She sighed. As much as she was enjoying his company, she needed to keep things in perspective and not expect a fairytale ending. For now, she should just enjoy herself and maybe she'd make a friend in the process.
Zack could feel tension vibrating off Annie. She was annoyed at him. Ah well. It was easier having her annoyed, so that's the way he'd try to keep things between them.
Except he couldn't, not always. Having women approach him all day had helped keep Annie's temper simmering. He hadn't realized how many women he knew until today. And not one of them could he call a friend. He hoped he could call Annie one after this was all over.
Although being around her, constantly reminded of his feelings, could spell disaster.
He'd loved the day. Just being with her had been fun. Buying her things had been great. He'd lied about Bob paying for the clothes. Probably Bob would, but Zack had no intention of telling him. Or Annie. She'd make him return everything and he definitely didn't want to do that. Then he'd never get to see her in those leather pants again, or that short skirt. His step faltered as he remembered how her ass had looked in the tight leather. H O T.
Then again, since he couldn't—shouldn't—have her, maybe he'd better return them...
They headed back to the Ferrari parked outside the Prada shop and piled their shopping bags in, then themselves. Zack cranked up the air conditioning and Annie placed her hands on the dash, spreading out her arms to get the full affect of the cool breeze.
"One more stop then we'll head home and have a cold beer," he said.
She groaned.
"Okay, you can have a glass of wine."
"So where are we headed now?"
"The beach."
"The beach? But it's getting late!"
"That's the best time. All the sunbathers have gone home and the place actually seems peaceful."
"So why are we going to the beach if not for sunbathing?" She hesitated. "Oh. You're not going to make me swim, are you?"
"You'll see."
Annie rolled her eyes. If there was anything she hated more than an egotistical male it was an egotistical male who said "You'll see" with a smile as broad as the Cheshire Cat's.
After battling through traffic, Zack pulled the Ferrari into a parking spot at Santa Monica beach and got out. Annie did the same and followed him to an ice cream stand.
"We're going to eat ice cream," she said not really believing it.
"Yep. That okay with you or are you way too sophisticated for ice cream?"
She scoffed at him. "Do I look sophisticated?"
He smiled. "What flavor?"
"Chocolate of course."
He ordered and paid for the ice creams and handed the chocolate one to her.
She licked it. "Now what?"
"We walk along the beach."
"Okay. But I don't see what you're trying to teach me here."
"To relax and enjoy the sunset."
She frowned, disbelieving. "That sounds a little too normal. I don't think Dug-E would be interested in sunsets. Sunrises maybe, after a night of hard partying."
"I don't care what Dug-E is interested in right now," Zack said, nudging her. "This isn't part of your training."
She didn't know what to make of that. Not part of her training. Then what were they doing? What possible motive could he have for taking her for a walk along the beach with ice cream at sunset?
Oh boy.
CHAPTER 8
Annie's face burned. Thank God Zack wasn't looking at her. The idea that he might be interested in her made her head spin and her knees weak.
But she dismissed the notion as absurd. This was Zack DiMarco. Women like her didn't end up with men like him. They dated lawyers or insurance salesmen. Although they probably slept with the Zack DiMarco's of the world once in a while.
Now there was a goal to aim for. Maybe he'd already decided to aim for it. Maybe hot, steamy sex with her was his motive for this romantic walk. Now she was really nervous. And confused.
"This is nice," she said on a squeak.
He looked down at her and smiled softly. "It is."
She gulped and licked her ice cream in what she hoped was a suggestive gesture but not a desperate one.
But she was too subtle. He didn't seem to notice.
"See, isn't it better when you lighten up a little?" he said.
She nearly choked. So much for hot sex. "Lighten up? What do you mean, lighten up? I'm perfectly light, thank you very much."
He groaned. "Me and my big mouth."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
He started to say something then stopped.
She really hated when people did that. "You were going to say something then. What was it?"
He shook his head. "Nothing."
"Tell me, Zack."
"Annie, let it slide. It wasn't important. And what happened to the girl I've been shopping with all day?"
"Now what's that supposed to mean?"
He sighed. "It means you've changed back to the argumentative woman who doesn't know how to enjoy herself."
"Doesn't know how to enjoy herself! What about last night?"
He went very still. "I thought you didn't remember much about last night."
She sniffed. "I don't. But I do remember having a good time."
"At the bar?"
She shrugged one shoulder. "Of course. Why? What happened afterwards?" Okay, now she was nervous. She had no recollection of events after the bar. Did she pee her pants? Did she throw up on his shoes? Uh-oh. Snippets of the previous night flickered through her brain. She groaned. "Oh God, I threw up on your shoes, didn't I?"
He laughed, relaxed again. "Yes, but that's okay. I've got other shoes."
She covered her eyes with her hand. "I'm so embarrassed. I threw up on Zack DiMarco's shoes! How could I? I'm so sorry—"
"Annie," he pried her hand gently away from her face, "it's okay. You enjoyed yourself, and that's the main thing. And that's the only embarrassing thing you did last night, so don't worry."
She nodded but all she wanted to do was bury her head in the sand.
"I'm never drinking again," she moaned.
"Sure you will. Tomorrow night actually. I'm taking you to a club. But I'll keep a better eye on you this time now that I know your alcohol tolerance level is about zero." He grinned and tapped her nose with his cone, smearing the tip with ice cream.