She turned and glared at him. "But I was only just getting started," she said through gritted teeth. "Let's stay and chat to Melanie for a while. She's so...witty."
"I think you've had enough wit for one night. We've got a long drive to get you home."
She cursed him under her breath but stayed rooted to her stool. There was no way she would attempt to stand while Melanie was still around. With the floor still spinning, it would be embarrassing enough to do it in front of Zack—she didn't need the poodle laughing at her as well.
"It was nice meeting you, Melanie," she said politely. "I hope we'll see you around somewhere." Like hell.
"Oh, Zacky, that reminds me. Louisa's having a party on Wednesday night. You're coming aren't you?"
"I don't think so—"
"Oh, but Zacky," Annie crooned in imitation of Melanie. "We simply must go to Louisa's party. Just think what a great opportunity it would be."
"Opportunity?" Zack and Melanie said together.
Annie winked at him. "Yeah, for that little project of yours."
"Oh, yeah." He nodded. "Looks like we'll see you there, Mel."
"Yes," Melanie said sharply. "I'll see you there. Both of you. How lovely." She glared at Annie through lashes curled almost to her eyebrows.
Annie made a mental note to look absolutely stunning the night of the party. Well, as stunning as a B-cup woman can look next to two hot-air balloons.
Finally Melanie marched off and Annie decided it was safe to get up. She stood and the floor moved under her. Zack caught her before she fell.
"Mmm," she murmured as the muscles in his arms flexed. "Nice."
He let go as if she were poisonous. That stung and she sighed. He must still be afraid of encouraging her. Well, now that she'd seen his type first hand, she could see why. Letting people think he was dating a mousy, dull woman would harm his reputation as LA's wealthy playboy. She sniggered. She couldn't let that happen.
"Can you walk?"
"Of course I can! I'm not drunk."
"And I'm an alien."
"Are you?"
He sighed and his arm snaked around her waist again. She smiled and snuggled into him. It felt like her feet were gliding across the floor. She glanced down and noticed that they were—Zack was practically carrying her.
But looking down was a bad move. Her stomach lurched.
She moaned.
Outside, Zack propped her up against a light pole, bending her over at the waist. The hand on the back of her neck was cool and steady.
"Your body's all wrong for drinking," he said. His voice sounded strangely disembodied.
"My body's fine," she snapped, clutching her churning stomach.
"I know," he murmured. "That's what worries me."
Before she could work out what he meant, her stomach heaved and she threw up at the feet of the man of her dreams.
***
Annie fell asleep in the Ferrari on the drive back to her place. Zack turned the volume on the CD player down so as not to wake her. Every time he stopped at a red light, he glanced at her peaceful form. Her head rested awkwardly on her shoulder, her lips parted slightly and she breathed evenly. She looked almost angelic. She'd certainly not been an angel when she threw up all over his shoes.
He cursed himself and thumped his fist against the steering wheel. He shouldn't have let her drink so much. He hadn't realized until too late that small women were affected quickly by alcohol. That, coupled with her lack of drinking experience—which she'd tried to hide—equaled disaster. A messy one.
Damn. He should've known better.
He felt like a traitor. He was supposed to be looking after her as well as taking her under his wing. Getting her drunk to the point of throwing up definitely wasn't on the curriculum.
He parked outside her building and walked around the hood to open her door. He lifted her out and her head fell against his shoulder. Her body was light, a perfect fit in his arms, and her hair smelled of lilies. He could get used to that smell.
She stirred then nestled back into his arms. At one point he thought he heard her whisper his name and he stood rooted to the spot, hoping she'd say it again. But she didn't. Maybe she hadn't at all and it was just wishful thinking on his part.
When he reached her door, he set her on her feet and propped her against the wall, holding her up with his shoulder as he rifled through her purse.
"Hey, what are you doing?" she said, stirring. She shoved his shoulder away. And tipped forward like a felled tree.
Zack caught her. "I'm looking for your keys."
"Good. We can't stay out here all night. What would my neighbors think?"
"That you're drunk."
"I'm not." She giggled. "I bet they'd think we're having sex."
He located the keys and with one arm around Annie, unlocked the door. A yelp greeted them.
"Oh, Snoopy, hello, Baby." She wiggled her finger at her dog as he licked her toes. "So are we?" she asked Zack.
"What?"
"Going to have sex?"
"Are you going to fall asleep on me?" he asked.
She wrinkled her brow. "I can almost guarantee it."
"Then I guess not. I hate it when that happens."
She snorted. "Bet it's never happened to you."
He swept her into her bedroom and laid her gently on the bed. He removed her shoes then looked at her face. She watched him, a little glassy eyed, but it was still unnerving. He wished he knew what she was thinking. On the other hand, maybe it was best he didn't.
"Do you want me to help you get undressed?"
She wrinkled her forehead again. "I haven't shaved my legs."
He chuckled. "If you remember anything tomorrow, I have a feeling you're going to regret saying that. How about I just leave you dressed."
"Whatever," she muttered, closing her eyes.
"Oh, no you don't. Not yet." He shook her shoulders until she opened her eyes. "I'm going to get you something to make you feel better. Just wait a minute."
Zack headed to the kitchen, Snoopy trailing behind. He found the ingredients he was after and a tall glass and a few minutes later he had a concoction that would scare away even the grimmest hangover.
"Come on, Snoopy, let's see what words of wisdom your cute little owner's got now."
They returned to the bedroom and found Annie sound asleep, lying on her back diagonally across the bed.
He sat her up and shook her gently. "Wake up. You have to drink this."
She groaned and opened her eyes. "What is it?" She eyed the concoction suspiciously.