that would be far more enjoyable once the family bonding time was over.
Two days later, Julia felt as if she had a permanent smile on her face.
They’d not only had the research dinner Zach had promised and the breakfast trip with multiple types of baking, they’d done it all over again the next day.
This morning they’d all gone paddling on the lake in tandem kayaks, followed by lunch out. The others were due to head home early afternoon, and Julia couldn’t decide if she was sad that they were leaving or eager to discover what mischief Zach had planned for them after they had the house to themselves.
Sleeping in his arms had been a brutal form of torture. She’d considered reaching for him and turning up the heat, because she doubted her sisters would even notice anything going on in their far-off section of the house.
Yet Zach had been right last week when he said waiting had its perks. Anticipation now pumped through her veins as strongly as any drug.
Lust was tempered only by how full her stomach was.
She collapsed onto the couch, sinking into the lush leather. “I could not eat another bite.”
“There are some chocolate eclairs left from dessert.” Lisa appeared out of nowhere to stand over her, wiggling one of the million-calorie parcels of perfection in her fingers. “Oops, to be exact, there are three left. Considering there are six of us, you might want to move sooner than later.”
Lisa popped the one she held into her mouth and moaned enthusiastically.
From where the guys were setting up to play one final card game at the kitchen table, Josiah swore.
“Excuse me, gentlemen.” He pushed back from the table and strode over to Lisa, swinging her over his shoulder and ignoring her squeal of protest. “Sweetheart, you make that kind of noise, you’re just asking to be removed from the room.”
“Either that or she’s auditioning for a porno flick. Either way,” Karen said teasingly before warning, “we’re leaving in an hour.”
Lisa pushed up, arms braced on Josiah’s back so she could offer a wink to the room as he carried her off. “Don’t worry. We won’t be late.”
Josiah’s laughter rumbled then shut off behind the door leading to their room. Julia’s cheeks went red hot, and the need in her body jumped up another notch when she met Zach’s gaze.
He was staring at her with all sorts of dirty intention in his eyes.
An hour later when their friends and family had finally left the house, Julia’s entire body felt as if she’d been attached to a giant vibrator and teased for hours.
Zach’s hands rested on her hips. He’d stood behind her as they waved goodbye, and he slid one palm over her belly as his lips dropped to her neck. “I’m glad they came, but I’m glad they’re gone,” he admitted.
She arched her neck to the side, goose bumps rising everywhere. “You know that whole anticipation thing?”
Pressed against her back, his muscular body wasn’t the only thing that was hard. “Yeah?”
The word came out deep and breathless. Thank goodness, because she didn’t want to be the only one feeling this way. “I am extremely filled with anticipation.”
She twisted in his arms, stroking her palms up his chest. The soft cotton of his pale-green T-shirt tickled her skin. Tactile seduction, but it wasn’t enough. Julia dipped her hands to his waist and untucked the fabric so she could slip her hands beneath the material and find bare skin.
His abs flexed against her fingers. “I need to warn you my anticipation is high enough my control is iffy. On the other hand, my recovery time will also be off the charts, so do your worst.”
“Anything I want?” Julia hummed happily as she shoved his T-shirt upward. It turned into a contented sigh when he rapidly moved to help strip away the barrier. “I want lots of things.”
“Yeah? Like what?” His smile shone down even as he groaned. “I really hope one of them is your hands on my cock. That would be a good thing to add to your list.”
“Maybe.” She leaned in close and pressed a kiss to his chest. Licking his skin and breathing in his sexy scent “Hmmmm.”
He stood motionless as she slowly drifted around him, teasing with her fingertips and her lips. She watched closely for every reaction because it was clear how much he was enjoying every second.
Here too he was honest. This was the part of being with a guy she’d missed. Not just being