days. Zach had to admit the truth. He’d spent months trying to ignore the draw he felt toward Julia.
Talk about a complicated relationship, though. She was the recently discovered younger sister to Lisa and Karen. Definitely not someone to mess around with unless a guy wasn’t fond of keeping his balls attached to his body.
Only…
He wasn’t looking for someone to mess around with. Not anymore.
Zach wasn’t quite sure when his change of heart had taken place. All he knew for sure was when he’d come to Heart Falls with Finn, it had been situation normal, everybody in for a good time.
Now he was ready for the next thing.
She’s perfect.
His internal sidekick commented about the same moment Zach noticed Julia slide her dance partner’s hand off her ass and back onto her hip.
I could break every bone in that man’s hand without blinking.
Truth was truth, but the possessive streak wasn’t something he was proud of.
She twirled her way off the floor at the end of the song, escaping from her handsy partner with a laugh. Zach memorized the man’s face even as he forced his shoulders to remain against the wall, staying put instead of tracking the bastard down and offering a lesson in etiquette he’d not soon forget.
The beer in his hand wasn’t enough. He’d wait until his friends left and he got home before starting a little more serious drinking, though.
The catchy music continued, and for the next few minutes, he entertained himself checking out the people in the pub. Making a few bets as to who would be going home with whom after last call.
It was only a few minutes later when the woman he’d been fantasizing about taking home himself reappeared. Not in some other guy’s arms, thankfully.
Nope. Aimed at him and marching as if on a mission.
The tickle in his gut flared. That sixth sense he had set off alarms loud enough the place could’ve been on fire. It wasn’t a warning to be careful, but a heads-up to stay alert and be ready to leap.
Was she in trouble? He scanned the room even as he braced for whatever it was she was about to lay on his doorstep.
He couldn’t fucking wait.
Casual. Stay casual.
He worked to keep his smile low-key. “Hey, Jules.”
“Hey.” She was nearly his height, yet the breath she took was shaky enough to make him want to pick her up and protect her from whatever had hurt her.
He knew better than to offer that card right off the bat. Instead, he forced mild curiosity into his tone. “Problem?”
Even as she shook her head and offered a quick “nope,” she messed with his mind by laying a hand on his arm and sliding in close enough that as she went up on her toes, their bodies made contact.
That rush in his belly lit up to DEFCON 1.
“Favour, stat. Kiss me.” She whispered the words, but they rang in his head as loudly as if she’d shouted.
He caught hold of her hips to stop her from wiggling because his body had reacted far too quickly. Everything about having her in his arms was perfect…
And far too easy. He hesitated. “You playing a game again, Blushing?”
Her lips curled into what he recognized as a fake smile, her unnatural laughter scratching his nerves.
But her softness melted against him as she stroked her cheek past his until her lips met his earlobe.
Goose bumps rose on his skin.
“I swear I’ll explain, but you’ve got to kiss me, now. Like a girlfriend. Please.”
Desperation rang in her tone, and the urge to protect roared to the surface. Whatever the hell was going on, he could fix this. The fact it was exactly what he’d been hoping for, wishing for—
Call it the luck of the Irish, but he knew a gift when he saw one.
Zach slid his hand around her nape, cradling the back of her head. The other hand moved instinctively off her hip to her lower back, pressing her closer against him. Lifting slightly so they were lined up and body to body.
“No idea what you’re up to, but I’m game.”
A little gasp escaped her before their lips made contact. And yeah, maybe a gentle peck on the cheek or slow, soft kiss would’ve been a good place to start.
His instincts told him otherwise. He kissed her with everything in him, desire laid bare in his touch as he gave to her.
She needed his help—she had it.
She also had all of him, because his gut said she was who he’d