WindSwept Narrows: #6 Eve Hastings

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Happy Birthday!” Eve told him excitedly, very aware of the solid form beneath her body. “You’re going to have a marvelous day!”

  Zach let his arms circle her, holding her tightly against him, even when she lifted her head from the crook of his neck and looked down at him with a little frown. “I think thirty-seven is going to be my serious lucky number, Eve. Don’t look at me like that…doesn’t your book explain guys and mornings to you?”

  “I know all about that,” Eve assured him with a nod. “You learn it in baby class. It starts when you’re young, so I guess it’s not because you’re a morning guy,” she teased with a giggle when he rolled her to her back, his mouth down hard and hungrily over hers.

  “Hmm…you don’t think it has anything to do with waking up with a sensuous, beautiful woman at your side?”

  “Wow…you’re good…” she whispered above his lips.

  “I might be a morning guy.…’ll let you know in the morning,” he returned, lifting his head to peer into the wide eyes. “The coffee?”

  “Oh! ‘Cause it’s present! I set it up yesterday while you were moving furniture. It has a nice timer and I can fix it while I’m cleaning the kitchen after dinner and poof! Morning coffee to wake you up…”

  “That’s evil,” Zach shoved his legs over the side of the bed and went to gather clothes before heading to the other bathroom.

  Eve laughed as she headed to the shower, standing for a long time beneath the spray, thinking over what she had planned for him through the day. She was still smiling when she joined him at the counter, accepting the juice he held out to her.

  “What’s in here?” Eve asked after a long swallow. “It’s not plain juice.”

  “Protein…something I don’t think you get enough of,” Zach told her. “It’s even better thrown in a blender with some ice.”

  “Hmm…” Eve drank the juice quickly and ran water in the glass before making certain her pack was ready, including black round toed heels. “I got over a dozen interviews today.”

  “Whoa…lady…where is this dinner?” Zach grabbed at the band of her jeans, pulling her back against him despite the protests.

  “Zach!” Eve laughed brightly, glaring over her shoulder at him only to receive an arched eyebrow. “I will get you the address this morning…I swear…got it wrote on my calendar at work,” she said with an easy lie. “Kindly turn loose of my…thank you…”

  “Eve?” Zach leaned on the stool, his hand up and tapping his lips.

  “Hmmm…” She stepped up to him, their mouths touching for a long slow kiss. “I have to get to work, Zach…”

  “Yeah…” he sighed thickly, not wanting to release her just yet when his gaze wandered to the pallet that still lay in front of the fireplace. “Tons to do…be careful, Eve…”

  “You, too…bye…” Eve pulled her keys from the pocket of her pack and was out the door before she changed her mind. The man had kisses dangerous to a woman’s stability, she thought all the way to the resort.

  Dora watched her boss striding from the bank of elevators. His step light and a younger look in his eyes than she’d seen there in years. A grin tipped her lips when he pushed the glass doors open, the large florists’ box sitting on her desk had his gaze sweeping from it to her and back again.

  “It’s not for me,” she said with a broader grin.

  “I’m concerned about your rampant curiosity about my life,” Zach set his briefcase on the edge of her desk and carefully lifted the heavy cardboard lid off the box.

  “Until recently, your life was kind of dull,” Dora said with a chuckle. “Wow…” She looked at the huge collection of flowers all in shades of red and pink. The fragrance of the star lilies slowly reached out to the office. She laughed at the expression on Zach’s face when he lifted the card, printed clearly and boldly.

  “Happy Birthday! Eve”

  “I’ll get the vase,” she chuckled and went into his office, returning with the wide mouth vase. “You have a baffled expression that makes me wish I had a camera.”

  “This guy doesn’t know how to stuff flowers into a vase,” he said, losing the attempt at a stern expression. “I’ll be here until about five. I’m going to knock out those proposals and get you the receivables that need paid.”

  “Who are you and what did you do with my boss?” Dora asked suspiciously. “You said that’s boring home work during baseball games and evening news…”

  “Yeah, well…I’m adjusting my schedule,” he answered, striding into his office to begin his day.

