Hell yes. And for the first time in his life, Zack realized he was ready for those things too. But only if he could have them with her.
He took a step toward her. She was perfect all right, and exactly what he needed. Wanted.
"Annie," he stood close, inhaling the scent of soap and shampoo. There were tracks on her cheeks from her tears and he touched them, wishing he hadn't caused them.
She turned her face away, but he knew what he had to do now. He touched her chin and made her look at him. Her eyes were deep pools, ready to spill at any moment.
"I'm sorry I put you through this," he whispered. "It's just I didn't know until now."
"Didn't know what?" Her voice trembled.
"That I love you, Annie." Her body stiffened as a tidal wave of relief flooded his. He'd said it—for the first time in his entire life, he'd used the L word.
But Annie just stood there, her lips slightly apart, staring up at him. His heart cracked. He'd blown it. He'd said the wrong thing. Or he'd said the right thing, but too late.
He brushed a damp lock of hair from her forehead. He wanted to kiss her there, feel her hot skin on his lips one last time, but he didn't dare.
"I thought you prefer busty blondes," she said.
God, she was beautiful—all damp curls and moist, pink skin. He barely controlled a shudder as she blinked wide-eyed up at him. "No. It was easier to date them because I'd never fall for that sort of girl."
"But you said yourself, you don't want a relationship."
He could hear the ache in her voice. He'd caused that. What a complete ass he'd been.
"I never wanted to end up like my parents," he said. Dredging up the past would open old wounds, but he needed to explain. "My Dad gave up his dreams for my mother. And because of that, he hated her. Not straight away. They were madly in love when they married. But with the jobs and the pressure of raising a large family, he lost his talent for song writing. He could have been successful. Bob made him successful after he died, but..." He shrugged, leaving the sentence hanging.
"And you don't want to end up like your father?" Annie nodded. "Me either. It seems we both have father issues."
"Yeah, well, you've come to terms with yours. Now it's my turn." He smiled weakly. "So be gentle with me, Annie. Outright rejection isn't easy on a commitment-phobe who's made up his mind to make a commitment."
Annie frowned, her eyes searching his. "So you meant what you just said? You love me?"
"Yes," he whispered.
She fell into him, pressed her body against his and suddenly the room spun out of control and Zack felt unbalanced. His grip tightened around her and he pulled her closer.
"Annie?"
She laughed into his chest. His heart did somersaults.
She pressed her fingertips to his lips and he kissed them. "I'm not like those other women. I want it all."
He grinned, relief wrapping around his aching heart. "I know. That's why I love you." It felt even more right the second time.
She kissed him. "I love you too," she murmured when they finally came up for air. "So does this mean you'll sleep with me now?"
"Every day." He grinned and bent to kiss her again, so eager to taste her lips, but she pulled away. Oh, hell, now what?
"I have a confession to make," she said.
"Unless you're going to tell me you're an alien, I don't care."
She grinned and dodged his lips. "My confession is that I wasn't really flirting with Rick the other night. I was just pretending to."
"I know."
She crossed her arms and pouted. "How?"
"Because I know you." He kissed the tip of her nose. "And you're a terrible flirt."
"Oh." She frowned. "I feel like I hardly know you at all sometimes."
"That's okay." It was now, anyway. A week wasn't long enough to know everything about one person, but it was long enough to know he was in love with Annie. "We're going to have the rest of our lives to find out everything about one another."
"As long as we spend the rest of our lives on your ranch in Montana. I think I've had enough of LA."
"Really? But you've lived here your whole life." He felt himself grinning. He'd wanted her to leave the city but he'd never force her.
"I've realized I don't quite fit the LA image. My idea of a great night is going to bed early."
He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. "Sounds good to me."
THE END