Disclaimer: I don't own them except for the kids!

Secret, Part 11.1

Quatrina looked at her husband as they walked back to the compound. They had spent the entire day going to the shops and they had dined out. He was smiling too broadly and way too much. "You're up to something."

Ice blue eyes caught the amethyst eyes of his wife. "What makes you say that?"

"The way you're smiling."

Zach brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it as they walked along the wall that enclosed the house. "Maybe I am up to something. But it's something special just for you."

She paused, making him stop to look at her. "So what is it?"

"It wouldn't be a surprise or as special if I told you."

"Why?"

He arched a brow at her. "Because it wouldn't be. Nosy brides shouldn't ask questions. You'll like it, I promise." He tugged at her hand, pulling her through the gate and locking it behind them.

Her heeled shoes clicked softly on the cobbled drive as he led her up the steps and into the house. There were no lights on except for a dim glow beyond the kitchen. She turned her eyes towards him again. "What's going on?"

Taking her bags from her he placed them in a closet by the door. "A surprise. Don't you want to find out?"

His grin was suspicious and infectious. "All right, show me my surprise."

Grabbing her hands again he led her into the kitchen. "Close your eyes," he said as stepped behind her, covering them with one of his hands. His other hand rested on her hip as he walked her forwards. Reaching the large family room, he stopped and removed his hand from her eyes. "Now open them."

She opened her eyes slowly and gasped at her surprise. There was a fire going in the cavernous fireplace, filling the room with a warm romantic glow. There was fruit, cheese, and other finger foods on the table. A bottle of wine with two glasses also graced the table along with a vase filled with long stemmed red roses.  "Oh, Zach."

"You like your surprise?"

"Oh, yes. But when…"

"When I was waiting for you to get ready this morning. I asked Abdul and his brothers to set it up for me."

Quatrina turned around and wrapped her arms around him. "Zach, I love you."

Returning her embrace, he leaned back and kissed her. "I love you too."

She let him lead her into the room. It was extremely warm due to the fire, her fingers went to slide her shawl off, but she felt his hands already there, removing it for her, leaving her arms and shoulders bare. Then she felt the brush of his lips against her shoulder, making her turn her head to look at him. "Zach, what gave you the idea for this?"

"I wanted to do something special for you. I wanted to make tonight something you remember."

There was that look in his eyes again. The same look from this morning. She turned hers away from his and looked around the room again. As romantic as it was, it was also a setting for seduction. Her seduction.  Her heart began to pound as she watched him lay her shawl on the chair.

He looked over his shoulder at her. Her eyes were scanning the room again. He took in the picture she presented. She was standing in front of the fireplace. The silhouette she presented was breathtaking and he couldn't stop his eyes from following the outline of curves. He walked over to her and rested his hands on her shoulders. "You like your surprise?"

"Yes, very much," she said as she turned her head to look at him. Her eyes strayed to the fire again. Her skin tingled as he trailed his fingers up and down her arms before she felt his lips on the side of her neck. She closed her eyes, trying to concentrate on the pleasant sensations he was creating instead of the images dancing at the corners of her mind. She breathed in deeply, forcing herself to relax and lean her back against him.

Moving his lips down to her shoulder, he slid his arms around her waist once she leaned against him. Her skin was fragrant and warm. He could hear her taking slow deep breaths. "Okay?"

Her shoulder muffled his words, but she heard him. She turned her head. "I'm fine."

"Relax. I'm not going to rush you."

"I know."

"Good. Why don't you take a seat on the couch and I'll open the wine?"

Nodding her head, she stepped out of his embrace and walked over to the couch. Her nerves were buzzing and they were the nice kind. Her eyes followed him as he took the bottle and popped the cork effortlessly before pouring it into the two glasses. The fire gleamed in the darkness of his hair and highlighted the strong features of his face. She leaned down and started to undo her shoes, but a hand stopped her. She raised her eyes to his. "Zach?"

 "Let me."

Her hands fell away as she felt the brush of his fingers against her ankles as they undid the buckles. The sandals fell to the floor and his hands gently squeezed her foot. "Giving me a foot rub?"

"If you want."

"Yes."

Smiling, Zach gave her a filled wine glass. "Lean back and close your eyes."

"Okay."

Still smiling, he grasped her left foot between his hands, slowly rubbing his thumbs against the soles of her feet. He moved them up and down, taking his time, wanting to get every square inch of her foot. He could see her lips curved up in a half smile as she touched the glass of wine to her lips. He grinned and looked back at her foot, applying more pressure to the center.

"Mmm…"

His eyes shot to her face. Her lips were parted ever so slightly. He felt his mouth go dry. When he repeated the process, the same sound escaped her lips. "That feel good?"

Quatrina opened her eyes to look at him. His eyes were intent on hers. Her body had relaxed under his ministrations, but it tensed again. "Yes," she replied softly, her eyes falling away from his. There was heat in his eyes and he wasn't hiding it. It was making her heart pound at the same time it was making her remember things she didn't want to. However, she didn't remove her foot from his grasp. Plastering a small smile on her lips, she tipped the wine glass to them again. "I could get used to you doing this all the time."

