Princess Next Door Read online

  “I really enjoyed it.”

  “Now you’re just crushing a guy’s ego here.”

  She giggled. “You were wonderful, oh great and wise one.” She winked at him.

  He found her utterly adorable.

  “Any regrets?”

  She shook her head. “None. I’ve got no regrets at all. I’m no longer a virgin.”

  “I know. Are you done with me now?” he asked, teasing.

  “Not even close. I hear there’s a lot to enjoy yet, and I don’t know if you know this, Zane, but I rather like you.”

  “Not bad for someone who wanted to call the cops on me.”

  “You do have hideous taste in music, but I have since learned that I was mistaken and have no intention of calling the cops, not ever.” She cupped his cheek. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “I’m balls deep inside you, Princess. You can ask me anything you want.”

  “Do you even know my name?” she asked.

  “Yes, I do. I recall it started with a W. I like calling you Princess.”

  “Why?”

  “You just remind me of one.”

  “Okay, I’m not going to touch on that.”

  “Was that what you wanted to ask me?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  “What did you want to know?”

  “Are you good to go again?” she asked.

  Her cheeks heated, and she looked so adorable, he couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’ll take me some time to get going, but give me half an hour and I should be good to go again. I’ll even last long longer this time.”

  Taking her lips once again, Zane felt her pussy tighten around him, knowing in the back of his mind that he was royally fucked when it came to this woman.

  Chapter Seven

  “I’ve woken a temptress,” Zane said. “Don’t you remember a time when you wanted more from me than my dick?”

  Wynter laughed as she pulled him down for another kiss. She was completely addicted to his lips, and he made her ache all over. It had been over a week and a half since he’d taken her virginity, and in that time, she couldn’t get enough of him. She thought about him all the time, even at work.

  When she got home, she’d spend at least an hour preparing so that she’d have the confidence to seduce him.

  “My cock needs a rest.”

  She chuckled. “You’re the one that invited me to the bar tonight. I was only showing you how I was dressed.” She wore a pair of black jeans that molded to her hips, and dipped in at the waist. They always made her feel sexy wearing them. She’d partnered it with one of his shirts, leaving a couple of the top buttons unfastened. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she’d not even bothered with makeup, but she felt sensual.

  Zane gripped her ass, squeezing the cheek, and making her recall how he’d taken her from behind the night before, spreading her ass as he teased across her anus. Everything had been delightfully sinful, and she’d loved every single second of it.

  Tammy had pulled her aside that day, and asked how things were going.

  “They’re going great,” Wynter said.

  “And Zane?”

  “He’s amazing.”

  “You’re falling for him.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not falling for him.”

  “What makes you think you’re not?”

  “You have to have time to fall in love.”

  “You’ve spent more quality time with him than you ever did with Carey. You’re falling for him, and you don’t even see it.”

  She didn’t have time to dispute her friend. There was no way she was falling for Zane. Falling in love took time, right? It took a lot of time. Knowing each other, and sharing everything, dates, and other stuff.

  Her nights were spent at either his place or hers. When they weren’t working, they were with each other, enjoying some good food and a lot of laughs.

  “You’ve gotten that serious look on your face. Have I upset you?” he asked.

  “No, not at all. It takes more than you not seeming impressed by my dress sense.” She pulled out of his arms. “Come on, we don’t want to be late for work.”

  Zane and the guys were also performing tonight, and she looked forward to seeing him sing again. He had all their equipment in the back of his truck, so he was driving. She was free to drink but after what happened last time, she had no intention of letting alcohol get the better of her.

  He held her hand, and she stared at his inked arm compared to her own.

  “Do you like my ink?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I do. Why?”

  “You’ve been staring at it since we got in the car.”

  “I’ve always wanted to get a tattoo. Like a rose or something.”

  “Why don’t you?” he asked.

  She paused. It had been on the tip of her tongue to say her parents wouldn’t approve. “I think I will.”

  “I know a great place. I go to him every single time I want new ink. I can book it if you’d like.”

  “Could you show it to me? I wouldn’t know what to have, and I’d prefer to know in advance if that is possible?” she asked.

  “How about tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, I can work with that.” She smiled. “I’m feeling all rebellious right now.”

  He burst out laughing. “You’re amazing, you know that, right?”

  “I certainly hope so.” She rested her head on his arm. The angle of the mirror caught her attention, and she got a good look at the two of them together. Zane was the sexy, bad boy kind of guy, his arms and body heavily inked with his short hair, and she didn’t imagine he’d ever be in a suit and tie. She liked that about him, and had no desire to see him in something like that. It wouldn’t work, not even once.

  He kissed the top of her head, and she closed her eyes.

  Against him, she seemed out of place. Even staring at her reflection, she knew she was different from him.

  “Do you like me, Zane?” she asked, suddenly struck with insecurity.

  “Yeah.”

  She glanced up at him. “You don’t think I’m boring and a stick in the mud?”

