“It’s not that simple,” I tell him gently. “I want nothing more than to do that, but I have to protect myself.”
It makes this all so much harder when I know that I have to place an ever-growing bounty upon his head. He doesn’t know what fate he gave himself, and he can’t save himself now with trying to tell me he’s changed. Salvatore Abbiati doesn’t believe in second chances like I do, and after last night I remind myself that even I’m expendable to the family.
“Then we’ll have to have another date,” he remarks and releases me entirely. He takes the club from my hands and tucks it away in his bag. He grabs his playing card and his bag and walks over to mine and grabs it. “Because there will be others.”
I don’t argue, just ponder the thought of that. We walk back into the building, he puts the cards near the front desk, and we leave together. I wait diligently as he locks up, and I try really hard not to divulge what’s on my mind. I don’t want to blurt out that I don’t want this to end right now. When he’s locked up, he tells me to wait while he goes to find the security guard and I stand stock still, trying to control my ravaging emotions.
As he comes back, he gestures for me to walk out to the parking lot with him. I linger a little at Zane's side, even to the point of following toward his black SUV. He unlocks the doors, as we get closer, and goes to the back to open the trunk. He throws the clubs in, slamming the door promptly closed.
"So, is this where we separate?" Zane asks, and he barely finds it in him to look at me. "You run back to that Abbiati mansion and I await your call again?"
I give off a small chuckle and shake my head. "You've got me for the rest of the evening.” But then my nerves hit me. "If you want me, that is?"
Just at the sound of that comment, his eyes begin to twinkle. Butterflies burst to life so vibrantly within me; I feel their wings tickle the sides of my rib cage, trying anything for a full life at liberation. It’s been so long since I felt anything like this, and as much as I want to shy away and forget about it, I can’t.
Go on a date with Zane, Amelia. Allow yourself to be twenty-three and in love, for Christ’s sake. Enzo’s words resonate loudly in my mind, and I decide to throw all caution to the wind for a moment.
“Actually, I don’t care if you don’t want me, you’re stuck with me for tonight,” I decide for him.
“Now, now, Sweetheart, we know that’s not going to be any great hardship.” He takes a cautious step forward, shortening the gap between us. When I don’t cower or argue, he closes it completely. “This is what I’ve been after all night. Are you finally giving into my sweet will?”
“I’m not giving in,” I counter as I try to keep myself headstrong and remain on top of the alpha. I want to run this show, allow him to realize I’m no longer than same girl. “I’m just needy.”
His chuckle is so hearty, and I love the way his eyes close with the gesture. “You wouldn’t know needy if it came and fucked you senseless, Amelia. You’re just a highly sensual woman.” He moves closer and the electricity sparks between us. “Now let’s really run this show right,” he begins and before I know it, he has me moving backwards. He pins me to the side of his car, much like our last meeting. I swallow hard as my heart pounds fiercely and I tentatively force myself to look up at him. I’m pretty sure Zane would laugh if he could feel my heart hammering a million to the dozen.
“This has been a long time coming,” he admonishes, his hands skimming along the lines of my waist and hips. They graze along my clothing before he finds access to push them up to feel skin. His hands go over my jeans and electrify the skin under my shirt.
The feeling is so familiar, but at the same time, so unlike anything I’ve felt in so long. He imprints across me, and before I know it, his lips are on mine and we’re kissing under the incoming evening sky. There’s no care for the publicity of it or the greed in which we enjoy one another.
Then my mantra spurs to life – don’t feel, don’t deviate, kill Zane Maverick. The noise of my own evil motto forces me to hesitate and push him away. I’ve felt, I’ve deviated, and if I continue, there is no way I can kill Zane Maverick.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his hands slipping out from under my clothing.
“This,” I choke, striving for the freedom to breathe. “We can’t do this.”
He looks at me aghast and horrified at my sudden need to backpedal. “Why not?”
Because I’m meant to murder you, doesn’t seem like the right response on our second meeting in so long. My mind goes ballistic with ideas, and I try to keep my response short and precise without giving too much away.
“One night with me will be bad for your health.”
He chuckles, not giving up at the sound of that comment. “I’ve been known to be a daring bastard, Sweetheart. I’m willing to take the risk.”