  Dora chuckled when the courier arrived shortly before noon. She nodded toward Zach inside his office, head bent and sleeves rolled up. His head came up slowly as the food smell filled the office when the young man put the large box on the center of his desk.

  “Should I ask?”

  “Dr. Hastings sent this to you from the WindSwept Narrows,” the young man said, shaking his head when Zach reached for his wallet. “No need, sir, Dr. Hastings took care of the tip. Enjoy!”

  Zach felt his stomach growl and lifted the lid off the large box.

  “So? What’s in there?” Dora had picked up her bag and was getting ready to go for her lunch.

  “According to the labels…roast winter vegetables with Italian sausage; toasted French bread strips and…and a large chocolate cupcake with my name on it,” Zach sunk down in his chair, barely aware of her going through the large glass doors.

  A small gift card rested in the center.

  ‘I hope you’re having a fantastic day…Eve.’

  ****

  Eve stood before the walk-in closet with Anya and sighed.

  “I know it is not an easy move,” Anya told her, looking over the dresses in her closet and pulling one out. “This one. And…” She moved to another section and brought out a matching short dark violet bolero jacket.

  “Thank you for helping me, Anya…and for talking to me,” Eve pulled her sweater over her head, frowning at the corset style top. She dropped her bra into the pile and quickly removed her jeans. She stood before the mirror as they did the buttons up the front and readjusted her breasts. “Wow…”

  “It is perfect for you. We must shop with Isabel and find dresses for your closet next week, Eve,” Anya told her firmly. “I love shopping. There are so many gorgeous colors out there in the fall. No…no shoes yet…remember, we are working on sexy…”

  Eve looked from the package she held up to the woman holding it. “Anya, I’ve never worn anything like that before…”

  “There is first time for everything…I will show you,” she opened the new package. “A gift from me, to you. Step in here…it is elastic…and rests on your hips…so…now…sit on the bed and carefully slide each stocking into place.”

  “Women seriously go through a lot for their guys…”

  “Is he worth it?” Anya smiled at the look in her eyes. “Men are visual creatures. Besides…admit it…you feel a little wicked now, do you not?” She laughed with Eve. “It is grand fun to make them sweat…I am learning this. Ian and Jack were having heartburn because of the new outfit Emily made…we have not told them you won the drawing and will be wearing it for Halloween.”

  “Chloe already sent me a costume for Zach…very nice Aladdin,” Eve stepped into the shoes and admitted with a long sigh. Anya was right. She did feel wicked. “I haven’t told him about the benefit yet.”

  “He will enjoy it,” Anya nodded her approval and held up the jacket. “Come, we will go now. Jane is meeting us with Sophie to do your makeup.”

  Sam Franklin knew what his job was: to route his friend in the right direction. A grin peered from the deep blue eyes as he watched Bella with her assistant finish the preparations for the surprise party. He watched Jane and Sophie lead Eve to the private office to finish her preparations and went to stand by the front doors.

  Shortly before six, Sam nodded as he watched Zach cross the parking lot, rain dappling over his dark hair and suit jacket. He moved to t
he front desk, waiting for him to enter and look around, their eyes meeting.

  “Sam!” Zach strode forward, his palm out and a clap on each others shoulders. “It’s been awhile. I heard you moved north.”

  “Searching for something different,” Sam admitted with a nod. “I hear good things about the project you’ve got going. And you actually look less stressed than usual.”

  “You sound like my secretary,” Zach said with a shake of his head. “Hey, I’m supposed to have a reservation here for dinner…I don’t know what name she would have used…”

  “No problem…we have some of the overflow down in the special conference room. They have the reservations book,” Sam gestured to the hall. “Special night?”

  “Birthday…Eve made reservations…don’t know if you know her or not,” Zach said easily. “I know she’s friends with Samantha Elliott Sheffield.”

