I came to say sorry about last night

Zane’s P.O.V.

I was on my way to Emma’s place, hoping to smooth things over. She was pissed at me for ditching her last night, and honestly, I did not think she had a right to be. She and I were not dating, we were just sleeping together. Still, I figured I should try, especially since we already had plans for my birthday.

I showed up with coffee, pancakes, and a bag of muffins, like some kind of peace offering. I had called her after I got home last night, but she ignored every ring. I texted her this morning too, no response. Which is why I was now standing at her door, half expecting her to slam it in my face.

I knocked hard enough to make sure she heard. No answer. So I did it again, louder. She had to know it was me. I was not about to walk away, so I kept at it until finally, she opened up. She looked like she had just rolled out of bed, still in her sleep clothes, hair tangled.

“Are you trying to break my damn door down?” she snapped, narrowing her eyes. “What do you want?”

Yeah, she was definitely mad. Maybe because I bailed, maybe because I woke her up. Probably both.

“I came to say sorry about last night,” I said.

“Why even bother? You are only supposed to apologize when you mean it. And by the looks of all those marks on your neck, I doubt you do.”

She was right, my neck was covered in hickeys. The girl from last night had a habit of biting, and the thought made me smirk without meaning to. Emma caught it, shook her head, and started to push the door shut.

I stopped it with my foot and stepped inside before she could lock me out.

“Why are you this mad at me? It is not like we are together. We just sleep together,” I said.

“This has nothing to do with labels, Zane,” she shot back, clearly frustrated.

“Then what the hell is it?” I asked, honestly not getting why she was this worked up.

“It is because you told me we would hang out, then ditched the second another girl called. You did not even think twice. And yeah, I know, we are not even friends, so why should I expect more?” she said with a heavy sigh.

That landed. She was right. We were not friends. Not really. Any time we spent together always started or ended in bed. I bit back my first response, choosing my words carefully before she took it the wrong way.

“Emma, I am sorry, all right? I should never have done that. It was a stupid move, even for me. But you know how I can get when it comes to sex.” I shrugged, trying to play it off.

“Whatever,” she muttered, snatching the bag from my hand before walking away.

I sighed, dragging my fingers through my hair. After a slow breath, I followed her inside. I had to think of some way to soften her mood.

“You do not want me, but you are perfectly fine taking the food?” I teased, pouting as I sat across from her.

“Yes, because I enjoy food. I do not enjoy you.” Her lips curved into a sly little smirk.

That was my sign she was beginning to forgive me. I made a mental note, next time she gets upset, food might be my ticket out of trouble. She is easy to win back, and honestly, I am lucky for that. Most women would expect flowers or some dramatic gesture, and I am not the kind of guy who buys flowers. The only woman I have ever bought them for is my sister, and that is because I had no choice. Flowers feel meaningless to me.

I slid her coffee toward her. She handed me a muffin in return. Progress.

“So, was it worth it? Skipping out on me for Miss Pretty?” she asked, raising her eyes to meet mine.

That sounded like a trap. Women always manage to make the simplest question complicated.

“Not half as good as you, baby,” I said with a wink.

Her smirk deepened, and colour rushed to her cheeks. She liked it, even if she tried to hide behind rolling her eyes as she took another bite of breakfast.

I stood, moved around the table, and turned her chair to face me. Sliding between her legs, I tilted her chin up with my finger so her gaze locked on mine.

“Am I forgiven yet?” I asked.

Emma shook her head, folding her arms stubbornly across her chest.

Leaning down, I brushed my lips softly against hers, keeping the kiss slow, my hands braced on either side of her. “What about now?” I murmured against her mouth.

She shook her head again, but this time there was a smile tugging at her lips.

I kissed her deeper, pressing closer. “Now?” I asked against her lips.

Emma edged forward in the chair, hooked her fingers into my belt, and tugged me closer until there was no space left between us.

“You are getting closer,” she breathed against my mouth.

My hands tightened around her hips as I teased her lower lip with my tongue. Emma opened for me, meeting my kiss with the same hunger. Her arms wrapped around my neck, drawing me closer as her tongue tangled with mine. I lifted her easily, setting her on the table, stepping between her legs without breaking the kiss.

My palms slid up the length of her bare thighs, earning a soft moan that sent a rush of heat straight through me. We both knew we could not let things go too far, but that did not stop me from enjoying every second of her pressed against me. Emma hooked her legs around my waist, pulling me as close as she could.

The kiss grew hotter, more desperate, until we were both breathless and forced to pull apart.

“What about now?” I asked with a smirk, my forehead still resting against hers.

It was the right time to stop before temptation went too far and neither of us could handle pulling back.

“Yes,” she said between shallow breaths.

“Good. I will make it up to you properly when I can.”

“I will hold you to that,” she replied with a wink.

I helped her down from the table, stealing one more quick kiss before letting her go. She straightened her nightdress and smoothed her hair as if nothing had happened, then settled back into her chair. I mirrored her, though I could not stop the grin tugging at my mouth.

She could never stay angry with me for long. No woman ever could. I liked to call it charm, though I am certain women had other names for it. Either way, it always worked when I needed it to.

“I am going to grab a shower. Are you staying or leaving?” she asked, standing up.

“I will hang around for a bit,” I said. Truth was, I had nothing better to do, and being near her was more than enough.

“All right. Make yourself at home, I will not be long.” She disappeared down the hallway.

I watched her go, my gaze drawn to the sway of her hips, my tongue running over my lips at the sight. I loved every curve of that body, and her backside in particular always drove me wild.

Once she was out of sight, I cleared the table, then stretched out on her sofa, getting comfortable as I waited for her to return. I honestly did not know how I was supposed to spend this time with her without actually having her. Still, I could be patient. A couple more days would not kill me.