Keeping Mr. Right Now: A Kisses in the Sand Novel (Entangled Bliss) (18 page)

Stealing her heart, he’d accomplished on his own.

She wished he’d want to keep it.

Chapter Ten

The next day flew by with two film panels and a scavenger hunt. Sophie didn’t have a second to sit down, bouncing from the movie discussions to a game around town that had her and her scavenger hunt group with a list of things to photograph that included a team member climbing up a fire truck’s turntable ladder, a man with a mullet, and a group shot with a live lobster. Danny had tried to get her in Zane’s group, but it hadn’t worked out, so she and Honor were paired with a few other professional surfers and local residents. Several times throughout the day, though, Zane texted her.

He was sweet and funny, and she found herself in a cloud of Zaneness she didn’t want to end. When their groups practically collided on Main Street, he grabbed her and ducked them down a tiny alley between red brick buildings.

“Hey!” she said on a giggle.

“Shh,” he answered.

She took a quick glance straight down the narrow walkway. The turquoise sea shimmered in the distance. It was like looking through a viewfinder, and she inwardly smiled, tucking another image away to recall later.

Then Zane nudged her against the wall and trapped her between bent arms. Her breath caught. She’d hoped their paths would cross, and here they were. He canted his head down and her lips parted and her eyes closed in anticipation of his kiss.

The boisterous sound of teenage boys coming down the alley interrupted them.

“Brah, you didn’t see the air I got. It was gnarly.”

“Badass.”

“Yeah, until you ate it.”

“Everyone eats it.”

“Zane Hollander doesn’t.”

“Bet he did when he was our age.”

“Whoa, it’s him.”

Silence filled the walkway as one by one the boys noticed Zane. Zane lifted his chin in greeting. They clamored to be the first to reach him in the narrow alleyway.

They were adorable. Every one of them with their colorful board shorts, sunburned noses, and uncombed hair. Awe and admiration sparkled in their wide eyes.

“Hi, Mr. Hollander,” rang out from each of them.

“It’s Zane, guys. And this is Sophie.”

“Hi,” she said, thrilled that Zane introduced her. Every time her name fell from his lips, it was like swallowing a happy pill.

“We’re big fans of yours,” one of the boys said.

“Thanks. I appreciate that. And just so you know, I wiped out plenty when I was your age.” Zane smiled and five young faces smiled back.

“I wish we had a pen to get your autograph.”

“I’ll be at station four later today. Come find me.”

“Cool!” “We’ll be there.” “Okay!” “Thanks a lot.” “Awesome.” The group slipped by and resumed their animated conversation.

“He is so badass.”

“I can’t believe we just met him.”

“He’s like a legend.”

Zane chuckled. “Great. Not even twenty-eight and I’m a legend.” He leaned back in and nuzzled her neck now that the coast was clear.

Her heart did a little tap dance. “Badass legend.”

He laughed harder. “There is that.”

“Yo, dude,” Danny called down the alley. “We need to roll.”

She blinked up at him as he lifted away and let out a breath she’d like to think was in frustration. “The winning team gets five thousand dollars for their favorite charity,” she said.

“Very true. So, tonight. Dinner at my place?” He ran a hand through his hair like he was nervous, and she wondered if he seriously thought she might say no.

“I’d like that.” She tried not to grin too broadly. “How’s eight?”

“Too far away, but I’ll take it.”

…

Sophie stood outside Zane’s front door at two minutes to eight and read Honor’s text.
You remembered the condoms I gave you, right?

Condoms. Plural. Her cheeks heated and she blushed for the potted plant beside her. She’d been so nervous about tonight that she’d asked Honor to help her get ready. Her friend had taken it further and brought over a beautiful silver strapless dress for Sophie to borrow. It fell in a breezy shape to the tops of her knees.

Yes, they’re in the clutch you lent me,
she texted back, then fanned her face. She was sure Zane had condoms, but Honor insisted she take a few anyway.

Are you commando? ;)

Oh my gosh, would Honor stop about that?
No.

Do it. You’ll feel wicked and wanton. Promise.

