, she needed someone to love. Someone to love her back. ‘It was hard growing up in the spotlight, I imagine. With all that madness around you.’ He held up his palm. ‘Okay. Yes. I’m trying to make it into a statement not a question. Give me a break here.’
She grinned back, but fiddled with her fingers. One mention of family and she tightened up. But for once she didn’t do that hair fiddly thing that drove him crazy. ‘It felt like my parents were only interested in our novelty value. What better than a cute baby-shaped accessory to carry around on your hip? Deanna and Desere were beautiful and compliant. They love the attention too. But I just hate being talked about, scrutinised. And was never good enough.’
‘The hell with that. You’re better than them all.’
‘Not how I felt growing up. It was like there was something wrong with me. Like I didn’t belong in that family, somehow I’d got there by mistake. They didn’t want me to be me, were always trying to mould me into something else. I was never a Danatello.’
A weight pressed against Zac’s chest as familiar anxieties rolled over him. ‘Your father deserves to know how that kind of treatment feels.’
She paused, obviously deciding how much to tell him. ‘You’ve got to understand—he grew up poor and was badly abused by his dad. Beaten and hurt. Granddad didn’t just want him to be someone else, he physically tried to make him into something else. Harder. Colder. And some of it rubbed off. Now Davide continually needs to prove himself.’
Zac hauled in oxygen. However badly Rufus had treated him over the years, it hadn’t been that extreme and he’d never resorted to physical abuse. ‘When you put it like that I can see why Davide’s like he is. But it’s no excuse to make you feel so unloved.’
‘There’s always a reason behind everyone’s actions, Zac. Even people like my dad.’ She reached across the table and fixed him with a thoughtful gaze. ‘Now it’s my turn to ask. I have how many questions? I’m starting to lose count.’
‘Why am I suddenly nervous?’ He glanced at his watch. Phase two was fast approaching. And he needed an excuse. Quick. ‘Actually, we need to go.’
‘So this is it? You clam up before I even get one question? That is so unfair.’ As she followed him to the main body of the van, he practically felt the frustration emanating from her. The familiar rush of guilt washed over him. Yeah, he needed to open up. But he didn’t want to spoil her day.
‘Why don’t we talk while we’re driving?’
She slammed the table and chairs into the cupboard. ‘Because you’ll be evasive.’
‘Who? Me? Evasive?’ He poked her in the ribs. A tickle, really, but enough to make her squirm. ‘When?’
‘Unfair again, Zachary. Trying to attack a defenceless maiden.’ She poked him back, once, twice. Giggled. Pushed him. He lurched against the sink, lost his footing and pulled her with him. Squarely onto the bed.
* * *
‘Hey.’ Dani wriggled upright, still cross with him. He’d wedged more space between them, something she’d watched him do time after time, something he’d become an expert at, and she didn’t know how to bridge the gap. Apart from giving him time. And she didn’t have that. The guy had issues and clearly didn’t want to share them with her. It took two, right? So she should just up and leave. If only tangling with him wasn’t fast becoming one of her favourite activities. ‘So how do we get out of this?’
His fingers tiptoed along her spine. He flashed a wicked smile and pulled her gently towards him. The corners of his mouth kicked up and his voice lowered. ‘Do we even need to try?’
‘Yes. Is there any point in this? You won’t give me any part of yourself. You won’t talk. And apparently we’re...’ In a hurry.
But the taste of his mouth on hers stopped the words. Stopped the thoughts. His hand palmed t
he back of her neck as he pulled her close. She relaxed into his kiss, his heat and scent enveloping her. She fit into his space, entwined her legs around his, pressed her hands around his neck.
Unlike the passionate heat of last night this kiss was slow and tender, soothing. Nurturing. He took his time, running his tongue along the line of her lips, the edge of her teeth, cupped her face in his hands. The exquisite softness of his touch was torment and pleasure in equal measure. She felt his hands tremble as he held her, his ragged breathing. He kissed her eyelids, the tip of her nose. Softly, so divinely softly, it made her heart soar.
