Zen (8 page)

Jimmie stopped the video camera and grabbed his digital camera. “Sure, let’s get a few of you while you are on the sofa.” Jimmie took a few snaps of him lounging.

Shawna watched him and looked at the coffee table in front of him. It had a book and a pair of glasses. “Do you wear glasses?”

Zen picked up the book and glasses. He put the glasses on. Jimmie went crazy snapping shots. “These are specially designed for me. Felons are more sensitive to light than other species. I have special contacts to use during my fights that help to filter the harmful lights in the arena. However, when I take the contacts out, my eyes are even more sensitive. I have to wear these special glasses until my eyes have time to adjust or if I go off ship in the bright sunlight.”

“Do you wear contacts during your practice matches?” Shawna found Zen wearing glasses the sexiest damn thing she had ever seen.

“No, the whole ship including the training facility has dimmer lights with a filtering system. But I tend to keep my glasses on a lot more while home.”

“So you aren’t just using the glasses to throw people off?”

He shook his head as he picked up his book. He turned to a page and read out loud one of his favorite quotes, “'To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.'”

“Emerson?” Shawna was shocked. He was reading Emerson?

“He’s one of my favorites.”

“Mine too. My favorite quote is… ‘
Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up
...’”

“...
every time we fail,
” they both finished the quote together. They stared into each other’s eyes and there was an undeniable connection pulling them toward one another.

A voice cleared from the doorway of the bedroom. They both turn to look at Jimmie. “I thought we would get some shots of you on the bed, maybe half dressed? Women love that shit.”

Zen nodded as he stood and walked to the bedroom. Shawna watched him, feeling flustered and aroused all at the same time. He can quote Emerson. He finds smart women beautiful. Oh God, he was nearly perfect in every way.

“Shawna, what do think of this shot?” Jimmie called out.

She sighed, walking into the bedroom. This was the last place she should be with Zen. He was running havoc on all her senses. The sight that met her had her womb spasming and she almost had an orgasm on the spot.

Zen was under the sheet on his bed. He didn’t have his shirt on and the sheet made him look like he was completely naked. He laid out on his side with his elbow propping him up.

“What do you think?” Jimmie asked.

“Huh?” Shawna couldn’t take her eyes of Zen. He was giving her a sexy, steamy look that made her feel really hot all over.

“His position. Do you think it looks sexy?” Jimmie took a few shots anyway.

“I…um.”

Jimmie snickered, “I'll take that as a yes, but his leg looks wrong.”

“He could prop it up a little,” she suggested. Her voice a little shaky.

“How?” Zen asked with a raised eyebrow.

How did a man have sexy eyebrows? She didn’t know but they were. She shrugged.

“Go help him,” Jimmie encouraged her.

Her feet slowly moved toward him. His eyes tracked her the whole way. She could feel her face and body heating up. She stopped at the edge of the bed.

“Just bend your top leg with the knee up.” She motioned for him to do that.

When he did the sheet moved revealing his jeans underneath.
Whew
! She was worried for a minute that he might actually be nude. She helped correct the sheet and moved his leg in the right position. She stood back and looked at his pose.

“The leg is better but move his arm,” Jimmie called out while taking shots from behind.

She gently took his arm to move it. Electricity shot out from his arm through her hand and it traveled straight down her body to her core. She looked down into his beautiful eyes and felt herself melting. She moved his arm so it was propped against the raised knee. She stood back to check his pose again and felt her womb clench.
Damn, he was hot!

“Yeah, that looks much better. Uh, Shawna can you come and stand next to me?” Jimmie asked, realizing that Zen wasn’t looking his way. He noticed how the halfsie’s eyes followed Shawna across the room. Just like a cat tracking its prey.
Interesting
.

It was steaming in the bedroom. When Jimmie suggested they get some shots of Zen in the shower, Shawna had to step in.

“Why don’t you do those shots a little later. Zen probably has to get to practice by now.”

Zen threw the sheet off as he stood. He checked the clock. “I skipped morning practice. I will go to the afternoon practice after lunch. Would you like to go with me to the restaurant? Or I could order us something to be brought up here?”

Jimmie knew he wasn’t who Zen was talking to but he wanted to give him a hard time. “Sorry, man. I like you and all, but I will eat lunch on my own.”

Zen looked at the male in confusion. “Okay. How about you,
Shawna
?”

Say no, say no.
“Lunch sounds good. But at the restaurant.” There was no way she was having a private meal with him in his suite.

Zen gave her a dazzling smile as he pulled his shirt back on. Her lower lips actually quivered. She was in deep trouble.

Twenty minutes later they were seated at one of the sports bars on the lower level. The waitress flirted with Zen of course. However, this time he didn’t really pay any attention to her. He kept his eyes on Shawna the whole time. It was flattering and a little nerve wracking.

