Take Your Time: A Garden Falls, TN Romance Read online

  Take Your Time

  Garden Falls, TN

  Allie Kay

  This is a work of fiction. All people, places and

  events are products of the author's imagination

  and are used in a story of fiction.

  None of the contents should be

  construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events,

  locations, organizations or persons,

  alive or deceased, is completely coincidental.

  Take Your Time

  A Garden Falls, TN novel

  Copyright 2018

  Original Copyright 2016 Allie Kincheloe

  Cover by: Allie Kincheloe

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  1. Claire

  2. Zane

  3. Claire

  4. Zane

  5. Claire

  6. Zane

  7. Claire

  8. Zane

  9. Claire

  10. Zane

  11. Claire

  12. Zane

  13. Claire

  14. Zane

  15. Claire

  16. Zane

  17. Claire

  18. Zane

  19. Claire

  20. Zane

  21. Claire

  22. Zane

  23. Claire

  24. Zane

  25. Claire

  26. Zane

  27. Claire

  28. Zane

  29. Claire

  30. Zane

  31. Claire

  32. Zane

  33. Claire

  34. Zane

  35. Claire

  36. Zane

  37. Claire

  38. Zane

  39. Claire

  40. Zane

  41. Claire

  42. Zane

  43. Claire

  44. Zane

  45. Claire

  46. Zane

  47. Claire

  48. Zane

  49. Claire

  50. Zane

  51. Claire

  52. Zane

  53. Claire

  54. Zane

  55. Claire

  56. Zane

  Heartsong

  About the Author

  1

  Claire

  Turning into the packed parking lot at Garden, I stomped the brakes and winced. My car screeched to a stop, the bumper mere inches from Dracula and Medusa. The kissing couple didn't seem to notice their near brush with death. If they did, it didn't bother them enough to interrupt their embrace, anyway.

  With an exasperated shake of my head, I eased the car around them, glancing toward the front of the building as I crept slowly by. The line of people went from the double front doors, all the way around the side under the big stained-glass windows. Of course, every adult in town under thirty was inside the club—or wanted to be. I finally found an empty spot at the back of the lot. A sports car was straddling the line, but it left just enough space to squeeze my little compact car in between it and the red Ford truck on the left. The Richland Construction sign on the door of the big truck made me sigh.

  Shit.

  The last thing I wanted to deal with tonight was Zane freaking Richmond. The big goof had made it his life's mission to make me smile for years. But lately? Oh, lately, he'd taken it a step further and the teasing had taken on more of a flirty tone. And now my stupid heart went crazy every time he smiled my direction. Which happened way more than I wanted to admit. If he wasn't my best friend's brother, maybe... But after all that Talia and I had been through, endangering our friendship all for an uncertain relationship with Zane wasn't something I was willing to chance.

  It was just one night. I could ignore him for one night.

  Even if he flirted? No... Some things just weren't worth the risk. And despite how much that little dimple when he laughed begged to be kissed, or how my stupid heart fluttered whenever our hands brushed, I couldn't give in to the temptation of Zane.

  With a fortifying breath, I stepped out of the car. I pulled the rest of my costume from the back seat. Huge wings. Tonight, I was an angel. The snowy white feathers weighed heavily on my back, but with my mask and wings firmly in place, I strode up to the worn brick building. Zane Richmond wasn't going to keep me from this party. Not tonight. Halloween was my favorite holiday and I'd be damned if I let his presence stop me.

  I got in line behind a pair of ninjas and crept slowly toward the entrance, inch by inch. The slow-moving line gave me too much time to worry. It would be a miracle if I was able to find my friends in the crowded club. At least I'd be able to find Sean. Even if he was in costume, the massive bartender my best friend had just married would be easy to find. And he'd be able to point Talia out.

  A shiver coursed down my spine as the cool autumn breeze picked up. The angel costume really needed more fabric to be appropriate for this weather. I rubbed my hands over my bare arms, trying to warm the chilled flesh. I almost reneged on my promise to show up tonight when the line stopped moving for a minute. With the sun high in the sky today, the air had warmed to the mid-sixties. But now that it had eased below the horizon, those warmer temperatures were falling fast. I didn't recognize the bouncer, but the jerk laughed at my chattering teeth when I finally made it to the door. I showed him ID and got the 21+ stamp on my shaking hand.

  Oh I definitely planned to have a few drinks tonight. This week had been damn ridiculous at work. We'd lost three patients due to various complications and my stress level had reached its max. I was so ready for some alcohol and a little relaxation. A few drinks, maybe some dancing where I could get close to a hot guy for a bit.

  Slipping my ID inside the tiny pocket I'd sewn on my costume, I fought a shiver as my body tried to adjust to the temperature difference. Ten feet inside the club Peter Pan asked me to dance. I eyed him carefully. He was kinda cute. Glancing down, I vetoed that. Nope. Not nearly enough in those tights to tempt me. I gave him a soft smile and let him down easy. "Sorry, Pete. I'm an angel, not a fairy. Keep looking, you'll find your Tinkerbell."

