She shrugged. “If the shoe fits…”

  Keary lifted her chin. “If I said I want to make you my wife, what would you say to that?”

  Her eyes widened. She stumbled back a step, but Keary reached out to steady her. She shook her head. “You’re only saying that because…I have no idea why you’re saying that. It’s crazy.”

  “Why?”

  “Because a little while ago you were about to start a thing with Debbie. I can’t imagine those feelings have flown out the door with finding out about our son.”

  She thought she saw a flash of guilt, but it was gone before she could be sure. “Don’t bring her into this.”

  “Why not? There’s a lot between us.”

  He tsked. “There’s nothing between us.” He took a step closer and leaned down to kiss her. Zacari couldn’t help tilting her head back and letting him slip his tongue into her mouth. A craving to feel him inside of her made her sway into his arms. He slid his hands along her sides to her hips, but when he would have cupped her pussy, she stopped him.

  “I need to get to sleep. Something tells me running around with Claudia will wear me out, and I need all the energy I can get.”

  Worry etched his handsome face, but the tropical sea that was his eye color had darkened with his desire. “Don’t do too much. I don’t want you wearing yourself out.”

  “Yes, Daddy.” She smirked and slipped into her room. The last she saw of Keary as she shut the door was of him adjusting his slacks. Zacari calling him Daddy was a real turn-on for him. It was for her too. She panted with her back against the door, knowing she’d have to take a cooler shower than normal if she was going to get any sleep.

  Chapter Ten

  Keary stood at his room’s window and watched Zacari get into the car with his stepmother. He had no idea why he’d blurt out that stuff about making her his wife. Maybe he wanted to prove to her he wasn’t dangling from his father’s puppet strings. Many had made that mistake in the past because he and Jack saw eye-to-eye on many issues. Yet, when he said it, he’d only ended up looking like the boy she must think of him—the boy trying to prove he was a man.

  He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. True she provoked him with the outrageous things she said, the way she was direct and spoke her mind. He admired it, was often amused by it. The fact that he knew Zacari had that type of personality made him believe she wasn’t the type to pull a trick to get money. Keary had always been an excellent judge of character.

  On the heels of Zacari pulling out, another vehicle rolled into the driveway. Keary guessed it was Jeb and Debbie. That fact was confirmed a moment later when a long, slender leg came into view followed by the rest of Debbie’s beautiful form. He waited for the interest in his body to stir, but it remained dormant. Not like last night when he’d almost picked Zacari up and carried her into her room to make mad passionate love to her. So maybe his feelings weren’t conflicted at all. He wanted Zacari.

  Of course she would take some convincing, but he would bring her around and show her this wasn’t about the baby—or not just about the baby. He’d spend time with her, get to know her and let her know him. Keary was pretty sure Zacari didn’t notice the loss and pain she’d displayed when she mentioned her parents. He would do all he could to change her experiences for the better. The first step was to be clear about Debbie. He would let Debbie know there was no chance they would develop something between them and show Zacari that he’d chosen her and wanted no one else.

  * * * *

  Keary reviewed the data Jack slid down the table to him. He nodded after a while. “I have to agree this looks good. I am surprised after our meeting that Eve would be this generous.”

  “Hm, but she said she’d already had it written up, remember?” Debbie put in.

  He glanced at her and noted the jealousy. He needed to speak with her before Zacari got back, but Jack had dragged him into the work they were doing, and it had consumed their time over the last few hours. Keary had found it hard to concentrate worried about Zacari and if she was wearing herself out.

  After glancing at his watch and seeing that it was just past four in the afternoon, he dropped the papers on the table and stood up. “Will you excuse me just a moment?” He didn’t wait for anyone to respond, but he walked out of the room and down the hall a few steps. He tugged his phone from his pocket and speed-dialed Zacari.

  She answered on the third ring out of breath. “Hello?”