  “Princess, I think you’re a lot of fun to be around.”

  “Even though we’ve stayed in all that time?”

  “I don’t need to go out to have a lot of fun.” He parked the car outside of the bar, which was already heaving with activity. She’d never seen it this busy before. The hot weather they were having drew more and more people out.

  Zane cupped her cheek and forced her to look at him. “I don’t know why you’re doubting yourself, but you’ve got nothing to fear at all, baby. I like you. You like me, and there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

  She smiled, shaking her head. “Ignore me. I was having a crazy insecure moment.”

  “Every time you have them, tell me. I don’t want you hiding anything from me.” He leaned in close, and took her lips. “Are you ready to go inside?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you’re free to drink whatever you like.”

  “Totally not happening.”

  Riot, Jones, and Silas were there when she turned to open her door. Their faces pressed against the glass, making her jump and laugh. “They’re crazy.”

  “Yeah, it just goes to show you can never take the kids out to play.”

  Jones opened the door, and Silas helped her out. They all embraced her before Zane came to her side and gave them all a shove. “Know who she belongs to.”

  She liked that he was possessive of her. Snuggling against him, she felt safe, warm.

  “Do you want to piss on her as well?” Riot asked with a smirk.

  “Just remember who has to work tonight,” Jones said. “We’ll be keeping her occupied.”

  “I can sit at the bar and keep you company all night,” she said, snuggling up against him.

  He kissed her lips and shook his head. “Nah, you should have fun. They’ll dance, and just know I’ll be the one that wants to b
e with you.”

  “Don’t worry, hot shot. We’ll take care of her,” Silas said.

  Zane reluctantly let her go, and she made her way inside with his three friends. There was no room inside the bar, so they had no choice but to find a chair out back where the overflow was.

  Jones found them a table and went to get a drink. She watched the dancing, as the song was sexy and drew people together.

  “So, do you like our guy?” Silas asked.

  She returned her attention to the two men. Jones still hadn’t returned. “Yes, I do. He’s amazing.”

  Silas and Riot shared a look.

  “What is it?” The look they each had didn’t look great, and she started to feel nervous.

  “Zane likes you, and he’s not been himself since you both moved in next to each other.”

  She didn’t like the way her stomach twisted.

  “Are you wanting me to break up with him?” The thought of not being with Zane filled her with absolute sadness. She loved being with him.

  Silas held his hands up, but Riot spoke first.

  “No, we don’t want that at all. Zane’s writing more songs now than ever before, and they’re not all shit either,” Riot said.

  “We … he’s never fallen for a girl. He’s never been one to settle in one place, and we know this time it’s different. He’s different with you. No woman has ever captured his attention, and he never cooks for them.”

  She nibbled her lip, staring at them.

  “He’s our best friend,” Riot said. “We don’t want him to get hurt, but with you, we think there’s a risk.”

  “I have no intention of hurting him.”

  “We think he’s falling in love with you. Do you think there’s a chance you could ever, ever fall in love with him? We know your family wouldn’t approve of him, and even though you’re being a little rebellious now, what about in five years’ time?”

  “You don’t know anything about my family,” she said. “I would never let anyone hurt him, and my family has no right to come near him.”

  “We all know who Carey is. Ask around and the right people will tell us everything we need to know. Your family wouldn’t approve of Zane, and if you get over your problem, you’re going to break his heart.”

  They stopped speaking as Jones came to the table. “They’re all worried that you’re going to hurt our boy. Ignore them.”

  “I’m not going to ignore them. I’m not going to hurt Zane, and if you heard the rumors about my family and Carey, then you know I left everything behind. I have no intention of going back to them, and I’m not going to hurt Zane. I care about him a lot.”

  Neither of them spoke again, but the damage had already been done. She sat back in her chair, wondering what the hell to do.

  This wasn’t some rebellion.

  This was the real deal … wasn’t it?

  ****

  By the end of his shift, Zane was desperate to spend time with his woman. He found her sat at the table while the guys were setting up their equipment. She didn’t look happy, and taking hold of her hand, he led her onto the dance floor, not caring that he was due to perform.

  “Hello, Princess.”

  She smiled, but he saw that it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “It’s nothing.”

  “When I left you earlier, you were happy. What’s changed?”

  “Nothing. It’s nothing. I’m just being silly.”

  He gripped her chin and stared into her eyes, seeing that it wasn’t just nothing. There was something wrong, and he intended to find out what the fuck had gone wrong.

  “Tell me, Princess. You can tell me anything.”

  “Are you falling in love with me?” she asked.

  He stopped and stared at her.

  “Your friends seem to think that you’re falling in love with me, and that I could break your heart. I don’t want to break your heart, Zane. That’s the last thing I want to do.”

  Cupping her face, he forced her to look at him. “I’m not falling in love with you.” It may be the first lie he’d ever uttered to her. “We’re having some fun, right?”

  She nodded.

