Page 4 of Words We Didn't Say

Out shot his big hand. His palm swallowed mine when I curled my fingers around his, and he tugged me up, pulling a little too hard, my chin bumping against his shoulder.

“S-Sorry,” he whispered.

I fought the urge to burrow my nose into his neck. How did he smell so clean? Cologne and just…luxe. “That’s okay.” Why did I whisper back?

“So, um…” Zach puffed out a nervous breath. “Now we’ve officially met… If you’re not busy later this week, there’s this restaurant… Montecito.”

Spanish food. He was talking my love language. “Sir, are you asking me out on a date?”

“Attempting to. You’ll be shocked to discover I don’t usually approach unsuspecting women for dinner dates.”

“What about peeking at their booties?”

“Also exclusively a you thing.” He grinned. “So… Dinner?”

“Sounds fun.”

“How about tonight?”

“Tonight?”

Zach rubbed the dark stubble on his jaw. “You’re right. We shouldn’t wait that long.” His grin was back. “I hear Montecito also does a great lunch special.”

I laughed and bumped my shoulder against his. I’d misjudged this shy Casanova. I should’ve pounced sooner. “Sir, I accept. There’s just one thing I need to do first.”

I waved for him to keep walking.

Cautious, Zach’s brows furrowed, but off he went.

I nibbled my lip, enjoying the view of his powerful stride from two steps behind. He was a fine example of a man. Slimmer than some. Definitely no beefcake. But he had the perfect triangle of broad shoulders cutting to narrow hips, and damn, what a sexy li’l butt.

He’d been worth the wait.

A confused look turned over Zach’s shoulder when I didn’t follow. “E-Eden?”

I grinned. “Now, we’re even.”

1

She didn’t say, “It hurts to be forgotten.”

Eden

If a woman’s thirty-secondbirthday kicked off with not one but two orgasms, she’d be forgiven for thinking it was going to be the best day ever, right?

Rookie error.

The writing had been on the sterile white walls of Zach’s apartment the moment he’d crawled out of bed. He’d showered, dressed in his suit, and knotted his tiejust so, all without a word. Birthday wishes? Gifts? None. His lips had lingered a little longer on my forehead on his way out the door, but still…nothing.

“Promise you won’t forget?” I’d said.

Dark brows had popped over the top of his glasses. “I’d never forget,” he’d said.

Except now, the sunset was melting into Sydney Harbour, and city lights dotted the skyline. The party—myparty—had already started.

And Zach wasn’t there.

A watch didn’t match the vibe of the tassels and sequins of my vintage cocktail dress, but Andie was tracking the time for both of us. She’d been sliding a look to the doors for a while, always as she readjusted her bowtie or checked her cufflinks, but yeah, she’d been looking.

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