My Deepest Love Zack

Published by Phaze Books Also by Marie Rochelle This is an explicit and erotic novel intended for the enjoyment of adu...

Author: Rochelle Marie

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Published by Phaze Books Also by Marie Rochelle

This is an explicit and erotic novel intended for the enjoyment of adult readers. Please keep out of the hands of children.

www.Phaze.com

My Deepest Love: Zack a novel of ultra-sensual romance by

MARIE ROCHELLE

My Deepest Love: Zack copyright 2008 by Marie Rochelle All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

A Phaze Production Phaze Books 6470A Glenway Avenue, #109 Cincinnati, OH 45211-5222 Phaze is an imprint of Mundania Press, LLC. To order additional copies of this book, contact: [email protected] www.Phaze.com Cover art © 2007 Debi Lewis Edited by Amanda Faith eBook ISBN-13: 978-1-59426-970-0 eBook ISBN-10: 1-59426-7-870-3 First Edition – April, 2008 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

To RJ: Thanks for being one of the coolest persons that I know. Marie

Chapter One Traci Wells stared in disbelief at the cell phone in her hand. "I can't believe she cancelled on me again," she huffed, shoving the phone back inside the gym bag. "She knows we work out together three times a week. How could Cherise schedule another meeting?" Getting out of the car, she slammed the door and stormed into the fitness club. She stopped at the desk, signed in on the clipboard, and then headed for the workout room. Pausing in the doorway, Traci watched the other club members as they sweated to the beat of their own music. At her left, a family was using the bikes as part of their cardio workout. A young woman in her twenties hurried past them towards her step class at the end of the hall. Traci noticed a couple of body builders through the window using the weights behind the bikes. Why would they want to have that much muscle on their bodies? Sighing, she made her way over to the mats so she could stretch before her aerobics class. If she didn't love potato chips so much, the gym wouldn't ever be a part of her life. But she needed a way to work off her favorite snack, so here she was. Her best friend suggested the low-fat kind, but what was the thrill of eating a tasteless chip? If she was going to cheat, she would do it the right way. Tossing her bag to the side, Traci fell to the mat, already hating the night ahead. After class tonight, she would pay a surprise visit to her sister's job and give her the riot act. Cherise always found a way to back out at the last minute. It was supposed to be a sisterly outing, but her sister wasn't keeping up her part of the deal. Sure, she knew that Cherise stayed busy with the antique shop, but she needed more than that in her life. How did she ever

MY DEEPEST LOVE: ZACK

expect to find a man? She was always hiding out in that damn shop of hers. Pushing her sister to the back of her mind, Traci folded one of her legs in front of her and reached over to touch her opposite toe. She loved stretching before her class. It made the routine so much easier to follow, and it calmed her nerves. The step aerobics class she signed up for was extremely fast paced, and it could break a weaker person in the same day. However, she had been taking it for almost two months now and she loved it. Moving her legs around, she reached for the other leg and felt the pull of her muscles getting ready for another night of fun. Honestly, she didn't know if she really like working out as much as she loved staring at all the gorgeous guys that came here. This gym was the hot spot for the best looking guys in town. Taking a quick glance around the crowded room, she noticed the one particular guy she usually stared at wasn't here tonight. She had never been into picking up guys at the club or the gym, but after taking a glance at him in those tight black gym shorts, she changed her mind quickly. However, she didn't have enough nerve to approach him, so she stayed back and stared at him from afar. Anyway, Cherise would have a fit if she knew she even glanced at the guy in the first place. **** Zack Drace was coming from his nightly kickboxing class when he spotted his mystery woman. She was in her usual place on the mats, stretching her sexy body. He knew he should leave, but he couldn't resist sneaking a peek at her. Glancing at his watch, Zack noticed his class had ended early, which meant he had at least ten extra minutes to observe her. Tonight her shoulder-length, brownish-black hair was pulled into a tight bun, shoving off her tempting neck. A white sports bra and matching shorts highlighted her brown skin. It showed off all her delicious curves. Striding over to an empty table, he found a seat where he could examine her without being detected. His interest in this 8

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one specific woman shocked him because of all his brothers, he favored redheads. Leaning back in the chair, he pulled his water bottle from his gym bag and took a quick drink. He loved coming to the gym and working out at a high intense pace. Screwing the top back on his water, he sat it on the table and watched the object of his interest finish her stretching and then stand. It didn't go over his head that he wasn't the only man checking out her sexy body, and for some odd reason that bothered him. However, she seemed totally oblivious to him and the other men running their gazes up and down her body. She adjusted her sports bra, picked up her sky blue gym bag off the floor, and turned in his direction. Resting his back against the seat, Zack tried to think of a way to get her into a conversation. He didn't even know if she would be interested in dating a white man, but he could at least test the waters with a quick hello. He noticed that she was getting closer to him and he coughed to clear his throat. He didn't want his voice catching while he was trying to impress her. "Hi," he said the second she was within hearing range. She paused in mid-step and stared down at him. Her whiskey brown eyes blinked, and then a smile spread across her full mouth. "Hi," she whispered back in a soft sultry voice, and then she continued to the step class behind him. Turning around in the seat, he noticed how the shorts hugged her well-defined bottom. Yes, there were some definite possibilities there, if he could go by the look he saw in her eyes. The alarm went off on his watch and Zack cursed under his breath. Lee was going to kill him. This was the second time this month he was going to be late for the Drace brothers' weekly Wednesday night dinner. Zack got up from the chair and snatched his gym bag off the floor. Oh well, he didn't care because he finally got to speak to the goddess in the white workout outfit. He hoped that she would be back tomorrow. Maybe then, he could introduce himself and see where things could go from there. Whistling, he strolled 9


towards the front entrance and went out with thoughts of her in his mind. **** "I know the reason you're late has to be a woman," his brother Lee accused the second he got his food and headed for the dinner table. "You know we have dinner together every Wednesday and you're always late." Pulling out a chair, Zack took his usual place between his two younger brothers, Richard and Brad. He poured some ice tea into his glass, took a sip, and then answered his brother. "I got tied up at the gym," Zack answered, avoiding his brother's intense, ocean blue stare. Lee could make the strongest man shake in his shoes with that one look. He hated when his brother glared at him. Lee perfected that stare in his late twenties and he had used it ever since. "Yeah, you got tied up at the gym flirting with some gym bunny," Lee sighed. "I thought you were going to look for a more stable woman to have a relationship with." "I remember that is what you told us," Richard chimed in next to him. "Will you shut up?" he snapped at Richard. "Lee doesn't need any extra help from you to lecture me." "Richard is right. I was here last weekend and I heard you say those exact words," Brad added, then took a bite of his grilled salmon. Zack couldn't believe how his brothers were ganging up on him like this. Why is my love life always an open book? "Why don't we stop talking about me and someone else volunteer to be in the hot seat?" he said, twisting around in his seat to stare at Richard. "What about you, Richard? How is it going with that new manager you hired at the restaurant? Is she still getting you all hot and bothered?" Richard glowered at him and mumbled. "Dawn Summers isn't doing anything of the sort to me. Anyway, we weren't discussing me. We were talking about you." 10

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Zack smirked at his brother's discomfort. "No. I don't want to be the center of attention anymore. How about someone else jumping into that seat and letting me off the ride?" "Okay, Zack. I'm sorry I even brought it up," Lee muttered at him from the head of the table. "I shouldn't have said anything at all, because you were only ten minutes late instead of your usual twenty." "Well, thanks," Zack snickered, picking at the food on his plate. He couldn't keep the grin off his face. Without a doubt, he was always the one that got under his older brother's skin. He didn't mean to do it, but it was so much fun when he did. However, if Lee was in a bind and needed his help, he would be there—no questions asked. It was that way with any of his brothers. They were like the Four Musketeers. "I'm sorry that I was late," Zack apologized again to Lee. He knew how much these family dinners meant to him. "I'll try my best to be on time next week." "Richard, how's everything going at the restaurant?" he asked, turning his attention back to his calmer brother. D4 was his brother's pride and joy, but he was constantly having problems keeping staff members. "Our chef quit because he couldn't work with Dawn. I mean, she's gorgeous, but that chick has a temper and forever has an opinion about something." "Why don't you fire her?" Lee asked, beating him to the question. Zack hated how Lee always found a way to cut him off in mid-conversation. "I don't know why I haven't fired her. There's something about her that makes me want to help her out," Richard shrugged next to him. Zack couldn't believe how one minute Richard was talking about Dawn in one breath and in the next he was defending her. He wasn't about to say a word, though, because the dinner conversation was finally off of him for once. 11


"Oh, are you thinking about letting her replace Emily?" Zack knew Richard was getting tired of his current overly-clingy girlfriend. "Emily and I are just friends," Richard replied, squirming uncomfortably in his seat. "Well, I think she might think you're more than that," Lee interrupted. Zack could tell the conversation was heading down the wrong road. Richard didn't like Lee telling him what to do. Whenever Lee took that big brother attitude with him, it pissed Richard off to no end. Zack knew that he had to stop this conversation before Richard got up and stormed out of the house. Richard and Lee were like oil and water. They just didn't mix well when one tried to boss the other one around. "Lee, are you still planning to help me with that property I want downtown?" he interjected, cutting off Richard. "Things are still up in the air on that one, so don't talk about it with anyone else until I know for sure," Lee answered. He was dying to own and redo the quaint little shop he spotted several months ago. It was located in a very lucrative section of town and would be the perfect tourist attraction, but the owner was stubborn as a mule and wasn't about to sell. It didn't matter how much he offered, the answer always was no. Since Lee owned his marketing firm and knew more about that part of business world than him, Zack enlisted his big brother's help with this problem. Hopefully, together they would be able find a way to get the building for a good price. The spot would be beautiful for what he had in mind for it. Beautiful…that one word brought the woman from the gym instantly to his mind. He wondered what she was doing. Was she out with some friends or home with a husband and a couple of kids? He shouldn't be fantasizing about someone that may already maybe be taken, but he couldn't help it. Zack wondered if she would be at the gym tomorrow. Because if she was, without a doubt he would go up and strike 12

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up a conversation with her, then maybe ask her out.. What do I have to lose, he thought. **** "I'm going to kill you!" Traci snapped, storming into her sister's office at seven o'clock that night. "This is the third time you've cancelled on me." She stood in the middle of the room and gave her older sister the best I'm pissed at you face that she could. A perfectly plucked eyebrow arched over a killer pair of golden-brown eyes. Cherise stared back at her. Traci knew her sister didn't care she had abandoned her again at the gym tonight. "Don't just sit there staring at me. Say something." "Traci, you know I have been busy working on these two account orders. I don't have time to work out like you do," Cherise Roberts said, standing up. "Are you telling me the truth?" Traci asked, falling down into a chair, swinging her legs over the arm. "Why would I lie?" Cherise questioned, going over to the window across from her desk. "I know you don't enjoy wearing workout clothes, but I don't know what the problem is," Traci replied, eyeing her curvy sister. "I would love to have your body." She was so envious of how the wrap-around shirt hugged her sister's gorgeous fullfigured body. "You say that now, but you wouldn't if actually had these babies," Cherise said, pointing to her chest. "You would want them gone plus all the extra curves that go with them," she insisted, waving her hands up and down her body. Picking up a magazine off the table, Traci fanned herself, trying to dry some of the sweat off her body. "You would have so much fun at Make You Sweat." Coming back across the room, Cherise sat back down behind her huge desk and rolled her eyes. "I still can't believe people would go into a health club named that. It sounds way too depressing for me." 13


Traci tossed the crumpled magazine back on the table and rearranged her body in the chair. Pulling her legs up to her chest, Traci rested her chin on them. She knew the real reason Cherise didn't love her body, and if she could get her hands on Jesse, she would kill him. "You shouldn't have listened to that loser of an ex-boyfriend of yours," she complained. "He didn't know what he was talking about. You don't need to lose any weight." "Yeah right…Jesse just told me the truth that everyone else was afraid to tell me," Cherise snickered. "You don't have an ounce of fat on your body; it's all firm and solid," Traci disagreed. "Jesse was a jerk and the best thing you ever did was dump him. Maybe you should think about dating a different kind of guy," Traci suggested, turning her head away from her sister. The sexy guy from the guy flashed through her mind, bringing a smile to her face. Tapping her fingers on her desk, Cherise drew Traci's memory away from the sexy stranger and back to their conversation. "Something is different about you. What are you hiding from me? I know you're up to something," her sister drilled. "Have you seen someone you've found attractive?" Traci's eyes grew wide as saucers as she stared at her sister. How in the hell did she do that? She hadn't said a word about the man from the gym, yet Cherise sensed there was someone she was interested in. "Umm…no, I was just thinking out loud," she lied. Traci wasn't going to mention the guy. Besides, he only smiled at her. It didn't mean he was interested in her. "Are you almost finished so we can grab a bite to eat? I've had a long day at the hospital and at the gym. I'm ready to relax with a good plate of food," Traci said, getting up out of the chair stretching her back. "I still think you should think about becoming a doctor. You're one of the most intelligent women that I know," Cherise said, shutting off her computer so they could leave for an early dinner. Traci waited while her sister reached under the desk and grabbed her purse. She hated when Cherise brought up the 14

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doctor thing. Her sister already knew why she wasn't about to go back to college. It was best to leave that part of her life back in the past where it belonged. **** The next morning at work, Traci fixed her hair in the staff lounge while she waited for her best friend Eva to finish her coffee. "I don't see how you drink that stuff," she said, watching Eva down her third cup. "If I didn't drink this, I wouldn't be able to function the rest of the day. I have to work a double shift, because Tamilee wanted the day off for a personal reason," Eva complained. "Does she not think we all know she's dating the head surgeon or what? Every time he strolls by her, she almost falls out of the seat not trying to touch him," she mumbled, tossing her cup into the trashcan. "Come on, girlfriend. Let's make the best of this day," Traci encouraged, pushing her body out of the chair. "Do I have to?" Eva whined, brushing her hair away from her eyes. "Don't make me move you," Traci threatened her taller friend with a quick grin. Standing up, Eva stared down at her from her five-foot, ten-inch height. "You can't even keep up in the fitness class, so I know you can't move me," Eva answered, tugging at her ponytail. "Those step-training classes aren't for sexy AfricanAmerican women with shorter legs," she replied, heading toward the door. Eva's laughter echoed behind her as she went into the hallway. "Excuses, excuses. That's all I ever hear from you," Eva sighed from behind her. "I better go upstairs and check on Mr. Peterson. You know how much he loves it when I give him his sponge bath." Twirling back around, Traci stared at the back of her friend as she made her way to the elevators. "Don't you dare give that old man a heart attack," she yelled. 15


"He has to go some time. Why can't he go with a smile of his face?" Eva teased back at her, and waved before the doors closed in her face. "What am I going to do with her? If she wasn't my friend I would think she was a crazy woman." Walking up to the nurse's station, she sat behind the desk and checked the patients' name in the computer. Traci had been hard at work for about a half hour when a deep voice pulled her concentration from the computer screen. "Excuse me, but can you please help us?" a very masculine voice asked. Looking up, Traci stared into the eyes of the man from the health club and almost slid out of her seat. "Yes," she responded, trying to keep eye contact with the man she thought about over dinner last night. Cherise kept asking what had her attention all last night, and now he was standing in front of her. **** Zack was stunned to find his mystery woman sitting in front of him wearing a sexy nurse's uniform. He didn't think nurses even wore those anymore, but he was sure as hell glad that she had one on. She looked good enough to eat and he was definitely hungry. After she was finished helping his brother, he promised himself that he was going to find out more about her. "My brother has done something to his ankle," he answered, pointing to Brad over his shoulder. "He's a tennis instructor and he thinks he might have twisted it." "If you come this way I can get him checked in and call a doctor to see you," she said, coming around the desk with a clipboard in her hand. She brushed past him liked she didn't even recognize him. Zack swore that he would make her remember who he was the second he got a chance to be alone with her. He wasn't about to mess up this golden opportunity. "Come on Lee, Richard, and Brad," Zack mused, following behind her. He thought the view from the front was good, but the back view was right up there, too. 16

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"Please sit here," she said, pointing to five empty seats, and then sat down in the first one. Zack made sure he eased down right next to her. He didn't want Lee scaring her off with his bad mood. In addition, Richard wasn't in friendly disposition tonight, either, after having a fight with Dawn at the restaurant. Brad didn't have any insurance, so there wasn't any need for him to sit next to her. Luckily, that just left him and he was more than happy to do it. "Okay, show me what I have to do for you and I'll do it," he whispered. As she scooted closer to him, the light scent of jasmine tickled his nose. "Fill out all the information and bring the clipboard back to the desk," she explained and got up from the seat. He didn't want her to leave, but he didn't know what to say to make her stay. Glancing down quickly, Zack read her nametag. "Thank you, Nurse Wells." Finally, he knew her name. The first part of his plan was done, now he only had to work on the second part getting her to agree to a date. Smiling, she touched him on the forearm. "You can call me Traci," she muttered with a sinful smile and strolled away. Turning his head, Zack stared at Traci as she went back to the front desk and retook her seat. He wanted to go over there so bad and inquire if she had a boyfriend. He knew it was a long shot that someone as hot as her was single, but there might be a slim chance she was available. "Earth to Zack, stop staring at the redhead and fill out the paperwork," Lee complained, tapping him upside the head. "What?" Zack answered dragging his eyes away from the sexy Traci. "The red-headed nurse talking on the phone by the nurse's station. You haven't taken your eyes off her," Lee grunted. Looking further down the hall, he did noticed a tall redhead on the phone with her back to him, but he hadn't been looking at her. "Oh…sorry about that," he apologized. Picking up the pencil, he began to read over the questions and answered them as 17


quickly as possible. Thirty minutes later, he was inside a room standing next to Brad's bed with his brothers waiting impatiently for an ER doctor. "Brad, how did you hurt your ankle?" Richard asked. Why did Richard even bother to ask Brad that question? Zack thought, resting his back against the wall. Anytime Brad got injured playing tennis, it was because he was goofing off trying to impress a woman. "I was trying to make a tennis shot and I moved too quickly." Brad flinched when his ankle moved the wrong way on the bed. "God, I hate hospitals. I don't know why I had to come here," Brad whined, throwing a glance past him over to Lee. Was he the only one that remembered his whining happened every time they brought Brad to the hospital for an injury? He would lie in the bed and complain until the doctor came to see him. Then it would continue through the checkout process and all the way home back to his house. It would only stop after he had his pills and something to eat. "I thought it was best if you got some x-rays, so don't give me that look," Lee complained. "You are too old to still be afraid of the hospital." "Lee, leave Brad alone. You know he's never been fond of hospitals since he was as a kid," Zack interjected, trying to stop a fight before it even got started. He didn't want to spend his entire night keeping his brothers away from each other. He had more important things he wanted to do, like find out more about Traci Wells. Hearing a knock at the door, he looked at over and smiled when Traci came through. "I'm just checking to make sure everyone is okay," she said, making eye contact with all of them. "No, everything isn't okay," Brad complained from the bed, beating him to the punch. "What's wrong?" Traci questioned, brushing past him as she went to check on his complaining brother. He tried his best not to notice how good she felt and smelled. 18

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"Brad isn't fond of hospitals and the longer he stays in one, the crazier he becomes," Zack answered, making Traci look in his direction. He couldn't let his baby brother steal the spotlight from him. Not when the woman he found so fascinating was standing five feet in front of him. "The doctor will make your brother's exam as painless as possible," Traci promised. He liked his woman tall, but Traci's petite height was turning him on. "It shouldn't be much longer until the doctor comes in to see Brad," she said, staring up into his eyes. Touching Brad on the leg, Traci moved away from the bed and him. He instantly missed the sweet aroma of her perfume. "Is there anything else I can do?" she asked from over by the door. Yeah. Agree to go out on a date with me, Zack thought. "No. We don't need anything. Thanks for asking," Lee snapped before he could get his thoughts together. "We liked wasting the last thirty minutes on a doctor who still hasn't shown up." Shit! Zack couldn't believe Lee just did that to him. He would buy a muzzle for his damn brother's mouth tomorrow. Why in the hell did Lee answer Traci when she was looking at him? That could have been his chance at finding a way out of the room, so he could find out more about her. "Okay," Traci stammered as confusion crossed her pretty face. "But if you change your mind, push the red button by the side of the bed. It will tell the nurse's station that you want something," Traci informed them. She opened the door and went out, closing it softly behind her. "I don't need a little red button to help me find out more about you," Zack muttered at the closed door. However, Lee might need one later on after he was finished with him. Didn't his overbearing brother know how to use any kind of manners when it came to dealing with people? It was beyond rude the way he spoke to Traci. "Zack, did you say something?" Lee asked him. 19


He dragged his gaze away from the door back over to his brother. "No. I was just thinking out loud," he lied. **** "Eva, can you do me a favor?" Traci asked. Shutting the patient's file, Eva said, "Depends on what it is. The last time I said yes, I got stuck with working with Melvin for a week. You know how much I hate him." "Didn't I take you out shopping to make up for that one mistake?" she laughed. "I thought you might enjoy working with a man who loved staring into your emerald green eyes," Traci mimicked Melvin with his nasal sounding voice. A folder hit her hard on the head. "Stop it or I'll say no instantly," Eva threatened, waving the folder in front of her. "You already know I know how to use this thing." Sobering up, she coughed out the last of laughter. "Sorry. Do you mind checking on the Drace man instead of me? I don't think his brother cares for me too much and I'm not in the mood to keep quiet tonight." Eva tossed down the patient file on their desk and jumped out of her seat. She had never seen her friend move so fast. "I'll be more than happy to take your place. Did you see the one wearing the leather coat?" Eva asked, closing her eyes in pleasure. "It's been such a long time since I had something that scorching in my bed." Traci tried not to be hurt by her friend's flirtatious nature. Eva never had any problems attracting men, not that she didn't get plenty of dates herself either. However, Eva always had a man who swept her off to romantic and exotic locations around the world. Any woman would be envious. "Do you mind checking the supplies for me?" Eva asked, brushing her hands down the front of her uniform. "I know we need to order a few extra items." "No. I wouldn't mind a little time to myself anyway," she confessed, grabbing the supply chart off the table. "Wonderful. While you're ordering bandage and needles, I'll be working on getting a new boyfriend," Eva purred before 20

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heading for Brad Drace's room with an extra sway to her hips. Knocking on the closed door once, she opened it then went in. "At least I got to look at him for a little while." Shaking her head at her bad luck, Traci pressed the clipboard to her chest and went towards the supply closet. **** Escaping the room was the only thought on his mind and the sooner the better, because if she winked at him one more time he would scream. Why didn't Traci come back? He knew the answer. Lee had chased her off with his arrogant comment. Making his way into the hallway, Zack looked around, trying to find Traci so he could apologize for Lee's bad behavior earlier. He hoped that she hadn't already left for the night, because then the apology would have to wait until he saw her at the gym. Turnin,g the corner, he spotted Traci coming out of a closet struggling with a large box. "Here let me help you with that," he said, running up to her. "Oh, there's no need," Traci exclaimed, stopping in the hallway to stare at him. "No. I insist," he said, taking the box from her. Hell, he wasn't going to miss this chance to be alone with her. "Where do you want it?" he asked, flashing her a smile. She didn't look to ready to take his help. In fact, Traci looked a little scared of him. "Listen, I promise I'm not planning to hurt you. I honestly want to help you with this box and apologize for my brother Lee. He didn't have any reason to snap at you like that." The slight fear cleared from her eyes and Traci gave him another heart-pulling smile. "Don't worry about your brother. I run into men like him all the time at the hospital. I usually ignore them and they go away." "Good. I didn't want you to think I was anything like him," Zack grinned. "Now, how about you tell me where to take this box for you?"

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"Follow me," Traci sighed, moving toward the end of the hallway lounge. "I hope that you know I was strong enough to carry that box." Smirking, Zack strolled behind Traci, enjoying the view of her butt in the snug white pants. "I didn't think that you weren't, but I wouldn't have been a gentleman if I didn't offer my help." Traci glanced at him over her shoulder. "Hmmm….It wouldn't have been nice of me to turn down a gentleman…now would it?" "No. It wouldn't have," he teased back, watching Traci as she spun back around. "They go right inside here," she announced, stopping at a door with the words Staff Lounge across the door in big black letters. "But I don't need any help taking the box inside," Traci said, reaching for it. Zack lifted it up higher, loving the perplexed look that came on her face. "No, I'm a gentleman and I want to finish helping you." Sliding past her, he eased into the small lounge, dropping the box in the middle of the table. "So, how long have you been a nurse?" he inquired, watching Traci as she closed the door behind her. Going to the other side of the table, she opened to box and started to remove straws and other plastic items. "Shouldn't you be with your brother?" "Nah, he has Lee and Richard with him, so Brad will be just fine. I want to stay here and flirt with a good-looking nurse," he remarked with a quick wink. Traci tried not to smile at him, but it came out anyway. She couldn't help it. With his quick wit and friendly personality, he would steal a smile from her any opportunity he got. "Aren't you going to answer my question?" he asked, taking a seat. "Well, I have been a nurse for about three years and I get a lot of pleasure from my job." Traci slid several straws into the plastic container at the side of the table. She stared at him a few seconds then continued. "You should go. Your brother doesn't like me too much and I don't want him hunting for you." 22

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"Lee is just stressed out. That's why he had an attitude with you," Zack replied. "He's usually a pretty laid back guy." Besides, he wasn't ready to leave. He wanted to stay longer and find out more about Traci. He hadn't even found out if she had a boyfriend. "Well, I still think you need to leave, because you aren't really supposed to be in here with me," she said marching over to the door. "I bet Brad is ready to get checked out and Eva probably has the papers for you to sign." Traci opened the door and gestured for him to get up and leave with a wave of her hand. Zack stood up and went to stand in front of Traci. He wanted to say more, but he caught a passing glance of Richard in the distance searching for him. "I do see my brother looking for me, so I guess I better go," he acknowledged, staring down at her. He was dying to touch her, but knew it was too soon for that. "I hope Brad's ankle will be okay," she said before she hurried out the door down the hallway and turned the corner. Zack stood in the same spot until she was out of sight. Luck was halfway on his side tonight. At least he got to know her name and steal a few minutes alone with her. What more could he ask for from a first meeting? "I thought if I found a certain nurse, I would find you," Richard uttered behind him. "Is Brad ready to go home?" he asked, still looking at the last spot he saw Traci. "Yes, and you know Lee is beyond ready to leave." "Well let's go. Can't have Lee screaming at half of the hospital scaring the patients," Zack laughed, slapping Richard on the back he strolled back to Brad's room with his brother tossing him odd looks all the way. **** Easing back around the corner, Traci stared at Zack until he entered his brother's room at the opposite end of the hallway. "I can't like you because Cherise will not like it one bit." 23


Traci groaned aloud at the long night that she still faced. She had another four hours left of her shift. Then she had to go home and fight with Cherise while she finished packing up the last of her things. She hoped her sister was coming to better terms about her moving out.

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Chapter Two "Cherise, we have talked about this over and over," Traci complained, loading her last bag into the car. "I'm twenty-five years old and it's time for me to live on my own. Anyway, I'm not moving that far from you," she pointed out, slamming down the trunk. "Now we have two places to have dinner or watch movies." She wished Cherise understood how she needed her own space at this time in her life. "All right, but you have to promise to invite me over there and real soon," Cherise sighed, giving in. Traci hugged her controlling but loving big sister. "Don't you hide away in this house since I'm leaving." She ended the hug and went to the driver's side of the car. "If you do, I'll drag you out of there and take you to a strip club." Sometimes her sister spent way too much time inside the house. Cherise was a knockout and could have any man that she wanted, but for some reason her sister didn't seem to realize that. Opening the car door, Traci slid behind the wheel and closed the car door behind her. "Let me get everything fixed up and I'll have you over for dinner in a couple of weeks." "I know you will," Cherise replied. "Hey. Don't you start crying on me," Traci sighed, starting her car. "I'm not moving out of town. My new house is only about a forty-five minute drive from here." Cherise nodded and brushed the last of the tears away from her eyes. "All right, I won't cry anymore." Traci pulled out of the driveway and stopped in the middle of the street, and stared back at her sister. "Are you really going to be okay with me gone?" Cherise didn't have that many 25


girlfriends she went out with on a regular basis. The only time she did go out was when Traci forced her to. "I won't leave if you truly want me to stay." She couldn't enjoy her new house if her sister stayed locked away in this one after she was gone. "Hey…I thought I was supposed to be the big sister and worry about you," Cherise teased from the driveway. "Don't worry I'll be fine. You go and enjoy you new house. I'll call you later." Traci waved at her sister, then drove off for a new home and a new chapter in her life. She didn't know if she should be scared about the unknown or embrace it with both arms wide open. **** Inside her new home, Traci raced from room to room, delighted at finally having a place to call her own. Hurrying into kitchen, she opened the back door and stared at the beauty of her own backyard. She already had plans to fix up the patio for a house warming party. Strolling back inside, she left the backdoor open but locked the screen door. Kicking off her shoes, Traci pressed her toes into the cool, checkered tile. "I know that life can't get any better than this. I'm finally an adult." She needed to call Eva and invite her over for a snack and give her a complete tour of her new home. God, Traci didn't think she would ever get tired of saying those words. It would be nice if she could invite Zack over, too. Where in the world did that come from? She shouldn't be thinking about the man from the hospital and the gym. However, he had snuck into her thoughts several times since yesterday. Tonight was her weekly step-training class, and a small part of her wondered would she see Zack. Hell, I don't care, Traci thought as she closed and locked the back door, but she knew she was lying to herself. She almost talked herself out of working out tonight. Like usual, Cherise cancelled on her at the last minute saying, she had a meeting with a buyer. Even Eva had backed out on her tonight because one of the new doctors had asked her out. 26

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So, that left Traci all alone to deal with the hellish step class, and she wasn't turned on by the idea at all. Pacing back and forth, Traci debated for about ten minutes before she decided to go, and her decision to go had nothing at all to do with Zack. **** "There wasn't any need for you to come tonight," Zack told Richard, sitting his gym bag down on an empty table outside the kickboxing class. Richard shrugged. "Hey, I haven't been to a class in weeks and I wanted to come. Unless you're saying you don't want me around. Are you here looking for a certain nurse?" "No. I came here to work out," Zack lied. He wasn't ready to talk to Richard about Traci yet. He hadn't even worked up enough nerve to ask her out on a date. "That's good to hear," Richard muttered. "Why would you say something like that? What's wrong with Traci? I think she's gorgeous." Richard raised his hands up in self-defense. "Hey…don't snap my head off. I only said that because if you wanted to talk to her. You might have to take a number," his brother said, pointing over his shoulder towards the back of the gym. Zack followed the direction of Richard's finger and spotted Traci looking hot in a red workout outfit, surrounded by a group of men. Her laughter filtered over to him and his eyes narrowed at how comfortable she seemed with her fan club. He didn't understand the jealousy he felt at the other guys. Traci wasn't even his to be jealous of, but damn it, he was. "It looks like you aren't the only one who wants to play doctor with the cute nurse," Richard taunted. "Shut up," Zack hissed, not taking his gaze off Traci. "Why don't you go over and say hi?" Richard suggested. "She doesn't look like she needs anymore attention." "Fine, I'll go and do it then." Richard left Zack frozen at the table while he maneuvered through the crowded gym over to Traci. **** 27


"Excuse me, Traci, do you mind if I speak with you for a few moments," a rich voice whispered behind her. Telling her friends good-bye, Traci spun around and was surprised to see a very attractive man standing behind her. But she couldn't shake the feeling she had seen him somewhere before. "Yes, may I help you?" "I'm Richard Drace. We met at the hospital last night. My brother Brad came in with an injury to his left ankle. Do you remember me?" It took a few seconds, and then it dawned on that her Richard was Zack's brother. "I do remember you, Mr. Drace. How's your brother doing?" Richard flashed a smile, displaying perfect white teeth. "He can't give tennis lesson for two weeks because of the sprain, but he'll be okay. Thanks for asking," he replied. "However, the reason I came over here is my brother Zack and I would like to buy you something to drink as a thank you for helping us at the hospital." Looking around Richard, she spotted Zack sitting at the table talking with two very attractive females. Traci didn't want to admit the sting of disappointment she felt. Even Richard looked stunned by the sight at his brother's table. "It looks like Zack already has other plans," Traci answered. "But thank you anyway for the invitation." She turned and left the gym, wiping Zack from her mind. Cherise was right; she needed a strong black man. **** Standing to the side, Richard waited until Zack finished talking with the women from his kickboxing class. "Why did you have me go over to her if you were going to flirt with other women?" "You did that on your own," Zack flung back as Richard sat down at the table. "How long have you been interested in Ms. Wells?" 28

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Stretching his legs out in front of him, Zack thought about his answer. "I won't say I want a relationship with her, but I won't mind a date. Traci seems very outgoing and I have always found that so attractive. Did you notice how nice she was to us at the hospital?" "What I noticed was how her friend kept flirting with you and you completely ignored her," Richard exclaimed. "Then when I went looking for you and I found you with Traci huddled in a hallway." Zack shot a quick glance at his brother. "Are you trying to say something?" "Yeah, you need to get out of that seat and ask Traci out on a date. Maybe she's still outside." Richard leaned back in the chair and challenged him with a look. Pushing back the chair, Zack got up. "You better pray she doesn't turn me down." "You won't know unless you ask," Richard tossed back. He moved away from Richard, storming out of the room and through the side door to the parking lot. Zack spotted her standing at her car, talking on a cell phone. Not wanting to scare her, he moved around the car, so she could see him standing there. Ending the call, Traci closed the phone and said, "Can I help you?" Zack looked at her, wondering if she would turn him down. This was the first time he had ever asked a black woman out on a date, and for some reason he really wanted Traci to say yes. "Traci, I have noticed you at the gym several times during the past two weeks and I was wondering would you go out on a date with me?" he asked. Leaning back against her car, Traci studied him then smiled. "Why should I go out with you?" "Well, I'm fun, charming, sensitive, and very handsome," he answered. Giggling, Traci unlocked the door to her car and slid in, "I never go out with a man I haven't known for at least a week. I 29


think you have more work to do, Mr. Drace." Slamming the door, she started the car. He stepped back so she could pull out. He made a motion with his hand for her to roll down the window. "Does that mean I might have a chance of getting a date in the near future?" "Maybe it does or maybe it doesn't. You just have to be patient and find out," she teased. Chuckling, Zack moved back from the car, allowing Traci to drive out of the fitness club parking lot. "Traci, I will get that date," he said. **** Two days later at work, reading over a financial report, Zack's business partner Tyshawn sauntered in. "Where have you been hiding?" "Some of us do have a life outside the workplace," he remarked, not looking up from the file in his hands. "Man, I know you like the back of my hand. You were out trying to get a new girlfriend. So, what's her name, or are you not going to tell me?" "I don't have time to talk about this," Zack replied. "Tell me about it. Don't I tell you about all my conquests?" Tyshawn questioned, arching one eyebrow. Zack knew once Tyshawn got hooked on a subject, nothing would take his attention away until he got answers. Closing the file, Zack tossed it to the side. "There is one woman from the gym that I noticed a while ago. She's gorgeous as hell. I have asked her out, however she turned me down," he confessed under his breath. He hated asking Tyshawn for help because he would never hear the end of it. Laughing, Tyshawn collapsed into one of the leather chairs in front of his desk. "I can't believe the great Zack Drace got turned down for a date and is still standing," he snickered as a light came into his rich brown eyes. "Don't sit there and act like you haven't heard a woman tell you no," Zack confronted. 30

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"When you look as good as me, no doesn't enter a woman's vocabulary," Tyshawn boasted. Zack had to admit with his bald head and tall athletic physique, Tyshawn did have the Michael Jordan thing going on for him. It was so sad that he couldn't play a decent game of basketball. "The reason you don't hear the word no is a woman usually is running the other way when shes see you coming," Zack joked. "Hey, if you're going to be jealous, then I won't help you land a date with her," Tyshawn muttered. "Okay, I apologize," Zack said, swallowing down another laugh that was working its way up his throat. "Good, now what have you been doing to get a date with…" Tyshawn paused, waiting for him to fill in the name. "Traci," Zack answered. "She's a nurse at the hospital." He left out how unbelievably stunning Traci was. He didn't need Tyshawn trying to compete with him. Tyshawn eyebrow shot up, then he smirked at his partner. "Wow, most of the women you date can't spell the word hospital," he joked. "Tyshawn, I don't need your sense of humor right now," Zack frowned, forgetting how his partner loved tossing around a joke here and there, but he never liked being a part of the joke. "I had to say that. You left yourself wide open for it," Tyshawn shrugged. "When was the last time you spoke to her?" "Two days ago at the gym." Tyshawn shook his head. "You must be losing your touch. Never allow twenty-four hours to pass without getting in touch with a hot woman. She is hot, isn't she?" Zack recalled Traci's rich, dark brown skin in the white workout outfit she wore. "Traci is very nice-looking," he admitted. "But for the first time in my life, I want to get to know this woman. She has more going on for her than looks."

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"Don't you dare go getting all deep on me. Remember, we are going to be bachelors to the end," Tyshawn uttered, brushing a piece of lint off his tailored pants. "Tyshawn, stop with the lectures and help me out here," Zack growled, losing patience with his friend. "How about you drop by the hospital and invite her to a quick lunch?" he suggested. "Or treat her to a salad or a bottle of water after her workout." Tyshawn rested his back in the chair and crossed his legs. "Start off with something small and work your way up. Think of Traci as a building you're interested in and start doing a little research. Find out more about her by asking other people about her or directly asking her." Standing up, Tyshawn fixed his suit. "I have to leave for a meeting, but let me know how it goes." Waving goodbye, he left Zack's office as quickly as he had entered. Zack couldn't believe the amazing suggestions that Ty left him with. No wonder females were always calling the office asking for him. His best friend was a regular Casanova, not that he wasn't. However, this time his usual charming appeal wasn't working on Traci. Maybe he did needed to talk with Traci some more at the gym tonight. Wait, damn it. This was Friday night and she was never there. Well, he could wait other day and speak with her on Saturday instead.

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Chapter Three "Do you know how pretty you look right after your workout?" a voice whispered behind her at the gym. "No, but I bet you're going to tell me, aren't you?" Traci said, watching Zack pull a chair over to her table. She tried to calm how fast her heart was beating at Zack's unexpected appearance beside her. She wasn't supposed to want to see a man she had only met a total of four times. Straddling the chair, Zack folded his arms on the back, "Yes, I am." "Do you mind stopping with the pick up lines?" Her dark eyebrows slanted into a frown. "I have heard them all and yours isn't any better than the rest." When would men learn that most women didn't want to hear a horrible pick up line? "I was trying to pull you into another conversation with me," Zack answered, flashing a devastating grin. Traci crossed her legs and stared at Zack, wondering why he decided to pick her out. She had no doubt she possessed attractiveness about her, but this was the first time a white male had ever approached her "Why did you pick me?" she blurted, scarcely aware of the heat in her voice. Zack frowned at her. "I don't know what you mean." He ran his gaze over her face and noticed the dark look in her eyes. "There are a lot of women here in this gym, "she said, waving her hand around, "that would fit you better than me, so what made me your lucky choice?" He kept watching her until a light shined from his eyes. "Traci, I didn't ask you out because you're black. I want to get to know about you. You're a very attractive woman and your race 33


never factored in. How about we go out on a date so I can learn more about you?" Zack got more comfortable while he waited for an answer. "Don't you want to know more about me, too?" he tossed out at the last minute. "Well, I would like to know more about you," Traci admitted. She would be lying to herself if she didn't confess to that. "Great," he grinned, standing up and pushing his chair back in. "Hey, I didn't agree to anything," Traci stated, taken back by how eager Zack was to go out with her. "Yes, you did," he said, leaning closer to her. "I'll pick you up at work tomorrow." "Zack, you can't meet me at work," she answered, digging in her bag for a pen and paper. Writing down a name and address of a local restaurant, Traci shoved the paper toward him. "Here's where we can meet." Grabbing the paper, Zack scanned it quickly before shoving it into his pocket. "I'll be there," he assured her as he turned to leave the building. Traci watched him leave, as did several other women in the fitness club. She hoped she had made the right decision about her date tomorrow night. One thing that couldn't happen was Cherise finding out. She would have a fit because her sister didn't want her dating anyone but a tall, black brother. Unlike her sister, she was open to all possibilities, including sexy Zack Drace. **** "Are you going to tell me who the hot date is with?" Eva asked Traci as she stood in front of the nurse's station waiting for the doctor to come back. "What makes you think I have a date tonight?" Traci asked, staring up at her friend from behind the desk. What was it about her that Eva always seemed to know what was going on in her life? 34

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"I'm the queen of Dating 101. I know when a person has a date," Eva answered smugly. "Give me details." "I don't want to give too much away," Traci sighed, looking around her work area. She didn't want to talk about her date with Zack yet. She wanted to keep it to herself for a little while longer. "Sure," Eva answered with disbelief. "Eva, there isn't much to tell. It's just a date with a guy I met at the gym," Traci lied, hoping Eva would drop the subject. She liked Eva, but she didn't like how her friend loved to gossip about co-workers at the hospital. "I know you're withholding details and I'll let you go for now," her friend, answered her eyes on the handsome new doctor coming towards them. "I've got some plans of my own anyway," Eva informed her as he got closer to them. Shaking her head, Traci got up from her desk. "Well, it looks like I might be a third wheel, so I'm going to check on the new patient in Room Four." **** Forty minutes later, Traci was on her way back from checking on her patient when she spotted Cherise standing at the elevators. "Hey, where are you going?" she asked, running up to her sister. "I was going to see if you wanted to have dinner with me tonight?" Cherise asked eagerly. Traci didn't know what to do. She couldn't tell Cherise about her date with Zack. "Oh, I can't. I have other plans," she muttered, trying to avoid eye contact with her sister. Disappointment clearly showed on Cherise's face at her news, "Oh, okay I'll catch you later," she replied, going back to the elevators. Traci stood there wondering how to fix the situation. She hated that her sister came all the way here for her just to say no. "Cherise, how about I'll cook dinner for both of us tomorrow night?" 35


Standing at the elevator, Cherise faced her again and shook her head. "I can't. I've a meeting with my leasing agent tomorrow about the antique shop. It isn't until five-thirty." Hearing the apprehension in her sister's voice, Traci closed the gap between them. "Is there a problem with the antique shop?" She knew how much Cherise loved that place. She had spent years making it into the success it was. "I hope not," Cherise answered as she stepped inside the elevator. "I'll catch you later." Her sister waved goodbye before the door slid closed. "I hope everything is going okay with the shop, because she doesn't need anymore problems," Traci uttered in the deserted hallway. Glancing at her watch, she saw how late it as and went to see if Eva was ready for their afternoon break. **** "Lee, I'm having problems getting the last building downtown," Zack complained, storming into his brother's marketing office. "I gave you all the figures on what to offer the shop owner, so why hasn't she sold it to you?" Lee questioned. "Do you know if someone else is offering her more money?" "I don't know," Zack groaned, taking a seat in front of his brother's clutter-free desk. He hated coming to Lee for help again, but he wanted that building and the shop owner was playing hardball. "Do you want me to talk to Ms. Roberts for you?" his brother asked as he leaned across his desk and stared at him. He shook his head. "No, I still have several weeks left before the lease expires and then I can buy it from the woman she's leasing from now. Hopefully, she'll come to her senses sooner than that." Zack frowned as he remembered Ms. Roberts' harsh voice yelling at him. "I didn't plan on this extra hassle. All the other shop owners sold me their spaces without any qualms. Why does this woman have to be so stubborn?" His brows drew together in an angry line. 36

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Zack quickly cleared his mind of his real estate problems and thought about his date with Traci tonight. While talking to her, he realized she had a lot of fight and he admired that quality in a woman. "Are you coming over tonight?" Lee asked "I won't be coming over, because I have a date," he replied. "I know who it's with, too," Lee teased. How in the hell does my brother know about Traci? "The nurse from the emergency room," Lee smirked. "How did you know that?" he stammered. "Zack, you couldn't take your eyes off her. I have to admit I was looking at her a couple of times myself." "You don't have a problem with it?" Zack wanted to know, because his brother always had a comment about something he did whether it was good or bad. He was used to it and always prepared himself for the worst. Playing with the gold pen on the desk, Lee muttered, "Why should I have a problem with it? Redheads have always been your biggest Achilles' heel." Zack's eyes grew wide. Lee didn't know his date was Traci. Maybe it was better this way, because if things didn't work out there was no harm done. "Yes, they have," he lied, hoping he wouldn't get caught in it. "Oh, by the way, how's Brad doing?" he asked, switching the conversation away from him. "He'll be back on the tennis court before you know it," Lee answered. "Does he even come to the office anymore?" Zack questioned, raising his eyebrows. "Yeah, he was here yesterday and stayed for a while. I think Brad is doing better than we all thought he would. However, Richard and his new manager are constantly battling each other from sunup to sundown," Lee continued. Zack was stunned Richard hadn't let the woman go yet. "Why hasn't Richard fired her if she is such a problem?" Lee shrugged. "I don't know why he's keeping her on payroll. Richard just praised Dawn the other day for her 37


outstanding managerial skills, but the employees are always complaining about her." "Richard has changed from the man I know," Zack exclaimed. "In the past he would have fired her the first day someone complained about her." "I agree with you there," Lee said, picking his pen back up. Zack noticed the subtle hint that Lee was trying to give him and got up. "I better go. I can't be late for my date," he said, heading to the door. "Have fun," Lee yelled at him as he went out the door. **** Sitting in a secluded area in the restaurant, Zack took a sip of his drink and watched the door for Traci. He had been thinking about her all day. Did he want this to move further than one date? If so, would he be able to handle what came along with dating a woman as stunning as Traci? Did Traci see this as a getting-to-know-you-date of a date between gym buddies? Placing his drink back on the table, Zack turned his head towards the front entrance at the same time Traci came through it. The sight of her almost made him pick his drink back up and swallow it in one huge gulp. He got himself under control as Traci spotted him in the back of the restaurant and moved in his direction. Where did she get a dress like that? The lacy black spaghetti strap dress outlined the fullness of breasts and the three-inch heels showed off her well-formed legs. A silver heart anklet graced her right ankle. Damn, she looked good and the other men in the place noticed, too, as their eyes followed her. "Hi. I hope I'm not too late," Traci said, her sultry voice caressing his skin. "I got held up at work." Standing up, Zack pulled out Traci's chair, getting a whiff of warm brown sugar and his body responded instantly. "No, I was early because I wasn't sure I could find this place," he answered and then quickly retook his seat, trying to hide his reaction to Traci's closeness. 38

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"You look stunning tonight. That dress looks amazing on you," he muttered, liking how it brought out all of Traci's best qualities. "Thank you," Traci replied, smiling at him. "You wanted to know more about me so ask away." Zack tried his best not to laugh at the forlorn look on her face, but he couldn't. "I'm not here to investigate you. Relax a little. I'm a pretty fun guy once you get to know me." "I didn't think you were going to drill me with questions," Traci exclaimed, staring at him, but he did notice that she relaxed her body a little more. "Mmm…sure you didn't.". He couldn't help but noticed how the light made her lush brown skin lovelier. The sight in front of him fascinated him more than he cared to admit. Women had crossed his path a lot with the business he was in, but something about Traci had snared his attention. **** "Why is someone as stunning as you still single?" "Can you ever talk to me without using a pick-up line?" Traci sighed. A deep rumble came from within Zack's chest at Traci's directness. "I don't think that really qualifies as a pick up line since we are already on first date," Zack teased back at her. "You're wrong. That was a pick up line and it was horrible. It went out in the early nineties. Take some free advice. Don't ever use it again." "Well, they haven't worked in a while," Zack returned with an easy smile. "Good. I never have been fond of attractive men who use bad pick-up lines," she admitted. Traci noticed how handsome Zack looked sitting across from her. He was enjoying their easy banter, but she was growing more nervous by the minute. She didn't realize how much she would like being around him. He wasn't only goodlooking, but had a good sense of humor to match. She knew with 39


the way things were going, she might want a second date after this, and that couldn't happen. "Zack, I think I should leave." Pushing out the chair, she stood up and went around the table. "Wait." Zack stood up and touched her arm as she started passed him. "Don't leave. I know the date will get better. Stay and at least have dinner with me," he requested, gesturing back towards her seat. "No, I can't," Traci replied, shaking off Zack's hand and hurrying from the restaurant. **** Back at her house, Traci pitched her purse on the couch and kicked off her shoes. The luxurious burgundy carpet felt wonderfully soft under her manicured toes. She drifted back to her bedroom, unzipping the back of her dress as she went. Snatching up the hair clip off the dresser, she pulled her hair off her neck. "Girl, you knew better than to go out with Zack. How could you let yourself even think about forming a relationship with him?" she asked, throwing up her hands in disgust and heading over to her closet. "At least Cherise didn't find out." Finding her favorite nightgown, Traci threw it on the cream colored bedspread. Stripping out of the rest of her clothes, she put the nightgown on and decided to turn in early for a change. Relaxing in bed, she unconsciously let her thoughts drift back to her date with the very charismatic Zack Drace. Did I not give him a fair chance? Are my sister's one-sided views also my own? If he tried again to ask her out would she say yes? Zack was a very nice-looking man with a good sense of humor. She didn't want to admit Zack possessed a trait her past boyfriends lacked. He possessed the capability to express amusement at a situation without thinking something more was involved. He just knew when a laugh was just a laugh. Zack's humor was wickedly perfect. It mirrored hers perfectly. The more she thought about him, the better a second dated sounded. If there happened to be a next time, she promised 40

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not to have a chip on her shoulder. Happy with her decision, Traci closed her eyes drifting off into a peaceful sleep. **** A knock on the closed office door the next morning diverted Zack's eyes from the real estate information on his desk. Before he could answer, Tyshawn strolled into his personal space wearing a white shirt with custom-made black slacks. "How did the date go with the mystery lady?" he asked, grabbing a mint out the clear container on his desk and popping it in his mouth. Tossing the pencil onto the wood surface, he scratched his head and muttered, "I think I might have bored her to death, because she ran from the table after only being there twenty minutes." Tyshawn grinned, showing off perfect white teeth. "What happened? Did you blow it with one of your pitiful pick up lines?" he mumbled around the mint in his mouth. Zack glared at his friend. If Tyshawn kept this up, he wouldn't tell him anything else about Traci. "You knew I had a date and you didn't warn me not to say that? How long have we been friends and partners?" God, that line used to work for me when I was younger. When did it stop? "We have been buddies since middle school and business partners for ten years," Tyshawn answered. "I guess I could have said something, but I didn't. Do you think your chances are ruined?" "Honestly, I don't have a clue," Zack replied just as the phone rung on his desk. "I hope not because I like Traci and want another date with her." "Let me grab this." Picking up the phone, he said, "Hello?" "Yes, can I speak to Mr. Zack Drace?" a soft alluring voice asked on the other side. "You're speaking to him," he acknowledged as Tyshawn got up and left the room. "Hi, this is Traci, and I was wondering would you like to redo our date?" she asked him in a rush of words. 41


YES! A smile teased the corner of Zack's firm mouth as he got more comfortable in his chair. "Are you saying I'm not all that dull and uninteresting as you first thought?" "I didn't give you a fair chance on our date, and I wanted to try again, unless you don't want to." "No!" Zack yelled, then calmed down. "I would love a doover date with you," he blurted out. "Good, I'll fix dinner for us," Traci said. "Let me give you my address." "What time to do want me to be there?" he asked, picking up the pencil off his desk. "Is six o'clock too early for you?" "No, it's perfect. Okay, what's your address?" Relieved that Traci was giving him another opportunity to impress her, Zack wrote down her address. He was very pleased that she offered to cook dinner for them. "Don't worry. I'll be on time," Zack exclaimed, tearing off the paper shoving it in his pocket. "I wasn't worried that you would be," Traci replied. "Well, I better go. I'm on my break and I have to get back to work." "Traci, thanks for giving me a second chance. I promise this date will be better than the first one." "I hope so," Traci said and ended the call up before he could answer. Reclining in his chair, Zack hung up his phone more than pleased with the way his day had turned out. **** Two minutes after Zack calmed down from his unexpected phone call from Traci, his brother Richard stormed into his office looking disheveled and very angry. "I don't care how big and brown her eyes are, I'm going to have a talk with her," he raged, falling down into the chair Tyshawn vacated. "Richard, are you okay? I have never seen you never get this upset," Zack inquired. Walnut eyes that almost looked black from anger glared back at him from a strong face, "You remember me talking about 42