  “Why are you breathing so hard,” he demanded, a little more roughly than he intended. “Don’t you think you’ve been gone long enough, Zacari? I thought you said you wouldn’t overdo it.”

  She laughed. “I don’t remember saying that. Anyway, I was breathing hard because Claudia and I almost ran to beat another woman for this amazing antique crib. Wait until you see it. It’s awesome.”

  “Ran?”

  “Lord, man, get a grip. You know good and well I did not really run with this belly. I wobbled faster than usual. But I got it.” She paused to catch her breath. “And stop grumbling. We’ll be back soon. You act like you missed me.”

  “I did.”

  She didn’t respond.

  “Zacari?”

  “The baby is fine, Keary. You don’t have to worry. We’re leaving to come back now. I can’t believe the amount of stuff I let Claudia buy. But there’s tons more I said no to. Anyway, we’ll be there soon.”

  He was about to explain that it wasn’t just the baby he was worried about, but she said good-bye and disconnected the call. He growled and stuffed his phone back into his pocket. After he had rejoined the meeting, he remembered that he hadn’t told her Debbie was present at his father’s house.

  He sighed and threw his attention for the time being into work. Not that he should even be involved in this project, but since he was here, Jack pulled him in to get his impressions of their plans. At first Keary questioned if Jack was trying to wedge a monkey wrench between him and Zacari, but then he knew his father. Jack would be straight forward. He knew how his father thought. If anything came between Keary and Zacari, then they weren’t meant for a stronger relationship. That would be Jack’s view, and nothing he did to manipulate the situation in either direction would change that. His tactic would be discussion, long after everyone was fed up with talking. Probably why he got the last word in every situation.

  Jeb answered a call, spoke a few minutes, and then hung up. “I’m going to have to make a run for an hour or so, but I will be back.”

  “No, go ahead,” Jack encouraged him. “I know your grandmother isn’t doing too well. If you need to spend the rest of the night with your family, do. We can pick this up in the morning.”

  Jeb uttered a grateful sigh. “Thanks, Jack. It’s a good thing that I’m back here. My mother isn’t taking this so well, and she’s not a young woman anymore.”

  Jack waved a hand. “Family comes first. That has always been my policy.” Keary had to agree. Jack had never stood in the way of anyone who had a legitimate need at home. Early on their company policy had been set to allow new mothers to have extra time at home with newborns. The word had gotten around the industry along with other incentives, so they were never without quality candidates for open positions.

  The doorbell rang after Jeb left, and Jack went to answer leaving Keary alone with Debbie. He figured his father would be a while since he’d ordered dinner to be catered tonight. Keary decided now might be a good time to speak with Debbie.

  “I wanted to talk to you about our relationship,” he began.

  She looked up from the paper she was reading, her cheeks pinking. Debbie was a beautiful woman, but there still was no reaction in him other than acknowledging the truth. He stood and moved to take the chair next to her.

  “We don’t really have a relationship. We spoke over the phone, flirted a little, and exchanged a ton of instant messages.” If possible she grew redder. “Many very spicy.”

  That was true. They might not have slept together, but the messages had amounted to Internet sex, or close to it. He’d been stuck practically in the desert. She was a lifeline to home. In some ways, their closeness came about from the fact that she was there. It could have been anyone else.

  He placed a hand over hers. “I don’t want you to think I was using you or that I’m just throwing you aside now.”

  She averted her eyes. Keary hoped he didn’t see wetness glistening on her lashes as she blinked it away. “My mind tells me you didn’t. My heart feels differently. The truth is, I fell for you. I know long distance relationships are tricky, and a lot can be inferred that wasn’t there. It’s my fault. I don’t blame you.”

  Guilt racked Keary’s being. Could this get any more complicated? “I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you. It’s just that…” I want Zacari. I’ve wanted her from the moment I saw her.

