Part 19 (1/2)
”It's a daydream, Dad.”
”I'm daydreaming about getting you home so I can do my ch.o.r.es and take my woman out on a date.”
”I can help with ch.o.r.es.” Seth jumps up and runs around the table to me and hugs me hard. ”Thanks for the cookies and letting Thor and me sleep on your floor.”
”You're welcome.” I hug him back and whisper in his ear, ”Thanks for our talk.”
He smiles at me and takes his coat from his dad.
”I'll see you tonight,” Zack murmurs and pulls me into his arms for a full-blown kiss, right there in front of Seth and the dog.
”I'm looking forward to it.”
”Ugh,” Seth groans. ”Come on, Thor, let's go out to the truck.”
Zack and I laugh as we hear the front door close behind the boy and his dog.
”Thanks for staying over. I had a lot of fun.”
”We did too.” He nuzzles my nose with his and nibbles the side of my mouth. ”I'm going to do a lot of naughty things to you in that hotel room tonight, sugar.”
”Promise?”
”Absolutely.”
”At least we got a break in the snow,” I comment as Zack leads me out to his truck six hours later.
”You're going to break your ankle in those shoes,” Zack mutters moodily and eyes my Jimmy Choos warily.
”I am not. It's a party, Zack.”
”We'll be outside.”
”I'm quite sure Jacob has outdoor heaters,” I reply and study his face as he lifts me into the pa.s.senger seat. He looks tired and like he's aged five years since this morning. ”What's going on?”
”Nothing, I'm just worried about the health of your legs.”
”My legs and I are fine.”
He shakes his head, slams the door, and trudges around to the other side. He pulls away from my house and is quiet all the way through town. He rubs his fingers over his mouth, the way he does when he's agitated.
Do my shoes really p.i.s.s him off? I think they're hot. He liked the boots, so I figured these would turn him on too.
”Did I do something wrong?” I ask softly. His gaze turns to mine and softens. He pulls my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles, sending electricity to my core.
”No, baby.”
I shrug and chalk his mood up to hormone changes. Even though they deny it, we all know men have their own version of their period.
The snow has stopped, leaving a beautiful blanket of white over everything. It's past dark now, and I love looking at the lights on our neighbors' homes, the fun lawn decorations, and of course, the beautiful tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs through downtown.
Before long, we approach the turnoff to head up the mountain to the ski resort. The road has been freshly plowed and sanded, and with Zack's 44, I have no doubt that we'll make it to the top safely.
”I hear all of the Hulls are coming,” I say casually as we pa.s.s the Hideaway, the bed-and-breakfast owned by Brad and Max's younger sister, Jenna. ”And Hannah, the new OB/GYN. She's Grace's roommate.”
”Great,” Zack replies. His voice is monotone.
”Are you sure you're okay?”
”Fine.”
”You're not terribly chatty.”
”I'm driving up a b.i.t.c.h of a road, Jilly. Cut me some slack.”
I sink back into my seat and blink at him in surprise. Zack can be moody, we all know this, but he doesn't usually snap at me.
”Sorry.”
He sighs and rubs his hand over his lips again, but doesn't say another word until we've reached the lodge. It's a good thing we came a bit early because the parking lot is already full. Zack pulls into the valet slot right behind Josh and Cara and Ty and Lo, who all rode together.
”Hey, girl!” Cara waves and comes running to me, as quickly as her own heels will carry her.
”Hi! I love your shoes!”
”Thanks. Your jeans are awesome.”
I grin and turn around to show her my backside. ”I love my a.s.s in them.”
”You have a gorgeous a.s.s,” Lo adds as she joins us and then leans down to hug me close.
”Holy s.h.i.+t, you're tall.” I laugh and glance down at her own feet, also in heels.
”She's perfect,” Ty says and buries his face in Lo's neck as he wraps his arms around her waist. My brother is in a thick cable-knit sweater with the sleeves pulled up on his forearms, showing off the tats on his right arm. He's in jeans and Chucks, and after the conversation with Seth today, I feel a softness toward the pain in the a.s.s, so I walk to him and slide into the comfort of his arms when Lo steps away.
”You okay?” he asks softly.
”Yep, just love you.”
He pulls back to look into my face and offers me half a smile. ”Love you back. Just stop showing off your a.s.s.”
”No.” I smirk and turn away, running smack into Zack. He's grinning lazily down at me, and right here, in front of my brother, his brother, and the girls, he pulls me into his arms and kisses the breath right out of me. His hands dive into my hair, holding me firmly, as he plunders my mouth, and when I go weak in the knees, he steadies me against him.