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the new restaurant manager Dawn Summers I hired two months ago?" "Yes, she pissed off your new chef and he quit." "Yeah and now Miss Voice Her Opinion caused two of my best waitresses to quit, too," Richard snapped. Eyebrows raised, Zack asked, "What has happened now?" Richard wasn't getting along with Dawn at all, so he didn't understand now why his brother hadn't fired her. "She thinks a waitress should dress a certain way, which means no short skirts and snug tops," Richard complained. Well, he agreed with Dawn. Richard wanted to have a classy restaurant, not a trashy one, but he wouldn't say a word. Richard was in one of his venting moods and he didn't want to have him explode for no good reason. Sitting further back in his chair, Zack listened as Richard continued to complain about Dawn. "Dawn told them to cover up, and needless to say Melissa and Brittany got offended and quit on the spot. I have worked too hard to let that woman bring me down." Getting up, Zack moved around and took a seat on the edge of the desk. "I've a suggestion. Why don't you have a meeting with Dawn and hash everything out? You can tell her it doesn't matter what business qualifications she has. You won't tolerate the way she treats the other employees. If she doesn't listen and change her ways, after a week you will fire her." He saw the look that came into Richard's eyes. "Don't you dare feel guilty," Zack scolded. "You haven't done anything to her yet. This conversation might be just the thing she needs." "You haven't seen how beautiful she is," Richard muttered under his breath. Scowling, Zack shook his head at his brother's comment. Richard was unbelievable when it came to Dawn. He didn't know what he was going to do with Richard. Did he or didn't he want to get rid of Dawn? "Are you telling me you want to keep her because she's nice looking?" 43


Avoiding his question, Richard looked over his shoulder and changed the subject. "Have you convinced Ms. Roberts to sell you her shop yet?" A sound of disgust came from Zack's mouth. "No, I had a meeting with her and the landlord and she still won't budge from the spot. She's a very hard sell. I know I've hit a brick wall with her and I don't know what I'm going to do about it. Do you have any suggestions for me?" Richard responded with a suggestion that shocked the hell out of him. "Tell Lee to pay Ms. Roberts a nice little visit. You know he has a golden touch when it comes to closing business deals." Sliding off the desk, Zack sat in the chair beside his brother. "I don't know about that," he said, concerned with the route Lee might take. Lee wasn't a fan of stubborn females. Although Cherise Roberts was being uncompromising about the property, could he really send his unyielding brother after her? "Uh…I'll have to think about it." Patting Richard's leg, he stood up and retook his place behind the desk. "Man, what's going on with you?" Richard questioned. "You aren't acting like yourself." "Can you explain that better?" "You seem so relaxed now, unlike last night when you came to my house after your horrible date. What has changed?" He couldn't help but smile. A lot happened since last night and he had to share it with someone. "Traci called and she invited me to dinner at her house." "Traci, the nurse, from the hospital?" Richard asked. "Shit," Zack cursed, realizing he let Traci's name slip. "Do you have a problem with me knowing her name?" "It's just I have never dated a black woman I didn't know what your reaction would be." "Traci seems very nice, plus that smile of hers will melt the coldest man's heart," Richard said. "I hope you have a wonderful time with Ms. Wells tonight." "Thanks," Zack answered taken back. 44

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"I better get back to the restaurant. I have to make sure Dawn hasn't scared away the rest of my staff," Richard complained, getting up out of the chair. "Show her you mean business," Zack taunted at Richard's retreating back as he went out the door. **** "Cherise, I would love to go with you to the antique show, but I have another date tonight," Traci said to her pissed-off sister. "Since you moved out, I don't get to see you anymore," Cherise complained. "It's like you're becoming a different person and I don't know why. Is it the new environment?" "My neighborhood is fine," Traci cut in, defending her home, which took five years for her to get. "Sure, if you want to be out here away from everyone else," Cherise tossed back. A slow throb began at the side of Traci's head. It always did when Cherise got this proud-to-be-black trip of hers. Cherise made a sound in her throat like she didn't believe a word coming out of her mouth. "What surprises me is you haven't gone over to the other side already." "The other side?" Traci side questioned. "By going out on a date with a white man. Hell, you know exactly what I mean," Cherise informed her. Traci hoped she closed her face in time, so Cherise didn't see her reaction. "Would it be so wrong if I went out on a few dates with a white man?" Gasping, Cherise moved back from her. "Are you saying you have done it already?" "No, I haven't. But if an attractive man asked me out and he happened to be white I may not say no." Laughing, Cherise hugged her. "I forgot how you like to joke around about things. Can I stay and meet this mystery guy? I want to see who has finally gotten my baby sister back in the dating pool." 45


"You can't," Traci snapped eased out of her sister's touch. Going over to a chair, she grabbed Cherise's purse and car keys, then hurried to the door. "Now, what if someone gets a piece you're looking for while you here chaperoning my boring second date?" She held Cherise's stuff out to her and waited. A few seconds passed before Cherise came over and got the items from her. Sliding the purse on her shoulder, Cherise walked out on the porch then spun back around and gazed at her. "I wouldn't like it that much," she admitted. "Have fun and call me tomorrow. I'll come by the shop and help you price some of the items." Traci closed the door in her sister's bewildered face. Wiping the sweat off her forehead, Traci prayed she wouldn't get any more surprise visitors tonight, or she would pass out from the stress. Going into the kitchen, she looked through the cabinets and tried to figure out what to fix a man like Zack. He seemed so calm and laid back compared the image she had of him. After hunting for about thirty minutes, she chose grilled chicken breast, whipped potatoes, green beans, and squash with pineapple tidbits as dessert. Setting everything up, Traci decided to take a quick nap before Zack arrived. **** Driving to Traci's house was an adventure for Zack. This is the first time a woman had ever offered him a home cooked meal. Sure, a lot of past girlfriends said the meal was homemade, until he found the empty delivery containers in the trash. But he knew Traci wouldn't pull a stunt like that. If she said home cooked, she meant every word. Pulling into Traci's driveway, Zack smiled at the white house enclosed by a matching white picket fence. He wouldn't have pictured Traci living in a cute little home like this. He found it very charming. Reaching over, he picked up the flowers and sparkling cider from the passenger seat then got out of the car. 46

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He didn't know if she drank liquor or not, so he went with the safer choice. Ringing the doorbell, he waited for an answer, then a second or two passed before Traci opened the door looking more stunning than she did on their first date. A wrap around emerald green dress stopped above her knees, and she had put her hair up in some sort of a twist. Whatever look she was going for to impress him worked, because she looked like a million bucks. "Come in," she said, moving back. Once inside, Traci shut the door and he handed her the flowers. "These are for you." Her eyes grew huge as the arrangement of lilies were placed under her nose. "How did you know these were my favorite?" Traci asked, taking them for him. She turned and went into the kitchen. Yes! I'm so glad I stopped for the flowers instead of the candy. "I didn't, but I thought they would look more spectacular with you holding them." **** Stopping in her tracks, Traci glanced over her shoulder and noticed how good Zack looked in his black suit. The crisp white shirt showed off his naturally tanned skin. The suit looked like it was tailored to fit his body perfectly. Zack was a very handsome man and he knew it. He was confident, but not in a cocky way. "Thank you for the flowers," she said, reaching inside the cabinet for a vase and filling it with water. Placing it on the table, she pointed to the tray of food. "There are some snacks if you want some." "I'll get something in a few minutes," Zack answered, setting the other package in his hand on the table. "I brought sparkling cider to go with the meal." She grinned at her thoughtful dinner date. "You are two for two. I love cider, because I don't drink alcohol." "Fantastic. I'm glad I went with my first thought." Sniffing the air, a huge smile spread across his face. "I smell something delicious." 47


"I'm putting the final touches on our dinner," she said, pointing to the chicken on the grill on top of her stove. "Everything else is done and the chicken only has a few more seconds. So what do you want to do until it gets done?" "How about we toast that our second date goes better than the first one?" he suggested, coming up to her. Zack ran his finger down her cheek. Traci felt the heat from his body drawing her closer and she didn't want to fight it. Honestly, she wanted Zack to pull her close to him and kiss her. As if he read her mind, Zack leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on her mouth. He waited for her to pull back and when she didn't, he smiled against her moist lips. Tracing her closed mouth with his tongue, he repeated the slow motion until she sighed, opening her mouth wider for him. Sliding it into her mouth, he used his tongue to lap up the taste of her. "You taste like mint," he groaned. Pulling back, she whispered, "It's my toothpaste." "Well, I want another taste," he said, pulling her back for another kiss. Traci thought they kissed for a lifetime. Actually, it was only five minutes because that how long she set the timer for on the chicken. Removing her mouth from Zack's, Traci rested her forehead on his chest. "Wow, you can kiss," she mumbled against his shirt. "I could get lost in that mouth of yours." "Why don't you?" Zack asked above her head. Pushing away from Zack's temping body, she waved her finger at him. "No, I'm not listening to you. It's time for us to eat." She spun away from him and dished up the chicken on a platter. After placing it on a cool rack by the stove, she faced Zack again and didn't miss the desire in his eyes, but she ignored it. "Do you want to eat outside?" "Sure, why not," he answered.

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"Great! Let's fix our plates and then we can carry them outside and eat on the patio," Traci said, handing Zack a plate off the counter. It took them about ten minutes to get their drinks and food from the kitchen outside. Once they were seated Traci took a sip of her drink and started asking Zack some questions. "Tell me about your family." Zack leaned back in his chair and crossed one leg over the other. If any other man did that move it would have looked feminine, but with Zack it came across as very sexy. Traci dragged her mind away from her guest's sex appeal and back to the conversation. "I have three brothers. Lee is thirty-six and he's a marketing executive. Richard is thirty-two and owns a restaurant. Brad is twenty-nine and he's a tennis instructor, plus he works part-time at Lee's marketing firm. Lastly, that leaves me. I'm thirty-four and I'm a real estate developer." "All of your brothers are very handsome." "I guess," he shrugged, "but I think I'm the best looking one of the bunch, don't you?" "Are you fishing for a compliment, Mr. Drace?" Traci teased. "I sure am," Zack winked. Tilting her head to the side, Traci studied the man across from her. "Well, you're a very attractive man and I'm happy to be on a date with you." Nodding at her, Zack said, "Okay, now tell me about your family." She didn't want to talk about Cherise and ruin their wonderful date, but Zack opened up with her, so she guessed she could do the same for him. "I have an older sister and she's really into old collectibles. She's totally different from me, but I love her to death. I don't know what I would do without her." Traci pushed her plate away. She crossed her legs and then leaned closer to Zack. "I could tell at the hospital how close you are with your brothers. Has it always been that away?" 49


Zack's rich laughter echoed through the trees and the sound sent a shot of awareness pooling through her body. "I hated having two little brothers when I was a teenager. Every time I wanted to go to a party with Lee, the trouble twosome wanted to tag along. So you know that I had to be the one that stayed at home with them while Lee had fun without me. "But my hate for Richard and Brad didn't last long. We really grew closer after our parents died six months apart. Mom died first and Dad couldn't handle being without her, so he followed her into the ground." "How sad," Traci gasped, reaching out to touch Zack; his fingers were warm and strong as he gripped her hand. Rubbing the inside of her wrist with his thumb, he said, "I think we should move on to another topic. I usually don't talk about my parents or brothers on a first date." Grinning, Traci answered, "Don't worry, I'm not going to kick you out. I'm having a really good time with you." Using his free hand, Zack wiped imaginary sweat off his forehead. "Thank God for small miracles." Getting serious, Zack looked into her eyes. "Traci, I had a lot of fun with you tonight. I hope you will think about having another date with me," he told, her removing his hand. "I think it would be nice if we had another date." Traci stood up and started to clear off the table. Rushing into the kitchen, she raked the leftover food into the trashcan. "Hey, are you all right?" Zack asked, placing his dirty dishes on the counter by the sink. "You ran from the patio like the hounds of hell were after you." Stacking the dishes in the sink, Traci thought about what Cherise would say about her dating Zack. What would it hurt if I kept it from her? Touching her back, Zack brought her back to him and out of her trance. "Did you hear me?" he breathed by her ear. "Sorry, I was thinking about something." "Anything I can help you with?" Zack asked, spinning her around to face him. 50

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"No," she stated. "I believe I have things well taken care of." Shrugging a wide shoulder, Zack moved back. "I have a long day at work tomorrow and I still have two reports to read." Drying her hands on the towel, Traci laughed. "Is that the polite way of saying you want to leave me and my gorgeous home?" "Unfortunately, I have to," Zack muttered as he placed his body in front of her. Touching her elbow, he eased her back to his hard body. "Could I get a kiss to tide me over?" Licking her lips Traci stood on tiptoes so she could get a better kiss from Zack and those sculptured lips of his. "I'm ready." Yanking her body to his, he thrust his tongue into her mouth and stroked the sides until a purr erupted from the very back of her throat. The kiss sent a spiral of ecstasy through her, running large hands down her back he laid one hand on her butt and let the other one stay in the middle of her back. As she was allowing her body to get lost in the stirring kiss, Zack broke away and moved back from her. "I'm going," he hissed, his eyes dark with desire. Holding up his hands, he slowly eased away from her. "Are you sure about that?" Traci grinned. "Don't flash that smile at me, either," he commented, waving a finger at her. "Fine," she sighed. "Let me be a good hostess and accompany you to the door." Escorting Zack to the door, Traci had a grin plastered on her face stretching from ear to ear. "Date number two is tomorrow at…" she asked, leaving the question opened. "You're very sneaky, but I'm not telling you," Zack chuckled as he opened the door. "Wear something sexy and black," he requested, standing in the open door way. "Are you giving me orders?" "No, ma'am, I just had a small request." 51


"Well, since you said it that way, I think I know a dress you might like," Traci confessed, thinking about the slip dress in the back of her closet. "Good, and be ready by seven o'clock," Zack added. Traci shook her head at Zack. He acted like she didn't have a job. "Did you forget I work at a hospital and I can't make my own hours?" "I know you'll find a way." He ran his thumb over her lips, which were still moist from his kisses, then touched the side of her face. Turning away from her, Zack jogged down the steps to his black Jaguar and drove off. Shutting the door, Traci sighed at the pleasure rolling through her body that still lingered from Zack's mouth. She was almost in total bliss from the encounter. "God, you know that man can kiss." Still in a dream world, she glided through the house, checking locks and windows make sure everything was secure.

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Chapter Four "Only a man would put that look on your face," Eva pointed out in the seat across from Traci at work three days later. "I don't know what you're talking about," Traci replied, stacking the patients' folders before shoving them to the side. "Stop lying to the world's biggest liar. Tell me right now, Traci Wells," Eva insisted, tapping her long red nails on the desk. "Fine, I had another date with him," Traci muttered, leaning across the desk. It wouldn't do her any good to lie to Eva, because she would find out anyway. Eva wiggled her eyebrows at her. "Two dates in the same week. You better slow down or you might end up with a third one." She tried to keep the excitement out of her voice, but she couldn't. "I do have another date with Zack right after work and I can't wait. He's so much fun to be around." Traci couldn't forget the kiss goodbye Zack gave her on their first date; it was burned into her memory. "I think I'm going to move slowly and see where it takes me. You know how I get all excited about a guy, then about three months into the relationship he turns out to be a loser," she commented with a wry smile. "Zack is a wonderful guy so far and I hope he stays that way." "Have I seen Zack before?" Eva questioned. "I know I used to see a lot of sexy black guys talk to you at the gym. Is he one of them?" Traci didn't know how her friend would react to Zack being white. "I don't think you've seen him at the gym before." 53


"We both had exciting dates this week, so let me tell you about mine." **** Lee stood in the antique shop, admiring several pieces in the display case while he waited for Cherise Roberts to make an appearance. He didn't like to be kept waiting and was about to leave until he heard someone enter the room. Turning, he got the shock of his life—the most alluring woman he had ever seen stood there watching him with a curious expression. Since he was the tallest of the brothers at six-feet, seven inches, he would tower above her. She wasn't slim like the majority of women he knew, but very curvaceous in a dark blue pinstriped skirt and top. Medium length dark brown hair a few shades lighter than her striking russet skin was pulled back in a sexy ponytail. He tried to stop staring at her breasts exposed by the deep V in the front, but how could a man not notice? They were amazing; her husband was a very lucky man. "May I help you, sir?" she asked, moving closer. "Hi, my name is Lee Drace and I'm here on my brother's behalf." Whiskey-colored eyes grew hard once his last name left his mouth. "Mr. Drace, there's no need for you to be here," Cherise said, a dark look coming into her eyes. "So please, show yourself out. I'm very busy today." Moving to the door, Cherise tried to leave, but he stopped her by wrapping his hand around her wrist. "If you can give me five minutes," he drawled, "I would appreciate it. It was a long drive here." Cherise tried to shake off his hand, but he wasn't letting go. "You need to let go of my arm, Mr. Drace," she stated over her shoulder and looking up into his eyes. He felt her pulse starting to beat faster as her dark eyes connected with his. You feel it, too, don't you? The attraction that's burning between us, he thought. She jerked her arm hard again and he released her. Wincing, Cherise rubbed the sore spot. "I'm not going to change my mind, 54

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Mr. Drace," she said, folding her arms under full breasts and drawing his attention back to them. "You should hear my brother out. He really has an excellent deal for you." "Why won't the Drace men listen? I said no and I mean it. Please show yourself out." With that said, she left the room without saying goodbye. "I'll be back, Ms. Roberts," Lee promised, snatching up his briefcase by the handle and then storming out the door. **** "Can I have one little hint where we're going for dinner tonight?" Traci asked as Zack shut the front door to her house. They had been dating for a week and he wanted to surprise her with a night out. "I might not have worn the correct outfit." Zack's gaze raked over Traci's lush body, taking in the black dress that laced in the back and he nodded with approval. "You look very nice in anything you put on your body." Kissing him on the lips, Traci said, "Stop trying to sidetrack me. I want to know." She loved the taste of Zack on her mouth. It always made her want to sample his firm lips again and again. "Sorry, I can't do it," Zack replied, shaking his head. "Are you ready?" he asked, placing his hand in the small of her back as he leaded her towards his car. "I sure am," Traci answered, sliding her purse on her shoulder. **** Opening the door, Zack let Traci slide inside, then closed it behind her. Hurrying around to the other side, he got in the driver's side and drove off. He hoped his family would accept his relationship with Traci. Honestly, he didn't know how Lee would react because he was so unpredictable. He thought Brad had something going on because he spent most of his time away from the rest of them. Richard was his best bet to introduce Traci to first. Zack wondered if Richard was still cool with him dating Traci. His brother was good at changing his mind. He didn't 55


mind the idea of him dating Traci two weeks ago. However, the thing at work with Dawn had been driving him crazy for a while and could have changed his mood. He sent up a silent prayer that prayed Richard wouldn't disappoint him. The direction of his relationship was moving along wonderfully, which pleased him a lot. Traci was so open and honest. He remembered her exact expression when he came to her work place yesterday with flowers. Most of the staff had stood there dumbfounded when he placed a kiss on her. Even her best friend seemed a little taken back by the gesture. It didn't matter to him. When the urge hit he was going to kiss the sexy woman next to him. As he pulled into his brother's restaurant parking lot, Richard heard loud screaming coming from inside the building through the open car window. "What in the world is going on?" Traci asked, spinning in the seat to stare at him. Zack had a bad feeling. "Come on, let's go," he said getting out of the car at the same time as Traci. "I have to stop WWIII from happening." Rushing across the parking lot with Traci behind him, Zack opened the door to D4 and raced inside the building. He rushed down the hallway and stopped in the office door when he saw Dawn inside screaming at his brother. **** "I can't believe you hired them back after I fired them," Dawn Summers screamed at Richard. "I'm the manager at D4," she yelled. "You're right. You are just the manger," his brother agreed, pointing at Dawn, "but I'm the owner and I can do anything I damn well please." "If you keep going behind my back like this, none of the employees will respect me," Dawn mumbled, placing her hands on her hips. She was a lot shorter than his brother, but Dawn wasn't letting Richard intimidate her. "Why should they respect someone like you, anyway?" Richard questioned. 56

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His brother's words ricocheted through the empty restaurant. In the back of his mind, Zack thought Dawn was in love with Richard, but his dummy brother was too thick to see it. He had a bad feeling that when his brother realized he cared about Dawn, too, it might be too late to get her back. A gasp came from Dawn's lips at Richard's cruel remark and Zack felt the sting of harsh comment himself. Shit, my brother didn't have to say that to her. "You mean since I'm a black woman, I don't deserve respect," she choked out in front of him. He watched the shocked expression that crossed Richard's face at Dawn whispered words. Taking off the manager nametag, she flung it down on the desk. Zack watched as Dawn dug in her pants and then tossed some keys next to her nametag. "There are the keys back to D4. I don't have to stand for you talking to me like that," she snapped. "I quit, Mr. Drace. I'll be back later for my things." Dawn darted past him quickly and he didn't miss the tears in her eyes or the hand she brought up to wipe them away. Hell, there was no way his brother was going to be able to fix his big mouthed comment now. "Dawn, wait...hell. I didn't mean it like that!" Richard shouted as he shoved him to the side and rushed after Dawn. "Why don't you just leave her alone?" he yelled, darting after Richard. God, he didn't want him to make the situation any worse. Zack spotted Traci standing by a booth as he hurried after Richard. She gave him a small smile and sat down. "I need to apologize," Richard howled back at him without stopping his pace. Zack finally made it out the door after Richard. He spotted Dawn pulling out of the parking lot and heard the string of curses leaving his brother's mouth. Well, wasn't this the perfect way to start off his date with Traci? She probably thought his family was full of crazy people. 57


"Don't follow her," Zack advised when he spotted Richard heading for his car. "She needs time to calm down or another argument will happen. It won't do either one of you any good. So relax and come speak to Traci." Richard moved away from his car and stormed back toward the front of the building. "You better know what you're talking about, because I can't lose her." Swinging the door open, Zack went back inside and held it open until Richard followed. "Be nice to Traci or you'll have me to deal with," he threatened. Richard stopped and stared at him. He narrowed his eyes until his brother flinched. "I won't say anything mean to her. I like Traci," he sighed as he spun back around heading for the seating area. "Hello, Traci. It's so nice to see you again." "Nice to see you again, too, Richard. Is everything okay?" Traci asked, looking at Richard and then back over to Zack. "I heard a lot of screaming coming from the back room and then that lady ran past me crying." Easing around Richard, Zack snaked his arm around Traci's waist just in case his brother forgot what he just told him. "Traci, my brother was just having an argument with one of his employees, but everything is okay now, isn't it?" "Everything is fine. I was just having a difference of opinion with my manager, Dawn Summers," Richard growled, a muscle quivering in his jaw. "I'm sure in a couple of days things will be perfect. I hate to leave, but I'm needed somewhere." Moving towards him, Richard paused and then whispered in his ear, "Everything you need is in the kitchen," and then slapped him in the middle of the back and went away. "Is he okay?" Traci asked. "Richard is fighting his attraction for Dawn. The sooner he comes to grips with it, the happier he'll be," Zack replied. "Now, let's move the topic to a very important question I have for you, Nurse Wells." He pulled Traci into his arm and nibbled at her neck. "What topic is that?" she asked, moaning. 58

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"When do I get to play doctor with you?" Elbowing him in the ribs, Traci laughed when he rubbed the spot. "Ouch, that hurt." "It was supposed to hurt. Remember, I'm a nurse I know all the places to make you hurt," Traci teased as she waved her fingers at him. Swatting at her fingers, he grabbed Traci's hand and tugged her in the direction of the other room. "Okay. I'll remember that, now let's go in the other room. I think Richard left my surprise in the kitchen. Let's go find out if he did." **** Around ten-thirty the next morning, Traci watched her sister eat another chocolate chip muffin. Cherise only ate like this when she was furious about something. "Do you want to share?" Cherise wiped her mouth and shoved the muffin plate at her. "Sorry, take one." Pushing the plate out her way, Traci shook her head. "I'm not talking about the food and you know it. What has gotten you so steamed?" Flinging the napkin back on the table, Cherise confessed. "The guy who wants my property sent his gigantic brother after me," she hissed, her eyes bright with anger. "I mean, he has to be at least six-feet-seven." "Did the brother hurt you?" she asked, placing her hand on Cherise's. Cherise shook her head. "He wasn't crazy." Grinning, Traci removed her hand. She had forgotten how tough her sister could be sometimes in a difficult situation. "Well, that's good. I wouldn't want you to hurt him with a tongue lashing," she teased. "When I was leaving, I heard this jerk say he would be back," Cherise groaned. "I don't have time for this. It's not like his brother isn't bad enough with the constant surprise visits and phone calls. See, that's why I feel you shouldn't date a white 59


man. They always want their way and if they don't get it ASAP, it pisses them off." Traci wanted to argue Zack wasn't that way. He always made everything equal between them. He wasn't demanding or the other things Cherise warned her about. Sometimes Traci did wonder what turned Cherise so against interracial dating. Did something happen to Cherise before she came to live with her sister at sixteen? One day she needed to ask where Cherise's views came from. However, tonight she didn't have time to go into it, but if she had to guess it had to be a bad experience from the past. Love shouldn't ever be about race, but an understanding between mature people. Should I tell her sister about Zack now? Maybe it would help Cherise open up about her past and understand how ridiculous her beliefs are. They had been together for almost a month now and nothing in her life had ever been so perfect. Traci didn't want to have to choose between her sister and boyfriend, so she wouldn't. For now, everything was going okay and she hoped it stayed that a way. Cherise waved her French manicured fingernails in front of her face regaining her attention. "Did you leave me for a fantasy world or something? Help a sister out. Tell me how to get rid of the real estate developer and his brother. I'm not going to sell my shop." Looking at her, Traci said, "Can the landlord sell it when your lease is up?" Rolling her eyes, Cherise groaned under her breath. "That witch hates me now and probably is counting the days until it happens. I've asked her several times to let me buy it, but she ignores me." At that moment, Traci realized Cherise wouldn't understand the closeness between Zack and her. "It will be alright. I know you're smart and won't lose your business." Cherise flashed a small smile. "Thanks, but I think your optimistic attitude is being wasted here." 60

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While her sister was talking, Traci felt liking someone was staring at her. Looking around the restaurant, she spotted Zack and one of his brothers the by waiting area. The excitement from seeing her boyfriend almost caused her to bolt from the booth, but she stayed calm and said, "I'll be right back." **** Zack saw Traci coming toward him and knew he needed to make sure she didn't run into Lee again. He was sure Traci hadn't forgotten her first encounter with his older brother. "I think I left my cell phone in the car. I'm going to check. Why don't you find us a table for four?" Without waiting for a reply, he rushed out the door and went to his car parked at the far side of the building, waiting patiently for Traci to join him. "I almost couldn't find you," she exclaimed, rushing into his arms. "I knew you would," he muttered, kissing the side of her mouth and savoring the faint taste of watermelon lip gloss. "Is that your brother Lee with you?" "Yeah, and I'm very sorry that I ran out, but he doesn't know about us yet. Plus, he's in one of his moods and I wasn't going to let you deal with that. It's not because I'm ashamed of you or what we have," he said in a rush. "I'm very happy with you. I just can't guess what his reaction will be." Zack ran his hands up and down Traci's back. "He's such a peculiar person sometimes and if he said anything to upset you, I would have to disown him as a brother." Traci kissed him below his right ear. "My sister is the same way, but she wouldn't care if the words she said hurt or not." "Baby, we need to get them together eventually," he muttered by her ear, loving how Traci snuggled closer to his body. The sooner the better, he thought. "I know, and I think it should be around Thanksgiving," Traci chimed in. Laughing, Zack squeezed her tighter. "Sweetheart, that's months away." He wanted to tell the world about her earlier than that. 61


"Do you not think we'll be together that long?" she questioned, easing her body back from his with an edge to her soft voice. He raised her chin up and searched her eyes. "Mark it in your calendar with a red pen because it will happen. You feel so good and I have to leave," he sighed, drawing Traci's body back to his and then kissing on her forehead. "I better go, too," Traci said, moving completely out of his arms. "Hey, do you want to see the rodeo tomorrow? I have tickets," Zack asked, brushing his fingers down her arms. He would never get tired of Traci's flawless mocha skin. "Sounds like fun to me," she answered, touching his hand. "If I know my sister, she's about ready to send out a search party for me, so I better go." Traci gave him one last lingering kiss and then raced back to the building. "I'm so lucky to have her in my life." Zack stared at Traci until she disappeared from sight. He got his body back under control before he decided to go back inside the establishment and join Lee to wait for the rest of the Draces to arrive. **** "Sorry about that," Traci apologized, sliding back into the booth under Cherise's stern look. "I saw someone I knew from the hospital and I needed to find out if the new schedules had been made yet." "I saw your friend Eva at the club last night with another new man. Does she know how to stay with one guy?" Cherise questioned, disgust showing in her tone. "I never knew any other woman with the lack of morals she has. I'm so pleased none of her craziness has rubbed off on my level-headed sister." "Eva is a very good friend to me," Traci said, defending Eva, even if a small part of her agreed with her sister. "I didn't say she wasn't a good friend, but you have to admit there are people with better morals to be friends with out there." Traci moaned, tired of hearing her sister's same old song and dance. "I can't understand why you are like this. There isn't 62

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anything wrong with having a diversity of people in your life," Traci stated. "Maybe if you weren't so closed minded, you would have a man in you life and wouldn't find solace in food." Picking up her purse off the table, Traci glared at her sister and stormed out of the restaurant. **** Slamming the door to her house, Traci walked around muttering to herself about how bad her day turned out with Cherise. They hadn't been out to eat in such a long time and she wanted it to go well, but it didn't. Now, she needed time to cool off and apologize for her comment. Hell, she didn't mean what she said. Cherise only ate because she was alone so much. If she would only look for a strong, loving, smart guy to date and not factor in race all the time. Traci knew men would love to date someone as sexy as her sister, but Cherise only wanted to give black guys a chance, which was wrong. God, how much longer can I juggle work and dating Zack, and keep it from my sister? It was too much stress for her to handle. It had to come out in the open and she needed to be the one to let Cherise know. Picking up the phone, she was about to dial her number when someone knocked on the door. "Who in the world could that be?" Placing the phone back in the cradle, she went to answere it. Her mouth fell open at the sight of Zack standing on her porch. "What are you doing here?" She couldn't believe this. How did Zack know she needed to see him? "Baby, what happened? I saw you storm pass my table without your sister," he asked, coming into the house closing the door softly behind him. Traci wrapped her arms around Zack's waist and pressed her face into the side of his neck. "She hates you." Confused by Traci's comment, Zack escorted her over to the couch and made her take a seat. "Sit down and tell me what happened," he said, sitting down on the table in front of the couch. "Did you tell her about me?" he asked gently. 63


"Zack, did you see my sister sitting at the booth with me?" Traci wondered how to handle the situation. Did she tell Zack everything Cherise said about him? Zack gave his head a small shake. "No, I only saw you because you were facing the door and I saw just the top of her head. Why does that make any difference?" "No, but I wanted you to see what a smart, yet dumb woman looked like," Traci said, massaging the sides of her temples with her fingers. "She just said the same old crap that she always does. I wanted to inform her how wrong she was. Maybe it's because we're half-sisters that our dating views are different," she said, dropping her hand. "Did your sister have a problem with that when the two of you were younger?" Zack asked, running his fingers across the back of her hand. "We have the same father, but different mothers. I didn't know I had a sister until I was around nine. This woman had confronted my father outside our house one day while I was riding my bike. She kept screaming about how could he take care of one daughter while ignoring his oldest one. "They fought for a while. I got scared, so I ran inside and stared at them from the living room window, and that's when I noticed Cherise in the car." Traci frowned at the memory. "I think she was around thirteen. After the woman left later on that night I had asked my dad about Cherise. He told me everything." "He said when I got older, it would be my decision and hers if we wanted to become friends and sisters. My father died when Cherise was eighteen. She took me in without any questions asked. Her mother had died, leaving her a small trust fund, and instead of using it all on herself, she helped me pay for college and started a small business." Traci didn't want to be mad at her sister after everything she had done for her over the past few years. However, she wouldn't let Cherise rule her life by telling who she thought was the suitable type of man for her to date, either. She hated having this added stress to her life. "How could I not be proud to have 64

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someone like her as my sister? Which is why I don't understand how she can have so much hate in her." Rubbing her back, Zack pulled Traci off the couch and placed her in his lap. "Your sister sounds like the carbon copy of Lee. He took care of the rest of us after our parents died. I still don't know how he did it." Unbuttoning his shirt, Traci slid her hand inside to rub his chest, "Do you think we should try talking to your brother first? He doesn't seem as one-sided as my sister." "I don't think so. Lee is a wild card like I said earlier. He may be worse than your sister. At least I know where I stand with her, but maybe my charm can sway her my way, especially after she sees how much I want to be with her breathtaking sister." Her hand brushed Zack's nipple and he sucked in a breath. "Sweetheart, you need to stop that," he groaned. "Why should I?" she whispered. "I never get a chance to touch you because we are always out doing something. This is the best time to familiarize myself with you. Don't you think so?" Traci whispered, drawing Zack's ear into her mouth. Zack couldn't handle it when Traci did that and she knew it. Turning her around, he placed her so she straddled his thighs and faced him. "Does that mean I get to learn how your tasty body works?" he asked, working at the button on her yellow shirt. Once the shirt was open, he shoved it away from her, "Shit, why didn't you warn me you weren't wearing a bra?" **** Reaching out with one finger, Zack ran it from the top of Traci's perfectly formed breast down to the hard nipple. Cupping the mound with his hand, Zack brushed the hardened peak with his thumb, watching the reaction on Traci's face. Her lovely eyes were closed and her head was thrown back, drawing his attention to her long neck. Leaning in, his tongue flickered against the nipple twice before drawing it into his mouth slowly. He sucked her like he had all the time in the world just to learn the flavor of her. 65


"Baby, don't do that. I can't take it," Traci panted, trying to remove his head from her breast, but he wasn't having it. This was his first taste of her and he was going to savor it. Finally, he popped the right nipple out and moved on to the other one. He held the left breast in his hand, fondling it for a while. "I can't believe how soft and beautiful you are, sweetheart." Rubbing the bud between his thumb and forefinger, he felt it get even harder. Smiling, he made eye contact with Traci. "Do you like this, honey?" Traci bit her lip and nodded but not one word left her perfectly formed mouth. Drawing the nipple into his mouth, Zack loved it as slowly as the first one. Easing one hand down her legs, he pushed up her short black skirt then eased his hand between them. One long finger slid inside her underwear, brushing against her moistness. "Baby, you are so ready for me, aren't you?" he asked around the nipple in his mouth. Dropping her head on his chest, Traci said, "You can't do this to me." Suddenly another finger joined the first one. "Do what?" he questioned, letting go of her tasty nipple. "Make me crave your touch," she hissed, pulling her bottom lip with her two front teeth. "You mean this touch?" he asked, sliding both fingers knuckle deep inside her. He loved how a fine sheen of sweat covered Traci's taut body. Zack captured Traci's mouth while his fingers worked their magic. Soon Traci was squirming on his lap, trying to get away from the pressure building up in her body. Tearing her mouth away, she panted, "No, I can't let you do this." "Shhh…" He whispered, flipping her back down on the comfortable couch. "You need this release. Let me give it to you." Sliding his fingers quickly from her body, Zack used them to remove the skirt and the rest of the clothes from her body. Then he eased both of his fingers right back in before she had a chance to miss them. 66

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Using his free hand, Zack held her wrists above her head lightly, so anytime Traci wanted to get free she could. This wasn't about control, but showing her how much he wanted to cherish her body. His mouth drew her still-moist nipple back into his waiting mouth. Keeping her legs in the position he wanted, Zack loved her with the skill he knew he possessed. Traci's soft whispers begged him to stop, but she kept moving her body with the rhythm of his fingers. If it felt this good to him, he could only imagine how good Traci was feeling. He knew that his mouth and fingers had her so close; it was only a matter of seconds. He could feel Traci was about to find her release and he didn't want to miss it. Kissing each nipple, Zack leaned on his elbow and raked his gaze over her squirming body. She had closed her eyes a while ago, allowing herself to enjoy the moment. Moving his fingers a little more, he captured her sweet screams with his mouth. Easing his hand away from her body, he hugged her drenched naked body to his clothed one and then laid them down on the couch. Reaching up, he covered them with the blanket lying on the back. He had never felt this fulfillment without actually making love. Closing his eyes, Zack wrapped his arm around Traci's waist and fell asleep. **** She woke up with an arm thrown across her bare waist. Touching Zack's hairy arm, Traci moved closer to the warmth of his body. He was still asleep, so this gave her time to think about what happened between them. Never had she told any old boyfriends how she first met Cherise. They just knew she was her older and controlling sister. Does this mean I have more feelings for him? Dating Zack was for fun and a new experience. If it went any deeper things could get way too messy. Zack wasn't looking for a commitment, either. Not once had he spoken of anything deeper between them. 67


She knew there was a part of Zack that wanted to be with her for a while. But in the end she knew he would leave just like the others. However, this time she was stronger and the relationship would end when she said so. Kissing him on the chin, Traci eased away from his body, tying the light blanket above her breasts. Her body felt sticky, which meant it was definitely time for a shower. Traci picked up her discarded clothes off the floor and hurried to her bedroom. After a refreshing shower, Traci dressed in a lacy black nightie top and matching boy cut underwear and made her way into the kitchen. She grabbed a bag of chips from the cabinet and then headed back into the living room to check on Zack. Sitting crossed legged in the oversize tan chair, she watched Zack sleep. It must have been a hard week for him because he had been out for almost an hour now. He was always talking about a business deal he was trying to close. How could this woman be so unreasonable? Zack seemed good at his job and wouldn't cheat the shop owner, so why hold out until the lease is up? Why not sell the property and move to a new location? He would end up getting the space anyway when the owner sold it. Zack was actually trying to give the shop owner the money instead. She would never comprehend stubborn people. They always ended hurting themselves in the long run. As much as she tried, Traci couldn't take her eyes of Zack's sleeping figure. He was almost too perfect with his square jaw, a hint of a dimple in his chin. She wished that he would let his dark brown hair grow out some more. But what got her the most were his eyes; they were an amazing bluish-green color. They are also very kind eyes that wrinkled at the edges when he smiled or laughed at her silly jokes. Expressive, yes, Zack's eyes always had a light in them like he learned something from each and every conversation he had with a person. His eyes were the kind she wanted to gaze into for the rest of her life. Whenever she talked or had an opinion, Zack looked directly at her and listened to every word. Not once, during any 68

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of their conversations had his eyes ever waived from her face in boredom. **** "Hey, you need something better than a bag of chips for dinner," Zack said, stretching as he sat up on the couch. "Well, looks like Prince Charming finally decided to wake up," Traci giggled, tossing a chip at him. It hit him in the chest and Zack popped it in his mouth. "Baby, what did you do to me? I haven't slept that well in a long time." "I don't know," Traci answered, staring at his exposed chest. He followed her gaze. "No, don't even think about it," he scolded, buttoning up his shirt. "Why don't you want us to have sex?" she questioned. Getting up from the couch, Zack came over to her, lifting her up. He sat down and placed her on his lap. "First, I want us to have more dates and get past this with your sister before we actually make love…not have sex," he corrected, planting a kiss by the corner of her mouth. "I want it to be so pure, we'll both remember it." Traci frowned. "Zack I've had sex before. I'm not a virgin." "I've had sex, too, so I'm not a virgin, either," he laughed, kissing her bare shoulder. "What I meant by pure was it will be between us and no one else. We won't do it to get back at your sister or piss off my brother," Zack added, nibbling at her neck, "and I also want it to be in a nice comfortable bed, not on a living room couch. "I think too much of you for that. Now after we make love in the bed we can give the couch, the floor, the shower, kitchen table, my desk at work, or anywhere else you think of a try," he grinned. Traci hit him with the bag of chips in the middle of his chest. "You have a good sense of humor. I find that so sexy." Touching her body, he said, "I think I find everything about you sexy. You wear your confidence like a glove. Most women aren't like that." 69


"You have to thank Cherise for that," Traci said, munching on another barbecue chip. "She said there isn't anything less attractive than a desperate woman. I took what she said to heart and I made sure I accomplished all I needed without help from a man. My past boyfriends didn't like it." Playing with the bow on the front of her top with one hand, Zack slipped his other hand between her thighs. "They just weren't mature enough to handle a woman like you." He kept brushing her underwear with his hand, trying to get a reaction from her. Traci closed her legs on his seeking hand. "If I can't touch you, then you can't touch me, either, Zack." "Are you sure about that, baby? You seemed to love it so much the last time I stroked you." Traci wanted to say yes so bad, but she stood her ground. "Yes, I mean it." "Fine, I won't touch you," he replied in a deep voice. When she opened her legs, he placed his hand on the chair's arm. "Thank you," she said, laying her head on Zack's wide chest. She fed him potato chips and relaxed against his chest. "How many times have you done this?" Zack asked around the chip in his mouth. "Done what?" she asked, sliding another delicious fried treat into her mouth. "Relax in this chair feeding a boyfriend chips on a Saturday night," he said in a low, composed voice, waiting for Traci to give him another chip.

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Chapter Five Sliding off Zack's lap, Traci stood by the chair as anger raced through her body, "Are you saying you think I let guys give me orgasms on my couch? And then afterwards I feed them potato chips?" she yelled, slapping the side of the chair with the palm of her hand. Storming to the table, she snatched up Zack's keys and tossed them at him. They hit him hard the middle of the chest. He caught them before they fell on the floor. Running to the door, she flung it open. "You need to get out of my house now, Zack," she hissed, holding back tears. "Baby, I didn't mean it like that." He got out of the chair, running to her as she stood by the open door. "Yes, you did," she muttered. "You think I'm some slut who loves getting laid on the living room furniture." He reached out to touch her face and she jerked her head away. "It came out the wrong way. Please listen to me." "No," Traci snapped. "Either you leave my house or I will," she threatened, going out the door. Zack hauled her back inside. "The hell you will go outside dressed like that." Getting out of his grasp she said, "So, I guess that you better leave my home before I do just that." Traci looked out the door, then back at Zack, blinking back hot tears. Zack stormed out the door and she slammed it behind him, finally allowing her tears to fall. Against her better judgment, she ran over to the window and watched Zack leave. He was halfway down her pathway when he spun back around and came back to her front door. 71


Banging on it, he yelled, "Traci, you open this door right now. I won't leave here with you thinking about that comment all night. Sweetheart, you couldn't have misunderstood anything more." She closed her eyes and tried to block out the sound of Zack's pain-filled voice coming through her door. She couldn't let him influence her with sweet words, because if they weren't heartfelt it wouldn't do either one of them any good. Traci went back over to the chair and sat down as Zack continued to beg her to let him back in. "Sweetie, you know me. I would never say anything that horrible to you." Zack continued knocking while he pleaded with her. The pounding didn't stop until one of her neighbors called the police on Zack and they escorted him to his car, but not before he promised that he wasn't going to stop apologizing until she had forgiven him. **** "If you grip that phone any tighter, it will break," Tyshawn warned Zack from the doorway days after his horrible fight with Traci. Furious eyes shot daggers at his unwanted visitor. "Shut up," Zack growled, slamming the phone back down. "Sorry," Tyshawn apologized. "What wrong with you? Are you having the first fight with the new girlfriend? I think the first fight is always the best because the make-up sex is so damn intense." Despite his black mood, Zack laughed at Tyshawn's onetrack mind. "Can't you ever think of anything beside sex when it comes to women?" No wonder his friend never kept a woman in his life. "Sure, I wonder will she fix me something to eat afterwards," his best friend exclaimed with a sly smile. "See? I do have more things on my mind than just sex."

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"Now I know why you aren't married," Zack snickered. He was so happy that he didn't share the same sentiments as his buddy. "Very funny," Tyshawn remarked, coming inside his office and sitting down in one of his new black leather chairs. "Has the Roberts lady given in yet? I can't move on with my part until she does." "Not yet, and I know the lease isn't up until six weeks from now," he sighed, totally upset by the whole situation. Honestly he didn't want to be sitting here discussing the Roberts woman. Not with his problems with Traci at the moment, and he wasn't seeing a way to fix them, either. "Why is she hanging onto that old space?" Tyshawn inquired. "She can take the money and build a new antique shop from the ground up and still have money in the bank." "We both know that, yet it seems Ms. Roberts is sinking her heels in," he complained. "The only thing we can do now is wait and see if she changes her mind." "You're much more patient than I am," Tyshawn muttered, standing. "Hey, I'm going to my sister's wedding tomorrow. Want to come with me?" "I think I'll pass," Zack said, remembering the last wedding he went to that involved Tyshawn's family. He had never seen so many redheads in one place. His partner's family was trying to get him married off because they thought he spent too much time alone. "Gee, thanks, making me face all those marriage-hungry women alone." His buddy groaned, going out the door. Cupping his mouth, Zack shouted, "Have fun." The happiness slid from his body once Tyshawn left the room. He missed Traci. Why did I have to be so flippant and say that last stupid comment? She wasn't answering the phone at home. So, he tried the hospital and Eva told him that he needed to stop or Traci would get in trouble. He had gone to the rodeo by himself and missed having her beside him asking questions. It was a part of their routine. He 73


had grown to love it and now it might not happen again. Balling up a piece of paper, he threw it out the door, wanting to release some of the anger in his body. **** "If you want me to leave, just say so. You don't have to throw things at me," a soft voice spoke up from the doorway. His head snapped up to find Traci standing there. Shoving the chair back, he rushed to her. "Traci, baby, what are you doing here?" he asked, pulling her into his arms and closing his office door at the same time. "How did you know where my office was?" "Eva found out for me because she got tired of me being so depressed at work," Traci answered as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Kissing her, Zack couldn't believe his luck. Traci was actually here in his arms. "Please let me explain what I meant," he pleaded. Placing two soft fingers on his lips, Traci silenced his next words. "Hey, doesn't every couple have their first fight?" "Sure, they do," Zack grinned, pressing his woman to his chest. Leading her to the couch, Zack sat Traci down, making sure she was really there by touching her arms and face. "Can we just hash everything out the same day? Instead of making me miserable for a week?" he suggested, staring into her dark, alluring eyes. "Did you really think it was over between us?" she murmured, staring into his eyes. "Haven't you ever had a passionate fight with any of your ex-girlfriends?" "Sure," he admitted. "But I didn't care about them as much as I do you," he replied. "Do you know how long I wanted to ask you out before I did?" Traci shook her head. "No, tell me." "A month," he admitted. "What?" she gasped, stunned by the news. "Why did it take so long?" 74

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"Every time I got enough courage to approach you, another man would beat me to it. Plus, I didn't know if you would be interested in dating me. No matter how good-looking I am," he joked. Traci grinned at him, then punched him in the shoulder. He loved how playful she was. It made him feel years younger. "Are you ready to take a chance on us?" "What do you mean by that?" he questioned, kissing the hand that Traci hit him with. "I'm ready to meet all your brothers," she stated, taking her hand back and placing it on the seat between them. He slid closer to her as his heart started to pound. "Traci, are you sure about this? We can still wait until Thanksgiving." "No, I want to do it now, unless you don't." She pinned him with a hurt look. "I was ready our second date," he admitted sheepishly. "How about tomorrow night, because it's our Wednesday family night dinner." "Oh, I don't know about that. I don't want to be the one who ruins the family's weekly dinner. How about we pick a different night?" "They won't mind if I bring you," Zack insisted. At least, I hope they don't, he thought. Brushing his mouth against the side of her facem he muttered, "Sweetie, they will love you as much as I do." "Even Lee?" "Well, at first I would have said no, but he has seen how upset I've been this week. So yes, even Lee will love you," Zack answered, praying that Lee was still in a good mood. "Alright I'll do it. What time do I have to be ready?" "Dinner is always at seven, so I'll be at your house around six o'clock." Still not believing Traci was sitting in front of him, Zack ran his fingers through her hair. "I'm so glad you came back to me." "I never had left you, darling," Traci said, touching his arm. 75


"It felt like you had, because nothing I said was bringing your beautiful face back to me." "Always remember something. I need time alone to think things out for myself," Traci replied. "If our relationship had really been over, I would have told you." "Well, I hope it never happens. Come here, so I can kiss those lips of yours," Zack groaned as he laid her down on the couch. "Don't get too wild. I have to go back to work in an hour," Traci warned him. "Not a single article of clothing will leave your body," he promised before capturing her soft mouth with his. **** The street light flickered off and on outside his office window, which meant it was about to go out for the second time this month. Zack ran his fingers across his short brown hair. He was thinking about growing it out because Traci didn't like the close cut he had right now. She made several hints at how much she wanted to run her fingers through his hair. He had a very hard decision to make tonight, and it was giving him hell to do it, but he didn't want Traci to meet his brothers yet. Everything was still so fresh and new between them. If she got to know his brothers now, the reality of them might scare her away. Why couldn't that part of the relationship happen months from now? A month and a half of dating wasn't the correct timeline to meet the others person's family. He had no urge to meet her sister at all. The longer it took, the better off he was. Propping his long legs on top of his desk, Zack looked around the quiet office space. Things really were getting too hectic for just him and Tyshawn now. Tyshawn had brought up last week they should think about hiring another person to work in the office with them, but he didn't think it was a very good plan. It felt so relaxed with the two of them all the time; a third person would mess it all up. 76

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But, he was almost to the edge dealing with his latest property owner and it would be nice to pawn her off on someone else. So the more his partner's idea stayed in his mind, the better it sounded. Picking up a pencil, he jotted down a quick classified ad so when Tyshawn came in tomorrow, he could read it. If they did find another person to add to the business, with the extra time he gained from the new employee he would spend it with Traci. Thinking about her again brought back the dilemma he was in. Without looking at a clock, he knew it was almost time for her to get off work. He usually didn't agree with her sister, but he did think Traci was way too smart to stay a nurse. She should go back to college and become a doctor. However, every time he brought it up, she would scold him for sounding like her sister. Sure, being a nurse was a wonderful career, but he could tell Traci wanted more for her life. Why didn't she want to admit it to him? Did a bad experience happen with a doctor? Or was a doctor not able to save her parents? He needed to know what happened so he could help her overcome it and get her back into a classroom. He didn't want Traci to think her job wasn't worthwhile, because it was. Nursing was a very important job for anyone to have and he got a little bit of a thrill knowing he was dating a sexy nurse. He knew Traci wanted more by the way she talked about her career. She may not know it, but a light came into her eyes every time she said the word doctor. He wanted Traci to push forward to achieve her dream. Talking about it was one thing, he needed to get her to do it. Traci was a determined woman who didn't like being told what to do, so he had to make sure she thought it was her idea to go back to college, not his. "I'll bring it up at the conversation tonight at dinner," he said, standing up to leave. With a flick of his wrist, Zack turned the rest of the lights off, whistling as he left the office. **** 77


"Good morning, Ms. Roberts." A rich voice muttered broke into the cozy silence of the antique shop. Looking into the mirror in front of her, Cherise spotted Lee Drace lounging in her store entranceway. "It was a good morning until I saw you. Didn't I tell you not to come back?" she fumed, twisting around to look at him. Hell, she didn't want to notice how nice he looked in his black suit with a royal blue shirt underneath. "I'm not a man to take orders," Lee answered, moving from the entranceway to stand to her left. "Mr. Drace, why do you and your brother keep wasting my time?" Cherise questioned. "My answer is still going to be no. It doesn't matter if you ask me twenty, fifty, or a hundred times. So, stop visiting me all the time. I'm extremely busy and your presence is very bothersome to me." Lee loved the fire coming from Cherise's eyes. He never knew what a direct woman she was until now. It was peaking his interest in her greatly. Which was a first for him, because he usually went for more agreeable women. "I bet your husband loves this side of your passionate nature." Cherise didn't like the way Lee's gaze roamed over her body. "I don't have a husband or boyfriend," she declared. Heated eyes flew up to hold hers. "What a shame," Lee whispered softly. She hated how the soft sound made her feel. It was sending her pulse into overdrive. Cherise almost fell for the compliment until the realization sunk in. "Try another tactic, Mr. Drace," she stated. "What are you talking about?" Lee asked in that deep, timbred voice as he continued to eat her up with his gorgeous eyes. "Did Zack send you to flirt with the lonely fat shop owner thinking I would sign over my property?" Cherise moved to stand directly in front of the man tempting her body. "You and your brother can both go to Hell." 78

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"Sweetheart, you aren't fat, but very voluptuous, and I can honestly say I wasn't counting on you being so beautiful," Lee admitted underneath his breath. Taking a card from his suit pocket, he laid it on the table. "If you reconsider my brother's offer, give me a call," he said going out the door. **** Tuesday night, Zack relaxed on his couch with Traci curled up at his side while her fingers played with his chest hair. "We need to talk about tomorrow." "What do we need to talk about?" she asked as her fingers stopped the wonderful stroking motion on his chest. Hell, he prayed this didn't come back to bite him on the ass. "This isn't the best time for you to meet my brothers. They are all going through different things at the moment." He hurried on before Traci cut in. "I rather wait until their problems have calmed down." Zack wondered if Traci could hear how hard his heart was beating under her ear. "That's okay with me," she answered, raising her head to gaze up at him. "Great," Zack replied, ecstatic that Traci took the news better than he thought she would. Hugging her, he said, "How about I take you to D4 to make up for it tomorrow night?" Traci was keeping her temper under control now, yet if she had dinner with Zack tomorrow night it might not stay that way. "I can't. I have to work late," she uttered as pushed her body off his. "You didn't say anything about this earlier." Zack frowned, touching the side of her arm. "How could you even have dinner with my family then?" Traci sat up on the couch and then scooted away from him. "I was going to let Eva work my hours, but now I don't have to." She bent over and slid her shoes back on. "I need to go. Tomorrow will be a long day for me." She was out the door before he could stop her. **** 79


The next night, Traci fell into the hospital cafeteria chair and pushed her uneaten food around on the tray, pissed Zack wasn't introducing her to his brothers. Why did it have to be so hard? Sure Lee may get upset, but he didn't control Zack's life. If he didn't want a black girlfriend, he should never have started dating her. They needed to have a long discussion about their commitment to each other, and soon. A shadow falling over her bent body made Traci glance up from the tray into a familiar pair of dark brown eyes. "Hello, Traci." "It can't be you!" she screamed, jumping up to hug her old boyfriend, James Hamilton. "I thought you were living in Kentucky." "My mom was having bad health problems, so I came back to be with her," James answered, stepping back from the embrace. "It's so good to see you," Traci said, grabbing his hand as she sat back down, pulling him down into the chair next to her. "Are you coming back to work at the hospital?" "Yeah, I just finished up the final paperwork with Personnel. I'm working back on the same floor with you," he announced, waiting for her reaction. She knew James was thinking about the past they shared. "I've forgotten about all the things that happened from when we were dating. Everyone makes mistakes," she muttered, wanting the past to stay where it was. James shook his head at the forgiving nature she still had. "No, don't say that. What I did prevented you from becoming a doctor." Traci didn't want to recall it, because it was years ago. "James, we are still friends, okay?" Nodding, James stared at the woman sitting in front of him with envy. "How's Cherise doing? Is she still telling you what to do?" he asked jokingly.

