Zane knew that Channing couldn’t deny that kissing was one means of communication they both enjoyed. And he wasn’t about to make it a quick kiss. On the contrary. He intended to play it out for as long as he could and redefine in her mind just what a Zane Westmoreland kiss was all about. He was fighting to keep control, but the mating of their tongues made it difficult. Nearly impossible. He felt weak in the knees even when he wasn’t standing.
Heat tore through him. He tightened his arms around her as his tongue danced with hers. He loved her taste almost as much he loved her scent, and he craved her with a hunger he felt all the way to his groin.
Channing’s moans stirred sensual sensations all through him. They fed him. Stimulated him. Wildly intoxicated him. Nothing, and he meant nothing, was better than this—having your lips held captive by the woman you both loved and desired.
Her moans turned to whimpers when he deepened the kiss even more. Everything about her electrified him, made him feel whole and complete.
The sound of a car door slamming had him lifting his mouth off of hers. He stared at her, trying to come to terms with emotions that, until recently, had been foreign to him.
“What are you doing, Zane?” she asked in a slurred tone, as if she’d gotten tipsy from the intensity of the kiss.
“I was kissing you,” he said smoothly. “And I want to kiss you some more. The Zane Westmoreland way.”
He held her gaze. Saw the perceptive glint in her eyes. She knew just what a kiss his way entailed. Was she game? He was going to make sure that she was.
Lowering his mouth to hers, he kissed her again while wrapping her in his arms. This kiss was just as hot, just as greedy and just as intense, but this time it held more: doggedness, urgency.
Though it was hard to do so, he broke away from the kiss. He had to give her a choice. She could tell him to stop or give him the go-ahead. He watched as her expression got serious, her forehead knotted in deep consideration. He went still, not knowing what she’d decide, but knowing it was her decision to make. He would respect whatever it was.
He released a sigh of relief when she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed her body close to his and tilted her mouth up to him. Grateful. Appreciative. Enthusiastic. He felt all of those things. Then he gently gathered her close, sliding his tongue between her lips.
He knew how much the kiss affected her when the arms around his neck tightened and her moans deepened and intensified. Her mouth was hot and delicious, and he was giving it one serious sensual assault. He wanted her. With a deep groan, he slowly lifted his head and kissed his way down her neck to the pulse throbbing at its side.
He pressed a lever that made both their seats glide back, and then, with the other hand, he adjusted the steering wheel out of their way. He pulled her into his lap, facing him. He felt the shivers that passed through her body when his teeth grazed across her skin.
She sucked in a deep breath when he whipped the tank top over her head and undid the front clasp of her bra. The minute he saw her breasts he lowered his lips to a nipple, greedily sucking it into his mouth. His hands were busy, unzipping her shorts and inching them—as well as her panties—down her thighs.
His mouth hungrily moved to the other breast while she moaned his name over and over. He raised her up as he worked his mouth down her naked body, licking her belly, tonguing her navel and then tilting his seat back in a reclining position so that Channing’s feminine mound stared him in the face.
Craving her taste in a way he never had before, he grasped her thighs and slid his tongue inside. She sucked in a breath, and he sucked on her, fastening his mouth to her most sensitive spot with no intention of letting go until she screamed his name.
He held tight, needing this as much she did.
* * *
“Oh,” Channing moaned as Zane’s tongue made that swirling motion it could do so well. And then that same tongue began fluttering like crazy, sending all kinds of sensual vibrations ricocheting through her. Did he know how many nerve endings were located right here? Yes, oh, yes. Right there? Oh, yes, he knew. Zane knew just about everything when it came to a woman. And he was devouring her the way only he could.
He nibbled until she couldn’t take any more. Spasms ripped into her body, making her scream. She trembled all over from head to toe and at the juncture of her thighs.
He wanted to be pushed, so she pushed. Boy, did she push, and he didn’t let go. Didn’t let up. And then she climaxed again. Her body became electrified all over again.
When the last sensation left her body, she moaned out his name and collapsed against him. He pulled his mouth away from her and gently eased her down his body. Then their mouths connected, and she tasted the essence of herself on his tongue.
She gripped his broad shoulders and felt his hard muscles. She pulled her mouth away and heard his deep masculine growl as he gathered her close and whispered, “Mine.” At that moment, the possessive word didn’t bother her like it should have.
With all the strength she could muster, she lifted her head to meet his gaze. Before she could say anything, he gave a tight yet gentle squeeze to her butt cheeks and said, “No. We didn’t have sex. We shared a kiss.”
Physically exhausted, she didn’t have the strength to argue. And when he shifted their bodies so she could sit curled in his arms, she did, dropping her head on his chest, listening to the rapid beat of his heart against her cheek.
He held her and ran his hand all over her naked body as if stroking her to sleep. Zane’s kisses were what erotic fantasies were made of, and he’d given her a double whammy. Orgasms like the ones she’d just had should be outlawed.
She yawned, feeling sleepy, and as she closed her eyes, too tired to keep them open, she heard him murmur something close to her ear, but she was too far gone to make out the words.
