Chapter Twenty-Four

Stella eased away from Zach, squinting when she turned her head in the direction of the window. The sun was already shining through her useless excuse for curtains. She’d known when she bought them she shouldn’t choose pretty over practical, but she’d given in, arguing with herself, that she’d be less likely to press the snooze button with the light coming in.

Moving with quiet ease, she stepped into underwear and pulled on a pair of lounge pants before grabbing a tank top from her drawer. Her eyes wandered to Zach. He looked so peaceful and sexy. How could someone be sexy in their sleep? The sheet bunched around his waist, dipping low on his rippled stomach muscles, one leg bent over the sheet, the other tucked underneath it. The pale cream color seemed lighter against his tanned skin. His chest had a sparse dusting of hair that tapered into a narrow line, which led under the sheet. Memories of last night made her want to crawl back into bed and forget the real world was waiting.

Like every other area of her life, Zach looked like he belonged in her bed, in her room. In your heart? Nope. She was almost thirty years old and knew better than to wrap everything up in a pretty bow. It was sex. They were both single, consenting adults who enjoyed each other’s company. She rolled her eyes and yanked on her tank top. Glancing at him again, she sighed. But wow. He was a drool-worthy present deserving of a big-ass bow. An almost-smile touched his lips and those dark lashes created a crescent shape on his cheeks. He could be on the cover of a magazine with his rugged, yet somehow smooth good looks. He was tall, and every muscle looked like it had been chiseled for viewer satisfaction.

Forcing herself out of the room, she went to the kitchen and opened the door for the dogs. Little worries popped into her brain as she made coffee. It’s fine. Just good sex between friends. Colleagues. Partners. She groaned, spilling water on the counter as she poured it into the machine. She was making too much of this. Zach probably had sex with loads of women. She frowned at the thought. But he was a guy. Guys didn’t attach loads of meaning to sexual encounters. They’d needed each other last night. Or, you needed him. She thought of the office and the pretty color he’d chosen for the walls. He was thoughtful. In bed and out of it. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t redraw her lines. Which was what she should want. But part of her didn’t. A big part of her, and that was scary.

Their lives, professionally and personally, were intricately wound together. If things went south…

Would you just stop thinking for five seconds? At least until after coffee! Can you just enjoy the morning after?

“Mmm. That coffee smells almost as good as you do,” Zach said, startling her.

She spun around, smacking herself against the counter. She rubbed her hip, swallowing down curse words.

“Good morning,” she said. Did she sound squeaky? How the heck could someone look so good in the morning?

Zach stared at her as she rubbed her hip and he came closer, making her heartbeat speed up.

“You okay?” He placed his hand over hers, pushing it out of the way and using the other one to pull her shirt up a bit, checking the spot she’d slammed into the edge. His fingertips ran over the bare skin, making her shiver, even though she felt nothing close to cold.

Shooing his hands away, she slipped out from between him and the counter to grab cups. “I’m fine. You just startled me.”

She pulled two cups out and kept her back to him, needing the moment to school her features. Good thing he didn’t have x-ray vision, or he’d see her heart making a crazy attempt to jump out of her rib cage just to be closer to him. Play it cool. No big deal. They’d slept together and now they’d just carry on as they were, working together and growing the business. Until it wasn’t working for one of them and then he’d be the one to go.

A cup clattered against the countertop. He’s not leaving. Stop making things awkward. You didn’t even want him here six weeks ago and now you’re worrying he’ll go?

Stella’s breath caught when Zach stepped behind her, aligning his front against her back, pulling her against him with his hands on her shoulders. He kissed the top of her head and the gesture was so sweet she nearly turned into him to bury her face against his chest. She breathed through the moment, hoping the longing would pass.

“Why don’t you go sit on the porch? I’ll bring out the coffees in a minute.”

See? He can be normal. How about you try it. “I’ve got it,” she said, her voice reasonably steady. She didn’t need him to take care of her or act like her boyfriend. They’d just see how things shook out.

He nuzzled her neck, making it difficult to keep her emotions in check. When he pulled back, his hands replaced his lips and he rubbed at the knots making her back ache.

“I would have thought you’d be a lot more relaxed this morning,” he teased.

“Ha,” she said way too loud. “I’m totally relaxed.”

