Ever since that night at the diner, Kaleb hadn’t been able to think of much else other than the way Zoey had reacted to him.
Since he fully intended to take advantage of the opportunity, he’d decided to pursue her, rather than to sit back and wait. Zoey was stubborn, and if he had to wait around for her, well, hell, he might be waiting forever.
“Let’s walk.” With a tilt of his head, he directed her toward the tree line separating the Stranford land from the Walker’s.
“Have you talked to your dad today? He doing ok?” He just spoke to Carl, but today seemed worse than the last time he stopped by just a couple of days before. His memory seemed to be failing him. Either that or the man was pretending with the best of them. Kaleb didn’t quite believe that though.
“He seems fine to me. Most of the time.” Zoey said, not looking at him. “I asked him about the land.”
Kaleb contemplated what to say next. That was only part of his reason for coming over today, or maybe it had just been his excuse. Either way, he was still interested in purchasing the land and anything that would help get Travis off his ass would be worth it. “And?”
“I think he’s interested.” She admitted, stopping just short of the tall oak trees and turning to look up at him. “I think you were right. I think he’s leery of letting go of this land because it’s been in our family for so long.”
It was a valid concern. From where Kaleb stood if the shoe had been on the other foot, he wasn’t so sure his family would be able to part with what had become part of their heritage, even if it meant they might lose it all.
He just happened to believe that buying the land would help alleviate some of the financial strain on Carl and Zoey. Telling her that might just get him in a world of hurt, because if Zoey was anything, she was independent, and knowing others were aware of her financial struggles wouldn’t sit well with her.
“Scared, maybe.” Kaleb said, looking down at Zoey standing only a few inches away from him. He wasn’t sure if she realized how close they were to one another but he damn sure did. “Ornery, definitely.”
The way she stared at him, as though she expected him to pounce on her at the first chance he got was somewhat amusing. If she only knew how long he’d been fighting this attraction, and how many times he considered pulling her close and kissing her until neither of them knew their own names.
Standing next to her now, Kaleb again felt the significant difference in their height and their size. Zoey was a petite little thing, proven when he’d been able to cover both of her small hands with just one of his. But her size didn’t fool him. Small in stature, big in spirit, Zoey was.
“You’re still coming to the party tomorrow, right?” Ok, so that was his other reason for coming over.
Zoey looked down at the ground before turning her beautiful blue eyes back on him. She didn’t look nearly as confident as she normally did.
“I don’t know.” If he didn’t know her better, Kaleb might’ve been worried about her answer, but the look in her eyes told him everything he needed to know. Zoey could never hide anything from him, not even when she tried.
His brain was suddenly sidetracked, his eyes riveted on her mouth and the way she chewed her bottom lip. He wanted to lick her lips, to taste her sweetness, to hold her in his arms and show her exactly what he’d been holding back for more years than he cared to think about.
So what was holding him back?
When her tongue slid out, running over her bottom lip, he barely restrained a groan. She was killing him here, and a quick look into her eyes said she knew it.
“You owe me, remember?” She didn’t owe him a damned thing, but if she was going to tease him like this, even if she wasn’t aware she was doing it, he wasn’t responsible for what might happen next.
“So are you asking me to go to the party as your friend?” Zoey asked; those intense eyes boring a hole into him.
“Yes. No. Fuck.” He was back to watching her mouth, desperate to touch her, taste her. “What would you say if I said that I wanted you to go with me as more than friends?”
Zoey looked like he just spoke in a foreign language and she was trying to translate, but he could see a glimmer of interest in her eyes. He just wanted her to say yes, and at this point, he was ready to kiss the answer out of her.
“I’m still pretty sure I don’t owe you,” Zoey smiled a real smile for the first time since they’d walked outside, “but I’d still say yes.”
It took him a second to comprehend what she was telling him, but when it hit him, his entire body tensed. Although, he hoped she might hedge a little because the idea of kissing her was damned appealing.
