Page 36 of Tempting Fire

Chapter Ten

“What do you normally do with Slayer when you work a twenty-four-hour shift?” she asked.

“Sheryl from next door comes over and walks him and feeds him.”

Chloe had an immediate picture of Sheryl and she didn’t like it. She would be tall, blonde and endowed. Therefore, everything that Chloe wasn’t.

“Why haven’t I met her?”

“You didn’t seem in the mood for company. She’s a doll. She’s wanted to come over and meet you, plus she’s missed Slayer. Would you mind if she came over for a visit tomorrow after school while I’m on shift?”

“After school?”

“Yeah, she’s in ninth grade. She’s been babysitting Slayer since he was a puppy. They’re great friends.”

Great, now she was jealous that the teenager was best friends with the dog. She needed to keep her shit together.

“Chloe, are you okay? You have a funny look on your face.”

“I’m fine. You’re probably right, I’m just nervous about meeting someone.”

Zarek stepped close. “You look like you need a hug.”

So why was he hesitating? Did she have cooties? Oh yeah, she was crazy. “I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do,” she said sarcastically.

“Come here, you.” He wrapped her up in his big arms, and she smelled the fresh scent of fabric softener and man. She inhaled, wanting to take him in deeper, wanting this moment to never end. She felt his chin rubbing against the top of her head.

“Don’t go.” Shit, had she said that?

He went still.

“I can call in.”

She tipped her head back to look at him. “I didn’t mean it. I’m being silly. Of course you have to go in.”

“Chloe, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know. Blame it on that damned doctor. He stirred up crap. I’m all feely. I don’t like it. I don’t even feel like playing solitaire. I’m thinking about cooking.”

Zarek shuddered.

“Well at least my homeowner’s insurance is up to date.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.” He moved his hands so he was cupping her cheeks. “Cupcake, I have plenty of leave, I can take the day off.”

She saw his hesitancy. “You don’t want to leave your team in the lurch at the last minute, do you?”

“I don’t,” he admitted. His thumb brushed her lower lip and butterflies took flight in her tummy. It was like that first kiss all over again. She saw his green eyes darken. She realized she wasn’t the only one affected by the small caress.

“You pack a punch, Cupcake.”

“You’re the one doing the touching,” her breath warmed his thumb. She raised up on her toes, hoping he would get the message. He did.

Zarek’s head lowered and all she could see was his face as his mouth took hers. Heat exploded. She lost all ability to stand, but Zarek was there, he was always there to catch her. Hold her. He molded their bodies together as his tongue swept inside her mouth and took away all semblance of reality. She moaned and clung, desperate for more of his taste, his essence.

Chloe’s head swirled, her body throbbed as their tongues tangled. She pressed her breasts against his chest trying to relieve the ache. She felt his fingers spear through her hair, pulling at the strands. She needed him to pull harder, more sensation, she needed more.