Exhaling a shuddery breath she clung to him, unwilling to let go, unable to move her hands from his fisted shirt in case the spell broke. Her body hummed with desire, building and building, burning for his hands to find her most sensitive places. Aching for him to fill her and satiate this ever-growing need for him. But still he held her face, stroked her cheek as if they had all the time in the world. As if they had the whole of for ever.
Then he kissed a trail over her cheek, down to her neck, to the dip of her shoulder. She arched against him, every cell in her body strained for his lips. He slipped a hand under her sweatshirt, brushed feather fingertips across her back, to the sensitive skin at the side of her breast. After slowly unclipping her bra his hand finally found her nipple. Stroked it, tweaked. Sucked it into his mouth, driving her wild with need.
‘You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. The most amazing.’ His voice was hoarse and thick as he dragged his mouth from her skin. Tugging her sweatshirt over her head he grinned. ‘And this has got to go. I’ve been wanting to take it off all morning.’ His grin broadened as he stared at her rose-coloured silk camisole. ‘You lied. It’s not a T-shirt at all.’
‘Oops. I had to say something to stop you. Or we would never have left the damned car park.’
‘If I’d known what was underneath I’d have made sure we never left.’ Flicking first her camisole, then bra to the floor he dipped his head and licked her nipple again, the sweet heat of his tongue making her shiver. First one breast, then the other, he sucked and stroked, sending ripples of pleasure through her. Then found her mouth again.
His need for her was obvious and she pushed against his hardness. His eyes sought hers and he smiled with a look so tender tears sprang at the backs of her eyes.
Never had she felt so cherished, so beautiful. So wanted. This was what she’d dreamt of, what was possible, what was always out of reach. And now she’d finally grasped it she didn’t ever want it to end.
Everything he said with that look was mirrored in her heart. She ached for him, not just physically, but longed for him to fill the empty hours of her life, the gaping hole she pretended she’d filled with other things. To wake up with him every morning, to be the last thing she saw at night. To share the laughter, the tears and everything in between.
She pulled him to her, covered his mouth with hers and told him in that kiss how much of herself she wanted to give. How much more of him she craved. She ran her hands down his back, felt the rough curve of his spine, the soft smooth skin, the dip in the small of his back. Felt him shiver as she ran her fingers along the top of his jeans. And, like a sharp jolt of static, his kiss deepened, his breathing intensified.
* * *
All Zac knew was that he was lost with need. This beautiful, sensuous woman who stoked such intense heat within him was in his arms. And the desire to be inside her almost overwhelmed him. Whatever was right or wrong, for one day or for ever he couldn’t fathom. Right now he wanted to make love to her. Long, slow, hard, fast. Again and again. She filled him with a fierce longing like he’d never had before.
He eased off her jeans, always aware of her fingers floating around his zipper. All it would take was one small loss of control and he could be filling her. But he had to take this slow. This was her day.
She moaned against him, spurring him on as his fingers travelled across her belly, down the inside of her thigh. Her fingers fisted his T-shirt when he pulled her panties off. And the cry she gave as he slid a finger inside her almost melted his resolve.
‘I want you, Zac.’ Her voice was like a purr against his chest as she bucked against his hand. With his thumb against her hard nub he brought her to a frenzy. Her hands gripped his shirt tighter as she contracted around him, pulling him in further.
‘Not yet.’ He managed to somehow stop her releasing his zip. Kept his own wants wrapped up as he gave her again and again what her body craved. ‘This is for you, first.’
‘So don’t stop. I need you.’ Her eyes fluttered closed as he slid his finger in again.
I need you too. Goddamn. He did. He just didn’t want to admit how much. And now he wouldn’t stop for anything. ‘Open your eyes. I want to watch you.’
‘Oh, Zac.’ She wrapped her legs around his, squeezing his hand against her, and writhed against him. Her gaze never left his. Those deep blue eyes glittered with wonder and passion. The honesty making him want to hold on to her and never let go. Never had he felt this kind of connection, two halves making something so complete. Even without sex he could make love to her, give her what she needed. Hell, what he needed.
Then he kissed her again. Her mouth was hot and wet as she cried out and shuddered, closing her eyes as release took her.
