Page 99 of Help Wanted

He handed the baby back to his sister with a smile in his heart.

“I forgot, I have a few calls to make.”

Sidney and Kenley gave him a look, but left him in his office alone.

* * *

“So how long has this been going on?” Sidney asked as they walked to Kenley’s desk. Kenley knew there would be no way to get out of the conversation. Strike that—interrogation. “Last I heard, he’d messed things up when my parents were being their horrid selves.”

“It wasn’t him. We worked it out.”

Kenley glanced down the hall, remembering Zane’s sudden need to be alone. Maybe it wouldn’t matter. She’d seen his skittish look enough times to know when he was ready to bolt.

She knew she loved him, and she wondered if he was the type who would ever be able to love her back. She had to admit she’d felt a little twinge in her heart as well as a jolt to her biological clock as she watched him holding Paige. It was easy to see how much he loved the little girl.

“I’m glad he fixed things. My brother’s never been really serious about anyone before. He had a few girlfriends during college. He’s dated, but nothing long-term.”

That should have make Kenley feel better. He’d never had a serious relationship, either. But instead she felt more anxious. She’d never wanted to have more with anyone. She’d seen the pain her father had endured when her mother died. The pain that was still in his eyes whenever anyone spoke of her. She’d spent the last several years thinking love meant pain. Now she realized it might be worth the risk.

“But now I think,” Sidney continued, “he needed to get his business started first. So he knew what he was capable of. What’s important is what happens now.”

“You’re right.” Kenley perked up. The past was the past. What mattered was if Zane was ready for a relationship now.

They chatted until closing. Sidney had called her many times since the robbery, but this was the first time they’d seen each other. Sidney looked around the innocent-looking space and shook her head.

“I can’t believe we could have lost you here in this spot where I once told Zane he was acting like a poo-poo head.” Sidney wiped under her eye and pulled Paige a little closer. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Kenley.”

They attempted an awkward hug that included the baby and ended up laughing.

Kenley locked the door behind Sidney. It was way after quitting time when she walked into Zane’s office.

He’d put everything back on his desk. Too bad.

With a confidence she didn’t quite feel, she strode over to him. Rolling his chair back, she straddled his thighs.

“I want you, Zane Jackson.” Her voice only shook a little as she unbuttoned her shirt, trying for seductive. “Right now.”

With nothing but a low groan, he moved his laptop and papers out of the way again. In one swift movement he stood and placed her on the desk.

They made quick work of each other’s clothing, and seconds later he slid into her with a hard thrust that pushed her across the desk. Undeterred, he simply moved her back into position and drove into her again.

She loved how her sweet, shy Zane turned into this sexy, aggressive creature when she touched him.

He licked and nipped at her skin everywhere at once, and yet she wanted more. Two more thrusts sent her over, and she shouted his name, or something close to it, as he let out a moan of surrender and fell heavily on top of her. His chest heaving against hers, his breath against her neck.

“You know there is a perfectly good bed in your apartment a few blocks from here. And you are officially off for the day,” he said, kissing the place under her ear.

“What about you? Are you off for the day?”

“I have a few things I should finish, but I could be persuaded.”

“Why don’t I go start dinner and I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

He shook out her shirt and passed it over.

“You’re perfect, you know that?”

She hid the frown. She didn’t want him to think she was perfect. She wasn’t. She didn’t want to be on a pedestal. The only place to go from up there was down.