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“Okay, I need a distraction.So you sent Keely champagne and flowers.Care to discuss?”
“There’s nothing to discuss.I meant what I said.I wanted to show her my appreciation.”
“But you don’t know her from Eve.What makes you think she wouldn’t have run to the nearest tabloid to sell her story once she knew you sent her the present?”
“I trusted that you wouldn’t be friends with someone like that.”
She sucked in a breath as her stunning eyes connected with his.“I… Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”He refrained from telling her he’d had Keely quietly vetted.He didn’t regret taking the precaution.He’d been too badly burned in the past to take risks on faith anymore.
But he trusted Bethany.Something about her made him want to let go of his rigid trust issues.
“You’re still looking at me as if I have an ulterior motive,” he said.
“It’s not that.I guess I’m a little puzzled.When I searched for you on the internet, I found next to nothing about you personally.And yet, here you are, three days after meeting me, putting yourself out in public with little care for the risks involved.”
“Some risks are worth taking.”
Her eyes widened.“And I’m one of them?”
He nodded.“I’ve only known you for three days, nevertheless I’ve taken risks with you that I’ve never taken with anyone else.I could get seriously burned here, but I’m willing to take the step.”
“Zach… I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything.Just keep giving me what you’re giving me—your companionship and that gorgeous body.”
“You have it.”She breathed out her response with such fervor that he felt lightheaded.
Jesus.She was so amazing.So giving.The hunger, which had almost consumed him when he’d first set eyes on her, intensified.At this rate, he’d be on his knees day and night for her if he wasn’t careful.
With relief, he saw Philip turn onto the long private dirt road that led to his place.Of all his homes, this was the one he was most proud of.He couldn’t wait to show it off to Bethany.Right after he’d fucked her.And came in her mouth.And fucked her some more.
His hand tightened on her nape.She jerked but didn’t pull away.He liked that.Loved the fact that she wasn’t scared of how demanding he could be.She wasn’t scared of his hunger for her.
It would make the next several days all the more enjoyable, knowing that he didn’t have to hold back.
Even more so once he’d shown her the delights of his toy room.
* * *
Zach’s place was more like a palace.
It was stunning.There was only one drawback.
Water flowed everywhere.
The old fear slammed into Bethany with the force of a hurricane and kept slamming into her when, with each room they passed, all she saw was a view of the various water features outside.
Zach was too intent on reaching his destination—his bedroom, she suspected—to notice her tension.Bethany was glad of that because it was one way of combatting the fear and anxiety rushing through her.
Rich tapestries and gleaming marble floors whizzed by as they almost jogged through rooms filled with history and beauty.
His suite, once they reached it, was equally breathtaking.The raised bed, one of the largest she’d ever seen, made a bold statement that set her pulse racing.
Beyond the wide muslin-curtained windows, the sound of a fountain tinkled.
Inside, the tension in the air grew as Zach tracked her to where she dropped her purse and kicked off her shoes.His chest heaved as he took deep breaths.