After they placed their orders, Zen asked her, “How long have you been a reporter?”

“I went to college when I was sixteen. I started interning early on in college. I became a full time reporter four years ago after I graduated with full honors.”

Smart girl. “So you’re twenty-three?”

“Twenty-four actually.”

“You don’t seem to be into sports at all. Why did the Galactic Times pick you to come here?” Zen took a swig of his water. He really wanted a beer but he had afternoon training he had to be ready for. When she didn’t answer right away he got worried. “I’m sorry, I hope I didn’t offend you.”

“No, it’s okay. You’re right. I’m not the normal sports reporter. Truth is, I requested to do this story.”

“Why?”

She looked away from him. “Personal reasons.”

He wanted to dig deeper but he had a feeling she would just dodge all his questions. She was a prickly one. He would have to handle her with gentle hands. He had to first earn her trust so she would willingly open up to him.

Their food arrived and they both grew silent as they ate. Zen watched her. She was so cute with her little glasses and hair up, trying to appear unapproachable. It only made him want to reach across the table and take her into his arms. When she looked up at him he gave her a sexy smile, which made her blush and look away. Damn, if that wasn’t cute too.

They were almost done when a shadow fell across the table. “What are you doing here?”

They both looked up at the angry voice. Rage stood there looking down at them menacingly. Zen wondered what his problem was.

“Rage. We were having lunch,” Shawna told him without looking up. It hurt that he didn’t want her there.

“I need to speak to you in private, Shawna,” Rage said as he reached for her arm.

Shawn moved out of his reach. “I’ll be right back, Zen.” She stood and walked to the other side where there were fewer people.

“What is your problem?” Shawna asked him in a low voice.

“What are you doing with him?” Rage glared in the direction of Zen.

“I tried to tell you before, I am doing a story on him.”

“I don’t like it. I don’t want you around him.”

“Too bad. He is my job and I am not letting you or anyone else stop me from doing it.” Shawna crossed her arms across her chest stubbornly.

“We’ll talk about this more when I come over tonight,” Rage told her.

“There isn’t anything you can do about it, but you are welcome to come by.” Shawna didn’t back down at all but stood her ground.

Rage was frustrated and at the same time admired that she was such a strong female. “See you tonight then.”

“Fine.” Shawna turned her back on him and walked back to where Zen was still sitting down.

“Everything okay?” Zen asked.

“Sure.” She picked at the remaining pieces of her pasta and plastered a fake smile on her face.

She wasn’t fooling him one bit. Rage had said something to her that really upset her. He wasn’t going to give up trying to figure it out.

“How do you know Rage?” Zen asked lightly.

Shawna tried to shrug. “Old family connection.” She didn’t say anything more.

Zen let her finish her lunch without further questioning her about Rage. When he paid the bill, despite her insistence that she pay for her half, he walked her out of the restaurant.

“I’m heading off to training. Did you want to come with me?” Zen asked.

She shook her head. “No. I need to meet up with Jimmie and review the video feed and pictures that he took. We have to send something to our boss in the morning.”

“Would you care to have dinner with me tonight?” He looked at her hopefully.

“Sorry, I have other plans.” She wasn’t looking forward to it either. Another round of fighting with Rage over her being there. Why was he turning her away like this? She had to fight back the tears that were threatening to spill.

“Will I see you tomorrow?” Wow was he sounding like a pathetic love struck male.

“Your itinerary says you have charity events to attend for tomorrow. Nigel said that Jimmie and I could accompany you and him on those.”

Yes!
He was going to see her tomorrow. His excitement was marred only by the fact he would have to share her company with two other males. But the more time he had with her the better.

“Great. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then.” He watched her walk away. The sway of her hips was entrancing.

Two hours later and Zen was going to kill Rage. The male rearranged practice partners so instead of Zen pairing up with Taurus, he had to pair up with Rage. He didn’t hold back either. Rage was giving Zen the full Beastial treatment. Zen had had enough.

“What is your problem?” Zen asked him after Rage had gave him a brutal right hook.

“You are my problem. I want you to stay away from Shawna,” Rage growled out at him.

“I can’t stay away from her, she is the reporter covering my story.”

Rage snorted, “Not for long she isn’t.”

“The last time I checked, you were happily mated to Rachel. What makes you think you have any say in this?” Zen demanded.

Rage refused to answer his question. He just glared at him. “Keep your hands to yourself. She doesn’t need some womanizer messing with her.”

“What happens between me and Shawna is our business. You have no say.”

“The hell I don’t.” Rage went to attack Zen but Hammer stepped between them keeping them separate.