Always & Forever by Chantel Rhondeau Page B

breathed in the smell of him, musky cologne and a spicy scent unique to him, and her heartbeat accelerated.
    Lilly recognized the irony of their situation. The man who offered to hire her so he wouldn’t have to deal with a relationship now instigated a conversation about what was happening between them. She didn’t laugh or question why he asked these things. His stark need to hear that she wanted to be here, wanted to be with him, brought forth her own desire to be wanted by him.
    She wished she knew what it was Zach expected to happen. Did he want a relationship with her? His actions suggested this was no longer a fake date, but she didn’t dare trust that. His arm squeezed tighter around her, and Lilly found it impossible to care about his motives any longer.
    The sensuous feeling of his arm holding her was what mattered. She felt cherished and needed for this moment. She could worry about whether or not she acted the fool if he didn’t call tomorrow.
    The noise of the engines started, and the boat slowly left the dock. Lilly knew Zach had things to take care of for the party, but he made no effort to move. He sat with his arm wrapped around her for several long moments, and gradually the tension eased out of him.
    “You smell wonderful,” he murmured.
    She nuzzled closer to his chest.
    Heels clicked on the stairwell. “There you are, Zach!”
    Lilly jumped and sat up as Sarah appeared at the top of the stairs.
    “I want to introduce Lilly to Steven. Oh—” Sarah stopped walking. Guilt at being caught in Zach’s arms plagued Lilly, though she wasn’t sure why. “Am I interrupting something?”
    “No, sis. I needed a minute,” Zach answered with no apology in his voice. He kept his arm around Lilly’s waist.
    “Mom told you she invited him then.” Sarah nodded. “I told her to call and tell you. She thought you wouldn’t show up if you knew.”
    “Yeah, she sprung it on me right as we boarded.” Zach shrugged. “In her defense, she doesn’t know what happened. It’s my fault. I’m the one who told the family I quit being his friend over a business deal. She doesn’t know what he really is. Besides, he’s Tommy’s best friend.”
    Sarah shook her head. “Mother should have figured out something different. She may not know what happened, but she also isn’t blind or stupid, though Lord knows she sometimes pretends to be.”
    Zach chuckled but Sarah turned a delicate shade of pink and clapped a hand over her mouth. “Lilly, forgive me. I shouldn’t say stuff like that in front of you.” She walked back toward the stairway. “When you’re ready, come meet my husband. He’s dying for an introduction to the woman who’s finally captured Zach’s attention.”
    Zach pulled Lilly to her feet and they followed in Sarah’s wake. He walked in front of her down the stairs, turning slightly to keep a firm hold on her forearm and help her navigate the narrow staircase. When they reached the bottom, Zach captured Lilly’s hand in his and twined their fingers together. Somehow, this felt much more intimate than the almost full-body contact they’d shared when he assisted her onto the boat.
    They strolled back to the party. He reduced his pace and allowed her to set their speed. She feared she would embarrass him when his friends realized she limped, but Zach didn’t appear to care.
    Lilly tried to keep an eye on everyone at once as they followed Sarah. Many of the women seemed hostile, but Lilly figured they were jealous because she was there with Zach and they weren’t. Still, she wondered how long her date would last before someone walked up and accused her of being a murderer, ruining Zach’s party and her new life.
    “This is my husband, Steven,” Sarah said with evident pride as they reached a handsome, brown-haired man who stood by a bowl of punch.
    Steven chatted with Patricia but smiled as they approached. Zach’s mother frowned, looking at Zach and Lilly’s entwined hands. She walked