That Forbidden Love

As their collective gazes swiveled to him, he only focused on Jazmyn’s and reiterated. “I want you to stay for a bit more. I can drive or escort you home in my car when you’re ready to leave.”

“Are you sure about that?” She asked with a hesitant smile, tucking a bunch of wandering red locks to the back behind a small, cute ear lined with silver jeweled stones.

They sparkled just like her bewitching eyes as she gazed up at him.

“Never been surer about anything else before,” he replied almost immediately, unable to take his eyes away from her. The sudden, honest admission sounded strange to his ears but he felt comfortable; more comfortable than he’d felt in the presence of any woman for a while now.

It took the men clearing their throats to drag Zack’s gaze away from Jazmyn. He turned just in time to see them exchange unreadable glances before turning to Jazmyn.

“We will see you later, babe,” Isaac said and slapped a hand across Jean-Pierre’s shoulders to propel him away.

“Take care, bug.” The older man hesitated for a bit before turning to leave, but Zack didn’t miss the warning lurking in his eyes.

“Forgive Jean-Pierre, Zack. He isn’t always so unwelcoming,” Jazmyn said as soon as they cleared the arched double-door entrance to the hall.

“There is nothing to forgive. It’s really wonderful to see how much they are protective of you,” he replied, then added with a teasing grin. “Although for a second I did wonder.”

She laughed, the ringing peal sounding refreshing to his ears and jolting his heartbeat. How could one woman sound so musical, sexy and warm at the same time?

“There is nothing to worry about on that point, trust me. I’ve known the guys since college and they’re practically like the brothers I never had.”

Zack didn’t know why, but the clarification did make him feel better somewhere deep inside. Carefully diverting his thoughts from the strange turn, it was taking, he changed the subject smoothly. “I actually never pegged you to be a musician.”

“Oh really? Pray – tell me why?”

“I mean a couple of thoughts crossed my mind like acting, stunt work, even wrestling but not music,” he admitted, itching to tuck back the errant locks that kept falling over her face.

The hair was beautiful, vibrant and different, just like her personality. It suited her remarkably well and added to her infectious allure – of which he was sure a good number of men there were drawn to, just like him.

Taking a quick, discreet look around the hall, Zack confirmed his speculation by the multiple appreciative glances thrown her way.

“Let’s take a drive,” he proposed.

At her raised brow, he mentally berated himself at how weird that had come out.

“I mean, we could wander around the avenues and talk before I drop you home. If you don’t mind, that is. I promise I don’t plan to veer off to paths unknown or do something strange like kidnap you.”

“That is what they all say right before veering off to paths unknown,” she replied, grinning.

“Well,” he gave an almost dramatic sigh. “I think that plan is already compromised since I’m probably sure Jean-Pierre has a tracker planted in my car right at this moment.”

Jazmyn dissolved into laughter, covering her mouth with a perfectly manicured hand. “Thank heavens for Jean-Pierre then,” she said and added as she regained composure.

“I’d really like that drive, Zack.”

Zack nodded, beyond pleased with not just their banter, but her acceptance of his request. As she took the hand, he offered, sharp currents of desire traveled through his entire body, jolting an instant recognition.

He’d felt this before when their gazes had connected and held at the park. It was distinctively clear because he hadn’t felt such a powerful reaction to any woman before that day. He hadn’t even needed a meeting of their skin to prove it.

Meeting Jazmyn’s eyes right then, he saw all the confirmation he needed in those soft swirling green-gold depths. She’d felt it too. The current that had crackled like wildfire between them at the park.

It hadn’t been a hoax.

Their connection had been as real as stars over the bayou in summer. It was a perfect explanation for why he’d fought desperately to forget and erase her from his thoughts – in a typical Zack Whittaker’s style.

No attachment, no unsolicited feelings, no entanglement.

The newfound knowledge left him pondering, even as he led her outside to his silver-colored Porsche, heavily aware of her gorgeous body accentuated by the sexy black number that caught and held him captive all evening.

“So, what’s the typical day in the life of a business tycoon, such as yourself?” She asked after a short bout of silence as they joined the budding traffic on Interstate 10.

“Surely, it isn’t just working or more work. Of course, you smell and feel like a workaholic but I’m sure there is something else.”

Zack found himself grinning at both the sharpness of the question and the twinkle in her eyes. He couldn’t get enough of staring into her eyes.

“And I guess the question now is how does a workaholic smell and feel like. I’m definitely curious. I had no idea that workaholics’ smell.”

“You don’t? Now that’s a first for me. I hear they never stop moaning and groaning about how much all the work leaves them with quite a telling stench. Are you sure you aren’t in denial?”

Zack couldn’t help bursting into laughter at the forthrightness of her expression, especially the small jut of her chin like she could swear by every word spoken.

“Has anyone told you just how hilarious you are, Jazmyn?”

She grinned cheekily and flexed her brows. “I get that occasionally. Why do you think I’m so arrogant?”

“At least your arrogance doesn’t smell.”

“Thank goodness for that,” she replied with the enthusiasm and amusement of a child.

Then proceeded to ask. “So, tell me what you do asides from working? Justin says you’re married to your office chair and in a passionate affair with your phone. I bet that would make anyone of my gender literally green with envy.”

Zack smiled, entirely aware of what she’d done with the last comment. Jazmyn wasn’t just different from what he’d presumed, she was also very smart; smart enough to persist with a question he’d tried evading, and ask about his relationship status in the same beat. “Well, Justin talks entirely too much in my opinion.”