Page 30 of Keeping Her Safe

“Well, I am Zoey, and this is my sister, Evie,” Zoey said.

Zachary introduced them. “I am Zachary, and this beauty is Zephyr.”

“That’s an unusual name,” Zoey said, wrinkling her nose.

“I don’t know. I’ve met quite a few Zachary’s in my life,” Zephyr said, wanting to deflect from her unusual name.

“I think she means you, Zeph. I have yet to find another Zephyr, but you are one of a kind.” Zachary chuckled behind her, still holding her in his arms.

“Thank you, Zachary. My mother liked unusual names. I’ve had to suffer with it,” she said. His arms relaxed around her as she started to relax in the conversation.

Only once had she asked her mother why she had chosen such an unusual name for her. Her mother had said she liked Z names. That was all. It really explained nothing.

“Are you guys staying in town?” Evie asked, satisfied with Zephyr’s answer. Maybe due to her mother naming her Evangelina. Our mother, she reminded herself.

“Yes, we’re staying at a B&B not far from here,” Zachary explained.

“Max’s place?” Zoey asked.

“Yes, Max Valentine.” Zachary nodded. “He gave me a gift certificate for your stand.”

“Of course, he did. Since you’re staying at the B&B, you must be looking for snacks and such?” Evie asked.

“Yes, and something to go with sandwiches.”

“Not leaving much?” Zoey asked suggestively with a wink.

“No, the Mrs. is working on her doctorate, so it’s a working holiday,” he said, grinning back at her.

“That’s too bad. There are a lot of neat things to do around here,” Evie replied.

“Don’t worry about us; she’s on a deadline. I don’t know what she would even do if she wasn’t writing; it’s the only thing she knows.” Zachary said, and she could have sworn he kissed her head.

Zephyr stilled as his answer really made no sense. They are going to see right through them. Zachary felt her tense, and his arms went back around her waist, but this time, his hand slid under her jacket and shirt and rested on her bare stomach. His cold hands on her bare skin sent shivers up her spine and heat to her core.

Zoey was eyeing them oddly when a little girl around six came running from out of nowhere and went under the table to hug Zoey. The dark-haired girl was a bundle of energy, and all the adults looked at her.

“Hi, Aunt Zoey. Evie.”

“Hi, Molly, where is your mom and dad?” Evie asked the child.

“They’re walking really slow. I had to leave them behind,” Molly explained.

“And Lily?” Evie asked.

“At a sleepover without me,” Molly answered with a touch of anger.

Zoey crouched down. “So, you get your mom and dad to yourself? And you left them?”

“I did. They were walking really slow!” The child complained again.

Evie looked up at Zephyr and Zachary. “Molly is Max and Della’s youngest.”

Zephyr had watched the conversation with the child but was having a hard time concentrating on anything but Zachary’s hand under her shirt. His hands were pressed firmly to her bare stomach. Both were splayed, and his thumbs were touching the bottom of her bra while his pinkies were touching the top of her pants.

Without her consent, her hands found themselves on top of his, above her jacket. She had managed to not lean her entire body into his, mainly just to keep her head upright. Zephyr knew it was impossible to feel his heat through two sweaters and two jackets, but she did.

It was all an act, Zephyr reminded herself. An act for the benefit of others to prove they were a couple. Zachary was a very good actor, even though she had a hard time believing that they had barely touched before this moment. All she wanted was for this moment to never end.

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