  Not at the bar. He’d met her in the office at one of his father’s meetings. He’d surreptitiously watched her, the way she moved and gestured with her hands, the tone of her voice. Keary had been surprised when his father called on an assistant for her opinion of one of their accounts, but then he agreed with the decision later. Zacari was one of the most down to earth women he’d ever met. She’d admitted that the plans were pretentious, that the average Joe or Jane wouldn’t respond to their media campaign. That was when Keary was hooked, he decided.

  And she’d only drawn him in more after their night of passion.

  Realizing that he’d been daydreaming about Zacari, he snapped his attention back to Debbie. “Like I said, I don’t want to hurt you anymore than I have, but I think it’s clear what we intended is not going to happen. I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t have to see her, you know,” Debbie said. Resentment dripped from her words.

  Keary lowered his brows. He could accept Jack’s comments about his personal life because that’s how his father was, and Keary knew he’d do just what he wanted in the end. But Debbie had no right and no business giving her opinion. “Pardon?”

  “Accident or not, she got pregnant. But you don’t have to throw your life away because of her baby.” She grasped his arm, her eyes swimming with unshed tears. “I know you. You’ll always do what’s right, but you and her together isn’t right.”

  Keary surged to his feet. For something to do with his hands and a way to work off some of his anger, he jerked his suit jacket closed and fastened the three buttons. “What Zacari and I have is none of your business, and if you ever give the impression that somehow my son is inferior because of who his mother is, you will regret it.”

  Debbie bit her bottom lip while her eyes widened so much, they must hurt. He knew she’d realized she made a mistake. When he would have turned away, she grabbed onto his arm. “I’m so sorry. I never meant to imply that. Forgive me.”

  The door burst open. “Keary, isn’t this outfit cute?”

  Zacari stopped cold. Her shocked gaze slid from Keary to Debbie and back again. He knew in that instant that no one had told her Debbie was here. That had been his place given what almost happened between them, and he had failed. Worse, Debbie was standing too close to him with deep rose lips from biting them in her embarrassment. With the color in her cheeks, anyone would think she’d just been kissed. At least, he could read the conclusion in Zacari’s expression.

  She took an unsteady step back. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”

  She stuffed the light blue baby outfit which he’d gotten a glimpse of back into the bag hanging from her arm. When she whirled to leave, Keary pulled out of Debbie’s grasp and followed her, slamming the door behind him.

  “Zacari, wait,” he called when she’d put a little distance between them.

  “No, it’s fine,” she called over her shoulder. “I thought since Jack was in the dining room directing the caterer that you weren’t meeting. I wanted to show you what I bought. I knew Jeb was here but not Debbie.”

  She rambled on until she got to the stairs, but he closed the space between them and took hold of her arm. “Wait. You were not interrupting. I was telling Debbie there can’t be anything between us. I meant also to tell you she was coming for Jack’s meeting.”

  “You meant to?” Zacari rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Keary. You do what you want. Let me go. I said I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I’m going to bed.”

  “Not without eating.” He took her bag from her and glanced around the foyer. Several more waited to be taken up. He’d get them after he helped her to her room. “If you prefer to eat in your room, that’s okay, but you can’t skip a meal. And don’t tell me you and my mom ate dinner out, because she’s the one who made the catering arrangements at Jack’s request.”

  Zacari had put one foot on the step but then drew it back and faced him. “You think you can tell me what I can and cannot do?”

  “If it affects your health, yes.” He wasn’t backing down. He knew she was upset about what she thought she saw, and something told him Zacari would spite herself to get away from him. She needed to eat, and he’d make sure she did even if he came off as overbearing.

  She stood staring at him, eyes narrowed, lips pursed. Anger radiated off of her smooth brown skin, but all he wanted to do was to caress her until she let it all go and purred for him. He allowed his gaze to linger on her lips remembering their soft sweetness, and then he trailed downward. Her dress at the neckline was cut low, allowing for a glimpse of her full breasts. Keary hadn’t tasted her nipples since that night when he sampled her milk, and he found himself craving more.

