Free No More Talking: Hearts Are Wild, Book 1 by Rhian Cahill Page A

perched her hip against the counter and waited.
    Zac stopped a few feet away. He shoved his hands in his back pockets. Pulled them out. Pushed them into his front pockets. Pulled them out again.
    Nice to know he was nervous. He probably thought her brother would be hunting him down. She decided to set his mind at ease on that score.
    “West isn’t going to come after you. I’ve spoken to him and reminded him that who I sleep with isn’t his business.”
    “I know.”
    “You know?”
    He ran his hands through his hair. “He came to see me.”
    Freddie didn’t think she’d ever seen Zac so frazzled. Even when she’d pushed him until he’d lost control, he hadn’t had this…tattered, unraveled look. “When?”
    “About an hour ago.”
    “Oh.”
    “It’s not what you think.”
    Freddie laughed. “Zac, with you I never know what to think.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “For what?”
    “Everything.”
    Air hissed through her teeth as she sucked in a breath. “Everything?”
    “No.” He took a step forward. “Not that. Never that.”
    He ran his fingers through his hair again. “God. Sleeping with you was the only good thing I did.” He rocked back on his heels. “I’ll never be sorry for touching you. I’m sorry for all the rest.”
    “I’m not following, Zac.” If he didn’t regret having sex with her then why had he left?
    “I screwed up. I’m still screwing up.” He paced to the side. “I can’t seem to think when I’m around you. No. That’s a lie. I think. I think about getting your clothes off and getting inside you so I can breathe. I can’t seem to breathe when I’m not with you. Why is that?” He stopped and stared at her.
    “Ah…”
    “I’ll tell you why.” He moved towards her. “Because I love you.”
    “I…um…of course you do. We’ve known each other forever. You love me like you love Cassie.”
    “No. Not like Cassie at all.” He moved in front of her, put his hands on her hips and pulled her to her to toes. “I’m in love with you, Freddie.”
    She sucked in a breath. “You used my name.”
    Zac laughed. “Out of everything I just said, that was the one thing you heard?”
    “You haven’t said my name in months.” Oh my God. The man had just professed his love for her and all she could focus on was that he’d finally called her by her name.
    “I don’t want to warn myself away anymore. The only red I want to think about is the colour of your body when I make you come.”
    “But what about West?”
    “West who?”
    She smiled. “My brother.”
    “You have a brother?” He arched one eyebrow. “You should introduce us some time.”
    Freddie laughed. “You’re a dickhead.”
    “No. I was acting like a dickhead. I’m not now. The only dick around here is in my pants and really wants to be in yours.”
    “Oh my God. That’s so cheesy.”
    “But you like cheesy, right?” He leaned forward and brushed his mouth on hers. “You secretly love it. Right?”
    She wasn’t sure she should give in to this man so easily. He could crush her with the flick of an eyelash.
    “I promise I won’t play fast and loose with your heart, Freddie. If you trust me with it, I’ll cherish it until my dying breath.”
    “Zac.”
    “I promise. And if I ever treat it, or you, badly again, you can get your brother and that muscle-bound Pierce to beat me black and blue.”
    “Zac.”
    “What?”
    “No more talking.”
    “No more talking?” She had to listen to him. He had to convince her to forgive him.
    Freddie shook her head. “No more talking.”
    “But—”
    “Zac.” She grinned at him.
    “So if we’re not talking then we’re—”
    “You’re still talking, Zac.”
    “I know but…” Was she telling him what he thought? She hadn’t kicked him out but then she hadn’t reciprocated his declaration of love either.
    “Zac!”
    “What?” He couldn’t think. She was in his arms. He’d told her he loved her.
    “For God’s sake.” She slipped out of