Chapter 8
Kendall remained in stunned silence the entire 20 feet into her bedroom. Zach gently guided her to the side of the bed and indicated for Kendall to sit on the edge of the bed. Zach kneeled and reached for Kendall's ankle, softly lifting her foot to remove her strappy, high-heeled sandal, then did the same to the other foot. Kendall could hear her own heartbeat and her breathing was heavier, as she watched Zach rise and walk around the bed. He removed his shoes and his jacket, placing it across the back of the chaise. Kendall was confused. Zach pulled back the corner of the coverlet, arranged several of the bed pillows, and in a fluid motion, stretched his strong, masculine body down Kendall's bed. He opened his arms wide while his dark hazel eyes blazed into Kendall's soul. She quickly moved into his embrace, her head against his broad, solid chest, her hand settled onto his rock hard abs. Immediately, his arms encircled Kendall, while he breathed in the scent of this fabulous woman. The physical and emotional exhaustion took over both Zach and Kendall, they feel asleep, fully clothed in this intimate entanglement.
Several hours later, a crash of thunder startled Zach. It didn't wake up Zach because he had never really been asleep. He slept for short periods of time, only to wake up suddenly, especially whenever Kendall moved. Currently, Kendall was sleeping on her side, her back pressed against Zach's chest, his arm was draped around her waist. As Zach looked at the sleeping Kendall, he admitted to himself how much he desired this woman. How much he wanted their marriage to be real. He gently moved a tendril from her porcelain face. He wanted to hold her all night long, but felt guilty about the passion growing inside of him. Kendall stirred, making a sound that could only be equated to a content kitten. She purred, but at the same time, subconsciously, moved her body in closer to Zach's, pushing her body against him in a sultry little wiggling way. A deep, primal groan escaped from Zach, he nuzzled his face into her mane of hair whispering, "Kendall."
Zach continued his silent, one sided debate until he noticed the apartment was darker and warmer than usual. He looked towards the clock sitting on the side table and noticed it was not working. He disentangled himself from the sleeping Kendall and moved through the apartment. Nothing electronic was working. He quietly took his jacket and shoes, opened the door into the courtyard. There were no streetlights working either. He took his cell phone out of his jacket pocket and called the casino. After speaking to Edie, Zach found out everything was fine at the casino because it was outside of Pine Valley. But Pine Valley was currently in a blackout because of the storm that just passed through. The authorities have asked everyone to remain at home because all of the street lights are out and it is dangerous to drive.
Zach made sure Kendall's front door was closed and entered his own apartment. He took a cold shower. But the shower did nothing to quell his desires for Kendall. He dressed in a tank and shorts, usually what he wears to go jogging, grabbed his laptop and set up in the courtyard. He opened the front door to Kendall's apartment to let some outside air inside. He also didn't want her to wake up and think he left. Admonishing himself, "You did leave, otherwise you would still be in bed."
Zach poured himself a drink, hooked up the laptop to the cell phone and tried to do some work. Not giving his full attention to the e-mails or the figures, his kept glancing into Kendall's quiet apartment, debating whether or not to return to her bed. Suddenly Kendall appeared in the doorway. She was no longer wearing the sexy red dress, but a silk robe, too short for her long thin legs. The color of the robe complemented her beautiful eyes, bright and deep, like the waters of the warm Caribbean waters. She reminded him of the painting of Venus, standing inside a clam shell, long hair twirling around her naked body… "Why is it so hot?" Kendall's voice pulled Zach out of his cloud.
"Blackout, the power is out all over town." Zach replied. Kendall sat down next to Zach on the wood bench, sitting closer to him than she would have a week ago. She reached for his glass, taking a large gulp… "Ughh, God Zach, it's vodka. I thought it was water." Kendall gasped.
Zach was speechless, what could he say. He wanted to run his hand through her gorgeous curls, wanted to stroke her smooth cheek, wanted to taste her lips, her skin. Wondering what, if anything, she had on under the blue silk robe. Kendall reached into the glass of vodka and with her thin fingers removed a piece of ice. Gently, she guided the ice along her neck, tracing her jaw line, the gracefully lines of her neck. She lifted her mass of curls, tilting her head to one side, gliding the ever decreasing ice cube. Zach groaned…"Kendall, please. I am a man, not a monk."
Kendall's eyes met Zach's. He looked at Kendall like she was the sheep and he was a wolf, ready to consume her. Kendall contemplated her next move, without response she rose from the bench, closed Zach's laptop. Taking the laptop and phone, she walked back inside her apartment, placing the equipment on the console table just inside the door.
Returning to the bench, Kendall and Zach made immediate eye contact. Kendall retrieved another ice cube from Zach's glass. She gently placed the ice cube to her lips, tasting the lingering vodka. Zach's head was spinning, the heat and desire within him now a roaring fire. He wanted to reach out for her, but she moved closer to him. In her delicate fingers was the small, cold piece of ice. Cold water was dripping down her hand. Zach could no longer breathe, Kendall was so close. He reached for her, placing his hand on her back. She responded with a shudder to his slightest touch.
Kendall took a chance, she brought the ice cube to Zach's lips, tracing where her lips wanted to be. Zach's mouth opened at the touch. Kendall felt his warm breath on her fingers, melting the ice cube further. Zach gently enveloped her hand with his, drew their hands away from his mouth and pulled her towards him. There was a brief moment, just before their lips met, time stood still. Looking into each others eyes, they both knew the step they were about to take was more than passion, more than primal desire, that after tonight, they would be man and wife.