Page 33 of Signed, SEALed, Delivered

***

The white ceiling above my bed a backdrop for the shadows reflected by the headlights from the street below. The leaves and flowers from my potted plants on the ledge allowed distorted shadows to dance around the room, much like my thoughts.

Zach's kiss had left me to re-evaluate every conversation and email we had exchanged. He was a handsome man, with a strong work ethic, and endless doors of opportunity, which were open because of his family name.

I have never deluded myself into thinking an attractive man would flirt or be the slightest bit interested in me, I found it was easier that way. Knowing your limitations went beyond cutting yourself off before you drank too much wine. Embarrassing yourself by creating a scene in front of a man of interest never seemed like a good idea to me. So, when Zach held my face in his hands, placing those lips I had watched so many times during our Skype sessions against mine, my common sense left me and I allowed myself to fall into his embrace. Letting the hope and desire I had denied myself spring to life.

When Zach brought up Ethan, I held back the chill, which begged to travel up and down my spine. I found the remnants of the bouquet smashed against the back of the shop. Crushed petals littered the pavement beside my car and down the sidewalk.

Last night after Zach dropped me off, I found another leaning against the door to the apartment. No card attached, but I know who they were from, and I know this wasn't the last I would hear from him.

My inability to find a reason that would negate my attendance was the reason for my scanning the stands looking for Meghan. Zach picked me up from the shop, with a quick kiss and the capture of my hand in his. We arrived to find the stadium filled to the rafters, a sea of red and black. When Zach led me to the field instead of a seat in the stands, I didn't question it, allowing him to guide me onto the field. With his Falcons ball cap and team polo, he could easily be mistaken for a player.

"Michaels!" Came a shout sounded from behind me. Zach pulled me to stop as he turned in the direction of the voice. Standing with a beer in one hand, the other waving overhead as he tried to get Zach's attention, was a tattoo-covered man.

"Hey, man, long time no see." Zach released my hand, reaching out to greet the man in a sporting hug.

"I didn't think you were due home till next year." The tattooed man remarked, his smile sparkling as the two pulled back.

"I took an extra assignment so I could get out early."This was news to me, although I guess it wasn't really my concern. Tattoo man shot a glance in my direction, Zach noticed and brought me into the conversation. With both men now facing me, Zach's hand extended in my direction,

"Viper, how the hell do you know this knock out?" I didn't want to know the answer Zach was about to give. After everything that had occurred last night, he could respond we were good friends, or he could use the word so many women like myself seek to have as a title.

"Hey, Babe, come here I want you to meet a friend of mine." Although Zach's smile was bright and the term 'babe' was a step in the direction of a title, it was also a common word used in everyday conversations among men. Disguising my nervousness with a tight smile, I stepped in his direction as his arm went around my shoulders, not a gesture I would associate with friendship.

"Tombstone, this is Kennedy. Kennedy, this is Tombstone, we went to SEAL training together." My smile still gleaming, yet my spirit dropping at the words he chose. My need to avoid bad manners, enabling me to extend a free hand, and move slightly away from Zach side. This was not an avenue I was comfortable traveling down.

"Kennedy, the pleasure is all mine, but I have to ask again, what is a beauty such as yourself doing with this ugly fuck?"

"Well, Mr. Tombstone, Zach was kind enough to help me when I found myself in a situation without my consent. He has been wonderful in making the tragedy a little less...bleak."

“Sounds like Viper, all right. Always did have a soft spot for a damsel in distress.” I held my breath and squared my reserve; refusing to let my smile drop or tears fall. I tried to listen as Tombstone told the story of his injury, which put him in the hospital for a while. Since returning to the states, he’d come home to find his wife and children gone, with a note and divorce papers left in the middle of the floor.

I thanked Tombstone for his service and followed Zach, since I had no real idea where I was to keep myself as Meghan was nowhere in sight. I was doing my best to stay out of the way of the players and coaches, yet not appearing to be snobbish or rude.

Zach was talking with Zane about the strengths and weakness of each player as they walked across the field. My attention was drawn away by the sounds of the cheerleaders standing directly behind me. Taught bodies with pristine smiles, all dressed up in a little as possible. Caroline had been active in cheer and dance, using her pom poms to grab the attention of her husband, Richard.

Shouts of “watch out” cried out behind me, before a loud slapping sound resonated behind my head, causing me to snap back around to face the playing field. Mere centimeters away from my nose, Zach's hand was clenched tightly around a football. Zane shouted for someone to get off the field and get over to him. My eyes left the white stitching across the side of the ball, looking up into Zach's face, glancing back and forth with the realization of what almost happened.

Had Zach not caught the speeding ball, I would have been hit and injured severely. I changed of my line of sight back to Zach’s face, waiting as his eyes locked with mine. His brown eyes bore into mine as he tossed the ball back to the players. The gravity of the situation finally registered and I could do nothing to stop my body from its intended actions. My hands and lips acted of their own accord as they came in contact with Zach. Hands needing to feel him, knocking his ball cap off in the process. My legs stretched to the limit as I pushed myself up on my tiptoes. Zach pulls me close as my feet leave the ground, ignoring the cheering and catcalls raining around us.

Never in my life had I ever initiated the physical side of a relationship. However, as my fingers found their target at the back of Zach’s neck, his hair stubble from his required military haircut, my tongue demanded to explore his. The kiss may have lasted for centuries or more realistically a few seconds, but we were both breathless when it ended.

“I’m sorry about your hat.” My voice raspy with my need for him. “I don't give a shit about my hat, not when my entire world is right here in my arms.”

***

The grand opening for the shop had people lined up around the corner for a chance to look inside. Savannah, true to her word, had every newspaper and radio station who would broadcast, standing outside and asking questions. I watched Zach give two men free tattoos once he found out they had recently returned from the Middle East. After the excitement of the day had passed, we were laying on my couch when I commented about him being a good guy. He told me about the taxi driver who wouldn't let him pay for his cab ride from the airport and how he wanted to pay it forward.

Jason had never looked happier than after the initial success of the shop. He even refused to question the amount of bookings it would take to get them in the black at the end of the month. However, the silence from our parents hadn't gone unnoticed by either of us, we just chose to ignore the sleeping giant, as I had labeled it.

The next day at lunch, Ella said something about Zach buying a house, she suggested I take the guys something to eat and see if Zach had any potential properties in mind. Walking in with an arm full of deli goodies, caused Jason to jump from behind the counter and help with the heavy entry door. Zach was bent over a large bald guy, working on what looked to be a naked girl on his chest. I didn't want to interrupt, so I told Jason I would place the food in the break room and talk to them later.

"Sure, let's see if that really happens." The teasing way Jason spoke, placed a smile on my face. I followed him down the hallway, passing a group of young girls who were pointing at different tattoo examples displayed on the walls. Several middle age men were also looking at the same wall, however I'm certain their interests were on the assets of the ladies, not of the art. Placing the perishable items in the refrigerator, I made my way back to the front of the shop. I would speak with Zach later about his house hunting.

By the time I entered the main room, the bald guy was finished and one of the young ladies stood with her stomach bare and the button of her jeans unhooked, her hands shimmying her jeans and panties lower on her body. In my opinion, these were women who were direct and to the point. Tossing aside the need to be pursued and fully prepared to make their intentions with members of the opposite sex perfectly clear. You could accept they sometimes tired easily when the object of their affections didn’t respond or you could get mad and get in their face. I was never one who enjoyed causing a scene and chose to let the pretty blonde fall on her face. While I observed her unbridled flirting, I also noticed Zach’s eye roll and hand gesture for her to just hurry up.

“While I’m still young, girly.”

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