"If it would make you happy, I would. And you wouldn't have to ask either."

She laughed softly. "You're going to spoil me."

He braced his hands on either side of her hips as he leaned forwards. "Absolutely," he said before he kissed her.

Her eyes fell closed as she leaned back against the cushions. The kiss was persuasive and soft. It made her relax, her free arm wrapping around his shoulder. "You're going to make me spill this."

Leaning away, he grinned at her. "Wouldn't want that to happen now would we?"

"It's expensive wine."

"Right from your father's wine cellar."

"Exactly."

"Maybe I should have some," he said as he plucked her glass from her fingers and took a sip of it.

"Didn't you pour your own?"

"Yes, but you make it taste better."

"And how do I do that?"

"Because, my dear, Quatrina," he said as he set the glass down on the table, "the taste of your lips is like the sweetest wine to me."

Color bloomed in her cheeks. "You're being very poetic."

He pushed himself onto the couch, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm only speaking the truth."

She could feel the warmth of his body surrounding her. His lips were only inches away from hers. The closeness was making them tingle expectantly and without hesitation, she leaned forwards, brushing her lips against his.

A little surprised by her actions, he pulled her closer. His fingers lifted to cup her cheek and stroke the softness of her skin. The kisses were light and fleeting. And they were definitely turning him on. His fingers slid across her cheekbone and into the tendrils by her ear. They traced the outside curve. He felt her shaky breath against his mouth. Smiling against her lips, he shifted his weight back, pulling her forwards.

Manicured nails curled against his chest. Her heart was knocking against her ribs, her mind wanting to pull away, and her body, wanting to get closer. She could feel his heart pounding against the palm of her hand. Then his lips lifted off of hers, prompting her to open her eyes and look into his. "Zach?"

"I'm getting carried away. I want this to be special for you and I'm rushing this."

"Zach…"

He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "I can tell how nervous you are."

Amethyst eyes fell away from his. "I'm…"

He kissed the tip of her nose and leaned away. "You don't have to say anything," he said as he leaned forwards and took a chocolate strawberry from the tray on the table. "We shouldn't let the food go to waste."

"No, we shouldn't," she replied as he touched the strawberry to her lips.

An hour later…

The fire was still blazing in the fireplace, but now instead of the couch, they were both sitting on the floor in next to the table and in front of the fireplace. She was wrapped up in his arms, her back against his chest. His one arm was resting about her waist and his other hand was lying on the floor. Every now and then she would feel the light touch of his lips on her shoulder or the side of her neck. "I like this," she thought with smile.

Zach nuzzled the side of her neck again with his nose. So far, he had managed to keep himself from rushing anything and for the past half hour he had been content on just stealing kisses and having her body curled up against his. And it meant that she was relaxed and comfortable.  "You aren't asleep, are you?"

"No."

"Good. I didn't want you falling asleep just yet."

She opened her mouth to reply only to gasp when she felt gentle tug of his teeth on her ear. Her eyes flew open as the sensations coursed all over her body. Her hand resting on her lap, curled into the material of her dress. Closing her eyes again, she put all her concentration on how he was making her feel. "I can do this. All I have to do is concentrate on what he makes me feel. I won't be afraid. I can't be. I don't want to be."

He nibbled lightly on the delicate skin before sucking on it. Her gasp was audible, but she didn't pull away. Relieved, he continued his ministrations, running his tongue over the shell before moving down the side of her neck with an open mouth. He started stroking the spot where his hand rested on her waist, moving higher each time. There was no way he could miss the racing of her pulse under his lips as she turned her head to the side, allowing him more access. "I like the way you taste."

Her heart tripped at his words. "You like a lot of things about me," she murmured, her eyes still closed. Her insides felt like they were melting.

"That's very true," he replied, his voice muffled against the side of her neck. He inched his fingers up higher.

The movement of his fingers alarmed her just a little, but she ignored it. She could feel her heart beating hard and fast. This was where she would usually push him away, despite the way his touch made her feel. Her fears were always stronger then that. This time she fought it with everything in her. "I like it when you kiss me."

"Then turn around."

She shifted her position until she was facing him. Her legs draped over one of his, her back supported by his bent knee. Looking into his eyes, she could see the reflection of the fire, but she could also see them burning with a light of their own. She closed her eyes again as she felt his lips take possession of hers. Her lips parted immediately. The kiss was intense. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she held him tight.

All the while, his fingers had a mind of their own. They slid up her calf and over her knee, the hem of her skirt getting pushed up along the way. His fingers rested on her thigh. Her skin was smooth and firm under his hand. Slowly and lightly, his fingers moved higher up her leg and then dipped down towards the inside. She started, but she didn't pull or push away. His fingers caressed the sensitive skin.