  Moving past him, I sighed when I saw yet another couple getting hot and heavy. It had been entirely too long since I'd gotten hot and heavy with anyone. I headed toward the bar. Sliding onto an empty stool, I waved Sean over.

  The big bartender strolled over, wearing his usual outfit of worn jeans and flannel. No silly costume for him. Although with his size, I'd imagine he found it hard to find a decent costume.

  He greeted me with a smile. "Hey, Claire."

  "You recognized me? I thought it was a pretty good disguise?" I flipped a lock of hair over my shoulder and looked up at him. Way up. Damn, he was tall. I preferred my men a bit shorter and not so... massive. Talia always looked so tiny in comparison to her giant of a husband, but the size difference had never seemed to be an issue between them.

  "X-ray vision," he joked. "I saw the wings in your car when you were over last night."

  "Oh. Is Talia here?" I looked around the bar. No sign of Talia's red hair. Or ever-rounding belly.

  "Nah, she's feeling sick again, so she's at the house. She might come by later, if her stomach settles."

  "You had to go and ruin Halloween for me by knocking up my best friend, didn't you? You know it's my favorite holiday, right?"

  "Yup. She told me. And I have to say, I'm pretty damn proud of that baby already." Sean laughed. "Hang on a sec." Moving down t
he bar, he poured a couple drinks and took some money. A few minutes later, he sauntered back my way. "What can I get you tonight?"

  "How about a martini?"

  He made the drink and slid the glass across the gleaming bar. "Watch out for the musketeers. They've had a bit to drink and are getting real amorous. We're about to toss them."

  I took a sip and sighed in appreciation. He really could make a damn fine martini. "Anna or Karly here?"

  "Haven't seen them if they are. I'll keep an eye out for you."

  "Thanks."

  Sean nodded and returned to his work. I'd been resistant to Talia dating him at first, but the big bartender had grown on me. The fierce, but gentle way the man loved Talia went a long way in getting me to accept him.

  Some days, I was jealous of that love. Most days, if I was honest...

  I turned on the barstool and my gaze flitted around the dance floor. I looked for someone I knew. Anyone. Tonight, I didn't have it in me to be that gregarious blonde who everyone flocked to. Tonight, I would take advantage of the costume and stop pretending. It took more effort than I had in me right now to put on that sociable exterior I normally kept up in public. When no one stood out as familiar, I downed my drink and waited for someone to interact with me.

  Talia would say I was outgoing. A real people person. But really, I was just good at putting on a front. I wanted nothing more than a close group of friends and someone to love. With my friends, my confidence was in full force and I could keep the conversations flowing. But here? No safety nets? Nope. Not when I'd had such a shit week.

  So, I sat there on that bar stool alone and waited for someone to make the first move. Chicken shit... My mom would have called me in her country drawl. But Margot didn't have a shy bone in her body, particularly when men were involved. And I had spent years trying to not be my mother.

  Zorro made eye contact from across the room. He tipped his hat and slowly made his way over. Allowing my eyes to roam his form, I smiled. Tight black pants that were filled in all the right places, black button-down snug across muscular shoulders and perfectly flat abs, and a sexy as hell beard darkening a strong jaw. He had the lithe movements of an athlete. Men didn't get those chiseled forearms sitting at a desk all day. A heat filled the air between us and warmed me more than the burn of alcohol I'd just imbibed. Oh yes, Zorro I could get down with.

  With a bow, he took my hand in his work-roughened one. His dark beard tickled my hand as he brought it up to his lips. I caught a hint of green eyes behind the mask when he looked up. "Beautiful angel, I wish to dance with you."

  In the timbre of his voice, something triggered a warning, a familiarity that should have raised a flag, but I ignored it in favor of the delicious sparks of desire shooting up my arm. I licked my lips and answered, "Absolutely, my dark hero."

  He led me out onto the dance floor and I fitted myself to him as close as the upbeat song would allow. His rough hands brushed up and down my arms. When I wrapped my arms around his neck and moved closer, he slid his arms around my waist. His hands were light on the small of my back. Shivers of desire fluttered up my spine at his touch.

  The lights were dimmer than usual, orange and purple bursts highlighting the shadows of his face sporadically. The low light, the mask, and the brim of his hat blocked his eyes almost completely. I could only catch a spark of light reflecting here and there, but even so, I could feel his gaze on me, hot and intense.

  Even in these four inch heels, I could only just press my lips to his cheek. Without heels, I'd be able to lay my head right on his shoulder. Perfect...

  His arms tightened around me and one of his hands skimmed down to squeeze my hip. "You are so beautiful," he murmured in my ear.