“Let me get the coffee, babe,” he said, his lips brushing her temple.

Oh God. She was such an idiot. She could fall for him. She could totally fall head over heels for this man. Had she learned nothing from the past? Zach isn’t your ex. He’s here because he wants to be. He wanted to be part of the clinic. The intimate connection between them hadn’t been part of his plan. Had it? Her stomach tumbled.

“Jesus, Stella, it’s just coffee.”

She eased away from him and avoided his gaze. Just coffee. Just sex. Just a guy standing in her kitchen stealing her breath. “I said I’ve got it.”

His frustrated sigh was hard to miss, but she didn’t look up when he stalked out of the room. Stella set the cups down and lowered her head, trying to catch her breath. In her defense, it had been a very long time since she’d had a morning after with anyone. But still, she was really botching it up. Huffing out a breath, she poured the coffee. Act normal. Think you can handle that? She’d apologize, and they’d head off to work and everything would be fine. Happy with that plan, she leaned on the counter, sipping her coffee despite the sting of heat it left on her lips.

Looking to the stairs, she wondered if she should go up and apologize to Zach. The dogs whined at the door and Stella decided to wait on Zach. Because you’re a chicken and don’t want to face him yet. Letting the dogs in, she poured kibble in each of their bowls. She was trying to decide what to make for breakfast when Zach joined her again. He’d put on a shirt and a pair of athletic shorts. Stella missed the view of his chest and the little trail of hair that led from his belly button to—

“Seems you’ve always had a stubborn, independent streak,” he said.

It was then she noticed he had something in his hand. He smirked, knowing he’d caught her interest. He picked up his coffee and blew on it before sipping, still holding some sort of oversize notebook that looked vaguely familiar.

Lowering his cup and setting it on the counter, he shook his head. “You really won’t ask?”

She held his gaze, refusing to give in to the curiosity of seeing what he held. “None of my business.” But curiosity clawed, making her fingers itch to touch the book. Better than itching to touch him.

He gave a shrug and leaned against the counter. “Fair enough. Why don’t I just share some anyway?”

Feigning indifference wasn’t easy, but as he flipped through whatever it was he was holding, she pulled some eggs out of the fridge.

Zach cleared his throat dramatically behind her. “When I get older, I want to run my own farm. Like my dad, but different. I’ll have one hundred horses and kids from all over will come to ride them because they’ll be the best horses in the world. And I’ll have the prettiest farm. All by myself.”

Stella nearly dropped the egg she was taking out of the carton when she whirled around. “What is that?”

Zach’s smile grew, eating up his handsome face. “Just a little something I found while I was transferring a few of your dad’s things to a different box. The first one broke.”

He flipped another page and continued. “My best friends in third grade are Taylor Jones and Mona Warner. We like to play survivor in the woods behind my house.”

Setting the egg down carefully, she stomped over to Zach. He must have realized her intent because he held the book up, extending his hand as high as he could. She swatted his stomach.

A low growl left her throat. “What are you reading?”

He grinned, and despite the embarrassment creeping over her, she had to fight back a laugh. He glanced up at the cover, which she could now see. “All about me, grade one through three,” he chanted.

Laughing when she attempted to jump and pull his arm down, he put his other hand on her hip, spreading his fingers wide to hold her back.

“Here I was wondering all about the gorgeous, mysterious, stubborn vet and all your secrets were tucked away in a primary scrapbook.”

His deep belly laughs at her feeble attempts to climb him spurred her on. She continued to poke him in the stomach as he evaded her, holding her off and teasing her. She didn’t even remember grade three, never mind writing that. When she tickled him, he laughed and squirmed away, but just switched arms and moved into the living room.

The dogs barked with happy enthusiasm. Stella still fought her grin. “Give it back. You’re being a jerk.”

“Now, now. That’s not nice. Say something nice, Doc.”

She bit her lip to keep from laughing. Always a deal with him. “I don’t hate you.” She put her hands on her hips and smiled.

Zach chuckled and shook his head. “Nope. Not good enough. Let’s see…my favorite band is No Doubt and if I could meet anyone, it’d be Amelia Earhart because I did a report on her this year—”

She launched herself at his middle, sending him stumbling back a few steps. He laughed, even as he tried to right himself, but he tripped over one of the small round footstools she kept by the couch. When he landed partially on it, she joined him quite by accident. The good news was that his surprise fall had loosened his grasp and from her position on top of him, she was able to scoot up and grab it. Making a break for it, intending to run, she screamed, then laughed when Zach grabbed her around the waist, capturing her against his body.