  “I know her,” Sam held back slightly, pretending his phone rang. “Go in…I’ll be right behind you…” he watched Zach push the door wide and freeze in place after taking a few steps into the large room.

  Two dozen people and small children stood or sat watching the main door, all of them shouting “Surprise!” When Zach stepped forward.

  Zach looked around in amazement at people he worked with, old friends and even Dora and her husband. Then his gaze fell on the dark haired woman moving to his side. His eyes went quickly from the open toed shoes, over the dark violet skirt that fell just past her knees and onto the tight, form fitting corset style top. Her hair seemed to sparkle and was fluffed in a soft halo around her face and her eyes were large and dark violet as they met his.

  “Happy Birthday, Zach,” Eve kissed him softly and looped her arm in his. She looked out at the people watching. “Time for the food and fun part. We even got cake!”

  Laughter and chatter began to fill the room, Zach stopping her when she tried leading him forward.

  “Eve…how the…you look amazing…” He stopped, closed his eyes and opened them again, his head shaking slightly.

  “You’re surprised,” she said with a satisfied nod.

  “How did you get…how’d you know these were my friends?” He asked in amazement, still taking in the woman standing before him, his hands on the narrow cinched waist.

  “I got them out of the address book on your phone,” she told him, teeth nibbling her lip. “They’re your friends…you have your names very carefully categorized. It was easy to find the right list. You should spend time with friends on your birthday. Come on…I’m starving…”

  Zach spent the next three hours catching up with old friends, eating and staring at Eve. She was at his side, or playing with the kids or chatting with people all around the room, her laughter and smile always drawing his attention.

  “Miss Eve!” Scarlet Tanner ran up to her, Eve dropping to her heels and holding her hands out. “You look like a princess!”

  “Thank you! I’m so glad you could come to the party…” Eve stood up and took her hand, winking at Mia. “Did you get some cake?”

  “It is really good,” Scarlet told her, licking her lips.

  “I hear Uncle Logan is teaching her blackjack?” Eve asked as they approached the table where her father sat with Mia.

  “Counting,” Logan interrupted the laughter around the table. “We’re learning counting…and the kid is damned good…aww…crap…” He reached into his pocket and dropped two quarters into the open palm.

  “I’m trying to get him trained,” Sam said with a chuckle.

  Zach led Eve onto the dance floor where several other couples moved to the soft music and dimmed lights as the night slowly wound down. She had set the hours for the party to end at nine because it was a work night and people were slowly leaving the room.

  “I can’t believe you did this,” Zach murmured against her head as they danced.

  “Did you have fun?” Eve lifted her head with a long sigh. “You have very nice friends, Zach.”

  “And you knew a lot of them before I came along,” he noted softly. “We might have met up…and hell yes, I had a great time tonight, Eve. Thank you very much,” he told her, dropping his mouth over hers. “And thank you for the flowers and for lunch. You’re spoiling me.”

  “I thought that was part of a wife’s job,” she said with a teasing gleam in her eyes.

  “You look beautiful…I don’t remember seeing that in your closet…”

  “It isn’t mine. It’s Anya’s…she helped me…we’ve been talking a lot the last few days,” Eve slipped her palm from his, winding her arms around his neck and swaying with him to the music. “She grew up in Croatia…not a very safe place to be a girl. You met Ian there, didn’t you?”

  “I did…it was a hectic couple years,” Zach admitted, resting his cheek against her head. “I think we should go home now.”

  “I’d like that,” She whispered, a trace of a quiver that went to her stomach.

  They said good bye to the remaining few guests, striding out with his hand protectively around her waist. Zach walked her to the passenger side, ignoring the occasional rain drop, he drew her close, her face tipped up for his kiss. Eve slid her arms inside his jacket, her fingers caught on his belt for support as she gave herself over to the power in their kiss.

  “Inside, Eve,” Zach opened the door and lifted her into the SUV, closing the door and moving quickly to get behind the wheel.

  “I like dancing with you,” Eve said softly, sliding over the seat to the middle section and buckling her belt. “It was a very nice experience.”