* * *
“I love you, baby.”
Zane whispered the words although he doubted Channing heard what he said. She’d drifted asleep while naked in his arms.
He studied her features. They were peaceful, satisfied. Reaching into the backseat, he retrieved his jacket and placed it over her. A smile touched his lips as he thought about how she looked more his than ever.
He felt the rise and fall of her chest. He’d missed this, her falling asleep in his arms. But what he’d really missed was waking up with her draped over him, their legs entwined on those nights when he had stayed at her place or she had stayed at his. Upon waking, they would make love again. And again. His body hardened at the memories, and his erection poked her in the backside.
Zane noticed the movie screen. Although there was one more movie to be shown, a lot of people had already left. Half the number of cars filled the lot than there had been an hour ago. He glanced at the clock on the car’s dashboard. Was it after midnight already? This was a weeknight. A number of people would have to be at work tomorrow.
In his mind, he tossed around plans for tomorrow. He didn’t intend to let a single day go by without spending it with Channing. He would ask her to ride with him to Richmond.
She shifted in sleep, and the jacket covering her slid down an inch, exposing a plump breast and a juicy nipple. His mouth twitched, and the heat of desire rippled through him like a wave. The position wouldn’t have been so bad if he wasn’t inhaling her scent each and every time he took a breath.
Deciding he should take a quick nap as well, he closed his eyes and rested his chin on her forehead.
* * *
“Wake up, sleepyhead. Time for me to take you home.”
Channing slowly opened her eyes and blinked a few times. Zane’s face came into focus. She then gasped when she realized she was naked in his arms with only his jacket covering her. She scrambled to move from his lap, but Zane’s hands tightened around her.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, his mouth quirking in a smile.
“I need to put on my clothes.” She glanced out the window. The first thing she noticed was that the movie screen was black. The next was the absence of other cars. “Please don’t tell me we’re the last car here.”
He chuckled. “Okay, I won’t tell you.”
“Zane!”
“Okay, we’re not the last but pretty close. I will admit we’re the only one on this row and the only vehicle that’s still parked. Everyone else is leaving.”
“Then give me my clothes.”
“Hmm, the idea of driving you home with you wearing nothing is tempting.”
She frowned. “Don’t play with me, Zane. I need to get dressed before someone comes over here.”
He smiled as he released her and watched her ease her panties up her legs and thighs before wiggling into them. The shorts were next. Then came the bra and tank top. He always liked watching her get dressed. As a doctor, she had to be prepared for any emergency, so she had a knack for dressing quickly when she needed to.
Channing glanced over at Zane while running her hands through her hair. “What are you looking at?”
“You.”
“Shouldn’t you start the ignition so we can leave?”
“In a minute.” He leaned over and kissed her.
She frowned when he straightened and then started the car. His lips had been warm, and she could feel her bones turning to mush. Trying to ignore the way her belly was flipping all over the place, she asked, “What was that for?”
“I want you to dream about me tonight.”
She drew in a deep breath. At least he hadn’t suggested that he stay the night. Zane’s kisses were always the prelude to something else. Specifically, the prelude to more intense lovemaking.
She didn’t say anything because her head was already filled with memories of what had happened earlier. No sex but a degree of kissing only Zane could deliver. As she focused straight ahead, they left the drive-in theater, and she recalled how he had stripped her naked and feasted on her body. Why did the man have such a skillful mouth?
“I’m driving to Richmond this morning. You want to go with me?”
Channing glanced over at him. “Richmond?”
“Yes. Last year we sold a client in Richmond a couple of our horses, ones that I trained. I thought since I was in the area I would check on them. I talked to the guy yesterday, and he’s all for it. In fact, he wants to talk to me about buying several more.”
Channing stared at him. When they’d been together before, he would often tell her about his work, but there had never been a time when he’d invited her to go with him on any of his business trips. She’d always hoped he would ask.
“So will you go?”
“I had planned to spend time on the beach tomorrow.”
“We can do that on Thursday.”
Her forehead bunched. He was making plans for them to spend even more time together? “When are you going back to Denver?”
He shrugged. “It depends.”
She lifted a brow. “On what?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. I told you why I’m here.”
“Yes, but I’ll be staying in Virginia for another two weeks. Surely you don’t plan to hang around here all that time.”
He smiled over at her as he turned the corner into her beach community. “I don’t see why not.”
Her belly flipped again at the idea of him wanting to stay here in Virginia to be with her. “Don’t you have work to do back in Denver?”
“Yes, but I’m doing some of it here using my laptop. I’m going through files and purging a number of accounts we’ve closed over the past year.”
She knew how much he detested any sort of administrative work, yet he was doing it. So he could stay here with her. Zane preferred working outdoors with the horses. Did being with her mean that much to him? She shook her head, rejecting the notion.
“Channing? Ready for me to walk you to the door?”