  Kissing her lips, which he could never resist, he smiled at her. “I’ve got to head back to get ready. Will you be at the front of the stage? Cheering me on?”

  “Yes.”

  He hated leaving her, but before he went on stage, he was going to deal with his friends. Riot, Jones, and Silas were waiting for him, and he grabbed Silas. He just knew it had to be him. Slamming him up against the wall, he didn’t feel anything. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

  “Whoa, Zane,” Jones said.

  “Back the fuck off. I brought her along so that she could have a good time, and you go saying shit that you don’t have a right to say.”

  “We’re all worried about you, Zane.”

  “This is not your fucking business. It never has been.”

  “You want me to apologize for pointing out the fucking obvious.”

  Zane shoved him against the wall again, wanting to do a whole lot more, but holding himself back. “You had no right.”

  “We have every right,” Riot said. “This isn’t just about you.”

  “She inspires you,” Silas said. “In the past couple of weeks, you’ve done nothing but spend time with her. When you’re with us, you’re constantly talk about her. You’ve got your own name for her, or don’t you know her real name.”

  “It’s Wynter,” he said, snapping the word out. Why were people so hung up on the fact he called her Princess?

  “You’re falling for her, Zane. You saw that guy she was talking to. We did some digging, and we know her family.”

  “She’s told me about her family. It’s not a big fucking secret!” His anger was building once again.

  “What happens when she goes back to them? What happens when the bad boy next door no longer appeals and she wants the marriage and kids? You’re not her forever man, Zane.”

  He glared at his friend. The urge to slam his fist against Silas’s face was strong, but he reeled it in. Stepping away from Silas, he stared at his friends.

  The need to play was no longer inside him.

  “We’re just thinking about you, Zane,” Jones said.

  “I may not be her forever man, but I’m her man right now.”

  Grabbing his guitar, he turned on his heel and began to walk away.

  “Man, what are you doing?”

  “Right now, I really can’t play.” For the first time ever, he turned his back on playing and went straight to Princess.

  “Zane? What’s going on?”

  “Do you want to go for a drive? Just be away from here, away from everything.”

  “What about work?” she asked.

  “Forget work. Just you and me. No one to interrupt us. No trouble. Nothing.”

  “Yes.”

  Taking her out of the bar, he rode out of town, not even heading toward their homes.

  “What about clothes?”

  “This is an adventure, right? You’ve got to trust me, and right now, clothes are the last thing we need.”

  She stayed silent for several minutes, and every time he glanced her way, she stared at him. “What? What is it?”

  “Have you ever missed a chance to play before?”

  “No.”

  “What’s going on, Zane?”

  “Nothing is going on. The guys and I are having a disagreement. It’s not anything serious. We’ll resolve it when I get back.”

  “Is this because of me? Of my parents?”

  “No.”

  He gripped the steering wheel even tighter, hating the fact he’d lied to her.

  “You don’t have to lie. They don’t think I’m the kind of girl that’s staying around, right? They think I’m going to leave?”

  He glanced over at her, and sighed. “They have their opinions of your parents, and that you’re not goin
g to stick around.”

  “That sucks. I was starting to really like them.”

  “They’re worried about me. Let’s not talk about them, okay? Let’s put everything else to the back of our mind and just focus on our drive right now. A little adventure. Is there anything you’ve ever wanted to do?”

  “Get a tattoo. Go to a fairground. Eat candy without worrying about the calories. Make love all night underneath the stars.”

  He clicked his fingers. “I know exactly what we can do.”

  Making a quick turn, he headed toward the mountain. He and the guys had been there several times. There were often kids around that had raves or at least a small bonfire and pretended to be rebels.

  Parking up in the abandoned space, he climbed out of his truck and grabbed a blanket.

  “Where are we?” she asked.

  “It’s not such a secret. Let’s consider it make out lane.”

  “What? You’ve brought me to where a bunch of teenagers get it on?”

  “And adults. You’d be surprised how many couples just want to feel like teenagers again. This is a very prime spot.”

  She took his hand, pressing her body against his arm. “You want to take me to make out?”

  “Yes.”

  “Will you bring your guitar? You can sing one of those songs you’ve been writing. I’d love to hear it.”

  He didn’t have to be told twice. Grabbing his guitar, he took her hand and followed the well-worn path to a small picnic area. The moon high in the sky lit his path, making it easy for him to follow directions.

  Once he found the secluded spot he was looking for, he placed the towel on the ground, waiting for Princess to sit before doing the same.

  He’d not gone out like this with a woman … ever.

  She crossed her legs and pulled from her hair the band that held up those golden locks. “Sing for me, Zane.”

  Resting his guitar on his knee, he stared at her. She ran her fingers through her hair, and he was caught once again in the feelings that she kept inspiring inside him.

  If he didn’t know any better he was starting to believe she was his muse.

  “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

  She smiled. “I have no idea. Where do you see yourself?”