I have a date tonight

Emma’s POV

I sat parked outside the restaurant, staring at the entrance like it might bite me. Ten minutes had already gone by, and I still could not convince myself this was a smart decision. Zane had started sending me filthy texts before I even left the house, and they had been running through my mind nonstop.

Baby, I cannot wait to have you again.

I keep thinking about last night. It is making me so hard. I might have to take care of it myself… unless you want to come do it for me.

That was just part of what he sent. By the time I finished reading them all, my skin was burning, my legs would not stay still, and I could not ignore the thrum low in my body. The thought of seeing him in person after that, knowing my brain would immediately replay everything we did, was making me more anxious by the second.

Still, I could not stall forever. If I stayed outside much longer, Maddie would start calling, and I had no excuse ready. Forcing a steady breath, I grabbed my bag and pushed myself inside.

The restaurant buzzed with soft conversation, but my eyes went straight to their table. The moment I saw Zane, my breath caught in my chest. Dark jeans. A fitted red T-shirt that clung to him in all the right ways. He always did look unfairly good in red.

His hair was messy, not carefully styled like usual, but somehow it only made him more irresistible. A quiet sound slipped out of me before I could stop it. Why does he affect me like this? It was not fair. It was not right.

As if sensing my gaze, his eyes found mine. The corner of his mouth lifted into that slow, knowing smirk. He was fully aware of the reaction he stirred in me, and I hated that it made my pulse quicken even more.

I straightened my spine, forcing myself to walk toward them as if nothing was wrong.

“I thought you were not coming,” Maddie said with a laugh, standing to hug me. “You are never late.”

“I know… sorry. I lost track of time,” I replied with a smile that felt steadier than I was inside.

“Zane,” I greeted, trying to sound casual, as though his mouth had not been on my body just hours earlier.

“Hey, Emma.” His tone was even, but I caught the smirk he tried to hide. “You want something to drink?”

“Coffee, please,” I answered.

He stood, moving past me toward the counter, and in the process his hand brushed against me, low, deliberate, and quick. My breath caught instantly. So much for his promise to behave. Not that I had believed him in the first place. At least he was discreet enough that Maddie stayed oblivious.

I slid into the seat beside her, forcing myself into normal conversation.

“I have a date tonight,” she blurted, her eyes shining. “Remember that guy I told you about? The one I met while getting coffee?”

I nodded, smiling.

“He has been texting me, and now we actually set up a date,” she said, grinning ear to ear.

“Finally!” I said, matching her excitement.

“Only one issue,” she sighed. “Zane insists on being here when he picks me up. You know how he is. Always protective. Sometimes too protective.”

She was not wrong. Zane had scared off more than one guy before, all because of how he acted. He had always been that way, hovering, watching, guarding her. It could be sweet at times, but other times I honestly felt bad for her.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked.

“Yes. Maybe you could be there too? Or even find some way to keep Zane from showing up at my house?” she asked, giving me a hopeful smile.

“I will see what I can do.” I laughed softly, though I already knew the simplest way to keep him busy. Too bad that was not something I could ever tell Maddie.

“What are you two laughing at?” Zane’s voice came from behind us. He slid into the chair next to me and set a cup of coffee in front of me.

“Thanks,” I said, trying to sound casual as I accepted it.

“We were talking about my date,” Maddie answered. Her voice carried a sharp edge. “You know, the one you are probably going to ruin before I even get a chance to enjoy it?”

Zane leaned back in his chair, completely unfazed. “Maddie, if a guy runs off that easily, then he is not worth your time. If he wants you, he will not let me scare him away. It really is that simple.”

Maddie groaned, throwing her hands in the air before storming off toward the bathroom, clearly fed up.

I turned toward him, lowering my voice. “Can you just give her a chance to figure things out herself? How is she ever going to learn if you keep interfering?”

“That is what big brothers do,” he said with a shrug.

I decided to distract him. My hand drifted to his thigh, tracing slow circles up and down. Leaning closer, my lips brushed his ear. “I can think of something much better to keep you occupied,” I murmured.

His thigh tensed under my touch, his breathing growing heavier.

“But if you would rather keep smothering your sister…” I started to pull my hand back.

“And what would this better thing be?” His voice had dropped low, rough with desire, as his hand slid onto my leg.

“Me,” I said, flashing him a teasing smile.

He caught my hand, pressing it against the hard outline beneath his jeans.

“Does that answer your question?” he growled softly. The heat beneath my palm made me release a quiet sound before I could stop myself. His lips curved with satisfaction as he added, “You have no idea what I plan to do to you later.”

A low moan slipped from me as I squeezed my thighs together, trying to contain the ache building between them. The moment Maddie returned, we broke apart, acting as though nothing had happened. I raised my cup, pretending to sip, while Zane casually checked his phone.

“I will stay away tonight,” he told her. “But if this guy turns out to be an idiot, you better call me. I will pick you up, after I have knocked him around a little.”

“Thank you,” Maddie said with a sweet smile. “But I think he might actually be a good one.”

Her gaze flicked to me then, suspicious but amused. I could tell she knew I had played some part in Zane’s sudden change of heart, even if she could not explain how. I gave her a playful wink, and she laughed softly with me. Zane only shook his head at both of us.

“Where is your date taking you?” I asked, my tone light and teasing.

“That new Italian place that opened last week. I cannot remember the name, but you know the one I mean,” she said.

“I have heard great things about it. What are you going to wear?” I asked.

“I have not decided yet, but I have a few outfits in mind,” she replied with a knowing little smirk.

Zane looked like he was already losing patience, his jaw tight, his eyes flicking between us. Our talk about date-night dresses clearly tested his limits.

“If this is what I have to listen to for the rest of lunch, then I am moving to another seat,” he muttered.

“Alright, alright, we will drop it. Relax,” Maddie replied with an exaggerated roll of her eyes.

She turned her attention back to me. “So, what are your plans for tonight?”

My mind scrambled for something believable. There was no way I could admit I was spending the night with Zane.

“Nothing exciting. Just movies and pizza at home,” I said with a casual shrug. “It has been forever since I had a night like that.”

Maddie’s grin told me she bought the story without question. That should have made me feel better, but the lie weighed on me. I hated hiding things from her, yet no matter how many times I promised myself I would stay away from Zane, I already knew I would not. He knew it too. All I could do was pray that this secret would not spiral out of control.