  "Heard that before, hot shot." But that didn't mean I didn't like hearing it. And I liked hearing it from Zorro.

  His lips nibbled at my jawline. "Maybe so, but no one has ever meant it more than I do."

  I giggled and pressed my cheek to his as we continued to dance.

  When the song ended, he whispered, "I need a drink, you?" At my nod, he escorted me back to the bar, weaving through the bodies in a way that told me he'd spent a lot of time in a club. Snagging the lone empty bar stool, Zorro leaned his back against the bar and I stepped between his thighs.

  When I caught Sean's attention, I ordered another martini and Zorro took a whiskey. Sean slid them across the gleaming mahogany and raised an eyebrow at us. I shook my head at him. He shrugged and turned back to the bar.

  Zorro nuzzled my throat, his breath hot against the bare, sensitive skin there. His low voice whispered in my ear how much he was looking forward to getting to know me.

  I clung to his strong shoulders and let go of the last of my inhibitions. I'd been good. It had been a long time since I'd felt a man's touch. And despite how much I told myself that I didn't need it, my body argued that I needed a man's touch tonight. This man, in particular. Oh yes, Zorro was coming home with me tonight, if I had any say. I pushed him back a little and finished my martini. "Get rid of that drink so we can dance again."

  He downed it. I watched the muscles in his throat as he swallowed the amber liquid.

  The DJ announced another slow song and I took full advantage. I moved against Zorro, rubbing against him teasingly. He grabbed my ass and pulled my lower body to his. His lips closed over mine and his tongue invaded my mouth. His lips were warm and soft as they moved over mine. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I knocked his hat off. Tangling my fingers in his short, dark hair, I returned his kiss.

  He eased back. "Slow down, angel. We got all night."

  I relaxed my hold on him, but didn't release him entirely. "Fine. But I'm holding you to that."

  "To what? Slowing down?"

  "No, all night."

  He kissed me again, his hand cupping the back of my head. It tilted my halo and I thought briefly of the time I'd spent making my hair and that halo perfect before leaving the apartment.

  Zorro twirled me around the dance floor for several more songs, bought me a few more drinks, and held me upright when the room was spinning. But still we danced.

  On tiptoe, in the middle of a crowded dance floor, I decided Zorro was everything I'd been looking for. Even if I didn't know his name. And I really should know his name if I was going to take him home with me tonight. I didn't do one-night stands like my mother always did. I'd never slept with a guy who I didn't know his name.

  But that was easily remedied. "What's your name?"

  "Shh... I don't want to ruin the magic."

  "Fine." Okay, maybe not so easy. Names didn't really matter, did they? I nibbled at his throat. I'd just call him Zorro until he told me otherwise. Zorro was as good a name as any. "Come home with me, my sexy Zorro."

  He sucked in an audible breath. Green eyes glittered down through the mask and his lips turned up in a hint of a smile. "Absolutely."

  2

  Zane

  The loud blare of a train whistle pulled me from the depths of sleep. Why was there a train? Where the hell was I? There weren't any trains near the lake. My Zorro mask blocked one eye. Tugging it up, I blinked a few times until my eyes adjusted to the dim light. A four-poster bed? Satin sheets and pillows, a sweet perfume lingering in the air. Not my apartment.

  Silky, long hair splayed across my bare chest. A soft arm lay across my stomach. Feathers tickled my arm. Feathers?

  Damn.

  I'd went home with Claire. Not just went home with her, but went to bed with her. That was her arm, her naked body pressed so temptingly against my side. The feathers from her angel costume bent around my arm. And damn, she felt just as amazing as I'd dreamed she would.

  She'd hate me when she woke up and discovered me in her bed.

  I gulped down a ball of dread when that little speck of consciousness dropped into active thought. No way would she be cool with this. Not even a little bit. My heart and mind raced while I tried to come up with a plan that didn't end with Claire castrating me. She'd m
ade it clear how little she cared for me, repeatedly.

  I wasn't even sure why she seemed to hate me so much. Back when we were teenagers, she'd followed me around like a lost puppy for about a year. And even the year she'd half-lived with Talia we'd been cool. But it seemed like the more I tried to make her like me, the less she did.

  And finding out we'd had a drunken one-night-stand? Yeah. No. I liked my balls just where they were—firmly attached to my body.

  Inch by inch, I eased away from her. The halo from her costume scraped my shoulder as I slid from beneath her. It seemed to be poking at her, but when I tugged at it, I realized it was tangled in her hair. It would have to stay or I'd risk waking her. One leg off the bed, I gently moved to a standing position, taking extra care not to shake the bed more than I had to. If she'd flip over us sleeping together, then I'd really hate to see her reaction to me sneaking away.

  Groping in the shadowy darkness beside the bed, I finally found my pants. I fumbled for my cell phone, pulling it from the pocket. Using it for light, I rounded up the rest of my things and slipped out of the bedroom before getting dressed.