Memo: Marry Me? by Jennie Adams Read Free Book Online Page B

her. ‘We need to deal with this, Lily. Because it’s pretty clear it won’t deal with itself.’
    ‘We can’t. We’ve already agreed neither one of us wants any type of relationship.’ She took several hasty steps away from him. ‘We need to go in now. We don’t want to keep your associate waiting.’
    ‘We’ll go in, but this isn’t resolved.’ He yielded for the moment, but he made no attempt to shield her from the purpose in his gaze. There
would
be a reckoning of some sort, and it would be soon. ‘I still don’t see why Goodman couldn’t have seen me during the day.’
    The man was an acquaintance of his mother. He and Zach had done business before. Across a desk in broad daylight. It was Zach’s thirtieth birthday today, and, although he admitted that the sight of Lily in a clingy dress was a nice gift, he could think of things he would rather have done with his evening.
    Like take Lily somewhere secluded and let nature have its way with both of them…
    ‘Mr Goodman must have been busy during the day, I suppose. Let’s go. It’s, er, this way, by the look of it.’ Lily gave him one short, agitated glance, then turned and hurried towards the entrance to the building.
    She had freckles dotted across the milky satin of her shoulders. Freckles that seemed to invite him to lean closer, to press his lips to each little dot, to taste the freshness of soft, sweet skin.
    Zach groaned, and to cover the sound broke into speech. ‘Have you been here before? You seem to know exactly where you’re going.’
    His formal clothing was strangling him. The need to touch Lily was strangling him. Just a couple of short steps and he could have her in his arms.
    ‘I haven’t been here before, but I’ve heard the views from the restaurant floor are spectacular.’ Lily pushed the door open and stepped inside.
    When they left the elevator on the top floor, the owner himself met them. He whisked them towards a set of concertina doors without giving Zach a chance to even enquire after the business.
    ‘It appears you’re headed for the function room.’ Zach wondered at the very obvious mistake, and at the man’s sense of suppressed urgency. ‘We’re to meet someone in the restaurant itself — ’
    Without responding, the owner flung the doors open.
    ‘Happy Birthday!’
    ‘Surprise!’
    The room erupted with noise and cheers.
    ‘I’ve been had.’ Zach turned and drew Lily to his side. A brand of ownership? A promise that their shared attraction
would
be addressed? He didn’t know, knew only that it was right for his fingers to wrap around Lily’s arm as he took in his mother’s wide smile, Daniel’s grin, and the sea of familiar faces.
    Wall-to-floor panes of glass beyond them revealed the harbour in all its splendour. The magnificence of it shone for a moment in Lily’s eyes. He could drown in her. Too easily.
    The restaurant owner stepped forward, grinning, and offered a hearty handshake. ‘It’s too long since you’ve visited your investment. Enjoy your night.’
    Then his mother gave him a quick, one-armed hug. ‘Happy Birthday, darling. Are you utterly surprised? Vince thought it a great lark. He
does
have a business proposition to discuss, but Lily has booked an appointment.’
    ‘I didn’t suspect at all.’ His focus on Lily had dulled his awareness of other things. Even now, the feel of her arm beneath his fingers tantalised him.
    When had his mother approached Lily about tonight? All Zach had known was Goodman’s demand for a dinner meeting. Complete with secretary to take urgent and important notes!
    He turned to look at her again. The results of his hold on her carried a slow burn through his system. ‘But I think my new secretary probably has a few things to answer for.’
    She dutifully laughed, but for a moment her eyes held a stark vulnerability. Why? He didn’t know, but he wanted to take that pain from her. A wave of protectiveness and possessiveness washed over him.
    He