Defending Zara (Mountain Mercenaries #6)(69)

Meat pulled back. She could feel his hardness against her stomach, and it made her squirm in his grip. “You’re going to be the death of me,” he said with a smile, then leaned down and kissed her hard before stepping back. “I wish I didn’t have to go up to Castle Rock. I’d rather spend the day here with you.”

He never failed to make her feel good. “I’ll see you later tonight,” she said, then looked at him from under her lashes. “I always look forward to spending time with you.”

Meat groaned and reached out to physically turn her toward the door. “If we don’t leave now, I might be tempted to haul your butt down on the couch and let you have your wicked way with me.”

“And I’d let you,” Zara told him, excited that it seemed maybe they were finally on the same page when it came to where things were going between them.

She smiled when she saw Meat adjust himself in his pants before he climbed into his car, but she didn’t comment.

As they drove, Meat said, “So Arrow and Morgan recently moved into the new house they had built on a piece of property he bought not too far from us. Morgan used to be a full-time beekeeper in Atlanta, and she’s just now dabbling back into the business. They have two hives out at the back of their property. Whatever she says, don’t let her talk you into going out there with her. Arrow’s been trying to keep her away from them until she gives birth, just in case.”

Zara was already fascinated by Morgan. She sounded like the coolest person ever, and Zara hoped they’d be able to find something in common—other than being kidnapped and spending time at the mercy of others outside the United States, of course.

“We shouldn’t be gone all day. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Ace, and we’re looking forward to getting to know his half brothers better. But if you need anything, all you have to do is call . . . You have your phone, right?”

Zara wrinkled her nose as she looked over at Meat and shook her head.

“Zara . . . we’ve talked about this.”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I just can’t get used to carrying it around. I don’t need to have it with me all the time at your house.”

Meat sighed. “It’s okay. Morgan will have hers. But please . . . try to remember it. I hate the thought of you needing me, or anyone, and not being able to get in touch with us. Besides, I can track it. Not that I think anything will happen to you, but it gives me peace of mind.”

“I’ll try to remember it in the future,” she told him.

They pulled up to a large house surrounded by trees, and Zara couldn’t help but immediately love it. It reminded her a lot of Meat’s house. She loved the cabinlike feel.

It seemed she had something in common with Morgan, after all. If the other woman could love living in a place like this as much as Zara did, then they’d be okay.

Arrow and Morgan came out to meet them, and the first thing Arrow said to Zara was, “Please tell me you’re staying.”

Zara smiled and nodded. “If it’s okay.”

“Hell yeah, it’s okay!” Arrow said. “It’s more than okay.”

Zara looked at Morgan. “I didn’t mean to simply invite myself over, but I thought you might like some company.”

“Of course. I’m thrilled! I’ve been wanting to get to know you better, but this little bean”—she put her hand on her protruding belly—“has been giving me hell. One day making it seem like she wants to come out right now, and other days sleeping peacefully as if she could stay inside me for another three months.”

Zara smiled.

It took twenty more minutes for Arrow to make sure his wife was good. He told her for the hundredth time to call him if she needed anything, and she had to promise not to step foot outside the house.

They kissed so passionately before Arrow left, Zara was almost embarrassed to be a witness to it. But of course, not to be outdone, Meat grabbed her and kissed her with just as much enthusiasm.

Zara knew she was blushing when the men finally left, but Morgan didn’t comment. They went inside and turned on the television for background noise while they chatted. They were making small talk when the midday news came on.

There was another segment on Zara’s case, this one with a psychologist and a local detective speculating about what Zara had been through and what she might be facing mentally as far as her “recovery from her ordeal.”

“They have no idea what they’re talking about,” Zara complained.

“Unfortunately, they’ll continue to say whatever they can think up until you set them straight,” Morgan said without judgment.

Zara turned to her. “You think I should give a press conference?” She’d been thinking about it more and more. She hadn’t been ready to talk about what had happened to her when she’d first gotten back. Just the thought of getting in front of a bunch of reporters and answering their questions made her feel sick. She’d spent so much of her life trying to fade into the background and not be seen that the idea of being the center of attention nearly gave her an anxiety attack.

But with all the interviews and false information about her still circulating on the internet and TV—and getting more sensational—she was feeling the need to tell her side of the story. To set everyone straight.