“You did not just do that,” he said, his breath warm in her ear. She could hear the combination of smile and disbelief in his tone.

She stopped fighting his hold and looked down her nose at him. “The evidence suggests I did.”

He took the book from her hand, but instead of trying to hang onto it, he set it on the coffee table with no effort. Stupid, long-armed tall guy.

“You think you’re so tough,” he whispered, his tone teasing and sweet. The sweet nearly undid her. See, he’s not running. He’s not leaving. Trust him. Trust yourself for once. But she’d done both before—trusted herself and others and it had gotten her nowhere.

She lifted her chin. “I knocked you over, didn’t I?”

He laughed and brushed the tip of his nose along hers. “That was luck.”

She winced, pretending to feel bad for him. “Was it? Or are you just a little unsteady on your big clown feet?”

Zach only laughed harder and Stella squirmed to free herself. He shifted, stilling her movements and her breath. Every part of him was lined up perfectly with every part of her.

“Clown feet?” He chuckled again, nuzzling her neck.

Whatever. So she needed to work on her trash talk. “No one’s ever told you?”

He lifted his head. “You are the most stubborn woman on the planet.”

She shrugged. “At least I have normal-sized feet.” Zach growled and pressed tiny, breath-stealing kisses beneath her ear lobe. “You know what they say about big feet.”

Tamping down on the giggle that wanted to burst free, she sighed like he wasn’t affecting her at all. “That the owner needs big shoes?”

He shook his head. “It was just coffee, Stella,” he whispered.

Stella stilled. “I know. I’m sorry.”

Lifting his head, Zach stared at her and all amusement fled. He looked so serious. “Don’t close up on me.”

“I don’t know what that means,” she said, knowing it was, at best, a lie.

So did he. “Yes, you do. Don’t shut me out.”

If she didn’t, she’d lose herself again. And she wasn’t sure she could survive the impact. But he’d already given her so much. It was her turn to give a little. And if she landed flat on her face, she’d get up and dust herself off. What choice did she have? Walk away now, or enjoy their time together and do her best not to fall? Of the two, only one allowed her the right to reach up and pull him down so his mouth was hovering just above her own.

“I’ll try not to,” she whispered, arching up so she could kiss him and forget everything else.

…

By midafternoon, Stella had seen a half-dozen patients, spoken to one of the two horse owners to confirm their Saturday arrival—Clover had come early—spoken to a contractor about repairing the fence around the outskirts of her property so Zach didn’t have to, and managed to go a whole five minutes without thinking about sleeping with her partner. God. How did she have a partner? Whose body and laughter turned her on in equal measure? Oh, you’re in so much trouble.

Despite the fact that her first appointment had included giving a skittish Great Dane antibiotics, the not thinking about Zach proved to be the most difficult task. By the time she heard Megan’s voice, followed by Charlie’s, in the waiting room, she was ready for a break. Signing her name to the bottom of the paperwork, she pushed back from her desk. She hadn’t moved anything into the newly painted office yet, but somehow, it didn’t feel as wrong as it once did. Funny how a night, and morning, of amazing sex makes everything seem just a little brighter. She knew it was more than that. She knew it was because of the person she’d been with, but she didn’t want to focus too much on that right now.

Opening the door to see Charlie staring up at Zach made her heart zip around in circles. Megan was leaning on the counter, and Zach was staring intently at the little boy, who put his hands on his hips. What a sight. Something in her chest tangled up, making breathing close to impossible.

“Well, if you do become a vet, you’re obviously going to come work here with me and Stella, right?” Zach was asking.

Charlie nodded seriously, then knelt to play with Nacho, who often came down to the clinic to hang out. They were the first to notice Stella standing in the doorway. Both of them—dog and boy—filled with delight the way a balloon did air. Hmm. Perhaps that’s why I like animals and children so much—they’re honest in their reactions and always happy to see me. And, if she were being truthful only in the recesses of her brain, the idea of caring for them didn’t terrify the hell out of her. They were safe. Animals and children, by nature, didn’t manipulate. They didn’t leave.