He managed a small smile at the same time he put one hand on her cheek, feeling the soft, smooth skin beneath his fingers. When she leaned into his touch, he knew the moment couldn’t have been better. Taking one step closer, he hesitated, waiting to see what she would do. When she didn’t take a step back, he took that as a good sign.
“Zoey.” He growled her name, unable to control the hunger that had been building in intensity over the years any longer. She was still looking up at him when he closed the gap between them. “I’m not sure I can stay away from you much longer.”
Aside from the wind rustling the branches of the trees, they were hidden behind and a couple of birds braving the Texas heat, the only other sound was Zoey’s sharp intake of breath. Looking down at her, he could see the rise and fall of her breasts with every ragged breath and that was all the assurance he needed.
Cupping her jaw, trying to keep his hands from groping every luscious curve of her body, he bent his head until his lips hovered just above hers. Before he could get closer, she took the decision away from him when she pushed up on her toes and planted her warm lips to his.
The kiss started out sweet, just her mouth pressed to his, but the sweet scent of her hair sent a rush of adrenaline flooding his system and he was past the point of no return. Pulling her flush against him, Kaleb kept his hands on her face, not willing to push her too far too fast, but Lord have mercy, he had to taste more of her.
Thrusting his tongue between her lips, he locked his knees to keep him from falling over as soon as her little pink tongue surged forward to meet his. Then the world tilted, exploded, and the only thing remaining was the feel of Zoey’s delicious taste overwhelming his senses.
He growled when she whimpered, pressing her tight little body against his, grinding her hips into his, her fingers slipping into his hair, pulling him closer until he knew that, at any moment, he was going to take it too far. The image of being buried inside of her, both of them naked and sweating flashed through his brain and his dick throbbed behind the irritating zipper of his jeans.
The only thing that slowed them down was their need for oxygen, and when their lips parted, he pushed his forehead to hers, but didn't let her go.
“It seems like I’ve waited my whole life for you to do that.” Zoey whispered.
Her admission made Kaleb’s head spin. He had waited his whole life. Since junior high school when he had fallen head over heels in love with her, he’d ached to kiss her. For years, he’d spent many a session with his own hand, dreaming about what it would feel like to have her mouth on him – everywhere – or to bury his tongue into the warm depths of her pussy. And all the ways he intended to pleasure her.
“Trust me, baby. I have waited my whole life for that.”
Having been friends for so long, he worried that this little derailment of their friendship might just be leading down a road better left untraveled, but hell, the woman was so fucking tempting.
Wild fantasies and some of the hottest dreams he’d ever had starred Zoey, but Kaleb never figured any of it would come to fruition, but right here, right now, in the small copse of trees, shielded from the rest of the world, he wanted to do just that.
Not that he would.
Not yet anyway.
She knew some of the darker sides of Kaleb, but in all the yea
rs they’d known each other, never had they talked about it. And no matter what she thought she knew about him, Kaleb knew she didn’t understand the beast that prowled beneath his skin. The one that wanted more than her innocence could possibly fathom.
“We should go back.” He said reluctantly, not wanting to move from her embrace, not wanting to lose the warmth of her tender touch, but terrified that he might just do what he’d wanted to do for the last week. Hell, for the last fifteen years.
♀♂
Zoey nodded her agreement, but neither of them pulled away for long minutes. The feel of Kaleb’s work roughened fingers against her cheek was unlike any touch she had ever felt before, and for as long as she had waited, she didn’t feel as though she’d gotten enough of him yet.
When she told him that she’d waited her whole life, she hadn’t been lying. And after years of anticipation, she certainly hadn’t been disappointed. At least not by his kiss. Boy, could he kiss. The way his tongue expertly stroked hers, Zoey knew she’d wait another lifetime for just a promise of another.
Never had she been kissed like that.
She wasn’t a prude by any means, but no other man had invoked her desire the way Kaleb’s lips did when they touched hers, or the spicy scent of the man as it infused her senses, making her want, making her ache.
