Zach also selected a sandwich and put it on his plate. “It’s all right. You don’t have to tell me. It’s none of my business.”
She sighed. “It’s just… it’s complicated. Steve always gets into trouble and I’m always the one he turns to when he needs help.” She shrugged. “You can’t choose family.”
“Can I help in any way?”
She looked at him, surprised, but immediately shook her head. She didn’t want to drag anybody into her family problems. Steve was her problem to deal with, not Zach’s. “I’ll handle it.”
“What does your brother do for a living?”
A bitter laugh slipped out before she could hold it back. “Everything and nothing.”
Zach arched an eyebrow and bit into his sandwich, chewing slowly. She did the same. Only when the first bite of food reached her stomach, did she notice how hungry she was.
“Mmm, that’s good,” she said in between two bites.
Zach smiled. “The food is from the deli around the corner. I eat there at the counter occasionally, but since I can’t take you out, I figured bringing it here would have to do.” He motioned to the picnic corner he’d created.
“You didn’t need to go through so much trouble. I would have accepted your apology without the bribery.”
“So you forgive me?”
Their gazes locked and she felt herself nod automatically.
He reached for her hand and pressed a kiss onto the back of it, before she even knew what he wanted to do. “Thank you. I promise, it’ll never happen again.”
Even though she appreciated his heartfelt assurance, it disappointed her a little bit at the same time. Did this mean he’d never kiss her again? She should be happy about that. However, to her surprise, his words filled her with regret. The kiss the night before had reawakened the memories of their night of passion in living color. Immediately she’d wanted more. But apparently all that was history now.
Zach finally understood that a relationship between them was impossible.
She sighed.
While she ate her salad and sandwich, she steered the conversation into a more harmless direction, and Zach didn’t try to veer back to more personal subjects.
“Do you want dessert?” Zach now asked, after she’d eaten the last bite of her sandwich, and reached for her plate.
Their hands touched and a bolt charged through her, making her gasp for air involuntarily. Her gaze fell onto his mouth. Oh God, she wanted to kiss him, wanted to feel his mouth on hers. No, she couldn’t allow this to happen again.
“Dessert?” he asked again, his voice even softer than before, even more tempting, seductive.
She waved him off quickly. “No, thanks.”
“Shame. I would have liked to feed you.” He winked at her mischievously, and suddenly he seemed to have turned back into the man she’d met at the Fountain Bar.
She felt warmth spread inside her and tugged at her blouse. Immediately she caught Zach’s gaze which had dropped to her chest. His head jerked up.
“Sorry,” he murmured. “But as much as I try, it’s not easy to ignore an alluring woman like you.”
“I should go back to work,” she stammered, embarrassed, and looked at her watch. “Oh dear, is that the time? Nicole and Antonio will wonder where I’ve been for so long.”
He nodded slowly. “I’m gonna have to stay up here a little longer.”
“But w—”
He motioned to his groin, where a noticeable bulge showed under his dark slacks, thus cutting off her question.
Her breath hitched.
“You’d better leave,” he advised, his voice hoarse, “as long as I can still hold onto my control.”
She stared at him, unable to move or say anything.
“Please, Rochelle. Do us both a favor and go, or I’ll do something for which I won’t have any excuses.” His eyes begged her to follow his advice, while his body did the opposite. He leaned in, bringing his head so close that only a few inches separated them. “Please, Rochelle, you have to leave, before it’s too late.”
“Zach…” she murmured, but then finally her brain switched itself on. He was right. She had to leave.
With a deep breath, she jumped up and straightened her skirt. She reached for her jacket and handbag and ran into the hallway. Yes, she had to get away from him, not because Zach would lose control, but because she would. And then he would find himself flat on his back with her on top of him, mauling him like the tigress she’d been the night in the hotel.