“Stella!” Charlie rushed her and wrapped his arms around her middle. She gave a slight “oof” when his head smacked against her chest.

Leaning back, she looked down at him. “It’s only been a few days. You miss me that much?”

Charlie’s laugh warmed her heart and that warmth traveled all the way through her. “You, and maybe C.C. a little.”

She ruffled his hair. “I figured. Wait until you meet Chocolate Chip’s new friends. We’ve got one down there now, and two more will be here this weekend.”

“Zach said I could help brush them, but I don’t want C.C. to get jealous,” Charlie said, looking back at Zach for confirmation.

Zach nodded, but his eyes latched onto Stella and awareness zipped through Stella’s system. She thought of the blonde from the other day and felt a stab of jealousy at the thought of Zach giving his attention to another woman. Now that she knew what his hands and his mouth felt like, knew how he whispered sweet and sexy things in the dark, and held onto her like a vice during the night, she knew she didn’t want him sharing any of it with another woman. As though he sensed her thought, he looked at her, his gaze drinking her in as if he hadn’t had a drink in ten lifetimes. She nearly fanned herself when thoughts of this morning popped back into her head.

Zach took a step toward Stella. “It’ll be fine. They’ll all get plenty of attention. Why don’t we head down there now? Did Stella tell you about the big fund-raising event this weekend? We’re doing a pet wash.”

“Like a car wash?”

Zach laughed, putting a hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Yup. But with pets. Think you could give us a hand?”

Charlie looked at Megan. “Can we, Meg?”

“Your dad and I have a couple of appointments, but I’m sure we can drop you off and then join you when we’re finished. If Stella doesn’t mind.”

Megan looked at her and Stella saw the curiousness in her friend’s eyes. Yeah, yeah, they needed to talk. Seeing as she’d forgotten all about the stupid fund-raiser, she didn’t mind at all. Zach came up with all these ideas and it seemed like she barely agreed before he was putting them into action. The idea of relying on others so heavily was hard for her, but Zach thought nothing of asking the town to pitch in, donate, support their local businesses. It was easier for him, maybe, because he had no legacy involved. No shoes to fill.

Zach cleared his throat, and she realized she hadn’t answered. “Oh yeah. Of course. The more the merrier.”

“We’ll meet you girls down in the barn,” Zach said, winking at her. The door had barely shut when Megan whirled on her, stalking so close, Stella nearly backed up.

Megan pointed between Stella and the back of the clinic. “You did it! With him!”

Every part of her skin flamed, starting with her cheeks. She pushed past her friend, taking the files she needed to put away to the cabinet. “What are we, fifteen?”

Megan followed, not put off by Stella’s snappiness. “Nope. Not fifteen. We are full-grown adults and we share all the juicy details.”

Stella yanked open the top drawer and shifted through the files, slamming the first one between two others. “Uh, no, I don’t think you’re a full-grown adult at all.”

Undeterred as only a close friend would be, she invaded Stella’s space while she filed the next two patients.

“And is Zach?”

Stella turned her head. Megan’s grin was infectious, making it hard not to laugh. “Is Zach what?”

Megan’s eyebrows bobbed up and down comically. “A full…grown…adult?”

Stella belly laughed. “You’re such a dork. Did I do this to you with Adam?”

She slammed the drawer and grabbed her keys from the counter, gesturing for Megan to get out from behind the reception area.

Megan picked up her purse and waited at the door. “Nope. But you did tell me and him that you’d do terrifying things to his boy parts if he hurt me.”

That was true. The thought of Megan’s tender heart being hurt by Adam had worried Stella immensely in the beginning. But this was different. Stella didn’t need anyone watching out for her or her heart. Because this was just a fling. Two friends following through on mutual attraction.

Megan continued to stare.

“I did do that. But Zach doesn’t need a warning. We hooked up. No big deal. I’m not you.”

Megan froze. “What’s that mean?”

Realizing how harsh the words had been, she rubbed Megan’s shoulder. “Nothing bad. I just don’t want to make a big deal of it. Zach and I aren’t you and Adam. It’s just sex, not a prelude to happily ever after.”

“Because the thought of wanting that again terrifies you?” Megan asked softly.

