He wanted to know who was on the phone, and whether that person had said something that made her cry, and if so, who he was and where he lived. And why was she on the phone with someone else when Zane was sleeping just outside her door?
She needed comfort. He could provide. Weapon holstered, he crossed the room and pulled her to standing, his gaze taking in the T-shirt that barely skimmed her lips. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her to him, enfolding her in his warmth. No words. Just silence. He had always loved silence.
After a few moments, she relaxed against him, her arms circling his waist, her cheek pressed against his chest. She had taken out her ponytail and her hair fanned over her shoulders, the gold highlights shimmering under the soft glow of the bedside lamp. So beautiful. So fragile. His Evie.
“It’s been a rough day,” she whispered. “Viper … She choked on the name. “I lost Bill, and the shop, and T-Rex. We’re on the run, and you … you want to send us away. What about Ty?”
“I’m not about to walk away from my responsibilities.”
Her breath left her in a rush. “I don’t want him to be just a responsibility. You’re his dad. I want him to have a relationship with you.”
“Like I had with my old man?” He couldn’t hide the bitterness in his voice. “Some kids are better off without their parents.”
“I just thought…” She tried to pull away and he held her closer, the slight movement of her body sending shock waves to his groin.
“I’m not leaving you or Ty.” At least not while Viper was out there. But after he dealt with Viper, what then? How did he integrate a son into his life? And Evie. How could he win her back? How could he ask her to forgive him when he couldn’t forgive himself?
“I guess I don’t know you that well after all.” But the desire that burned in her green eyes said otherwise, and when she met his gaze, her little pink tongue flicking out to wet her lips, he couldn’t deny his hunger.
“Then get to know me again.” His hand cupped her jaw with infinite care. Drawing her close, he dropped his head and claimed her mouth in a long, sensuous kiss.
“Yes.” Evie moaned into his mouth, the sound reverberating through his body, firing his blood, decimating the last of his restraint. He groaned, shoved her against the wall, and her lips apart for the soft slide his tongue. She tasted of coffee and cream, and something sweet.
*
Hard kiss. Demanding kiss. Desperate kiss. A kiss that turned her inside out, and told her the man he had become was not the boy she once loved.
He was more.
His hand snaked around her, pulling her against his hard body until her breasts pressed tight against his chest and she could feel every thud of his heart. There were no more gentle caresses, no fumbling with clothing, no whispered endearments. His free hand dove beneath her nightshirt, determined, demanding. He wanted her as she wanted him. Hard. Fast. Now.
“Panties off.” He yanked and her panties came away with a soft sigh.
She was wet, so wet she wondered if she could come just by pressing her thighs together, but before she could put the theory to the test, Zane thrust a thick thigh between her legs.
“Open for me, beautiful girl.”
Her legs parted, and the rough fabric of his jeans grated over her sensitive skin sending ripples of pleasure straight to her core.
Evie slid her arms around his neck and opened to him, needing his touch, the total release of surrender to wash away her fear and tension. She drew him in and kissed him with all the hunger she had buried away the day he left, as if she could assuage a never-ending thirst with the cool touch of his lips.
She felt his low, deep growl of approval in every cell of her body as he slid his cool hands under her shirt to cup her naked breasts, kneading them gently, his thumbs flicking over her nipples until they peaked. Evie had never been with a man as forceful and dominant as Zane, never been handled so roughly. He was how she had imagined Viper would be, but ten times hotter, controlled, but not violent, and terrifying only because he made her want more.
“Look at me.” He dragged in a harsh breath, then swept his tongue inside her mouth, touching, tasting, claiming every inch, showing her what he meant to do to her body. She sank beneath the ferocity of his need, her eyes lifting to his, drowning in the depths of a chocolate sea.
“I need you,” he gritted out. “Now. Here. I need to know you’re real. I need to know you’re safe and you’re mine. I can’t promise to be gentle. Not this first time.”
“I don’t want gentle.” She threaded her hands through his silky hair, then fisted it and pulled him down to her mouth, nipping his bottom lip to let him know she could take whatever he wanted to give.