And multiply the butterflies in her stomach by a thousand.
I—

You can,
Honor’s text interrupted.

I’m about to knock on his door!
she wrote instead.

Oh goodie. Just put your undies in the clutch.

Sophie thought about that for all of two seconds. Zane liked her because she was different, right? Because she wasn’t like all the other shameless women who threw themselves at him.

I’m keeping the panties on. Bye!

Fine. Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

Like that could happen. There wasn’t much Sophie
had
done. She put the phone away and pulled out the travel-size deodorant to give a few more swipes under her arms. “Just be you,” she whispered.

And rang the doorbell.

Zane answered wearing faded blue jeans and a washed-out green V-neck cotton shirt. His feet were bare and his hair was a damp, sexy mess. He smelled shower-fresh and yummy. As per usual she got lost in his eyes for a minute. Something honest and compelling always shone in them, but tonight it seemed magnified.

“Wow,” he said. “You look gorgeous. Come on in.”

“Thank you.” For saying such a nice thing. For making her feel so much. For asking her to be here instead of alone in her hotel room.

“Sorry I didn’t think to dress a little better,” he said. The door clicked shut behind him.

“You look great. You always look great.” She stood awkwardly in the entryway, her hands squeezing the tiny black purse. She hadn’t been this nervous around him since the first day they’d met.

He took the bag out of her hands and placed it on the side table. His gaze traveled over her, and then he brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Your hair is the prettiest shade of red I’ve ever seen.”

“Most people think it’s colored.”

He frowned.

“It’s not, though. It’s natural.”

“Like the rest of you.” He slid a finger down her neck, across her collarbone, over her bare shoulder and down her arm. His gaze dipped to the swell of her breasts. Thank goodness for push-up bras.

Massive quivers vibrated through her. She wanted him to take her right here on the hard floor. Kiss her, touch her, lick her, be inside her. And then do it again.

“Hungry?” he asked.

Starving. She’d never experienced need and want like this before. She could hardly think straight. Throbbed everywhere.

“Sophie?” He cupped her cheek. She leaned into his hand. Could he see how much she wanted him? “Let’s eat dinner and then…”

“Then?” she managed to squeak out.

“Then I’m all yours.”

She pouted. Just a little. Because she wasn’t sure she’d be able to make it through dinner.

He smiled. “Trust me. It’s killing me not to lift that sexy dress and take you right this second.” He dropped his arm. “But we have all night. Come in the kitchen and let me feed you first.”

“What if I said I wasn’t hungry?” She trailed after him. Holy Toledo! He wanted her right this very second? Even her toes were tingling now.

“You will be once you see what I’ve got for you.”

Okay, he had her curious about something besides his body now. No, not besides—in addition to. Maybe she could eat whatever it was off his very sexy abs?

The kitchen smelled delicious. Two place settings were arranged on the kitchen island, and he pulled out one of the barstools for her. Their arms brushed. His breath tickled her neck. She went a little weak.

“Rachel from the Beach Café was nice enough to help me with some ingredients and a recipe for a special meal,” Zane said, grabbing a potholder off the counter and opening the oven. He pulled out a plate and brought it to her, carefully putting it on the place mat. “She was one of the chefs in the Battle of the Burger competition.”

“I remember.” She remembered every second she’d spent with Zane. “And thank you. No one’s ever cooked for me before.”

“You’re welcome. We’ve got lamb chops with a huckleberry chutney sauce, mashed potatoes, and sautéed spinach.”

Sophie’s mouth fell open. She loved huckleberries.

“I told her you were from Montana and asked if she had any ideas that would remind you of home.”

Tears filled the backs of her eyes. “Zane,” she muttered, blinking away the emotion his gesture prompted. “This is one of the nicest things anyone’s ever done for me.”

His face lit with pleasure, and he went to get his plate. She watched him, and when he sat down with their knees touching, she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“It’s the huckleberries, right?” he asked.

She nodded. “They’re big in Montana. I could eat them nonstop. They’re sweet and juicy and really good. Have you ever had them?”

