Page 54 of Here & Now

Twelve

Zane was having the best dream. He was kissing Bree deeply, passionately, and then he scooped her up and carried her into her bedroom. He was just about to undress her when his alarm went off, jerking him awake.

He threw off the covers and glanced down at the tent in his boxers. “Not now.” He had thirty minutes to get ready before he picked her up for their breakfast date. He hadn’t been this excited about breakfast in a long time, though he knew it was more about the company than the food.

He peeled off his boxers and padded naked into the bathroom, his erection leading the way. Then he turned on the shower and adjusted the water temperature until it was cool but not cold.

As he wet his hair and massaged shampoo into it, he gave himself a stern talking to. Calm down. It’s just breakfast.

He lathered himself up with a scented body wash called Excite, which matched his mood. Then he turned the water temperature down again, and by the time he’d rinsed off, he was practically shivering.

Stepping out of the shower, he grabbed a towel off the rack and vigorously dried himself off. He was about to return the wet towel to the rack when the doorbell rang.

“What the hell?” He never had visitors this early, especially on a Sunday. He wrapped the towel around his waist and went to investigate. As he neared the front door, the doorbell rang again, more insistently this time.

He peered through the peephole and smiled. Bree.

He didn’t stop to consider his state of undress. He was so happy to see her that he flung open the door. “Morning.”

Her eyes went wide, and she swallowed hard. “Uh…morning.”

“Is it already eight? Am I late?”

She looked flustered and shook her head. “No, I just—”

He suddenly realized he was being impolite. “Sorry. C’mon in.”

“Oh… No.”

“No?”

She shook her head again.

“Is something wrong?”

She averted her gaze to the hibiscus beside the porch. Its huge pink bloom was open to greet the sun. Then it hit him.

“You’re canceling breakfast.”

She scrunched up her face.

He heard voices, and two women gaped at him as they jogged by, reminding him of what he was wearing.

“Will you come in just for a minute?”

She nodded, and he held the door open for her. She quickly scooted past him like he had cooties and she was afraid to get too close. It was a far cry from how she’d reacted to him last night.

“Why don’t we sit down?” he said.

“Don’t you want to get dressed first?”

He didn’t want to leave her alone that long. Besides, if she was canceling their breakfast date, what was the point? “No, but I need coffee. Follow me.”

He headed to the kitchen and was satisfied when he heard her footsteps behind him. “Have a seat,” he said, pointing to a stool at the island.

She sat quietly as he measured the coffee and poured water into the tank. Then he hit the brew button and turned to face her. “So, what’s this about?”

She gazed at his chest and then lifted her eyes to his. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”