Se connecterZack looks at her for a long time, his dark eyes searching Anna’s as if looking for a catch. A slow, reluctant nod follows. “I promise,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. He pulls her closer, burying his face in the crook of her neck, his breath warm against her skin. “I am not good at lying, anyway. I would probably fuck it up in a week.” He exhales a long, shaky breath, his body relaxing against hers in a way he rarely allows himself to do. “You are the only person who has ever asked me for something like that,” he murmurs against her skin, his voice thick. “Maybe I like the real you,” she says suggestively and pressed an open mouth kiss to his neck. “Maybe I want you to be happy,” she murmured against his skin.A low rough sound escapes Zack’s throat– half-groan, half-breath– as Anna’s lips press against his neck. His entire body jolts slightly at the sensation, his muscles t
Zack reaches for the bag of chips Anna left behind, popping one into his mouth and settling back into the pillows. The room feels a little colder without her warmth pressed against her side, and he finds himself subconsciously adjusting the blanket to cover the space she just vacated. “Hurry up,” he adds, his tone softening. “The movie is just getting to the good part.” She quickly goes to the bathroom and returns. “This is perfect,” she says as she settles beside him again.Zack does not even look up from the screen as Anna settles back in, but his hand immediately finds her waist again, pulling her flush against his side as if to make up for the lost time. “Took you long enough,” he grumbles, though there is no heat in it. He nudges her with his hip, making room for her to get comfortable. “I was about to start eating your share of the chips.” He reaches over to the nightstand, grabbing a soda can and popping it op
“Fine. Action movie it is. At least it is not some slow-burn romance where nothing happens for two hours,” Zack grumbles, though he is already leaning his head back to get comfortable. “But if it is terrible, I get to pick the next one.” He pops a chip into his mouth; his green eyes fixed on the screen as the opening credits begin to roll.“Have you ever seen it?” Anna asks casually as she takes another chip. Zack chews slowly, thinking for a second before shaking his head. “Nah, I have seen the first one like once when I was a kid, but the rest? No clue.” He shifts closer to her, his arm settling naturally around her shoulders as he pulls her into his side. The room is quiet except for the sound of the movie and the crunch of chips. “Why, you going to spoil the plot for me?” he asks with a grin, nudging her shoulder with his. He reached for a chocolate bar from the pile on the nightstand, unwrapping it with one hand
“Snacks. Of course,” Zack says, his voice thick with affection. “You are a menace, you know that? We are in the middle of a motel room, you have got no clothes, and all you can think about is chips and candy.” He pulls back just enough to look at Anna, his hands sliding down to rest on her waist. The cool air of the room hits their damp skin, but the heat between them keeps it at bay. “I will get your bag. And I will find your damn vending machine,” he promises, giving her waist a gentle squeeze. “But do not think this gets you out of paying those high rates later. I am picking out the snacks too, so no healthy shit.” She kisses him again. “Thank you,” she sings sweetly. His hands tightened on her waist or a brief moment at her sweetness, before he let out a long, defeated breath.Zack knows he is completely wrapped around Anna’s finger, and he is long past trying to fight it. “Stop doing that,” he
Zack’s hands slide down her arms, his thumbs tracing slow, deliberate circles over her elbows before moving to her collarbone. The soapy water drips from his fingers, catching the dim light of the bathroom. He works with a focused intensity, his touch firm enough to leave a trail of warmth wherever he presses. “You are so quiet,” he notes, his voice a low rumble against her skin as he moves to her shoulders. “Usually, you have got something witty to say back to me.” He does not wait for an answer, instead letting his hands roam lower, his palms smoothing over the curves of her torso beneath the water. “That’s it,” he murmurs, his eyes meeting hers over her shoulder. “Just relax for me. I have got you.”“I am just enjoying the services,” Anna says with a playful smile. Zack’s smirk widened with pride at her response, as he moves his hands down her sides, his fingers pressing lighting into her waist.
Zack’s competitive nature softens into something more vulnerable as he leans back against Anna’s chest fully, letting her hold him for a moment. The warm water swirls around their bodies while steam rises in gentle wisps between them. “I am serious though,” he says quietly, his voice losing its usual edge. “I want to grow old with you. watch you get wrinkles and complain about your back hurting and still think you are the most beautiful woman in the room.” His free hand splashes water playfully at her side underwater. She laughs softly. “Now is that not an image,” she says with a strange amusement. “It actually sounds very romantic.” Zack’s face lights up with triumphant satisfaction at her romantic response, his chest swelling with pride as he feels her laugh against his back.“Romantic? Fuck yes, it is,” Zack says confidently, turning to face Anna fully in the tub. Water cascades down his muscular
“You have a test,” Anna reminded him quickly, her tone more serious now. Zack sighs dramatically at her serious tone, knowing she is right despite his reluctance. He pulls back reluctantly, running a hand through his blond hair as he tries to switch gears from relaxed boyfriend to responsible stu
“You are going to spoil me like this. Pretty soon I am not going to want to leave this spot unless it is to drag you back to my bed,” Zack says with a smile that is mostly audible in his relaxed posture. “Well, you know stress and lack of sleep is bad for tests,” Anna said thoughtfully. “So, rela
The idea of her wearing his prized leather jacket is absurd and oddly appealing at the same time. “No way,” he says instantly, though the refusal lacks any real conviction. “Those cost me three months’ pay from working construction last summer. You would probably scratch it or spill coffee on it
Back home, Zack unlocks the front door and kicks off his shoes without enthusiasm. The sun is barely beginning to lighten the sky through the living room curtains. He heads straight for his bedroom and collapses onto the unmade bed fully clothed. His phone lies charging on the nightstand, display







