Midnight Secrets

chapter

SIX


Zach drove down the bumpy graveled road to Dogwood Lake. In hindsight, going to a movie before dinner had been a dumbass move. He’d always prided himself on being levelheaded, slow to panic, but the moment he’d seen Savannah tonight, his mind and his libido had gone into an adrenaline overdrive. His first and only concern had been to get her to a safe place with lots of people around. Now, though she was no less desirable or beautiful than she’d been earlier, he had himself under control. Protecting Savannah was his number one priority—he would do nothing to screw that up.

The dinner at Mickey’s had been a good choice. Medium priced, plenty of privacy, and the food was great. Savannah had probably had much better, but one of the many things he liked about her was her adaptability. Because of his budget, their dates had consisted of mostly hot dogs and hamburgers at the fast-food places on the outskirts of town or Captain Jimmy’s Seafood Emporium out on the bypass. Not once had Savannah ever acted disappointed. Another thing he liked about her was her appetite. She made no bones about the fact that she liked to eat. Most of the girls Zach had dated acted as if a french fry would ruin their life.

Tonight was a special occasion, so the meal had been pricier than usual. He’d been saving up for weeks—not only for the meal, but also for what was inside the jewelry box burning a hole in his pocket. He didn’t know how he was going to approach the subject. Pretty words weren’t exactly his forte. Savannah deserved them and a hell of a lot more.

Relieved to see that their favorite spot, a grassy clearing beneath several giant willows, was unoccupied, Zach pulled to a stop and shifted into park. It was already after nine o’clock and Savannah’s curfew was midnight. Time with her was rapidly clicking away.

As had become their routine, he pulled a blanket from the backseat and got out. Savannah usually waited for him to open the door for her, but tonight, as if she was just as eager to be in his arms as he was to hold her, she jumped out of the car before he could get around to her.

They spread the blanket onto the soft grass, took off their shoes, and sat down. The full moon cast a shimmering golden path of light on the lake. The wide-open expanse of the velvet black sky was lit with what seemed a billion brilliant stars. Water gently lapping at the bank and frogs and crickets competing in a nighttime chorus were the only sounds. The night felt surreal and intense, as if they were the only two people on the planet.

Savannah snuggled against him and Zach wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. His face buried in the sexy mass of gorgeous hair, he inhaled deeply, taking in her fresh, unique fragrance, committing her scent to memory.

Her soft voice broke into the stillness. “Sometimes I think this is the most beautiful place on the planet, and then I think that it’s only that way because you’re here.”

Chest tight with emotions and feelings he could barely comprehend much less communicate, he whispered into her hair, “I feel the same way. You make everything more beautiful.”

“What am I going to do without you?”

Zach lifted his head and shifted around so he could look down at her. “It’s only going to be a few months before we see each other. We’ll call, text, or email daily. It’ll be like we’re still together … except for this.” His mouth lowered to hers, covering it gently, thoroughly, devouring the sweetness he dreamed about nightly. She groaned and opened to him, allowing him entrance into the most luscious mouth that had ever existed.

Before he knew it, they were lying on the blanket and the gentleness disappeared, replaced by a heated, all-consuming passion. Savannah wrapped a long silken leg around his hip. Zach was more than aware that all he had to do was move a couple of scraps of clothing and he could be inside her. His hands glided up her leg, glorying in the satin softness of her inner thigh. He froze and shut his eyes tight. Denying himself what he wanted more than anything at this moment was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.

Breath shuddering, he rose up on his elbow and gently pushed her leg off him.

“What’s wrong?”

Unwilling to admit how tempted he’d been or how close he’d come to forgetting about his promise to protect her, he shook his head. “Nothing. Just want to look at you.”

Beneath the moonlight, her luminescent skin glowed ever brighter. “My hair’s probably a mess.”

Weaving his fingers in the wild tresses, he growled, “Your hair is sexy as hell.”

A brilliant smile was followed quickly by a nervous biting of her mouth. “Would it be terribly selfish of me to ask you to come to breakfast in the morning? We’ll make you something extra special.”

She had no idea how much he would love to say yes. Spending extra time with her was incredibly tempting. But he couldn’t. He had made a promise to his mother that he would have breakfast with her. And though he had issues with Francine, Zach prided himself on keeping his promises.

“I wish I could but I promised to have breakfast with my mother. I’ll still stop by on the way out of town. Okay?”

“I understand. I know she’s going to miss you.”

Zach nodded but stayed silent. Discussing his mother was taboo anyway. Talking about her tonight of all nights was impossible.

Reading his silence correctly, Savannah changed the subject. “I’ll fix you a lunch that you can take with you so you don’t have to eat at a fast-food place. Maybe you can find a roadside park on the way.”

He had to smile. Savannah was always trying to make sure he ate well. Zach searched for the right way to convey how much he appreciated that and what she meant to him. Words failed him but he trudged forward. “These last few weeks have been a lot of fun.” Bland and insipid words. As soon as they left his lips, he wanted to yank them back. They were an understatement of mammoth proportions. From the moment he’d met her, Savannah had treated him as if he was something special. And in all his years, he’d never laughed so hard or felt so good. Nor had he ever cared for anyone so much.

