His-And-Hers Twins (17 page)

Taking a deep breath for courage, she picked up her presents and peeked out the window, grateful not to find
a strange car in his driveway, knowing when she did, his ex would be back in his life. And wondering if it would mean that she was no longer a part of it.

 

Z
EKE'S HEAD
spun from blowing up balloons, preparing for twenty four-year-olds to arrive for Summer and August's party, and wondering if indeed, it was going to take him half a lifetime to win Paige. They had helped the neighbors, taken the girls on a picnic, and even discussed the girls' party, but he'd yet to have a moment alone with Paige. The tension was killing him.

His ex would return any time and he'd wanted Paige to know how he felt before Renee blew back into the picture. He'd wanted to make love to her, too, but she kept pushing him away.

He could scream like a wild man. Watching her house before had been an exercise in torture, but being with her and not touching her was even worse. He wanted to tease and explore all her sensitive areas, find the hidden places on her body that drove her crazy and make her writhe beneath him. Then he wanted to slap a ring on her finger, tie her to his bed and make love to her until she promised to never leave him. He was scared out of his ever-loving mind.

What if she didn't love him? He'd failed once, what if he failed again? And what if Renee didn't show for the girls' birthday party?

“Daddy, the kids are here!” August screamed.

“It's time for the party,” Summer cried.

The girls jumped up and down and Zeke's stomach did somersaults. He hoped he could pull this party off without a hitch. If only Renee had taken an earlier flight. The girls had asked several hundred times already when she would arrive and he'd used every stalling technique he
could think of. Maybe he was going overboard with the party, hoping to compensate for Renee. A swift surge of panic hit him when cars started to arrive.

The doorbell began ringing and kids filled the room, their excited whispers and chattering creating a crescendo of noise as they piled presents everywhere. Soon the kids were running circles around the den, screaming and laughing and chasing each other and his house had erupted into total bedlam. He had no idea what to do.

“Looks like you can use a little help.” For a moment Paige looked stricken at the sight of the unruly youngsters, but she quickly masked her emotions, slipping into the house with presents.

“I'm open to suggestions,” he yelled over the noise.

Three girls ran in circles around them. The kittens chased and swiped at the bows on the presents, and Henrietta dived into the corner and hid beneath a chair. Another girl threw her headband across the room like a Frisbee toy. Somebody popped three balloons, having a domino effect as it sent a series of squeals renting the air. The headband pinged across the room again, barely missing Zeke's nose.

Paige gestured to one of her gifts. “Why don't you let them open this big box? The kids can play with the things inside while you set up the refreshments.”

Zeke swiped sweat from his brow. “Thanks, Paige.”

Within seconds, Paige had organized the children in a circle. Summer and August opened the big trunk, their faces animated when they discovered Paige had made them a dress-up box filled with assorted dress-up items, including colorful scarves, hats, costume jewelry, old dance costumes, capes, western vests and cowboy chaps and shoes.

“Everyone find an outfit and we'll have a fashion show,” Paige suggested.

The kids squealed and Zeke marveled at Paige's calm take-charge approach. He watched as she made an impromptu runway, served as master of ceremonies. Soon, he was videotaping the fashion show, laughing, and actually enjoying himself.

“Time for cake,” he finally announced. The children gathered at the table, taking seats and watching in awe as he lit the candles. “Now, make a birthday wish.”

Summer and August both closed their eyes, “Please give us a mommy for our birthday,” they whispered. Zeke's chest tightened with a surge of sorrow. When he saw the concerned look on Paige's face, he realized she'd heard the wish, too.

He checked the door every thirty seconds in anticipation of Renee's arrival, moving on autopilot as he and Paige served ice cream and cake.

“Can we open gifts now?” August begged.

“We should wait for Mommy,” Summer said, her face suddenly crestfallen.

“I think we should go ahead and open the gifts before the parents arrive,” Zeke said, his gut tightening with every passing minute.

Paige gave him a sympathetic look. An undercurrent of tension and sexual awareness rippled between them. Zeke's mother arrived, camera in hand, and shrieks and laughter filled the air as everyone crowded around to look at the gifts.

