sarammlover
AlysLuv
Carolyn
Tash x 2
thank you so much for the awesome fb!
Listen please! I beg of you, go to the first page of this and look at the banner RoswellOracle made for me, omg its just...wow!! thank you again Liz!
Chapter fourteen
Warm ocean breezes lifted her hair all around her delicate bare shoulders, she breathed out slowly to his whispered words spoken in French as he stared intensely into her eyes.
Té noche aún es joven, vamos a empezar de nuevo. Te prometo que su corazón está a salvo conmigo, mi dulce Elizabeth.
'Thé night is still young, let's start over. I promise your heart is safe with me, m'y sweet Élizabeth.'
Bringing her mouth to his ear, she breathed softly with an edge of vulnerability that was more than welcomed.
“Take me home…
your home.”
Lifting her in his strong arms he carried her to the passenger side door, easing onto the seat to gently brush the sand from her feet, before caressing her calves down to her toes.
Gazing up into her eyes, that were closely watching him, he spoke in a husky deep tone as the waves crashed behind him.
“Are you ready Liz?”
Understanding the double meaning, she nodded slowly as he lifted her inside the truck completely.
Leaning back against the perfection of his work, she kept the window rolled down, letting her hand ride the wave of warm summer wind that lifted beneath her fingers.
Stealing glances at her, Zan did his best to keep his eyes on the road as he drove her to his new home high on a hill overlooking the coastline.
Before she knew it they were pulling up to a large wrought iron intricate gate, that was more decorative than security purposes.
His driveway was almost a half mile, climbing what felt like a mountain lined with large trees that hung low over the narrow road giving it a romantic, mysterious feeling.
No words were spoken since they left the beach, both cautiously feeling the other one out knowing how fragile their situation was, like a house of cards, one wrong move and their future could be destroyed, or so that was how it felt.
Jumping out first he was at her door, opening it to lend a hand to help her from it’s height.
Accepting his help, she left her heels in the truck as she followed behind him.
He led her to his double front doors that were also carved beautifully, looking as if it belonged in a villa in Spain or Italy.
Her dark eyes wandered around, inspecting every inch, more impressed the further she went.
Used to his modest cabin in the woods, this was a huge departure for him, she couldn’t help to ask why the change.
Standing under high vaulted ceilings looking down onto the valley and vast sea rolling outward, she pressed her hands against the glass wall that went floor to ceiling along the entire length of the room.
“Stand back.”
Thinking that he wasn't happy with her fingerprints, she took a step backwards, only to gasp as he hit a button that separated the glass so that she was effectively standing on the edge of the mountain with nothing between her and the beautiful night.
Her eyes widened, it was clear she was affected, visually, emotionally, it was quite a change, something she was not expecting.
Slightly shaken from the stunning view, she stared out towards the ocean, unable to look away.
“So, who’s your architect, he must’ve charged you a fortune, not that it wasn’t worth it, this place is breathtaking.”
Reaching for a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from his wine rack, he poured them both a glass, before retrieving two filet's of sole from the fridge.
Handing her a glass, he went back to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
“Actually it wasn’t that expensive, let’s just say my interests have expanded since we’ve talked.”
Looking over her bare shoulder, her eyes widened in disbelief.
“
You? You designed all this?”
Working efficiently he prepared some vegetables as the sole cooked on the stove.
“Designed, built, I kind of put my heart and soul into this place… it was a good distraction, from a difficult time.”
Gazing back to the ocean, she nodded, remembering the death of Red, his father, and of course the disastrous end of their relationship.
“Yeah, I know what you mean, I threw myself into my work, I’m not sure I’d have my little business if I wasn’t so devoted to escaping my problems, but it’s good you know? Change forces you to grow, which is never a bad thing.”
Lifting his dark eyelashes up towards her, admiring the striking hourglass shape of her body snug in her little black dress he sighed heavily.
“Yeah, change is always good, keeps us moving forward, towards a better tomorrow.”
Mixing the stuffing for the sole, he put the meal together, adding rice and his roasted veggies.
Quickly setting an oval glass table, he lit several white tea candles all around the dining room before turning on the gas fireplace.
“Dinner is served.”
