Page 10 of Timeless: Encore

The timing is tricky. Unlike LTZ’s last tour, Mia’s in school now. I’ll be busy doing everything it takes to earn a Michelin Star. I was counting on having Zane home during the band’s hiatus to help me. Now, I’ll have to come up with a new plan.

My face must show my extraordinary disappointment. Zane, who’s sitting with me at the architect’s office, grips my hand tightly in his. “Seriously, Fee. Don’t sweat this shit. Everything will work out. I can bring Mia out with me on the road, we can hire a tutor. Lots of bands bring their families with them.”

Not helping.

“Uh, I appreciate it, babe, but I wouldn’t be all that psyched about being away from Mia. Or coming home to an empty house for months on end.” I can’t help but stick out my lower lip.

Zane looks over at Peter Vander, our architect and designer, whom we chose because he’s unconventional. “Can you pull some magic out of your ass to speed this up?”

“It’s the permits. You’re doing so much custom stuff. I’m trying to give you worst-case scenario.” Peter shoves the sleeves of his hoodie up to his elbows, revealing full ink on both arms. He’s an interesting character. His shoulder-length blond hair is neat. He wears nondescript clothes. He gives off biker vibes, you can sense he’s not a dude who belongs in an office.

In any case, he’s not a bullshitter. It certainly looks like Gus isn’t going to open this year. The news is crushing.

I try not to cry. Or feel sorry for myself. I’m so ready to make my own contribution in the world. All the other LTZ women have killer careers. I did too until my dad died. It’s been over a decade since I made a promise to myself to follow my dream of being a Michelin Star chef. This seems like such a setback.

“If we can do anything—and I mean anything—to help move the timeline.” Zane clutches my hand, rubbing his thumb across my knuckles. “I’m off all year, we want to open as soon as possible.”

Peter sighs and leans back in his chair. “Look, now that we’re done with the kitchen remodel at your house, I’ll do my best to make it happen. No promises, though. Most of this shit is out of my control. I’m not a restauranteur, but have you considered shifting menu development to your house?

A lightbulb goes off. “Are you certain you’re not in the business? I mean, that’s fucking brilliant.” I get up and hug the poor man, who seems very uncomfortable with my proximity. Maybe because my unexpected show of affection caused him to flinch and now his chin is essentially nestled between my ample boobs.

Gah. I back off and sit, smoothing my palms against my jeans.

Zane cocks an eyebrow and just shakes his head. “Awwwwkward.”

“Well, um.” Peter covers his jaw with his hand. “It’s just an idea.”

I stand and motion for Zane to join me. “It’s brilliant. I’ll noodle on it, but that could actually work.”

We’re not two steps into the elevator when Zane cages me into the corner with his arms. “If you thought I’d be jealous when you shoved your tits in Peter’s face, you’d be sadly mistaken.” He leans down, kisses me, then smirks at my boobs.

“Ah, you weren’t wishing my tits were in your face?” I wind my arms around his neck and pull his hair at the nape so he’s looking into my eyes. Then I flick my gaze down to his mouth. I lean in and gently nibble his bottom lip.

The elevator opens. Zane grabs my hand and looks around wildly when we step out. He spots a support pillar behind the elevator bank and drags me over. “Lift up your shirt.”

“Fuck no.” I look around. “Someone will see.”

“So what?” He reaches for the hem of my sweater.

I grab his wrists. “Zane, c’mon.”

“I want to lick your nipples. Chew on them a little. Lick them into hard little points while you hump my leg until you come.” He tugs me farther into the shadows where we’re shielded from view. “Then, if I’m a good boy and get you off, maybe you’ll suckmeoff.“ He waggles his eyebrows, then looks at the floor and up at me from under his hair.

This man. He’s irresistible. And, ever since our first time in the park, he loves public sex. I actually do too, so even though I’m feeling a bit pudgier than normal, I still pull up my shirt. “Yes. Do it.”

Like lightning, he presses me against the pillar and shoves his knee in between my legs. I feel his boner against my hip. He drags my shirt up over my head and twists the fabric in his fist before it’s all the way off. Essentially, he’s got my hands immobilized.

With his other hand, he flicks open my front-clasp bra, freeing my breasts. “Christ, Fee,” Zane moans. You’d think he’d be used to my tits after all these years, but no. He loves a big reveal and reactseverytime like it’s the first time he’s seen a bare boob in real life.

He leans down and softly blows on my nipples in succession. They pucker immediately. Zane’s tongue darts out. He traces circles around my areolas. Back and forth. Leisurely. Flicks my nipples with the tip of his tongue and then flattens it to vary the sensation. Back and forth he worships both of my boobs.

I’ll confess, nipple play has become my jam. Zane’s so talented at it, soon I’m squirming and undulating against his thigh, which he shoves against my pussy. He continues to alternate back and forth, drawing my nipples into his mouth. Sucking, nibbling. Blowing. God.

It goes on and on as people get on and off the elevator behind us. I’m so turned on it’s unbelievable. Heightened by the possibility someone could see us—if they looked hard enough.

The zings in my pussy build gradually, so gradually until—BAM—I explode out of nowhere.

My breath comes in bursts. Zane is still nibbling on my nipple when he releases the grip on my sweater and grabs my ass with both hands to yank me harder against his thigh. “Give it to me, Fee.”

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