Fate's Wish(6)

In a quick move, he wrapped one arm around her waist and lifted his other hand to stop the glass in its tracks. The jagged pieces stopped in midair about a foot away from them. He flicked his hand in a circle and the glass shuffled into one pile in front of them, making their way to the floor as he lowered his hand.

He turned to look into her eyes. Their faces were inches apart. Her harsh breaths caressed his skin. Each time she took a breath, warm puffs of chocolate-scented air kissed the side of his face. She had looped her arms around his neck, and their bodies were plastered together. Lust coursed through him, and he thought of the taste of her lips.

He moved his mouth to latch on to her soft lips in a fervent kiss. Devouring the sweet depths of her mouth, he explored and feasted with his tongue. She whimpered and rubbed her tongue over his lips. The kiss turned ferocious and demanding. She sucked on his tongue, and he knew they had to stop before things got out of control.

Passion sparkled in her eyes, and the urge to kiss her again raged inside him. She might want him, but she didn’t trust him. He wanted her, but she wasn’t ready to open herself to him. There was too much mistrust in her heart. He let go of her and took a couple of steps back.

Arousal deepened his voice to a near growl. “This is why you need me.”

The heat in her eyes cooled. She looked so lost. His steely resolve to wait wavered. He wanted to kiss her worries away and tell her he’d take care of her, but he knew she’d rather take a bullet than ask him for help.

An angry rumble escaped him. Had he not been there, she would have been hurt.

“Thanks. Nothing like that has happened to me before. I’m not sure why it did now.” A small quiver sounded in her voice. “I’d like to get my hands on the asshole that did that.” A flush darkened her skin, and her golden eyes flashed.

“Don’t worry. We’ll find whoever is doing this soon.”



* * *





“So? Where is he?”

Shar looked up from the counter to gaze at her mother’s smiling face as she walked in the door. Her mother’s skin was flawless, not a single wrinkle in sight. Her blonde hair was cut in a short bob that graced her ears. Her hazel eyes twinkled with vitality.

Shar rolled her eyes and sighed. “I was able to talk him into leaving me alone because I told him you were coming to say goodbye before your trip. He said he’ll be back in an hour.”

He’d rarely left her alone in the past few days. And twice she’d been glad he was around. First, the issue with the windows—she had no idea who was set on bothering her, but it was turning into a nuisance. Then her car died in the middle of the road late one night. Of course, she’d tried to get the stupid thing to work, but it was as if something had frozen the entire electrical system, keeping it from moving.

“Are you sure things are OK? I know this isn’t the ideal situation, but is he keeping his hands to himself?”

“Yes. He’s kept his hands to himself.” And that was the damn problem. Every time she looked at him, her body craved his touch. He was at an arm’s reach, but just out of her range.

“This is bothering you?” Her mother gave her one of her curious stares.

“Yes! I’m so angry and confused.” The urge to scream profanities at fate was interrupted by a customer picking up an order.

Shar watched her mother make small talk with the recurring client while she retrieved the lotions and soaps. When the woman walked out the door, Shar wondered out loud if she should just tell Zahir to go. Nothing new had happened to endanger her.

“No. He stays. Now, not that it’s any of my business, but if you still want the man, why not go for it? It’s not like this time he could hurt you.”

“What do you mean?” Her entire life she’d been used to her mom’s quirks, but for her to suggest using Zahir just for sex was just way too weird.

“Well, if you purposely go into a purely sexual relationship with him, there’s no way you can end up hurt. He can’t break your heart if you don’t let your feelings into the equation.”

Shar stared at her desk and nibbled on her lip.

“Think about it, darling. If anything at all happens and you need me, you know how to reach me. I’m not leaving for another day, so you can call on me.” She hugged her tight, kissed her forehead, and then looked down into her eyes “Don’t pass up the opportunity to get some answers. Even if it hurts, it’s best to know the truth.”

After her mother left, Shar sat at her desk and stared into space. Why did Zahir leave her in the first place? She’d tried not to think of the question before, but it had begun to grow into an incessant nag in the back of her head. She would ask him the minute he walked in the door. She paced behind the register waiting for him to finally show his face.