She blinked upon realizing she was home already. When she opened the door, he grabbed the basket out of the backseat. They had finished off all the food, and the only things left in the basket were the wineglasses and wine bottle. “Keep these for whenever we finish off the rest of the wine.”
She didn’t say anything as she took the basket from him. He was beginning to sound sure of himself. Too sure of himself.
Channing would have walked quickly to the door, but he held her hand, deliberately slowing her pace. He didn’t seem in any hurry, but she already had the key in her hand. “Thanks. Tonight was fun.”
“Glad you enjoyed it, and about Richmond... You will take the drive with me, won’t you?”
She swallowed as she tried to decide what she should do. “Yes, I’ll go.”
He smiled. “Great. I’ll be here to pick you up around nine.”
“All right.”
He leaned in close and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Need me to check inside before leaving?”
Channing shook her head as she opened the door. “No. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. But how about giving me a sign after you get inside that everything’s okay? I’m not moving the car until you do.”
“Okay. Good night.”
He smiled down at her. “Good night, Channing.”
She closed the door, and after placing the basket in the kitchen, she went to the living room window and looked out. Zane’s car was still in the driveway. She waved to him and watched him wave back before he backed out into the street.
She watched until he was no longer in sight. Then she went to the kitchen and pulled the wine bottle out of the basket, along with wineglasses. She poured wine into the glass that bore her name, thinking how pretty the glasses were and how thoughtful and touching it had been for Zane to buy them.
Taking her glass into the living room, she eased down on the sofa, fully aware of what tonight had done to her. It had pulled Zane deeper into her heart. She couldn’t help but wonder if tonight had changed anything in his heart.
Probably not. She hadn’t been the pusher this time but instead had been mainly a satisfied recipient. He had been the dominating male who took charge, and she had let him.
He needed to chill and let her handle things her way. Already he’d planned tomorrow for her, and if she let him, he would dominate the rest of her time in Virginia.
Channing suddenly realized that the one thing she’d never done before in their relationship was to take control. Whenever they’d made love, he’d been the one to initiate it.
Suddenly she had a plan.
“Not so fast, Zane Westmoreland,” she muttered to herself. “Later today will be my time, and I intend to push you right off your feet.”
* * *
Zane tossed his car keys on the table the moment he entered his suite, feeling good about his date with Channing. The look on her face as she’d stood at the window and waved goodbye had been priceless. His stomach had clenched tightly at the thought of actually driving away from her instead of staying the night to finish what they’d started at the drive-in.
It had been hard to keep driving without making a U-turn back to her. But she had set the “no sex” rule, and he’d given his word that he would adhere to her wishes. But like he had shown her tonight, he had no qualms about stretching the limits of that rule to his advantage whenever he could.
He was about to toss his jacket across the chair when his cell phone rang. Pulling it out of his jacket pocket, he gritted back a curse. It was Megan. A part of him didn’t want to answer it, but with his luck, she would call Channing next and he definitely didn’t want that. He didn’t need Megan sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. How he and Channing decided to work things out was no business of his sister’s.
He clicked on the phone. “What do you want, Megan? It’s late.”
“I know what time it is, Zane. I had emergency surgery at the hospital and I’m on my way home. I also know where you are.”
“And?” He braced himself for his sister’s tirade. Since marrying Rico, his emotionally detached sister had been showing all kinds of emotion. She’d become expressive as hell, and for someone who’d once prided herself on having self-control, the new Megan took a lot of getting used to.
“I’m glad you’ve come to your senses.”
He raised a brow. “Meaning?”
“Meaning, I talked to Channing yesterday, and I believe it.”
He paused to lean in the doorway that separated the sitting area from the bedroom. “Believe what, Megan?”
“That you finally realize you love her.”
Zane let out a relieved breath. At least his sister believed him. Too bad the woman he loved wasn’t there yet. “What made you change your mind?”
“You would not have lied to Rico. You had no reason to do so. And then you dropped everything to fly out there to plead your case and surrender your heart.”
“Yeah, for all the good it’s doing,” he said, suddenly feeling frustrated. He was glad his sister didn’t consider his actions suspect, but he still had his work cut out for him. Channing wasn’t making things easy for him.
“Don’t give up, Zane. You hurt her, and she has to learn to trust you again. You have to give her a reason to believe in you. She has to know that she can win your heart fair and square.”
“She’s won my heart already, Megan. I love her. But she doesn’t believe me because I made the mistake of telling her so many times that I didn’t love her.”
“Um, like the boy who cried wolf. He cried it so long that when the real wolf came along, no one wanted to believe him.”
“I know, and I only have myself to blame.”
“Well, we’re all rooting for you.”
He chuckled. “We?”
“Yes, the entire Westmoreland clan. At least those of us who understand what true love is about. After loving Rico, I can’t imagine a person not being with the one person who has their heart. The one person they know will make them happy.”
Less than an hour later, when Zane eased into bed and slid between the sheets, he thought of his conversation with Megan. He was grateful that she believed him. Now he had to make Channing believe.
He smiled, thinking that in a few hours he intended to turn up the heat.