slid back behind the wheel, Zach closed the door and then leaned over into the open window. “Buckle up and drive carefully.”
She nodded again and started the engine. Zach jumped into his car, checked for traffic, and then headed back to Midnight. Half his concentration on the car behind him, he grabbed the radio mic and switched it on. “Hazel, you there?”
“I’m here, Chief. Did you find her?”
“Yeah, thanks. She’s fine. I’m taking the rest of the day off. Tell Bart Odom he’s got patrol and to call me if anything comes up.”
Though Hazel’s voice was as rough as gravel, he had no trouble hearing the smile in her voice as she said, “Have a good afternoon, Chief.”
Switching off the radio, he looked into the rearview mirror and muttered, “I intend to, believe me.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
Zach glanced in the rearview mirror as he turned onto Beach View Drive. If Savannah hadn’t realized they were headed to his house, she knew it now. Not only was his home closer, which meant she could be in his arms sooner, he wanted her to see the place. If she remembered it from years ago, her memories wouldn’t be good. The house hadn’t been much to look at then. And now, though still small, he’d done a lot of work on it and was proud of how it’d turned out.
He pulled into his driveway and was relieved to see her pull to a stop behind him. As he got out of the patrol car, he watched her face. Yeah, the surprise was there but so was her beautiful smile. She confirmed his thoughts when she stepped out of her car. “Zach, this is amazing. Did you do all of this yourself?”
Despite himself, he couldn’t help the warmth her comment gave him. Having grown up in what many people might call a hovel, it felt damn good to be proud of where he now lived, especially since it was the same place.
“I started on it as soon as I came back here. Took me six months to finish.”
She came to stand beside him. “You’re very good with your hands.”
Her low, husky voice made the double entendre even sexier. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the house. “Let me refresh your memory of just how good I am.”
He turned the key to enter the house, fighting the crazy urge to carry her over the threshold. She’d either think he was insane or it would scare the hell out of her. Resisting the impulse, he just held the door open for her to go inside. The instant the door closed, he grabbed her and swept her into his arms.
Startled, she laughed and said, “But I want to see the house.”
“Later.”
She didn’t argue. Her eyes took on a soft glow as she put her golden head on his shoulder and looked up at him. It took all his resolve not to lay her on the hardwood floor and love her until they were both breathless. Never had she looked more wonderful to him. Since he intended to take his time, a comfortable bed was definitely the way to go.
Turning left, he headed to his bedroom, grateful that his necessity for order included a neat and clean house. His childhood had taught him to do things for himself, and the U.S. Army had reinforced those principles. When he’d gotten up this morning, he’d had no idea he would be spending the afternoon in his bed with Savannah.
He dropped her feet to the floor beside the bed. For just a moment, he took the time to savor that she was actually here, with him. How many torturous nights had he longed for her, never really believing he’d have another chance?
“Zach?” she whispered softly.
Locking his eyes with her, Zach undressed her slowly. In a dim part of his mind, he was surprised at the steadiness of his hands, because everything inside him was at the edge of explosion. After the hell he’d gone through this morning, he was surprised he could function at all. As he slid the dress from her silky shoulders, she reached up to unbutton his shirt. Zach caught her hands and stopped her. “Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because the instant I get my clothes off, I’m going to be inside you.”
Delight brightened her eyes. “Since that’s exactly where I want you to be, what’s the problem?”
“I’ve been dreaming of having you here, in my house and in my bed, for days. I want to savor every single moment.”