  “One I promise you we will repeat,” Zach started the car and headed them to the south. “I heard you talking to Anya about shopping.”

  “Hmm…” Eve tuned the radio to some soft, romantic music. “Chloe and Anya and a couple others are fixing a girls night out, to include some shopping for dresses. The holidays are coming up…I might need a few.”

  “You might…I usually get invites to more than a few parties,” he said easily.

  “Don’t make plans for Halloween, please. We have a charity benefit to attend downtown. Chloe is sending me the costume for you,” Eve looked over to see a frown creasing his lips. “You don’t like costumes? I have one to match yours…if that helps.”

  “Why am I afraid to ask?” Zach glanced at the little smile and groaned aloud.

  “You will make a very nice Aladdin, Zach. Especially if you have that nice shadow like you get in the evenings,” Eve turned to the side, her shoes falling to the floor and knees bent on the seat.

  Zach wracked his brain to think of the female that went along with Aladdin, a thought that only made his frown deepen. He’d heard stories of the costumes for these benefits. He was thinking of the time period when he felt her fingers drawing small circles on his thigh, one fingernail drawing a long line along the inner seam of his slacks.

  “Tell me about your costume for this thing,” Zach slid his palm around hers and held it firmly. Now and then the dark scent she wore flowed past him. It had been damn difficult to keep his hands where they belonged on the dance floor. Even more difficult to not suggest they simply get a room in the lodge for the night. He wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince that he wasn’t a seventeen year old, because at the moment he definitely felt like a hormone driven teenager.

  “It’s a belly dancer outfit. Perfect for Aladdin. Emily has been working on it for over a month now. It’s gorgeous, with lots of silky scarves and bells and tiny metal rings that make up the sides on the hips,” Eve placed her other palm around his hand. “I won the drawing to see who would get to be first to wear it. I get to wear it for the first event of the belly dancing club, too. It’s quite an honor.”

  “Belly dancing?” Zach repeated hoarsely, grinding his teeth and shifting slightly in the seat.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Yes. It’s an activity? Anya teaches classes and we formed a club that performs at events all around the city,” Eve explained simply.

 
“You dance?”

  “I love dancing. Don’t you have activities that you do? I know you enjoy running,” Eve slipped one hand on his shoulder, her fingers toying with the hair above his ears. “Perhaps we should share information. I play some computer games…I saw you have one of those gaming units at your apartment. You’re a shooter, aren’t you?” She said with a smile in her words.

  “I’m a guy…I like fast paced, reflex testing games, yes,” Zach answered, groaning inwardly when she drew slow lines down his throat. Her hand moved to the knot of his tie, easing it open. “What are you doing?”

  “You look too…too…office…” Eve sat up and pulled the tie free, tossing it to the backseat. She laughed at the scowl on his face. “Zach…relax…” she opened the top three buttons on his shirt and let her hand move to the buttons on his vest. “You are incredibly handsome and professional looking, Zach…and you’re fidgeting.”

  “I am not…” He cast a hasty look down and saw she’d opened all the buttons on his vest. “Eve…”

  “You’re fidgeting, Zach.” Eve told him again, her palm sliding between two of the buttons on his shirt and placing her hand against his chest. She could feel his heart speed up a little. “You’re very warm…” She dragged her nails through the coils on his chest, laughing brightly when he pulled her hand free and held it firmly on her lap. “Why are you tense?”

  “Did you have wine at the party?” He asked brusquely.

  “It was a non-alcoholic party, Zach,” she pointed out, watching the exits as they sped past. “Anya gave me a present for you, though.”

  “I’m afraid to ask,” Zach felt her take his palm and place it on her knee. “Eve, my hands are a little rough for…”

  “Zach…they’re replaceable…don’t fret…just feel,” she whispered sexily, her palm holding his in place as she pressed it along her thigh and higher, the end of the stockings coming beneath his palm. She left his palm there and pulled a piece of nylon from the pocket of the short jacket she wore, hanging them on the radio knob. “Know what those are?”