Chapter 7

They made love on the beach with only the stars as witness. Eventually, they re-dressed and moved to his private suite in the hotel. Once inside the luxurious apartment, Zach feathered her body with kisses, finding pleasure in her soft skin, the taste of her skin, the response his kisses elicited. He nibbled gently on her earlobes. "I told myself I wouldn't make you anymore promises. Not until all of this with Julia is over." Zach spoke in a low, almost inaudible voice. If it wasn't for the fact that his lips brushed Kendall's ear, she may not have heard him. "I want…Kendall.." Zach was fearful of his own words, admitting too much.

"You sure you can go another round, big boy." Kendall teased in a sexy husky voice.

Zach guided Kendall chin with his thumb and forefinger. His hand was so powerful compared to her delicate features. Zach guided Kendall's chin to the point where she had no choice but to stare into his gorgeous hazel eyes. His eyes spoke from his soul, she knew his words were difficult, but truthful. "I promise to protect you. " he wanted to continue but her crystal blue eyes made his heart skip a beat. "I want to give you everything."

"Zack, I don't want anything.." Zack interrupted Kendall with a soft kiss.

"I want to give you.." Zach continued to struggle with his words.

Kendall was uncomfortable with Zach's uneasiness. "Zach, show me."

A spark ignited in Zach's eyes. A fire that burned with the truth that Kendall understood him, understood his intent. The words he could not say, the meaning he could not verbalize, became self-evident in their love making. Mutual respect and adoration led to flurrying heights of ecstasy. Each bringing the other to a new apex of pleasure in response to the other's generosity. They fell asleep exhausted, but closer than ever, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Morning came too soon, as the bright sun streamed through the windows. It never occurred to either of them last night to close over the drapes. Zach quietly moved into the sitting room and called the kitchen to order a breakfast cart. Silently he dressed. It would be inappropriate if the owner answered the door for room service in a sheet. The wait staff would gossip uncontrollably become lazy and ineffective.

It didn't take long for the knock of room service. Zach closed over the bedroom door, protecting the sleeping Kendall from view. The young waiter pushed the elegant cart into the room. Lifting the silver covers revealing the freshly made waffles, Zach was silently impressed with the presentation his casino portrayed. Zach reached into the rumbled pants he was wearing to produce a generous tip.

"Thank you, sir." the young man left the room quickly and quietly.

Zach plucked two ripe strawberries out of the crystal bowl, biting one of them in half, as he sauntered back into the bedroom. He sat on the side of the bed closest to Kendall. The mattress shifted under his weight causing Kendall to stir.

"Zach?" Kendall said, her voice full of sleep.

"I'm right here, sweetheart." Zach whispered, placing his hand on her covered hip.

"I love you." Kendall whispered, not showing any more motion of being awake.

"I love you too." Zach responded quickly, naturally. 'Was it too soon? Did she even hear him?' Instantly, Zach doubted himself. He fixated on nervously picking at his well-manicured cuticles. A nervous habit he thought died with Alexander Cambias Jr. Memories flooded him of the dark, smoke filled office, his father's voice booming, declaring a young teenage boy "Heir to all that is Cambias. Heir to the world." Zach hated that office, hated that time in his life.

"Can we order breakfast, I am starving?" Kendall said huskily, as she stretched and twisted under the covers like a kitten.

Zach's entire demeanor lighten. "There is a tray waiting for you, my dear. Juice, coffee, waffles, strawberries…" Realizing he still held a single ripe strawberry in his right hand. He gently brought the strawberry to her lips. Her lips parted to accept his offer. His fixed gaze never leaving her. Her tongue skillfully darted to meet the berry. Her hand encircled his, and she bit the strawberry, leaving Zach with a small stump. Her laugh was deep, sensual. Before he could move toward her, she gracefully wrapped the top sheet around her nude body and headed to the bathroom.

"I'm going to take a shower." giggling as she closed the door. Kendall was fully aware of Zach's reaction. Turning on the shower head, she reconsidered her teasing.

Zach thought about bursting through the bathroom door and finishing what Kendall had started. But he laughed in spite of himself. 'If she wants to play the tease, I can play along.' He plotted revenge as he moved into the sitting room. He poured two cups of coffee, choosing to wait until after his own shower to eat. But decided to alter Kendall's breakfast instead.

She finished the shower sooner than he expected and padded into the sitting room in a hotel robe and bare feet. Her infamous curls hung straight because of the weight of water. He finished a call, snapped his phone shut and moved towards the bathroom. He welcomed the shower, hoping to dispel some of the fire that burned within him. The passion and desire he felt for her clouded his mind. He yearned to hold her, caress her, and please her. The shower of cold water overloaded his senses, causing a shock to his system.

Kendall expected him to join her in the shower and was pretty disappointed that he didn't. 'I thought the strawberry thing would send him over the edge.' Zach's reaction, or absence of a reaction, made Kendall re-think all of her previous seductive moves. Especially after he didn't talk to her, but silently went into the shower. She sat in front of the silver tray and lifted the cover. "Aw," escaped from her lips. Zach had made a heart of strawberries on top of her waffles with a 'Z' made of whipped cream in the center.

An evil smile crept across her face. She purposefully strode to the bathroom door. Tried to open the door as quietly as possible. She slid off her robe and crept to the running shower. Peeking around the corner of the elegantly tiled shower stall, she caught her breath at the sight of his naked form. He was facing the wall, the stream of water flowing on top of his down turned head. Kendall shifted in her position. His broad, muscular back rippled with every movement. His skin, wet and shiny, a delicious color, that she hungered to taste. The ache she had for him was too great. In silence, she moved into the shower.

Without turning around, Zach said with primal growl, "What's the matter Mrs. Slater? Can't play your own game?" He heard her open the bathroom door.

Without words, Kendall pressed her naked body against his back, wrapping her arms around him tightly. She covered his back with small kisses, while her hands caressed his chest with escalating need and want. He spun around holding her closely against his naked chest. His expansive figure eclipsed her petite frame. Effortlessly, Kendall was off her feet, her back pressed against the cold tile wall. Zach's desire was evident. Their union caused a shudder from deep inside Kendall. This time their lovemaking was more insistent, more needy. After their excitement crested, Zach leaned against the tile wall holding Kendall closely, both breathless and spent.