Chapter 13: PART ONE
Zack had decided not to eat dinner at the resort. He'd ended up at a friendly Mexican restaurant called South of the Border-which the bartender told him locals referred to as SOB. The food was unexpectedly good, and, by eating at the bar, he was able to soak up a lot about the area. The chatty bartender apparently loved to gossip, and Zack was more than eager to listen to everything he had to say. Everything he learned helped him flesh out the picture of Bailey as she was today. Where she worked, where she played, ate, hung out.
Last night had been incredible. Better than he remembered. Maybe because they were older, took their time with things. He hadn't forgotten the way to touch her to arouse her, the special places that set her on fire. And when she took him into her body, her sex hot and wet around him, he nearly lost his mind. It wasn't just as good as it had been. It was better. A damn sight better.
He sipped his Mexican beer, trying to relive every minute of the previous night, including the walk on the beach. Was it his imagination, or was she nervous about something? She'd been jumpy as a cat until she got some wine into her, certainly doing her best to deflect any questions about her personal life. And then chemistry took over and they were engulfed in a passion that only improved with age.
But, now, he wondered just what was the problem? Would she be hiding something from him? He'd never thought of her as secretive, but, of course, she could have changed in all this time. Still, what in hell could she be hiding? His Internet search hadn't turned up one single thing even mildly negative.
Maybe when they got together later, he'd get her to tell him. Except, of course, he had other plans for how to spend their time together. His goal was to somehow convince her they belonged together, even after all these years. If last night hadn't told her she'd made a mistake, he hoped tonight would. Because, this time, he wasn't going to let her walk away from him.
By the time he got back from his sightseeing tour, it was close to eight o'clock. Last night, Bailey had been finished shortly after nine. Fingers crossed they finished the same time this evening. He showered and shaved for the second time that day. Then he killed time with his laptop, doing research on the Naples/Fort Myers area. Just in case, he told himself.
In case of what? You aren't even close to bringing that up to her, buddy-boy.
But he kept glancing at his watch, like a kid waiting for the big date. Finally, at nine thirty, a chime announced her text.
On my way to the villas now.
Well, so was he.
Okay. Meet you there.
When she opened the door to him, he had to stop and stare at her for a long moment. Both times he'd seen her yesterday she'd been dressed very casually, with little or no makeup. Obviously, she hadn't dressed to impress him. He'd wanted to tell her that just plain Bailey turned him on more than any other woman in full war paint.
But, tonight, she'd just come from her business dinner. Her auburn hair was pulled back and held at the nape of her neck by a gold clasp, a few wisps softly brushing her skin. The jeans and T-shirt had been replaced by tailored slacks and a shirt of some soft material that fell gently against her breasts. He had to curl his hands into fists to keep himself from reaching out and taking them in his palms.
At least get inside the house, you jackass.
She stared up at him, forehead creased. "Is something wrong? Do I have a smudge on my face?"
He gave himself a mental kick. "Not at all. I was just mesmerized by your beauty."
She burst out laughing. "You don't need a line for me, Zack. Come on in. I have exciting news to share."
He followed her inside and shut the door behind him. She walked directly to the bar against one wall of the living room, giving him a great view of her most excellent ass. God, was there any part of this woman that didn't turn him on?
"Bailey, you look like you're about to burst with excitement, so let's have it. What's going on? What's your big news?"
"Drinks first. Wine still good for you?"
"Yes. Fine." Anything. Nothing. He didn't care. He had two agendas here-to make incredible love to this woman who had never lost her place in his heart and to find out what the hell she didn't want to discuss with him about her personal life.
He stood with his hands in his pockets, staring out at the pool, while she poured their drinks. When she handed his to him, their fingers grazed and electricity shot through him. That intense spark between them not only hadn't diminished, it'd increased a million megawatts. Just as last night, when he kissed her, the same intense connection was there.
When they were holding their filled glasses, she raised hers in the signal of a toast, her eyes sparkling almost as much as the wine. "Zack Elliott, you are looking at the new senior partner at Blake, Rothbart and Padilla."
He knew this was a biggie. And a huge step forward for her.
"Congratulations to you, and good for them for realizing what a gem they have."
Bailey laughed, that musical sound that still did it for him even after all this time.
"Thanks for the compliment, but you don't even know how good I am."
"I'd bet a month's income you run rings around most of the lawyers in that office. And I know what a huge deal this is."
"Warren Blake is making the announcement at the closing dinner tomorrow night. Everyone has the afternoon off, and the dinner is very informal." She paused, a look of uncertainty flashing across her face. "Wives and significant others and all are invited. Warren said if I had someone I'd like to include, I should."
A feeling of warmth rushed through him. If she wanted to share something like this with him, maybe there was hope for them yet.
"I'm humbled by the invitation, and of course I'll be there. Thanks for wanting to include me. Now we have even more to celebrate tonight." He touched his glass to hers. "Here's to an unbelievable evening, and hopefully to the future."
Something flashed in her eyes, and, for one moment, he thought it was fear. Really? Was she afraid of him? No, he would have discovered that last night. Fear was the last thing he felt coming from her. What was going on, anyway? Her next comment didn't make him feel any less uncertain.
"Certainly to an incredible evening."
They each sipped some wine, gazes locked, and, to Zack, it was just as it had always been in what he'd come to think of as the before part of his life-before Bailey cut him out of hers. They only had to be in the same room bare seconds before the sizzle and heat and emotion and desire took over. It had always amazed him that no matter what, that electric and intense attraction and desire never seemed to wane or soften. That's the way it had been last night and the way it was right now.
Why had he ever given up the hunt to find her?
He took both of their glasses and nudged her toward the bedroom, just as he'd done the night before. But hell! After all these years, they had so much time to make up for.