She tilted her head to look up at him, and her lips trembled for a second before she put on the smile he knew he’d dream about for the rest of his life. “I’m going to miss you so much but I’m so proud of you. I know your dad would be, too.”

Though they rarely talked family stuff, he’d explained to her why he had joined the army. About his dad, his service and sacrifice. And in return, she’d told him about her mother. What a fine and beautiful person she was. It had often struck him as odd that they were from completely different backgrounds but had so many similarities. Maybe that was one of the reasons they fit so well together.

He swallowed hard and heard himself say, “You’ve got a lot of big stuff ahead of you, too. College and law school. I know your mom would be happy about your choices.”

“I think she might be very surprised. Up until it happened, I never even paid that much attention in school—she was always encouraging me to study more.”

She always referred to her mother’s murder as “it.” Never able to say those words.

“I’ve no doubt she would be proud of you and what you’ve become,” he told her.

“I hope so.” Her fingers traced his face as if trying to commit it to memory. “What am I going to do without you? You always make me feel better about everything.”

“You’ll be so busy, you’ll probably forget about me in a few weeks.”

Deep down he knew that was one of his biggest fears. They had this unbelievable connection now but what would happen when they were far apart for months at a time? Would she meet someone else? What if she wanted to date other guys?

“If you wanted to date other guys, I’d understand.”

She froze in his arms. “Are you breaking up with me?”

Ah hell, he’d planned to tell her how much she meant to him and instead made her think he wanted to end things with her. “Of course not. I just don’t want to hold you back if that’s something you wanted to do.”

Green eyes searched his face, questioning and vulnerable. To prevent himself from saying more stupid things, he pulled her back into his arms and lowered his mouth to cover hers. She tasted like butterscotch and vanilla, both flavors from the dessert sundae they’d shared earlier. The memory of her taste would be with him until he died.

With a sweet moan of surrender, she sank into his arms. Seeking soft, firm flesh, his hands slid beneath her dress and traveled up her silken thigh. Because of the restrictions he put on himself, he kept his caresses on the outside of her thighs. Though his fingers ached to delve between her legs and plunge into the sweetness he fantasized about nightly, he couldn’t allow himself to go further. He had made a silent vow not to coerce her into having sex. No matter that every part of his body throbbed with need and an aching desire, he intended to keep that promise.

“Zach,” she whispered against his lips.

“Yeah?”

“Make love to me.”

Oh hell. Everything, including breath and heart, stilled at her words. Grappling with his conscience, Zach searched for the right thing to say. He knew what he wanted to say, but his wants were way down on the list. Savannah and her needs came first. “Are you sure you’re not just saying that because this is our last night together?”

“Of course that’s one of the reasons, but not the biggest. I want you, Zach. There’s never been anyone like you in my life, and whatever the future holds for us, I want you to be my first time.”

Zach searched for the self-discipline, the iron will he’d held over himself. The aching need to be inside her, loving her, thrusting deep into her sweetness … He shuddered out a long breath and grabbed onto the best argument he had for denying them both. “I don’t have any protection with me, Savannah. As much as I want you, we can’t risk—”

Taking his hand, she dropped an unmistakable foil-wrapped packet into his palm. “I bought these at a drugstore in Mobile a couple of weeks ago.”

All available blood rushed south; sanity vanished, reason disappeared. Pulling her back into his arms, Zach went at her lips like a starving man, plunging his tongue inside again and again. As her tongue met and tangled with his, a growling groan developed in his chest. Only by sheer will alone did he keep from climbing on top of her, ripping away her underwear, and burying himself deep. The knowledge of how hot and tight she would be almost made him forget everything but his needs and just how much he wanted her.

A minuscule amount of sanity returning temporarily, he rasped against her mouth, “If at any point you want me to stop, you say the words and I will. Okay?”

Barely waiting for her whispered “Yes,” Zach gently pushed her until she lay before him. In all his life, he’d never seen anything more beautiful. Moonlight shone softly on Savannah’s face; her amazing eyes glimmered with need; her soft, slightly swollen lips beckoned.

Determined that she would know only tenderness and beauty for her first time, Zach came over her and began to slowly and gently make love to her. The small part of his brain that was still working told him that his life would never be the same again.

Reaching to unzip his pants, his hand instead hit a bulge that had nothing to do with desire and everything to do with honor—the jewelry box. Reason returned with painful, glaring clarity. He had claimed that his number one priority was protecting Savannah. Where was that protection now? Taking her on the ground like she didn’t matter to him, when she meant everything?

Blowing out a long, pain-filled sigh, Zach sat up and then drew Savannah up to sit beside him.

“What’s wrong?”

“This isn’t the right time.”

“What do you mean?”

