Initiate Me (17 page)

“Mmm, no, sweetheart, it doesn’t,” he said, peppering a few kisses against my shoulder. “I really don't want to talk about this right now, but I can't avoid it. I certainly don't want to keep anything from you, ever. I just don't want you to get upset or scared over it."

“What will I get upset or scared about? Tell me," I pressed.

“Angel, I don't want to rush this. You know just as well as I do that you and I are happening. You are not some cheap thrill, or someone I'm going to discard after one night. But you feel it, I know you do."

“Stop evading the inevitable and tell me what happened this morning," I pestered him.

“It was Jessica, my ex."

I remembered Zane having a fiancée a few years ago. Apparently, she ran off and did the dirty on Zane with one of his colleagues. I had never met her, but Max detested her.

"She's here in the Barossa, thinking I want her back. I've told her numerous times, the only thing she ever was to me was a number in my phone. Obviously, I wasn’t clear enough. She showed up yesterday at my office and then again this morning and scared the fuck out of my manager with all her screaming and dramatics. I reminded her, again, that we are over - well and truly over. After she cheated on me, I never wanted anything to do with her again."

“Well, that explains those claw marks on your face." I turned and knelt in front of him. With one hand on his chin, I moved his head to get a better look at the angry red welts on his skin. “Do you need a tetanus shot for that?”

I was so concerned about him and so deep in thought looking at his scratches that the deep laugh erupting from his lips caught me off-guard, causing me to jump slightly. Shit. I could feel his erection under the water. I desperately wanted to look at it again, to touch it and feel it. Maybe even taste it.

“No, babe. No injections needed. Although, I wouldn't mind it if you wanted to play nurse with me. I quite enjoyed when I was laid up with my injured shoulder and you'd fuss over me every time I set foot in your house for Sunday lunch.”

“Shut up,” I laughed. "I did not fuss over you. Seriously, though, I think you need to get these scratches checked out. She may have had rabies or something."

“Nah, all good, angel. But if you see her, do not go near her. If I’m not around, call me. Normally I would say I don’t think she will be an issue, but after her little stunt this morning, she's trouble and I have no idea what she's capable of next. She just may come back even more nuts, but I told her repeatedly there's no chance in Hell we are getting back together."

"Well, I hope she damn well understood you because there is no way I'm sharing you."

“Jesus, angel, you drive me crazy. I just realised neither of us ate much last night, so get over here so I can scrub your back and we can go out and grab a bite to eat.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. The moment our lips sealed together, I was immediately in tune with him. Water splayed everywhere. Hopefully that bitch ex of his would get the message and not ruin everything I’d been dreaming of the last few years.

MIA

T
rue to his word, we had a leisurely breakfast together, but he never made love to me again. I was disappointed. He was evading me and keeping me at a distance. I wanted to spend the entire day with him, to be totally wrapped up in each other. I wanted to experience even more incredible sex, perhaps in random spots around his apartment. I didn’t want the intimacy to end, but with our flight for Queensland due to depart at three-thirty in the afternoon, it left us only a short amount of time to prepare and get organised. Knowing I had to get home and be away from him was depressing.

Zane pulled me to him as I rose from the table in the beer garden where we had our breakfast. “As much as I want you to stay, angel,” he mumbled into my neck, “I really need to get this sorted with this restraining order on Jessica and prepare for the convention.”

As I stood, I realised I was sore in places I have never been sore before. It was the best feeling.

“No, that’s fine; I understand. I need to get organised, too, and I also promised Jada I’d help her make those Italian biscuits Max loves so much. So I need to really get a move on.” I was trying, unsuccessfully, to leave his warm cocoon embrace.

If he so much as hinted to have sex with me again, I would be running so fast up those steps I’d climb them two by two. But he didn’t. Apart from nuzzling my neck and giving me a quick peck on the lips, he was virtually pushing me out the door. Instead of being the caring and attentive lover he was the previous night, he had reverted back to his serious and business-like personality.

“You want me to swing by and pick you up this afternoon?”

“Oh...that would be great, but I thought Marco was flying us down to Adelaide on the jet?” I queried. Marco had recently gotten his license to fly and was eager to put the family jet to good use.

