No Regrets, No Surrender(40)

“Thanks for today.” She spared the woman a last glance before Zach caught the door and pulled it wide. Logan extended a hand, and she let him help her out. “Oh, I should get the wheelchair.”

“No need, I can drop it off!” Lauren waved and pulled away as soon as Zach closed the door.

The warm evening air ruffled her neck. The scarf tickled her skin, but the sensation didn’t match the sight of these two men, so different in coloring and stance, yet so very alike standing in front of her.

“Hey.”



Zach hadn’t expected the donkey kick to his midsection when he opened the door. Logan’s relaxed air didn’t seem to invade his own rattled nerves or pounding heart. But as Logan took her hand and helped her to stand, the uncertainty washed away in a torrent of lust, affection, and respect. The fear churning in his gut since Brody’s phone call, exacerbated by the sight of her fragile, pale features as her Navy escort wheeled her down the concourse, settled.

The long road to full recovery still stretched out in front of them, but light sparkled in her brown eyes. A smile flirted with her lips. Her red dress with its forties square top, tied behind her neck, cupped her breasts beautifully and emphasized the slender column of her neck. She’d lost some muscle tone, but it left her with softer, almost lusher curves.

He didn’t know squat about fashion, but she looked good. Red was definitely her color. Logan leaned down and slanted his mouth across hers for a kiss. The seconds ticked by and her hand bunched around his lapel. The soft sigh she released as he stepped back, went straight to Zach’s cock.

“My turn.” He grinned and Logan edged aside as Zach carefully cupped her face in his hands and teased her with a light kiss. If he went any deeper with full public display lewdness, he was in real danger of blowing their plan. Her lips parted beneath his, but he didn’t press the advantage, enjoying the taste of mint and lemon that lingered on her breath. Heat flushed his skin, and she seemed brighter when he lifted his head. “Hey.”

“Wow.” Her laughter stoked his passion even as it relaxed the steel bands compressing his chest. “Hi.”

“We’re glad you could join us.” Logan tucked her hand on the crook of his arm, and Zach mirrored the gesture. They walked her to the door, measuring their steps as if they’d practiced to match her uneven gait. Logan let her go long enough to open the door, and Zach guided her through. Logan turned the lock behind them and adjusted the door’s curtains to shield them from prying eyes. Inside the shadowy restaurant, they strolled up a pathway to the private dining area illuminated by candles on either side.

The chef had outdone himself. The private dining room boasted a round table, plush chairs, and enough food to make Zach’s mouth water. When Jazz’s stomach growled audibly, he didn’t bother to disguise his laughter.

“You like?” he asked edging around them to pull out a chair. She’d done great on her walk. Strength and confidence returning with every step, but they didn’t want to overdo it. No, they had plans for this evening, and they did not include exhausting her.

Not yet, anyway.

“It’s—wow—that’s a lot of food.” In addition to the steaks, there was lobster tail, gumbo, shrimp, heaping platters of steamed vegetables, red-roasted potatoes, and warm bread. Her stomach rumbled again, and she flattened her hand against it. “Excuse me.”

“No excuses needed. Would you allow us the honor of serving you this evening?” The increase in her appetite was a great sign. Zach watched Logan in those first few weeks after his surgeries. When he started getting hungry again, it meant he’d turned a corner. He only hoped the same spoke true for Jazz.

Her gaze flicked back and forth between them. “I’d love it.”

Zach released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Logan steadied her chair, and she sat, slowly and gracefully. Her skirt scooted up over her legs and bared a portion of her thigh. In an effort not to swallow his tongue, he forced his attention to ride back up to her face. The little minx grinned at him.

Hot damn, was their Jazz back after a day at a spa? If he’d suspected that effect, they would have made arrangements for it a whole lot sooner.

“Did you have a good day?” Logan elbowed him into moving again and followed so they loaded up the plates.

“It was interesting. I would never have imagined Lauren and James. He’s so quiet and she’s so…enthusiastic. But she’s fun, too. I’m guessing none of the beer is for me, huh?” The question tweaked Zach’s guilt, but her dry humor eased the sting.