“This is for my two precious angels,” Mrs. Blalock said. The girls opened the bright pink bags and jumped up and down.

“Gift 'tificates from the toy store!” August yelled.

“And this is a flier telling all about the horseback riding lessons I bought for you,” Mrs. Blalock said.

“Yippee!” the girls squealed.

“Can we go riding now?” August asked.

“We should wait for Mommy,” Summer said again.

Mrs. Blalock patted her brown curls into place. “I'll take you by the stables tonight if you want.” She gestured toward Zeke, then spoke softly. “Renee called and said she wouldn't be arriving until tomorrow. Her flight was delayed in Germany.”

“I wonder why she didn't call here,” Zeke muttered.

“She said your phone must be off the hook.” Zeke glanced at the desk and noticed the phone was indeed lying out of the cradle.

He cursed under his breath, then realized his mother had purposely showed up with the riding lessons to smooth over Renee's disappointing no-show. When the party died down and the parents arrived to pick up the guests, Mrs. Blalock helped the girls pack an overnight bag.

“Daddy, what if Mommy comes and we're not back?” Summer asked worriedly.

“Yeah, what if she comes and leaves and we misses her?” August asked.

Zeke's hands tightened around a paper cup, crushing it in his fist. “I won't let her leave without seeing you,” he said. “I promise.”

Summer swiped at a tear. “She said she'd be here for our party.”

“Yeah, she broked her promise,” August added, her chin drooping.

“I know and I'm sorry.” Zeke knelt and hugged both girls to his chest, his own heart ripping in two. “But she is on her way and I promise I'll keep her here for the
two of you.” He tipped their small chins up with his thumbs. “You believe me, don't you?”

The girls nodded solemnly and he caught Paige's eye, confused by the clouded expression on her face.

“Now, have fun with Grammy,” Zeke said as they went out the door.

“Don't worry, girls,” Mrs. Blalock said cheerfully as she followed them outside. “I'll have you back before your mother arrives.”

Zeke waved to his daughters and his mother, then turned and saw Paige watching him. He was finally alone with her and after all these days and nights of craving her, he didn't know if he could keep himself from touching her. Renee would be here tomorrow, wreaking havoc with his life, but tonight belonged to him and Paige. He intended to show her how much he loved her, with every part of his body, his heart, and his mind.

 

P
AIGE POURED
herself a cup of coffee, hoping to occupy her hands to keep from touching Zeke. The last few weeks had been torturous and the yearning she'd seen in his eyes all day had nearly driven her insane with desire. Tomorrow his ex would arrive. He'd promised the girls he'd do anything to convince Renee to stay. Did that also mean he'd try to reconcile with her? If he did, Paige had to face the reality that she would be a fleeting memory in his life. But tonight he wanted her, and not just for his daughters' sake. There was no mistaking the feral sexual interest in his chocolate-colored eyes.

And she wanted him. If only for tonight.

The long silence between them stretched, every nerve cell in Paige's body screaming for him to touch her. He cleared the table, then turned to her, his mouth set, his jaw determined.

“Do…you have plans tonight?” he asked.

She shook her head slowly.

His lips curved into a sexy smile that made her heart flutter ridiculously. “I'd like to be with you,” he said candidly.

She swallowed, perspiration dotting her forehead.

“We'll do anything you want tonight, Paige.”

“I want to be with you, too, Zeke.”

His loud sigh filled her ears, then he was crushing her to him, cupping her face in his big hands and savagely kissing her. As if he was starved for her, he plundered her mouth, teasing and tasting and nibbling at her lips, his hands stroking her back, her waist, the curve of her hips, his body frantically pulling her into his heat. “I've wanted you for weeks,” he whispered in a ragged voice.

“And I want you, Zeke,” Paige whispered against his neck.

He threaded his fingers through her hair, his breath hot on her cheek, then gently pulled her face back and forced her to look into his eyes. “You really want this?”