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She laughed at the nervous look on James' face. "Cherise is as you remember her and then some. Always speaking her mind and I love that side of her. I wish I was more like that." "Are you dating anyone?" Traci knew Zack considered them a couple, so she couldn't lie. "Yes, I have a boyfriend." Snapping his fingers, James cursed his bad luck then flashed his famous grin. "Of course you are. What a dumb question. You always had guys drooling after those legs of yours." Hitting his hand, Traci laughed at her old boyfriend. They had been best friends since forever and then decided to date, which had been a bad idea. Their personalities had been a bad fit from the beginning as a couple. James loved going out and she was more of a homebody, but what he did to her toward the end of their relationship didn't help any, either. This caused their already fragile relationship to end badly, with James moving to Kentucky. However, she received a letter from him a year later saying how sorry he was. Being the understanding person she was, she had written back saying it was okay. So, every three months James would send her a letter. Traci was happy to have her best male buddy back. "Is your shift about over?" James asked, standing up from the table. "Yes, it is," Traci answered getting up out of her chair. "Do you think your boyfriend would mind if you had dinner with an old friend?" James asked her as they moved towards the cafeteria doors. Traci didn't think Zack wasn't the jealous type. "Sure, I know Zack wouldn't mind," she replied as James held the door open for her and they continued into the hallway. James looked at her. "Is Zack white?" "How did you know?" she asked, startled. "Zack doesn't seem like a brother's name," he teased, touching her on the shoulder with a hint of animosity in his voice. 81


"Don't start sounding like my sister," she sighed and brushed James' hand off her shoulder. She forgot how observant he could be sometimes. "Cherise knows you're dating a white man," he scowled. "I can't believe she's okay with this." "Are you crazy? Of course she doesn't," Traci answered him. "Oh. You aren't going to be able to keep this a secret long," James laughed. "I've been doing a pretty good job for almost two months now," Traci said, stopping at the nurse's station. Eva stopped writing in a patient's chart when she approached with James. "How about I meet you at the restaurant?" "Okay, fine," James answered. "It's a new place called D4 about three blocks from here at the corner." Winking at her, he went around the corner and out of sight. "What in the world are you doing?" Eva asked, grabbing her by the shoulder and spinning her around. "Zack is your boyfriend. How can you make a date with the hunky James?" She couldn't believe Eva was so upset. "James is a friend and friends have dinner all the time. I know Zack is my boyfriend. I'm not cheating on him." "Are you going to tell him about the dinner with James?" Eva questioned. "Eva, I don't keep things from Zack," Traci said as she removed her nurses' jacket, sliding it on the back of the chair. "I better go, so I won't be late." She hurried up and left so she wouldn't have to hear any more of Eva's unwanted advice. **** "I heard this place is really good," James commented as a waitress seated them. She wasn't nervous at first, but after arriving at Zack's brother's restaurant, Traci did feel a little awkward. She had only said yes to James to make Zack angry. "Traci, is there a problem with this place?" James asked as he took the two menus from the waitress and handed her one. 82

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"My boyfriend's brother owns this place," she answered, looking around for any signs of Richard as she laid her menu on the table. "Should we leave?" James asked. "I don't want him to get the wrong impression." Shaking her head, Traci picked the menu back up and started to read it. She didn't have anything to worry about. Richard was at the weekly dinner with Zack anyway, so he wasn't even here to see her on this date with James. Plus, how did she know that Zack would even care in the first place? "No, everything will be all right. Zack isn't the possessive type," she told him, trying to decide on what she wanted to order. "If you say so," James uttered as his eyes searched the place, quickly looking for any signs of a pissed off man. **** Richard came out of his office upset because Dawn was avoiding him at every turn. He couldn't believe she wasn't taking any of his calls. How could he apologize for being a world class jerk if she wasn't even giving him a chance to? As he cut through the kitchen, a woman seated at the second table caught his attention. Richard stopped in his tracks when he realized it was Traci. "What in the hell is she doing here with another man having dinner?" he muttered under his breath. Had she and Zack broken up and his brother didn't tell him about it? Digging his cell phone out of his pocket, he punched in Zack's number. "Zack Drace speaking," his brother answered. "Why didn't you tell me you and Traci had broken up?" he questioned. "What are you talking about?" Zack asked. "Traci is still my girlfriend." Oh shit! His gaze swung back to the table were she was sitting, laughing with the other man. "Do you know were she's at right now?" 83


"Traci is working late at the hospital," Zack answered. "Is there something you aren't telling me?" "Don't get upset, because it might not be as it looks." "Richard, tell me what it is," Zack growled over the phone. If he knew his brother like he did, Zack was already out the front door headed towards the black Jaguar parked in his driveway. God, he shouldn't have made this phone call. He didn't want any trouble at D4 tonight. He was on his way out the door to Lee's anyway. Why did he have to see Traci? "Traci is here at D4 having dinner with a man. Hey, maybe it's her brother," Richard suggested hopefully. "Traci has an older sister and that's it," Zack informed him. Without a doubt, he knew Zack was on his way to the restaurant. "Don't come here and cause a scene." "I'm not going to do anything of the sort," Zack promised, disconnecting the call. **** Busting through the employees' entrance, Zack found Richard standing in the open kitchen with a perfect view of Traci and her date. "You didn't tell me he looked like Will Smith.," Zack said, looking over at his brother. "Did that really matter?" Shoving Richard to the side, he stormed over to the table were Traci was sitting with her date. Her back was to the kitchen, so she didn't see him coming. "I thought you had to work late," Zack questioned, standing by Traci's side. She groaned at the sound of his voice. "Richard called you, didn't he?" "Yes, Richard called me," Zack shouted at his girlfriend. "What did you expect him to do when he spotted you here with another man?" Zack focused his attention on Traci's date, who had been staring at him. "Who are you?" "James Hamilton. I'm the chief of staff at Sunrise Hospital," the guy answered. "Why are you on a date with my girlfriend?" 84

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"Traci and I are old friends. I wanted to catch up on old times, so I invited her to dinner. She told me you wouldn't have a problem with it," James said. "Well…I do have a problem with it," he snapped. How could Traci be here with another man without telling him? "Sweetheart, I didn't think you would mind me having dinner with an old friend," Traci cut in. "James just came back into town and invited me to dinner. There isn't any more going on here between us." Grabbing a chair from the empty table next to them, Zack pulled it next to Traci and straddled it. "You're my girlfriend. I don't want you here laughing with him like you do with me. Did you do this to get back at me about the dinner tonight?" "At first I said yes to get back at you," she answered honestly, looking into his eyes. "You changed your mind at the last minute. So I thought there had to be a reason for it that you didn't want to tell me about." Zack shook her lightly. "Stop talking nonsense. I'm so proud to have you as my girlfriend," he replied, pulling her into his arms for another kiss. From the corner of his eye, Zack noticed James as he left the table, but he didn't care. Traci was his and the sooner James realized that, the better off he would be. "Come on, let's go." He grabbed Traci by the hand, pulled her up from the table, and led her outside. Opening his car's door, he placed Traci on the inside and started to close it when her voice stopped him. "Hey, I can't leave James without saying goodbye." "He's gone," Zack said, slamming the door shut. He went to the driver's side and got in. "Wait. My car's here," Traci said. "I'll bring you back." Starting the car, he raced out of the parking lot and headed for the other end of town. "Traci, I don't want you to think about having another date with James or any other guy. We are a couple and I'm the only man you'll have romantic dinner with." 85


The stoplight turned red and it gave him a chance to look over at Traci. He still couldn't believe she went out on a date with James. Didn't she know how he felt about her? "Baby, are you listening to me?" "Why are you acting like this?" Traci questioned. Zack drove the rest of the way to his destination before he answered Traci. "Do you know what it did to me seeing you having fun with a man who wasn't me?" Undoing her seatbelt, he tugged Traci to his chest, placing a kiss on her surprised mouth. Taking the clip off her long thick hair, he tangled his fingers in the thick mass, deepening the kiss. Traci moved closer to his body until not an inch separated them. After two more minutes of powerful kisses, Zack moved back. "Traci, you're about to get your wish. I hope you're ready." Brushing the lipstick from his mouth, she stared at him. "Honey, what are you talking about?" "It's a surprise." Getting out of the car, he opened the passenger door for her. "Come on, sweetheart." "Do you know who lives here?" Traci asked as Zack escorted her up the sideway towards a huge red brick house. Zack smiled down at her, but didn't say a word as he opened the door and walked inside. Moving down a long hallway, he paused at a closed door, then he pushed it open. Three men who looked very familiar to her were sitting on a couch, staring at her with shocked expressions printed across their faces. "Traci Wells, I would like you to meet my brothers: Richard, Brad, and Lee Drace," Zack breathed by his girlfriend's ear.

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Chapter Six Three handsome men stared back at her with expressions that she knew mirrored her own dumbfounded expression. She was in such shock that Zack brought her to meet his other brothers that she barely heard his introduction. "Guys, I would like for you to meet my gorgeous girlfriend, Traci Wells," Zack said, kissing her cheek. "I'm glad Zack finally brought you to the house," Richard said, getting up from the couch to kiss her on the cheek. She remembered meeting him a couple of times, and the other two she only recalled from the hospital. Traci smiled at the kindness in Richard's eyes as he winked at her before retaking his seat on the couch. The one Zack pointed out as Brad stood up next and came toward her. Traci thought he didn't resemble the other three as much with his light brown hair and light leaf-green eyes. "Aren't you the nurse from the hospital?" he asked, stopping in front of her. "Yes," Traci answered, wondering what he was going to say next. Brad looked from her to Zack, then back to her, "You must be the medicine Zack needed, because those frown lines are gone from his forehead," he joked, hitting his older brother in the arm. "Brad is the baby, as you can tell from his horrible sense of humor," Zack snapped. But from the smile on his face, she could tell how much he loved his baby brother. "Welcome to the Drace family. I hope Zack is smart and keeps you around for a long time," Brad said, then retook his seat on the couch next to Lee. He still hadn't spoken a word to her 87


since she entered the room with Zack and it was making her nervous. "Don't you have anything to say to Traci?" Zack asked, placing his arm around her shoulder. Bending his leg across the other one, Lee spread out his arms on the back of the sofa. "What do you want me to say, little brother?" Lee asked, staring at Zack then her. "You and Richard did a wonderful job keeping Ms. Wells a secret. I want to know why," he inquired, getting up from the couch. She tensed up as Lee strolled across the room and stood directly in front of her. "Did my brother say I was the reason he couldn't bring you around earlier?" Traci quickly glanced at Zack, waiting for him to answer, but Lee told her, "I don't want him to answer me, Ms. Wells, that's why I asked you the question." How dare he talk to me like that! A fire started to burn behind her eyes. "You're absolutely right, Lee. Zack didn't want to hear any negativity from your mouth, so he kept me from you." She folded her arms under her breasts and took a step closer to Zack's domineering brother. Years of practice with Cherise had made her tough for someone like Lee Drace. "He didn't understand that I can defend myself quite well against someone like you." Laughing, Lee shook his head. "Ms. Wells, you have spunk, and I'm starting to like that more in a woman." "Since when?" the other three chimed in, making her giggle. "I have the right to change my mind, don't I?" Lee asked, shooting his brothers a look. "Hey, how about we all sit down and eat?" she tossed out there. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starving." Zack planted a kiss on the side of her forehead and then grinned at his brothers. "See…I knew I liked this woman for a reason," he laughed, dragging her towards the dining room. "A woman after my own heart. She loves to eat more than I do." 88

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Traci let Zack take her towards the other room, pleased that everything had turned out better than she thought it would. She only hoped and prayed that Cherise would be this accepting of Zack when it was his turn to meet her family. Richard was coming into the dining room behind them when his cell phone went off. He moved around them and answered it. After a few minutes, he ended the call. "Sorry, guys. I'm needed at the restaurant, but have a nice dinner without me." He raced from the room and out the front door without giving her a chance to say goodbye. "What was that all about?" she muttered, looking at Zack. "With Richard, there's no telling he always has something going on with him," Zack shrugged. **** "You never seemed like a woman who would sneak out without saying goodbye," Richard said in a low voice, shutting the door to his office. "I would have never known you were here if one of the employees hadn't called me. Dawn kept placing items in a banker's box, ignoring Richard's attractive male physique behind her. She needed to get away from him before she embarrassed herself. Emotions always ran high when she was within twenty feet of this man. Stopping near her back, Richard touched the top of her shoulder and she jerked away from his touch. "Don't do that." Dropping his hand, Richard rested on the edge of his desk. "Where have you been the last several weeks?" Moving to the shelf in the far corner, Dawn took down the two unicorn figurines, wrapping them in newspaper, then placed them gently into the box. "Dawn, at least give me the courtesy of looking at me when I talk to you." Tawny-colored eyes stared back at Richard from a rich mahogany face, and she brushed a loose tendril back from her forehead. "Why are you here? Did you come to make sure I didn't argue or fire anyone? I already know how much you don't respect me. Should I add lack of trust to that list?" she spat, 89


picking up a bottle of tiger lily lotion off the desk and tossing it into her open purse sitting in the chair beside her. A muscle flickered in Richard's jaw, showing how angry he was. "How can you say something so dumb?" he snapped, pushing away from the desk and forcing her body into the far corner of the room. Bracing his hands on either side of her head, Richard leaned his body in closer. His gaze was on her face, and then it moved over her body slowly. "Don't you feel it?" Moving his left hand from the wall, he brushed his thumb over her lips, causing a tingling in the pit of her stomach. Yes, she felt it, and that was why she was leaving here and never coming back. Dawn was about to brush Richard's hand away when Melissa stormed into the office. She stumbled when she saw Richard with her. "Sorry, I didn't know Dawn was with you," she said, spinning around to leave. "Wait," Dawn yelled, sliding under Richard's arm. Snatching her box off the table along with her purse she brushed past the leggy brunette. "He's all yours," she whispered, practically running from the room. **** Zack drove back home with Traci following him in her car. He thought they needed to talk more before they finally made love. What Traci did tonight at D4 showed him she didn't know where he wanted the relationship to head. His past wasn't good when it came to staying with a woman long term. He definitely wanted this time to be different. Traci had a special quality about her that lit up a space. Having sex too quickly might ruin the wonderful future they could have. She was very important to him, so he wanted to wine and dine her first. Traci could actually be the woman he wanted to marry. Pulling into his driveway first, Zack got out of the car. He waited patiently for Traci to drive in behind him and get out of 90

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her car. "Sweetheart, I want us to talk," he said when she got close enough to hear him. "It sounds serious," Traci answered, sliding her arm around his waist. "I think it is." He moved with her to the front door. Once inside he sat her down on the couch and took a seat beside her. "Babe, we need to understand what direction this relationship is headed," Zack said, his voice warm with emotion. "You are becoming very important to me. Can we start to think of each other as a couple and go from there?" An excited light glowed in Traci's eyes at his words. "Hell, what took you so long to ask me that?" She wrapped her arms around his neck, planting a soft kiss on his lips. Zack's laugh was low and throaty as he took control of the kiss. Several minutes later, he pulled away from the urge to make love to Traci right then and there. "How about I get us something to drink?" he asked, rising from the couch. "I would love it," she answered. **** The coolest Houston breeze in almost two weeks blew at her hair as Traci stood outside in the backyard, waiting for Zack to come back with her drink. She was thinking about their future when a hand, massive and strong, spun her around into a warm, solid chest. "Baby, let's do something special this weekend," Zack said, kissing her neck while his hands roamed her back. "I can't. I've to work all weekend in the ER helping James," Traci responded. His eyes narrowed on her face. "Why can't Eva do that?" he questioned in a hard, flat voice. "Eva is on vacation and won't be back until next week." Throwing his hands up, Zack moved away from Traci. "Do you still have feeling for James? I know your sister would approve of you dating a handsome black doctor." Laughing, Traci spun him back around. "My sister hates James and wouldn't like me in the same room with him." 91


His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You can't be serious. Cherise doesn't like James?" he replied, a smile forming at the corner of his mouth. Tapping him in the chest with one finger, Traci confessed. "She can't stand his sorry ass." Zack pulled her over to some chairs a few feet from the aqua-colored pool. "Tell me what happened," he pressed her. Traci knew Zack would get angry over something that happened years ago. She had forgiven James, so there was no need to dig up the past. "Oh, it was something from the past. A long time before I met you," she muttered, avoiding answering his question directly. Zack clenched his mouth. "Is what happened something personal, you don't want me to know about?" Traci reached out, lacing his fingers with her own. "Baby, I'm not hiding or keeping anything from you about James. We had a bad break up and Cherise got mad. Can't we drop this and talk about something more exciting?" She touched his cheek tenderly. He reluctantly agreed. "Sweetheart, do you want to spend the night?" he asked, kissing on her neck. Snuggling closer, Traci purred in his arms. "Darling, I can't. I need the extra sleep for work tomorrow." His voice was low and smooth as he whispered in her ear and cupped her breasts. "I can make it worth your while." "No, I can't," she murmured, removing his hands and standing. **** Zack was having a hard time fighting the overwhelming need to be close to her. Each time he came within touching distance of her, he craved her more and more. "Since I won't see you until this weekend, can I have a goodbye kiss?" he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. She put her arms around his neck, molding the soft curves to the contours of his lean one. His tongue explored the soft fullness of her lips while his large hands explored the hollows of 92

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her back. Brushing his lower body along hers, he showed Traci how he wanted her. If he didn't stop now, he wouldn't be able to. Placing his hands on her slim shoulders, he eased Traci's eager body away. Gasping for breath, her eyes flew open. "Zack, you did that on purpose," she accused, touching her heated face. "How can I go home with this ache you just caused in my body?" Fingers slid sensuously over her bare arm. "I can fix that ache for you." He nibbled her ear, drawing Traci slowly back into his arms, causing her to forget her original words. Moistening her lips with the tip of her tongue, Traci eased back from his grip. "No, I need the sleep and I won't sleep with you in the bed with me." Strolling back into his beautifully furnished home, past the drinks he had sat on the table, she grabbed her car keys. "Zack, I'll see you on Friday night." Zack walked her out the front door to her car. "Call me if you get any extra time." Kissing him on the cheek, Traci said, "If I get a break, I'll call you at work, sexy." She winked at him before she got into her car and drove off. **** "Tyshawn, can you come in here?" Zack yelled at his partner from his office the next day. He hadn't heard any more about the help wanted ad he told Tyshawn to place in the newspaper. "What is it?" Tyshawn asked, peeking his head inside the office door. "Did you place the ad in the newspaper for the new assistant?" Zack said, checking his cell phone for a message from Traci. "Give Traci a chance to call you. She's probably busy. She does work at a hospital." That's what concerned him the most. that Traci was busy with James. "I was just hoping she might had called and left a message while I was in that meeting." 93


Tyshawn noticed the worried look on Zack's face. "Hey, are you having problems with your girl?" "An old boyfriend came back into her life last week and I'm thinking he might still have feelings for her." "Does Traci still want him?" With his jaw clenched, Zack's eyes narrowed slightly thinking about Tyshawn's question. "Traci is totally into our relationship. Our two-month anniversary is coming up next week," he said in a rich voice. Snickering, Tyshawn cocked his head and stared at him. "I believe you're in love with her. Does she know this?" Coughing, Zack stared intently at his best friend. "I wouldn't say I was in love yet, but my feelings are getting stronger by the moment," he confessed. Wiping a hand down his face, Zack got back to business. "When should we start running the ad for the new assistant? I can't stand answering the phone along with the other office work much longer. At first, it was okay when we didn't have the business that we do now." "How about I drop it by the newspaper on the way to the building we're redoing?" Tyshawn suggested. "Fine," Zack said, standing up grabbing a folder off his desk. "I'm heading off to Cherise Roberts' antiques shop for another try at getting her to sell." Tyshawn braced his shoulder against the doorjamb. "Man, why don't you just wait until the lease is up and buy it from the landlord?" Sliding his arms into his suit jacket, Zack stated, "I want to give Ms. Roberts the best deal I can." "Do what you have to," Tyshawn muttered on his way out the door. "Don't I always?" Zack tossed back, following his best friend out of his office. He paused to lock his office door before going out into the warm Houston sun. **** 94

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Turning on his car radio to his favorite station, Zack clicked on the air conditioning and thought about his plans with Traci this weekend. It was only Tuesday, and Friday was such a long time away. He was ready to take it a step further with his girlfriend. Dreaming about being one with her wasn't enough anymore. The cabin by the lake he had would be an excellent place to take her. They would be away from everyone else for an entire weekend. A broad smile lightened his handsome face when he got back to the office. He would call Greg, the groundskeeper, and have him air out the place and buy food. He wanted to purchase intimate items for his seduction of her body and mind. Traci needed this weekend away with him. He pulled into an empty parking spot in front of Cherise's shop. Sitting in the car, Zack stared at the beautiful old building that was a perfect spot for the antique store. Cherise Roberts knew how to use a small area and turn it into a thriving successful business. If he honestly didn't need the shop for his reconstruction of the neighborhood, he wouldn't be buying it from her. It seemed like Lee was also having a hard time winning the strong-willed Cherise over. If Lee hadn't been so against interracial dating, Cherise Roberts would be the perfect match for his domineering brother. Hell, what was he thinking, Lee would never look twice at full-figured woman like Ms. Roberts. He always favored the Amazon female on his arm and in his bed. Gritting his teeth together, Zack opened the car door and got out. Breathing in deeply, Zack pushed the heavy door opened going into the stunning shop. "Good afternoon, Ms. Roberts," Zack's voice spoke from the doorway and watched her shoulders tense up. Cherise placed the porcelain teapot back in the case, locking it. Sliding the key into her white slacks, she moved around the display case. "Hello, Mr. Drace," she said with a coldness to her voice. "Are you here for a reason?" 95


Zack smiled at her. "Ms. Roberts, you know why I'm here," he answered, sitting down in a chair by her desk. Her eyes were stormy with anger as she sat down in the comfortable chair behind the wide desk, "Mr. Drace, why do we still have this conversation? I'm not selling my shop to you. It's priceless." Looking in her eyes, Zack felt the passion she had for the small, adorable shop. "Can you tell me why it's so hard for you not to sell this antique shop to me?" he asked gently. Cherise's dark eyes brightened with suspicion at the softness of Zack's voice. "Is there a reason you sent your brother after me? He's can't take no for an answer, either." Zack's eyebrows rose up a fraction as he studied the look on her lovely face. "Has my brother gotten to you?" he questioned, leaning back in the plush chair. Placing her palms down on the desk, Cherise pushed her body into a standing position. "Your brother will never get any of me," Cherise hissed, storming around the desk. Chuckling, he spotted the signs of attraction coming from her body. "Sorry, I didn't mean to push the wrong buttons." Blinking, Cherise brought her focus back to Zack Drace. "Can't you just leave my building alone and work around it?" His gaze wandered over her tense limbs. "Ms. Roberts, I'm sorry, but I need this selection the most and you're the only one who hasn't signed over the property." Taking deep breaths, Cherise continued to the front door, flinging it open. "Mr. Drace, you need to get the hell out of my shop. I'll never sell it to you." Tossing the manila folder on the desk, Zack stood up. "I don't want to be cocky or mean, but I will get this property. Read over this plan I have for the place." He tapped the folder with one finger before easing past her and going out the front door. Zack climbed into the sleek car and drove off with Cherise's eyes shooting daggers in his back. **** 96

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Back at the office, Zack dialed Greg's number from the phone at his desk, securing his plans for his weekend getaway with Traci. "I know she'll love it," he said in the empty room. As he was about to dial Lee's phone number, his older brother came through the door. "Hey, perfect timing. I was about to call you," Zack informed him, hanging up the phone. "What for?" Lee asked, sitting down in a chair. "I just came back from speaking with Ms. Roberts and she still doesn't want to sell her business." "She's a very stubborn woman, isn't she?" Lacing his fingers on his chest, Zack rested his back in the chair. "She doesn't seem to like you that much, big brother." "I don't know why. I have been very agreeable with that woman." "Cherise seems to think I sent you over there to torture her peace of mind. What have you been doing to her?" he asked with a hint of mischief to his voice. Dark blue eyes shot back to his. "I have not done one thing to Ms. Roberts," Lee stated heatedly. "How can you get past all the claws? I have never met anyone as pigheaded as her." Zack opened his mouth to say something, but closed it when Lee threw him a dirty look. "Do you think you'll be able to get her to sign the papers?" "How about we talk about this over an early dinner?" Zack suggested. "Traci isn't joining you?" Lee asked, standing up from the chair and stretching his tall body. "No, I won't see her again until Friday. She had to work extra shifts at the hospital for her friend Eva who's on vacation this week." "I have to admit, Traci is very nice." Lee waited for his brother to close up the office. "Yes, she's a doll," Zack said as he wrote Tyshawn a note and left it on his desk.

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Chapter Seven "Nurse Wells, you're needed in the emergency room," James announced over the speaker system. Rushing to the emergency room, Traci found James standing over the body of a teenage boy who was bleeding from a knife wound on his left side. "Place this on his wound while I get the supplies to stop the bleeding," he said, running from the room. Traci pulled gloves on her hands before holding the white bandage against the wound while the medicine took effect. Looking up, Traci noticed the boy staring back at her. "What's your name?" she asked, trying not to notice how his blood was soaking the bandage. "Todd," the boy answered with a faint accent. "Todd, how did this happen to you?" Coughing hard, Todd couldn't answer until it stopped. "I prevented a man from robbing my dad's store," he whispered hoarsely. Tossing the soaked bandage into the correct trashcan, Traci doubled up another one and pressed harder on the wound. "Am I going to die?" Todd asked as his breathing slowed. "No, you're going to live for a long time," she choked out, wondering what was taking James so long to come back. "I'm not afraid to die," he said as his eyes slowly closed. Todd's head fell to the side as monitors stared to go off around her. Traci's call for help brought James back with the crash unit. "Move out of the way, Traci," he yelled, pushing her to the side. 98

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Traci watched him and the other hospital crew trying to save Todd's young life, but they were too late. He had died. Peeling off the gloves, Traci walked to the sink and washed her hands as tears ran freely down her soft cheeks. "I couldn't help save him," she whispered repeatedly. A hand touched the middle of her back. "Traci, I'm sorry you had to witness that. It's always hard when a young person dies," James muttered, trying to console her. Brushing tears from her eyes, Traci replied, "He was so young. Why did he have to die?" she cried. It didn't matter how long she had worked at Sunrise. It always bothered her when a young person died. James pulled Traci to his chest rubbing her back gently. "Hey, your shift is almost over. Why don't you go home early and I'll see you tomorrow," he said, moving back from her. Handing her a tissue, James went to inform Todd's parents about his death. Going back to the break room in a daze, Traci got her belongings and left the hospital, still hurt she couldn't help save Todd's life. When she finally got home, Traci listened to her messages. Two were from Cherise and one from Zack asking her to call him. She was too tired to do anything but take a shower and fall into the bed. Traci decided to call Cherise back tomorrow or maybe visit Zack at work before her shift. **** The next morning, Traci sauntered into Zack's office, surprised to see several people sitting outside his closed door. A tall black man was standing in front of them, checking off names on a clipboard. As she was about to go in Zack's office, he stopped her, "Excuse me, miss, but you have to take a seat along with the other applicants," he said, touching her arm. Traci moved her arm out of his grasp. "Zack would want to see me," she informed him with a smile. "Why do you think you get special treatment?" the man questioned, looking at her arrogantly. 99


She smiled smoothly, trying not to let on how annoyed she was. "Because I'm Traci," she answered with a wide smile. The clipboard slid from his shocked fingers and would have hit the floor if he hadn't caught it. "Umm…let me make sure he's alone." Cracking the door slightly, he noticed Zack was looking over the applications. "Are you busy?" he asked. "Well, I'm a little swamped," Zack answered him without looking up. "Are you too busy for me?" Traci asked, leaning around the man's tall, athletic body. Zack's head snapped up at the sound of Traci's soft voice. "Tyshawn, why didn't you say it was Traci?" He got up from behind his desk and strolled across the room, tugging Traci into the room. "Tell everyone I'll start interviewing in forty-five minutes," Zack said as he shut the door on Tyshawn's dismayed face. His lips were on hers the moment the door closed. Zack's tongue explored the inside of her mouth repeatedly, leaving nothing to the imagination. Strong fingers pressed into her lower back, drawing her even closer to his body. Zack kissed her for about five more minutes before he raised his mouth. He gazed into her eyes, making her heart skip a beat. "Baby, you don't know how happy I'm to see you." Traci rubbed his chest and snuggled closer to him. "How soon are we going to make love?" Growling deep in his throat, Zack yanked her body firmly to his. "I'm more than ready right now," he groaned, pulling her earlobe into his mouth. "God, why did you have to do this today?" Traci kissed him again, then moved quickly away from him. He followed her every movement with is eyes. "Is everything okay, sweetheart?" he questioned noticing the sudden sadness in her eyes. She sat down in a chair, holding back tears. "I'll tell you about it another time." **** 100

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"No, you'll tell me now," he informed her from across the room. He didn't like seeing Traci when she was upset like this. Had that sister of her said something to upset her? Had Lee been to see her and he didn't know about it? Whatever it was, he would fix it. Tears flooded her eyes and started pouring down her cheek, and the sight of them were like a knife to his heart. However, he was patient and he waited for Traci to tell him what was wrong. "Yesterday a young boy died in front of my face and I couldn't save him," Traci cried, lost in the horrible moment. "Honey, I'm so sorry you had experienced that," he mumbled by her ear. Zack felt her pain as if it was his own. "I can cancel the interviews or let Tyshawn take over and spend the day with you." Lifting her head, Traci searched his eyes. "No, I need to get to work or I'll be late." She moved to get out of his arms, but he wasn't going to let her leave like this. "I don't want you driving to work this upset. I'm going to take you," he stated, standing up bringing Traci with him. "You can't leave all those people out there waiting while you drive me to work," Traci mumbled, touching the side of his face with her soft fingers. Cupping her chin, he said, "I'm your boyfriend and it's what I do. Let me take care of you, baby." Positioning Traci in front of his body, Zack brushed the moisture from her eyes. "Come on, let me drive you to work." Grabbing her hand, he led Traci out of his office door. "Tyshawn, start the interviews without me," Zack shouted over his shoulder. "Where are you going?" "I'm giving Traci a ride back to work," he replied, walking Traci out the door. Taking Traci out of the building, he placed her gently into the car and then headed in the direction of the hospital. She didn't say much on the way there, and it worried him greatly. 101


"Traci, how long do you have to work today?" he asked, touching her knee. "Eva's coming back today, so I can leave around twelve o'clock," she answered, staring out the window. "You call me at work and I'll come to get you. I don't want you taking a ride with James or anyone else." Traci smiled at the jealousy Zack was trying to keep at bay. "I promise not to leave with James," she remarked. Pulling into the Sunrise parking lot, Zack parked the car and faced Traci. As he was about to say something her, he saw James heading straight for them and before he could stop it, James opened the car door. "I need your help," he informed Traci as he pulled her from the vehicle. "I'll call you later," Traci told him as James slammed his car door. Looking back, Traci waved at him before James dragged her out of sight. James' disrespect of Traci pissed him off. He needed to have a talk with that man and make him understand a few things. Getting out of the car, Zack stormed into the building and into an elevator, pressing the number for Traci's floor. When the elevator doors opened, Zack found James and Traci standing in front of him. "James, I need to speak with you now." His voice carried through the empty hallway and he didn't care one damn bit. James spun around and glared at him. "I don't have time to argue with you." "Make time or I'll make it for you," Zack warned. Traci ran up to him, trying to stop him from getting into a fight with James. "Zack, please go back to work," she begged. His eyes flickered down to his wonderful girlfriend and he smiled at her. Traci was just too sweet sometimes, and that made people like James think they could rule her. Well, he was here to make sure that didn't happen now. Looking down into her worried face, he kissed her gently. "After I have a talk with the good doctor." He went over to 102

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James and gestured down the hallway with his hand. "After you," Zack uttered, staring down at an irate James. Finding an empty room, James escorted him inside closing the door with a loud click. **** Traci rushed over to the door and pressed her ear on the wood, trying to hear the conversation, but she couldn't. After a few minutes, she gave up and started pacing back and forth in front of the door. I don't need this. Zack can't come to my job and go all caveman on everyone. He's going to make me lose my job. Thirty minutes later, the door flung open and a furious James came out with a smug Zack sauntering behind him. "Traci, you are now officially on vacation. I'll see you back in two weeks." Traci's mouth fell open in shock. "You can't give me two weeks vacation just like that. Someone will need to take over my shifts. We don't have the extra help for me to leave." "Don't worry about it. I've the power to give it to you, so take it. You've been working double shifts for a while now without a vacation. Sunrise will get along without you for two weeks," James told her, and then took off in the opposite direction. "How did you do that?" she asked a cocky Zack standing behind her. "We just had a man to man talk and he saw things my way. Baby, I'm going to take you home and you can get more sleep. I'll come back with dinner." "Zack, I'm thinking about sending you to my sister after what you did with James," Traci teased, kissing him on the cheek "You might be able to win her over." Zack's smile was boyishly affectionate as she glanced at Traci. "Send her my way and I'll see what I can do." "That's okay. That's going to have to wait. I've had enough drama for one day." **** 103


They arrived at Traci's house almost an hour later and Zack took Traci straight upstairs to her bedroom. "I want you to turn on the answering machine and go to sleep," Zack said, pointing at the wide, empty bed. The sight of the bed made him want to join her so bad, but he couldn't just yet. "I'll come back after work and check on you," he said, going back toward the open door. "Wait a minute," Traci yelled, causing him to turn back around. "Here are my house keys. Unlock the door and come on in after work in case I'm still asleep." She tossed the keys to him and Zack caught them in mid-air. Winking at Traci, he strolled out the door whistling.

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Chapter Eight "I didn't know Traci was black," Tyshawn tossed at him the second he went past him and into his office. "I didn't know it made a difference," he answered, throwing a glance in his friend's direction as Tyshawn followed him into the room. "Of course it makes a difference," Tyshawn stated. "Traci is stunning and needs a strong black man." Anger started in the pit of Zack's stomach, working its way up to his vocal cords. "I don't have time for this nonsense, Tyshawn, especially not from my best friend," he shouted. "I thought we were boys no matter what. Is Traci being my girlfriend going to stop that?" "It all depends," was Tyshawn's dry reply. "Depends on what?" Zack asked through tight lips. "If you're really interested in dating a beautiful black sister or you want a sister to scratch an itch you may have." Tyshawn hit the wall so fast, he never saw Zack move. "Don't ever say anything like that again about my girlfriend," Zack hissed. "She isn't some whore I found on the street. Traci is a lady and you will treat her like one." His grip tightened on Tyshawn's shirt, "Do you understand what I said?" he growled, bringing their faces together. Struggling under the pressure of Zack's hold only made Tyshawn's position worse. Waiting a second or two, he nodded and Zack let him go. "Sorry, I didn't know your feelings ran for her that deep." "Now you do." Zack shoved Tyshawn out of his office and slammed the door shut behind him. 105


**** "So, how did the interviews go?" Zack asked Tyshawn hours later, while flipping through his mail. Tyshawn stood in front of his best friend's desk, still annoyed that Zack had gotten the best of him earlier. "Everything went fine. I have it down to three possible people and I think you should give them the second interview." "Is tomorrow Thursday?" Zack asked, tossing the mail back down on his desk. "Yes, it is." "Call them back and tell them to come in tomorrow about an hour apart," Zack answered, leaning back in his chair. "I'll see one at eight, nine, and the last one at ten o'clock. I also want you to sit in on them," he informed Tyshawn. "Fine. I'll be there," Tyshawn replied in a tense voice before strolling out the door. Pushing the play button on his voice mail, Zack hoped he wouldn't have to return any phone calls. But his wishes weren't answered—the last two needed his immediate attention and he answered them as fast as he could. However, the last one took longer than he expected because the man wanted information faxed to him. "Hell, I'm finally glad the call is over." Zack stretched, then lifted his tall body out his chair. He checked the office and made sure everything looked in order before the cleaning crew came on, and then he quickened his pace out the office door. He wanted to fix an amazing meal for Traci. She had been working so hard at the hospital with the extra shifts. If she kept up at this pace with all those long hours, her body was going to give and she would end up in the hospital. Zack was glad he thought about taking her to the cabin as a weekend getaway. A good meal should help her body become stronger for the trip. **** Inside the store, Zack was searching for the perfect meal to fix when a hand touched him. He looked over his shoulder to 106

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find Emily standing behind him. She had been trying to drag Richard to the altar, but his brother only saw her as a good friend. "Hi, Zack. How are you doing?" Emily asked. "I'm very happy," he said with a grin. "How's Richard doing? I read about D4 in today's paper." "He's having a difficult time. However, my brother is a fighter and he's working on getting D4 back on the correct path." "Should I stop by the restaurant and offer my help?" Emily asked, hope shining in her eyes. Zack didn't want to hurt her feelings; however, he knew Richard wouldn't want to see her. "I think you should call first and see what Richard wants." Emily was a sweet woman, but a little too clingy for Richard's personality. He thought Richard needed to tell Emily where she stood with him, but he didn't see it that way. He liked the crush Emily had on him. If Richard didn't stop it now, it would turn out to be a huge problem down the road. "I hope your feelings didn't get hurt by what I said." He looked at the bubbly strawberry blonde. Emily was twenty-three with legs that went on forever. It was a surprise to him that Richard wasn't doing the mattress dance with her. Richard really hadn't looked at another woman since his over-assertive manager Dawn Summers came into his life. However, it wasn't his place to say a word about the look that came into his brother's eyes when they talked about Dawn. "Emily, I hate to run off, but I'm fixing dinner for my girlfriend and I need to go," he said, going around her. She nodded, saying, "If you see Richard, please tell him I asked about him." Zack pushed through the crowd to purchase his food. His mind was totally focused on going back to Traci and kissing her sleeping body awake. He would spring the cabin trip on her after dinner. **** 107


After finally figuring out the trick to opening Traci's front door, Zack carried the bags to the kitchen. He remembered from one of their past conversations how much she loved stir-fry, so he decided to make it for her. After setting the bags on the kitchen table, he left the room. Pushing open Traci's bedroom door, he found Traci still asleep, a dark pink nightie twisted up around her slim hips. Moving slowly to the bed so he wouldn't wake her, Zack sat on the edge and ran his finger down the side of her silky cheek. Smiling in her sleep, Traci snuggled closer, moaning his name. Zack's heart caught at the tender way she said it. Traci was the only woman who could get his blood racing from just saying his name. Bending down, he pressed his lips gently on hers, applying enough pressure so they would open on their own accord. With slow, drugging kisses, he woke Traci. "Wake up, sleeping beauty," he said on her moist lips. Her eyes eased open a little, staring into his eyes. "How long have you been back?" "Not that long," he replied, brushing his fingers across the top of her breasts. "I missed you while you were gone," she admitted, touching his jaw. Moving his head, Zack placed a kiss inside the palm. "Shopping took longer than I thought." "Oh, what happened to you? Did you have a hard time fighting off all those cashiers?" Traci teased. "I know they thought you were so sexy," she whispered, touching his muscles under the pressed white shirt he was wearing. "They didn't enter my mind, because I couldn't wait until I got back here to see your pretty face," Zack replied, lowering his head for a kiss. Parting her lips, Traci raised herself to meet the kiss. He moved his lips over hers, capturing their softness. "Umm… Baby, we need to stop so I can start your dinner," Zack groaned, trying to get off the bed. 108

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"Are you sure?" Traci questioned, dropping her voice to a seductive tone. Hearing her voice like that almost made him rejoin their mouths, yet he didn't. Standing up, Zack shook his head at the vixen lying on the rumpled bed trying to seduce him. He had plans for the first time they made love, and it wasn't going to be at either of their places. "Stop looking at me like that, woman, or I won't be able to fix dinner," he scolded, waving his finger at finger at Traci. "Change into something else and then join me in the kitchen." Zack strolled from the bedroom with Traci giggling behind him. **** "Does this look better?" Traci asked, coming into the kitchen. Picking up a piece of cooked shrimp off the plate, she popped it into her mouth. Marking his place inside the cookbook with a piece of paper, Zack took in the snug jeans and almost transparent orange T-shirt. "How long have you had that top?" "I think since my freshman year in college," she answered, brushing her hands down the front. "I love it." Zack's keen eyes followed the movement. "Do you wear that outside?" He was already picturing the men ogling her and it didn't sit well with him. "Sometimes. I jog in it. Why?" she asked. "Don't do it anymore. You can almost see through that flimsy piece of cloth," he complained, pointing to where the outline of her bra was visible. Rolling her eyes, Traci popped another delicious shrimp in her mouth. "Is dinner almost ready?" He didn't like how Traci blew off his comment. "I think it has about ten more minutes." "Good. I can go watch television while you're finishing up." Sneaking one more piece of shrimp, Traci went into the living room. **** 109


Falling down on the couch, she turned on the Fox news because she thought Shepard Smith was cute. After a while, she got caught up in the news program; she didn't hear Zack calling her. Finally, Zack had to come into the living room and get her attention. "Traci, are you ready to eat?" Dragging her attention away from the set, she made eye contact with him. "Yes, I'm ready to eat the wonderful meal you made for me, honey." Getting off the couch, Traci pushed past him to see a romantic dinner set up for two with a rose in the middle of the table. "Darling, this looks so perfect," she said, bending down to smell the flower. Slipping his arms around her waist, his lips nibbled at the back of her neck. "Everything is perfect now that I have you in my life," he confessed. **** "You shouldn't be working this late on a Wednesday night," a rich voice insisted from inside her antique shop. Cherise took off her reading glasses, placing them on top of the antiques book. "Do you have a problem understanding what I said to you, Mr. Drace? I don't want you or your brother around me," she said while her eyes took in the power of his presence in the small shop. Lee Drace wasn't what she needed in her life. He made her think about things she shouldn't. Giving her a deep laugh, he moved away from the wall. "I'm not that bad. Most females love the attention I give them," he informed her as he moved toward her desk. "Why don't you go and find one of them?" she snickered. Lee kept coming no matter what she said to him, and it was slowly driving her crazy. The attraction she felt for him was uncalled for. He didn't possess any of the qualities she was looking for. If she didn't get out of the shop soon, Lee might tempt her into doing something she never would do. Picking up her handbag, Cherise went around the other side of the desk. "For your information, I'm not working late. I was 110

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on my way out when you came in." She started turning off all the lights, signaling she wanted Lee to leave. "Where are you going?" he asked, looking at the candy apple red dress she was wearing. "I don't think that's any of your business, Mr. Drace," she commented, holding the door for him. Without realizing it, Lee moved swiftly, trapping her body between the door and him. "The question is, would you like it to be," he mumbled softly. Touching her jaw briefly, Lee went out the door to his car and drove off. "Damn, I can't stand him," she hissed without the usual passion she felt. "I need to talk to Traci." Rushing out the door, she got in her gray Lexus and drove to her sister's house. **** Pushing the empty plate away, Traci wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Yummy…you outdid yourself with that meal." She would have to let him cook dinner more often. Zack gave her a crooked smile. "Glad you liked it," he replied, cleaning off the table. Traci knew Zack was holding back from her, he was usually more a take-charge guy who brought his feeling out in the open. Tonight he barely said five words over dinner. "Zack, what's wrong with you? You were so quiet over dinner," she asked, following him into the kitchen taking a seat at the kitchen table. Sliding the last plate inside the dishwasher, Zack looked at Traci and she realized how strong her feelings had become for him. "We need to talk about us." Pulling a chair out, Zack placed himself in front of Traci's face. Traci's stomach knotted up. She didn't have a clue what Zack was about to confess. "Honey, don't drag it out. Just tell me what's on your mind." "Darling, I didn't believe I could fall for a woman as quickly as I did you. Sometimes I catch myself daydreaming about this face," he confessed, reaching out to run one finger down a silken cheek. 111


"Tyshawn laughs at how I can't stay focused anymore on business, and I think he's a little jealous I'm dating an intelligent, desirable woman. He doesn't understand how deeply I care about you, sweetie. But I think you're holding back on me a little." He brushed a strand of hair back off her forehead. A frown wrinkled Traci's smooth forehead at the anguish on Zack's sexy face. "What do you think I'm holding back? I've been honest with you about everything," she blurted out. Zack spoke in an odd, yet gentle tone, shaking his head. "No, you haven't. Darling. I still don't why you're so afraid to introduce me to your sister. So what if she doesn't believe in interracial dating? Have you thought about after she met me that I could change her mind? I'm not that bad of a guy. So what if I’m a little paler than the usual guys you date," he added with an adorable grin. "I'm not afraid to introduce you to my sister," Traci denied. "I believe this isn't the best time. I told you she was having problems with her business, which has made her more bitchy than usual. I promise as soon as the dust settles with her business, you'll get to meet her." "Okay. Another point I want to discuss is why we don't go out dating with Eva or some of your other friends." Traci was curious, but she wasn't jealous of Eva. "Why do you want to double date with Eva?" she asked in a low voice. "Do you want to see her again? I know how much you love redheads." He could see the wheels moving in Traci's overactive mind and knew he better stop it before it ran too far. "Don't be silly. I don't want Eva, not when I'm dating the sexiest nurse at Sunrise Hospital. Yes, Eva is a gorgeous woman; however, she's missing something I find so appealing in you." Emotions were running high, and Traci knew he needed to dig himself out of the pit he just made for himself. "Enlighten me. What do I have Eva doesn't?" she asked, crossing her arms underneath her breasts. 112

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"Everything I find mesmerizing in a woman: looks, personality, a sexy body, intelligence, and a very giving heart. Hair color is at the bottom of my list now. It should have never been a deciding factor in the first place," he admitted sheepishly. As much as she wanted to, Traci couldn't stay mad at Zack. His boyish good looks always captivated her. "How about I ask Eva to set up a date for when we get back from our vacation? I have to admit I do want to show off my boyfriend," Traci confessed. "Well, we have that problem out of the way," he said. "Now, what are we going to do about the other one?" Jumping up from the chair, Traci went into the other room. "You can't meet my sister yet. You wouldn't be able to handle her. She would cut you with her words." Zack was at her heels the second she left the room. "I'm an adult and she will treat me as one," he stated, standing by a chair in the living room. Pacing in the room, Traci thought of ways to handle the problem with Zack and Cherise. It didn't matter how she went over it in her mind, she didn't have an easy solution. Cherise wasn't going to like him. Why couldn't Zack understand that? Shit. She didn't want to choose between her boyfriend and her sister. She understood Cherise a whole lot better than Zack ever would. It was best to keep them apart. From the corner of her eye, she spotted him sitting on the chair's arm. "Honey, I think I should wait a while longer before I let you become acquainted with her. I'll call her tomorrow and set up a lunch date." Preferably a place with several people, so Cherise won't throw a fit, she thought. Moving to stand between his legs, she brushed a lock of his hair off his forehead. "I'm so happy you starting growin your hair out for me," she said, running her fingers through it. Locking his fingers on her lower back, Zack pulled her to his chest. "I do things for you because we're a couple. However, I can't make you do this important thing for me," he stated, staring into Traci's eyes. 113


She dropped her gaze. "Why is meeting my sister so important to you?" Cupping her face in his hands, he answered, "Traci, I'm beginning to fall in love with you and I want to be a part of your life." Gasping, she fought back tears threatening to spill down her face. "Are you sure?" "Yes, I'm very sure about my feelings for you, and couples in love meet each others' crazy families all the time. You met Lee and came away with every hair still in place on your stunning head." The doorbell rang, preventing Traci from answering Zack. "Who in the world is that?" Easing away from Zack, she looked out the peephole and panicked. "Shit, you have to go in the bedroom," she hissed, rushing back over to Zack and pulling him out of the chair. Tugging his tall body to her bedroom, she shoved him inside. "Tell me why. I'm thirty-four years old and hiding in your bedroom," Zack questioned as Traci was about to shut the door in his face. "My sister's at the front door and she looks royally pissed. Please stay in here until she leaves," Traci begged, searching his eyes for tolerance. Turning his back to Traci, he waited for her to close the door.