Stella’s hand froze on her friend’s shoulder. How did people keep turning things around on her? First Zach this morning, and now Megan. Dropping her hand, she tried for indifference.

“I’m not scared. I needed sex. I got it. End of story.”

Megan arched one brow and crossed her arms. “Is that so?”

Stella shrugged, averting her gaze. “It is absolutely so.”

“Maybe Taylor and Zach would hit it off. They got along well the other night, but if you’re not interested in anything more with him—”

Stella’s jaw dropped when her friend’s sentence trailed off. “When did you get an evil streak?”

Megan didn’t look sorry. “When did you start lying to your best friend?”

Guilt swamped her. “I’m not lying. Fine. Last night was amazing, and I wouldn’t mind a repeat performance. Or three. But, that’s it. I’m not scared. I’m just not worried about mapping out a future with him. The practice is finally turning around and that’s been my sole focus. Having him here has allowed for small pockets of more, but I don’t want the full-meal deal. I’m more of a…piece-meal girl.”

Megan’s burst of laughter startled her. “You’re so full of it. You just need the right man in those pockets and trust me, you’ll find more room.”

Stella shook her head. “Says the hopelessly in love romantic.”

She chose to ignore Megan’s muttered, “You’ll see.”

Though the sky was bright and blue, the breeze was a good indicator that fall had arrived. Stella was glad she’d pulled on a warm sweater that morning. After she and Zach had showered, and he’d done as he promised, using her strawberry-scented soap on her body. She shivered, and Megan obviously noticed.

“I love this weather. It’s sunny but not too hot. I hope it doesn’t snow for the wedding.”

The trees surrounding the land waved back and forth, blowing both of their hair around. Stella pulled hers up into a ponytail as they walked. “Even if it does, it’ll be perfect. I hope it doesn’t get much colder before the weekend though. Washing dogs in low temperatures doesn’t sound fun.”

Looking around, she decided that Zach may have come up with the fund-raiser, but she could still put her stamp on things. They’d set up behind the clinic. People could park in the lot, bring their dogs around back, and that way the water would roll off the slight incline. Plus, there was a hose out back, a covered cement pad area, and easy access to the clinic if they needed anything.

Megan stopped walking beside her just before they approached the barn. The whinny coming from the stalls made Stella smile. She could hear Zach laughing, but couldn’t see him from where they stood. Her heart, though, it beat heavy in recognition.

“Meg! Come meet Clover,” Charlie hollered from the opening of the barn.

“You okay?” Megan asked, bending her knees to look directly into Stella’s eyes.

Startling, trying to breathe through the pressure pushing against her rib cage, she nodded. “Yeah. For sure.” Why did she feel like she was lying? She was okay. It was the worry over staying that way—okay—that unsettled her.

Smiling brightly and setting her negative thoughts aside, she linked arms with her best friend. “Come on. C.C. has perked up some since we got her a roommate.”

Zach was saddling up Chocolate Chip while Charlie was petting Clover’s flank. Another thing Zach had been right about. She wasn’t entirely convinced that an ultrasound wouldn’t be needed for C.C., but she’d been eating more and certainly showed more signs of being happy. No one, not even animals, likes to be alone.

Stella focused on helping Charlie mount C.C. He’d gotten quite good at maneuvering the horse and had a gentle hand with the sweet animal. Pressing her own forehead to Chocolate Chip’s, she breathed in. Charlie bounced gently in the saddle, eager to ride.

“You’re a good girl, aren’t you, C.C.? You ready to trot?”

She let Charlie signal the horse’s release and gripped the rope to lead the way. Charlie held himself upright, speaking encouragingly to the horse while Stella gave them a wider and wider berth, maneuvering them in a circle.

“Go faster, Stella. I can do it.” Charlie beamed.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Zach was smiling at her, too, but in an altogether different way. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but she felt the heat of his stare the way she had his caresses that morning. What would it be like if she gave in, let herself just fall? Let herself feel? She knew he wasn’t going anywhere. Because of the practice. Stella hated the fact that she didn’t entirely trust her own judgement. Not where her heart was concerned.

The practice was her focus and that was something she couldn’t forget. Zach was the kind of man who could make a woman forget. Not you. You aren’t the kind of woman who forgets what it feels like to have your heart used as scrap paper. So there was nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.

Then why do you feel like you’re already half gone?