Page 10 of Treat Her Right

Wynn squirmed under such close scrutiny.From a child!Luckily, Dani whispered to her father that she had to go in to the potty. After she went in, Zack returned to his conversation about Del Piper, keeping Conan enthralled.

Wynn looked at Zack. So, he wanted a wife, huh? Or was that something Dani had misconstrued?

How in the world was it that he hadn’t already remarried? A man like Zack probably had women by the dozens. But then…she rethought that and shook her head at herself. Zack was very dedicated to his daughter, and she knew EMTs worked long shifts, sometimes up to sixty hours a week. That wouldn’t leave him much time for dating, much less cultivating a lasting relationship.

He must have felt her gaze, for he glanced at her while Conan waxed poetic about Ms. Piper’s remarkable talent. Their gazes met and held and Zack frowned. He glanced away, then back again. Wynn blinked at him, feeling soft and hot and excited.

She stared, knew she stared, and couldn’t seem to help herself. Zack shifted, glaring at her then crossing one ankle over a knee.

He had thick ankles. And wrists. And long fingers and…one thought led to another and she couldn’t keep herself from peeking at his lap. His jeans were old and faded and appeared very soft. They cupped him lovingly, outlining a bulge that proved most noticeable, even without him being aroused.

Her heart dropped into her stomach and began jumping erratically. Her palms tingled, craving to touch him, to weigh him in her hands—

“Stop that!”

She blinked hard and looked up at him. Conan went silent, confused. A red flush crept up Zack’s neck. He cleared his throat and stood.

“The coffee and muffins were great. Thanks.”

As dismissals went, it wasn’t the least bit subtle, but Conan didn’t seem to find anything amiss. He shook Zack’s hand, saying, “I’ll bring the books to you soon, if you’re sure she won’t mind signing them.”

“Delilah’s great. She won’t mind.” Zack didn’t look at Wynn at all, and she had the feeling his avoidance was deliberate. But then, he’d caught her staring at his crotch, all but salivating.

She blushed. She’d known the man one hour, and already she’d behaved like a shameless hussy. Or worse, like a desperate spinster.

Oh God! Maybe that was how he saw her. After all, she was twenty-eight and single. The only male helping her move in was her brother; no fiancé, not even a boyfriend. He couldn’t know that it was by choice, because she hadn’t yet met a guy who…made her blood sing, not like he did.

Damn, damn, damn.

Not being of a shy or withdrawn nature, she stuck out her hand, daring him to continue ignoring her. She wouldn’t allow it.

His jaw locked. With a false smile pinned to his tired face, he took her hand. His touch, his look, was beyond impersonal, and she hated it. “Welcome to the neighborhood, Wynn.”

“Thanks.” He tried to take his hand back, but she held on. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again.”

After she said it, she winced. It sounded like a threat! Then she realized he was trying to tug his hand free and here she was, doing the macho ‘grip’ thing. Good God, she was making things worse by the second.

She turned him loose and put her hands in her pockets so she wouldn’t be tempted to get hold of him again. Conan gathered up the carafe and the muffin plate.

Feeling like an idiot, she said, “Well, thanks again. And really, I am sorry we woke you.”

Dani bounded back outside, then skidded to a disappointed halt. “You can’t leave.”

Zack put his hand on the top of her silky head. “I’m sure Wynn wants to finish unpacking, sweetheart. And you and I are going shopping.”

Dani groaned, wilted, all in all acting like a child being sent to the woodshed.

Barely hiding a smile, Zack said, “None of that. We’ll have lunch out and it’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

Conan gave a crooked grin. “I gather she doesn’t like shopping?”

“Not for clothes, no. But she’s about worn out everything warm she has.”

“Sounds like Wynn. She hates shopping, too.”

Dani’s eyes widened. “You do?”

Wynn shrugged. “I know it’s supposed to be a girl thing, but I’ve never understood it. Thank goodness I don’t need a lot of clothes.”

---