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Chapter Nine Brushing her hair down and fixing her clothes, Traci open the door to her sister's beautiful yet angry face. "Whose car is that out there?" she asked, pointing over her shoulder. "I don't know," Traci lied, shutting the door behind Cherise. "Sometimes the neighbors park in front of my house when I park around the back." The romantic mood of the living room hit Cherise the instant she entered. "Is someone here with you?" she asked, picking up a man's black jacket off the couch. Gasping, Traci took it from Cherise's hand and pitched it on a footrest by a chair. "What's brings you here so late?" she asked, trying to hide her nervousness. Folding her arms, Cherise looked at her little sister, who was obviously hiding something or someone. "Little sister, are you hiding a man in here?" Traci's eyes widened in alarm. "No," she stuttered. Laughing, Cherise hugged Traci. "Don't worry. I'll leave so you can enjoy your evening." Heading back to the door, she paused to look back at Traci. "Please tell me it isn't James you have hid." "Hell, I'm not that stupid," Traci snorted. They got along fine at work, but there would never be anything romantic between them again. "Why would you ask me that?" "I know you told me he's back at the hospital. I hope he hasn't lured you back with lies." "Sis, I'm not naïve enough to have my heart torn out again by him. James used me five years ago. I haven't forgotten it, but I had to make peace with him and go on. Sure, it took a while, but 115


Dad raised me not to hold grudges because in the end it achieves nothing. Maybe you should listen to that advice, too, big sister," Traci said, giving her sister a pointed stare. Cherise listened with bewilderment. "I'm not holding any grudges," she said, confused. "Then why are you so against interracial dating," Traci asked as she touched her sister on the arm. "Did something happen to you?" Cherise snatched her arm away. "Nothing happened to me. I honestly believe a white man couldn't ever love a black woman completely." "Are you saying if an intelligent, gorgeous, sexy white man asked you out on a date you would turn him down?" Traci questioned, raising her perfectly shaped eyebrows. Gazing at her sister, she laughed at the look Traci was giving her. "Traci, I haven't found the man of my dreams yet, and I doubt he's white." Kissing her sister on the cheek, she went out the door, shutting it softly behind her. **** Standing in front of the car parked in front Traci's house, Cherise gave it another look. "I know I've seen this car somewhere. Why can't I remember where?" Cherise knew it would come to her sooner or later. She decided to leave it alone and head back to the antique shop to finish counting the extra inventory. **** Moving the curtain to the side, Traci stood at the window until Cherise drove away. "I really got lucky this time but I may not be so lucky next time," she muttered, dropping the curtain back into place. Traci dashed to her bedroom only to find it empty." Zack, where are you?" The bathroom door opened and Zack came out shoving a cell phone into his pocket. "Is it okay for me to come out of hiding?" he asked coldly. 116

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She sensed Zack was upset with her. "Honey, don't be mad at me," Traci pleaded. She wanted to tell Cherise about Zack, but she couldn't find the right time. Deep down she knew that her sister didn't care about race, but now still wasn't the time for her to come clean. It was something much deeper that made her the way that she was. **** Zack didn't want to start his vacation with Traci and have any animosity between them. Coming to stand in front of her, he embraced her and kissed the top of her head. "I'm not mad at you." He could never be upset with a woman who meant more to him than all the real estate property that he owned. "How did things go with your sister? Did she tell you why she came this late at night?" Traci paused. "I don't know exactly why Cherise came because she got thrown by the romantic setting and something else." "What?" he asked, placing a kiss on her forehead. She pulled his suit jacket from behind her back and waved it under his nose. "How could you leave this lying around in there? I almost died when she spotted it on the couch." Laughing, Zack took the jacket from Traci and put it on. "How did you explain this to her?" he asked, moving in front of the dresser mirror to straighten his clothing. Sitting on the bed Traci looked at him with awe. "I didn't explain it to her, so it made her think I had gotten back with James." He stopped what he was doing to look at Traci. "What did you tell her?" he inquired with barely contained jealousy. "I told her in no uncertain terms that I wasn't back in a bad relationship with James," Traci answered, meeting his eyes in the mirror. With a nod of his head, Zack finished fixing his clothing, "I hate to leave you, but Brad called and I need to see what he wants." 117


Sliding off the bed, Traci moved in front of him and fixed his collar. "I thought you might stay longer so I could thank you for the wonderful dinner," she pouted, looking up at him. "Baby, you don't know how much I would love that, but Brad never calls me for help so I really need to leave." Kissing her quickly, he whispered, "Relax and read a good book." "Didn't you have something you wanted to discuss with me?" Traci questioned, following him into the living room. "It can wait until tomorrow," he told her. Zack took one last look at Traci and then he was out the door. **** Standing in her quiet home, Traci's mind wandered back to her sister's visit. Cherise never came this late unless something was on her mind. Only one thing had been causing her problems lately. The lease on the shop was up next month, and without a doubt the owner was going to sell it to that real estate developer. Traci didn't know what Cherise was going to do if the guy found out the secret they were hiding. Going back in her bedroom, Traci went over to her jewelry box by the bed. Lifting the lid, she pulled out the tray with a folded piece of paper. It was light but for some reason it felt weightless in her palm. Unfolding it, she read the deed to the building of Cherise's shop. It stated the property was really hers and not Cherise's. It was part of a birthday present that her father gave her when she turned sixteen. Robert Wells thought she might want to open her own doll shop since she loved collecting old African-American dolls. They were on shelves throughout her house, but she only thought of it as a hobby not a career. Since Cherise loved the antique business, she had let her use the space instead and it would stay that way. She would never let anyone find out the true owner of the space, placing the document back where she got it. Traci left the room to get on the computer, hoping that she would find a new doll. **** 118

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"Baby brother, what's seems to be the problem?" Zack asked, sitting down in the oversized chair inside his brother's game room. "Thanks so much for coming. I couldn't call Lee or Richard, because they wouldn't understand," Brad replied. "Understand what?" Zack questioned. Brad rubbed the back of his neck, as though trying to find a way to tell Zack his dilemma. "I want to quit the business with Lee and become a full-time tennis instructor. Alicia said I had a real talent for it." "The hell you will!" Zack snapped. "Who does this Alicia think she is telling you this? Don't tell me you're sleeping with her and it has messed with your mind?" Zack was trying not to jerk his brother out of the chair. It took the rest of them working extra jobs to get Brad through college. Now he wanted to waste it for a woman. He knew Brad was the youngest, but he at least thought they raised him with more intelligence than he was showing right now. "Please don't tell me you have run this past Lee," Zack begged. "No. I thought you wouldn't mind telling him me for me," Brad hedged. Brad," Zack sighed wearily. "I'm having problems of my own." "Zack, I know you'll be able to make Lee see reason about this. You were always able to calm him down when he gets incensed about me." Staring at his brother, Zack waited for the joke to happen. Brad wasn't serious about giving up his MBA to become a tennis instructor. "Bradley, you can still be a tennis instructor on the weekends or after work, but don't leave the marketing firm to do it full-time." "Aren't you living your dream? How can you tell me not to live mine?" he demanded. "Zack, I called you because I thought you would be the most supportive of me." 119


Trying to understand his baby brother's problem had always been hard for Zack. Brad's choices in life so far hadn't been all that great. The only good decision he had made was going to work with Lee at the marketing firm when he was twenty-five, and now after only five years he wanted to quit. "How can you make a judgment about this so late at night? Shouldn't you give it more thought first and then ask Lee for more hours off at work? I'm sure he'll work something out with you," Zack suggested, trying to reason with Brad. Shaking his head, Brad replied, "Zack, you know Lee will hit the roof when he hears about what I want to do. Please, can't you talk to him for me?" he begged. "You get along with him better than any of us do." Zack couldn't take Brad's revelation on now. "Listen, I'm going out of town with Traci for two weeks and I'll think about talking to Lee while I'm away." Releasing a deep sigh, Brad grinned at him. "I knew you would do this for me," he said, getting up from the couch. "Wait a minute. You still have to show up for work while I'm gone," Zack stated, "and don't mention this idea of yours to Richard or Lee. Do you understand me?" "Fine. I think I can handle two more weeks of work," Brad groaned. "You better show up or I'm not going to help you with Lee." "I'll go. Don't worry." "Good…now I've got to leave," Zack said. "No matter how much Lee might get on your nerves and you want to tell him about this, you have to keep this to yourself. Do you understand me?" "Yes, I understand," Brad snapped, glaring at him, then left the room. Zack stared at the back of his brother in bewilderment. What in the hell had gotten into Brad lately? Was this Alicia woman really worth all the trouble his baby brother was going through? What woman in her right mind could tell a man to toss away his MBA to become a full-time tennis instructor? 120

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**** Zack went straight home after his conversation with Brad. He didn't have the extra energy to head back to the office. If any loose ends needed to be taken care of, he would finish them after the interviews tomorrow. Wandering past the oak table in his kitchen, he spotted the Cherise Roberts folder opened where he had left it two days ago. The proprietor of the building had called before work saying she wanted to meet with him about the land over dinner, but he had turned her down. She only wanted to get in bed and wasn't taking no for an answer. He even told her had a girlfriend. Her response had been that she had a boyfriend, and why tell either of them about it? Damn, he had really wanted to have things settled before he went on the cabin getaway with Traci. Now it had to wait until he came back home from the trip. Lee hadn't gotten anywhere with Cherise. He hated to admit it, but he was very impressed with Ms. Roberts' determination and business savvy. She knew the antique store was in the perfect spot for his business. If only they could come to an agreement they both loved, maybe Cherise would part with the shop then. Writing down a few notes, Zack turned off the lights for the night and went to bed. **** A little bit after noon the next morning, Zack sent the last applicant home and called Tyshawn back into his office. "Shut the door so we can talk privately," he told him. Closing the door, Tyshawn brought his notepad back with him. "Okay, who do you think shouldn't get the job?" "The twenty-five-year-old woman was way overqualified for the position we are hiring for, so I sent her to Lee's office. He has an assistant position opening I thought she would be perfect for." Nodding at him, Tyshawn crossed her off his list. "I agree with you on that one, but I think Jena should get the job over Leila." Zack leaned back in his chair. "Why do you think that? 121


"Jena answered the questions much more honestly and directly than Leila," Tyshawn, answered leaning back in the chair. "I thought Leila was hiding something from us." "Jena is also young and found you very cute, didn't she?" Zack asked. Tyshawn tossed his pad and pen on Zack's desk. "If you didn't want my opinion why did you have me in here for the interviews?" "I needed a second opinion about the person I wanted to hire," Zack answered calmly, wondering what was wrong with Tyshawn now. "I still think Leila is a better hire, plus she has more experience in the real estate business. Do you disagree with me?" Tyshawn knew he was right, Zack was certain. Jena only flirted with him only to have a better chance at getting the job. "No, I don't agree with your decision. However, I'll go and call Ms. Williamson and tell her to be here at eight o'clock on Monday morning." Tyshawn got up from his seat. "Should I leave a list of things for you to go over with her? Remember, I'm on vacation for two weeks with Traci." Pausing at the doorway, Tyshawn looked back at him with envy in his eyes. "No, I think I can handle it myself. Have a nice trip," he mumbled and then walked out the door. "I plan on it," Zack replied. **** "Where do you keep the stickers for these?" Traci asked, standing in front of an 1857 Banjo Clock. Cherise looking up from pricing the William and Mary Mirror. "Be careful with those. I paid a very good price for them." "I know what I'm doing. This isn't my first time helping you do this," Traci answered impatiently. She had been helping her sister since her first year of college. She wasn't about to mess it up now.

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"Sorry, I had a long night and I'm not in the best mood this morning. The stickers are over there on the desk," Cherise said, pointing to the mahogany desk in the far corner. "Thanks," Traci said, moving across the room. "Why didn't you sleep well? Is it time for a check-up?" "Traci, stop being a nurse for one second, will you?" Cherise complained as she finished with the mirror and then went to work on the chairs she got yesterday. "Sorry, I can't help if I'm a nurse twenty-four seven." Finding the stickers, Traci started back on the clocks. "I can't believe some people pay these prices for some of these things. I wouldn't be able to shop in here." Laughing, Cherise wrote prices on yellow stickers before placing them on the chair's arm, "Most people who come in here tell me I sell a lot of the items too cheap. Yesterday, a man came in here and brought two of those clocks you're working on right now." Traci couldn't believe that. One of these clocks was almost a year's paycheck for her. "You can't be serious." "Yes, I was stunned myself," Cherise replied. For the next two hours, both women worked steadily getting the shop in order for the huge sale Cherise was having tomorrow to make room for new items. After they were finished, Traci placed the black Sharpie on her sister's desk and watched her go over the sale items one more time. Cherise's surprise visit last night and her talk with Zack made Traci realize something very important. It was past time for her to introduce Cherise and Zack. "Cherise, can you sit down a minute? I really need to talk to you." Cherise tossed the yellow stickers down on a table along with the red Sharpie in her hand. "Let's go to the back, so we can get comfortable on the couch." Traci prayed she wasn't making a colossal mistake as she followed Cherise into the office/living area for her sister. After 123


they both were seated, Traci touched her sister's hand. "Cherise, I need to tell you something and I want you to hear me out." Concern covered her sister's face. "Please tell me you aren't sick," she begged. Traci knew one person who was going to be sick after the truth came out. "No, I'm not sick," she assured her. "Don't scare me like that again," Cherise scolded, hitting her on the side of her arm. "Whatever you have to say, I can handle now." Resting her back on the plush couch, Cherise waited for her to continue. "Last night when you were at my house, you asked about the car in the driveway. I told you I didn't know who it belonged to and that was a lie," Traci confessed in a low voice. "I knew who the owner was." "Why did you lie to me?" Holding her hand tighter Traci replied, "It belonged to my boyfriend and I didn't want you to know that." Feeling a little apprehensive, she waited for Cherise's next question. "Is there a reason he wasn't in the room when I came in the house?" "Yes. I told him to go and hide in the bedroom until you left," Traci said in a rush. "You have never hidden a boyfriend from me before. Why now?" Traci felt her heart beating a faster at Cherise's question. Since she knew what her sister's reaction might be to the news her sister would have to this news. "I thought it was best you didn't meet him." "Traci, I'm tired of the long speech you're giving me. Tell me what's wrong with the new man in your life. Hell, girl, I know it can't be that bad," Cherise laughed. Traci knew it was now or never. "He's white," she blurted out, jumping up from the couch. Cherise's head snapped up at her. "What? How would you do this to me?" 124

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"This doesn't involve you at all, Cherise. I'm so happy with him and I think I might be falling in love, that's why I told you about him." Traci loved her sister dearly and she didn't want to lose her because of Zack. Cherise moved farther away from her, looking at her as if she were a stranger. "Here I thought you were going to tell me you decided to give James another chance." Holding back her anger, Cherise composed herself. "Maybe this is just a phase you're going through," her sister muttered to herself. Traci ran over to Cherise and touched her in the middle of her back. "Listen to me. Once you meet him you'll love him as much as I do. He's a really good guy." Jerking away from her, Cherise spun around. "I can't handle this right now with everything that I have going on." Traci eased back from the sad look in her sister's eyes. "What are you saying to me?" "I need time to digest all this new love you have found with the guy in your life," Cherise mumbled, going back into the front of the shop. Traci was on her way out the door behind Cherise. She had to find her sister so she could explain things better and hopefully make her understand. As she got halfway there, her cell phone started ringing. Whoever this was wouldn't be able to keep her on the phone long. She needed to fix things with her sister. Pulling her cell phone out of her pants pocket, she answered it on the third ring. "Hello?" Traci answered in a rush. "Baby, are you okay?" Zack asked. Great…she couldn't believer her luck. Zack would call at the exact time she was telling Cherise about him. "I'm telling my sister about us and she isn't happy." "Do I need to come over there?" he questioned. "No, that would only make the situation worse," she choked out. "She's told me not to come around for a while. So I'm going home, can you meet me there?" 125


"Traci, I'm already sitting in your driveway," Zack answered. "Thank you," she said, hanging up. Cherise kept her back to her as she grabbed her things. "Cherise, you're my sister and I love you. Please accept my decision to be with him." Her sister slowly faced her and she saw the look in Cherise's eyes. Things were going so good in her life. She prayed that it wouldn't go from good to bad now. "Cherise, I'm leaving, but I'm coming back and when I do you better be ready to talk." Gathering her things, Traci left her sister standing insider the middle of her shop. **** Zack saw Traci drive up. Standing, he hurried down the two steps and stopped by the driver's side of the car, waiting for Traci to get out. He noticed the forlorn expression on her gorgeous face. It only meant one thing. "I don't have to ask how things went, do I?" he asked, kissing Traci the moment she stepped out of the car. A muscle flickered angrily in his jaw. "Tell me her name along with the address. I'll go and see her." Traci looked at Zack, appearing surprised by the hurt in his voice. "Zack, I'm tired of her thinking I'm a child. If she has a problem with our relationship that's her deal, not ours. Didn't you have something you wanted to talk about?" she asked, going past him to open her front door. Zack paused at the doorstep, rethinking his plans for the romantic getaway. Now might not be the best time for Traci to leave for two weeks. "Traci, are you sure that you're okay? Can you really just brush off how you sister feels about us so causally?" He shut the door behind them. Taking off the light jacket she was wearing, Traci tossed it on the couch. "Zack, I have left my conversation with my sister in the past. I want to concentrate totally on us now. Aren't you supposed to be planning a vacation with me? Have you thought 126

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of anything exciting for us to do?" she asked. "I'm very excited about our two-week getaway." "Well, I did have a little surprise for us," he admitted. Squealing, Traci ran into his arms. "Oh, tell me. What is it?" Zack rubbed Traci's back through her shirt. "I wanted to take you up to my cabin." Touching his five o'clock shadow, Traci grinned at him. "I have never been out in the wilderness before. Will you promise to protect me from the wild animals?" Smiling, Zack replied, "The only wild animal you have to worry about it me." "Funny, Mr. Drace. I love your sense of humor." Traci slid away from him. "Let me go pack. We can be on the road in thirty minutes." Looking at her, he said, "I say it would take more like an hour." She poked him in the chest. "Don't make me regret saying yes to you," she answered flashing him a cute grin on her way back to her bedroom. "Well, Traci, I better find something to do until you come back out." Going around the living room, Zack found several pictures of Traci and her father displayed in beautiful picture frames hanging throughout the house. There was even a small one of her as a little girl. She appeared to be around seven years old and her tongue stuck out at the camera. Even at that young age, she had an entertaining personality. From the corner of his eye, Zack noticed a shelf with several antique African-American dolls on it. Some of them were very old with painted chipped at the sides. He never knew Traci had a passion for dolls. Traci had everything in her home. But there was one thing missing: a picture of her sister. If they were so close, why wasn't there a single picture of her inside the house? What was the older sister hiding?

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Chapter Ten "Are you ready to go, baby?" Traci asked. "Traci, why don't you have any pictures of your sister in your house?" "A true diva never lets a bad photo of her be displayed anywhere, not even for family," Traci quoted, setting her bags down beside her leg. Zack arched an eyebrow at her. "What are you talking about?" "My sister hates having her picture taken by anyone. She doesn't think she photographs well," Traci answered. "Wow, is she that image driven?" Zack asked, stunned. He had never heard anyone being that much into her looks before. It just made him want to see a picture of Traci's sister that much more. "Oh, that isn't the half of it," Traci sighed. "I could tell you so many funny things my sister does. However, I won't because this is our time together." "You're right about that, baby, "Zack replied. Moving across the room, he planted a kiss on Traci's smooth cheek. He didn't want to waste time talking about her sister. They would have to hit the road soon enough. He wanted this trip to be just for the two of them. He wanted them to leave to all their problems here. "Let's go and enjoy our trip," Zack suggested, picking up Traci's bags. He carried them out to his care and added them to his bags already in the trunk. **** 128

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Once they were headed for the cabin, Zack continued his discussion about Traci's sister. "Your sister does know where you're going, doesn't she?" He glanced over at Traci and continued. "I would hate for the police to be after me because she thought I had kidnapped you," he joked. Traci returned his gaze. "I left a message on her answering machine. What about your brothers?" "Yeah, I let them know about the trip last week," he said, turning on a side road out of town. "You don't look like a man who would enjoy spending time in the woods," Traci said. "I was really surprised when you suggested this idea to me. I have never been camping before in my life." Zack thought back to times when his family would spend the weekends at the cabin when he was a child. He always loved the peace of the lake. "I loved going there as a kid, but I don't think my brothers loved it as much as I do. So, when Dad left it to Lee in the will, I bought it from him." Traci laughed. "No, I don't think the GQ Lee looks like a wilderness person at all. I think of him as more of a five-star hotel person." Placing his hand on Traci's leg, he rubbed her thigh. "Do you really like my brothers?" He knew that the four of them could be a lot to handle, especially for someone as sweet as Traci. "Well, I haven't seen them anymore since the first time we met, but I have to say they are all unique in their own way." Placing her hand on top of his, Traci squeezed the back of it. "Zack, what made you think Lee wouldn't accept me?" Moving his hand back on the wheel, his grip squeezed hard. "Lee has never really been accepting of anything that I did as a kid or an adult. He always found a way to point out a mistake I made. I didn't know if he would be pleased that I decided to date you. "I don't know necessarily if I thought your race would be a huge factor, but it did cross my mind that it might be a small 129


part," Zack confessed. "I can never really tell what's going on inside Lee's head." He took a quick side-glance at Traci, then looked back at the road. "That's why I was so surprised he has had only nice things to say about you. Did you place a spell on his cold heart?" "No, I was just myself as I always am," Traci answered, brushing a piece of hair away from her mouth. "Hmmm…maybe it has to do with the woman I sent him to talk to," he thought aloud. "Why would she change his mind about anything?" Zack made a left turn before he answered her. "Lee started acting different the same day he came back from seeing her, but he has never been attracted to a black woman." He took a quick glance at Traci, liking her fresh look. "Do you think Lee found her attractive or something?" "I honestly can't say." Zack felt like an idiot. He was supposed to be learning more about her, not having her discuss his brother. "Kitten, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up my family," he apologized. "Don't you dare apologize. I love how family oriented you are. It makes me like you even more," she admitted softly. Zack wanted Traci to do more than like him and hopefully it would happen by the time this trip was over. "How do you feel about fishing?" he asked, going down the road that led to the cabin. She looked at him. "Uh…I have never been fishing before." "What? Well after we change clothes, you will go down the lake with me and catch tonight's dinner," he said with a grin. Wide-eyed, Traci almost chocked on her words. "I hope you aren't counting on me too much to catch something." "Baby, the fish will fall for you like I did." **** Driving for about ten more minutes, Zack finally pulled up in front of his hideaway. "Here we are." He sat back and let Traci take a look at the part of his life that he loved so much a kid. He 130

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hoped Traci would enjoy her time here like he did when his family came up here in the summer. A picturesque old log cabin met Traci's brown eyes as she got out of the car, Zack following behind her. "You actually came here as a child?" she whispered, moving towards the front steps. Standing on the porch, she looked out at the huge lake, trees on every side of the clear water. Traci stared at the scenery while Zack unlocked the door to the cabin and picked up their luggage. "Yes, we came here about twice a year," he responded pleased by her awe of his favorite getaway place. Placing the bags inside, Zack came back outside and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I want you to know that you're the first woman I have ever brought here." "You didn't have to tell me that." "I wanted you to know that I never thought another woman was good enough to bring to here to my favorite relaxing spot." Zack wanted Traci to understand his feelings for her ran deeper than lust. "Even my brothers don't bother me when I come here. This place is for me to unwind, and I'm allowed plenty of time to get pleasure from it." Grabbing Traci by the hand, Zack took inside. "Let me give you the grand tour." Zack started with the living room first. This had to be his favorite room in the house because of the leather chair and matching sofa. A small glass table was at the side with a fresh flower arrangement in the middle. "Nice flowers," she said, looking at him. "I guess Gary's wife did that," he answered, looking away from her. "I'm happy she did it. I really love fresh flowers and wildflowers are my favorite," she admitted, placing a kiss on his cheek. Zack ran his hand down her hair. "How about I show you the rest of the cabin?" "Sounds good to me." 131


Taking Traci up the spiral staircase, he took her to the master bedroom first, which consisted of a dresser with a mirror, a huge king-sized bed, and three pictures on the wall. There weren't a lot of personal items on shelves or the nightstand. "Honey, you need more of a woman's touch in this room," she teased, touching his chest. "When do you want to get started?" he asked, running his hand Traci's denim covered butt. "If I changed one thing in this room then it wouldn't be you any longer," Traci responded. "How about you show me more of the spectacular cabin?" Bending at the waist, he said, "Your wish is my command." Hitting him on the shoulder, Traci ran from the room. "I'll hold you to that," she yelled back at him. Catching her in the hallway, Zack tossed Traci down on the carpet, covering her with his body. "Baby, I'll try my best to make all your wishes come true." "You're my wish come true," she told him as her mouth captured his for a kiss. "Mmmm…darling, I would love to stay here and kiss you all day, but we have things to do," he whispered, ending the kiss and pulling Traci up from the floor. "If we really have to," she complained. Leading her to the other master bedroom and a smaller guestroom upstairs, Zack showed Traci what little decorating skills he had. Neither room had much furniture in them, but every space was neat and clean. He had a total bachelor pad. "Time to go back downstairs to show you one of my favorite spots in the whole place," Zack told her. Downstairs, he led her to the very back of the cabin. "Here's where I come a lot to think about family and business," he said. "So, this is where you had all those kinky fantasies about me you're always wanting me to act out." Traci's eyes sparkled as she waited for him to open the door. Pushing the door open, Zack took her into a beautifully decorated sunroom. It had everything—a little video game 132

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section at the side, a small eating space, and a huge couch by the deck window where a person could read or watch the big screen television at the side wall. "Zack, I never thought this room would be in here. Did you have this as a kid?" "No, I had this sunroom and the deck added on about two years ago. I wanted the place to have more space," he said, watching her face for a reaction. "Wow, I don't know what else to say." She spun around in a circle, trying to take it all in. Did you say there was something else to show me?" "As a matter of fact I do, Ms. Wells," Zack stated, going to the sunroom doors. "Right this way. I thought while we were on our little romantic retreat you might like to spend time in this." Moving her around the side of the deck, Zack revealed a huge Jacuzzi.

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Chapter Eleven "Damn, boy, this is nice," Traci gushed, running over to the Jacuzzi and touching the warm water. "This doesn't fit your personality at all." The feel of the heated water running through her fingers started to take effect immediately. All the tension, stress, and worries from earlier disappeared, leaving a calmness in place. The urge to take off all her clothes and get in ran across her mind, but this was Zack's day. This was the first time he had ever brought a woman to his private sanctuary, so she would respect it. However, throwing a few hints while they were fishing later wouldn't hurt. Wiping her hands on her pants, Traci glanced over her shoulder. "You are full of surprises. What else can I expect on this vacation?" Showing even, white teeth in a Cheshire cat smile, he said, "I'll never tell." "If you can't tell me any details of our sabbatical, what can my gorgeous boyfriend tell me?" she asked, smiling. "That you're going to have more fun with me than you ever thought," Zack grinned. "Now, go inside, get unpacked, and meet me back on the porch in thirty minutes." Traci raced past Zack and went upstairs to the master bedroom to get changed into clothes for fishing. She had never been fishing before, so she couldn't wait until she saw what happened. Hopefully, she wouldn't fall into the water. She didn't have time for a bad hair day. **** While Traci was gone, Zack went to make sure everything was perfect for the spell he wanted to set for tonight. Traci had 134

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been his girlfriend for a while now, and he wanted to move it to the next level. How he could he not want more? Especially after the way he caught Traci's sultry eyes undressing him. They were moving along as any couple should, and this was only the next step. Zack hoped tonight was the night Traci would finally see how much she meant to him. He already had a successful business, now it was about time he started working on his love life. Most men waited a lifetime to find a woman as extraordinary as Traci, but he found her at the age of thirty-four. The businessman in him wanted to snatch her up the second he found out she was single and make her his forever. However, the romantic in him wanted to wine and dine Traci first, winning her over with a love affair. The other things in his life he had an abundance of, except the love of a good woman. Out of all his brothers, Zack was the realistic one, always thinking things through without blindly jumping in. For the longest time he loved being that stuffed shirt, but Traci made him rethink his way of living. He could become more free spirited, live in the moment, and be free to respond to the new opportunities placed before him . However, the factual side would need to stay in place for the work environment, for too much change might cause Tyshawn to have a breakdown. Since he had started to date her, more causal clothes had found their way into his closet. It wasn't just filled with suits anymore or pressed shirts. He realized now that everything didn't have to revolve around his business. He was allowed a personal life and a woman to cuddle up on the couch with on Friday and Saturday nights, or someone to stay in bed late with on a Sunday morning. Traci fit perfectly into all those images inside his head. Zack knew, deep down, that Traci felt the same way. Only she was waiting for him to make the first move to turn it into something more serious. There wasn't a better place to seal their bond than here. 135


Hearing Traci coming back downstairs, he went over to meet her. "Are you going to wear that?" she questioned, looking at his cashmere sweater and jeans. "Yes, I won't have a problem," his deep voiced answered. "I'll wait and see," Traci said, following him out the door and down the path to the edge of the lake. Handing Traci a fishing pole, Zack showed her how to place the bait on the end and place it in the water. "Okay, now you just have to be patient and wait for the fish to bite," he told her, then moved within touching distance of her. "Did you fish a lot with your brothers and father as a kid?" "We went fishing every day when we came up here on vacation," Zack responded with a far away look in his eyes. "My dad was the best. He never had a problem answering any questions we had no matter how small or strange they were." He'd forgotten the warm feeling he always got when he talked about his father. He had such wonderful memories of his parents and their love. "After we fished, he would clean them and Mom would cook them outside on the grill." A tug at her line made Traci pull at Zack's sleeve. "I think I might have a bite." Placing his pole on the ground, Zack came over to help Traci reel her catch in. "Don't yank it too hard or the string will break, which means the fish will get away. Gently pull the fish in and let him know who the boss is." Slowly Traci tugged at the rod and a six-pound catfish came out of the water. "Oh my God, look at the size of that fish." Traci grinned at him. He loved that Traci was having fun. "That's a pretty good size fish. I'm jealous I didn't catch it," he teased, winking at her. Reaching for a water bucket, Zack took the fish off the line and replaced the bait, then showed Traci how to toss the line back in the water for another try. He was impressed that she wasn't scared of the bait or the fish. That was just one more thing 136

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about for him to fall in love with when it came to the gorgeous Traci Wells. "I did so well with this maybe I make it my second career. Traci Wells, Professional Fisherwoman," she smirked at him. "Honey, stick with being a nurse. I don't think the other fisherman would be able to think clearly with you around them all day." Traci stuck her tongue out at him and then turned her attention back to the fish. "Don't you tempt me with that cute pink tongue. Save it for later." She lowered her thick, black lashes, whispering, "If you're really nice, maybe I will." Hearing the seductive sound of her voice caused the pole to slip from his fingers and fall to the ground with a loud thump. Throwing back his head, Zack let out a deep laugh. "Sweetheart, I forget what a flirt you can be." Bending over, he picked up his pole and hoped his bait hadn't fallen off in the water. "I'm going to fix my attention on catching fish, not you," Zack muttered, looking back at the water. "You better worry about me. I've already have one and you have none," she taunted as her line moved again. "Or should I say two," she said, pulling in another fish bigger than the first one. His eyes narrowed suspiciously, "Did you do something to my line so I couldn't get any fish? Traci tried not to laugh at the fake anger coming from Zack; he wasn't very good at acting angry with her. "I think I smell better than you and that's why they're all coming to me," she said, firmly nodding her head. "Well, let me find out for myself," he muttered, tossing his pole back on the ground. Capturing Traci in his arms, Zack brushed his nose just below her ear. "I do smell something delicious on your body. Is it this all over?" he asked, sliding his hands underneath her shirt. 137


Traci had one hand on the pole and the other one around his neck. "I thought we were supposed to be fishing, not making out," she moaned softly. "I'm fishing," Zack said, working on undoing her bra underneath her shirt, "but it's not for the same thing you are." He almost had it unsnapped when Traci shoved at his chest. "Baby, I think you have something so much better that needs attention." "You don't know how much he wants some attention, darling," he admitted, brushing his cock against hers. Traci moaned briefly, before getting her focus back on track. "I'm talking about your pole." Zack nibbled at her ear. "I'm talking about my pole, too, honey." Placing his hands on her butt, he yanked her close to his throbbing erection. Squirming in Zack's arms, Traci fought the urge to get lost in his embrace. However, their dinner was getting away. "You're fishing pole, Zack," she said, moving out his arms. Looking, he saw there was something at the end of his pole. Rushing over, he pulled two large catfish out of the water. "Baby, we are going to eat good today," he yelled."Come on, so I can clean them and help you put them on the grill," he said. **** Two hours later, Zack rested in a lounge chair on the deck with Traci wrapped in his arms. "Sweetheart, are you okay?" Traci moved her head to look at him. "Yes, I'm doing perfect, what made you ask?" He paused, then said, "You had such a huge fight with your sister and now you here with me like nothing is wrong." Zack didn't want to be the thing that ended the closeness Traci had with her sister. He knew how much family meant. Twisting around so she could lie on his chest, Traci said, "I have fights with her all the time, and we work things out. This time will be no different." Searching her eyes, he asked, "Are you sure?" 138

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"Positive," she replied, kissing him on the mouth. "How about we get changed for the Jacuzzi?" "No. I have other plans for you tonight, my little fisherwoman," Zack taunted. The excited light was vivid in Traci's eyes. "Will I like these plans, Mr. Drace?" "Oh, baby, I hope so," he prayed. Patting her denim butt, Zack lifted Traci off his already aroused body. "Go upstairs, get undressed, and put on what I have laid out for you on the bed." Traci placed her hands on her hips. "Do I get a please with that command?" "Please." "Okay." Running from the deck, Traci raced upstairs to see the surprise Zack had for her. **** Opening the door, she found the room dimmed with candles lit on the tables while music played softly in the background. Gasping, she placed her hand on her mouth. "Oh, my God," she whispered. A red box with a matching bow was in the middle of the bed. Moving in a daze, she went over to the gift and sat on the bed. Untying the box, Traci lifted the lid off and was shocked to find lingerie. A sheer black robe with matching bra and panties were placed inside with a card. Traci, Sweetheart, please put this on. I want to make this a night to remember for us. Love, Zack Undressing quickly, Traci raced to the bathroom for a hot shower, carrying her bath supplies with her. Wrapping herself in a towel after the shower, she stayed in the bathroom applying 139


lotion to her body, so the scent would drive Zack wild. She was so happy he finally wanted to make love. They had been dating for months, and she thought it was past time they came together. Fixing her hair in the mirror, Traci calmed her nerves. "You can do this, girl. Don't think he'll betray you like James did all those years ago. They're different men and Zack doesn't have any reason to use you. He loves you." Deciding to leave the robe off, Traci stared at her reflection in the mirror. She allowed the tension to leave her body and face before going to Zack. Twisting the door open, Traci went back into the bedroom. She was startled to find Zack standing by her bedroom wearing only black pajama bottoms. "I knew you would look breathtaking." Moving slowly, Zack looked over her seductively as though wanting to taste every inch of Traci's sweet-smelling body. Shocked by the heat she saw coming from Zack's eyes as he got closer, Traci moved back. None of her past boyfriends ever looked at her with that intensity. Could it be because Zack was a man, not a boy? At twenty-five, she shouldn't feel like a nervous virgin, but she did. She dreamed of being crushed in his passionate embrace. A small part of her wanted to run from the fire growing inside her, but she was powerless to resist the man coming toward her. The need to meet him halfway almost made her feet move; however, his powerful eyes glued her to the spot. Gathering her into his arms, Zack held her snugly. "Are you ready for this, Traci? I'll give you all the pleasure I can, if you're ready to be mine for as long as you want to be." She couldn't tear her gaze from his face. "Zack, I want to be with you," she whispered, touching his face. Swinging Traci into his arms, Zack carried her back over to the bed, carefully placing her body in the middle. "I'm so happy you said yes," he admitted, covering her. **** Tracing the soft fullness of Traci's mouth, Zack licked at the desire he tasted in her mouth. He felt the pull in their connection. 140

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He always though of Traci's kisses as a delicious tray of treats. Being man who loved anything sweet, he kissed her in hope they would only get better as the night continued. Demanding more, Traci held his head, allowing her tongue to slip between his lips. He was excited as Traci took over the kiss. The touch of her tongue against his was a delicious sensation. Growling as only a man in love could, Zack let Traci take control of the kiss for a little while longer. What harm would it cause? After a fair amount of time, he brought the kiss back his level and retook control. "How do you like this?" Zack whispered, moving to lick the side of Traci's slim neck tenderly. Placing her hands at the side of her head, he straddled her hips and caressed her body with his fingertips. "Your skin is so soft." Pausing at two hard nipples peeking through the seethrough bra, he rubbed one between his forefinger and thumb. "Does this mean you want me?" Zack questioned, loving Traci's body's reaction to his. Looking into his eyes, Traci nodded while her delicious body squirmed under his. "Yes, I want you," she gasped. "You know that I do. Quit playing with me." Smirking, Zack bent down and ran the very tip of his tongue across the end of her nipple. "Hmm…you taste so sweet," he breathed against her nipple. "I love when you taste like this. It makes me want to lick and taste the rest of you." Whimpering, Traci tried to rise off the bed, but he gently pushed her back down. "Honey, tell me what you want and I'll do it." "I want your mouth." "Right here?" he asked, brushing a thumb over the hard nipple. "You know the answer is yes," she moaned between clenched teeth. "Remember your wish is my command, beautiful," Zack whispered. 141


Undoing the bra, he tossed it to the floor, "I always did love hard candy," he groaned, taking a pointed nipple into his mouth and sucking hard. Running her hands through his hair, Traci kept his face against her breasts while purring in the back of her throat.

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Chapter Twelve Zack let go of Traci's breast and captured her hands in his. He gently held them against the bed. "No fair trying to make me move faster than I want to. I have all the time in the world to enjoy my tasty treats. Now, let me love you, baby," he whispered before pulling the moist nipple back into his mouth. Closing her eyes, Traci gave into Zack and let him make a feast of her plump breast. After he released her hard peaks, he nibbled his way down to her stomach, making her body squirm beneath him. Taking a quick lick at the sweat covering Traci's navel, he rose up to slide her underwear from her body. "I can't believe you hide this amazing body under that nurse's outfit." Her upturned breast with the hard pointed nipples made him want to take another taste. While the gentle curve of her hips called at him to hold on to them and never let go, Traci was slender without being skinny. Every curve a woman's body should have, the beauty beneath him had in abundance. Recovering her body with his, he brushed his lips against hers as he spoke. "You shouldn't keep this body covered up all day." Traci slid her hands from his and ran her fingers down his chest. "Well, I'm glad this sexy body of yours is covered up by suits. I don't want any other woman seeing what is mine," she stated, pushing him over to land on his back. "Now, it's my turn to kiss and nibble my way down your body, lover." Her lips left his to nibble at his earlobe. "Did you have an earring?" she asked, staring down into his face. 143


He brushed a gentle kiss across Traci's forehead. "I'll tell you about it later. Finish what you were doing, please?" Easing back to his ear, Traci tugged it between her teeth and his cock jerked to attention. His body moved restlessly beneath her, waiting to see what she would do next. Letting go of his ear, she worked her way down until she found his hard male nipple hidden inside his chest hair. Her mouth and teeth worked at it until he thought he was going to lose his mind. Why in the hell did he open his mouth about continuing what she started? His body stiffened as he felt Traci's long, slim finger easing their way down the front of his pajama bottoms. "Oh, I think I found something," she replied happily. Sweat started to pour down his face the second her small hand found him. "Baby, don't tease me like that." "Like what?" Traci asked, moving back up his body to whisper by his ear. Taking her hand, he let Traci help him remove his pajama bottoms, and then he wrapped her hand around him. "Touch me," he moaned. God, her hand felt so perfect touching his erection. All the blood had now left his head and was now in his cock. He had never been this close to losing control. "Zack, you have been keeping a big secret from me," Traci purred. She kissed him again while her hand was slowly driving him crazy. Zack tried his best to let Traci have the moment, but having to wait for her so long mixed in with the feel of her hand stroking on his body was driving him over the edge. Flipping Traci over on the bed, he looked into her face and growled, "I can't take much more of this game. I need to touch you again." His hands explored the soft lines of her hips, causing her body to jerk once before it settled back down under his. Flesh against flesh, man against woman—his chest tingled when her breasts brushed them. Slowly his hands moved downward, touching either side of her thighs and separating them further so 144

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he could ease between them when the tip of his cock slid inside her. Zack's breath hissed from the heat of Traci wrapping around him. Holding her hips in the palms his hand, Zack thrust the rest of the way in and a moan of pleasure erupted to come from her lips. Their bodies melted together and the pleasure he felt was explosively pure, just as he said it would be, and Zack felt things he didn't even know existed. Traci's sleek body moved under his as though they were in perfect harmony. Her wetness gripped him like a moist glove, driving him to go as deep as he could. "God, baby you feel so good," he panted as sweat streaked down his face, dripping into his eyes. "Zack, I can't handle much more," Traci panted, scratching his back. "Let it go, baby," he groaned, nibbling at her neck. "Give it to me." Spreading Traci's thighs even wider, Zack eased his cock out of Traci's body until only the tip was left. "Do you want me?' "Yes," she moaned, writhing on the tangled sheet. "How much do you want me?" Dark brown eyes glared at him while Traci pulled at his hips. "Stop teasing me." "Answer me and I will," he demanded, bending to lick the sweat from her taut stomach. "I want you with a passion that I've never felt before," she moaned. "More than you ever wanted James," Zack questioned as he eased a little more of his penis inside, but only enough to make her want more. "YES! I want you more than James," she screamed. "Good," he growled, then thrust completely into Traci's welcoming warmth, shattering them into a mind-blowing orgasm. After coming down from the best orgasm of his life, Zack wrapped Traci in his arms and covered them with a sheet. 145


Planting a soft kiss on her forehead, he whispered, "Get some sleep, because I'm definitely want a replay of that later." "Me, too," Traci yawned, snuggling closer, then closed her eyes. **** Several days later, Traci relaxed inside the Jacuzzi while Zack was out on his afternoon run. It had been almost a month since she'd been to the gym. She would definitely change that when she got back home. She actually missed that horrible step class. Maybe she would sign up for the same kickboxing class that Zack took. The more exercise she got the better she would feel and her body would look. Closing her eyes, she rested her head on the rim of the whirlpool. Twenty minutes later, Traci got an eerie feeling someone or something was watching her. Opening her eyes, she gasped under her breath—not twenty feet in front of her stood a cougar. Fear froze her to the spot, but as the animal started to come closer her body shot into action. Slowly she eased out the Jacuzzi, trying to put more distance between her and the wild animal. Once both feet were on the deck, she looked from the animal to the door trying to determine if she could make a run for it. "Nice boy, there isn't any reason to attack me. I don't want to harm you. Please don't harm me." The cougar ran a little closer and then stopped, showing his teeth by growling at her. Jumping, Traci slid closer to the door but kept her eyes on the large cat. It looked like it was about to attack any second. She kept scooting back until the handle of the sunroom door touched her hand. Opening the door, Traci fell into the room as the cougar charged her. Slamming the door shut, she locked it and started screaming the same time Zack came through the side door into the game room. Hearing her screams, he raced into the room over to her. "Baby, are you okay?" he questioned, running his hands over her shaky body. 146

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"It was going to kill me," she cried, pointing out the door. Zack left her and hurried over to the door as the cougar ran from the deck back into the woods. "I haven't seen one of them this close to the house in a long time," he whispered, stunned. Snapping her head around, Traci glared at Zack. "Are you telling me you knew about those cats and you didn't warn me?" Why wouldn't he tell her something like that? "I didn't think they still did it. I haven't seen one in a very long time, sweetheart," Zack answered in a soft voice. "Don't 'sweetheart' me when I was almost attacked outside." Jumping up, she stormed out of the room. "I can't believe you did that to me!" Zack ran out after her. "Traci, where are you going?" "Upstairs," she screamed back at him. He caught her at the bottom step, grabbing her arm and swung her back around to face him. "Please don't go upstairs mad. Stay down here and talk to me about this. I know you had to been scared to death by the cougar." "Zack, you don't understand how scary it was to open my eyes and see it standing right in front of me." She shivered at the memory. "Honey, I'm more scared than I want to admit. Do you know how I would have felt to come back here and found your body outside torn to pieces? I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself and your sister would kill me. Please don't cry." He wrapped his arms around her body, trying to comfort her. "I'm not crying," she laughed, shoving at his chest. "You're right. My sister would have killed you if anything had happened to me." Zack's eyes crinkled as he smiled down at her. "I hope this means you forgive me for being stupid." "I guess I have to, since you're my only means of getting back home," she teased. 147


"Could there be any other reason you want to overlook my bad judgment?" "Like what?" she questioned. His fingers were cool and smooth as they touched her face. "Hopefully, you're beginning to fall in love with me." She thrust her fingers through Zack's thick hair. "I am falling in love with you," she said, looking into his eyes. "I have felt this way for a very long time, but I didn't know the right time to say the words." Zack stared at Traci standing in front of him. "Beauty, I feel the same about you. Do you think your sister will be able to handle this?" Traci was too delighted to care if Cherise agreed or not. "She isn't the one in the relationship. I am and I couldn't be happier," she stated. He hesitated, torn by conflicting emotions. Zack didn't want to come between Traci and her sister. "Honey, let not celebrate our love too soon," he advised. "Why not?" Traci questioned. "I know my brothers will be supportive, but would your sister do something to break us up?" "Honey, let's not worry about the crazy mind of my sister," Traci suggested, snuggling closer to Zack's warmth. "Didn't we just tell each other that we're falling in love? Shouldn't we do some celebrating?" Strapping hands circled her waist and lifted her into a pair of warm arms. "Traci, I love the way your mind thinks," Zack muttered, going up the spiral staircase. **** "Hurry up, honey," Zack said through the closed door. "We're going to be late for our dinner reservations." Relaxing with his back on the wall, he waited for Traci to come out. After they had made love twice he had suggested dining out. It still sent chills down his back to think Traci almost died and he wouldn't have been here to protect her. 148

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Nothing like that would ever happen again if he had anything to say about it. When she needed him he would be there without a second to spare. Now that he was in love everything looked brighter, food tasted better, making love was more fulfilling, and he didn't want to lose this feeling. Zack was so lost in his thought he missed Traci's bedroom door easing open. "How do I look?" she asked, standing in front of him. Zack let his gaze travel from Traci's high heels to her green dress, which molded every curve on her hot body. "You look stunning, baby," he whispered, loving how Traci's eyes brightened with pleasure. "If you're a good boy, I'll show you what I have underneath later," she promised, turning away from him. Zack had a smile on his face a mile wide until he saw the plunging back. "Stop right there," he yelled. "You can't go out in that dress." With his arms folded, he moved in front of her, blocking her path from going down the stairs. Traci laughed at him as she her soft hand in the middle of his chest. "I'm wearing the dress for you and no one else. Now we need to hit the road or we'll be late." She reached out and laced his fingers with her own. "All right," Zack agreed reluctantly because he still wasn't fond of all of that gorgeous brown skin being exposed, but he would handle it. "What do I get for going along with this?" "A dance if you're really good," Traci said, giving him a sexy smile. **** The restaurant Zack took Traci to was located inside an expensive hotel on the top floor. It was something out of a Hollywood movie with glass windows overlooking a clear lake. Crystal glasses were on the table, even the tablecloth looked classy. "How did you know about this place?" she asked after Zack had taken his seat across from her. 149


"Lee had a business dinner here a few years ago with a client and his wife. He mentioned it to me and I thought you might like it." Traci was touched by his thoughtfulness. Little gestures like this made Zack so endearing to her. "Thank you for bringing me here." Reaching across the table, he slid his fingers sensuously over her bare arm. "I get a lot of satisfaction doing things for you, baby," he stated, his gaze capturing hers. Leaning over the table, Traci planted a kiss on his lips. "I want to do something special for you." "What do you have in mind?" Sitting back down, she said, "Let me help you with this real estate deal you can't get done," Traci suggested. "I have a way with difficult people. Maybe if I talk with this lady, she'll see things differently. Sometimes a woman would rather deal with another woman instead of an overaggressive man. Do you think it's a good idea?" Zack didn't want to bring her into this mess. He could deal with the problem himself. "Traci, it's nice of you to offer, but Tyshawn and I can handle this." "I wouldn't send Tyshawn to speak to with her," Traci muttered. "Why not?" Zack replied confused. "He doesn't have the easy touch when it comes to dealing with an intelligent woman." "Has Tyshawn done something to you?" he questioned. "Something must have happened for you not to like my business partner. I thought you only met that one time in the office." "Well, he acted like I didn't have any right to be your girlfriend. I thought his head was going to explode when I said I was there to see you. Tyshawn isn't a fan of mine and it's best for you to know that." "Hell, I have never said a word about the multitude of women he's dated in the past, so he doesn't have the right to say anything about the woman I love," he hissed. 150

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A spark appeared to travel through Traci's body hearing how Zack wanted to defend her against his best friend. "Zack, let's push all this negative conversation to the back of our minds and appreciate the charm of the place." "Is that a hint you want to dance?" he asked, standing up. "I do love an intelligent man," Traci replied as he led her to the dance floor. They danced so close that others on the floor probably thought they were one. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Zack ran his hands over her bare back. "You know I can't move until I get rid of this little problem," he breathed by her ear. Tossing her head back, Traci looked up into his eyes. "I didn't tell you to get that close to my body." Moving his hands a little lower, Zack massaged her butt. "I have no control over my body when you look this appetizing." Traci moved his hands back up to the middle of her back and shook her head at him. "Keep your hands above my waist, Mr. Drace, or I'll have to leave you out here," she teased. "However, I'll let your hands travel where ever they want later on tonight at home." His palms started to sweat at the thought of spending another night in Traci's arms; it was like being in heaven. "Let's hurry up and eat, so we can get back home or better yet we can get our meal to go," he suggested with a gleam in his eyes. "Stop that. We are going to relax and stay out as long as possible, then when we get home the all night flirtation will make the sex hotter," Traci muttered, then walked off the dance floor. Coming off the dance floor behind Traci, Zack threw hard glances at men who dared to look at Traci too long. She didn't know how tempting she looked in that dress with her back exposed like that. "Why don't you order dinner while I go to the restroom?" Traci said, grabbing her purse off the chair. She winked at him and then headed off in the direction of the bathroom. **** 151


Traci was in the last bathroom stall for about two minutes when two women came in. "Can you believe he brought that woman to this place? Doesn't he have any shame?" a woman's voice carried over. "Like everyone in the place doesn't know she's a pick-up for the night," a second, heavy accented voice hissed. "I have known his family for years and I'm surprised he couldn't find a more respectable woman to bring here. This is a very upscale establishment." "If he needed to wine and dine her first, why didn't he take her to one of those places that sells fried chicken and Kool-Aid? Isn't that their drink of choice?" Traci peeked out of the stall and stole a glance at the women talking about her. She wanted to defend herself, but she kept quiet and listened. She wasn't about to fall into the image they already had of her. "My husband has been drooling all over himself at the sight of her, so tonight I guess he'll want to stay in the same bedroom with me after seeing Ms. Thang in that green dress," the first woman added. "We better go before my husband dies of a heart attack just from staring at her. You know Ralph has a bad heart." After the women left, Traci came out of the bathroom stall, mad at hell, but she knew better than to confront them in this place. Everyone would say she was an angry black woman without an ounce of sense in her head.