“Damn, I forgot about that. I’ll meet you at your place then; that’s where the jet is, isn’t it?” he asked.

“It sure is. See you then.”

His phone rang the very next second. “I need to take this, Mia. Go; I’ll see you this afternoon.”

I waited for him to make the next move but he just stood there with one hand in his pocket while he held his phone with the other.
Damn him!
He was always leaving me.
What is wrong with this guy? He was so hot and cold.
One minute he wouldn’t let me leave his bed and the next minute he was shoving me out the door.

Men! They are just a bunch of dicks!

***

W
ith the Italian amoretti biscuits baking and my bags packed for my three-day trip, I decided to spend some quality time with Jada. We were relaxing and sitting on the back porch, sipping some lime and soda. It was quite warm for October and after baking in the hot kitchen, I was in much need of a cool drink.

Milan was supposed to have stopped by to help out, as well, but she called to say she got held up with a patient at the clinic.

“So?” Jada asked. “How did your date go with Zane last night? Did you do the deed?”

“Yep.”

Jada squealed. “And?”

“Oh. My. God. Why didn’t you tell me it’d be like that? He was everything, so amazingly perfect, romantic, hot, and sexy. Sweet. Intense. God, is he intense.”

“Okay, I don’t want down and dirty details, because, eww, he’s my husband’s best friend. Plus, I won’t be able to look him in the eye if you tell me too much. But please, tell me he treated you right.”

“Unbelievably right. A couple of times.”

“Too much information. So now that your cherry’s been popped by your dream man, you’ll be the Barossa’s next hot couple, right?”

“I’m not so sure about that just yet.”

“Why? What did he do?”

“It’s not what you think—”

“What the hell! I’m going to kick his arse if he’s pulled that typical ‘love them and leave them’ bullshit—”

“No, calm down. It doesn’t have anything to do with that."

“Then what?”

“There are a number of factors. The major one is that he’s been hurt before by his ex-fiancée and apparently she has come back and is causing trouble for him. He sends me mixed messages, too. One minute he’s on fire for me and the next he drops me like a hot potato and leaves me in the lurch. I don’t get him. Or maybe I’m reading into it too much? I know he is a busy man and his workload is huge, but I’m not sure how to act around him. At the wedding he made it clear he didn’t want a relationship; he even told me to get my head out of the clouds if I wanted what you and Max have. That hurt me. I mean, doesn’t every woman want her own Prince Charming? Then when we were together in his apartment, he did a complete turnaround. So, I have no idea how I am going to act around him or my family at our Sunday lunches and my brothers at work if we have to keep it a secret or under wraps?”

“Come on, your brothers will be fine. I'm telling you, half the time they are all talk and no action. But Max does tend to be a touch over-protective with you when it comes to men,” Jada pointed out.

“Gee, thanks. You’re supposed to be cheering me up, not making me more depressed.”

“Sorry. So, will you be officially dating Zane now?”

“I hope so, but he was very evasive when I left this morning and like I said, he’s very hot and cold. I’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

“It is probably for the best. You don’t want to rush things, honey; not when you have waited this long. You need to look on the bright side. I mean, you’ll get to live out your sexual fantasies with the wild Zane Mitchell and no one will be the wiser. As for not knowing how to act around him, I wouldn’t worry. You are going to have three glorious days and nights in Port Douglas. I know it’s work related but it’s three days and three nights, all alone with him. You can snap him out of that hot-and-cold attitude; all you need to do is continue to make him squirm. Tease him and taunt him and remember not to give in too easily.”

“Okay, I’ll take your advice. I’m just annoyed that he leaves me all the time and I hate it!”

“I think you are reading into things and it’s normal to do that, so stop stressing. At least you don’t have to play the dating game any longer. I mean look at Milan; she’s been dating Blake for a couple of months, but honestly that man is just too nice for her.”

“Yes, I think you are right there. Milan needs someone who will put her in her place and not put up with the bullshit she dishes out. Unfortunately, Blake is the perfect gentleman and Milan is most definitely not nice,” I announced.

Jada cracked up laughing.