He hated the quiver in her voice. Hurting her feelings was the very last thing he wanted. He took her hand and held it in both of his. “When we make love—and I promise you that we will—I want it to be in a comfortable bed, not on a cold, hard ground or with a curfew hanging over our heads. You’re too special for anything else.”

“But, Zach, I—”

Before he lost all of his nerve, he dipped his hand into his pocket again and pulled out the ring box. “I have something for you.”

Savannah’s breath caught in her lungs and her heart clenched. She knew she would remember this moment always. Zach’s hand trembled slightly as he opened the box and revealed a small silver ring. The band had intricate weaving as if it were branches or limbs, in the middle was a rose, and at the center of the flower was a small, sparkling diamond. It was the most beautiful, exquisite thing Savannah had ever seen.

“Oh, Zach …” Tentatively and reverently, her finger traced the design of the band.

“It’s a promise ring, Savannah.” She heard him swallow hard and then he continued, “My promise to you.” He swallowed again. “That I’m yours forever.”

Never had she imagined anything more beautiful. “It’s perfect … the most beautiful ring in the world.”

“Will you wear it?”

“Of course.”

She watched in anticipation as he pulled it from the box, took her hand, and slid the ring on. A perfect fit.

Zach cleared his throat. “With me going away, I wanted to make sure you understand how important you are to me.”

The tears started falling before she could even try to prevent them. His sweet words and the ring were beyond wonderful. She wanted so much to savor this moment, but now all she could think of was that after tomorrow he would be gone. Electronic communication couldn’t replace the arms that held her so tenderly or the mouth that kissed her so thoroughly.

“Hey,” Zach said softly, “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

Embarrassed by her lack of control, Savannah shook her head. “This is all so wonderful. You’re so wonderful.” She swallowed past the emotion clogging her throat. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

“I’ll miss you, too, but once I get leave, I’ll come see you. Okay?”

Unable to speak coherently, she drew him toward her and let her lips show him what was in her heart. This was forever, they were forever.

Savannah put everything she had into the kiss, wanting Zach to always remember this moment. He had given her his promise with a ring and Savannah gave hers with this kiss. From now until the day she died, she was his.

But she wanted to give him more … everything. Renewed desire washed over her; passion swamped her, need consumed her. “Zach … please,” she whispered softly. “I want this night to be even more perfect. Make love to me.”

“Savannah … I …”

Taking the chance he wouldn’t reject her, she caressed the hard length beneath his jeans.

He surged into her hand as he cursed beneath his breath. “Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent sure,” she whispered.

A tortured-sounding groan came from deep within Zach’s chest. Getting to his knees, he pulled her to hers and said roughly, “Raise your arms.”

When she complied, he lifted her dress over her head. Savannah watched his eyes as they roamed over her body. She saw heat and desire but she also saw adoration. Taking his hands, she placed them on her breasts. He made quick work of unsnapping the peach-colored demi-bra, allowing it to drop to the blanket.

Covering her breasts with his hands, he whispered, “You’re beautiful, Savannah.”

Never had she felt more beautiful or desirable. Everything within her wanted to speed Zach up, but he seemed to want to savor every inch of her breasts before he moved on. Heat zoomed through her as he paid homage to each nipple with his fingers, hands, and then his mouth.

Savannah held his head, weaving her hands in his hair. She wanted this; she wanted more. She wanted all he had to give. “Zach, love me.”

Pushing her gently down onto the blanket, Zach hooked his fingers into her panties and pulled them down her legs. Savannah lay before him completely nude, feeling vulnerable and exposed. His eyes glittered down at her, and for the first time, she felt nervous.

“Aren’t you going to take your clothes off, too?”

The smile he gave her was unlike any she’d ever seen on his face—wicked and sexy. “Give me two seconds.” He went to his feet and barely had those words left his mouth before he was stripped bare, too.

Savannah lost her breath. Having seen his chest and bare legs when they’d gone swimming, she had known he was magnificent. All of him together, including the long, thick part of him she’d only felt beneath his clothes, was more than she had anticipated. Tentatively she touched his penis, marveling in wonder at the heat, length, and the hard silk of him.

He groaned and grabbed her wrist. Then, lowering himself over her, Zach took both of her hands and held them over her head. “It’ll be best if you don’t touch me for a few minutes. Okay?”

Willing to do anything he wanted, she nodded. At her acceptance, Savannah heard him whisper what sounded like a curse and a prayer and then, with all the gentleness she had come to expect from this man, he began to caress her as if she were the finest, most precious thing in the world.

Savannah forgot everything—past, present, and future no longer existed. Her only awareness was of Zach’s hands, his mouth, and his soft whispered words of praise. And then, finally, when she was gasping and panting for more, she felt the long, hard length of him at her entrance. With one, slow gliding surge, he slid inside. Arms wrapped tightly around him, Savannah gave herself to her hero, the man of her dreams. No matter what they faced in the future, she knew that she was Zach’s. And he was hers. This was forever. Nothing could tear them apart.