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Chapter Thirteen Anger raced through her body as Traci stormed out of the restroom past the two catty females several tables away from her. They grew silent when she threw them a hard look back over her shoulder. How dare they judge me or even think they know a thing about me! She was here with Zack because he loved her, not as arm candy. The urge to go back and give those hateful women a piece of her mind ate at her, however it wouldn't happen. It would only add fuel to their already low opinion of her. Now, if Cherise had been the one in the restroom and not her, nothing would have kept her sister's mouth quiet. Traci didn't want to doubt Zack's feelings for her, but why did he honestly bring her to this restaurant? They had driven past several nice places before they arrived at this one. What if some of the things those women said had an ounce of truth in them? Was she just something he wanted for a while, and after he was tired, she was out the door? Her mind was all scrambled and she didn't know how to bring this up to Zack. How could a night that started out so good turn so rotten? Finally, she made it back to the table without losing what little calmness she had left. "Traci, are you okay? It took you such a long time to come from the restroom," Zack said the second she sat back down. "I'm fine," she answered, looking at him directly in the eye. "Tell me what happened in the bathroom," he ordered. "How do you know something happened?" she asked, picking up a breadstick and taking a small bite. 153


"Because when you came out of the restroom, those women over there by the wall haven't taken their eyes off you. Furthermore, they came out of the bathroom a few minutes before you, laughing about something." He gave Traci a pointed stare and continued. "The only excuse I can come up with it they said or did something to you. What was it?" he exclaimed hotly. Tossing the bread on her plate, Traci told Zack what she overheard. "They said I was a pick-up for the night and you could do a lot better than someone like me," Traci muttered in a rush of words, trying to get the experience off her chest. Slowly, Zack stood up from the table. "Stay here. I'll be back." A light glowed in the back of his eyes that worried her. "No, Zack don't say anything," she pleaded, reaching for his arm. "Baby, just stay here and I'll be right back." Zack placed a kiss on her cheek and then moved towards the nasty women. Turning in her seat, Traci watched as Zack confronted the women at the table. She saw them look in her direction and shake their head. Zack looked back at her and then directed his focus on a man seated at the table. Frowning, the man stood up and shoved Zack away from him. Without missing a beat Zack shoved the shorter man back, knocking him over a chair. "Stay down," Zack yelled at the man as he started to get up. Jumping up from their table, she ran over to him. "Zack, it was nothing to fight over." She grabbed his arm as the man got up off the floor. "Let's just leave it alone. I don't want you to get kicked out of here." Traci noticed how everyone had stopped eating and all eyes were on them. "The hell it wasn't," he snapped, moving away from her. "I don't let anyone say anything inexcusable about you." The older man brushed off his clothes then raked his gaze over Zack. "If you want to disgrace yourself by fighting over someone like her," he hissed, looking at her with revulsion, "then that is your problem, young man. However, you won't come over here and confront my wife about anything." 154

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"Well, if she learns how to keep her ugly mouth shut and stop being jealous of a woman who's better looking than her, there won't be a problem," Zack answered stepping closer to the man. "Because if she can't, I'll just have to say a few unkind words about her, won't I?" Traci made another grab for Zack as the manager of the restaurant raced towards them with a scowl on his face. "Gentlemen, what seems to be the problem?" He slipped around her and stood between Zack and the other man. Zack responded first. "I came over to ask the man to control his wife better and he didn't like my advice." "Will someone mind telling me why your advice would cause him to hit you?" the manager questioned. "Yes, why don't you answer his question?" Zack snapped. "Honey, don't," Traci whispered, pulling on her boyfriend's arm. "I'm not hungry anymore. I'm ready to leave." "No, sweetheart. I want Judge Coronet to explain why I shoved him. I'm sure his voters want to know what kind of bigoted views he has." Traci stood beside Zack in shock. She couldn't believe all of this was happening. How did this night turn out so bad? She went on this trip to get away from these problems, not to land back into the middle of them. "Mr. Drace, I'm sure it's not as bad as you think it is," the manager interrupted, trying to keep down trouble. "Yes. It was a just a misunderstanding," Judge Coronet agreed, looking back and forth between her and Zack. "I hope Mr. Drace can forget and forgive my wife's disrespect of his lovely date. I can promise nothing like this will happen again." Traci answered before Zack could open his mouth and make things worse. "Thank you, I accept your apology." She wrapped her hand around Zack's and then dragged him away from the table. "Come on, let's go." "Mr. Drace, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience," the manager called after them. "I hope you won't hold this against Mario's." 155


"You can bet your ass that I will," Zack snapped as she took him out of the establishment, every eye in the room still on them. "I'll make sure to tell my brothers not to come here again, too." **** Twenty minutes later, Zack pulled into a drive-through and ordered dinner for him and Traci to take back to the cabin. He felt like such a bastard for taking her to a place like that. He never knew Mario's had those views about interracial couples. Did that manager truly think he was coming back after tonight? He wouldn't say anything to Traci until they got back to the cabin and were sitting in front of the fireplace. "Are you okay?" he asked, taking a barbecue sparerib out of its container and placing it on his plate. Zack waited while Traci grabbed a smaller one and placed it on hers. Licking the sauce from her fingers, she smiled at him. "Boy, I can't believe how you acted back at that place. I was so proud of you." She took a bite of her meat, then a sip of her ginger ale. "I thought you would be mad at me," he replied, stunned. "You stood up for me," Traci whispered. "Zack Drace, you might be the man I have been looking for all my life and then some." "I hope I am, because you're the woman I've been waiting for." Picking up his piece of meat, he took a bite, chewing slowly and savoring the tasty sauce. He couldn't believe Traci was sitting on the floor in that killer dress eating ribs with him. Hell, this woman was a keeper. He wanted to know everything there was about Traci Wells, and this was the perfect time to do so. For such a long time, she had been unattainable to him, like a beautiful painting in an art gallery he couldn't afford. Emotions had never been the thing that ruled his heart or mind in the past because he liked logic. Everything happened for a reason, so why get upset if you didn't get what you wanted? The next prize that came up might have your name on it. Worrying about the future or how it would affect his life always stayed at the back of his mind, and he was 156

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happy with his colorless existence until Traci went past him at the gym. "Traci, tell me more about yourself," he said, picking up a napkin to wipe the sauce for his fingers. "This trip was for us to learn more about each other. What made you want to become a nurse and not a doctor? Did you have any favorite games, books, or television shows as a child?" Silently laughing at himself, Zack watched as Traci grabbed another piece of meat and thought about his questions. The way she analyzed everything before she gave him an answer was one of her finest qualities. She didn't talk just to hear her own voice. "Honey, are you going to answer my questions?" he asked softly. Folding her legs to the side, Traci gave him a long searching look. "Hmmm…I don't think I had a very exciting childhood. But I knew everyday how much my parents loved me. I was always a daddy's girl; now, don't think I didn't love my mother because I did. "But when I did something right, my dad would get this proud look on his face that would keep me happy for days. He always gave me encouragement on every project I took on in my life. I never felt like a failure when he was around. My father loved my mother and myself as much as we loved him. "The holidays were the best time of the year because we would watch old movies and fix popcorn on Christmas Eve. You wouldn't believe how many times I tried to stay up late to see Santa Claus and every time I thought I had him beat, I would fall asleep in my daddy's lap. Then the next morning, I would wake up in my own bed with presents waiting for me downstairs. "My father kept playing Santa for me even after I went to college," she laughed fondly at the touching memory. "He would send me gifts in the mail the right before the Christmas breaks with a card and gift saying it was from Santa Claus." Moving the dress around, Traci raised her knees and rested her chin on them. "I didn't answer one of your questions, did I?" Shaking his head, Zack waited for her to continue. "My favorite 157


television show as a child was Punky Brewster and the sci-fi miniseries V. Do you feel you know enough about me now?" "I could listen to you talk for days. I love the sound of your voice, but now, yes. I think you've told me enough about you," Zack exclaimed. "After telling you my life story I only think it's fair I know about what makes you tick, Zachary Allan Drace." "Where do you want me to begin?" Zack asked, getting more comfortable on the floor. "I want you to start from the beginning, where else?" He smirked at her mouthy response. "Don't get too sassy with me or you won't get any desert," he threatened. "I'm sorry. Zack, please don't send me to bed without any desert," she murmured, looking at him with a soft look in her eyes. He ignored the blatant invitation in his girlfriend's eyes and gathered his thoughts. "Let me see. I didn't want to be a real estate developer at first. I had gone to college to become an accountant. I loved numbers when I was a kid." Traci moved closer to him until her knees touched his. "Don't stop there. I know there's something deeper you aren't telling me." He blinked a few times, then looked over at Traci. "Sorry about that. I got caught up in a memory. Six months into the classes I found out it wasn't for me, and I got really disheartened about my future until I met Jill Ross in my history class. "Jill had an air about her that captivated every guy in our class. I think even the professor had a crush on her. What the funniest thing about the whole situation was, Jill wasn't really pretty by a long shot," he laughed. "She reminded everyone of Pippi Longstocking. It was her intelligence that made her so sexy." Zack took sip of his bourbon and noticed that Traci's hadn't taken her eyes off of him. He had never been the center of attention like this with other women. He hated to admit it, but he was enjoying it. 158

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"Well, one day she needed a ride to the building her brother was working and I was going the same way, so I gave her a lift. All the way there, all she talked about was how her brother Todd was this successful real estate developer, and when she graduated he had a job lined up for her at his office." "At that time I thought she was just bragging to impress me, but after meeting Todd and hearing him talk about his business I wanted to know more." Zack knew he wouldn't be where he wastoday if it hadn't been for Todd. "He gave me a summer job as his assistant and I found my calling. Watching him buy buildings, then turn them into masterpieces amazed me. The next day, I changed my major and, as the old saying goes, the rest is history." Totally engrossed by his story, Traci tapped her fingers against his knee. "You can't stop right there. Whatever happened to Jill and Todd?" Stroking his chin, he regarded Traci carefully, wondering should he tell her the rest. "Jill and I started dating toward the middle of our sophomore year in college. Two days after graduation we got married," he informed her. "You're married!" Jumping up from the floor, Traci tried to rush past him, but he halted her escape with a firm hand on her arm. "Stop, you need to let me finish," he begged. He took hold of her hand, pulling her back down on the floor beside him. Jerking her hand back, Traci glared at him. "Are you saying I've been sleeping with a married man?" she replied hotly. "Jill and I aren't married anymore. We didn't stay married that long," he said in a harsh voice. "It became pretty clear fast we weren't meant to be a couple. We got the marriage annulled, Traci." Rubbing her arms, he slowly eased her to his chest where his open shirt revealed a muscular chest covered with crisp, brown hair. Taking her hand, he opened her fingers, pressing them over his heart. "Don't you feel how my heart pounds with every breath 159


I take for you? I love you, Traci. You wanted to know about my past. Don't get upset if they weren't the answers you wanted." Traci leaned back from him, but he noticed her hand stayed on his chest. "Were you ever going to tell me you had been married before? Do you still keep in contact with her?" With a deep tone to his voice, Zack pressed Traci back to him chest and answered her. "I haven't spoken to Jill in years and the last time I heard, Todd was living in Canada now with his second wife. They helped me become what I am. But, baby, with your love, I can become so much more." Traci took a quick sharp breath. "I'm pleased you shared that part of yourself with me. You married young and ended it quickly before anyone got hurt, and I admire that quality in you. How did your brothers feel about you getting married so young?" He remembered the facts like it was yesterday. "Lee hit me. Richard didn't speak to me for days and Brad couldn't stop laughing. They thought I was crazy for marrying Jill because she helped me find my career, and I hate to say they were right. I wanted to find a way to thank her, so I married her." "My mind is still having a hard time grasping all this. You were married right out of college to a woman you didn't love but liked a lot, then got a divorce after six months of marriage. Do you have any children with Jill?" "No, we don't have any children together," he answered, brushing her hair away from her face. "I wouldn't have kept something that important from you." Pushing her body from his, Traci stood up, moving to look out the window at the lake. "You didn't tell me you had an exwife." Zack didn't like being on this end of all her questions. Traci hadn't told him everything about her past, either. He didn't know what the big deal was with James and why her sister couldn't stand him. "I could say the same thing about you, sweetheart," he accused, standing up. "What are you talking about?" she asked without turning around. 160

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"James, and the reason your sister can't stand him. You won't tell me what happened between the two of you that caused your breakup."

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Chapter Fourteen "James and I grew up together. Our parents had been friends since we were six years old. We went on family trips every summer," she said softly. "They had our wedding planned the moment we hit high school and started dating each other. For the longest time I only saw James as a brother until he kissed me after one of his football games, and things changed. He became a different person in my eyes. "I was so into him that I applied to the same college as him and got accepted. By then my dad was getting sick and my mother had died the year before from cancer. My sister was making plans to get a bigger place, so I would have a place to live if I wanted to." Traci still couldn't believe how much Cherise gave up to help her. "The first time my sister met James, she didn't like him and told me this the moment he left the house. I thought she was jealous because I had a gorgeous boyfriend and she didn't. I told her that I didn't need her help and moved in with James. We lived off campus to save money. "All while this was going on, my dad died, causing me to act out even more against my sister. But she still didn't stop coming by the house telling me to leave James, because she didn't trust him," she whispered, still hurt by all the problems she had caused Cherise. Zack stood behind her, giving her the moral support to continue. "All she ever said over and over was how he had lying eyes. A man who couldn't look you straight in the eyes couldn't be trusted." 162

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Traci shivered as the fire grew low in the fireplace. Rubbing her now-cold body, she tried to block out all the bad memories coming to the surface, "See, I didn't want to believe a sister I had only known for a few years over a man I had known forever. I told her to get out of our house and never come back." "Later that night, James came home late upset about his education." With a harsh laugh, Traci could see he had planned that night for a long time and she was too dumb to see it coming. "What went on, Traci?" Zack asked. "We both were going to college to become doctors and money was very tight. My dad had left me some money for college. James' parents weren't good at saving money, causing him to take out loans and work two jobs to pay for his education. "Well, he suggested since we were in love and would always be together that I should taking nursing classes instead. With the extra money I would have from the less expensive classes, he could use that money to pay for his classes. "Then after we got married, I could finish up my college courses to become a doctor. He knew I was having a hard time with some of the anatomy classes and it seemed like the perfect idea to me. "I put his name on my checking account, so he could pay for the extra classes with the money." Traci still felt so stupid about how she let James use her all those years ago. "James stayed with me until he got his degree, and then he broke up with me on graduation night. He had some flimsy excuse about how things weren't working out between us. He packed his bags and left town for a job. I didn't even know he had been applying for out-of-state jobs." She wondered how she could have lived in the same house with James for that long and truly not known what he had been doing. Had she been that blinded by love, or was it the satisfaction of defying Cherise that had made her stay? "I stayed hidden away for a week until my sister came looking for me. One of my friends called and told her about what 163


James had done to me. Can you believe she took me back to her house without complaining or pointing the finger at me? "All she said was James wasn't worth crying over and I needed to move on with my life. She had always hated James. I should have listened to her—if I had I would be a doctor right now." Zack opened his arms and she walked straight into them, pressing her face to his chest. His body warmth eased into hers, erasing some of the old pain from her heart. "Baby, I have a question for you. If James was such a bastard to you, how could you go out to dinner with him or work with him now?" Resting her head back on his chest, she answered him. "Zack, if I still hold a grudge against him, I haven't moved on from the past. It was much my fault as it was his. I have to work with him and it goes a lot better without any animosity between us." "Have you thought about going back to college to finish up the classes to become a doctor?" Zack asked, massaging the middle of her back with his strong fingers. "I don't think I could handle it now. Back then I was filled with such hopes and dreams for the future. Anyway, I'm delighted to be a nurse now." Placing a finger under her chin, Zack tilted her face up to his. "Baby, don't let him still destroy your dreams. You're still young enough to take those classes. Please think about it." "You're sounding like my sister now; she even wants to pay for them, if I decide to go back." "I agree with her," Zack muttered, tracing her cheek with one of his fingers. "Do you know how this glow comes into your eyes everything you mention the word doctor? Traci, I think you need to go for you dreams," he insisted affectionately. She really had been thinking about going back to college the last few months. Even more so now that James had come back to the hospital—it was like a knife in the heart calling him Doctor, knowing it should be her instead of him. 164

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"How about I think about it more? If I go back to college, it might have to be weekends and some night classes. Are you ready to handle that separation?" "Darling, I'll help you study for each and every test if you do this. Loving another person is helping them achieve any dream that they are reaching for." "Zack, you're such an amazing man," she sighed, kissing her man on the mouth. "I became that way after I started dating you. How about we go upstairs to celebrate your decision to go back to college?" He swept her up into his arms. Pulling his head down to hers for a tongue dueling kiss, she said, "I do have to start learning about the human body from somewhere, don't I?" **** Hours later, Traci laid in Zack arms, elated about going back to med school, because she really didn't need that many more classes to become a doctor. She loved being a nurse, but becoming a doctor had always been her dream. Cherise wouldn't believe she was going back to college. At the thought of her authoritarian sister, Traci did get a little sad. The holidays were coming up and she wanted to spend them with her sister, but not if her sister wasn't going to accept Zack as a part of her life. Her favorite holidays were Thanksgiving and Christmas because they were the times families got together and showed their love for each other. It wasn't about pointing fingers at each other, saying how your life was going to be ruined because of your boyfriend. Would this actually be the first holiday season she wouldn't spend with her sister? It pained her to think so. Cherise didn't have many close girlfriends, which meant she would stay at home alone. When she got back home, Traci decided to try one last time to talk some sense into her. However, there were still a few days left on her vacation with Zack. She wanted to take pleasure from being with her man. 165


Rolling on her side, Traci placed Zack's arm over her bare waist, nestling closer to his body and falling to sleep with his big, warm, comforting body behind her. **** "This is our last night here at the cabin. What do you want to do?" Zack asked as he rubbed Traci's thigh inside the Jacuzzi. Traci opened one eye and stared over at him. "I thought you were supposed to keep me entertained, not the other way around," she replied and then closed her eyes. "Well, we could always make out," he suggested, easing his hand up to cup her breast. "I have never made love underneath the stars," she sighed, looking at him. "Hey, I can fix that problem right now," he growled, moving to cover Traci's wet body with his. "Zack, are you out there?" a male voice yelled from inside, disturbing his romantic intercourse. What in the hell? Zack was stunned to hear Lee's voice since his brother hated coming out to the cabin. Why in the hell was Lee bothering him on his vacation with Traci? "Yeah, I'm outside. Don't come to me, I'll come to you," he yelled, getting out. "Wait and I'll come with you," Traci said, standing up in the water. He glanced at the revealing, two-piece pink bikini he had brought for her this morning. He loved his brother, but he didn't want Lee seeing Traci exposed like this. Walking over to the chair, he grabbed Traci's robe and then placed it beside the Jacuzzi, "Please put this on before you come into the house. I don't want my brother seeing how sexy you look. I don't know why he's here, but it must be important." He kissed her quickly on the lips. "Don't stay out here. I want you to come inside the house after you put on the robe." Rising up, he moved into the house to see what Lee wanted. Zack found Lee waiting for him in the living room. "Okay...I know you aren't here for nothing. So it must be pretty 166

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important for you not to call me and instead come all this way to ruin my last night with Traci." "Sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen," Lee quickly apologized, "but I thought you needed to know about this. The buyers of the other buildings want the antique shop by the end of next month. If they don't get it the deal is off." "What?" Zack cried shocked. That wasn't the deal he agreed to. "I had until her lease was up which was the first week of December." Lee nodded in agreement. "I know, but they want to her place now. I talked them into waiting until the end of next month. You need to find a way to talk Ms. Roberts out of that shop or you'll be in a lot of trouble." "Hell, I need to leave tonight," Zack shot back at his brother. "Traci isn't going to be happy." "Traci isn't going to happy about what?" she asked from the doorway, tying the robe over her body. "Hello, Lee," Traci said, looking between the two brothers and noticing the tension in the room. "Baby, I need to leave tonight," Zack said, pissed that their getaway had to end earlier than he wanted. "Why?" she questioned, shooting Lee a hard look. "A business deal is about to fall apart and I need to save it or I'll be in a lot of financial trouble." "This is our last night here," Traci whispered, coming across the room to place her hand on his chest. "I know, and I'll make it up to you once we get back to Houston," he promised. Zack waited while Traci made up her mind. He couldn't stay if she wanted to, but he didn't want to demand that she come back with him. He wanted to give her a chance to answer him. "I'll go upstairs and pack." Zack watched Traci toss Lee another hard look before she went up the staircase. "Call and tell Tyshawn I want him at the office and I'll be there as soon as possible," he told his brother as he watched Traci round the corner to their bedroom. 167


"Sorry I pissed off Traci," Lee apologized before he left. Locking the door behind his brother, Zack took the stairs two at a time. He needed to get back home so he could save his business.

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Chapter Fifteen "Hi," Traci whispered from the doorway of her sister's shop. She had been trying to talk to Cherise for about a week now, but her sister wasn't returning her phone calls. Traci didn't like this distance between them because she loved her older sister. Cherise glanced up from the paper work on her desk, but didn't say a word back. "Cherise, you can't stay mad at me forever because of my boyfriend." Easing further into the room, Traci stopped in front of her sister's redwood desk. "I know you aren't pleased with my decision; however, you can't erase the fact that I'm your sister," she rushed on, hoping to make Cherise understand her feelings for Zack. "He's really a wonderful guy and I want you to meet him." Traci tossed her purse on top of the desk. "Would you agree to meet with him in a neutral place?" Cherise looked at her with a mingled expression of disbelief and anger. "No, I don't have time to meet your boyfriend. Not when this damn real estate developer is still trying to take my business from me," her sister snapped back. "Have you even asked how I have been doing the last two weeks while you were gone off with him?" The question hung in the air between them. "I have been fighting off people from left to right about this spot. Every other owner has sold out but me, and now I was just told I have til the end of next month to make up my mind or else." Traci watched fear come into her sister's eyes and felt bad for all the wonderful things that were going on in her life. "What 169


am I going to do if I lose this place?" Cherise asked her as she massaged her left temple. She was pissed at the developer trying to ruin her sister's life. How could this guy want to take this place from Cherise? She loved working here, although she had a marketing degree and could leave this place anytime she wanted to. The antique shop had become a place for her sister to work and unwind over the years. "Isn't there a way of saving Cherise's Antiques'?" "I have thought of everything imaginable and it won't work. It's a lost cause. I'm going to have a going out of business sale and give in to his demands," Cherise muttered, defeated. Traci slammed her hand down on the desk, making her sister flinch. "No, you won't either," she hissed at her sister. "You're not a quitter and you won't start now. I know I haven't been here much lately these last couple of months, but all that is about to change. I'll figure a way to help you out after I sign up for my college classes." "Why are you going back to college?" Cherise asked. Grinning, she took a seat by the side of her sister's desk. "I wanted to surprise you with this news over dinner, but now is as good a time as any. The boyfriend that you hate talked me into going back to college for my doctorate." Screaming, Cherise vaulted out of the seat and wrapped her up in a tight hug. "Are you going to do this, Traci?" "Yes, I want to back to college." "Oh, baby sister, I'm so proud of you," Cherise cried, hugging her harder. "When does your first class start?" "I have to sign up, pay for the books, and then I can start." Cherise let go of her, went over to her purse, and pulled a checkbook. "How much do you need?" Traci stuck her hand up, holding off the check she knew she sister was about to give her. "I can't take money from you, not while you're going through all these problems." Sighing, Cherise quickly wrote out a check and waved it under her nose. "Listen, I don't want you worrying about me. I always land on my feet. Now take this money because I want a 170

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doctor in the family." Her sister tossed the check down on the desk and placed the checkbook back inside her purse. Picking it up off the desk, Traci's eyes grew wide at the amount staring back at her. "This is way too much money for me." She shoved the check back at her sister. "Take the money," Cherise exclaimed, handing her the check again. "I can't believe this boyfriend of yours wanted you to further your education. How did he even know about you wanting to be a doctor?" "We are in love with each other, and when you're in love you share your hopes and dreams with the other person. Does this mean you want to meet him?" Traci asked with hope in her voice. Cherise would love Zack after she met him. "I'm not making any promises, but after I get the antique shop business taken care of, I'll think about meeting him." Traci knew to leave it alone. It had taken a lot for Cherise to even consider meeting Zack, so she would take what she could get. "Thanks for taking time to talk with me, I'll call you later." She gave Cherise a small smile then headed out the door excited about signing up for college classes and that her sister might actually meet Zack. **** Lee started to get out of car, but eased back in when he saw Traci coming out of the antique shop. "How does she know Cherise Roberts? Maybe she was just looking for something." Staying in the car, he watched Traci walk to her car about three cars away. Traci was about to get in her car when Cherise ran out of the antique shop toward her. Quickly picking up a magazine on the front seat, he quickly covered up his face and pressed the down level for his window. He had to know what they were saying to each other. "Wait, Traci," Cherise yelled stopping in front of Traci's car.

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"Did I forget something?" Traci asked. She tossed her purse on the passenger side and slid behind the steering wheel, closing the door behind her. Cherise gave her head a small shake. "Pick any day you want and I'll meet this new boyfriend of yours and I promise to keep an open mind." "Are you sure?" Traci exclaimed, looking shocked. "Yes…I don't want to lose the closeness we gained over the last eleven years. So if he means something to you I have to see who he is," Cherise replied with what looked like a forced smile. "Cherise, you're a wonderful sister. I'll check with him and call you back with a day and time, okay?" Traci grinned. "Fine with me," Cherise answered before going back into the shop. The magazine fell silently into Lee's lap as he watched Traci drive off and Cherise head back into her shop. What in the hell was he supposed to do with this new information? Traci Wells and Cherise Roberts were sisters! How in the hell would he tell Zack about this? Traci's sister was Cherise Roberts the woman whose shop he wanted to buy. Did he just keep his mouth closed and let it play out on its own? Lee quickly started his car and pulled out the parking lot. He couldn't let Cherise find him sitting there. **** "Guess what?" Traci yelled, running into Zack's office. Looking up, he tossed his pen down. "It must be something important to put that look on your beautiful face." Pushing out his chair, he opened his arms so Traci could sit on his lap. "My sister wants to meet you," she said, throwing her purse down on his desk and then wrapped her arms around his neck. Zack eased back from Traci and stared at her like she was having a breakdown. He couldn't believe the words coming out of his girlfriend's mouth. "Is this the same sister who thinks I'm ruining your life and wanted you to dump me as soon as possible? Does she any have big male friends who are waiting to jump me when I leave here today?" 172

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Traci punched him hard in the chest. "Stop that, she's really trying to make an effort here. Didn't I meet your brothers and everything turned out okay? Have the same faith in my sister." Zack didn't have a good feeling about coming face to face with Traci's older sister. For some reason, the hair on the back of his neck stood up. That was a sign that things weren't going to be good at all. "When does she want us to meet?" "I told her we would discuss it and let her know, but I think it would be best if it was after this business deal of hers is over. She's too stressed right now." He liked that Traci still wanted to wait a while before she introduced him to her sister. It would give him more time to deepen their love. "Well, I do want to close my deal before I have to use my charm to sell myself to your big sister," he teased. Traci slid off his lap and stood next to him. "After she gets to know you, she'll like you, baby." Enough to let me marry her precious baby sister and not try to stop me, I hope, Zack thought. He had been running the idea of popping the question in his head since coming back from their trip. Traci was everything he was looking for in a wife. They didn't have to get married instantly. He wasn't against a long engagement. However, he wanted a ring on her finger to show she was off limits to any other man. But he didn't think Traci was ready for him to ask the all-important question. If he won over this sister of hers without too many problems, maybe he would give her a ring. Zack had never had anyone dislike him without meeting him first. He really hoped Traci was right and her sister wouldn't hate him on sight. "Honey, I'm so happy to see you, but is there another reason you came to see me at work?" "Well," Traci paused, looking at him sweetly. "I was wondering how you would like to attend a Halloween party at Eva's house with me tomorrow night." 173


He wasn't a partygoer, especially on a night like Halloween. "No, I don't want to go." He was too damn old to be getting dressed up in a costume. Folding her arms under her breasts, Traci narrowed her eyes at him. "Why not?" "I don't like parties," he stated, not backing down at her look. "You can go to this with me, Zack," Traci argued. "I have done several things with you and I didn't want to," she continued heatedly. "I participate in your interests but mine mean nothing to you, Zack." Opening her purse, she tossed the directions to Eva's house on his desk. "I'm going to the costume party with or without you. If you decide you want to participate in my life, there's the directions and time for the party on your desk." Traci hurdled at him then stormed toward his office door. Zack flinched at the sound of the door slamming behind her. **** The next night, Traci stood in the middle of the party dressed as naughty nurse wearing a short white uniform, white heels with fishnet stockings, and three buttons undone, showing off a huge amount of cleavage. "You look amazing in that outfit," Eva told her for the third time that night. "I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the door and saw you." Traci grinned at her friend. "I did want everyone to stop in their tracks when I entered the room tonight," she confessed in a low whisper. She was craving some attention from somewhere since Zack decided to stand her up tonight. She didn't want to admit how hurt she was by his no-show. "Well, everyone did stop, and James hasn't taken his eyes off of you," Eva stated, staring over her head as Monster Mash played in the background. "Hell, he better keep away from me," Traci hissed, taking a sip of her clear bubbly soda. 174

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"What? Why? I thought you were friends with James now," Eva questioned, shocked. "I was nice to him when he came back to town because I don't believe in hating anyone, but it doesn't mean I want him flirting with me. We aren't ever going to get back together." "Zack isn't coming, is he?" Traci hated how perceptive her friend was. "I've done so many things with him because I wanted to know him better, and the first time I requested something he said no. Isn't a relationship about taking part in the other person's interests or going places you may not want to? Hell, I thought I would hate the trip we took to the cabin, but after I got there I had a wonderful time." Traci kept her anger in check at Zack's indifference to her wants and needs. "Hey, don't let the jerk ruin your night, sweetie," Eva said, bumping her hip against hers. "Why don't you go dance with someone and push Zack to the back of your mind? This is a party and you aren't partying like you should. Hell, I'm looking for someone to dance with myself right now." She watched Eva look around until her eyes landed on James. Traci knew what Eva's question was going to be even before she asked it. "Do you care if I dance with the delicious James?" Traci waved her hand in James' direction. She didn't care if Eva danced with her ex-boyfriend. "Damn, girl, go for it if you want to." "Thanks," Eva grinned, sliding past her towards James. She turned and started for the kitchen to see what kind of snacks Eva had when a hand tapped her on the shoulder. Preparing to blow off another dance invitation, she spun around with a quick reply on her lips until she saw Brad standing behind her wearing a Prince Charming outfit. "Brad, what are you doing here?" she asked. "I was invited by a woman I give tennis lessons to. She's friends with one of the doctors at the hospital. She's over there 175


talking to the man wearing the prison guard uniform." Brad pointed to the far side of the room. Looking through the crowd, Traci spotted a very pretty African-American woman who looked several years younger than Brad. From the way he was looking at her, he wanted to do more than give her tennis lessons. "Does she know you're in love with her?" Brad's gaze swung down to hers. "How did you know that?" "I know what a person in love looks like," she informed him, placing her drink on a tray when a server passed by. "I didn't see Zack here," Brad said. "You won't because he didn't want to come." "Hey, will you dance with me?" "You don't have to pity me, Brad." Brad gave a small shake of his head and flashed a grin that highlighted the gold flecks in his eyes. "I'm doing it for selfish reasons," he admitted, taking a quick look at his date. "Oh, you want to make her jealous," Traci giggled wickedly. "Are you game?" Brad asked, wagging his eyebrows. "Take me to the dance floor," she said, holding out her hand. Leading her out to the dance floor, Brad pulled her into his arms. "You know my brother does have deep feelings for you," he said, searching her eyes. Traci knew that Brad was trying to help his brother out by dancing with her and telling her this, but it only made him look worse in her eyes. If Zack had such deep feelings for her and loved her so much, why couldn't he come here tonight with her? "Zack's feelings aren't that deep if he couldn't come to this Halloween party with me. Doesn't he know this is our first big holiday as a couple?" she asked. "Zack is so different from the rest of my brothers. He's more of the planner and the thinker. He doesn't like anyone to see him sweat or lose at anything," Brad informed her, giving her another layer of the man she had fallen in love with. 176

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"When my brother does a business deal or anything else in his life, it's for keeps," he added. "Thanks for telling me that piece of information. So I guess he wasn't interested in me for keeps, was he?" Taking a quick look to the left, Traci spotted Brad's date giving them a hateful look. "Brad, I don't think your date is pleased to see you dancing with me." As he was about to look, she touched the side of his face. "Don't look at her or you'll ruin the set-up. Now bend down like you're whispering in my ear and I'll laugh." Brad's grin lit up his already gorgeous face. "You're too smart, Traci." Bending down, Brad was about to whisper in her ear when a hand reached out and jerked him way from her body. "Brad, what in the hell do you think you're doing with Traci?" Zack yelled, letting go of his brother's arm. "Zack, I was just dancing with her," Brad replied, moving closer to her and away from the murderous look on his older brother's face. "I don't call that dancing," Zack growled. Traci quickly stepped in between Zack and Brad before something bad happened. Turning her back to Zack, she looked up at Brad. "Thank you so much for the dance, but why don't you go back to your date before this gets out of hand?" "Are you sure?" Brad asked, glancing over her shoulder at his brother. "I wouldn't ever hurt Traci," Zack snapped behind her. "I'll be okay," she insisted, touching Brad's arm and ignoring Zack's low growl behind her. Brad touched her on the arm and then went back to his date, but halfway there he did stop to look back at her. Smiling at him, she waved and he returned the gesture, then went back to his date. "So, you finally decided to show up," she muttered, moving away from Zack. "I had a hard time finding a costume at the last minute," Zack answered. 177


He followed behind her until she came to a little side room. She waited for him to enter before closing the door, then she moved to stand in the center of the room. Traci had to admit she was impressed with the pirate outfit he had chosen. In the right light, he could almost pass for the real thing. However, she wasn't going to be the one who apologized for this fight because it wasn't her fault. Zack wasn't putting enough effort into showing her how he felt about them. God, she had taken on her sister for their love and he acted like he didn't even care when she told him. She had already been in one relationship where she had done everything and Zack knew about this. She wasn't going to let it happen to her again. "Why did you come?" she sighed, feeling a headache coming on. "As you could tell, I was having a good time without you." Zack's strong hands wrapped around her upper arms and yanked her against his chest. "I won't let Brad have you. You can't dump me for my brother." Traci twisted her body away from Zack and took a step back. "Boy, I didn't say a word about dating your brother." Does he really think I would jump from one brother to the other? "Traci, I'm trying to make up for being a jerk earlier," Zack said, taking a step toward her. "I didn't realize how I wasn't being an equal part of this relationship. Can't you forget about bad Zack?" he asked. "Good-loving Zack is back and ready to prove his how sorry he is. "I'm sorry I wasn't here with you. I shouldn't think my job is more important than you. How about I promise not to blow off another event you want to do again? You deserve romance and I haven't been giving it to you. I thought about our argument all the way over here. Traci, I know I have been focusing a lot about this business deal lately and I'm sorry. You've every right to feel hurt," Zack said, taking another small step towards Traci. "All I do is talk about how my job is going I seldom ask about your day. I want to change this," he continued, easing even 178

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closer. "How about I try to take a back seat and allow you to plan a romantic moment for us?" Traci just stared at him and didn't say a word. "Baby, I haven't been letting you know how much I love, appreciate, and respect you since the trip back from the cabin." Zack stopped moving until he was within arm's reach of her. "Can't we enjoy the rest of the night?" "James always said those same words to me when he had done something wrong," Traci muttered, moving around him toward the door. "I can't let myself get involved in another giveand-take commitment again, Zack. What I mean by that is I give my all and you take it. It isn't healthy for either one of us. We should end things before my feelings get more entwined." Traci stood at the door and stared back at Zack, wishing things could be different. "I hope you find the woman you're looking for Zack." She opened the door and stormed out, ignoring him as he screamed her name.

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Chapter Sixteen "I still can't believe you broke up with Zack," Eva said as she strolled with Traci down the hospital hallway a week after the Halloween party. "He's so in love with you." Traci didn't want to discuss Zack. It was hard resisting all the attention he was throwing her way now. "Let's not talk about him," Traci sighed. "I don't think you gave him a fair chance at the party. It shouldn't matter he showed up an hour late, but that he showed up at all," Eva exclaimed. "Don't tell me you don't want to hear his name. I know. But, I still think you should return some of his phone calls." "No, I won't let myself become involved with another James." Eva eyes widened at her comment. "Traci, Zack is a good guy. He isn't like James in the least. Why in the hell would you say that? From what you told me about your past with James, he was never there for you." Traci was suddenly anxious to escape for all of Eva's proZack talk, because if she didn't Eva was going to wear her down into calling him back. She was uncomfortable with the fact that Eva was speaking the truth. "Wasn't Zack going to take on your sister and his brothers for you? Didn't he take you to a place he considered private?" Eva asked. "Stop trying to sell him to me," Traci mumbled. "I can't let Zack take anymore of me than he already has. Please be a good friend and do as I ask. Don't mention his name to me again." "Sure, I'll erase his name from my memory." 180

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The sound of Eva's name being called over the intercom drew their attention. "I better go and take that call. It's probably about the new apartment I'm trying to rent." Eva gave Traci a quick hug and hurried to the phone at the end of the hall. "I wish I could erase the love I still have for him from my memory," Traci said with a sad whisper. **** The three Drace brothers watched Zack take his place at the weekly dinner, which he hadn't been to in a while. "What are you doing here?" Richard asked. "Shouldn't you be having dinner with Traci?" Zack didn't answer Richard, but only piled more food on his plate. This was one of those rare occasions that he wished he was an only child, or that his brothers weren't so damn nosy. It did get bothersome that they were always butting into his business. Didn't they have lives of their own? "Zack, is everything okay with you and Traci?" Lee asked. "No," he snapped angrily. "She broke up with me over a week ago." After his plate was full, he sat down at the table beside Brad and wished again for once in his life that his brothers wouldn't ask him so many personal questions. "When did this happen?" Brad asked. Hell, he knew it was too good to be true. "The night I caught you dancing with her at Eva's," he growled at his younger brother. Brad slowly lay his fork down on the table. "Hey, if you're saying I had anything to do with her decision, you're out of your mind. The only thing we did was dance." "Something more had to have happened, because Traci doesn't think I show her enough respect," he snapped at Brad. Zack remembered how happy Brad looked with his girlfriend on the dance floor. "Did you ever think maybe she could be right?" Brad asked, looking at him directly in the eyes. "All we hear about is how you need to win this business deal or else. How often have you come over here and told us how Traci was doing? Or told us 181


about what was going on in her life? Traci is a gorgeous woman and if you aren't man enough to respect her, I'm sure another guy will." "You little bastard," Zack hissed. "You don't know anything about how I feel about Traci." "You're right. None of us do because you're always focused on yourself," Brad muttered, unfazed by the outburst. "I know you love Traci, but it takes more than flowers and one romantic getaway to express love, Zack." Brad pushed his chair back from the table and stood up. "I think I better go. I hope the rest of you enjoy your dinner." Zack turned his attention to his two remaining brothers. "Do you agree with him?" With a long, exhausted sigh, he waited for either one of them to say something. It didn't matter what it was, he just wanted to hear their opinions. Had he made the biggest mistake of his life by letting Traci walk out on him? "Zack, Brad's comments weren't about you at all," Lee told him. "I think he has his own personal problems going on. "But, I do agree with him on some points. You don't give Traci the time she needs," Richard added. "When was the last time you didn't work late or pick her up late for a date?" Zack wanted to deny what Richard was saying to him, but he couldn't—everything Brad and Richard said to him was true. He wasn't the best boyfriend in the world, and because of that Traci might be gone from his life. "Do you agree with Brad and Richard, too?" he asked Lee. Lee leaned back in his chair and with a clear voice said, "You brought Traci over here like a showpiece months ago, and she hasn't been back since. Was it because you loved her or you wanted to show off how beautiful she was? Zack, I can't say I know how you feel about Traci, but if you don't make up your mind, I agree with Brad; another man will take her from you. "Traci still loves you, but I think she's waiting for you to prove how much you want this relationship with her. It's already hard enough for the both of you having such stressful careers," Lee continued. "But not having the man you love share in your 182

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thoughts and feelings must be devastating. If the two of you can get through this hurdle, I know nothing else will stand in your way." "I agree," Richard said. Zack dropped his head into his hands. "I didn't know I had been so selfish. I really thought I was giving Traci everything she wanted." "See, you can't think about what Traci wants. You need to ask what she needs and try your best to give it to her," Richard said. "How did you become such an expert on the way a woman's heart works?" Zack asked, taking a quick look at his brother. Richard replied, "I just know, okay?" He knew more was going on with Richard, and he would ask his brother about it when Lee wasn't around. He would bet money it involved Dawn Summers. "I guess I better go home and process what my knowledgeable brothers have told me," Zack muttered, standing up and heading for the door. "Let's us know how things turn out," Lee yelled after him. **** Taking off her jacket, Traci tossed it over her shoulder the second she stepped outside the hospital doors. Opening her purse, she dug inside for her car keys. She was running late for her dinner with Cherise. She kept digging until she felt them at the very bottom of her cluttered handbag. Wrapping her hand around them, Traci hurried to her car at the end of the dark parking lot. She was unlocking her car door when a hand touched the middle of her back. Screaming, she spun around. "Zack, you scared the hell out of me," she hissed, placing a shaky hand over her pounding heart. "What are you doing out here this late?" Zack stood a step back from her and slid his hands into the front pockets of his slacks. "I knew you wouldn't talk to me 183


inside the hospital, so I talked Eva into telling me what time you got off." Traci gave Zack a long look before she got inside her car. "I'm late for dinner with my sister. I can't talk to you right now." "Please, can't you give me five minutes?" Zack asked. Closing the door, Traci looked into eyes that brimmed with tenderness and passion. It made her want to hear him. Nervously, she moistened her dry lips. "I don't have to work tomorrow." "Wonderful. I'll pick you up around six o'clock if that's okay with you," he said. His brows drew together in an agonized expression as he waited for her answer. Traci kept her features composed. "Yes, six o'clock is fine with me." She didn't want to enjoy how Zack's face brightened at her positive response. "Traci, you've made my night. Have fun with your sister tonight, sweetheart." He gave her a wink, then moved away from her. Traci stared in her rearview window until Zack got inside his car and drove away. She sat there in the parking lot a while after he'd left, wondering what would happen on her date tomorrow. Dinner tonight with her sister wasn't something she wanted to do, but she promised to be there and would, so she started her car and drove off. **** "Baby sis, why are you so quiet?" Cherise questioned, taking a sip of her coffee. Traci knew Cherise wouldn't understand her problems with Zack. Why bother saying anything? "It's something I have to work out on my own." "Traci, I'm your sister. Tell me what has you so upset." Cherise's face looked so sincere that she broke down and told her sister what was going on. "Zack and I are having problems. I split up with him last week." "Oh, sweetie, what happened?" her sister asked as she reached over and placed her hand on top of hers. 184

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"Why are you being so nice?" Traci asked softly, her eyes narrowing on her sister's face. Cherise was being way too understanding about her breakup with Zack. Honestly, she thought Cherise would be jumping for joy that she ended things with Zack. "Traci, you're my family. I want you to be happy, even if it's with Zack." "I can't believe this is you," Traci replied, astounded. Who is this woman and where is my sister? "I'm trying to make an effort here. Will you please go with it?" Cherise groaned, removing her hand. Traci was still in awe that she was sitting down talking to her sister about Zack, but she was going to take it. "I told Zack I didn't think he appreciated me enough and took what we had for granted. He never asks me how I'm doing anymore or if my day at work was hard." She still felt a little of the sting how Zack focused so much on his new business deal instead of her. "I'll go see him at work at least three or four times a week, and he's only been to the hospital once to see me. Does that sound like a man in love to you?" Cherise stared at her for a while before she finally answered her question. "Didn't he take you on that trip last month?" "Yeah, because he needed a break from work and I was on vacation, so he took me along with him," Traci said. How could she have ever thought that trip was for her? The second a problem came up at work Zack was out the door. Shaking her head, Cherise continued, "Wasn't he the one that threatened James to give you the time off?" "Yeah, but it for his benefit not mine," she muttered under her breath. "Explain what you mean by that," Cherise said, reaching for her coffee. She watched her sister take a sip then place the cup back on the table.

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"He's more like James than I wanted to see," Traci complained to Cherise. "He wanted the attention on him, not me. How can I allow myself to stay with a man like him?" "Traci, I think you're wrong," Cherise disagreed. "I haven't met your boyfriend yet, but from everything you have said up to now, this man is totally in love with you. Don't make the mistake of trying to avoid another James keep you from staying with the one you're meant to. Men are like cats; they like to be stroked. So stroke his ego every now and again. You know I'm all about a woman being independent and not needing a man to support her, and look where it's gotten me, alone every weekend. Don't become like me. I want you to be happy and if Zack can do it, go for it." Traci was puzzled by her sister's abrupt change in her opinion about Zack. "Are you saying I should give him another chance? "Yes, I am." "Are you really my sister?" Traci questioned, touching Cherise on the arm. "Stop acting silly and go find your man," Cherise laughed, shaking off her touch. "We have a date tomorrow night," Traci said. She didn't want to leave her sister alone on a Friday night. "Girl, don't wait that long to be with your man. Go find him tonight and have your way with him," Cherise advised with a grin and wink. Traci's mouth fell open and she closed it quickly. She couldn't believe her sister just said that to her. "No…we are going to have a long talk before we have sex again." She wasn't going to make the mistake of falling into bed with him again that soon. "Do what you have to, but if you think he's really the one, don't let him go," Cherise told her one last time before she left the house. **** 186

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Traci lay in her bed later that night and did a lot of soul searching. Was she really the one scared of having more of a commitment with Zack? He wasn't the horrible boyfriend she was making him out to be at all. Eva and Cherise were right. Zack did love her more than James had. His voice had such love in it tonight when he spoke to her outside the hospital. Zack looked like he hadn't slept in days. She knew sleeping at night was harder for her now, too. Her brain was in pandemonium trying to figure out why she picked this fight with him. She knew she loved him with all her heart, but something wasn't right. Hopefully, after their date tomorrow, it would be much clearer to her. Slowly her body relaxed and Traci drifted off to sleep.

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Chapter Seventeen "You're so sexy," Lee whispered to the woman in front of him. He wasn't about to give up until Cherise Roberts agreed to go out with him. She looked so good this morning and the warm scent of her perfume was doing something to his insides. Cherise brushed past his body and headed to the small working area in the back of the building. She was acting like he wasn't even in the same room with her. How could she ignore him like that when he was totally aware of her every move? He glared at her, then followed her into the back room. "Don't you have anything sassy to say?" She moved stuff around on her shelf and tuned him out like he wasn't there. He had hoped, since it was Saturday afternoon, Cherise might finally agree to go on a date with him, but he didn't seem to be having any luck. "Cherise, I'm waiting to hear get out, go away, stay out of my face," Lee teased, moving closer to her. "Do you know how turned on my body gets when you argue with me?” Cherise continued to keep her back to him and looked around the room like she was searching for answers that weren't there. Lee didn't like the new way Cherise decided to deal with him. He wanted her to say something. Why wasn't she playing their game? Lee knew how to get Cherise's attention. In a lighting-fast move, he yanked Cherise into his arms and kissed her on the mouth. When she opened her mouth to yell at him, it gave Lee the advantage he wanted. He shoved his tongue inside in her mouth. He wanted to learn the taste of the woman who made his body hard in seconds. 188

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Hearing the soft moan from Cherise's mouth, Lee pulled back and looked into her tawny eyes for any signs of disgust, but he only found blistering desire. He let his lips recapture hers, more demanding this time. Slowly his hand pushed up the short hem of her skirt, touching the inside of her smooth thighs. "You're so damn hot. I have wanted you for a long time, Cherise," he confessed against her moist lips. Lifting Cherise completely off the floor, he sat her on the desk, sliding his hand further up her leg. His other one pulled the clip off her thick hair and dug into the mass. Lee's lips left hers to nibble at her earlobe. Removing his hand from her hair, Lee pushed Cherise's silky thighs open wider, then yanked her to his thick erection. "Do you want that, baby?" he asked, forcing her to make eye contact with him. Suddenly all pleasure left her eyes as those five little words left his lips. Lee felt the coldness in the room as it settled around them. He knew without a doubt he had just ruined any progress he might have made with Cherise. Shoving him hard away from her body, Cherise slid off the desk and pulled her skirt down. The hard look her eyes took him made him sick to his stomach. "Get out of my place and don't you ever come back here," she said in a deadly calm voice. Holding up her hand, she stopped him from speaking. "If you do come back here again, I'll find another real estate developer to sell my property to and your brother can deal with him. I was beginning to think you weren't like the others, but I was wrong. Now get out of my face," she screamed. Lee's expression turned grim as he watched Cherise trying not to break down in front of him. He felt like a bastard and he didn't know how to fix it. He knew he had done something wrong in Cherise's eyes. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Lee hunched his shoulders forward as he turned to leave Cherise's shop. He paused at the door, hoping Cherise would come from the backroom so he could get one more look at her, but it wasn't 189


going to happen. Glancing to the side, he saw a notepad lying on her desk; he wrote her a quick note then left. **** Zack rechecked the food cooking on the stove to make sure it was coming along as it should. He was pleased Traci was willing to listen to him. He was taking the advice Lee gave him. Tonight was for Traci, not him. Hearing a car door slam outside, he lit the candles on the dining room table. Checking his appearance one last time, Zack opened the door and frowned when he found Lee standing on the other side. "I need to talk to you now," he insisted busting in. "No, you don't," Zack snapped from the opened doorway. "Traci will be here in twenty minutes." "Then I suggest you shut the door and come in here." Lee sat down in Zack's favorite leather chair by the couch and crossed one leg over the other one. "Are you going to shut the door or not?" his brother asked, arching his eyebrow in a gesture that Lee knew he hated. Cursing, Zack slammed the door shut and sat down on the couch. "Tell me why you're here and make it quick." "Zack, I think I may have ruined your chances at getting the papers signed by Ms. Roberts," Lee muttered, staring directly at him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. "What in the hell did you do?" Fuck! He didn't need this tonight, not with him trying to work out things with Traci. "I went by her shop today and things got out of hand," his brother admitted without breaking eye contact. "How out of hand did it get?" Zack questioned. "Cherise threw me out of the shop and warned me not to show my face in there again," Lee uttered. "Shit, what did you do to her?" He watched Lee fixed the cuff of his pressed shirt while he tried to avoid answering his question. "I kissed her." 190

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Zack knew more happened than what Lee was telling him. "There has to be more than that." Lee stood up. "I'm not saying anything else about Cherise. I just came by to let you know what happened." Zack stayed seated as Lee went past him. Could it be possible that his brother liked the curvaceous Ms. Roberts? "Why were you at the antique shop on a Saturday?" "I was going to ask Cherise something, but it's too late now." Zack watched his brother leave without a backward glance. Great. Now he had to clean up the mess Lee just made. Could this night get any worse for him? Smelling his romantic dinner about to burn in the kitchen brought him out of his trance. He rushed into the kitchen and took the stuffed lobster out of the oven and placed it on the table. As he moved back to the counter to grab the plates, the doorbell rung again. "I'm coming," he yelled, rushing to the front door. Zack stopped for a few seconds to get himself under control, so he wouldn't kiss Traci the second he laid eyes on her. Don't scare her away. Let her do all the talking if you have to. "I can do this," he mumbled before he yanked open the door and found Traci standing on the other side staring at him with cautious eyes. "Hello, Zack," she said. "Hi, baby," he whispered, standing back to let her come inside. "Can I take your jacket?" he asked, closing the door. Untying the belt, Traci slid the light coat from her shoulders and his jaw dropped when her short black dress was revealed. It stopped right above the knees—slits ran down the sleeves from her shoulders down to her wrists, and silky black stockings covered her smooth legs. A pair of sexy black heels were on her feet. Her thick, dark hair hung in long graceful curves over her shoulders, making her even more stunning in his eyes. "Would you like something to drink?" 191


Traci looked around the room. "You did a good job with the place," she commented. "Thank you," Zack replied, hanging her jacket in the closet. He wanted this dinner to mend the rift in his relationship with Traci. He realized how much he hated being alone when they were apart. "Zack, we need to discuss what this dinner means to us." Zack's brows flickered at the lack of emotion in Traci's voice. "Traci, let's not start the date off on a bad foot," he said, cutting her off. "I want you to sit down and have fun tonight. This is my time to spoil you. Have you decided what you want to drink?" he asked, standing in front of her sensual body. "How about an iced tea?" "Coming right up," he replied. Traci gave him a small smile then moved over to his huge fish tank by the window. "If you want to, you can feed them. The food is on the table." Zack stopped in the kitchen and watched Traci picked up the container of food. I'm not about to lose you, baby, he thought as he turned and hurried into the kitchen. **** Picking up the yellow container of food, Traci opened it and tossed a couple of flakes into the tank. Looking at the colorful fish fight over the small bites of dry food, she felt her tense muscles start to relax. "Stop acting so silly. This is the man you love," she scolded herself silently. "He's trying really hard to make this night special for you. Give him a chance." She looked up from the tank and saw Zack with his shoulder braced against the door, staring at her. His good looks always blew her mind, and tonight was no exception. A pair of tan slacks molded his thighs and a nicely pressed white shirt stretched across his muscular chest. Zack had left two buttons undone, showing off the chest hair she loved so much. "How long have you been standing there?" she asked. "Long enough to see several emotions pass across your face," Zack admitted, moving away from the door he handed her the glass of iced tea. 192

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Nervously, she took a long sip, trying to think of something to say to ease the tension, but Zack beat her to it. "I thought you might not come after all," he admitted. Her lips parted in surprise. "I did almost call and cancel." How did he always know what she was thinking before she ever spoke one word? "Did you really have to work late yesterday?" he questioned. "No, I didn't have to work. It was my day off." "Then why did you cancel our date? Honey, I want this relationship. I want you more than you could ever imagine." She took a sip of her tea and stared at him over the rim of the glass before she finally answered him. "I cancelled because I wasn't ready to see you." Traci wanted Zack to understand where she was coming from. "You're so involved with the business deal of yours. I feel like a third wheel." "Baby, did I really make you feel unwanted?" he asked. "I didn't mean for you to feel like that." Taking another small sip of her drink, Traci thought about how to answer Zack's question. There was already a little distance between them and she didn't want to make it worse. This dinner tonight was to fix their problems, not make them worse or add new ones into the relationship, so she tried to make a joke. "Well, at least you aren't cheating on me with this other woman," she countered. "Traci, there isn't anyone in my life or bed but you. Anytime you want a sneak peek at my bedroom, I'll be so happy so show you," he said with a masculine smile. A small laugh escaped her mouth. "Are you flirting with me?" Zack spoke in an odd, yet gentle tone to her. "Traci, I'll do anything you want me to if you allow me back in your life. I've missed you so much." "Tell me what you have missed the most?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 193


"I miss how you would drop by the office on your lunch break. Or how you would know I needed to hear your voice and the phone would ring. But what I miss most is your love. I've never known unconditional love until I met you." Zack came close, looking down at her with love glowing in his eyes. "After being alone this past week, I've seen how I failed you. If it's not too late, I want to fix it." Traci's heart melted at the sincerity of his words. She had missed him, too, especially the way his cologne use to linger on her clothes after a goodbye hug and kiss. Zack's masculinity stirred her senses like no other man could do. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. After hearing Zack's confession tonight, there would be no shadows across her heart. "I can't make a decision right now," she responded with a cute grin. "Why not?" he questioned with a grin of his own. "I need to sample whatever that delicious smell is before I give you an answer." "Well, I think we better go," he said, taking the glass from her hand setting it on the table.