The uncertainty in his voice surprised her, shocked her to the core, and she realized that Zeke was vulnerable himself. He'd been hurt as much as she had in the past. Tonight she wanted to take that hurt away, erase both their past and all the baggage creating roadblocks in their relationship.

“I really, really want you, Zeke,” she whispered, nibbling at his lower lip.

A loud sigh of relief escaped him and he threw his head back and chuckled. “Do you know I've dreamt about this so many times I don't know where to start? I can't decide whether to throw you down and attack you or go so slow you'll be beg me to finish before I even undress you.”

His provocative words sent heat sizzling through her, pooling in her belly. However he wanted to take her, she would surrender. “We have all night. We could try it both ways,” she whispered in his ear.

His dark eyes grew smoky, his lids lowering to reveal long dark lashes that no man should ever possess, and the honest, raw need in his face startled her. “I want you every way possible,” he said in a husky voice.

Then he scooped her into his arms and carried her to his bedroom, pausing only long enough to kick the door closed behind him. Paige traced her fingertip around his mouth, memorizing the small cleft in his chin, the curve of his lips, the strong, firm line of his jaw, every detail of his handsome face.

With a low growl he lowered his mouth, his hunger subsiding into something gentle and tender and so loving she almost wept with the intensity of it.

The late evening sun was setting and slivers of red and gold light streamed through the blinds, streaking his hair with golden highlights and setting his skin in bronze tones that resembled the burning embers of a fire. The long lonely nights without him flashed through her mind and she knew that once he possessed her, she would never want to be apart from him again. But she couldn't think about tomorrow…

“I thought about you all night,” he whispered roughly. “Every night.”

His eyes were dark and unfathomable, his sexy words sending her reservations to the far recesses of her mind. She lifted her fingers, the anticipation making her fumble with his buttons. Taking a deep breath, she eased the buttons from their encasements and parted his shirt so she could run her hands across the soft dark mat of hair covering his bare chest. His sharp intake of breath made
her quiver inside and the heat radiating through her felt deliciously sinful and right. He stood stock-still, his eyes closing briefly as if he was savoring having her hands washing across his flat stomach. When her hands roamed to the waistband of his jeans, he trapped them in his own.

“Not yet. I want to look at you.”

Paige's breath caught as he stroked the tangled threads of her hair away from her face and gently unbuttoned her pink blouse. He took his time, his gaze trapping hers so he could see every nuance of her expression, so his breath mingled with hers. She savored the harsh whisper of his voice when he finally drew away the fabric. His dark gaze seemed to penetrate her skin as he raked his eyes over her body, his breathing slowing as he gently traced the soft swell of her breasts above the lacy-thin fabric of her bra. He seemed to be drinking in the sight of her and she suddenly felt self-conscious. She started to cover herself, but he caught her hands again and shook his head. He slowly reached up and unfastened the front clasp, his breath faltering when the thin fabric fell away.

“You're so beautiful you make me hurt,” he said roughly.

“I want to look at you, too,” she whispered.

He smiled and stripped off his shirt, tossing it to the floor, as if he was honored to have her stare at his naked chest. His gaze moved over her heavy breasts and then lower, where she had already started to ache for him. Gently he reached out and cupped her weight in his hands. Throwing his head back, he groaned and kneaded her flesh, his mouth nibbling and trailing kisses down her neck, beside her ears, then lower still.

“Zeke?”

“God, Paige. Don't you know how much I've wanted to do this?”

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and suddenly he grabbed her and encircled her with his arms. “I need you, Paige,” he whispered against her ear.

He stopped talking with words and used his hands and his mouth to tell her exactly how he felt. They shifted against the bed, and he shoved her shorts off her hips so they fell in a heap at her bare feet. Shaking with need, he shucked his jeans and underwear in one quick movement and stood before her.

“Oh, Zeke.”

He fingered her hair away from her cheeks, brushing her shoulders lightly with his fingertips. “You want me, darling?”

The endearment made her shiver with want. “Yes, I want you.” She leaned into his arms, reveling at the feel of her tight nipples pressed against his bare chest. “I can't help it, Zeke, all I've thought about lately is you.”