Sink: The Lost World Read Online Free Page A

know we agreed not to talk about this, but I can’t help it. I’ve been thinking…”
    “Here comes trouble,” Zoe said.
    Bryan looked uncomfortable. He was out of his comfort zone. He only ever looked that way when he had absolutely no idea how to proceed in a given situation. This from a man who always knew what to do.
    “Zoe… I want to take the next step with you,” Bryan said. “Meeting like this is great, and I really enjoy it. Obviously. But I want more. I want you.”
    Zoe blinked in surprise.
    “I thought we were just having fun,” she said.
    “We were,” Bryan said. “I mean, we are. It’s just… I don’t want to spoil what we already have, but I’ve been thinking of you a lot and I think I want more.”
    “How much more?” Zoe said, sitting beside him.
    “I want it all,” Bryan said. “Living together, exclusivity, the works.”
    “I’m not seeing anyone else,” Zoe said.
    “Neither am I,” Bryan said. “And I want to keep it that way. Forever. I want to wake up beside you in the mornings and look forward to seeing you every evening. And if we meet sometimes in the middle of the day like this, all the better.”
    Zoe nodded, thinking it through.
    “I’ve got a lot going on in my life,” she said.
    “I know,” Bryan said.
    “Are you sure about this?” Zoe said.
    “Absolutely,” Bryan said. “I can’t think of anyone – or anything – I want more.”
    “I come with baggage,” Zoe said.
    “We both do,” Bryan said. “But I’m willing to try, if you are. If things don’t work out, then we can just keep what we have now. This is new territory for me. New for a long time, anyway.”
    “Do you think I’m any different?” Zoe said.
    “You always seem so calm, so in control,” Bryan said.
    Zoe laughed.
    “ You’re saying that to me ?” she said. “It’s all cover, I assure you. This is the first serious relationship I’ve had since… Well, you know.”
    “We’ve both had our heartaches in the past,” Bryan said. “We deserve something strong and long lasting.”
    “So, we just need to bite the bullet,” Zoe said.
    “They’re the ones who’re going to have to bite it,” Bryan said. “We’re the ones who’re going to have to pull the trigger.”
    “What if they refuse to accept it?” Zoe said. “If they refuse to accept us?”
    “They’ll have no choice,” Bryan said. “They’ll get used to it. We can’t spend our lives living for them and wait until they’re all grown up. Each of them lost a parent. They deserve to have another one. And I can’t think of anyone I would rather have as a mother to my daughter than you.”
    Zoe smiled.
    “Now that’s romantic,” she said.
    “You asked for it,” Bryan said. “And you got it – both barrels.”
    Zoe wrapped her arms around Bryan.
    “Do you think she’ll like me?” she said. “I always wanted a daughter.”
    “You’ll get on like a house on fire,” Bryan said.
    “Is that supposed to be good?” Zoe said. “You’re saying there’ll be a lot of fallout?”
    “All right,” Bryan said. “Like two peas in a pod.”
    “Locked together forever with no way to escape?” Zoe said.
    “Is there any way I can say you’ll get on well without this kind of response?” Bryan said. “You don’t hear me worrying about yours.”
    “Boys are easier,” Zoe said. “Make a few comments about things he likes, play a few games with him, and he’s wrapped around your little finger. Girls are harder.”
    “I won’t deny that,” Bryan said.
    Zoe wrapped her arms around Bryan’s head and kissed him on the lips. He responded, kissing her on the face and neck, working his way down…
    “No!” Zoe said, pushing Bryan’s head away.
    “Aw!” Bryan said. “Why not?”
    Zoe put on her underwear and pants.
    “Because unlike you, who is God of his company, I actually have to get back to work,” she said.
    “Do you really?” Bryan said. “Can’t you just tell them you’re wining and dining