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Chapter Eighteen Leading Traci into the dining room, Zack pulled out her chair. As he pushed it back in he whispered, "I love you," by her ear. She spun around in shock at the three little words. How did he know she wanted to hear that? Zack was trying so hard to fix things between them, so she would give him the benefit of the doubt. Kissing her quickly, Zack moved to sit down across from her. Taking her plate, he placed a mouth-watering stuffed lobster in the middle. "How did you know this was my favorite meal?" she asked, lifting astonished eyes to him. "You told me about it at the cabin," he replied, placing a lobster on his plate. "You remember that?" "I remember everything you tell me, Traci. Don't you know that?" Zack asked, pouring a small amount of sparkling cider in her glass, then filling his own. "I do now," she admitted taking a small forkful of the tasty lobster. Pleasure spread throughout her whole body as the meat slid down her throat. "Where did you learn how to cook like this?" she questioned, taking another bite. "Richard. He's always been a wiz when it came to food. He gave me the recipe," Zack answered. Lifting his fork, he placed it in front of her lips. Opening her mouth, she took the lobster off the fork. "Yummy," she moaned, chewing the meat thoroughly then swallowing it. She reached across the table to play with the hair 195


on his arm peeking underneath Zack's shirt. "Can we really make this work between us?" "I'm here for us now one hundred percent," Zack promised, searching her eyes with his. "I'm going to pamper you until you're tired of it." He dragged her out of her seat and sat her on his hard thighs. "Sweetheart, I love you and you're going to come first now. That business deal isn't more important than us." Traci ran her fingers across Zack's full bottom lip. "Baby, I don't want you to ruin your business for me. Sometimes I might not have time to be here like you want because of work, or other obligations. We can do things apart from each other, but I want us to be a couple, too," she said, running her hands through his thick hair. Zack smiled at her and she wondered what he was thinking. "Traci, I think you and your sister should have Thanksgiving dinner with my family." She was too startled by his suggestion to offer any objection instantly. Had Zack totally lost his mind? Cherise would never agree to that. Hell, neither would his brothers, especially not Lee. "Does your silence mean yes?" She got out of Zack's lap and moved back to her own seat. "Thanksgiving dinner," Traci whispered. "Are you sure that's the place you want to meet my sister for the first time? She isn't like anyone you've ever met before." "I think that would be the best place. She isn't likely to go off with so many witnesses around," Zack laughed before shoving another bite of lobster into his mouth. "Alright, I've warned you," she said, waving her fork at him. They laughed and talked over dinner for the next hour, bringing their love back to the surface. **** Zack loved how the candlelight showed of Traci's cheekbones. He couldn't stop looking at the beauty in front of him. The moment felt so perfect, like it was meant to be. "Does this mean we're back together?" 196

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Leaning across the table, Traci placed a soft kiss on his lips, "Yes, we are back together," she muttered on his hungry mouth. "Let's go celebrate." He pushed his chair back from the table and moved around it, picking Traci up out of her seat. He was halfway to his bedroom when something dawned on him. "Baby, do you want to make love?" he asked. Her dark eyes were as beautiful as black satin as she said, "I haven't wanted anything more." "Good, because I want you, baby." He carried the woman he loved to his bedroom and then shut the door softly behind them. **** "Do you really have to leave now?" Zack questioned her from the middle of the rumpled bed. "If I don't, I'll be late for work," Traci answered, bending down to kiss him. "I need to go home and get changed, then rush to the hospital. I wasn't expecting to spend the night." Capturing Traci around the waist, he tossed her back down on the comfortable huge bed. "Call in sick and take the day off," he suggested, kissing his way down her neck. Wiggling underneath his body, she tried to get away. "I can't, Zack," Traci mumbled, closing her eyes as he nibbled at the spot below her ear. "Why not?" he asked, moving his mouth to suck her earlobe. They could play hospital in bed all day long. "They need me at work today," Traci moaned, touching his chest. Easing her legs apart, Zack slid between them. "Can't you feel how much I need you, too," he growled, brushing his cock against her. He wanted to spend the day with Traci making up for the time they spent apart. "Darling, I would love to spend the day here with you, but I really need to get to work." "But it's Sunday," he said, rolling off her body.

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Sliding off the bed, Traci stood up. "I know. But I don't have to work all day. After I finish running some errands I'm all yours." "Well, I guess I could do a little work from home," Zack admitted, pissed the day wasn't going the way he wanted it to. Traci stared at him. "I want you to have fun today." "I won't have fun without you here with me, but I'll make do until you come back." Traci shook her head at his comment. "I won't be back here for a while. After work, I need to meet my sister and do some other personal things. You might not see me until around eight o'clock or a little later," she told him. Zack stared back at Traci with complete surprise on his face. "Are you trying to avoid me?" He rolled out of bed and stood semi-erect in front of her. Her soft laughter filled the room and stirred his body, but he fought the need to toss her back down on the bed. "No, I'm not avoiding you, but I have things that need to be taken care of." Sitting down in a chair across from him, Traci slid her shoes back on. "I just need to speak with my sister after work." "Can't it wait so you can spend some more time with me?" he questioned, crossing his arms over his chest. Traci raked her gaze over his naked body and licked her bottom lip. His cock sprung to full attention. "Don't you have a huge business deal you need to close before Thanksgiving? With me being gone for a while, it will give you a chance to work on it, and then when I come back we can spend that time with each other." He wanted to say more, but it wouldn't do any good. Traci was already rushing out of the bedroom. Finding his pants on the floor, he put them on as he ran after her. "Hey, don't I get a goodbye kiss or anything?" Traci took her jacket out of his closet and put it back on. Tying the belt around her waist, she stared at him for a few seconds. "I think you can have one." Walking over to him, she kissed him passionately on the mouth and then stepped back 198

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before he could deepen it. "I'll see you later today," she whispered, then went out the door. **** "Thanks for opening up the restaurant," Zack told Richard as they sat down at a table for lunch. "I know you aren't here for lunch, so what's the real reason you wanted to talk away from the other two?" Richard asked. "I need your help," he answered quickly before he lost his nerve. "With what?" "Finding a way to tell Lee I invited Traci and her sister to Thanksgiving dinner." His brother's mouth fell open. "You've to be kidding. Lee isn't going to be happy about this and you know it." A fire flushed Zack. He had lost Traci once and he wasn't about to lose her again. "I don't know why he would care. He knows that I'm dating Traci now and she is a big part of my life." Richard rolled his eyes at Zack. "Lee doesn't care how much you love Traci. Thanksgiving dinner has always been only for the family. Have any of us ever brought any of our girlfriends to Thanksgiving dinner?" he questioned hotly. "No," Zack retorted. "But this year will be different and if Lee has a problem, I'll just spend it with Traci and her sister." "Does Traci's sister know anything about this?" Richard inquired. "I think Traci's going to run it by her after she gets off work today," Zack said, hoping Traci's sister had a better reaction than his brother was having at this moment. "When are you planning to tell Lee about this?" "Now is a good time as any," Zack sighed. "I might need some moral support. Do you want to come with me?" "No, I think I'll take my chances with the D4 books instead." Shocked, Zack muttered, "But you hate numbers. That's the reason you hired Dawn to take care of them for you." 199


"Yeah and with her gone now, it's my job and I hate it," Richard complained. "Have you thought about hiring another manager?" Zack was still wondering what was really going on between his brother and Dawn. Richard never let a woman bother him the way this Summers woman did. "Honestly, I have been thinking about hiring Dawn back," Richard said. "Are you sure you can fight the attraction you have for her?" Hell, he might as well come out and say what everyone else in the family was thinking. "She thinks I don't have any respect for her," Richard groaned. "You didn't answer my question," Zack shot back. "I know," his brother replied, getting up from the table. "I think you better catch Lee before he leaves the office. At least there you will have a witness, so he may not kill you," Richard teased. "I forgot what a comedian you can be," Zack groaned, tossing money down on the table for his uneaten lunch and leaving.

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Chapter Nineteen Inside her family room, Traci looked over the college classes she had signed up for. The tuition was paid in full and her first full semester began in the Spring, though she managed to sign up for a few refresher courses starting Fall term. She didn't know when she was going to tell anyone else about this. Everyone thought that she wasn't signing up for her classes until later. What if she didn't have what it took to finish her degree? Everyone at the college had been so helpful with her questions. However, Traci felt she was too old to be going back to college. Most doctors were already working at a hospital or had their own practices going on for them. At twenty-five years old, she wondered was it too late in her life for this dream of hers. Several of the students had been watching her while she had stood in line to buy books. Traci knew they weren't looking at her because they thought she was good-looking. They were thinking, what was she doing coming back to college at her age? Yet, it felt so good to get her classes handed to her in front of them. She knew she had taken most of her other classes years ago and was she surprised when the college still accepted them. Most of her classes this semester dealt with anatomy, which made her drop out of college, along with James' whispering doubt in her ear. This time, Traci knew she was going to stay strong and finish. It was going to be a long, hard process, but she was going to become a doctor. As much as she wanted to tell Zack first about signing up for classes, Cherise would be the one to find out. 201


Gathering all her things, she shoved them into a satchel to take to her sister's house. Traci couldn't wait until she saw the look on Cherise's face; hopefully this would add a bright spot to sister's life. It was almost time for her to make a decision about what she was going to do about the antique shop. Traci wanted her sister to find the same love like she had with Zack. Cherise had lived in the past for such a long time. If only she would get over wanting to date strong, affluent black men, she might fall in love. Sighing about their futures, she finished gathering her stuff and left. In the back of her mind, she wondered what her boyfriend was doing. **** "Have you lost your damn mind?" Lee yelled in the massive office. "Traci and her sister can't come for Thanksgiving dinner! I won't let you invite them." Lee shoved his hands into his slacks, worried about Zack finding out the connection between the two. It wouldn't be good to add this pressure to the already heavy workload Zack possessed. He couldn't know until after the business matter was settled. If it came out now, it would ruin both of their futures. "Why don't you just invite Traci for dinner? I can break the rules for her." Lee prayed Zack would take him up on his offer. Traci's sister couldn't come for dinner after what he seen and heard at the antique shop. He knew Zack, Traci, and Cherise didn't know how they were all linked to each other. Once it came out, he didn't know how the two women would handle it. Zack could tell Traci he didn't know about the correlation between her and Cherise, but Lee doubted she would believe him. "Can you do that for me?" he asked again. Zack seemed to notice how nervous his brother was about Traci's sister. "I think I know the reason you don't want Traci's sister at Thanksgiving dinner." "You do?" he asked apprehensively. "Yes, you've heard me talk about how stubborn her sister is." 202

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Lee massaged his forehead, trying to think of another way to con Zack into uninviting Cherise. "I really think this is a bad idea on your part," he said again. "You need to focus on getting the antique shop from Cherise Roberts. Why don't we get that taken care of, then figure out something different for Traci and her sister?" "Lee, if you don't let me invite Traci and her sister for Thanksgiving dinner, then I will have it with them." Blown away by his brother's demands, Lee had to sit down behind his desk. "How do you know Traci's sister would want you with her for this holiday? Thanksgiving is such an important day for families, and you will be a stranger forcing your way into something special for them." "Well, if she has a problem with me being there, Traci and I will celebrate by ourselves," Zack said, standing his ground. Tapping his fingers on the desktop, Lee knew Zack had made his mind up and nothing he said was going to change it. He thought about telling Zack now about Cherise Roberts was Traci's older sister, but decided it wasn't his place to do it. Maybe he could tell Traci before the dinner to give her a chance to be the one to do it. After the horrible confrontation he had with Cherise at her shop, he knew she wouldn't let him through the front door. "Zack, you're my brother and I want you to be happy, so I don't have a problem with you inviting Traci and her sister," he muttered, praying the worst wouldn't happen. "Thank you. Lee, I knew it took a lot for you to agree," Zack said. "I'll tell Traci when she comes to my house tonight." Lee watched his brother leave with a smile the size of Texas on his face. "That smile won't be there long," he muttered under his breath. "The sad thing is Traci just started to trust him again and now they have to face this." **** "Good morning, Mr. Cane. How are you doing?" Traci asked, stopping in her favorite patient's room to check his blood pressure. Justin Cane was in his late forties, with black hair and a few streaks of silver at each side. He owned one of the marketing 203


firms in Houston. She enjoyed talking to him about his business. She had mentioned how Cherise had a marketing degree and might be looking for a job in the near future. "Traci, how is the prettiest nurse on the floor doing?" Justin's rich voice rung out in the large private room. "I'm doing wonderful, and I heard that you'll be getting released tomorrow if you keep your blood pressure down." "I don't think I should have been here this long," he complained, moving around to get more comfortable on the bed. Hazel eyes watched her as she wrote down notes on her notepad. "Are you still dating your boyfriend or did the two of you break up?" "I'm not going to even ask how you know about my love life," Traci said, catching his gaze with hers. "Can I help it if I can charm information from certain people here at this place?" he replied innocently. "Mr. Cane, I think I should leave my love life out of your life," Traci answered, waving her pen in his direction. Justin chuckled. "So, is your sister going to be able keep her business?" "I'll know the week before Thanksgiving," she answered. "Well, if she needs a marketing job, let me know and I'll be more than happy to give her an interview. I know one of my top marketing executives is planning to leave the beginning of next year because she's having a baby." Traci paused at the end of Justin's bed and gazed at him. "I noticed that you haven't had many visitors while you have been here. Is there a reason for that?" "Are you asking what is a handsome man doing here all alone?" he teased playfully. Laughing, Traci enjoyed how he could make the best of a difficult situation. If his fever hadn't broken two days ago, he might have been in a coma right at this moment. "I have wondered why you aren't married." A faraway look came into Justin's eyes. "I was in love once, but I ran her away by working too many long hours." 204

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Hmmm…sound like someone I know and love. "Have you thought about finding her and trying to work things out?" "No, the last I heard she was working for an investment firm. I don't want to interrupt her life now. Anyway, it was over two years ago. She might have found someone else," he stated. "The only thing I can say is you never know unless you try," Traci said. She heard the sadness in Justin's voice and wanted to help. Justin smiled and it lit up his sterling silver eyes. "Thanks for the advice, and I might take it once I get out of this place." Grinning, Traci touched him on the back of his hand. "I need to check on my other patients, but before you leave remind me to give you my sister's name and phone number. I know she'll be interested in an interview with you. "I'll give you one of my business cards," Justin replied. Traci touched him one last time before she left the room. **** On the long drive to Zack's house, Traci thought about how to invite Cherise to Lee's for the upcoming holiday. It was giving her a headache, so she pushed it to the back of her mind. As she got closer to his home, she spotted him standing outside by his car. Putting the car into park, she got out. "Hey, what are you doing out here. I thought you were going to spend more time with Lee?" Zack grabbed his briefcase out of the car, slamming the car door shut. "I had a meeting with Tyshawn at work and I'm just coming back from seeing my brother about Thanksgiving dinner." "What did he say?" she asked, standing by the car bumper. "At first, Lee wasn't happy at all. He kept trying to talk me out of inviting you and your sister." "Did it work?" "No, I didn't let him have the last word this time. I convinced him into changing the Drace family Thanksgiving tradition so I could bring my girlfriend." Zack answered, kissing on her cheek. 205


Traci still had an unpleasant feeling about having Cherise come, too. "You did better than me. I haven't mentioned it my sister yet." "Wasn't that one of the items you had planned to do while you were out today?" "Yes, it was," she agreed. "But I worked a little longer than I wanted to and when I called her from work, she wasn't home. I don't know where she could be because she doesn't date," Traci said in a sad voice. "Do you know when you're going to ask her?" Zack asked, unlocking the front door and going inside the house. "No, I don't," Traci answered, shutting the door behind her. "Enough about my sister, how did your day go?" she asked, taking a seat on the couch. Zack put on a CD before he joined her on the couch. "Well, Tyshawn came up with a few suggestions about how to buy the shop. I really think we came up with a good way to purchase it from the owner." "I hope you get her to sell to you, baby," Traci muttered, kissing Zack by the side of his mouth. "So do I…so do I," Zack replied capturing her mouth for a full kiss.

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Chapter Twenty The next night, Traci pulled into the Ensemble Theatre, one of the best-known and prominent theatre companies in town. She had wanted to see the actors there perform for a while now, but never had the time or someone special to bring with her. The theatre had its own take on the Harlem Renaissance and found a creatively fun way to redo the works of Shakespeare. Traci couldn't wait to get inside. She only hoped Zack would be as excited as she was about tonight's date and have a good time. One of his meetings had run late, so he was meeting her here. She decided to stay out in front of the building so Zack could see her since he wasn't familiar with the theatre's location. From the corner of her eyes, she saw a slim black man wearing denim jeans with a matching jacket and black sweater underneath heading in her direction. "Are you lost?" his deep voice asked. Giving him a small smile she said, "No, I'm waiting for someone." "I can't believe anyone would keep a woman as beautiful as you waiting outside on a cool night like this." "My boyfriend wanted for me to wait for him outside, so he wouldn't miss the building," Traci lied, hoping to shake her unwanted admirer. "Would you rather go inside and wait for him there?" the guy asked, moving closer to her as she took a step back. "I'm sure he'll be able to find the place. It really isn't that hard to see." Traci looked over stranger warily. "I really don't mind standing right were I am. You can go on inside. I'll be fine." 207


"How about I stay here with you until he comes?" The guy continued like she hadn't spoken one word. "That really won't be necessary," Zack's rough voice cut in behind her. "Zack, you finally made it," Traci said, spinning around to hug her boyfriend. "I'm so sorry, baby. The meeting ran late," he apologized. "I was getting everything ready for my meeting tomorrow." Wrapping his arm around her waist, Zack addressed the man standing in front of her. "Does Traci know you?" Traci was stunned when the guy brushed past Zack without even answering him, but he paused a few minutes and tossed her a dirty look. "What's that look for?" Zack asked. "Nothing," the man snapped, then stormed off in the opposite direction. "Hey, I was doing just fine handling the situation myself," Traci said, staring after the guy as he faded into the distance. "Sure you were, baby," Zack said, kissing her on the cheek. "That's why he was looking at you like he was a hungry man and you were a delicious meal he had been craving." Making a fist, she playfully hit Zack in the middle of his chest. "Come on so we can get good seats," she said, grabbing his hand. **** "I didn't know you like the theatre," he whispered by her ear as they took their seats toward the aisle. "My dad took me to the theatre all the time when I was a little girl," Traci whispered back. "It was what we did together. He had always wanted to be an actor, but he never got the chance to live out his dream." She quickly got lost in the memory of her father. "I was in a couple of plays when I was in college, but I found out rather quickly it wasn't for me. I enjoyed watching the actors more than being one myself." "You're stunning enough to be one," he said honestly. 208

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"Thank you," Traci replied, staring at the actors on stage. Looking to the side, Traci saw the look of confusion on Zack's face. She leaned in closer to him, so as not to bother anyone else in the audience. Then she whispered in his ear, "They let anyone who is an actor perform in this theatre, not just black actors. I've heard a few white directors have even been here, too," she informed him. "I never knew this place existed. Thank you so much for introducing me to it," Zack said stroking the back of her hand with his fingers. Flashing him a perfect smile, Traci's attention was once again drawn back to the stage. Each scene drew the captive audience to them. The actors had the ability to express every emotion like they were talking directly to you instead of to a room full of people. Traci was mesmerized and Zack wasn't far behind her. When the actors were finished, the crowd gave them a standing ovation. **** Leaving the building hand in hand with Traci, Zack wanted so bad to ask her to spend the night with him. He exhaled a long sigh of contentment from being around Traci. She brought calmness to his heart. Squeezing her hand gently, he smiled down at his deepest love. Making eye contact with Traci, he realized how blissfully happy he was and how much he enjoyed this feeling. The night air smelled fresher, and the wind blowing on his cheek felt like the caress of a lover's hand. He was wrapped up in the euphoria of the night. "Did you have a good time tonight?" Traci asked, snuggling against his arm. "Traci, this is one of the best dates I've had in a long time," he grinned. "I can't thank you enough for bringing me here." Stopping by her car, he leaned on the door, pulling Traci between his legs. "Do you want to come back to my place?" He looked over her seductively, awaiting her answer. 209


Staring at him with longing in her eyes, Traci opened her mouth and was about to answer him when her cell phone rung. Holding up one finger to stop him from talking, she answered the phone. He waited while Traci took the call. Zack had a bad feeling tonight wasn't going to end like he wanted it to. Ending the call, Traci gave him a disappointed smile. "Sorry. I need to meet my sister." He spread his hands regretfully and shrugged. "Another lonely night for me," he sighed, opening the car door for Traci. "I don't have to stay that long at my sister's. If you leave a key under the welcome mat I can stop by for a quick visit," she suggested in a soft low voice. He looked at her with amazement, then a thought occurred to him. "Why don't I take your key and when you come home I can have a surprise ready for you?" "You know what? I like the way your mind thinks," Traci grinned, sliding into the car. Zack leaned against the side of the car and waited while Traci dug inside her deep purse for her keys. Finding them, she pulled off her house key and handed it to him. "Make yourself at home and I'll be there as soon as I can." Shutting the door, he leaned through the window, placing a wet kiss of his woman's mouth. "Call me on my cell to let me know you're coming," he suggested, moving back from the car as Traci drove off heading for her sister's.

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Chapter Twenty-One "Okay, sis, what's the problem?" Traci asked the second Cherise opened the front door. She wondered what was up that Cherise called her this late at night. "I'm thinking about selling my business to that real estate developer," Cherise told her, closing the front door with a click. "WHAT!" Traci threw her purse down in a chair. She couldn't believe that her sister was giving up her dream so easily. "Why would you do a thing like that? I know how much you love going to work every day. Has he done something to make you change your mind?" Cherise walked around her spacious living quarters. "No, he hasn't done anything, but I need a change and this might be my only opportunity for one. He's really offering me a huge amount of money for that spot." Knowing her sister the way she did, Traci didn't believe this flimsy excuse her sister was throwing her way. Cherise loved fighting to the very end, so why give up now? "I don't believe you. I can tell from the way you're acting you aren't being honest with me. Come on. Tell me the reason behind this sudden change in you." Groaning under her breath, Cherise said, "I didn't say it was going to give him the land, but I'm closer to signing the papers to close the deal. Let's just drop this conversation and you tell me what's new in your life, little sister." Narrowing her eyes, Traci looked at Cherise's face for any signs of stress. Her sister had been under so much pressure at work the last several weeks, but the only expression on her sister's face was sadness. Her sister hadn't been her usually 211


jubilant self and she was worried her that Cherise spent too much time alone. She didn't know what she needed to do to push her sister back out there, but she wouldn't force the issue. "I do have a couple of items I want to run across you," Traci admitted in an anxious voice. "Well, let's hear them," Cherise said, staring at her. "I promise whatever it is, I won't bite your head off. Remember, I'm trying to have more of an open mind about stuff." Traci decided telling Cherise about her returning to college first would be the best move before inviting her to Thanksgiving dinner with the Drace men. "I'm going back to college my first class starts next week." Cherise's golden eyes opened wide as a huge scream came from her mouth. "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT," she yelled, hugging Traci. "Why didn't you tell me earlier that you finally made a decision?" she asked, leaning back from her. Traci shrugged. "We have both been so busy and I didn't know how to tell you. I had to think about it long and hard before I paid the tuition and signed up for classes." Tears formed in Cherise's eyes as she stared at her sister. "I'm so delighted for you, Traci. I never thought you would go back to school after what James did to you. We have to go shopping for new clothes." Laughing, Traci replied, "I'm not in high school. I don't need new clothes for college or to land a handsome boyfriend, because I already have one." At the mention of boyfriend, some of the light went out of Cherise's eyes. "What does he think about this?" "I think the two of you are more thrilled about this than I am," Traci chuckled. Skepticism showed clearly on Cherise's face. "Your boyfriend isn't upset you want to finish your education?" Traci shook her head. "Didn't I tell you he was the one who suggested I go back in the first place? I have a wonderful guy and I can't wait until the two of you meet." 212

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"Yeah, I can't wait until I meet this dream guy, either," Cherise replied sarcastically. "I'm so pleased to hear you say that, because he invited us to have Thanksgiving dinner with his family." Cherise grabbed the arm of the chair behind her and sat down before she fell down. "Have you lost you the good sense God gave you, girl? I'm not having dinner with your boyfriend," she muttered. "We spend the day as a family and I'm sure his family wants to do the same," she pointed out. "Listen to me, Cherise. I have a loving boyfriend now who wants to spend the holidays with me and his family. If you don't want to go, then fine, you don't have to. But I will be spending the holidays with him." Traci snapped harder than she wanted to. "I would hate for you to be alone, yet if that's the way you want it, then so be it." "Are you really dumping me for this person you haven't known more than three months?" "I've been with him longer than that." "All those times you said you were going to the gym was a lie?" "No, I saw him at the gym because we both worked out there and after a while it went beyond that," Traci replied, trying to clean up the bad image Cherise had of Zack. Cherise stood and paced. "I never thought my baby sister would lie to me like this," she whispered, shaking her head sadly. "Stop it right there," Traci said. "I never lied to you. I may have kept information from you for your own good, but I never once lied to your face about anything." "Keeping something from me isn't being honest, Traci," Cherise retorted. "If this relationship was so open and honest why not tell me everything from the beginning? What if you have fallen for another James? This man could be using you, and once he's finished you'll be tossed away like yesterday's trash," Cherise cried. "Stop pushing your insincerities on me. I know what I have with my boyfriend is special and not one suspicious word 213


coming from your mouth can change that," Traci yelled back at her sister, hurt Cherise didn't trust her judgment. "Give me the chance to prove you wrong," she pleaded on last time. "Fine, prove me wrong," Cherise sighed with a wave of her hand. "I'll come to this Thanksgiving dinner at your boyfriend's house." "I'll show you how much my boyfriend loves me and how his brothers accept our relationship. Now I need to go because he's waiting for me at my house." She placed a kiss on her sister's smooth cheek and whispered, "Thank you for agreeing to come with me." "You're welcome, and I hope everything goes like you want," Cherise sighed. "Don't worry, it will," Traci answered as she hurried out the front door. **** The smell of vanilla hit Traci's nose as she opened the door. Closing it behind her, she noticed that candles were lit and spread throughout the living room. "Zack, are you in here?" she called out. "I'm over here." She spun around and her mouth dropped open at the sight of her gorgeous boyfriend. His powerful, well-muscled body, in nothing but back silk pajamas bottoms, moved with grace toward her. "Shhh…don't say a word," he instructed, strolling across the room and placing a finger on her lips. Taking her bag and car keys from her, Zack tossed them on the couch. "I want this night to be just for you." Traci watched Zack's mouth slowly descend toward hers for a gentle yet sensuous kiss that had her moaning in seconds. Nuzzling his nose between Traci's neck and hair, he inhaled deeply, drawing her unique scent into his body. Whispering in her ear, he said, "I want to tell you all the reasons I love you. First reason is I love the way you look at me," he said, sliding one button from her shirt. "Second reason is I love your 214

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tenderness." He gave her another slow, passionate kiss while his fingers worked on a second button. "Sweetness, I love how you respect me and my opinion no matter how different it may be from yours." Working on the last button, Zack pushed the shirt off her shoulders. Cupping her throbbing breasts in his hands, he placed a kiss on the flesh not covered by her lacy hot pink bra. Reclaiming her lips, he crushed her to his body. His kisses sent sparks of ecstasy through her, making her want to get closer. Moaning, she opened her mouth, allowing his tongue the access he wanted. Zack's kisses told her things his words didn't—how much she meant to him, why he chose to make her a part of his life. He stoked the fire slowly burning in her body with the strong hardness of his hungry lips. His kisses sang through her taut body, causing Traci to know the masterful movements of his mouth. Leaving her mouth burning for his, Zack's lips explored the flesh right below her ear. Making her cry out in his powerful hold, he removed his lips from her neck and continued with the reasons why he loved her. "Traci, I love how our bodies just, fit together like a hand in glove," he whispered, pulling her tighter between his legs. Tenderly, Zack finished undressing the love of his life. Picking Traci up, Zack carried her into the bedroom then gently laid her on the bed. Standing back up, he slowly undressed under Traci's heated glaze. Pushing his black silk bottoms off, Zack kicked them across the room. Sitting up, Traci ran her hands from his collarbone down his tight flat stomach. "I can't touch you enough," she mumbled, inching her palms down further. Zack stopped her before she reached her destination. "Don't," he said, bringing her hands back up to kiss the palms. "This night is only for you, baby. I want to cherish the gift that was brought into my life." He kissed her quickly. "Turn over," he said. Traci eyed him for a few seconds, then did as he requested. 215


Bracing his thighs on either side of her hips, he reached over to the nightstand to grab a bottle. Unscrewing the black top, he poured a delicious smelling liquid into his hands. Placing the items back on the table, Zack rubbed his hands together. "Umm…what's that smell?" Traci moaned, trying to look over her bare shoulder. Large hands started to massage the liquid into her upper back. "Edible oil." He licked one shoulder while his hands massaged her firm buttocks. "Are you finding this relaxing?" he asked, nibbling at the middle of her slick back. "You know I'm not," she hissed. "Good," he replied, squeezing her butt. "Now, I want you to rise up and place your knees in the mattress," he growled by her ear. "What are you going to do?" she whispered. "Just wait and see." Zack moved so Traci could place her knees into the mattress which flattened her back against his warm, bare chest. "Thank you, baby," he said. "Can you hand me the oil?" Traci grabbed the bottle off the nightstand and handed it over to him. He poured a generous amount into his hand before replacing the lid and tossing it on the bed. The cool air in her bedroom was making Traci's nipples rock hard. Rubbing his palms together, he slid his hands around her body, cupping her sensitive breasts. He worked the oil into them, paying special attention to the nipples. Squeezing the hard buds between his thumb and forefinger, he nibbled at her earlobe. Then he blew his hot breath on her ear. "Baby, are you ready for me? Is the pleasure about to burn you alive?" Traci was too caught up in his web of seduction to do anything but nod. Flipping her over, he kissed her—making love to her mouth as his body wanted to. Opening her legs, he thrust two oil covered fingers inside her. 216

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Traci screamed from the pleasure of it. "Please, Zack, stop it," she begged. "Make what stop, sweetie?" he asked, licking at her nipples. "The need to have you inside me," she panted. "I'm inside you," he teased, sliding his fingers back out and then quickly back. "You know what I mean." She reached down to touch him. Instantly, his fingers came from her body. "This is what I want," she moaned her thumb brushed the tip of his erection. The mere touch of her small hand quickly made him remove it, and he slid between her thighs. Passion pounded through her blood as he took her with one powerful thrust and they groaned in unison as he made them one. Traci's body melted against Zack's and her vision only saw the man she loved. His lovemaking seemed to go on for hours and it didn't bother Traci in the least. She was there every step of the way. She rose to meet him in the last moments of passion as the tidal wave of fulfillment hit them. Succumbing to the blissful sleep of a woman satisfied, Traci missed Zack looking down into her face saying the last reason why he loved her. "I love you the most because you're going to be my wife." **** The sound of someone eating woke Traci hours later. She opened one eye to find a naked, aroused Zack stretched out on the sheet, eating mini Oreo cookies and watching television. "What are you doing?" she asked, not moving from the comfortable position on her stomach. Hearing her voice, Zack turned off the television and tossed the remote back beside the empty glass that once was filled with milk. He looked down at her. "Trying to find ways to kill time until you woke up," he said, popping the cookie into his mouth. She couldn't think with Zack naked beside her. "Can you get under the sheet with me?" "Why?" he questioned. "I don't have a problem with being naked." 217


Her eyes strayed back to his erection. "I just think you want me to see you hard and naked in my bed." Zack shrugged. "What can I say? He missed you." Laughing, Traci sat up in bed and held the sheet against her chest. "What am I going to do with you?" "Fall more in love with me than you already are," Zack answered, pushing the burgundy sheet down to her waist. "I love your breasts." Leaning over, he drew a nipple into his mouth and sucked hard, causing her to fall back on the matching pillows. Picking up the light sheet, Zack tossed it to the floor as his tanned body covered hers for another round of lovemaking. **** The next morning, Traci came from the living room to find Zack in the middle of her bedroom. He was looking devilishly handsome in a charcoal gray suit. "You should have joined me in the shower," he said, his gaze appearing to strip the skirt and top from her body. "If I had done that, I would be running late for my meeting with my advisor," she said, moving around his tall, athletic body. Traci went over to the dresser in front of the window and looked for her favorite earrings. A hand sliding between her thighs caught her attention. "Are you saying you aren't ready for me right this moment?" Zack asked as one finger brushed at her damp underwear. She closed her legs and bit back a moan. "Zack, we don't have time for this." A second finger joined the first one, making her body jerk. "Your body doesn't seem to agree with you." Traci knew that if she didn't leave in the next two minutes, she would be late. Grabbing Zack's hand, she removed it from her traitorous body. "I'll see you tonight," she said then ran out the door. **** Zack waited until her heard the front door behind Traci before he went on his search. "Now, where would she keep her 218

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jewelry box?" he muttered to himself. He searched the room until his eyes came to rest on a medium-sized, tan jewelry box on her vanity stand. "I think I found a winner," he said, racing over to the jewelry box. Opening the lid carefully, he searched through the colorful accessories, but there wasn't a ring in sight, so he kept looking until he figured out the tray was removable. Taking the tray out, he found two very expensive rings in the bottom of the box. Taking the sapphire ring, he slid it into his pocket. The jeweler could figure out the ring size with it, and Zack would return the ring without her knowing. As he was about to replace the tray a white piece of paper caught his attention. Zack knew he shouldn't read it, but he wondered why Traci hid it away like this. It could be something she was saving for, and he could get it for her now. Sitting down on the bed, he unfolded the paper and read it. The paper slowly slid from his hand and landed at his feet. No, this couldn't be happening to him. Not when he had found everything that he wanted with Traci. No, his eyes were playing tricks on him. Zack snatched the paper up off the floor and reread it, hoping that it wasn't true. After reading it a second time he felt his heart drop to his stomach. "This can't be true," he mumbled, feeling his world crumbling down around him. He couldn't meet with Cherise Roberts today. Hell, this one piece of paper added a totally different spin on the situation. Picking up the phone, he called Tyshawn and told him to cancel the meeting with Ms. Roberts. Taking the paper, he shoved it in his pocket, hoping to place it back before Traci returned from seeing her advisor. He made sure the jewelry box looked untouched, and then he raced from the house. Only one person could help him with this dilemma.

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Chapter Twenty-Two "Traci Wells and Cherise Roberts are sisters," Zack yelled the second he stormed into Lee's high-rise office without knocking on the door. Lee looked up at him from his lunch. He wiped his mouth on a napkin, then tossed it on his desk. "How did you find out?" This wasn't the reaction he was expecting from Lee. He slammed the office door shut then stormed across the plush carpet. Zack slammed his hands down on the desk and leaned into his older brother's face. "You knew about this and didn't tell me?" His voice growled from deep within his chest. "Did you know all along?" he questioned harshly. Lee met his heated stare without flinching. "I found out two weeks ago when I went to see Cherise and I heard them talking to each other outside by Traci's car. They never had a clue I was inside my car beside them." Zack didn't want to believe the paper he read or the words Lee was telling him. "This can't be happening to me," he muttered, pacing back and forth in front of the big oak desk. He ran different ways to tell Traci about his involvement with her sister and none of them were good. She wouldn't believe it hadn't been a set-up from the beginning. Stopping in mid-pace, he gave Lee another hard look. "That's why you didn't want Traci bringing her sister to Thanksgiving dinner," he said with realization. "You can't blame this on me, little brother," Lee retorted. "If you had listened to me, none of this would be going on." Zack groaned and several curses flew from his mouth before he was able to calm back down. "Can't you stop giving 220

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me a lecture and help me figure a way out of this mess without Traci finding out?" he asked. "How did you find out about this? You still haven't told me," Lee questioned, tossing his half-eaten tuna sandwich into the trash. Reaching into his pocket he tossed the paper from Traci's jewelry box on Lee's desk. "Read that and the situation gets a whole lot worse." Picking up the slip of paper, Lee skimmed it. "Traci really owns the property, not Cherie?" "Well, actually, Traci let Cherise take control of the property, but Cherise can't sign it away without Traci saying yes," Zack grumbled. "How am I going to get Cherise to sign over the land and still keep Traci?" Zack cursed again then hit the desk with his fist. He couldn't lose Traci again, not after he promised he wouldn't do anything again to hurt her. "This isn't going to work. I need another plan. Maybe I can use all the buildings but the antique shop," he suggested throwing a hopeful glance in Lee's direction. He knew if Traci found out about him being the real estate developer trying to take Cherise's business, their relationship would be over. This couldn't wait a moment longer. "I think you need to approach Cherise first with this," Lee replied. "Why would you say something stupid like that?" Zack thundered. "Cherise already hates me and when she finds out about this, she'll make sure Traci has nothing to do with me." "From what I gathered, Cherise wants Traci to be happy even if it's with you. I believe if you approach her and tell her how much you really love her sister it might work in your favor." Lee paused to let idea to roll through Zack's head. Maybe Cherise wasn't as unreasonable as Traci made her out to be, Zack mused. "No, I don't think you're right about this," Zack then disagreed. "Going to Cherise would only make this problem worse than it is. Think of something else. You're always 221


the one with all the ideas. Now when I need a good one, you can't come up with one thing," he hissed. "I don't want to be in the middle of this," Lee admitted, handing the paper back to him. Snatching it out of his brother's hand, Zack refolded the paper and shoved it back into his pocket. "Why are you backing out? I thought you were going to help me with this problem? I can't let this become something big between us. The longer I keep quiet, the worse it will become for us in the end." Silence followed his outburst. Zack knew the importance of sealing this deal with Cherise. The property was worth a small fortune if the right person knew how to market the land. If one lost out, so did the other man. He had never mixed business and love in his past. Each had its own place in his life. Traci was the first woman that had made him want to shatter his number one rule. Zack sighed heavily as he thought of different ways out of this problem without breaking Traci's heart. He would hate for this to take the light he loved from those brilliant eyes of hers. "Zack, relax, we'll find a way to get past this," Lee said, coming around the desk to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to get past anything." Zack brushed off Lee's unwanted touch. "I'm the one who might lose the woman I love." "Don't worry. I'll take care of the problem." "How are you going to do that?" He wanted Lee's help, but not if it was going to hurt Traci. "Hand me the paper." Lee held out his hand. "Why?" Zack asked, concerned about what Lee was going to do with this information. "Give me the paper." Lee snapped his fingers until Zack handed over the document. "Stay here." Zack took a seat and waited for Lee to come back. What in the world was his brother up to? It scared the hell out of him to 222

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even think about it. He wanted the antique shop, but not if it was going to cause Traci any sort of pain. He looked up when Lee came back in the room and stood over him. "Here, take this paper back to Traci's house. Put it back where you found it. Don't say a word to her about it, do you understand me?" Zack watched Lee shove a copy of the document into his pants and got nervous. "Lee, please tell me what you're going to do." "Don't worry about it," Lee replied, going back around his desk. "Where are those papers you needed Cherise to sign?" he asked pulling on his suit jacket off the back of his chair. "Why do you want to know?" "I can't take much more of you, Zack. Tell me what I need to know," Lee snapped. "The folders are lying in the front seat of my car," Zack muttered, already feeling guilty for sending Lee after Cherise. "Go home and love that sexy girlfriend of yours," Lee said on his way out the door. "Lee, don't do it," Zack yelled at him, but it was too late— his brother was gone. **** Traci sat in her advisor's office, waiting for him to come back. He had received a phone call about another student and needed to leave to check on the current grades. This gave her a moment to herself to think about the classes she had signed up for. It was going to be a very hard and heavy class load for her. Now she had to divide her time between Zack, work, and school. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Wells," Stan Woodruff, her advisor said, coming back into the neatly arranged office space. "I didn't think it would take so long. These football players need to learn if they don't study. That means they can't stay on the team and keep those scholarships." Traci looked at Stan but didn't comment. She was too nervous about her own class load and grades to worry about 223


anyone else. She didn't want to come back to college after all these years and then fail all of her classes. "Did you get a chance to look over the class printout I left with you? Are there any questions? I'll try my best to answer them while you're here." He took a long drink of his hot coffee then he sat down across from her. Stan Woodruff reminded her of a late night news anchor with his salt and pepper hair and bushy eyebrows over deep-set brownish green eyes that watched her intensely. "Have you decided what kind of doctor you want to be?" he asked, taking another slip of his hot drink. "I think I'm rather pleased with the classes, Mr. Woodruff," she answered," but I'm not quite sure what field of medicine that I want to branch into yet. "Well, there is still plenty of time for you to make a decision. Just remember if you do have any questions or problems, I wrote my name and number on top of the paper. I'm here if you need me." Standing up from her seat, Traci pulled the backpack on her shoulders. "Thank you for all your help, but I better go so I can get the last of my books. I don't want them to sell out," Traci, said rushing out of Mr. Woodruff's office. **** At Traci's house, Zack placed the ring back in the jewelry box the exact way he found it. Why did this have to happen now when Traci was so excited about going back to school? Everything was going so well between him and Traci. Hell, he was going to propose to her! God, he still had to think about if he should even give Traci a ring or not. It didn't seem the same now that he knew something she didn't. Lee told him not to say a word, but what would keep Cherise from telling all to Traci. It would be best if it came from him and not her. Her sister might put on a spin that wasn't there in the first place. He really needed to talk with Richard; however, he was having problems with his restaurant and didn't need more added 224

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on to the ones he was already facing. Zack laughed at the thought of talking to Brad about something as serious as this. He loved his baby brother dearly, but sometimes Brad didn't want to see the whole picture. Living in the moment was the thing he did the best, so why would he change now? A cluster of thoughts tore through his mind while he waited for Traci to come back home so they could talk. Yet, the biggest thought at this very second was on Lee and the information he had with him. What was he going to do with it, and how much of his brother's bullying ways would come back to haunt him? **** "Ms. Roberts, we need to talk," Lee said in a business like voice as soon as he stepped inside of Cherise's shop. He ignored the light fragrance of apple cinnamon in the air. He was here to talk business and nothing would stop him from doing that. Lee didn't want to do this to Cherise, but he didn't see any other way that he could help Zack. "I thought I told you not to come back here." Cherise pulled her glasses off her face and placed then on a stack of invoices on her desk. Damn, he loved how her eyes darkened when she was pissed at him. Lee shook his head a couple of times to get rid of his wandering thoughts. Now wasn't the time for him to lust for the little sex kitten in front of him. "I think it would be best if you placed the closed sign on the door, because we're going to be here for a while," he advised, coming to stand in front of Cherise's antique desk. Fire shot through her hazel-gold eyes. "Don't tell me how to run my place of business," Cherise hissed at him. If it were any other time or any other place, he would be glad to show Ms. Roberts how to work off the excess energy of hers. "I'm not here to argue with you. I have a serious matter to discuss," Lee assured her, taking a seat. Taken back by Lee's demeanor, Cherise went and placed the closed sign on the door, then came back and sat at her desk. 225


"What's so important that you came here this late in the afternoon, Mr. Drace?" Tossing the file on the overly neat desk in front of him, he said, "Sign these papers so my brother can have this place." He placed an expensive gold pen on the top of the file for Cherise to use. Feminine laughter rushed all the blood from his head down to the front of his pants. Damn, a woman shouldn't have a body like Cherise and a killer laugh mixed with it. This woman was going to be the death of him. "I don't take orders from anyone, and especially not from a man I barely know," Cherise hissed, looked down at the folder then back up at him. "Don't make me repeat myself," he muttered, looking into her smoky eyes. "You heard me loud and clear, Mr. Drace," Cherise replied, holding her own against him, which impressed him to no end. "I believe I need to explain the situation to you a little better," Lee stated, wishing he could find another way, but he knew it wasn't a possibility. "If it was to come out that this property wasn't really yours when it was first purchased, it and you could get into a lot of trouble," he whispered in a low voice. Trying not to show fear, she looked him directly in the eyes. "Mr. Drace, I don't have a clue what you're talking about." Lee knew that once he pulled the sheet of paper out of his pocket and held it in his hand Cherise would hate him even more. In addition, any chance he might have had with her would be over, but deep down he hoped that wouldn't happen. Taking a quick breath, he tossed it on the desk. It landed on top of his ink pen. "Why don't you take a look at that before you say another word?" With shaky fingers, Cherise opened the paper. "How did you get this?" she asked with a catch to her voice. "It doesn't matter. But if it gets into the wrong hands, you and your sister can get into a lot of trouble," Lee answered, trying not to be affected by the sound of Cherise's voice. "We 226

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just want to help you by taking this predicament off your hands. And when this is solved, Zack doesn't have to worry about telling Traci," he muttered under his breath. "Why is Zack worried about my sister?" Slowly Cherise stood up and glared at him. "Are you saying Zack is man Traci is in love with?" Lee cursed at the slip of his tongue. "We both know how in love they are with each other and now wouldn't be the best time for this information to come out." Zack was going to kill him if he didn't fix this and quick. "Can't you just sign the papers and move on? I can tell you're a highly intelligent woman who could land another job." **** Cherise wanted to give the gorgeous yet arrogant Lee Drace a few choice words, but he was right. Traci didn't need to find out about this. Because if she did, Cherise knew Traci would drop back out of college and there was no way she would allow that happen. It had taken too many years and lectures to finally make her go back. "Are you positive your brother truly loves my sister and he isn't using her?" "Zack isn't that kind of man; if he only wanted that, he would have left Traci a long time ago. For God’s sake woman, he wants to marry her!" "You can't be serious," Cherise mumbled, falling back into the seat. After hearing those words come from Lee's mouth, she knew what she had to do. "Will Zack let me have a going-out-ofbusiness sale until the end of the month?" "Yes, he'll be more than happy to agree to those terms." Looking around the place that had brought so much pleasure to her life for the last five years, tears started to form in her eyes. Picking up the pen, Cherise opened the folder and quickly signed her name across the bottom of the paper inside. Closing the folder, she slid it back across the desk. "You finally got what you wanted. Now can you please leave?" Cherise flung his pen back at him. "Cherise, don't," Lee's anguished voice whispered. 227


"Mr. Drace, I mean it this time. Please leave me alone. I think you and your brother have done enough damage to my family." Removing herself from Lee's sight, she hurried up the stairs and started looking for sale tags for the items in the shop. There were only three weeks left in November and she had a lot of things to get in order. **** Standing by the door, Lee looked up at the woman whom Zack and Traci thought was so strong, but could see the battle she was fighting within. He should know, because it was the same battle he faced. Opening the door softly, he eased out into the bright Houston sun. Closing the door on Cherise was like giving up on his future.

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Chapter Twenty-Three "Baby, how was your day?" Traci asked, tossing her bags down on the chair. She followed her nose into the kitchen, taking in the wonderful smells coming from the oven. Zack placed the food back in the oven, then turned and gave her a long passionate kiss, making her weak in the knees. "Horrible until you came home," he whispered by her mouth. Laughing, she moved away from her handsome boyfriend, picked up a carrot, and took a bite. "I love opening my front door and finding you here," she admitted, sitting down at the island. "Well, today will be the last day because I need to get back to my house," Zack informed her. "The mail and newspaper are probably piled high." "Are you sure?" she pouted. "Traci, we need to talk." Confused by the expression on Zack's face, Traci let him grab her hand and lead into the den at the end of the hallway. "Please sit down." He pointed to the chair behind her and she took a seat while he sat down on the table in front of her. "What's wrong?" Traci placed her hand on his cheek and the stubble tickled her palm "You have such a strange look on your face." Removing her hand from his face, Zack laid it in her lap. "You do know how much I love you, don't you?" he asked, searching her eyes. Traci felt heaviness come into her chest. She didn't like the way the conversation was headed. It seemed like he had so much going on in his mind. This despondent man with his head almost 229


hanging to his knees wasn't the fun-loving, outgoing, romantic Zack. Sudden mood changes like this weren't health. "Please always know how much I love you, baby," he said, touching the side of her face. "You mean the world to me and don't ever think this is your fault," he insisted. She searched anxiously for the meaning behind the words he just spoke, but she still didn't understand what Zack was talking about. "I've been talking about the property I need to buy for weeks now, but I hadn't mentioned everything you need to know." Traci heard the desperation in Zack's deep voice and it was starting to scare her. What was so huge about this business deal that was causing him to act this away? "Yes, I know all about the woman because you did mention it a few times. I had volunteered to speak with her, but you told me no and I did wonder about it." "I'm really glad I stopped you from meeting with her," he admitted quickly. "If you had gone, I wouldn't have gotten this extra time with you." "Zack, you are confusing the hell out of me. Just tell me what the problem is," Traci begged. A tense silence enveloped the room. It was shocking to see how nervous he was. Running his hands down his face, Zack swore behind them. "Stop torturing me," Traci whispered, placing her hand on his knee. "Tell me what has you so torn." Swallowing a couple of times, Zack moistened his dry mouth and tongue. "There's something I need to tell you, and I pray after you hear me out it won't ruin this wonderful paradise we have built for ourselves. I honestly didn't know about this when I first asked you out at the gym. I was drawn to a strong, attractive woman that I had been admiring from afar for weeks." Sighing deeply, Zack gathered his thoughts, then continued. "Lee knew that I had been looking for a prime piece of property for the past year and a half in a hot part of town, a section of 230

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town that drew people, but I hadn't found anything. Lee asked some of his friends, and this guy informed him about an area where the business owners wanted to sell their shops for a reasonable price. "That was a dream come true, so I ran and got all the shop owners to sign over their property." He paused, looking at Traci as though trying to see if any of this was dawning of her. "I was having good luck until it came to the last business. She wasn't about to sell her antique shop, because it had been a part of her life for the past five years." Shooting up from the couch, Traci moved away from him. "I think you need to stop," she whispered, turning her back to him. "No, this needs to be out in the open. I tried and tried to make her see things my way, but it wasn't going to happen, so I sent my brother Lee to speak with her. He has a touch when it comes to difficult people." Traci spun around, pinning him a hard look which stopped him. "Zack, you really need to stop talking," "I won't stop talking until this is all out in the open," Zack said. "He wasn't having any luck either with her, until I found out a secret she was hiding." Sliding a folded paper from his pocket, he held it out toward Traci. "I found out that Cherise Roberts is your sister and you're the owner of the property, not her." Traci raced across the room and jerked the paper from him. "How in the hell did you get this?" she screamed, waving the paper in his face. "You had no business going through my personal belongings." Storming further away from him, Traci's gaze raked his body. "Are you saying that you and Lee didn't play me from the beginning? Did all of the Drace brothers flip a coin to see who would get the task of building a relationship with me? What extras did you get for sleeping with me?" she snapped at him. "Don't say things like that," he pleaded. "I love you, sweetheart." 231


Slowly Traci walked up to him until they were nose to nose. "Get out of my house, you bastard," she spat. "I don't want to see you again." Zack started to reach for her, but then dropped his hand and got up from the table. He dragged his feet to the front door and, as his hand touched the doorknob, he turned and faced Traci. "You might want to find your sister." "Why?" Traci hissed. "What have you done to her?" "Lee called me before you came home and told me Cherise signed the papers. She'll be out of the shop by the end of the month." He opened the door and sauntered out, but as he was about to close it Traci yelled at him. "Why were you looking in my jewelry box?" Clear blue eyes misting with tears looked back at her. "It doesn't matter now," he replied closing the door.

