Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Elizabeth’s POV

Oh my God.

I was on a date with a random stranger I met in the park. I tried my best not to make it obvious that this was my first date. I debated whether or not it was pathetic that I didn’t even know the guy. Should my standards have been higher?

Probably.

I just couldn’t say no to him. There was something about him that drew me in. I found myself dying to see him smile again, or feel him brushing up against me while we walked. I was rendered helpless against his charms, even though his entire body screamed of his desire to get between my legs. I had noticed the way he licked his lips while staring at my chest and looked away when a breeze blew my hair into my cleavage. If I was being honest, I wanted to invite him to explore what no man had before. My body was responding to him just as much. A bit trashy, I know, and also, completely against my character. What was he doing to me?

We walked to my favorite soft serve truck at Brinnley and I ordered a strawberry swirl. He ordered a chocolate delight, a milk chocolate ice cream with swirls of fudge. He paid, against my wishes, claiming that it wouldn’t be a proper date if he didn’t pay. I found it a little odd that there was no license in his wallet where it was supposed to be. In fact, the only things beside a library card in his wallet were a single bank card and cash.

I brushed it off. It was none of my business what Zen carried in his wallet.

He asked me various questions about myself, seemingly interested in my answers. I talked mostly about the animal shelter I volunteered at, and about my favorite rescue JimBob. He laughed at the name, even more so after I told him I came up with it.

Our time together was enchanting, and his quick witted responses had me in fits. My favorite thing about our date, however, wasn’t the conversation, but the way he looked at me. His burning eyes smiled at me, leaving me feeling adored and cherished in the best way. Anytime I spoke, his gaze would flicker from my lips to my eyes, as if he were trying to memorize each word I uttered.

It became easier to look at him, but the butterflies never went away. He was funny and charming, but I could sense something dark in him. Something that was telling me to stay away, but that only made me want to get closer. I had met plenty of sad and broken people in my life, and Zen was no exception. Something was… off. He was damaged in a way I couldn’t fathom.

“So what do you do for work?” I asked, hoping to move the spotlight off me for a while. His heavy aura left me curious to learn more about him. He got quiet, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. He was battling with himself in his head.

“I just do odd jobs here and there. Usually security related.”

He isn’t lying, but he isn’t telling the truth either. Maybe that was where the darkness came from. I decided it would be best to move on. I couldn’t handle a frown taking over his beautiful face.

“So did you just move here?” He seemed surprised by my question.

“No. Why did you assume that?” He asked, cocking his head to the side.

“Well, you asked me for ice cream suggestions. Everyone on this side of town knows about Dilly’s.” I explained, matter-of-factly. His smile widened, sending my heart into overdrive.

“Impressive deduction.”

“I watch people.”

His eyes widened a little at my words, before twinkling with amusement. He licked his lips, making me glad it was a chilly day with the warmth that pooled in my stomach at the sight.

“I see that. Your eyes have been glued to my lips since we met.”

I choked. I had never been more embarrassed in my life. Was I being that obvious? He laughed, grabbing hold of my hand and leaning closer to me on the bench. His large fingers entwined with mine, his scent overwhelming my senses the closer he got. His touch was burning into me, and all I could think of was wanting more. I knew I should be pulling away, but my body was doing the opposite.

“That’s okay, Elizabeth.” I nearly moaned at the way he whispered my name. “I’ve been watching yours, too.”

Did he really just admit that? My eyes met his hesitantly. They completely sucked me in, the usual barriers I had noticed in them for the past hour seemingly vanished. He was so close. I could feel his warm breath tickling my face. Did he want to kiss me?

He answered my unspoken question by gently burying his other hand into my hair and closing the rest of the distance. When his lips touched mine, it was like every nerve in my body sparked to life, threatening to drown me in the sensation. I had always thought that first kisses were supposed to be awkward, but he made mine amazing.

His lips gently molded mine, increasing the pressure when I instinctively leaned into him. I wanted more. I wanted to touch him, see him, taste him. I was surprised with how easily I opened my mouth for him, allowing his tongue to explore me without reserve. He tasted delicious, like chocolate and menthol. He wasn’t sloppy or rushed, but calculated and precise.

It reminded me of how a man leads a waltz. He led each movement, each stroke. I couldn’t help but dissolve in his arms. His hand released mine, crawling up my thigh to the hem of my shirt. His fingertips brushed against the strip of exposed skin beneath my shirt. A soft moan escaped my lips, but I didn’t care. I was under his spell, and I didn’t want it to end.

Fate had different plans. I groaned when I heard the familiar tune of my alarm, telling me I had to go home. He broke the kiss, his breathing just as heavy as mine. I quickly fumbled for the silence button on my phone, turning to him with an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry, I have to go.” I explained. His face fell, breaking my heart. A small smile tugged at his lips anyway.

“You really are like a Princess.” I blinked my eyes in confusion. “Like Cinderella. You give me the best hour of my life and now you’re going to disappear.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Not because I found what he said funny, but because it was exactly how I felt. I didn’t want to leave either, but I had no other choice. If Tom noticed I wasn’t in my room, he would send SWAT out looking for me. And if he did see me kissing Zen on a park bench, they were probably already en route.

I bit my lip, glancing down at my phone.

“Do you have a phone?” I asked, a little too desperately.

“Only a work phone.” He shook his head in disappointment. “I can’t exactly give that away, no matter how beautiful the woman.” He smiled at me, sending my heart a flutter. His words were so sappy, but they were quickly becoming my lifeline.

I couldn’t just walk away. I was in too deep already.

“Well… Can I give you my address? Maybe you can knock. Tell them you are a friend from the shelter, coming by to return my key.” I took out my keychain, quickly unhooking my distinct key with a puppy dog painted on it. Tom would recognize it and believe him, right?

“Wow. You’re pretty smart.” He looked genuinely impressed, making me blush. He took my key and stuffed it in his pocket. “Just one question. Why all the sneaking?”

I sighed, biting the inside of my cheek. What would he think of what I had to tell him?

“My dad… He likes to make sure I’m protected. So I have a security guard. He can be pretty strict, so I have to sneak out to come here.”

He gave me another one of his sexy smirks, setting fire to my body, before pulling me in for one more quick kiss. “Such a naughty girl, outsmarting your guard like that.” He breathed against my lips, causing pure desire to pool in my stomach. Seriously, how does he do that?

He pulled back, sucking his bottom lip between his perfect teeth. His hooded eyes met mine, telling me that he also looked forward to our next meeting, preferably in my bedroom.

“Give me ten minutes head start so I can make it look like I was sleeping.” I somehow managed to force out with however little air was still left in my lungs. This was happening. I was sneaking a man into my bedroom; a man that I met an hour ago.

He nodded, looking down at his watch to make note of the time.

“Ten minutes, Princess. See you soon.”