Stunned by his presentation, the care and consideration he put into everything, she smiled warmly.
“This is lovely, but tell me the truth, are you comfortable in those clothes? As much as I look at you I can’t get used to the button up shirt, if you’re dressing like this for me… don’t… go change, I’d be more comfortable if you were.”
Looking down at the outfit picked out by the salesman at the department store, he thought for a moment, realizing that honesty was what she wanted, it was what they both needed if this was going to work.
“Ok, I’ll be right back, please… have a seat.”
Throwing on his jeans and signature black tee shirt, he ran down the stairs barefoot, looking more like himself, more like the man she remembered.
Giving him a sly approving smile, Liz nodded towards the chair across from her.
“Sit with me, before this amazing meal gets cold.”
Doing as she asked, he began asking her about her business, not digging but seeming sincere in his interest of her work.
Giving him a few broad answers, she kept her walls up, her defenses strong around her heart.
He tried to discuss current events, politics, movies, anything to break through to her, but she remained politely distant.
Changing the subject he talked about the changes he’d been through, the move, the construction of the house and how it led to another business he never saw coming, one that made him proud, unlike the Law and his former company that he seldom had any connections to any longer.
He was trying to open up, doing his best to be more for her, to listen, to be the companion that she deserved, a partner, a trusted friend with the possibility of so much more.
But there was something between them, an invisible barrier, she was holding back, still, the fact that she was avoiding any real deep meaningful conversation was beginning to weigh on his nerves.
Acting completely oblivious to what was happening she pushed around her food, taking the occasional bite, looking around the expansive home that was professionally decorated with a modern touch.
Sipping on her wine, she held the stemless crystal up before her dark eyes swirling it around teasing him.
“I thought that white wine went with fish.”
Swallowing his last bite of sole, he glanced up at her before putting his fork down by the plate calmly with a definite hard edge to his voice.
“You don’t care for white, you only like red... isn’t that right Liz?”
Her smile disappeared at his surprising turn, confused as to why he seemed upset she pushed away her barely touched dinner.
Walking towards the wide open edge of the house, she closed her eyes as the warm breeze lifted her hair high all around her face and shoulders.
Stepping out onto the stone patio that was a work of art in itself, she walked to the very edge of the waist high wall and the fifty foot drop below.
Grazing the edge of wall with her fingertips she raised her arms out to her side, letting her head fall back, still with eyes closed she let the ocean breeze drift over her.
“It’s like heaven here… you’ve really outdone yourself Zan.”
Just then a strong gust of wind rushed up behind her, knocking her off balance.
Falling forward she was caught just in time thanks to his quick reflexes and strong arms.
Holding her from behind, tight to his chest, he whispered to her ear, desperate to know what was going on.
“Tell me, what’s wrong Liz, you’re holding back, your purposely sabotaging us… why?”
Opening her eyes slowly, she felt the effects of the wine relaxing her, allowing her to say what she most likely wouldn’t have the nerve to say sober.
“How can someone change so much in just six months, cooking me dinner, being a total gentleman, romancing me like some actor from a movie… I can’t help thinking, so when does the hammer drop, when do I find out about the girlfriend that you forgot to break up with, or how you’re really not ready for a commitment, that this was just some challenge, something else you felt the need to conquer, only to find your bored and you need to move on.”
Stunned by her doubts, Zan realized he wasn’t being himself, not completely ...that maybe it was time he was.
Skimming his hand up her bare back, he pressed his mouth to her ear huskily rasping hotly, leaving her no room for doubt for his feelings for her.
Sliding his finger inside the knot of her pretty little bow behind her neck, that held her dress together, he lingered there for several seconds, feeling her pulse begin to race.
“Let’s get one thing straight Liz, I want you, and
only you. It's good you like this damn house so much, because I built it for you. I want you in my life, everyday. I’ll marry you tomorrow if you’ll let me. You’re not something I need to conquer, or a challenge to my boring life…”
Pulling the bow out, her dress fell to the ground, leaving her bare to his touch.
“... because sweet Elizabeth
you are my life, the only thing I care about in this world. I fucking love you... till the end, forever. Why can’t you see that?”
Breathless now, Liz reached behind her back to run her hands down his strong thighs.
“Show me.”