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Chapter Twenty-Four The night class ended a little later than usual because the professor was preparing the students for their first big test, which was twenty-five percent of their grade. The students started piling out as soon as the lecture was over. However, Traci waited until everyone was gone, then left and wandered down the empty hallway. She wasn't in any big rush to get home tonight, or any other night for that matter. She had fallen into the same routine since she broke up with Zack. All she did was work different hours at the hospital so they would fit around her college classes. The days started to blur together for her—twice this week she had gone straight from work to college, and vice versa. The only time she had to grab anything to eat was at home while studying for her tests. Last week, Eva had dragged her down to the hospital cafeteria for a late lunch because she was worried about the way she looked. When Traci peeked in the mirror, she only saw a woman working toward her goals and nothing else. She also wished everyone at work would stop asking how she was during all the time, too. They thought her spilt with Zack was causing all the stress in her life, but her stress level wasn't up because of that. She thought that could be a small part of her sleepless nights, but the biggest reason was worrying about her classes. Professors wanted assignments faster than she could do them. Pop quizzes seemed to happen in every class she had, and it was getting to her.

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While she was lost in her thoughts, a figure eased into her path, almost knocking her down. "I'm sorry, Ms. Wells, are you all right?" Stan Woodruff asked. Traci was about to give him the same answer she gave everyone else who asked her that question, but for some reason she didn't. "No, I'm not all right," she answered, looking at her advisor. "Is there anything I can do?" "Can I talk to you? I know it's late and you probably need to get home." "Let's head to my office," he said, walking back down the hallway. He unlocked the door and left it open. Traci took a seat at Mr. Woodruff's desk and waited for him to sit down. "I've been having a hard time keeping up with all the work these past couple of weeks," she confessed. "I don't think I'm doing as well as I could." "I'm stunned that you're telling me this, because all of your professors love your work ethic. I'm always hearing good things about you," Stan said. "Could the stress be coming from another part of your life, like work or a personal problem?" he questioned. "Well, I have been working odd hours at the hospital because of my classes, so that might be the problem." Traci didn't think Stan needed to know about her break-up with Zack. "If you get too stressed out, let me know and I'll try to work something out with your professors. You're too smart to think about dropping out." "Thank you so much for listening, Mr. Woodruff." Traci stood up and placed her backpack on her shoulder. "I hope that you're right and things do get better after the break," she mumbled on her way out the door. As she walked to her car at the very end of the student parking lot, Traci felt as if someone was watching her. She stopped in the middle of the side and saw several students rushing to and from their night classes, but none of them were looking in her direction. Shaking off the eerie feeling, she 234

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continued to her car. As she slid her key into the lock a man voice whispered behind her. "Traci, can I talk to you?" Spinning around, her hand flew to her chest as she fell back against the side of her car. A scream was working its way up her throat until she saw Zack standing on the grass about five feet from her. "What do you want?" she snapped, turning back around to unlock her car. Opening the door, she tossed her backpack into the back seat and tried to slow down her pounding heart. It wouldn't do her any good if Zack saw how much she still wanted him. "Just a few minutes of your time," Zack said. "I don't have any extra time to speak with you right now," Traci said. "I need to get to work or I'll be late." She spun around and got inside the car at the same time Zack closed the distance between their bodies. He placed his hand on the door and drew her attention to the muscles in his arms. Shit, she hated how hot Zack was. "When will you have a free moment so I can explain things better to you?" Her eyes drilled a hole into his, causing Zack to flinch and glance away. "I don't know why you're even here," she blurted out. "We have said all that we need to say to each other, Mr. Drace. You got your property and my sister will be out of the building by the end of the month. What more could you want?" "I want us to be the way we used to before all this happened," Zack told her in a rush of words. Has he lost his mind? "That isn't going to happen, so you need to move on with your life, because I'm moving on with mine." Grabbing a hold of the door handle, she waited for Zack to move back, then slammed the door closed. "Are you seeing someone else already?" he questioned through the open car window.

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"That, Zack, isn't really any of your business, is it?" Starting the car Traci, drove out of the parking lot, leaving Zack standing in the darkness of the cool November night air. **** "How did it go?" Richard asked Zack the second he stepped into his house. He closed the door and waved a beer under Zack's nose. "She still hates me," Zack growled, taking the beer from him. "I don't think she'll be coming for Thanksgiving dinner, or any other holiday for that matter." He was at the end of his rope thinking of ways to get Traci back into his life. "You need to give her more time," Richard said, trying to console his distraught brother. "Traci needs time to sort through the loyalty she has for her sister and the feelings she has for you." "I never told her she had to choose between us," Zack sighed then took a sip of his beer. "I was hoping when she saw me that everything would go back as it was," he confessed. "Zack, you can't honestly think you can recapture the romance you had with Traci. You took her sister's business away from her." "Lee was actually the one who got Cherise to sign the papers," Zack corrected. Richard shrugged off his brother's comment. "It doesn't make any difference which one of you did it. It happened and Traci isn't going to forget any time soon." "I don't want to hear this," Zack complained. "I think that Traci might already have someone new and I don't understand how she could do this to me. Doesn't she know that she means the world to me? I need a plan to get her back." "Isn't a scheme what got you into this problem is the first place?" Richard asked him. "I still think you need to let the tension cool off first, then try to talk to her again." Zack shook his head. "No, you don't know what it feels like to be in love and have the woman you love hate you." 236

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"I may know more than you think," Richard muttered under his breath. Moving his head slightly, Zack stared at him. "What did you say?" "Nothing of any importance," he answered. "Are you going to help me or not?" Zack asked. "No, I'm not going to help you, but I know someone who might." "I'll do anything to get her back before Thanksgiving," Zack replied, staring at him with hope and a slight smile. He took another sip of his beer, then placed it on the table. Taking a deep breath, Richard prepared himself for what he knew was about to happen. "Okay, I think you need to go see Cherise." He shot out before Zack could react, "I think she may be the only one who could get through to Traci." "HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?" Zack yelled at him once he stopped talking. "She's probably taking out personal ads for a wealthy, handsome, strong and successful black man as we speak. She has never wanted me with Traci." "From what Lee told me, the reason Cherise signed the papers was to keep Traci from finding out about you," Richard continued like Zack just hadn't screamed at him. "Don't you think that means something?" Rubbing the back of his neck, Zack paced around the room like a caged animal. "I don't know if I agree with you or not, Richard. Cherise may kick me out of her shop before I can say two words in my defense." Richard moved away from his brother. "You're always saying that Traci's love is worth fighting for, but when you have to back up those words, you won't. Maybe it's for the best that she might have found someone else," he tossed back at Zack. Reaching out, Zack shoved him hard into the wall behind them. "How can you give me advice about proving my love for Traci when you chased away the woman you love?"

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Brushing Zack's hand off his chest, Richard stood toe to toe with his brother. His expression clouded over in rage. "Dawn isn't any of your business!" Zack smirked at him, unfazed by his anger. "Oh, you don't like it when I talk about her, do you?" he taunted. "Weren't you man enough to keep her?" Richard lunged for Zack. "You bastard." "Stop it," Lee yelled at them from the doorway. Zack and Richard glared at the oldest Drace brother. "What do you know? You're the reason Traci hates me," Zack growled. "Fighting isn't going to help anyone," he said, closing the door. "Instead of trying to put your brother through the wall, you need to find a way to get Traci back." Zack shoved Richard one more time, proving he was still older. "Don't mess with me when it comes to Traci. I won't think twice about hitting you." Lee spoke with cool authority as he pulled him away from Richard. "You two aren't teenagers anymore. Solving problems with your fists won't work in this situation. Zack, you need to fix things with Traci and stop taking your problems out on your brother." Staring at Lee, Zack realized that his brother was right. He shouldn't take his anger out on Richard. It wasn't his fault Traci hated him. "Sorry, man." "It's already in the past," Richard assured him. "Why don't you go back to work tomorrow?" Lee suggested. "Working might help the time fly by quicker, giving Traci time to cool off." "Can't you think of anything besides money?" Zack questioned. He slammed Richard's front door behind him in a fit of annoyance.

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Chapter Twenty-Five Later that week, Traci sat in the college library, working on an essay paper when a single pink rose was slid underneath her nose. She didn't even have to look up to know who it was—the faint, earthy scent of his cologne surrounded her senses. Why couldn't she get away from him? Stay calm and I'll be able to get through this. "What do you want, Zack?" she asked. "Can't you forgive me?" The huskiness of Zack's voice made her remember things that she didn't want. She didn't take the flower from him but brushed it out of her face and continued writing. "How did you know I was here?" Don't give in to him. Zack placed the rose inside her book. "Eva told me when I went looking for you at the hospital," he said, sitting down in the hard wood chair in front of her. An eyebrow arched over her eyes in disbelief. "You went to my job?" What kind of game was he up to? Taking the pen from her hand, he placed it beside the rose. "I'd go anywhere to find you, baby," Zack muttered, staring into her eyes. "You only came to my work place once the whole time we were dating each other," she stated. Zack wouldn't make her forgive him. If he was here on a finishing mission, he made a trip for nothing. Traci couldn't help but think about all the love she felt when she was with Zack. He had brought so much light to her life. However, this deal with Cherise and the antique shop still haunted her. Was he only with her to steal her sister's business 239


away? How could she truly believe that he didn't know beforehand about the bloodline between her and Cherise? She picked up her things and shoved them into her backpack on the table. "This isn't the best time for us to be going into this," she said standing up. Zack stood up, closing her into his sexual allure. "Traci, you can't keep avoiding me like this. You won't take any of my phone calls and when I try to see you, you always leave in a hurry. How do you expect us to work things out when you won't talk to me?" Pushing the chair under the table, Traci's eyes connected with Zack's troubled ones. "I'm not sure if there is anything for us to work out. You got the antique shop and I'm going back to college. Plus with work there isn't time in my life for you or another man." With lighting speed, Zack darted around the small table and blocked her in. "Traci, are you really serious about breaking up with me?" She didn't want to notice the hurt in his blue eyes or hear the pain pouring from his deep powerful voice, because if she did, her plan wouldn't work. Her love for Zack was still as powerful as it always was, but she needed to be there for Cherise in her time of need. How many times did her sister tell her Zack wasn't in love with her? She'd never listened to her until now. She wasn't about to betray her sister again. Cherise needed her now, not Zack. He had his brothers and her sister's shop. Holding the tears at bay, she stared into the eyes of the man she had truly ever loved. "Yes, I'm breaking up with you, Zack. I don't want to see you again or hear your voice on my phone. As of right now, you're a part of my past, and I want you to respect my wishes. Stay out of my life." With that said, she hurried out of the library, leaving the rose lying on the table with the man who had shattered her world. **** "Traci, you don't have to be here for this," Cherise insisted, watching antique buyers practically fight over the hard to find 240

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items. She waited while Traci took a check from an older customer and looked around her shop. It wasn't going to be the same for her not coming here at eight o'clock every morning. "It's my fault that you're losing this place, so it's only fair I'm here with you," Traci said, placing her hand on her shoulder. Cherise answered a man's question about a stand before she turned her attention back to her sister. "Haven't I told you stop blaming yourself for this?" Traci shook her head, brushing away a sudden tear. "No, I'm going to blame myself for a long time for this happening to you." Hugging her sister, Cherise placed a quick kiss on her cheek. "You stop that right now. I don't want to hear another word from you. If Zack hadn't come along, someone else would have offered me money for this place. It's truly a hot spot for any establishment." Raw emotions raced through Cherise's mind as she finished selling the final items out of her shop. As she placed the closed sign on her door for the last time, she couldn't believe how many people had come. Several of her big-time customers were other dealers that had wanted to buy some of her pieces for years, but not at the higher price. However, at the marked down prices her antique flew off the shelves. Noticing how empty the place was without all the people and items inside, she took all the money out of the cash register and shoved it inside the money bag behind the counter. The night air blew in through the open window against the tight little black dress she was wearing tonight. It had been Traci's idea to wear black to mourn the passing of an important part of their adult lives. Taking the money bag from behind the counter, she stuck it under her arm and went in search of her sister. **** Moving around the empty back room, Traci was shocked by how huge it looked without all the antiques. It was like her sister never was inside this place the past five years of her life. 241


Rubbing her arms, Zack crossed her mind and she wondered what he was doing on a beautiful tonight like tonight. Did he take her seriously when she told him to stay out of her life? Had he found someone new and was holding her in his arms like he used to do with her? Where his lips caressing her face or lips bringing a moan from deep in her throat? She was trying so hard to push Zack to the back of her mind, but it was tough after giving him such a big part of her soul. But he would have to stay in the past because she wouldn't be able to look at him the same again. **** "Girl, what are you doing hiding out back here?" Cherise asked through the back room door, with the money bag under her arm. "I thought you abandoned me. I've been looking all over for you." Digging into her skirt pocket, Traci handed Cherise a handful of checks. "I just wanted a few moments to myself. I hope that was okay." "Honey, that's fine with me. I was able to handle the few customers left." Cherise still didn't like the forlorn look on her little sister's face. She wouldn't be able to stay strong if Traci broke down on her. "Hey, I can finish closing up and then take the money to the bank. Why don't you leave and spend some time with Zack." "I can't do that," Traci answered. "Why not? Does he have to work late? Maybe you can surprise him at work. I know he'll probably like that." She wasn't going to let her opinion of Zack keep Traci from dating him. "No….you don't understand. I can't spend time with Zack because I broke up with him," Traci spoke in a tremulous whisper. "Please don't tell me that I had something to do with it," Cherise groaned slapping the full money bag against her leg. She just signed her business away so her sister could be with Zack, and now they weren't even together. Did she sign away her business for nothing? 242

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Keeping her voice light and indifferent, Tracie responded, "Yes, I broke up with him. He was a liar along with being untrustworthy. How could I stay with a man like that?" She heard the hurt in Traci's voice and wanted to help her sister. "If you want to hear my side, I don't think Zack knew we were sisters. I believe he asked you out because he liked you." Traci snorted at her. "Yeah, right .We had been dating for months and not once did he ever mention your business by name. Doesn't that make you the least bit curious? I don't think I was ever truly loved by him. You were right about him. No matter who you open yourself up to, they will turn on you in the end to help themselves." Cherise tried to interrupt Traci, but she couldn't get a word in. "The only thing Zack wanted from me was to satisfy a curiosity." Cherise didn't like hearing her loving little sister talk like this. Traci was always the one looking for the good in every person she came across. When a person did something wrong, Traci said there was a reason behind it the other person didn't know about. Furthermore, she always said you shouldn't judge a person unless you spend time with him and knew how their lives worked. "Traci, I don't want to be the reason you ended things with Zack. I know how protective you are of me and I love that, but if you want to break up with your boyfriend, I don't want to be the reason. Now, let's go. I need to deposit this money before the back closes," Cherise muttered, going back to the front of the store with Traci behind her. "I thought you would be happy," Traci sighed, heading out door before her. Cherise flicked off the light at the side of the wall and then closed the door to the store. She turned the knob a couple of times to make sure it was locked. "Traci, I don't want my happiness to come from your misery. You may not want to admit it now, but you're still in love with Zack." She gave her sister a 243


small smile. "Think about what you want and not what will please me. I know you'll make the right decision." "I don't know what I want to do anymore." Traci fell in step beside her as she went toward her car. "I can't make this decision for you, baby sister," Cherise said, unlocking her door and getting inside the car. "I know you can't," Traci yelled back from her car as she got inside. "I need time to think about all this." Her sister waved at her before she pulled out of the parking lot and drove off in the direction of her house. Cherise didn't have a clue how this was going to work out for her sister, but if Zack really loved Traci he would fight for her love. Her sister wasn't going to have a moment's peace until she took him back, she knew as she drove off heading for the bank.

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Chapter Twenty-Six Opening the door, Cherise's eyes narrowed at the person standing on the other side. "What are you doing here?" She never thought in a million years she would see this person on her front door. "How did you know where I lived anyway?" Zack moved closer to her. "Can I come in? I need to talk to you about Traci." Cherise eyed the man her sister was in love with and hated to admit it, but Traci would look good with Zack. They were made for each other and she would bet her last dollar Mr. Drace was here to ask for her help. "Why would I ever think about allowing you to set one foot in my home?" She didn't miss the pissed looked that crossed Zack's face. "Because no matter how much you may hate me right now, you love Traci and want her to be happy. I'm the one to make her happy." Rolling her eyes, she opened the door wider and waved Zack in with her hand. "Come on in. I don't have all day." Closing the front door after Zack, she followed him into the room. "Okay, make this quick. I have places to be," she muttered, folding her arms under her breasts. "Can I at least take a seat?" Zack asked, pointing toward a chair behind him. "No, you aren't going to be here that long. You should be glad I even invited you in," she replied. Cherise wondered why Lee didn't come with Zack since they both were involved with destroying Traci and her. Stop lying to yourself. You just wanted to see Lee and that hard body 245


of his, her mind taunted. She quickly shook her head to dislodge the thought and focused her attention back on Zack. Zack remained motionless for a few seconds and just stared at her. "I understand what Lee sees in you." Cherise heart sped up at the mention of Lee's name, but she couldn't allow Zack to see it. "Are you here to discuss your arrogant brother or my sister?" "You know I'm here to ask about Traci. She means everything to me and I want to find out if she still has feelings for me." "I'm not going to drill my sister for you," Cherise tossed back without missing a beat. Had Zack lost his mind the second he gained her business? Zack spoke in a distant tone as he came toward her. "I know you weren't expecting to find me on your doorstep, but you're my last hope of reaching Traci. Cherise, I love your sister more than anything or anyone in this world," he confessed. His blue eyes darkened as he held her gaze. "I want to spend the rest of my life with her." Her eyes grew huge at his comment. "Are you telling me that you want to marry my baby sister?" Zack grit his teeth as though to keep from screaming out his frustration. "Yes, I want to make your sister my wife in the worst way. I even have the ring at home waiting for her delicate little finger. All she has to do is say yes. Can't you do something at all to help me out?" Cherise unfolded her arms and let them hang at her sides. She couldn't get past how Zack's words sounded like they were being ripped from his throat. She slowly took off her blinders and studied the man in front of her. The man in front of her didn't look like the confident businessman that had came to her shop numerous times. Zack's face no longer had the slight smirk to his mouth, and gone were the quick comebacks and one-sided demands.

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She didn't have any doubt that Zack Drace had ever begged for a woman's help a day in his life, but if begging her would help him get Traci back he was going to do it. Confused by the man in front of her, she wandered restlessly around the room. What if her biased views against him had finally poisoned her sister's mind against the man who could be her future husband? Traci had waited so long to find the perfect man and he may be standing in front of her. She hesitated, torn by conflicting emotions; however, she knew what the right thing to do was. "Zack, I'll help you get my sister back," she informed him. "I pushed my opinions on Traci for years and that was wrong. I shouldn't have made her think the same way I did. What I think is right for me may not apply to her. We are two different people who feel and act differently to situations. "Traci lets her emotions rule her all the time," Cherise confessed with a roll of her eyes. Poking herself lightly in the chest, she said, "I'm usually the cautious one who started planning out her future years ago." "Please, sit down," she asked Zack. Cherise waited while Zack sat down in a chair by her living room table. "Traci kept your relationship a secret from me for months because she didn't want me ruining the magic you shared and I ended it tearing it apart anyway. "I really believe if James hadn't used her all those years ago, this wouldn't have bothered her as deeply as it did," Cherise admitted to Zack. "My sister is a hopeless romantic. You had to have figured that out within twenty minutes of meeting her. Do you understand the advice I'm trying to give you?" Drawing his brows down, a blank expression appeared on Zack's face. "I'm not following you," he exclaimed. "Romance my sister, you idiot," Cherise snapped. "Can you do that? Because if you can't, I don't think my sister is wrong for letting you go."

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Chapter Twenty-Seven Holding the sweet potatoes with one hand, Traci rang the doorbell with the other. She still found it hard to believe she wasn't spending Thanksgiving with Zack. She fought down the inner pain that been gnawing at her for the past couple of days. Not being around Zack today was a little hard on her, but she wasn't to let it get her down. Knocking again, Traci wondered what Cherise was doing. It wasn't like her sister to take this long to answer the door. As she was about to knock for a third time the door finally opened. "Dang, girl, what took you so long?" she complained, brushing past Cherise. The delicious smell of turkey and dressing filled the living room. Gerald Levert's Casanova played softly in the background, making the house very warm and cozy. "I had to check on the turkey," Cherise answered, shutting the door. "Having a little patience isn't going to kill you." Traci took off her long coat, showing off a gorgeous offthe-shoulder burgundy dress, and then took the sweet potatoes into the kitchen. "I'm sorry. I guess I was a little impatient, but I was getting restless waiting for you. By the way, you look nice," she said, staring at the black slip dress with a pink ribbon tied around the waist that her sister was wearing. "You look amazing," her sister said. "Why are you wearing such an expensive dress for me? Shouldn't you be saving it for Zack?" Spinning around, Traci studied Cherise intensely. "Why are you talking about Zack?" she asked, then went into the kitchen and placed the dish on the table. 248

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"I didn't mean any harm," Cherise assured her innocently. "I just think your dress is more appropriate for a boyfriend than your sister." "If you say so," Traci muttered, secretly wondering why Cherise was talking about Zack. "This is our day. So how about we stop all this conversation about Zack and focus on us?" she suggested, sitting down at the table. "Aren't you missing Zack at all? I know how much he misses you," Cherise questioned, joining her. "How do you know how Zack's feelings?" Traci arched an eyebrow. "Stop giving me that look." "I'm not going to rest until you answer my question, Cherise Roberts," Traci informed her. "Zack paid me a visit and told me how much he wanted you back," Cherise said nonchalantly. "I can't make you take him back, but the man that came to see me is in love with you, so maybe you need to give him another chance." Traci merely stared, tongue tied at this stranger standing in front of her. This woman wasn't the sister who told her time and time again the wrongs of dating Zack. How could she change her mind so quickly after one conversation with Zack? Was her sister really on the enemy's side now? She just had to know. "What changed your mind?" Cherise responded matter-of-factly, "It was the look in Zack's face when he talked about you. His eyes were so full of remorse and intense longing, and the way he spoke about you made me see how wrong I've been." Traci thought her ears were playing tricks on her because Cherise never admitted when she was wrong. Zack must have really gotten to her. "What else did he say about me?" she asked, trying her best to appear indifferent. Cherise's mouth turned into an unconscious smile. "Oh, he said a little of this and a little of that." "Please, don't play games with me." 249


"Little sis, you could never take a joke," she sighed at Traci. "He wanted me to ask you to come by Lee's house for a few minutes after Thanksgiving dinner, so the two of you could talk." Biting her nail, Traci sat at the table and contemplated if she should go see Zack or not. Things hadn't been going good for her since she broke up with him. Work and school hadn't been enough to fill the void in her life that his absence left. But if she went running back to him, how would it look? "I'm not going to see him." Cherise finally erupted. "Listen closely, because I'm only going to say this one time and I want you to hear every single word that comes out of my mouth, little sister. You are so in love with Zack you can't see straight. After we eat Thanksgiving dinner, you're going over to his brother's house and talk to him. I don't want to see anymore of this long face of yours. I miss the woman who would run into the house like everything was right with the world. Now let's eat before the food get cold," Cherise said, getting up from the table. **** "If I had known Emily was going to bring a friend with her, I would have never invited her for drinks after dinner," Richard told Zack as he fixed drinks for their guests. Looking across the room, Zack spotted Eva's green eyes staring directly at him. "I don't blame you," he whispered low enough for only Richard's ears. "I know you didn't want to invite Emily, but I heard her throwing hints over the phone." He took the drink Richard handed him. "Why didn't you ask Dawn? I thought you said you spoke to her the other day?" Taking a long sip of his gin and tonic, Richard looked as though he didn't know how to respond. "Dawn is still a little touchy about what I said to her, so I basically just said hello and went on my way. I didn't know until later she was there with another guy," Richard muttered, his hand tight around the crystal glass. "Furthermore, it didn't help I was at same the party with Emily." "Does Emily know you aren't interested in her that way?" 250

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"I have told her on numerous occasions we are just friends, but she doesn't believe me," Richard sighed, then took another sip of his drink. "Enough about me and my personal life. Wasn't Cherise supposed to talk with Traci about her stopping by here after Thanksgiving dinner?" Zack sat his glass down on the table next to him. "I was hoping she would, but I guess she didn't and it's a good thing. I would hate for her to see Eva here flirting with me," he said, disgusted by the woman's unflattering behavior. "Aren't they like best friends or something?" Richard asked. "I thought so, but Eva isn't acting like they are," Zack replied. "Come on. We better go back over there before they come after us." Zack tolerated Eva for the next hour because he wasn't ready to leave his family on Thanksgiving. But when she started hinting around for a date, he knew it was time for her to go. She was past the point of getting on his nerves. So he quickly volunteered to walk her out to her car. "I think this is so nice of you to escort me to my car," Eva whispered, placing her hand on his shirt. Zack looked down at her fingers, but didn't answer. "Aren't you and Traci good friends?" he asked, removing her hand from his chest. "I wouldn't say good friends. We only work together," Eva purred, running a finger down his jaw. He captured Eva's wrist in his hand and jerked it away from his face. Zack couldn't believe Eva was actually flirting with him. She knew how he felt about Traci and she didn't care. "I don't think you should touch me like that." "Why not?" she questioned, twisting her wrist away from him. "I know you and Traci aren't together anymore, so that means you're up for grabs. And I want a handful of what you're offering, sexy," Eva moaned, pulling his head down for a kiss. Zack placed his hands on Eva to push her away, he wasn't quick enough. 251


"Is this what you wanted me to see, Zack?" Traci yelled from the pavement. "Is this the reason you convinced my sister to make me come to see you?" Tearing his mouth away, Zack wiped Eva's kiss from his mouth. "Traci, you have to listen to me," he begged, racing over to her. Holding up her hands, Traci made him stop mere inches from her. "I don't have to listen to anything. I think I've seen enough to last me a lifetime." "You weren't supposed to see that." "Oh, so you only kiss Eva in the privacy of Lee's house," she spat at him. Eva tried to ease around them, but Traci stopped her. "Wait one damn minute, you slut." Eva froze in one spot. "Don't leave on the account of me," she said, looking between her former best friend and Zack. "I can't believe I almost fell for the lies you spoon-fed my sister." Traci's gaze swung back to Zack. "I always thought in the back of my mind you really wanted Eva instead of me. I would have been fine with that if you had gone after her in the first place." After she was finished with Zack, Traci directed her gaze at over to Eva who was still standing in the same spot. "Everyone at work warned me not to trust you around Zack, but I didn't listen." Cold eyes bored a hole into Eva's ashamed face. "I was the only friend you had at Sunrise." She then screamed at Zack. "Cherise actually thought she was doing something good for me by sending me here today. I'm leaving now and I want the both of you to know that I'm finished with you." Zack wasn't about to let Traci leave him again. It was painful enough not spending this holiday with her he wasn't going to miss another one. "Eva, tell Traci that you came on to me," he hissed. "You know I have never looked at you," he continued harshly. Eva jumped at the tone of his voice. "Sorry, baby, I can't tell her that. Traci knows that you kissed me back as much as I do." 252

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Zack gasped at Eva's words. He could have strangled her for not telling Traci the truth about what happened. Grabbing Eva by her hand, he dragged her all the way to her car and shoved her inside. "Leave and don't come back. I don't want to see your face anymore. What kind of friend are you anyway to do that to Traci?" He slammed the car door and moved back as Eva sped down the street. "Traci, she's gone. Now we can talk." Zack said, spinning around. His heart fell to the bottom of his stomach. Traci wasn't behind him.

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Chapter Twenty-Eight She struggled to maintain an even, agreeable tone. "I thought we settled this at your brother's house Thanksgiving Day." Traci did not intend to permit herself to fall under the spell that was Zack Drace for a second time. He could still make her heart skip a beat. '"You had a chance to express your feelings, but I never got a chance to express mine," Zack said, sitting down in a chair across from her. How dare he come here and confront her after what he did with Eva? "Well, I don't care about your damn feelings," she hissed in a low voice, taking a quick glance around the library to make sure no one was listening to them. Traci opened her mouth to say something else until Zack stopped her. "Can you be quiet for one minute, so I can talk?" She snapped her mouth shut, stunned by his bluntness. "I love you," his deep voice whispered hoarsely. "I think I loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you at the gym." She responded in a tremulous voice. "Zack, I can't go down this road with you again." A muscle flickered angrily in his jaw. "Are you giving up on us?" Touching his arm softly, she managed to reply through stiff lips, "I think you gave up on us long before now." Traci didn't want her heart broken a third time in her life. It was better to end it now and for both of them move on. "How did I give up on us?" Zack questioned, his expression dark and angry. 254

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Why was he asking a question when he already knew the answer? "You wouldn't have started dating another woman if you thought we had a future," she insisted, her voice rising in anger. She waited while Zack tried to answer her, and then suddenly his face went grim. Pushing the chair back, Zack got up from the table without saying a word and walked away from her. The act caused a pain in her heart that she had never felt before. Her whole body was surrounded in a tidal wave of weariness and anguish as it finally hit her. This was it. Zack had finally given up on their love and her. She sat frozen in her seat as the love of her life got halfway to the door and then looked back at her. His blue eyes bore into her. "Goodbye, Traci," Zack whispered, then went out the door. The sound of his deep voice seemed louder and more potent in the quiet library, and pushed the knife deeper into her heart. Blinking hard, she tried to keep the tears from streaming down her cheeks. Jumping up from the chair, she opened her mouth to yell at him, but the words lodged in her tight throat. Falling back into the chair, it hit her that she might have just made the worst mistake of her life. **** Going back and forth to work during the day and school at night kept Traci's life busy. It was so hectic she would only grab a meal when she could. Most of the time eating didn't fit into her day, and the nights were the hardest for her, alone in her dark bedroom, remembering all the nights she was wrapped in Zack tight warm embrace and missing every damn moment of it. Placing her palm on the sheet, she ran her fingers across the empty cold spot he used to love. Sleeping on the left-hand side was his favorite thing to do. When she had asked him about it he told her it gave him a better night's sleep. However, Traci knew that was a lie. If he slept on the left side, he could watch her sleep at night. Sometimes she would pretend to be asleep just to feel his gaze on her face. Traci didn't want to be a weak woman crying over a man, yet she couldn't keep the tears from falling down her cheeks and 255


hitting the pillows. Tomorrow was Saturday and it was the first day in months she didn't have to go to class or work. Sleeping late was already on the agenda as the past few weeks had been too hard on her body. She was about to give out from exhaustion if she didn't take a break. The sandman slowly started to calm her senses, allowing her body to catch on the missed sleep her body needed to recharge. **** "I thought I would find you here," a voice said over the loud noise, bouncing off the walls inside the crowded gym. Finishing the last of his reps on the weights, Zack glanced to his right and saw Richard standing there. "I need to work off some extra energy. What's it to you?" he snapped. Richard didn't even blink an eye at his outburst. Instead, he leaned on the wall and waited for him to place dumbbell back on the floor. "I know you're upset about Traci, but you don't need to talk to me like that. Haven't I been on your side since I noticed how much you loved her?" Picking up a towel beside the bench, Zack wiped the sweat from his brow as a twinge of guilt hit him. "Sorry man, I didn't mean to yell at you." Tossing the towel in his gym bag, Zack fell to the floor for his stretches. "How are things going with the restaurant?" He wanted to talk about anything that didn't involve Traci. His brother sat down on the bench he just vacated. "D4 isn't doing too good at the moment, I had to let two more employees go last week and they weren't too happy about it." Zack listened to his brother's confession and he was pissed. "Why didn't you tell anyone about this?" Richard rubbed the back of his neck. "You had enough problems going on without me adding to them, and Lee and Brad have their own things going on." Standing up, Zack grabbed his gym bag off the floor. "Is it money, because you know that I'll give you any amount you need." 256

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"No, it's not the money," Richard replied, slapping his brother's back. "Dawn was the one who knew how to draw customers with new ideas. The ones I have been coming up have been okay, but nothing compared to hers." "Richard, when are you going to admit that you're attracted to Dawn?" Zack asked, moving towards the front of the gym. "When you finally admit that you still want Traci in your life," Richard countered. "All the women you have been dating since the break-up are window dressing for the real thing." Zack's face tightened at his correct assessment of his love life, but Traci hadn't found him and said she still wanted him. She had allowed him to go out the door. He had to keep Traci in the past and his heart buried against any other woman. "I think you should focus on your love life and not mine. I'm having a wonderful time dating Danielle," he lied, staring back at his brother over his shoulder. He was turning back around when he ran straight into another body. Reaching out, he grabbed the other person's arm so she wouldn't fall. The words I'm sorry were on his lips until he looked down into Traci's eyes. "Traci," he whispered, his grip tightened on her bare arm. "Hello, Zack," she answered, staring back into his eyes with longing. "I didn't know you still came here," he said, easing her body closer to his without even realizing it. "Yes, when I have extra time after work. I don't have much right now, but I try to fit an hour in here and there after school." Was his mind playing tricks on him, or did Traci's voice just catch in the back of her throat? Could she notice how fast his heart was beating under his shirt? This shouldn't still happen to him with her. They hadn't been around each other for almost two full weeks; this attraction should have burnt itself out by now. He took a deep breath and tried to relax, but the touch of soft skin beneath his hands had his emotions running wild. Traci kept squirming in his hold like she was anxious to escape from his presence. "It was nice to see you again, Zack," 257


Traci said in a rush, removing his hands from her arms and rushing from the health club. "She's still in love with you," Richard muttered behind him. "I don't think she ever noticed me standing behind you." He was momentarily speechless in his surprise at seeing Traci at the club and the lingering love shining in her eyes. "You saw her eyes, too, didn't you? The way they melted when they looked into mine? That only happens when a woman is in love." "So, what are you going to do about it?" Richard asked. "Nothing. Traci made it clear countless times she doesn't want me in her life and I'm not going to push her. Anyway, I'm dating Danielle now." "You'll making a mistake leading Danielle on this way." "Richard," his voice warned. "Let me live my life and you worry about your own." **** Butterflies flapped in the pit of her stomach as the professor passed back the graded tests. She had studied for this test until she couldn't anymore. This anatomy class was the hardest one on her schedule. If she didn't get an A on this and the next two tests, it wouldn't be worth continuing. The professor placed the test face down on the desk, giving her a small smile that in Traci's mind wasn't good. He never smiled at anyone. His face was always made of stone, which landed him the nickname "Stone Face." Lifting up the edge, she saw her grade and was devastated. It wasn't what she needed to pass this class. The rest of the class all looked pleased with their grades. Feeling less than equal, Traci folded up her test paper and shoved it into her backpack. When the class dismissed, she tried to ease out of the classroom, but Stone Face stopped her. "Traci, can I speak with you? Please, have a seat." He pointed to a chair by the side of desk and she sat down, already fearing the worst. "I saw the expression on your face and thought I needed to talk to you. Are you feeling disappointed about your grade?" 258

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"I know that I'm the only one in class who isn't getting the top grades like everyone else. Don't you think that will upset me?" she asked in an amazed voice. "You shouldn't feel that way," her professor told her. "I was very pleased with your grade this time, because this is one of your best grades to date. Furthermore, we still have three more tests to take. I know you'll only get better," he encouraged. Folding her fingers, Traci placed them on Stone Face's desk. "Can you give me an idea of how to study better?" "I do have a suggestion, but I don't know if you want to take it or not." "Let me hear it and then I'll decide." "Let me tutor you." Leaning back, Traci looked at Professor Edwards without blinking. "Can you do that?" "Yes, as long I don't tell you about future tests, I can help you with your study skills. You may not need me after one session," he said, shocking her. Traci didn't know if this was a hidden plan on his part of not. Seeing the doubt in her expression caused Professor Edwards to laugh. "I'm not out to get you behind the dorm building or anything. I honestly want to help you. A hard working student like you is the reason I wanted to become a teacher," he confessed. "How about it? Do we have a deal or not?" Standing up, Traci stuck out her hand. "Let me see when I have a break in my work schedule and I'll let you know the best time for me." Shaking her hand, Professor Edwards grinned at her. "I'll have class until two o'clock tomorrow. If you don't see me just tape a note to my door or slide in under it." "Thank you," she said, going out the door.

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Chapter Twenty-Nine "Hey baby, what's wrong?" Danielle asked Zack, sucking on her vanilla malt through the straw. Picking up two ketchup soaked fries, she shoved them into her mouth. He started dating Danielle because she was the total opposite of Traci. She was younger, a junior in college with long, strawberry blonde hair and huge, clear gray eyes. "Nothing," he said, taking a bite of his hamburger. Danielle loved eating at fast food establishments. It wasn't working out as he thought it would. Dating a perky semi-adult wasn't like dating a mature woman. Traci could have conversations with him that Danielle never could, and it wasn't her fault. He should never let her into his life, because she wasn't the one he wanted. A brown-skinned angel named Traci Wells filled his dreams at night. Running into her at the gym only heightened his awareness of the emptiness in his life without her. She had looked so sexy standing there with her hair pulled up in a ponytail. He remembered how he loved taking her hair down to run his finger through its thickness. Everything about Traci he missed with a passion. Looking at Danielle sitting there so happy on their date tonight, Zack knew he needed to end it. Richard was right. Danielle wasn't the woman for him. "Danielle, I think we need to talk," he started out, wanting to prepare her. "I can't stand her," she muttered around the fries in her mouth, glaring at someone behind him. "She thinks she's all important because she's dating the professor." "Who are you talking about?" Zack asked, turning around in the booth. 260

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"Over there by the counter, the woman ordering the food," she said, pointing. His eyes widened at the vision of loveliness across the room. Shit, she looked better now that she had at the gym. "Isn't her name Traci?" "Yeah, Traci Wells. She sits in front on me in Anatomy and I think she's too old to even be at college," she spat hatefully. "Most of the guys in class are in lust with her and the other girls hate it. Why would they want an older woman when they could have us?" she asked him. "How do you know she's dating him?" he asked, taking a quick look back at Danielle before finding Traci again. Traci couldn't be involved with someone as he was getting ready to get rid of Danielle from his life. "It's all over campus how they meet in his office late at night. Do you know she tried to tell one of my friends he was her tutor?" she laughed. "Yeah, we all know what he's tutoring her in." Zack noticed the evil looks that Danielle was shooting toward Traci. He wondered if Danielle had a crush on Traci's teacher. Well, he was about to find out. Now that he knew Traci showed that she still wanted him, he wasn't about to let another man have her. "Why don't you call him over here? I know that they had to have seen us when they came inside the building." "Are you sure?" Danielle asked him, checking her hair and make up in the napkins container. "Yeah, I want to meet your professor and his date." Traci wouldn't stay Professor Edward's date if he had anything to say about it. Danielle didn't have to be asked twice. "Professor Edwards," she yelled in the semi-empty place. Zack waited patiently for Professor Edward to come over with Traci. He sat back in the booth and listened while Danielle quickly made the instructions. After she was finished with them, she dragged Professor Edwards from the restaurant, leaving him alone with Traci. He didn't mind in the least. 261


"Are you really dating him?" he growled the second Danielle and Professor Edwards were out of earshot. "How dare you ask me that when you're here with Danielle," Traci snapped back. "You know she isn't the one I want," he confessed, all the anger gone from his body. "Sweetheart, I miss you every second of the day." Moving from his side of the booth, he made his way over to Traci. He gently shoved her down in the seat and slid in beside her. "Can you say you haven't missed my voice or touch?" he asked, running his fingers down her jaw. Closing her eyes, Traci moaned in the back of her throat, and then reopened her eyes and stared at him. "What are you trying to do to me?" "Do you remember how we use to kiss for hours at a time, sitting on your couch in the dark?" Slowly he ran his tongue along the corner of her luscious mouth. "You always tasted the best around eight or nine o'clock. There was something about that time of night that drove me crazy." Blocking her further in the small booth, his mouth covered her hungrily, making her recall all the good times they had shared with each other. **** The kiss sent the pit of her stomach into a whirlwind of emotions. Lifting her arms, Traci wrapped them around his neck, connecting their bodies in the cramped space. It didn't matter that the customers and workers had probably stopped everything to look at them. Groaning deep in her throat, Traci responded to his seductive kiss. But they couldn't continue with it inside the fast food place. It was already drawing enough attention as it was. Separating their mouths, Zack grinned down at her, causing the side of his eyes to crinkle. "Let's get out of here," he mumbled, grabbing her hand. "What happened to Danielle and Josh?" Traci asked as he shoved her in his car. "I don't know and, hell, I really don't care," Zack muttered, getting into the car and driving off. 262

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Once they were on the road, it gave Traci a chance to clear her mind and think about what was going on. Had they really settled anything? Or were they just acting on misplaced lust and hormones? "Zack," she spoke his name in a hushed whisper. He pretended not to hear her. "Zack, I know you can hear me," she said again, placing her hand on his thigh. Releasing the wheel, he covered her hand with his large one. "Please don't ruin the moment," he begged. "We are trying to get back together and nothing else matters." Twisting in her seat, Traci's gaze ran across the face of the man she truly did love. "Are you sure we can get back what we had?" Taking his eyes off the road for a second, Zack gave her a quick kiss. "No." Astonished by his words, Traci didn't know what to say in return. "We are going to have something better," he said with his eyes back on the road. "I'm going to be there for you like you never thought possible." Snuggling more to his side, her hand slid up and down his thigh. "When does all this extra attention start?" "Keep that up and it will happen a lot sooner than you want it to," he grunted, stopping at a red light. "Sorry," she said, moving back to her side of the car. Grumbling at her, Zack grabbed her arm, pulling her back at his side. "I didn't say you had to move," he sighed as the light turned green and he drove off. She placed her hand on his forearm. "I missed you so much." Traci felt his hand brush the hair from her neck. She smiled against Zack's shoulder because she remembered how much he loved her hair down. "Where are we going?" "I'm taking you home," he said after a minute. "What if I don't want to go home?" her soft voice whispered. "We're going to move slower this time, baby. No rushing into bed. I want to romance you. Shower you with roses, gifts, or anything else you want." 263


With a slow, secret smile, she understood what Zack was trying to do; he wanted to make up for all the wrongs he had done in the past. Traci wouldn't deny him that pleasure. "Honey, romance me all you want to." Feeling loved, Traci closed her eyes welcoming her man back into her spirit. **** After class the next night, a single red rose was under her windshield wiper with a card. Taking both items off the car Traci unlocked the door and got in, locking the door behind her. Tearing open the note, she read: I hope you're hungry, because I have a surprise for you. Meet me at D4. Don't worry, you look gorgeous as usual. Love, Zack Shoving the note into her purse and placing the rose on the passenger seat, Traci left and went in search of her sexy boyfriend. Parking on the street, Traci noticed all the lights on inside Richard's restaurant, but there weren't any other cars outside. Going inside the building, she yelled a couple of times for Zack, but no one answered her. "Hello, is there anyone here?" Easing further inside, music playing towards the back caught her attention. Following the sound, Traci ended up at the very back of the place used only for the VIP people. Shoving back the curtain, the sight in front of her made her breath catch. The entire lounge had been redone in a candlelight scene. Pillows were all over the floor—a platter of fruit, crackers, and cheese were placed at the side. White rose petals were spread all over the floor. Two large hands wrapped around her waist. "I'm glad you came," Zack's husky voice brushed her sensitive earlobe. 264

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Covering his hands with her own, Traci rested her head on his wide chest. "Why wouldn't I?" "Yesterday could have been a sign of weakness of your part," he said, kissing the back of her neck. "Could you have had a change of heart about me?" Spinning in Zack's strong arms, Traci gave him a smile that was eager and alive with affection and delight. "Sorry to break the news to you, but I think I'm going to keep you for a very long time," she answered with a wink. Picking her up, he swung her around in his arms. "You aren't going to hear me complaining." Falling back on the pillows, Zack laid her on his chest. "How about I help you out of these clothes?" he whispered, kissing her cheek while working at one button on the back of her top. Squirming on him, she stopped his fingers. "What about waiting for the right time and romancing me until I couldn't take anymore?" she asked, nibbling at his chin. Sharp eyes stared at her. "You drive a hard bargain, lady, but I think I can work in the romance part tonight. However, waiting for the best time might be harder than I first thought." Zack sighed, sliding her body beside his on the comfortable floor. "Hey, I didn't say we couldn't have any fun," she told him, easing her hand under his shirt. Slowly and seductively, his gaze slid down, landing on her breasts. "Can I touch you everywhere you touch me?" he asked, placing his hand under her shirt to stroke her stomach. "I'm an equal opportunity person, so I don't see why not," Traci answered, brushing a hard male nipple with the tip of her finger. Grabbing her top, he took it off her, tossing it across the room. Leaning in, he placed a kiss on her hard nipple—his nearness made her head spin out of control. This was one area they never had a problem. Zack was the best lover she ever had and he knew it. His fingers started to unclasp the sheer pink bra when Traci said, "I thought we were here to feed a hunger?" 265


Zack flashed a rakish grin. "I am satisfying a hunger." Then he finished taking off her bra.

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Chapter Thirty "If you're playing games with my sister, I'll make you pay," Cherise threatened from the doorway of Zack's office. Without looking up from the letter he was reading, Zack said, "Come in, Cherise. I thought you might stop by." The sound of the door slamming shut sounded in the office and he hid his smile behind the paper in his hand. Taking the paper from him, Cherise tossed it on the seat behind her. "Are you listening to me?" Cherise snapped. Relaxing in his seat, he grinned at his future sister-in law. He was going to love having her in the family. Lee and Cherise were never going to see eye-to-eye about anything. "Cherise, I heard every word you've said since you entered the room." For a long moment, she looked back at him. "Why are you grinning like a fool?" "You'll find out soon enough," he answered, trying to remain mysterious. He only hoped that Cherise wouldn't be a bigger problem after his surprise was revealed. Shaking her head, she tossed her handbag down on the desk. "I don't like surprises, so you'll tell me now." "Stop harassing my brother or I'll ask you to leave." A velvet-edged strong voice cut in behind her. "What are you doing here anyway?'" Lee questioned, coming into the room. Cherise rolled her eyes at the sound of his brother's voice. "Do you have a reason to be here?" she asked, breaking eye contact with Zack to toss him a hard glare at Lee. "As a matter of fact, I do," Lee taunted back. Zack relaxed in his chair and enjoyed the play by play between his brother and Cherise. Lee was such a goner and he 267


didn't even know it. He bit the inside of his cheek to stop from laughing when Cherise arched an eyebrow at his arrogant brother. "I came to visit my brother," Lee said. "What's your excuse?" He didn't miss how Lee's gaze traveled over Cherise's body in her tight jeans and t-shirt, and he knew she saw the same thing from the way she stood straighter and glared. Zack wondered how long it would be before Lee made a play for Cherise. He was beginning to think maybe she wasn't against interracial relationships as much as she put on. Dragging his mind away from his own thoughts, he brought his attention back to the conversation in front of him. "I was warning Zack not to hurt Traci or he'll answer to me," Cherise said in a clear, direct voice. Zack loved the sexual tension between Cherise and Lee. He knew Lee was picking on Cherise on purpose, but she was too upset to pick up on it. He couldn't wait until he got to tell the other brothers about this because they wouldn't believe it. "Well, if you're threatening Zack, I guess the only fair thing to do is threaten you right back," Lee said, easing close to Cherise until her back was pressed against the desk. "Move back," Cherise asked, shoving at his brother's chest. "What if I don't want to?" Lee said in a voice that Zack had never heard his brother use before. Zack wondered if the two of them even realized that he was still in the same room with him, because the sexual tension was getting hotter and hotter. It was beginning to make him uncomfortable. "Then I'll move around you." Trying her best to make sure their chests didn't touch again, Cherise slid around Lee's body and picked up purse off the desk. Storming to the door, she paused, "Don't forget what I said, Zack," and then she went out the door. "Damn, I wonder is she that passionate in everything she does." Lee looked at the door. 268

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Zack smiled at the sound of wonder in his brother's voice. No, Traci wasn't going to believe this when he told her. Lee had a thing for Cherise and she had a thing for his brother, too. On second thought, he should leave it alone. He didn't want to start any rumors until he heard it from Lee's mouth first. "When did Cherise find out you and Traci had gotten back together?" "Traci said she was going to tell her after her last class yesterday, and since Cherise came here, she must have done it." Zack leaned back in his seat and tapped his fingers on the armrest. Lee never made surprise visits to his office for nothing, so something had to be up. "Now, tell me what the real reason is for your visit." Stormy gray eyes focused on him. "Brad is driving me crazy," Lee growled. Tossing the paper Cherise threw in the chair back on his desk, his brother sat down. "All he wants to do is teach tennis to this Alicia woman and skip out on work. I don't know how much longer I can take it. I'm about ready to fire him." He opened his mouth to say something, but Lee cut him off. "Don't even defend him, Zack. I know he's the youngest, but that doesn't allow him to be so damn lazy." Zack could see the steam slowly pouring from Lee's ears. One thing Lee couldn't stand was a person not doing his job to their fullest potential. "Cut him some slack," Zack jumped in still tying to defend his baby brother. "He just turned thirty, and don't you recall how hard it was on us to leave the twenties behind?" "I guess I do." "Give him another two months and if his behavior hasn't changed, I'll have a talk with him." "Okay, I'll give me him two more months, but on one condition," Lee said. "What's that?" "You can't tell Richard or Brad about my fight with Cherise." "Why not?" 269


"I just don't know want them to know," Lee shrugged. "Sure, I won't say a word to them about Cherise. Do they even know who she is?" Zack asked. "I know Richard does, but I'm not positive about Brad," Lee answered. "Good. The less Brad knows the better. When he finds out certain stuff, he doesn't know to keep it to himself," Zack said. "Lee, don't be so hard on Brad. He's a good guy, but if you keep picking on him, he may not stay that way. You usually aren't like this. What has gotten you all twisted up?" Lee didn't appear ready to confide in Zack that deeply yet. So, he changed the topic. "Are you still going to ask Traci to marry you?" "Yes, I'm preparing everything and I'm going to ask her on Christmas Eve," Zack replied, thrilled about his direction. He prayed Traci gave him the answer that he wanted to hear. "That's only a few days away. You haven't been dating that long, are you sure you're ready for marriage?" Zack knew Lee wouldn't understand his feelings for Traci; however, he was going to do his best. "Falling in love doesn't have a time limit. Sometimes it happens at first sight or it may take years for some people. I know Traci caught my attention the instant her beautiful body walked into the gym. The need to know her better was there, yet I had to wait to get to know her. The time we were apart, I didn't give up hope I would be with her again," Zack said with passion. He saw the wonder in Lee's eyes as he spoke about Traci and their love. "The myth is a woman is the one who picks the man to be her husband, but I knew Traci would be my wife the first time we kissed." A pleasure came across his features the more the talked about Traci, and he wasn't self-conscious to let Lee witness it. He hoped it would allow Lee to become more expressive with his feelings. "Do you understand now why I want to marry Traci?" he asked Lee. 270

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"I believe I do," he replied. "Aren't you worried about people saying or doing anything to you?" Zack shook his head. "If the world is so small-minded in this day and age about an interracial couple, I feel sorry for them. They could be missing out on their true love because they aren't in the package they're used to seeing." "Traci is going to get one hell of a husband," Lee praised. "I hope she knows how lucky she is." He stopped Lee from finishing his statement. "No, I'm the lucky one because she forgave me about the fiascos with Eva and Danielle. Most women aren't that understanding." Watching his brother, Zack thought this was the best time to ask. "Lee, would you be my best man?" Words couldn't describe the look that past across Lee's face. "Are you sure you're asking the right brother? I know how close you are to Richard." Now he was having doubts about asking Lee. Maybe he wasn't as tolerant about his relationship with Traci as Zack thought he was. No, he didn't want to think that about any of his siblings. "Well, if you're saying no, I can ask Richard instead." His mouth dipped into a deep frown at the possibility of Lee hating the idea of standing up beside him at his own wedding. Lee's face held a look of utter concern; he didn't want Zack to think he was turning him down because of Traci's race. "I would love to be your best man. I'm just taken aback that you didn't ask Richard." The tension lessened from his shoulders, working its way out of his body. "I'm going to ask him to walk Traci down the aisle, if she says it's okay with her. I know how much she likes him. Can you believe I'm going to be engaged pretty soon?" The joy he felt saying those words sent a ray of light through his body, making his heart catch in his chest. Tapping his fingers on the desk, Zack watched Lee try to come to terms with the idea of having a new member in the family. Traci wasn't the woman Lee thought he would end up with, however he knew his brother wouldn't cause any problems. 271


Over these past months, Lee had become more tolerant of his commitment to Traci. Zack didn't know what changed Lee's mind about interracial dating, but whatever it was he was happy. Out of all the brothers, he thought he would never be the first one to get married. They had all teased Richard how Emily was going to drag him down the aisle kicking and screaming. He could only imagine the surprise on the Richard's and Brad's face when they heard this news. Zack didn't know which of them would be more shocked by the news. Richard already knew how much he loved Traci, but the idea of marriage probably never crossed his mind. Brad jumped from relationship to relationship so much marriage was never on his mind at all. "You can't tell Richard or Brad about this," he stated. "I want to make the announcement over dinner tonight." "Is Traci joining us?" "No, she has a night class, but I'm picking her up after class because her car is in the shop." Lee smirked at him. "Do you know you're already acting like the two of you are a married couple?" "I guess you can say that I am acting like a married man already," he agreed with a huge grin. "What would you do if Traci's said no?" he asked. "She has a lot going on in her life right now. Wouldn't a new marriage only add to her stress level?" Zack's mood darkened almost to the point of turning black. "I knew you weren't excited about the thought of her coming into our family, but what you just said is uncalled for. Hell no, being married to me wouldn't add more problems or stress to Traci's life. As a matter of fact, it should relax her more, because she'll have someone to come home and talk to." He was trying his best to keep his boiling anger at bay, but sometimes Lee knew the right buttons to push. Lee didn't have a nice word to say why in the hell didn't he just leave? Shoving his anger level down a notch or two, Zack said, "You will never really know what I feel for Traci until you find 272

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it for yourself. When you do, no one's negative comments or ideas will keep you from making that certain woman your wife." "Zack, I'm sorry about my attitude about you proposing to Traci. I really do like her and I think she would make a wonderful sister-in law. Now, I don't know about that sister of hers, but Traci is such a joy to be around," he confessed. "Remember, the first born son has to be named after his favorite uncle," Lee joked, causing Zack to laugh at him. Lee was so serious all the time, Zack forgot what a wonderful sense of humor his brother had. "I'll let Traci know," Zack joked in return.

