Page 390 of Not Over You

“So I’d rather come with your head between my legs, and we just turned into my street.”

As if on cue, the car stopped. Lori fixed her dress, but Zane was still tucking himself away when the door opened. The driver looked the other way, and not a single hint that he’d figured out what they’d been up to crossed his face. Maybe those who worked for the rich and famous witnessed all kinds of shenanigans, and a woman giving her guy a blow job in the back seat wasn’t all that unusual.

Zane still blushed, though, and it was adorable. Lori nudged him and winked, and his flush spread over his high cheekbones. He grabbed her hand, muttered his thanks to the driver, and towed her inside. She entered the code on the keypad beside the main entrance, and the two of them fell into the elevator. The second the doors closed, Lori burst out laughing.

“Your face.” She clutched her middle, doubling over. “Funniest thing I ever saw. Busted!”

“Flashing my junk at Dayton’s driver was not up there on my top-ten list of things to do tonight.”

“Oh, yeah?” She ran her fingertip between his pecs, moving lower until she palmed him through his trousers. “What made the top ten?”

“Fucking you was one thru nine. Waking up beside you in the morning took the tenth spot.” He crowded her and slammed his mouth over hers, stealing the breath from her lungs. The elevator dinged to signal their arrival on her floor. Without breaking their kiss, Zane grabbed her ass and lifted her.

She hooked her legs over his hips and feasted on his tongue as he carried her down the empty hallway to her apartment. “Put me down, Zane. I need to get my key from my purse.”

“You’re very high maintenance.” He set her feet on the floor and grinned. “I don’t know why I put up with you.”

“Because you love me.” She dove into her purse and fished out her keys. As she inserted it into the lock, pain slammed into her chest. She let go of the keys. They clattered to the floor. Gasping for air, her lungs flattening, she clutched her dress with one hand, bracing the other against the door.

“Lori?”

Zane’s concerned voice came at her through a fog. He sounded as if he was far away, and even though she tried so hard to focus on him, his face swam before her eyes.

Oh god, please don’t let this be it.

“Zane.” She blinked, her balance off. As she swayed on her feet, Zane swooped her into his arms. In seconds, he had the door open. He strode through, kicking it closed behind him. By the time he put her on the couch, the worst of the episode had passed, the pain vanishing as fast as it arrived, leaving behind a lump of dread in her stomach. Maybe she’d reacted badly to the chicken. Yes, that had to be it. When her heart had first started to pack up, she’d felt exhausted all the time, but there hadn’t been any pain. Besides, lately she’d had energy to spare.

You’re fine. It’s fine. It’s not your heart. Relax.

Zane appeared with a glass of water. He sat beside her and made sure she drank every drop. Taking the glass from her, he set it on the coffee table.

“I’m okay.” She patted his arm.

“Are you sure?” He didn’t appear convinced, his brows drawing into a deep furrow. He cradled her cheek. “Do you think it was something you ate?”

“Could be.” She arched a brow in a teasing manner to reassure him. “Or something I swallowed?”

His features smoothed, and his smile grew. “Are you saying my sperm poisoned you?”

“Would I?”

Brushing his knuckles over her cheekbone, he leaned in to kiss her on the lips. A peck more than anything deeper, and he drew back before she could savor the faint taste of champagne that lingered on his tongue.

“I think I should put you to bed. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

A mixture of relief tinged with disappointment curled in her stomach. Okay, she wouldn’t have to hide from him, but she couldn’t put this off much longer. Yet each time she tried to practice the speech in her head, it came across as cold and callous and not at all representative of the days she’d curled up on her bed and cried after breaking a heart she’d imagined spending her entire life cherishing.

“I’m so sorry, Zane.”

He waved her apologies away. “We’re not on a clock, Lori. I’ll wait, and I know that when the time comes, it’ll be perfect.” He kissed her forehead. “You’re perfect.”

Far from it.

“You don’t have to stay. I’ll be okay, honestly.”

He shook his head. “I’m staying.” Rising to his feet, he clasped her hand, helping her upright. The room spun, but after a few blinks, it cleared. Zane supported her to her bedroom.

“I’ll be right outside if you need me, okay?”

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