Page 65 of Dark Memories
“Well I can, but I’d prefer not to.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for Kali to find me snuggled up to you in the morning.”
“You’re a part of our life now, Laney.” He reached for her hand. “We both love you, and she might as well get used to seeing you at the breakfast table.” A wicked smile curved his lips. “Besides, I’m not done with you.”
“You’re not?” The heat in his eyes sent a shiver through her.
“Not even close. Come here.”
The man was impossible to resist.
* * *
Holding a cup of coffee, Delaney sat on the bathroom counter early the next morning, watching Zach shave, one of her favorite things to do and something she’d missed the last eight years.
“Robbie’s checking himself into rehab this morning,” he said.
“Good. Do you think he’ll stay clean this time?”
“Yeah, I do. He messed up bad, and he knows it. It took long enough, but he finally realizes that he was on a path to destruction. I told him I’d give him a job if he stays clean.”
“You’re a good brother.”
“I’m an even better lover.” He glanced at her and winked.
“Mm, I might need more proof before I agree to that.” There was something sexy about seeing a man shave. That all he had on was a white towel wrapped around his hips could be one of the reasons.
“I can promise you that I’m up for the challenge.”
She laughed. “No doubt.” She still wasn’t sure it was a good thing to be here when Kali woke up, but Zach hadn’t returned her clothes, and although it was tempting just to be ornery, she hadn’t been able to drive home naked. Her luck, she’d get stopped by a patrol cop who recognized her, and she’d never hear the end of it. It was bad enough that the word was out that she was in love. God only knew how many dressed-up stress balls with dumb signs she’d get from the noodlehead detectives for that one.
She’d filched one of Zach’s white dress shirts from his closet. It wasn’t like he’d miss it considering how many there had been to choose from. She’d rolled up the sleeves and the tail reached midthigh, so at least she was clothed. Somewhat.
Zach’s gaze met hers in the mirror as he scraped the razor across his jaw. “I like you in my shirt. It’s damn sexy.”
“Yeah?” She’d forgotten how good it felt to have a man say she was sexy.
He set the razor on the counter, washed the bits of shaving cream from his face, and then stepped in front of her, pushing his body between her legs the way he used to. After taking her coffee cup away, he cradled her face, lowered his mouth to hers, and kissed her.
“Don’t ever doubt it,” he said when he pulled away. Something flashed in his eyes, and then he glanced away for a moment. When his gaze returned to her, he said, “If I asked you to marry me, what would your answer be?”
She was glad he’d taken her coffee away. If she’d had a mouthful, she would have choked. “Ah, are you asking?”
“Just curious.”
What did that mean? Was he asking or not? “Don’t you think it’s too soon to be talking about marriage?”
“No. I wanted to marry you eight years ago. That hasn’t changed.” He kissed her long and hard. When he let her up for air, he said, “Would you say yes?”
After that kiss, she’d agree to anything. “I think so.” At his raised brow, she let out a breath. “Yes. I’d say yes.”
“That’s all I wanted to know.”
He winked, then walked out, leaving her staring at his retreating back, wondering what had just happened.
* * *
Zach smiled at his daughter. She was bouncing all over the place, her excitement contagious, even to the dog. He’d had an ulterior motive for asking Delaney his question. If her answer had been no, he wouldn’t have said a word to Kali. Yet, anyway. Because eventually he would have gotten a yes from Delaney.
Since she had given him a yes, he’d asked Kali a similar question. “Would you be happy if Delaney and I got married?”
