The Rose He Showed Off Is Putting Down Roots in a Garden of Her Own novel Chapter 223

Zane wasn't offended in the slightest. Riding high on his good mood, he followed her into their private dining room.

Exclusivity and absolute privacy were the hallmarks of this particular club.

After telling the server to just bring out the chef's tasting menu, Zane firmly clicked the door shut. The second the lock engaged, he pinned Elara against the solid wood and crashed his mouth down on hers.

Startled and annoyed, she pinched his side. Zane didn't even flinch. He'd gladly let her bruise him as long as he got to kiss her.

Standing well over six feet, his broad, imposing frame made any real resistance impossible. Even where she pinched him, his muscles felt like solid granite under his suit.

She deeply regretted never taking those kickboxing classes. She was entirely at his mercy.

He finally pulled back, framing her face with large, warm hands, his chest heaving slightly. "Do you honestly never have the urge to kiss me?"

A furious blush crept over Elara's radiant complexion. She turned her face away. "Can't this wait until we're home?"

"If we wait until we're home, will you kiss me?" he asked in a low, husky rumble.

"No!"

Zane chuckled softly. "Then I'll just have to kiss you."

They finally made it through dinner. Knowing exactly what Zane had in mind the second they crossed his threshold, Elara deliberately kept her distance as they approached his apartment.

"You go in first."

Zane paused in the entryway, looking amused. "What are you so afraid of?"

Elara stayed firmly in the hallway. "I'm afraid you left your brain in the car."

Zane just leaned against the doorframe, offering a devastating, silent smile.

Elara pointed a warning finger at him. "If you try to maul me the second I walk in, I will strangle you."

They stood there in a standoff, one inside, one out. Zane let out a deep laugh. "Do you really think you're escaping me tonight?"

Elara shot back, "If I can't escape, then what's your rush?"

"Should I go draw a bath for you, then?"

Flashing back to the absolute disaster they'd made of the bathroom last time—water splashed literally everywhere—Elara quickly shook her head. "I'm not taking a bath tonight. I'll just take a quick shower."

Zane smiled smoothly, stepping aside. "Well then... after you, Ms. Vance."

Elara delivered one last warning before crossing the threshold. "If you try to kiss me, I'm slapping you. Consider yourself warned."

"No kissing, I promise. Just come in."

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