“Don’t laugh, I’m serious. Your sister is getting worse; she can be such a bitch sometimes.”

“I know, I know. I only wish Milan would just stop dating all these men who don't do it for her and go after the one man she’s truly interested in!”

Jada barely had time to finish her sentence when Milan strode in. Her arms were folded over her chest and for a minute I actually thought I saw tears well up in her eyes. It didn’t last long because she stood there with her hands on her hips and a look which could kill.

"And who might that be, sister dear? Just because you have the perfect marriage and the perfect husband doesn't meant that's what I want or need."

“Don’t go turning the tables on me, Milan. You know it’s the truth. You’re just choosing to ignore it and be in severe denial. We all know it,” Jada cautioned her.

“If you are referring to Marco, then you’re wrong, very wrong. If I had to date a Brunetti brother, I’d rather date Miccah than Marco. But unfortunately, he's not even in the country, is he?” Milan shouted.

“Okay, will the two of you stop arguing? Let’s just drop it and go back inside and see how the biscuits turned out. I’m going to have to boot the both of you out soon anyway. I need to clean up and get ready; Marco will be here soon with the jet to fly Zane and me down to Adelaide. It is his first flight, and he is so excited. I am so proud of him.”

Milan screwed up her face at the mention of Marco’s name.

“I know; it’s great, isn’t it,” Jada said with enthusiasm. “Right, Milan, seeing as you’re here you can give me a lift; it’ll save Max an unnecessary trip. Let’s go. I need to prepare myself for my egg retrieval at Repromed on Monday.”

Jada turned to give me a hug and whispered in my ear, “Have fun and remember what I said before: tease, taunt and don’t give in. You’ll be just fine.”

“Thanks, and good luck with your IVF procedure. Let’s hope they get lots of little Brunetti eggs. I’ll be praying for you.”

“Great,” Milan said. “Just what we need: more Brunetti spawn to infiltrate the Barossa. Let’s hope you have girls, Jada; otherwise, I may not cope!”

MIA

I
was cleaning the kitchen countertops when I spun around and a shiver travelled up my spine—Zane stood ten feet away from me. His molten stare was burning away every stitch of my clothing.

I wiped the sweat from my brow and went to lift the large container full of biscuits to put in the pantry. I stood on tiptoes, lifting my arms to reach the top shelf. The motion made my shirt ride up and I felt his searing gaze roaming over my exposed skin.

He was behind me in an instant. “Do you need some help?”

I pivoted to face him. “No. I’m fine, thanks. How did you get in?”

“I saw Jada and Milan leave and Jada let me in. Is that okay?

“Of course it is; you just caught me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting you for at least another hour.”

“Well, to be honest, I feel a bit guilty about this morning. I was hoping you’ve forgiven me and I could perhaps steal a kiss from you before Marco arrives.”

“Zane—”

“Mia.” He stalked me until my back hit the kitchen wall. “Your biscuits smell sweet, but not as sweet as the taste I had of you.”

His lips were so close. So warm and full. And tempting. My tongue darted out and licked the seam of his lips.
Mmm.
He was delicious. So much for listening to Jada’s advice and trying to tease, taunt and not give in to him. I was hopeless. I nipped at his lips again and his breath caught, but he didn’t take over as I expected him to. He allowed me to explore. I slid the tip of my tongue over his teeth and nibbled on his lower lip, then the upper. I kissed the corners of his mouth until he smiled. Then I stopped teasing and slipped my tongue inside.

He kept a firm grip on my wrists, almost as if he didn’t trust himself not to touch me. The kiss went on and on, both sweet and hot, and intense and lazy.

Reluctantly, I eased my mouth away. “You make my head spin.”

“I do?” he asked as if in shock.

“Yes, my head feels heavy and light at the same time because my body craves that heady rush you give me. I want to tear off your clothes. I want you to tear off my clothes. Then we can race out to the vineyard—”

“Stop. Jesus, Mia. Your brother could arrive any minute.”

“You’re nothing but a tease. Stop kissing me like you want to strip me then.” I looked at the bulge in his jeans and a tiny surge of pride arose. “I’ll walk out of the kitchen first, shall I? It will give you plenty of time to think about something else.”