He finally smiled and shifted his glance to her. His face had gone gentle, and he lifted his hand to caress her cheek. Even though he’d been angry, she didn’t feel the need to jerk away from him. She was comforted by his touch.

He reached for her hand, pulled it across to his lips, and pressed a lingering kiss on her knuckles. “I’m not one to turn down a free meal.”

“Good. Carlos is away tonight. No one will interrupt us.” She lifted his fingers to her lips and kissed them. “But there is one stipulation.”

He gave her a quick glance then shifted his attention back to the road. “What’s that?”

“We have to stop by the store. If I’m keeping you for the night, I’m not letting you go until after breakfast.”

He gave her hand a squeeze. “You’re sure about this?”

Couldn’t he see it resonate through her whole body? She was claiming back her life one piece at a time. With Zachary Benson, she was claiming back her heart, which had been torn into a million pieces. She was reclaiming the confidence that had been torn away with deceit and lies. And having watched his demeanor change on the ride back to Nashville, she realized she was letting that wall she’d built to protect herself physically crumble to the ground. There was nothing she wanted more than to keep Zach busy and wrapped in her arms all night long. She was now in charge. “That’s my executive decision.”

Chapter eight

Regan was completely aware that Zach’s stare was on her as she stirred the filling for the pie she planned to serve with dinner. With every stir, she let her body sway a bit. She liked the way the hem of his shirt, which she’d ripped from him the moment they’d walked through her front door, skimmed her bare thighs. From the few groans echoing into his wine glass as he drank, she was sure he liked the way it looked.

Zach cleared his throat. “You’re sure Carlos isn’t coming home tonight, or your sister won’t be here for some surprise visit?” he asked as he set his glass on the table and walked up behind her, still barefoot and clad in only his jeans after they’d made love all afternoon.

“I’m sure.” She tossed back her hair, revealing her neck. Taking the subtle hint, he trailed kisses from her collarbone to her ear. He slipped his hands up under the shirt and cupped her breasts.

“You’re going to make me spill the filling,” she sighed.

“Sorry for distracting you.” He dropped his hands slowly, skimming his fingertips over her sensitive skin. “You’re sexy when you bake.”

“I’ve never had that compliment. Thank you.”

He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled his chin against her shoulder. Regan dipped her finger into the chocolate pie filling and lifted it to his mouth. His breath was warm against her cheek as he sucked the filling from her finger, and it sent tingles through her core. She closed her eyes and rested against him. His hands wandered back up her shirt as she laid the spoon against the side of the mixing bowl.

Her skin under his touch was hot, and her breath had quickened. Zach slid his hands to her hips, hooked his fingers into the band of her panties, and pushed them down. She braced her hands against the counter, and he pushed his hard body against her. Zach dipped his finger into the pie filling and ran a line of chocolate down her neck. When she sighed, he licked the trail with his tongue. Regan felt her knees go weak.

He spun her around and pressed her back against the counter. He pulled her up to him, wrapped her legs around him, and turned her toward the kitchen table. She buried her face in his neck as he set her on the table.

Zach turned back and brought the bowl of filling to the table. The sexy smile on his lips and smoldering darkness in his eyes told her he was going to devour her.

He dipped his finger into the filling and fed it to her. She sucked the chocolate from his skin. He let out a groan and pushed closer to her. She set a firm hand on his bare chest and pushed him back.

Regan reached for the first button on his shirt she’d borrowed and released it. His eyes sparked. She unbuttoned the second, and Zach bit down on his lip. He was putty in her hands now, and she was in charge. When she had opened the entire shirt, she sat before him on the table naked, enjoying the pain she was causing him. She dipped her finger into the pie filling and ran it from her neck, down between her breasts to the top of her stomach.

Zach swallowed hard, but didn’t move until she reached for him. She pulled him to her, kissing him thoroughly, tasting the chocolate and wine. She intoxicated herself with him and let a moan slip from her throat as his hand moved up the inside of her thigh.

He broke free from her mouth and slowly licked the chocolate from her body. Every flick of his tongue sent a shiver through her. Her desire for him grew more intense as he made his way to her stomach and lower.

Unable to stand it any longer, she grabbed for his hips and unzipped the already unbuttoned jeans that kept him from her. Zach slid them to floor and wrapped her legs back around him. He gripped her waist and pulled her to the edge of the table. Her arms flew around his neck as he pushed inside her with a passion, a heat. She kept perfect rhythm with him.

She stroked him with her body, gripping him, until she drove him with her to the edge and they spilled over together. Their bodies were damp. Their heartbeats rapid and their breath only in gasps.

“God, what you do to me…” He rested his head on her shoulder.

“I’ve never been touched like that. You handle me with finesse and care when I need it.” She ran her hand up his chest. “And when you know I’m relaxed with you, you turn up the heat. You’re amazing.”

“Oh, honey, I think you turned up the heat this time. Watching you let go and unbutton my shirt…” He lifted his head, looked down at her, and blew out a satisfied breath.

Zach brought out something inside of her no other man had ever been able to do. Not only was she comfortable with him, she was comfortable with herself. She wanted to release the passion, the need, the love she’d bottled up inside for so long.

She looked up at him with hazed eyes and smiled. Then his eyes changed, and a sudden anguished look crossed over his face. “I’m sorry about this. I wasn’t thinking.” He took a step back.

“Neither was I. That was the nice part.” Regan reached for him, but he was out of her grasp.

“No. I just took you. I didn’t think about protection.” He raked his fingers through his hair.