Watching pleasure shake through her body gave him a powerful punch somewhere near his heart. In his heart. It wasn’t just her unleashed sensuality. It was more than that. A whole lot more. Something he didn’t want to admit. He’d spent years avoiding this kind of intimacy. But she’d drawn him in, beguiling him, entrancing him, until he couldn’t deny it any longer. He’d let himself get more deeply involved than ever before. He wanted to protect her. To make her smile. To watch the light in her eyes shine, because of him. Bottom line, he wanted to make her happy.
For a long moment his heart thundered against his ribs. What the hell to do? He had nothing to offer her except for this day. After that he had work to do. Work. Work. Always work. That had become his refuge and his cross to bear. Dani deserved a life of love, not an absent lover who put his career first.
He looked back at her, her blonde curls spilling over the cushions, her smile calm and serene, oblivious to the torrent of weird emotions crashing through his chest. And so she would be, because hiding his emotions was something he could do.
When her eyes opened again her smile turned from serene to hungry. ‘That was so good. You have magic hands.’ Her fingers crept to his zipper, which still strained under the force of his erection. His body told him what his brain was trying to eradicate. Whatever you may try to believe, matey boy, you want her with every damned fibre.
‘You are amazing. Wow.’ He stroked the flat plane of her belly.
Her pupils widened. ‘Your turn now.’
‘I can wait.’ One thing he knew, he couldn’t have her here. And if she unzipped him and took him in her hands he’d lose all control. Some vague rationality seeped into his brain. He edged away a fraction and smiled. He had another seventeen hours with her and intended to make every one count, not lose control now and have her regretting what they’d done. He wanted a perfect day to store in his memory banks for ever. ‘I’m loving this, princess. But we need to go. There are other things I have planned.’
* * *
‘No...don’t stop.’ It was more moan than words as Dani ran her palm over the tight muscles in his shoulders and pulled him closer. She couldn’t let this end here. Couldn’t bear the thought of not being in his arms again. Soon. ‘Please, Zac.’
He pointed to the steamed-up windows behind chequered curtains. ‘You deserve better than a quickie in a campervan. Seriously, we need to stop.’
‘I don’t care. I love this campervan—it’s like a little house. Our house. No one can get to us in here. Outside is another land. That’s all pretend and crazy. In here is real. I like our kind of real.’ And it was then she realised she’d been so terribly wrong. One day with Zac co
uld never be enough. She wanted him in her life tomorrow and the next day.... ‘I want you to make love to me, Zac. Now.’
‘And I want to, more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.’ He raked a hand over his hair and shrugged. ‘But not like this, hiding out, breaking rules. Besides, we don’t have any condoms.’
‘You have two thousand damned condoms.’ She laughed and patted his back jeans pocket. Taking another opportunity to feel his butt in her hands and pull him just a little bit closer. ‘Are you sure you don’t have any there?’
He shook his head. ‘I didn’t want to be tempted, so I left them at the hotel.’
‘You did what? Typical. Bring them when we don’t need them. Don’t bring them when we do.’ She gave herself up to the laughter and anger and all the muddled-up emotions swimming through her veins. Kissed his chin and wriggled against him. He was starting to loosen up, give something of himself.
One day.
Best. Day. Ever. ‘You have to stop trying to save me. I know the risks. And the silly rules.’ She tiptoed her fingers down to the top of his jeans and gasped at the heat and hardness still there. ‘But there are lots of other things we can do instead. I’m a grown woman and you...’ Licking his cheek, moving down to his neck where he squirmed against her, she moaned again at the same time he did, then ran her fingers down the straining zip seam of his jeans. ‘You...are a very grown man.’
‘God, princess. No.’ His smile belied his words, but his hand covered hers and moved it away. He held her fist against his heart. ‘I have a timetable to stick to. So please...’ This time his kiss was hungry and fast. And it was even harder when he pulled away. He let out a grunt, half moan, half laughter. ‘Please. Stop.’
‘Trouble is...’ A sigh escaped her lips as the harsh reality sank in. Despite all her efforts to protect herself, she was falling for him, hard. She laid her head against his chest, listened to the raging thunder of his heart and felt her own heart beat in perfect sync. ‘I don’t think I can.’
The Last Doctor She Should Ever Date Page 13