“This is my first time.” He gave her a crooked smile that showed off his dimple before turning his head to cut into his meal. He took a bite. “Not bad.” But the way he said it sounded more like, “This is awesome.”

Happy he liked his first taste, Sophie dug into her own meal.

“I had a great lunch with Jon Waldron and his wife today.”

“Is it official?” She had no doubt Zane would be SHE’s ambassador. Everything about him, most notably his heart where giving back was concerned, shone and touched everyone within shouting distance.

“Not yet. But unofficially?”

She put her fork down and twisted to give him her full attention. He took another bite of his food, delaying his news and making her crazy. “Zane, tell me already.”

“They want me to start in October.”

“Congratulations!” Unthinking, she leaned over and kissed him on the mouth. The second their lips touched, she meant it to be a quick kiss in cheers, but when she pulled away, Zane palmed the back of her head and brought her in for a deeper kiss.

An enthusiastic kiss.

A kiss that felt different from their other kisses.

More voracious. More wolfish.

The sweetest sensations ever rolled through her as his lips crushed against hers and his tongue twined with hers and then…then his other hand caressed her thigh.

She did a gaspy, moany thing. He groaned and let her go.

“Jesus,” he rasped.

“Mmm,”
she murmured, liking that for the first time ever, he seemed out of control. From kissing her. Her head swam at that. Peeking at him under heavily lidded eyes, she wondered what would happen when they went past all the kissing to other things.

“Sorry about that. Got a little carried away.” He put his arms on the counter on either side of his plate.

“I didn’t mind.” She ran her hands down the skirt of her dress and shifted back to her food.

“I wanted you to have a special meal tonight.”

“It is. And it’s delicious. Should we finish?”

“Yeah.” The sheepish look she caught in his profile only made her want him more.

Sophie had the impression he wanted to do right by her. Not that she’d had much experience with guys doing that. But Zane had turned out to be nothing like what she’d expected. And he had no idea he could do no wrong in her eyes.

“So tell me more about Montana.”

“Um, the capital is Helena and its nickname is Treasure State?”

He cocked his head. “That’s not what I meant, smarty-pants. I meant what do you do when you’re not working?”

“Oh.” She pushed her mashed potatoes around. “I volunteer at the ACS, but you already knew that. I read. I do a little kickboxing. And I love to watch movies.”

“Who’s your favorite director?”

“Quentin Tarantino.”

Zane dropped his fork. “You’re shitting me.” She shook her head. “He’s my favorite, too.”

“Really?” She sat taller and in her best German accent said, “Oooh, that’s a bingo! Is that the way you say it? That’s a bingo?”

“
Inglourious Basterds
.” Zane’s dimple winked at her, and then he got a serious look on his face. “That makes three of us. And at this range, I’m a real Fredrick Zoller,” he said, quoting from the same film but in a much better German accent than she had.

She bounced in her seat. “Okay, okay.” She cleared her throat. “That’s thirty minutes away. I’ll be there in ten.”

“
Pulp Fiction
,” he said without hesitation.

Oh my goodness, he loved Quentin as much as she did. She almost fell off her stool.

He pushed his plate away and turned so his thighs bracketed her knees. “I’m curious what makes you so curious.”

“
Django Unchained
.” She rolled her eyes. “Easy.”

His eyebrows arched and he thought for a second. “You know, I bet I could fry an egg on your head right now if I wanted to.”

Shoot. Her mind went blank. She dropped her gaze to the floor and repeated the line in her head. Zane started to say something, but she pressed two fingers to his mouth to keep him quiet. “
Kill Bill
!” Her bottom lifted off the seat.

Zane broke into a wide smile. “I can’t believe you love Tarantino films.”

“I can’t believe you do, too. I mean I can believe it, but I have to go see his movies by myself because no one will go with me.”

“I pictured you more a romantic comedy kind of girl.”

“Oh, I like those, too. And I know what you mean. Someone like me liking all that language and violence and stuff? But that’s why I love it. It’s so far out of the realm of nice and disciplined that it intrigues me. Plus the writing is fantastic and the acting is always amazing.”