Tingles were radiating from his fingers on her leg. They felt good. However, she couldn't stop herself from trembling from each brush of his hand. And his kiss was making her melt all over. His kiss was making her want him more then she thought possible. She was returning the kiss with all the love and passion she felt. Her one hand was enmeshed in his hair. It felt cool and it curled around her fingertips. She felt his hand move higher inside her thigh. It made her start again, but kept her mouth to his. Losing herself in his kiss was the only way she was getting through this. And it was making her hot and her body crave his. She pressed as close as she could get.

The moment her body crushed against his, the dam inside him crumbled a bit more. Her breasts were pressing against his chest. He could feel their rapid rise and fall. He felt incredible heat against his fingers. They were inches away from where he wanted to be. He lowered his knee from behind her back, his other hand coming up against her back. They found the zipper and pulled it all the way down. Once down, his hand swept up against her spine. The hooks were right under his hand and the temptation to undo them was strong. Resisting the urge, he instead gently lowered her down to the floor.

She felt him shift positions, felt herself being lowered to the floor. Her heart leapt in her throat. "Don't panic, don't panic," her mind chanted. Opening her eyes, she looked straight up into his. His face was inches away from hers. She felt the cushion of the rug beneath her bared back and the press of his weight along her side. His hand had shifted, but she could still feel it riding high on her thigh, not moving. There was hesitation in his eyes. He wasn't going to do anything unless she asked him to. She didn't know what to do. "Kiss me."

He watched as her lips formed each word. Her russet hair looked magnificent spread out underneath her head, spilling across the pale carpet like flames. There was no way he could describe how she looked at this moment, but it was something he knew he it was one he would never forget. Leaning in close, he brushed his lips against her nose, her cheeks, and forehead before touching her lips. He could feel her breath gliding across his, making his lips burn. "How do you want me to kiss you, Quat?"

"Like you were before."

"Like this," he said before he captured her lips with his, parting her lips with his tongue and boldly exploring her mouth.

Electrical like currents shot through her from the passion in the kiss. They robbed her of breath and thought before he lifted his mouth away from hers. Her eyes fluttered open to look into his again. His lips were only a hairsbreadth away from hers.

Noting her speechlessness he smiled. "Or something like this," he whispered, catching her lips again, this time, without the heat. He rubbed his lips over hers, tenderly parting them with his tongue.

This kiss was as bone melting as the last, but this was different. It was sensual, more sexual than the last. The w ay his tongue was moving against hers, the way it was sliding in and out of her mouth. She knew what it meant. It made her breasts tighten and her inner muscles clench in response. Her fingers came to rest against his cheek as she shyly kissed him back in the same manner.

Growling softly into her mouth, he removed his hand from her leg, and let it slide up her rib cage to her heart. It pounded against his palm. He could feel the weight of her breast against his knuckles. He wanted to show her how much her kiss was affecting him, how much it turned him on. He left her heart, his fingers lightly running over the fullness above. Feeling her gasp in his mouth, he raised his lips off of hers. "I want you."

She could feel the slow stroke of his fingers. It was pleasant, but the darkness in the corners of her mind tugged at her. She pushed them away. His eyes were still on hers. Intent. Wanting. Color filled her cheeks. "I know," she replied, her voice quiet.

"I think it's time we continue this upstairs," he said as he leaned away. Zach got to his feet and held his hands out to hers. He could see the flush in her cheeks and her eyes fall away from his. "You go on first. I'll put the fire out to give you some time, okay?"

She nodded her head as she slid her hands out of his grasp. There was coolness on her back from where he had unzipped the dress as she picked up her shoes. She looked at him over her shoulder again. He was watching her. His eyes were hot. It made her insides shake. She gave him a small smile before she left the warmth of the room. The tile floors were cool as she made her way up the stairs and down the hall. Pushing the door open, she let it fall shut behind her. The lights were on their dimmest setting and her eyes went straight to the bed. Darkness tugged on the corners of her mind again. "Go away. I can do this. I have to do this," she whispered, trying to ignore the panic beginning to rise inside her.

He flexed his fingers as he watched her go. They itched. He ran his hands through his hair and let out a long sigh. His control was slipping. He could feel it happening and he wasn't even touching her anymore. Turning around, he gazed at the flames of the fire, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile. He would have to admit that he'd never felt the need to be with someone as much as he wanted to be with her. "It's because I love her. Its because we haven't done this before. It's because I just damn well want all of her." His last thought turned his smile into a smirk. He recalled what he'd overheard Jonathon say to her about her passionate temper. He could see her in his mind, already hear her in his ears, and feel her against his skin. He took a deep breath. "Getting a bit ahead of myself, aren't I? But I guess that can't be helped too much. I'll just put out the fire like I said to give her time."

A/N: It took me a while, but here it is. I had this entire night as one part, but it was getting to be so long, I broke it up. I'm not finished the rest of it yet, but I thought it would be nice to give you guys something to go on until I get it done. I promise it'll be soon, so be patient! Until next time! XOXO!!!