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Her parents’ banter stopped as she froze on the sidewalk.Her mother followed her stare, and her eyes widened as her gaze lit on Zach.
“Sweetheart, is everything okay?”her father demanded.
“I… Yes.”Her voice emerged in a croak, and she cleared her throat.
Zach stepped forward.“Hi.”
“Uhh… hi.”Despite the avid gaze of her parents and the tempest of emotions crashing through her, she couldn’t stop her eyes from devouring him.
Sunlight glinted off his face and hair.A curl had fallen halfway down his forehead and her fingers itched to brush it back.
As usual, even the most casual clothes made his body a work of art that demanded attention and worship.This morning, he wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans.The strong line of his bronzed throat and powerful shoulders made heat pound through her.
He stepped forward, and her breath caught as she noticed what he held in his hand.
“I won’t keep you.I just wanted to drop this off.Happy birthday.”He held out the large white velvet box tied with silky black ribbons.
“Umm… thanks.”She took it and cursed herself for her sudden monosyllabic ailment.Her eyes clashed with his, and her pulse jumped again.She wanted to stay there, gorge on his beauty.She wanted to run away from the strength of her feelings.
She knew her parents were wondering who he was.
Both her mother and father had known and liked Chris and had been concerned when they’d broken up.Of course, Bethany had never told them the real reason behind the breakup, but her mother had hinted more than once that she hoped Bethany would patch things up with Chris.Now, she saw the keen speculation in her mother’s eyes and hurried to speak.
“Mom, Dad, this is Zach.”She deliberately withheld his surname.Her parents weren’t media hungry, but she was sure they would recognize the name Zachary Savage.
Zach’s eyebrow rose at the curt introduction.His eyes also told her he was aware she hadn’t mentioned his last name.
Zach held out his hand.“Mrs.Green, Bethany’s told me a lot about you.It’s great to meet you.”
Her mother smiled wide and preened beneath the charm, which oozed from the man who’d once again caught Bethany completely off guard and turned her brain to mush.“Please, call me Felicity.”
Zach smiled.“Thank you, Felicity.”Her mother melted into a shameless puddle.
Her father was less malleable.His eyes narrowed slightly as he shook hands with Zach.There was no invitation to use his first name, but Zach lost none of his charm, nevertheless.
“Can I give you a ride anywhere?”
She forced her brain to track and shook her head.“My parents brought their car.We’re driving to The Village.”
A hint of disappointment dulled his eyes, but he nodded.“Okay.Enjoy your day.”
“Thank you.”
Her parents said goodbye and headed towards her father’s SUV.
Bethany tried to move.Her feet wouldn’t comply.Zach seemed incapable of movement either.They stared at each other, his hunger undisguised, her heart clamoring in return.
“Your father’s watching me like a hawk.”His gaze dropped to her mouth, and his tongue touched his lower lip.
Heat bloomed in her face at the shameless evidence that he wanted very badly to kiss her, and she wondered what her parents were seeing as they watched them.
She licked her tingling lips, and his eyes darkened dramatically.“I have to go.”
“I’ll call you tonight.”There was an implacable bite to the statement.
She wanted to refuse but truth be told, she was beginning to recognize that forcing things with Zach would get her nowhere.At least by talking to him on the phone, she could keep her emotions under control and maintain a little distance.“Okay.”
Pleasure lit his eyes at her simple agreement.He grasped the door and nodded toward the present.“I hope you like it.”