"Who, me?" His eyes widen innocently. Then he laughs. "No, little girl, it wasn't obtained illegally."
I actually don't care how he got it. I can't believe he got it for me! I can't stop smiling as the McPigs shout/sing about seeing John Lennon in a doughnut hole.
When the song ends, Zane lowers the volume. "Hey, Violet? I just wanted you to know--just 'cause you're staying with me for a couple days doesn't mean I expect anything from you. Know what I mean? We don't have to have to do anything if you're not ready."
I just stare ahead, smiling a little. "Then how else are you going to see me in the purple lingerie you got for me?"
Total silence, then:
"Are you wearing it right now?"
"Yup."
Zane swears under his breath, and the truck suddenly accelerates. I gasp and grab the dashboard.
Laughing nervously, I look over at him. "Not in a patient mood, are you?"
"I have been patient," he growls. "Keep teasing me like that, and I'll pull over. You'll find out how little patience I have left."
His rough voice only excites me more, nudging me into dangerous territory. "I could give you a little sneak peek,” I say, tugging at the hem of my shirt.
Zane curses again and grips the steering wheel with both hands. "Oh, honey, you are so gonna get it."
"Am I? Finally!"
He shakes his head, and to my relief, he starts laughing. "Why don't you be a good little girl and take a nap? Quit torturing me."
"I think I will take a nap," I murmur, snuggling into my seat.
"Sweet dreams, Violet," he says quietly as my eyes drift shut.
"I'll dream of you, and it will be sweet," I whisper drowsily.
Chapter 27
I've been sleep deprived for a while, and it suddenly catches up on me. Safe and warm in the comfort of Zane's truck, I fall into a deep sleep.
When I finally wake up, we are pulling into what looks like a really fancy hotel designed to look like a medieval castle.
"Where are we?" I ask Zane groggily. I thought were going to your house?"
"Yeah, well, I thought I'd surprise you." He smiles over at me.
I am mesmerized by the giant colorful fountain in front of the hotel. Then I gasp excitedly. "That's Marvy Marcus and Princess Pippy! We're in Fairytale Castle?!"
"Where every girl is a princess and every boy is a pirate."
I bounce excitedly in my seat. "Zane! Thank you! I never dreamed you'd take me here!"
"It'll be fun," he says bravely. I'm almost convinced he means it.
A valet dressed like a pirate takes the truck away and another matey pops up to try and takes our bags for us. Since we only have my bag and his, Zane declines, carrying them himself. While he checks us in, I admire the Renaissance theme in the elaborate lobby. The ceiling is a sparkling masterpiece, cherubic Fairytale Castle characters frolicking in a twilight sky.
"The penthouse was already booked, but I did manage to get us a suite," Zane says, coming up to me. "Is that okay?"
I put my arms around his waist and press up against him. "It's perfect," I murmur into his chest.
Most people might be bothered by the FC Christmas music playing in the elevator, but I love it. I enthusiastically point out the elaborate castles etched into the elevator, and Zane just smiles at me.
He's being awfully quiet, not taking his eyes off me this whole time. I'm not that naive, I know that guys get that look when they're thinking about sex. He's watching me the way a predator watches its prey right before it's about to pounce. And that weird tension is back—I can feel it sizzling in the air between us, and see it in the strained way Zane is holding himself.
I try my hardest to ignore it, blaming my jittery movements on the excitement of being here. I accidentally bump into him when when we exit the elevator, and I jump back, as if burned. Zane reaches out to steady me, a sexy smirk on his gorgeous face.
Okay, the suite is freaking huge and beautiful. The décor is a cross between an old tavern and a sultan’s palace. That may sound like an odd combination, but it works. I love the dark gleaming wood floors and the exotic rugs, and the jewel tones of the elegant furniture. The spacious living room has windows everywhere, with a sliding glass door leading to a balcony with an incredible view of the theme park. I don’t stop to admire the view, however. I want to see the bedrooms—is there more than one?
There is. There’s the master suite, with a giant fluffy bed and an adjoining bathroom that has a jetted bathtub. The other bedroom has two beds, and the other bathroom has a glass-encased shower big enough for three skinny people. Plenty big for me and Zane. My face becomes too warm when I picture us in there, doing things that have nothing to do with getting clean.