  She must have noticed how his cock hardened and the way he couldn’t remove his focus from her breasts. Hands balled into fists at her sides and pretending she had no reaction whatsoever, she turned and stomped up the steps. Keary fell into step behind her and gave her support when she needed it. He followed her into her bedroom and laid her bags on the bed. Within a few minutes, he had gone back downstairs for the rest and brought those up as well.

  Zacari stood near the bed arms crossed and still angry at him. “That’s all. You can go.”

  He ignored her and began searching through the bag she’d come into the meeting with. He pulled out a light blue outfit that looked similar to a sailor’s uniform but made of heavier material. Keary glanced at the tag. Velour onesie with front pockets. It cost a hundred and ten dollars. His eyebrows rose.

  “I know it’s expensive,” she lamented, taking it from him and folding it with care. “Babies grow out of this stuff so fast, but Claudia fell in love with it. Trust me, I did not let her get much more in that store. I mean this is Armani! I had no idea they even made stuff for babies. It doesn’t make sense.”

  She rambled again, not meeting his eyes. Keary pulled the garment from her and tugged her close to him. He expected her to resist or pull away, but she let him hold her. Desire flamed to life inside him, and all he could think of was stripping her naked and taking her until she cried out his name.

  “I want you,” he told her and waited for her response.

  Zacari met his eyes for a fleeting moment, and then she stared at his chest. She played with the button on his shirt, seeming to try to figure out what she should do. Should she reject him or accept what he wanted. Keary imagined she hadn’t believed a word he said about Debbie, and he didn’t blame her. But how could he settle her mind? How could he prove that he wasn’t like that other bastard?

  “Zacari, did you hear me?” he asked when she didn’t answer.

  “Yes.”

  “And?” He traced a path with his thumb down her back. She shivered in his arms, and he longed to mold her body with his. But that would hurt her, and he never wanted to do that. “You want me. I feel it in the way you tremble at my touch.”

  He demonstrated by running the backs of his fingers over her bare skin. Just looking at it turned him on. The contrast of her mocha tone to his paler but tanned skin pleased him. He never thought it would, but then maybe it was the fact that this was Zacari and not any woman. He had no desire to go find another black woman to test the attraction. Zacari was what he wanted.

  Keary lowered his head and found her lips for the second time. Darting his tongue into her mouth, he reached around and grabbed a handful of her rounded rear and squeezed. His cock shifted in his pants. She moaned. Not waiting for any more of an invitation than that, he backed her to the bed and placed gentle pressure on her shoulders to make her sit down.

  After he got her to lie prostrate, he skimmed his hands over her thighs while watching her face. Her bottom lip caught between her teeth. It took all he had to remain where he was, kneeling between her legs, not to go up there and rescue that sweet lip and take it between his own. As it was, Keary had no doubt what he was about to do would be just as good.

  When he reached her panties beneath her dress, Zacari put a hand over his to still him. “Keary, what are you doing?”

  “What do you think I’m doing?” he countered.

  “I-I…”

  A shudder passed over her, leaving goose bumps in their wake. At the angle he was, Keary could smell her excitement. He guessed when he explored farther, he’d find her soaking wet and ready for his tongue. Mouth watering in anticipation, he hurried to lower her panties. At that point, Zacari quaked, and she fought not to cry out. He grinned watching her fail to hide her own anxiousness.

  “You want this,” he said.

  “You always say that as if you’re telling me what I want.”

  “Am I wrong?” Keary paused after he’d removed her panties and held them up in one hand. A questioning expression on his face, he waited. Doubts and fears flickered in her lovely eyes, touching him, but there wasn’t much he could change. She had to accept his explanation or push him away. He prayed it wouldn’t be the latter.

  “No,” she said at last, and Keary let go of the breath he’d held. “You’re not wrong. I want it. I want you.”

  “Then I’m going to eat your pussy,” he announced. “Do you object to that?”

  She groaned and closed her eyes. “Do you have to talk so dirty before you do anything? You’re making me hotter.”