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Chapter Thirty-One "Before Zack tells you, I think you should know I went to see him today," Cherise confessed as she drove Traci to the college. "I just had to give him a piece of my mind. I'm sorry." Brushing her hair off her face, Traci twisted it into a loose ponytail at the back of her neck. "I knew you would," she laughed. "What did he say to you?" "He really didn't get a chance to say much of anything because that controlling brother of his came in," she muttered. Traci noticed the clenched jaw on Cherise's face. "You're talking about Lee." "I haven't had to pleasure of meeting the rest of the brood," she snapped, turning down the street. "Honestly, I don't think I can take the rest of them. Zack and Lee are enough to drive me insane as it is." Raising her hand to her face, Traci hid a smile behind her hand. She knew Cherise wasn't fond of Lee, but they were so opinionated, straightforward, and loved having the last word in any and every conversation. "I don't think he's all that bad once you get to know him," she said, defending Lee as Cherise steered the car into the parking lot. "Of course you would defend him since you're in love with his brother," Cherise accused, pointing a finger in her direction. "You don't know any better." Traci heard the heavy dose of sarcasm in her sister's voice. "When you find the love of your life and start to defend him to me, I promise not to say a word," she teased, opening the door and climbing out of the car.

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"Hey," Cherise yelled at her. She bent back down and stared at her through the window. "Yeah?" "Have fun in class and I love you." Smiling, Traci said, "I love you, too," and then she ran up the steps to her first class. **** Later that night, Traci stood under a streetlight and waited for Zack with her latest anatomy paper folded up in her hand. Professor Edwards had passed them out two minutes before class was over. She hadn't gotten a chance to look at it. Hell, she was scared to look at it. He was still tutoring her after class three days a week, but she wasn't confident enough to see if she had a passing grade. Taking a deep breath, she slowly opened the paper with hands that shook. Closing her eyes, she said a quick prayer hoping this one was better than the last one. Peeking, she noticed the grade on her paper and gasped in shock. A perfect score stared back at her in big red letters with job well done scribbled across the top in a masculine script. Traci held the test to her chest and jumped up and down with happiness. She was totally caught up in the moment until a voice whispered next to her. "I thought you would be pleased with your grade." Her gaze flew to the right and she found Professor Edwards standing there with his briefcase in hand. "I can't believe this grade," she said, rushing over to him. "Thank you so much for helping me study." "I knew you could do it." He smiled down at her. Reaching up, Traci gave Professor Edwards a quick hug at the same moment Zack pulled into the parking lot. "No, thank you for taking time out of you life to help me with this," she corrected, moving back from the hug. "I didn't think I could get grades like this in your class." Edwards placed a hand on her shoulder. "Keep studying the way I showed you and the rest of the semester should be just as 275


easy for you. So, I'll see you in class after the Christmas break," he said, removing his hand and heading back toward his office. Traci watched him go with gratitude in her heart and a huge smile on her face, totally oblivious to the hard blue eyed glint coming for the car. **** Pressing down hard on the horn, Zack drew Traci's attention to him. He didn't like what he just saw. Was Traci still seeing him? He thought that had ended the same night Danielle left with him. He hadn't seen her anymore since that night and he thought Traci had done the same thing. "Hi, sweetheart," she said, climbing in the car and giving him a kiss on the cheek. "I didn't know you were here already." "I know. You were too busy with him," he muttered, starting the car. "Is there something wrong with you?" she asked. "Do I have to draw you a picture?" Zack growled. Folding her arms, she rested her back against the door. "Maybe you do," she replied with heat in her voice. Zack started the car, then pulled out of the parking lot without saying another word to Traci. He was too jealous to say anything to her without it coming out the wrong way. God, he didn't want to think about seeing another man's arms wrapped around his woman's body. Other men shouldn't have their hands on his girlfriend; the sight of it drove him crazy. Taking a quick peek from the corner of his eye, he noticed Traci looking at a sheet of paper in her hand. "What's that?" he asked, nodding toward the paper. "Nothing," Traci answered. She folded it in half, shoving it in front of the backpack. Turning her face, Traci kept her eyes on the road in front of them and didn't glance back in his direction. The rest of the way home was silent and filled with tension. Neither person wanted to be the first one to break the silence. When Zack pulled up in front of Traci's house, she snatched up her bag and got out of the car without even saying goodbye to him. He sat in the car. watching her slam the front door shut. 276

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Dropping his head to the wheel, he cursed at his lack of control. Jealousy had never been a problem for him until Traci. Now the sight of any man touching her drove the green-eyed monster to the surface. Zack knew he needed to apologize for his behavior. As he was about to get out of the car, the paper Traci had been looking at caught his attention on the passenger side floor. It must have fallen out in her hurry to get away from him. Picking it up, he opened it and felt more like a bastard as he read the note written on the top. The hug hadn't been sexual, but thank you for helping her achieve a perfect score on this test. "Man, you've a huge apology to give her," Zack muttered, getting out of the car. Going to the door, he rung the doorbell and waited for Traci to answer it. He stood there for a good ten minutes before Traci finally opened the door. He kissed her before she could say a word. "I'm sorry, baby. I was a jerk and I know it." Easing her back into the house with their mouths still connected, he shut the door with his heel and leaned back on it with Traci wrapped in his arms. She tried to get loose, but he wasn't allowing it. "No. You can't move, not until I know you aren't going to kick me out." Placing her hands on his hard chest, she was able to put a little distance between their bodies. "Why should I listen to you?" "Because when I'm not being a jealous fool, I'm a reasonably smart guy who loves you more than his own life." Traci rested her head on his chest. "See, I was all ready to be mad at you then you say something like that. You make it really hard to stay mad at you," she told him, kissing on the jaw. "Good. Now how about you tell me about this grade," he said, moving back from the door and taking the test out of his back pocket. Taking it from him, she said, "I didn't even know I had left it in your car." "Yes, it was on the floor," he said, wrapping her in his embrace. 277


"Professor Edwards has been tutoring me like I told you, and this was the first test I'd taken since the lessons begun and I got a perfect score. Can you believe it?" she asked excitedly. Traci got out of his hold and placed the paper on the table. "Professor Edwards is a wonderful tutor," she praised, her features becoming more animated. Zack hated hearing the woman he loved going on about another man. Stay calm, man. She isn't interested in her professor. Traci caught the look on his face and said, "Professor Edwards doesn't have one thing." He couldn't wait to hear what the perfect Professor Edwards didn't have. "So, what is he missing?" he asked, hating the sound of his voice. Touching his face, she kissed his lightly on the lips. "All the qualities that made me fall in love with you." The love shining in Traci's eyes made him kiss her deeper and longer. Rubbing Traci's back, he wanted so badly for them to make love, but he didn't know if it was too soon for Traci. They hadn't been back together that long, yet he loved it when they made love. It gave him the peace his body was searching for. She stared up at him with longing. His gaze riveted on her face and then moved over her body, slowly taking in everything he had missed during their break-up. Her body had brought his constant pleasure whether it was clothed or naked. Nothing about her displeased him in the least—from the top of her head all the way down to her delicate toes. Traci was a dream. His woman was a treasure that was worth waiting years to find. He started undoing his shirt, sliding it from his shoulders and tossing it on the couch behind him. Traci stood back and enjoyed the show Zack was giving her. Zack saw the dark look in Traci's eyes and wondered what she was thinking about as he unsnapped his jeans. He slid the zipper down halfway, giving him more room in the now tight fitting clothing. "Please, tell me now if you don't want this so I 278

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can leave, because I can't wait any longer for you, baby." It would be hard on him, but he would wait if she wanted to. Traci pressed her body to his. "Stop all this talking so we can do what I like the best," she moaned, running her tongue along side his ear. Gripping her butt in his hands, Zack wrapped her legs around his waist and carried her to the bedroom. Tossing Traci on the bed, he stood up to remove the rest of his clothes, allowing her to fully look at him with all the lights on. Traci looked so breathtaking lying back on the bed that he couldn't take it anymore. Placing one knee on the bed, he laid his body on top of Traci's and kissed her with everything that was in him. He didn't want Traci thinking about another other man. This wasn't a part of her he wanted to share, ever. Sliding his hands to the left, he worked on untying the back of her wraparound shirt. Finally, it came undone and he ended the kiss so it could slip it from her body. Dropping it to the floor, he ran his hands up and down her bare back. "If I had known you weren't wearing a bra when you hugged that man, I would have went crazy. These are just for me," he whispered, bending to kiss each hard nipple. Growling, Zack brushed his thick erection against her. His large hands took her face and held it, gently staring into her eyes. "I love you." He rose up on the bed, pulling her roughly, almost violently, to him and then caressed her back. "You feel so good in my arms." Snuggling closer, Traci licked the side of her man's neck. "You don't feel too bad yourself, Zack," she whispered, taking little bites here and there. Locking his hand against her spine, Zack laid her gently back on the bed. She put her arms around his neck, sliding her body along his. "Do you know how much I missed your touch?" His hot breath tickled her ear when he whispered, "Probably as much as I missed yours." 279


"Are you telling me the truth? You never slept with Danielle?" "I went out on a couple of dates with her, but I never kissed Danielle or slept with her," Zack said, staring straight into her eyes. "I couldn't ruin what we have by doing that." She hugged him. "How about we stop all this talking and get to the good part?" "A woman after my own heart. I knew I loved you for a reason." Bracing his legs on either side of her thighs, Zack placed his hands on her breasts, squeezing lightly. Rolling the nipples between his fingers, he felt them grow even harder. Closing her eyes, she squirmed under his body and a soft moan poured out of her lips; sweat slowly coated her already damp body. With his tongue, Zack licked the moisture between her breasts. He repositioned himself between then thrust fully into her. **** Zack's deep, tormented groan was a heady invitation to caress the back of her neck. Burying his head in the crook of her neck, he wrapped one of her legs around his waist thrusting deeper inside her. The way his erection stretched her body was driving her crazy. It hadn't been this good all the other times. She gasped in sweet agony as Zack brought more pleasure deep inside her body. Desperately now she needed more of Zack than he was giving her. She shoved him on his back, so she was on top. It pushed Zack's hardness deeper inside of her, the way she wanted. Purring in the very back of her throat, Traci set the pace, causing Zack to grip her waist. "Oh, I like this," she admitted in a low voice. Blue eyes watched her with an intense satisfaction and an animal hunger. "I can't complain either," Zack sighed, bringing her down close so he could lick her nipples. It roused a melting sweetness to her already sizzling body. With expert fingers, Zack brushed against her taut stomach, sending her on even higher levels of ecstasy. Holding her, he 280

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thrust deep, making her skyrocket into her orgasm. She fell on his slick chest. Flipping her back over, Zack slid out only to thrust deeper two more times. Shouting as his release found him, waves of contentment flowed through her as Zack's heavy body covered hers. Brushing the damp hair at his nape, Traci kissed him before falling to sleep. **** As he separated their bodies, Zack noticed he didn't use protection. Looking up quickly at Traci, he realized she was sound asleep. Darling, should I tell you about this? Shaking his head, he decided to keep it to himself. Why worry for nothing? She hadn't gotten pregnant the other times they hadn't used a condom. Finding a comfortable position with Traci fitted perfectly along side his body, he succumbed to the all relaxing sleep of a satisfied lover.

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Chapter Thirty-Two "What are you doing here this late at night?" Cherise asked, opening the door wide to let her sister in. "I thought you would be all snuggled up with Zack by the fireplace," she teased, shoving a cup of hot chocolate at her sister. "He does have a fireplace, but I need to talk to you," Traci said, taking the cup her sister offered her. She moved across the room toward the oversized burgundy chair. Kicking off her shoes, she slid her feet underneath and sat down. "I wanted to see my big sister on Christmas Eve. Can I not do that? Do you have a man hidden in here?" she asked, swinging her head back and forth looking for signs of a man. Cherise shut the door, then sat across from her on the matching burgundy couch. "You know I haven't had a man in my house for over two years now, Little Miss Smart Mouth." Wrapping the robe around her bare toes, she took a drink of hot chocolate. "Well, that's what I'm going to do for you," Traci muttered, taking a sip of her drink. "What are you talking about?" Cherise sighed. "Next year, I'm going to help you get a man back in your bed," Traci answered, sounding like the older sibling instead of the younger one. "Shouldn't I be in love with the man first, then sleep with him?" she questioned. "You were in love with one and where did that get you?" Traci asked with venom. "It was good thing you went to his apartment or you would never have known what a creep he was." 282

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Cherise didn't like to talk about her last boyfriend. He was still a painful memory for her. "Can't we leave him out of the holidays this year?" she asked, setting her empty cup on the table. "No!" Traci shouted. "Every holiday you sit around in that robe, sad and alone. This is the last holiday I'm going to allow you to do this." Cherise didn't want her sister's happiness. She was perfectly happy with the way her life was. "Let's stop talking about me. Christmas is tomorrow and I need to know if you want your present now," she asked. "Because I know you'll be spending the day with Zack and his family. "Don't even try to back out of inviting us over here for Christmas," Traci countered. "I won't be by until the afternoon because Zack wants us to open our presents late, but I'm coming by with him and I want you to be nice." "Hey, I haven't been mean to Zack after I realized how much you loved him. I even helped him get you back after he took my business from me." Frowning into her cup, Traci asked, "Are you going to be able to forget about that and let Zack into your life?" "Honey, Zack isn't a part of my life. He's your boyfriend and that's where it stops. I can deal with him when I have to, but other than that I don't think I'll ever send him a Christmas card." "Umm…maybe I shouldn't come by with him," Traci said, uncertain. Shaking her head in dismay, Cherise spoke in a sweet voice. "Zack can come with you tomorrow. I won't throw a fit over him." A look of hesitancy showed on Traci's face. "Are you really positive about this?" Raising one hand, Cherise placed the other over her heart. "I promise I'll be on my best behavior." "Since you're in such a holiday mood, how about having Christmas dinner with us at his brother's house?" 283


Cherise stiffened and haughtily shook her head. "I can't be in the room with his older brother more than five minutes without us getting into a verbal fight. He doesn't like me and he knows I can't stand the sight of him, so why did he invite me to Christmas dinner?" Sitting her half full cup on the table, Traci pleaded with Cherise. "Please do this for me. I know what a strong woman you are and you can handle Lee for a few hours out of your life." Tilting her head to one side, Cherise stole a slanted look at Traci. If she didn't do this it would haunt her, but the thought of spending time in close quarters with all the Drace brothers and Traci didn't settle well with her, either. Traci didn't know how much Lee wrecked her nerves; however, her love for her baby sister was stronger. "Fine, I'll go with you, on one condition." "What's that?" Traci said in a small voice. "You give me the directions, so I can take my own car and then I can leave anytime I want to." "I don't know." "I promise I'll show up," Cherise assured her. "Okay, I believe you," she said, writing down the directions on a pad lying on the table. "Dinner is going to be around twelve o'clock, and dress nice." Traci stood and looked down at her sister. "Don't let me down. I'm counting on you," she muttered on the way to the front door. "I'll dress any way I want to Traci," Cherise yelled as the door closed with a click. **** Christmas Day started off beautifully for Traci. She got up around six o'clock and fixed herself a nice breakfast of blueberry pancakes with turkey bacon. Sitting at the kitchen table, she looked at Zack's present sitting in front of her. She hoped he would like it. Swinging her leg, she thought about how full her life was now with work, college, and, of course, Zack. Having him gone for almost a month had been hard on her, but the time apart had made them stronger individuals, which turned them into a better 284

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couple. His way of doing things was so different from hers. He jumped in feet first without looking for any signs of danger, but she worried about every little detail. She knew she wasn't about to let Zack go for anything. He was a part of her life now. Leaving the kitchen, she fell on the sofa and watched the Christmas parade on television until around eight o'clock. Then she got up off the couch for a quick shower and got dressed, because she didn't know the exact time Zack was coming by. Plus, she wanted to make a dessert to carry to Lee's house. The dress she had chosen to wear was a deep forest green with thin straps and a fitted waist, showing off her figure. The back had a small slit from the neck to right below the shoulder blades; it was enough to be sexy for Zack, but decent enough for dinner with his brothers. Since she didn't know the other three all that well, she didn't want to give a bad first impression. Taking extra time with her hair, she placed it in a loose French roll with a single strand of hair left on her cheek. Traci loved when she could get her hair to do this certain style. Cherise was the master of cute hairstyles and it made her so jealous, but her sister had thick jet-black hair that men seemed to go crazy over. Giving herself the once over, she sat down on the bed and slid on her matching shoes. After she was completely dressed, she went back downstairs to get started on the cake. With a Christmas CD playing in the background, Traci sung along to Silent Night, feeling the holiday spirit. It had been a long time since she had a man to spend the holidays with. It made it even more special Zack was the man. What if she didn't know the right things to say at dinner, or if the other Drace brothers hated the thought of spending the holiday with her and Cherise? She knew she would hold her comments until they got back home, but Cherise would speak her mind right there. Stopping, she said a prayer. "Please God, don't let this day turn out bad for me. I really want everyone to get along if only for this one day." After she finished mixing the cake, she placed it inside the oven. 285


Traci headed back to the living room as the doorbell rang. Checking her reflection quickly in the mirror, she opened the door. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart," Zack whispered, pulling her into his arms for a long, passionate kiss as he shut the door behind him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave herself freely to the passion of his kiss. His tongue explored the inside of her mouth, and the kiss sent the pit of her stomach in a spinning whirlwind. Zack's lips brushed against hers as he spoke, "You taste even better than you look." Totally blown by the kiss, Traci leaned back in Zack's arms. "I can't speak. You have kissed the words from my body," she teased. "Well, let's see what another kiss will do," he growled, sweeping her back to his body. He moved his mouth over hers again, devouring its softness. "Sweetheart, we need to stop," Traci moaned, breaking away from Zack's powerful grip. He gave her a few more quick kisses then moved away from her. "Damn, I could kiss you forever," he admitted, staring at her. Licking her lips, she liked how the taste of Zack still lingered there. "Wow, that was a Christmas kiss," she gasped, a little out of breath. "Sorry, I missed you, and then I saw you in that dress I couldn't help it," Zack shrugged. Tugging her back into his arms, he ran his arms up and down her back. "You look almost too sexy to spend the holidays with my brothers." She gave Zack a quick kiss on the chin and then moved out of his warm embrace. "Let me take the cake out of the oven, and then I can talk to you." A boyish grin spread on his face. "Did you make your delicious double chocolate cake?" "Yes and you can't have a piece. It's for the dinner," Traci said, going back into the kitchen. 286

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While Traci was taking the cake out of the oven, Zack took off his leather coat and slid it on the back of the kitchen chair. His eyes lit up when he noticed his gift on the table. "Is this mine?" he asked, picking up the blue wrapped box. Spinning around, Traci took the box from him. "Yes, it is, and you can't open it until we go back in the living room." Placing it back on the table, Traci went to get the icing out of the cabinet. "If you let me unwrap another present you can keep yours," he muttered, nibbling at the back of her exposed neck. Wiggling away from him, she shook her finger at him. "Down, boy. We can't do anything because we don't have enough time." "I do love taking my time cherishing that appetizing body of yours," he said, making a grab for her again, but Traci was quicker and moved away before he made contact. "Let's go in the other room so we can exchange presents," she told him, picking up the box. "Fine, let's go." Zack followed behind Traci. "Okay, I want to give you mine first," Traci told Zack, pushing him down on the couch. Sitting on the seat beside him, she handed him the box. "Merry Christmas. I hope you like it, sweetheart." Taking the box from her hands, Zack tore the paper off. "How did you know I wanted one of these," he said, staring at the Dell Axim Handheld with Bluetooth. "Since I'm so organized and you make fun of me, I thought I might tempt you with a cute electronic device you can carry with you," Traci answered. "The salesman told me it was very easy to use and it was big helping any person get organized. Is it what you really wanted?" "Baby, I was going to buy one next week and now I don't have to," he said, kissing her soft mouth. Traci's smile lit up the room. "Well, I glad you loved it." She watched Zack set his gift on the table, then he turned to face her. "Traci, I thought long and hard about what to get you, 287


because you seemed to have everything you need in your life," he paused, staring in her eyes. Surprised by his nervousness, she touched him on the hand. "Whatever you got for me I'll love it, because it came from your heart." "Okay," Zack muttered. He reached inside his pocket and he pulled out the small, black velvet box. Dropping down to one knee in front of her, Zack captured her left hand in his. Traci gasped at the same time her hand flew to her mouth. This couldn't be happening to her. Zack wasn't about to do what she thought he was. She wasn't ready for this. "Baby, you are the woman every man dreams about having in his life. You're everything I've been searching for in a woman. Loving and generous to a fault that my love for you grows each and every day. When I'm not feeling my best you know it. Your gentle touch can get me through the longest hours." Zack placed a kiss on her knuckles, then continued. "My heart pounds when you come into the room. I couldn't ask for a better woman to love or make a part of my life. What I'm trying to say is will you take pity on me and end the torment of my lonely life? Traci Wells, will you become my wife?" Zack opened the ring box, revealing a diamond the size of a marble. Tears poured down her face as she reached out, touching the ring she had wanted the moment she lost her heart to Zack. Opening her mouth, Traci said, "No, I can't marry you, Zack." "Why the hell not?" his rich voice asked as he snapped the box shut, drawing her eyes to the hurt in his.

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Chapter Thirty-Three Jumping up from the couch, Traci tired to brush past Zack because the pain in his eyes was killing her, but his fingers wrapped around her arm, halting her movements. "You can't turn down my marriage proposal and then run away from me," he growled. "I want to know why won't marry me." She gazed into Zack's face—devastated eyes stared down at her as he loomed above her. "I'm sorry, I just can't do it," Traci whispered, tugging at her arm. Zack didn't realize how much this was hurting her. "Did your sister scare you away from me?" he questioned, his voice rising another notch. "Tell me," he said, wrapping his other hand around her arm. Twisting away from him, she gave Zack the answer he wanted. "You're the reason I said no," she shouted, brushing away tears. Zack's head snapped back like she had physically stuck him. Why did he keep pushing her? Why couldn't he just let it go at her no? She loved Zack dearly, but she didn't know if she was ready to marry him or not. "I'm the reason you can't say yes," Zack whispered, brushing the back of his hand across her cheek. "Baby, I'm not following you." Traci didn't want to go down this road with Zack, but if she had to then she would. He might not like her answers, but at least he would know where her mind was at. "You know what happened the last time I got deeply involved with a man and went to college. He got jealous of me. I can't afford to drop out of college again." 289


Frowning, Zack reached for her. "Sweetie, let's calm down," he said, speaking to her in a calmer tone. "I think my proposal threw you. How about you go fix the cake and rethink your answer?" he encouraged, moving her towards the kitchen. Icing the cake did give her a chance to calm down from the shocking wedding proposal. Zack sure knew how to surprise a girl. She didn't think the word marriage was even in his mind. Tossing the spatula into the bowl, she stood back, looking at the cake. Her answer hadn't changed. It wouldn't be a good decision for her to marry Zack now, not while going to college. Twenty-five was too old to try to start a new career, and Zack didn't understand the pressure of the homework, studying for tests, and taking finals. She needed to sit him down and explain everything. After it was all out in the open, Zack would agree with her. "Have you had time to think?" his sexy voice asked her from the doorway. "Yes, I have," Traci said, making direct eye contact with him. "Will you please sit down?" she asked in a gentle voice. Taking the ring box out of his pocket, Zack pulled out a chair, then sat his tall frame down. "Okay, let me hear that you've changed your mind." "Sweetheart, I'm very touched you want to marry me, but my answer is still no." Zack opened his mouth opened to argue, however she stopped him. "Please let me tell you why. Becoming a doctor is going to take up a lot of my time, because I have serious ground to make up. I can't take it lightly this time. It's going to take dedication and giving up on certain dreams in my life to make it there. "The time I'm going to put into college should be focused on you and it won't be," she told Zack gently. "The pressure I'm under at this exact moment is overwhelming and I won't drag you into it." Zack appeared to make sure Traci was done giving him a lecture before he responded to her. "Are you really saying no 290

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because of the college and medical school requirements and time it going to take?" "Yes, I thought you heard me," she answered, giving him an odd look. "You still love me?" he questioned, easing her out of her chair and sitting her down on his lap. "Zack, you know how much I love you," Traci replied, running her hands through hair. "If you weren't going to college, you would marry me?" he asked, standing Traci back up. "I would marry you in a heartbeat," she exclaimed without missing a beat. "Good, then I know how to solve your problem." He grinned. "What's your suggestion?" "Since, you didn't want to marry me while school is going on, don't do it," he informed her. "Marry me while you're on Christmas break." His gaze clung to hers, analyzing her reaction. Traci was totally blown away by Zack's suggestion. Did she want to get married this quickly without any preparation? Cherise would kill her, and Zack's brothers would probably think she was pregnant and needed a quickie wedding. But did she care about any of them right at this moment? NO! "You still want to marry me even though I turned you down the first time you asked?" Her voice wavered as she looked up into eyes that were growing darker by the minute. "Consider the first one a practice one," he said, getting down back down on one knee. Flipping open the box, Zack said, "Traci, will you marry me?" Her lids slipped down over her eyes as the diamond shined back at her, calling for her hand. She raised her eyes to find him watching her. "Yes. My answer is yes," she screamed, bending down to kiss Zack. Standing up, Zack crushed her to him. "Don't ever play with me like that again," he said, giving her a gentle shake. Lifting her 291


up on tiptoes, his mouth met hers for a demanding kiss and then he broke away from her. "Let's put this ring where it belongs." Zack took the ring from the box and slid it on her finger. Traci was amazed by how the ring fit perfectly. "How did you do this?" she asked, raising her finger. "I can't give away all my secrets," he told her with a sly smile. "I won't force the truth out of you until later." "Baby, you can do anything you want to later on, just not now," Zack said. "We need to grab the cake and leave, but I need one more thing." "What is it?" she asked. "This," he growled, pulling her back into his arms for a slow, drugging kiss that showed her how much he loved her. **** "Honey, are you ready?" Zack pulled his car into Lee's driveway. Turning off the engine, he glanced at the gorgeous woman beside him. He was still a little stunned that Traci turned down his proposal the first time, but it was all good now. The ring he bought was on her finger, where it needed to be. Now, he just hoped everything ran smoothly at the dinner. He wouldn't stand for Lee upsetting his fiancée. "Nothing will stop me from becoming a part of your family, and it's not like I haven't been to Lee's house before," Traci said, kissing his cheek. "Good, keep that spunk. You're going to need it with Lee. Sometimes he doesn't do well during the holidays," Zack confessed as he got out of the car. He opened the door, taking the cake from her as she slid out. "Why doesn't Lee like the holidays?" she asked, walking beside him to the front door. "Something happened in his past, and that's the only thing I know," Zack muttered, pausing at the door to get prepared for anything Lee might say. "Dinner should be ready by now and 292

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your wonderful cake will be a bonus." He gave Traci a quick kiss on the mouth, then opened the door and went on in. "Lee, where are you?" Zack yelled through the huge house. "In the den. Come on back," Lee's deeper voice called in the distance. "I was wondering what was taking you so long. I thought I might have to spend Christmas Day alone." "Well, you're going to have to wait a few more minutes. I need to place the cake in the dining room," Zack hollered back at his brother. Turning to the left, he made a short detour to the kitchen and placed the cake on the table. "Are you sure your ready for this?" Zack questioned, wrapping his arm around Traci's waist. "I'm ready as I'll ever be," Traci replied. "Don't worry so much. I bet it will go better than you think." He wanted to believe that today would be smooth sailing, but there was a small lingering doubt in the back of his mind. "I hope you're right," Zack sighed as he led her out to the den. "Merry Christmas, big brother," Zack said, giving Lee a hug. "Merry Christmas, little brother," Lee replied, returning the hug. "Do we have a new addition to the family?" Lee asked, spotting Traci's ring over Zack's shoulder. "She said yes," Zack beamed as he ended the hug. "Welcome to the family," Lee smiled and gave Traci a small hug. "I'm glad Zack found you." Thank you," Traci replied, stepping back from him. "When is the big day?" Lee asked, sliding his hands into the pockets of his black slacks. "I want to have enough time to get everything in place for the two of you." "We're going to get married before Traci goes back to college," Zack answered, waiting for the explosion he knew was going to happen. Lee wouldn't want him to get married in a week. Lee's eyebrow's slanted down over his eyes. "I must have misunderstood you," he muttered. "I know you didn't say you're 293


getting married next week. The only reason that would happen is that Traci is knocked up." "Lee, you better apologize," Zack snapped, taking a step toward his overly outspoken brother. "Or I'll forget that I have an older brother. I won't stand here and let you talk about Traci like that." "Zack, stop. I don't want you fighting with your brother on Christmas Day," Traci said, staring at Lee. "We are getting married because we are in love with each other and can't stand being apart," Zack said. "But if she was pregnant, it would only add to the magic on the moment." Lee directed his attention on Traci and tried to block out his brother's yelling. "I apologize for my comment. I shouldn't have said that to you." "Don't worry about it," Traci replied with a wave of her hand. "But could you point me the restroom?" "Straight down the hall, and it's the first door on your left," he answered as Zack started to come back down. "Don't fight while I'm gone," Traci whispered to his brother before she took off in the direction he told her. Waiting until he heard the bathroom door close behind Traci, Zack jumped on Lee again about his comments to her. "What's wrong with you? I thought you liked Traci." If Traci hadn't been in the room with him, he would have punched his brother in the face and Cherise definitely wouldn't want him then. "I do," Lee muttered with a shrug. "I'm just having a bad day." "Where's Brad and Richard?" Zack asked, looking around. Had Lee already scared them off, and now he was working his social magic on him and Traci? "Richard left about twenty minutes ago with Emily. She wanted to show him off to her parents." "I keep telling him to stop leading her on, but he's not listening to me," Zack sighed. 294

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"Brad isn't coming because I gave him a lecture about becoming more of an adult and he didn't like it." Zack thought Lee was looking to cause trouble on the holidays. "Man, I think you need to lay off Richard and Brad. Why don't you find a woman and focus on her?" He suggested. "All of us can't find the perfect woman like you did," Lee replied.

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Chapter Thirty-Four "It wasn't luck that brought Traci into my life," Zack muttered. "It was…." The doorbell rung, cutting off Zack's answer, and Lee sent up a silent prayer of thanks as he hurried from the room. He strolled toward the door, wondering who was on the other side. He had already run off Richard and Brad for the rest of the night. After Traci came out of the bathroom, Zack was probably going to drag her out the door, too. "Wait a minute. I'm coming," Lee yelled when the doorbell rung for a second time. He swung the door open to give the person a piece of his mind but quickly swallowed the words back. His eyes connected with Cherise's tawny ones and his breath left his body in a rush. Lee couldn't take his eyes off of how luscious his future sister-in-law looked in the wraparound red dress, which showed off her cleavage. He loved looking at her curvy body. If only he could get her into his bed. The sooner the better, if he had anything to do with it. It was past time to relieve this ache he got every time he saw her. "Are you going to invite me in or not?" her smoky voice asked. Slowly his gaze traveled up her body to stare back into Cherise's eyes. "Well, I didn't think you would show up," he said, moving back. Cherise tried to enter the room without brushing his body, but he made sure he eased his body closer, so they had direct body contact. He shut the door quickly, trapping her between it and his hard warm body. 296

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"What are you doing?" The words barely got out of Cherise's plump mouth before he kissed her. His tongue darted in her mouth for a couple of quick licks. Then he ended the kiss. "Have you lost your mind?" Cherise cried, her mouth moist from his wet kiss. "I had to kiss you," he said, pointing above her head. Her gorgeous eyes narrowed on him before she looked up above her head to where he was pointing. He enjoyed how her eyes widened when they landed on mistletoe hanging above the door. "Don't you ever do that again," she hissed close to his face. "I can't stand you, so I sure in the hell don't want your tongue in my mouth." Shoving at his chest, Cherise made him move away. "Where's my sister?" she asked him. "Right this way," he said, moving in front of her and trying to calm down the want racing through his body. They went into the living room and found Zack and Traci locked in a passionate embrace. "Seems like the Drace men love kissing attractive women," he whispered by Cherise's ear. Choosing to ignore him, Cherise said, "Merry Christmas, Traci, and you, too, Zack." Lee grinned when Zack and Traci broke away from each other and looked over at them. He met his brother's heated look with understanding. He would rather be doing something different right now with Cherise than standing next to her. "Merry Christmas, Cherise," Traci said, running away from his brother to hug her sister. "I can't stay long, but I did come for you," Cherise said after the hug ended. What? Where in the hell is Cherise going with a dress on like that? Lee thought. "You will stay and have something to eat, won't you?" Traci asked. "Hmmm…I don't think I really should," Cherise answered, taking a quick glance at him for the corner of her eye. "Honestly, 297


I just dropped by to say Merry Christmas and then I was going back home. This day is for you to spend with Zack's family." Not so fast, sunshine. I'm not going to let you run away from me that easily. "Well, you're going to be a part of this family sooner than you think," he said. "Traci, what's Lee talking about?" she asked, looking back and forth between them. "I didn't want to tell you like this." Lifting her hand, Traci showed Cherise the eye-popping ring. "Zack and I are getting married next week." Her sister's mouth opened and closed several times from shock then said, "Are you sure about this?" she questioned, looking over at Zack who had moved to stand beside his brother. "I'm in love with Zack and I can't wait to marry him," Traci replied, her eyes shining with love. Cherise looked as if she wanted to say more, but the pure happiness on Traci's face stopped her. "Congratulations. I'm very happy for the both of you," she said, giving her sister another hug and shocking the hell out of Lee. Traci took her sister's hand between her own. "I want you to be my maid of honor," she said. Smiling brightly, Cherise said, "I'll be more than happy to do that for you." Screaming, Traci wrapped her arms around her sister's neck. "I knew you would be happy for me, and Zack didn't believe me." "You're my only sister and your happiness always comes first. Don't you ever doubt that," she informed Traci, moving back to look into her eyes. "But I wasn't lying earlier. I'm not going to be able to stay for dinner. I need to take care of something at home," Cherise told Traci again. "Call me and we can start planning the wedding. I assume it's going to be rather quick?" "Yes, it's next Saturday," Traci answered. "We can go looking for wedding dress tomorrow if you want, since it's Saturday." 298

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"I would love that a lot," Traci smiled. "Good. I'll be ready anytime you are. Have a wonderful Christmas," Cherise told Zack and left the room without even looking at him. Lee wanted to follow Cherise so badly and demand that she tell him where she was really going. There was no way she was going back home wearing a dress like that. But he didn't have that right to meddle in her personal life, at least, not yet. "Do you think she took the news to our wedding a little too calmly?" Zack asked Lee, who was still looking at the empty doorway. "Yes, I think she did act rather odd about the news, but then it could have been shock on her part. I know I was shocked by the news myself." "So, does that mean you no longer want to be my best man?" Zack asked. Lee's stormy gray eyes looked at his brother. "No, I can't wait to stand at you side and watch you marry the woman you love." "Thanks for saying that. It meant more to me than you would ever know." "Hey, at least one of us is finally off the bachelor block," Lee teased, moving away from him.

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Chapter Thirty-Five Around two o'clock the following day, Cherise sat in a chair and waited while Traci tried on another wedding dress. They had been at the little wedding shop for over two hours and she still hadn't seen the perfect dress for her baby sister. "What about this one?' Traci asked, standing on the platform in front of the wall mirror. The floor length satin dress showed off Traci's height. "I don't think the fit is good across the breasts," Cherise said, eyeing the loose fit. Her sister spun around a couple of times and studied the front of the dress. "You're right. Let me go and try on the other one." Traci lifted the hem and raced back to the fitting room. Ten minutes later, Traci came back wearing a wedding dress that made her look like a vision in white chiffon with scattered crystals along the left side, a lace up back and a V-split up the front that stopped below her knee. The dress was made for Traci's tall, slender frame. "Cherise, what do you think?" she asked nervously. Tears welled up in Cherise's eyes as her sister spun around in front of the mirror. She was so proud that she was able to spend this special time with her sister. "You look stunning. Zack isn't going to know what hit him. I can't believe what a perfect fit it is on you," Cherise said, coming across the room to touch the sheer silk material. "Go change and bring it back out here so I can buy it." Traci gaped at her. "You don't have to do that. I have enough money to afford this dress." 300

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Shaking her head, Cherise argued. "Paying for this wedding is my gift to you and Zack. I want your day to be as relaxing as possible." "Cherise, I love you so much." Traci cried, hugging her sister. **** Two days later, Traci was lying on Zack's chest, playing with his chest hair while he rubbed her back. She couldn't believe by the end of this week, she would be Mrs. Zack Drace. She had dreamt about getting married for years and now it was finally happening. Plus, Cherise was giving her such moral support that it was taking all of the extra stress a wedding caused away from her. "Cherise is taking this better than I thought she would," she said, loving the feel of her man's hands on her skin. Zack's hand stopped the gentle motion of his fingers as he glanced up at her. "Are you worried she may be holding her true feelings in?" Traci sat up in the bed and held the sheet to her chest. "My sister speaks her mind about everything, and I do mean everything. But she hasn't had one bad word about us getting married so quickly. Lee did ask was I pregnant and Cherise hasn't," Traci uttered. "You've had the chance to get to know her better. Isn't her reaction a little strange to you?" she asked, concerned. "I did say something to Lee on Christmas Day about it and he thought she might be in shock," Zack confessed. Traci gave Zack's answer serious thought. Could her sister be stunned by the marriage news? "If she was a person to shock easily, then I would say yes. But Cherise doesn't shock, so there has to be another problem. Zack, I'm really worried about her. This isn't my sister at all. I rather she would be trying to stop the wedding Saturday than help me plan it," she said, placing her hand on his chest. "Honey, have you asked what's going on with her? I mean, several events have occurred in her life in the last several 301


months. The man her younger sister falls in love with take her business away from her. She could be planning a way to get rid of me," he teased, kissing her cheek. She hit him in the middle of the chest with the palm of her hand. "Stop joking around. I'm serious about this. How can I get married when my sister is so upset? She spent half her life taking care of me while working at the antique shop. Plus during that time the man she thought she would marry dumped her because of her weight." "There isn't anything wrong with your sister's weight," Zack cut in. "Don't tell her I told you that," she begged. "She would die." "Sweetheart, what we talk about in the bedroom stays just between us." "Well, she doesn't like all those curves she has, and over the past month has been trying to lose them." Leaning closer to Zack, she told him another secret. "She wants to get slimmer, thinking more men will find her attractive. I know she hasn't been on a date in a very long time and Cherise hasn't mentioned any men interested in dating her." "Oh, yes there is," Zack muttered under his breath. Grabbing Zack by the arm, she shook him a couple of times. "Who do you know that wants to date my sister that I don't know about?" "Forget what I just said," Zack groaned, trying to push her back down on his chest. She shoved his hand away. Did he really expect her to let this go? Zack knew about a man who wanted her sister and he was only telling her about it now? "Stop doing that and answer my question, Zack. Has this guy told you he wants to my date my sister? Tell me who he is," she insisted. "Do I know him? Is he attractive? What does he do? Tell me," she said touching his arm with excitement in her voice. "Baby, you really don't want to know," Zack stalled. She wouldn't believe he wasn't telling her. "I thought what we talked about in the bedroom stayed in the bedroom. I promise 302

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I won't say a word to my sister, because if he really likes her, he'll make the first move." "It's Lee," his voice muttered as he looked anywhere else but her face. Yet, he didn't miss the double take Traci gave him. "What did you say?" Traci whispered. Sighing, Zack brought his eyes back to her horrified face. "Lee is the man who wants your sister," he said. Shaking her head, Traci moved back over to her side of the bed. "I know you're talking about another Lee and not your brother," Traci said, not wanting to believe what her ears were hearing. "I know. I was shocked when Lee told me had kissed her at the antique shop." Traci's head flew back around and she stared at Zack in astonishment. Where in the hell was he getting all of this incorrect information about her sister? "There's no way in hell Cherise would let your dominating brother kiss her. They are too similar. That's a bad mixture." She laughed at Zack. "You're not telling me the truth. God, you almost had me believing you, too, Zack," she mumbled, getting out of the bed and picking her clothes up off the floor. "Why don't you check with Lee and see how the plans are coming along to have the wedding reception at his house? Cherise has already taken care of the church for us." Winking at her sexy fiancée, Traci went into the bathroom and closed the door. **** "Spill it," Traci confronted Cherise as soon as her purse hit the table. "You're acting way too calm about the wedding and I want to know why." Setting her cup back on the table, Cherise leaned back in her chair and stared up at her. A little frown ceased the middle of her forehead. "I'm not hiding anything from you. I'm really happy you're getting married." Picking up the menu at her side, Cherise started to flip through it. "Zack's a wonderful guy and I can see how much he loves you. Why would I want to ruin it for you?" 303


Sitting down at the table, Traci realized her sister was telling her the truth. "Okay, then why the long face?" If wasn't the wedding, then what had her sister in such a funk? "I didn't want to tell you until after the wedding, because I wanted this time to be yours," Cherise said, placing the menu back on the table. Traci felt a chill go down her spine, "You aren't sick," she choked out. "No," Cherise assured her, touching her hand on the table. "Don't do that to me, Cherise," Traci scolded. "Sorry," Cherise apologized. "Do you remember Justin Cane? "Wasn't he the man I got the business card from for you?" Why was her sister bringing up Mr. Cane? "He was really nice to me when he was in the hospital," Traci commented. "I enjoyed the days I had to substitute on the third floor." "Well, I went on an interview last week for a job and I heard back yesterday. He called me personally," Cherise stated, a smile hovering on her lips. Traci slid closer to the table. "Did he offer you a job?" she asked excitedly. "He wants me to start the day I come back from my vacation," Cherise whispered across the table, trying not to get too wild. "Cherise, that's wonderful news," Traci said, flashing a huge smile. "I need to thank you for my new job. I didn't know what I was going to do after I lost the shop. Now I have one ready and waiting for me when I get back," Cherise said. "Have I ever told you how much I love having you as my sister?" "Oh, only about a hundred times, but I never get tired of hearing how great I am," she laughed. Cherise threw her napkin, laughing at her sister's contagious sense of humor. Later, as they ate their meal, a thought hit Traci. "Do you know this will be the last meal we'll eat together with me being a single woman?" 304

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Brushing her half-eaten salad to the side, Cherise realized Traci was right. "Wow, that's right. You won't be Miss Wells anymore, but Mrs. Zack Drace pretty soon. Are you really happy with him?" she asked softly. "He's completes me more than any other man has," Traci admitted, a little scared herself. "I feel so much more when he's there with me. It was never like this with James and knowing the difference is so satisfying. "Having a man love you more than he does himself is like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow or a relaxing massage after a hard day's work. You don't look for it, so when you get it, it means so much more." "I'm sorry." "Why are you apologizing to me?" Traci questioned. "My biased opinions almost kept you from finding a great guy like Zack and I feel bad about that." Traci got up from the table, went around to the other side, and hugged her sister. "Don't give it another thought. I found my prince charming and I know yours is out there waiting for you." Cherise didn't argue with Traci, but returned her hug. **** The rest of the week flew by in a whirlwind, and Saturday came quicker than anyone thought it would. Traci arrived at the church early with Cherise at her side. She hurried to the makeshift dressing room so Zack wouldn't see her. She spent the better part of two hours getting ready for her big day. Several times she had to stop and wipe the tears from her eyes after thinking about the wonderful future she was going to have with Zack. Holding a tissue in her hand, she stared at Cherise through the floor length mirror. "Do you mind giving me a few minutes alone so I can get my thoughts together?" "No, I don't mind at all. I have something that I need to take care of myself anyway," she muttered, then turned and went out the door. 305


Wiping the tears from her eyes, Traci checked out her reflection in the mirror one last time as the pounding of her heart started to slow. She was over the moon that this day was finally happening for her. She didn't want to think about anything else, but she did wonder what Cherise needed to take care of before the wedding. **** Going to the other end of the church, Cherise raised her hand and knocked on the groom's door once. She barely contained her words as Lee opened the door, looking way too sexy in his tuxedo for her peace of mind. "Can I speak to Zack?" she asked, trying to keep her voice calm. "Why do you want to see Zack?" Lee asked as his gaze ran up and down her body. "You aren't here to cause trouble, are you? It doesn't matter how good you look in that blue dress. I won't let you ruin my brother's wedding day." "No…I'm not here to cause trouble," she sighed. "I just want to talk to Zack before the wedding." "Is there anything wrong?" Zack's voice yelled over Lee's back. Looking around Lee's towering body, she made eye contact with Zack. "No, everything is perfect with Traci. I just need to speak with you alone for a one second," she said, keeping her eyes off Lee, who was staring at her intensely. "I'll wait for you over there by the window." Zack brushed past Lee and closed the door behind him. "What do you want to tell me?" Spinning away from the window, Cherise studied the man who had stolen her sister's heart. She tried to hate Zack, but she couldn't; not when Traci loved him so much. He wasn't as bad as she first thought and he would be the perfect addition to her sister's life. "Zack, I want to say thank you for bringing that light back into my baby sister's eyes. I know I said a lot of mean comments to your face and behind your back. I shouldn't have done that. You're a good man and I'm glad you're going to be a part of my 306

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family." Cherise walked up to him and gave him a quick hug, then hurried back to Traci's dressing room. **** Zack stood there in shock as Cherise turned the corner out of his vision. "What did she say to you?" Lee asked him coming out into the hallway. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." **** An hour later, Zack danced with his new bride on the crowded dance floor. "I love you, Mrs. Drace," he whispered, nibbling on her ear. He would never grow tired of whispering those words to the gorgeous woman in his arms. Traci scratched at his chest. "I love you more, Mr. Drace," she replied, sliding her finger through a small slit she made by unbuttoning two buttons on his shirt. He grabbed her by the waist, pulling her closer to his erection. "You know we have to stay on the dancing floor until this goes away," Zack growled, brushing his lower body against his new wife. "Well, I'm not going to complain because every new bride wants to be wrapped up in her sexy husband's arms on her wedding day," she purred. "You think I'm sexy?" he asked running his hand up Traci's side to touch her breasts. Traci nodded because she couldn't speak. Zack touch was driving her crazy. "Honey, if you don't stop exploring, your problem is never going to go away." Sighing, Zack slid his hands back down to her waist. "You're right," he admitted reluctantly. Over at the far side of the room, he saw Cherise drinking a glass of water, and then he searched until he found Lee rested against a wall with his eyes on her. Traci didn't want to believe it, but Lee was going to get Cherise. He just prayed it wouldn't be a battle to the end, because they would be perfect for each other. 307


"It was really nice what your sister did before the wedding," he whispered by her ear. "What did Cherise do?" Traci asked, leaning back in his arms. "She didn't tell you?" he asked, stunned. "No," she replied, shaking her head. "Well, she came by my dressing room and called me out into the hallway. She welcomed me into the family and then she hugged me." Traci stumbled when she heard that and he pulled her closer to his body. "My sister voluntary hugged you?" she choked out. "Yeah, it was a surprise to me, too," Zack said, spinning her around on the dance floor among the other dancers. "Well, I guess she's full of surprises. I found out why she was upset," Traci told him, running her fingers through his hair. "What was it?" he asked, wanting to focus on the conversation and not how his wife's hands were making his body ache. They still had twenty minutes to kill at the reception before he was where he truly wanted to be. What was he thinking about agreeing to an hour-long reception? Traci removed her hands from his hair and started playing with the buttons on his shirt. "She has a new job and was trying to keep it a secret from me until after the wedding. Can you believe how giving Cherise can be?" He was beginning to look at his new sister-in law with new eyes. "Didn't you tell me that she had a MBA in marketing?" "Yes, she got it about four years ago while working at the antique shop. The new job she has now is in marketing." "Do you know who hired her?" "Justin Cane of Cane Marketing," Traci answered. He stopped, causing Traci to stumble into her. "Sorry about that, baby." Zack couldn't believe what Traci just told him. It brought a laugh from his lips. Cherise was about to start a new job at the same place his brother just started working as a freelance marketer to bring in more money. It was fate those two were meant to be together. 308

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"What are you laughing about?" Traci asked "Oh, it's a surprise." This is just too good to be true, he thought. "Can't you tell me now?" "No, because tonight is about us and nothing else," Zack moaned before kissing his gorgeous wife.

To Be Continued in A Taste of Love: Richard

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About the Author Marie Rochelle is an award-winning author of interracial romance.

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My Deepest Love Zack

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My Hostage My Love

My Sister, My Love

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My Baby, My Love

My Baby, My Love

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The Deepest Cut

My Strength, My Power, My Love

Giovanni, My Love

Giovanni, My Love

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My Old True Love

Speak My Love

Surrender My Love

Love My Way

I Love My Mami!

My Eternal Love

Love My Enemy

Marx, my Love

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