Zane didn’t know what more he could do to win her over. Ansley was a hard nut to crack. The only problem he had was time—and not the same kind of time that she’d mentioned.
The fact that Ansley had mentioned that she wasn’t sure about starting a relationship because it wouldn’t be worth her time had stung like a slap in the face. But at the same time, she was right. He couldn’t deny it.
Yes, he did scope out the women he wanted to date. There were signs he had learned to notice a long time ago. There were clingy women and those who believed in love at first sight. Those were the ones he had to stay far, far away from.
There were women like Ansley who didn’t want anything more than something short and fun. And normally, he wouldn’t have even bothered, because she’d made it far too hard for him. There was just one problem.
He couldn’t stop thinking about her. There would be no shaking her from his mind. And from the looks of it, she wasn’t convinced.
In one swift movement, he grasped her hands and pulled her to a standing position against his chest. One of his hands wrapped around her waist, and the other grasped her right hand. He swayed with, her and she let out a laugh.
“You’re not seriously dancing with me, are you?”
“The way I see it, there’s no risk for you. Let me woo you throughout the week, and when the wedding is over, then you decide. What do you say?” He dipped her, and she laughed again. “Will you be my wedding date?”
Slowly, he pulled her back up. Their swaying stopped, and her features sobered. Ansley’s gaze darted to the table. “I have so much to do. I won’t be much fun.”
“I can help. I don’t mind.”
Her eyes darted to meet his. “You’re kidding.”
“I assure you, I’m very serious.” He released her, and she took only a small step back—just enough that they were no longer touching.
The corner of her mouth lifted. “How can I resist such a proposition?”
He hooked his finger under her chin and brought his face closer to hers, not missing the sharp intake of breath. Her chest rose and fell, and a pretty flush covered her skin. The desire to kiss her overwhelmed him as her eyes fluttered closed.
She let out a soft exhale just as he brushed his lips against hers. It was brief and tentative, nothing like the kisses he shared with his conquests. But Ansley deserved something different. She deserved more, and he was going to be the one to give it to her.
In that moment, time slowed to a crawl. He could have seen a hummingbird’s wings flap had one miraculously flitted by. Ansley’s kiss was sweet and gentle—something that only made his pulse race faster for some reason. A kiss as chaste as this one shouldn’t affect him the way it was. It was nothing more than a peck, but in that brief moment, he could see more. He could see a future with this woman.
It was the strangest thing, but at the same time, it was perfectly believable. Ansley was meant for him, and it had just taken these last few days for him to realize it.
Zane pulled back and smiled at her. His heart pounded, and the ache of wanting something more wouldn’t abate. He withdrew and let out a shuddering breath. “So…”
“Yeah…” she agreed.
He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. He could pull her into his arms right then and there and ravish her until she had nothing left to give. But he wouldn’t.
The right way. That was how this would go. She needed to trust him. He gestured toward the table. “What do you need help with?”
Her focus swept over the table, and she pressed her lips into a thin line. “I only have a few more to make, and then we’re going to take them to the front desk and see if the hospitality department will let us into the rooms of our guests.”
“Wouldn’t delivering them be the hospitality department’s job?”
She clicked her tongue and shook her head. “Shame. And here I was beginning to think you really were getting to know me.”
He slapped his hand to his forehead in a mock sign that he’d forgotten something. “Right. You and all your details.” He moved to the table and placed a few of the newly crafted bags in a box with several others. “Well, then. Let’s get to work so we can deliver these bad boys.”
Ansley didn’t move right away. Her deep sapphire eyes remained trained on him, studying him as if she could slip into his mind and discover the secrets he kept there.
Zane shifted and let out another nervous laugh. “What?”
She didn’t miss a beat. “Why do you want to help me? I suppose it would make sense if you were guaranteed to get something out of this, but as it stands, I guess I don’t see how helping me does anything for you.”
Her statement was more or less correct. He didn’t have to help her at this point. She’d already agreed to be his wedding date. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his lips quirked into a smile. “If it means I get to spend some time with you, that’s enough for me.”
Ansley scoffed. “You can’t expect me to believe that.”
“Believe it, baby. I’m going to woo you, and you’re going to like every second of it.”
She laughed. And it wasn’t one of those fake laughs.
His whole body warmed, and he beamed at her. “I love that sound—when you laugh.”
He thought his comment would unnerve her, but her smile didn’t disappear at all. “You know, if you keep flirting with me like that, you might not be able to get rid of me.” Her light tone bordered on teasing, but that was exactly what he wanted.
Zane moved toward her once more. With as much seriousness as he could muster, he murmured, “Maybe that’s been the plan all along.” He tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear then let his fingertips graze the soft skin along her jaw.
Her arms rose and rested just behind his neck. The desire that pooled in his stomach returned. He needed to be careful. Getting too close too fast wouldn’t be wise for either of them. But as she leaned toward him, teasing him, he couldn’t help himself. Her soft whisper caused fresh goose bumps to appear on his arms. “Do you really think it will be so easy?”
He swallowed. There were so many sides to Ansley. This view of her was no less exciting. He grinned widely. “Give me some credit. You seem to have forgotten that I was surrounded by girls growing up. I’ve picked up more than just how to decorate.”
“Oh?”
Zane nodded. “After we finish all of this up, what would you say to going ice-skating? If your ankle isn’t still tender and you’re feeling up to it. I’m sure we could steal a few hours before the dinner that’s planned tonight.”
“I’d like that.” Her hands trailed down his chest before she let them drop to her sides and moved back to the table.
There was only enough material for five more gift bags. Zane placed them all in the box, and together, they headed for the front desk.
He kept sneaking glances at her, and each time he did, he caught her doing the same. She’d smile, and her fingers would capture a strand of hair to twist around them. He shifted the box to one arm and reached out to hold her hand.
Ansley looked down to where their fingers laced together and met his eyes with another shy smile. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”
“Me neither.” He chuckled, bringing her hand to his lips. “But I’m glad we are.”