Page 121 of You Make Me Feel
“Yeah. They saw him near the ferry port. Apparently he’s been asking about sailing times. Asher’s annoyed with himself for letting him get this close without spotting him sooner.”
I reach up, sliding my fingers through his soft hair. “That’s crazy. It’s not his fault.” I frown. “Do they think he might come here? To the island?”
Zach’s jaw clenches. “Asher thinks so. We’re pretty sure with all the guards around he won’t try anything tonight, but tomorrow we’re doing a full sweep of the island. Don’t worry, we’ll find him.”
I swallow hard, my stomach turning. “He’s such a damn idiot.” I hate this. I hate that it’s interrupting what’s been a perfect night. That my bad decisions won’t stay in the past. But most of all I hate that Zach’s looking at me like he cares about me.
Because if tonight is ruined because of Darien, it’ll be my fault.
“Yeah, well idiot or not, he’s not coming near you. I promise you that.”
The way he says it, so intently, so softly, makes me feel things I know I shouldn’t. “So what do we do now?” I ask.
“Well, for tonight I’m your personal bodyguard.” He smiles. “You stay with me until it’s safe, then in the morning, we’ll let Asher do his thing.”
“And are you going to follow me everywhere?” I tease. “Because I need to use the bathroom. And I’m not sure the ladies will appreciate you following me. Not even when you look so pretty in your suit.”
He smiles, like he enjoys me calling him pretty. “You can go to the bathroom in my apartment. That way I can stand outside and annoy you,” he tells me.
“You’re going to listen to me pee?” I shake my head. “God, you’re a deviant.”
This time he laughs, and it’s such a good sound. I want to pack it up and keep it with me always.
He takes my hand and we walk out of the ballroom. I don’t bother saying goodbye to the girls because we’ll be back in a moment. Though from the way Zach is marching me to his apartment maybe he has other thoughts about that.
I mean, I wouldn’t be averse to fooling around with this man for a while. Not one little bit.
We reach the private staff only corridor, passing the door to the office where Zach was only a few minutes ago. “Is Asher still in there planning Darien’s demise?” I ask lightly.
He shakes his head. “He went to talk to his team. Then I’m pretty sure he’ll be Francie’s shadow all night.”
I tip my head at him. “Wanna know what she just told us at the table?”
He blinks. “I’m pretty sure it’s what Asher told me a few weeks ago. And then let slip in his office.”
I start to laugh, because they’ve both spilled their secret and neither one knows about it. “He told you she’s pregnant?”
“Yep.” He nods his head. “And Asher made us promise not to tell Francie we know.”
“Francie made us promise not to tell Asher,” I say, biting my lip because this is way too funny.
“Welcome to the Fitzgerald family,” Zach murmurs. “This is just the tip of the iceberg.”
He pulls his key out. “So… shall we stay here for a bit when you’re done?” he asks casually.
This time I really do laugh. Sometimes this man is completely predictable. But I like it.
“Why would we do that when there’s a party outside?” I ask, tipping my head to the side. And yes, I’m teasing him, but god I like it when he’s like this.
He slides his free hand around my waist, pulling me against him. My dress rustles against his thigh. “Because I need to show you how much I like you in this dress. By taking it off you.”
He kisses my neck and I feel it down to the tips of my toes. Then I remember I need to use the bathroom again. “Hold that thought,” I tell him. “For about three minutes.”
“I’ll try.” He opens the door with one hand, pulling me in with the other. I stumble in my heels and he rights me, because that’s just what he does. “But be quick, okay?”
He reaches for the lights, but there’s a click and nothing else.
Then he does it again. “What the hell?” he says. And I know he didn’t switch off the electric this time.