If only they weren’t outside... If only they weren’t standing yards away from her father’s house. Zoey didn’t want to let the moment end because she feared it would never happen again and going another minute without his touch would be too much. Not to mention, she feared she would never get up the nerve to do it again.
This, whatever this was, could very well destroy the friendship they’d developed over the years, and if either of them thought about it long enough, they might just come to their senses.
When Kaleb pulled away, despite the heat from the early August day, Zoey still felt the warmth being drawn away. She would’ve wrapped her arms around herself just to hold in the lingering heat if Kaleb hadn’t taken her hand.
Looking down to where he now laced their fingers, their arms hanging between them, she felt like a teenager all over again. The one who had pretended that being friends with Kaleb Walker was all she ever wanted, but knew deep down she’d wanted so much more from him. But they weren’t teenagers, they were adults, and Kaleb was all man. One that she wanted to explore in ways she’d only dreamed about. And yes, maybe that categorized her as slightly crazy.
“What time is the party?” She asked, trying to make conversation and ignore the fact that she would much rather sneak deeper into the trees and experience the wonder of Kaleb’s mouth on every inch of her skin.
“Seven.” Kaleb responded, his voice still a little gruff.
Zoey liked the rasp in his voice, liked the way he growled his pleasure because it was sexy as hell. But she expected that from him. With Kaleb, there was an intensity about him, a measure of control that he didn’t let slip. Of all the Walker brothers, he was the laid back, gentle giant, but Zoey knew beneath that nonchalant exterior, there was a demanding creature that wanted to break free.
“So I should be there then?” She asked, trying to get her mind out of the gutter.
“No. I’ll pick you up at six forty five.” Kaleb said, turning to face her. His voice lowered, and those sparkling blue eyes lit up with something dark and possessive.
Good grief. If he only knew what that sexy tone of his did to her insides, or how her pussy throbbed from the sensuality she detected in the smoky blue depths of his eyes... She was pretty sure if he knew, they wouldn’t be standing there right now. They’d find the nearest place to get horizontal and get to know each other on a much more intimate level.
Lowering his head closer to hers, Kaleb brushed his lips against hers once more. “Zoey...” He growled, “woman, you don’t know what you do to me.”
No, she didn’t, and she had the sudden urge for him to tell her because she was so tired of waiting for this man, so tired of aching for his touch, his kiss. And now that this – she still had no clue what it was – was happening between them, she didn’t want to waste another second.
Instead of telling him that, she pressed her lips to his gently, then took a step back. She needed to go home and take an ice cold shower. “Tomorrow night. Six forty five,” she said. “I’ll see you then.”
Kaleb nodded and watched as she walked inside. Zoey felt the heat of his gaze on her skin and once again, she knew tomorrow was going to be the longest damn day, and it had nothing to do with work.
An hour later, Zoey had managed to calm her hormones by way of a shower, although it hadn’t been all that cold. She’d quickly made her father some dinner, finished the few remaining chores before hurrying back to the guest house.
When she walked in the door, she glanced around, wondering what was different.
“Hey, V.” That’s what she got for leaving her door unlocked. She wasn’t sure how she hadn’t noticed V’s car parked out front, but somehow she’d missed it. Sitting on her couch, her feet propped up on the coffee table, V looked right at home.
“I was hoping we could hang out for a while. You know, talk.” V smiled, and Zoey immediately knew something was up.
“About?” As she listened for her friend’s response, she detoured to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses. Based on the twinkle in V’s eyes, this was going to be one of those nights. Hopefully one bottle would be enough.
“Oh, I don’t know.” V hollered from the living room. “Maybe we can start with you abandoning me the other night.”
Zoey smiled to herself as she poured the wine. “Don’t even pretend you weren’t happy about that.”
“I wasn’t!” Vanessa was extremely animated, and she was showing it now. Sitting up, she tried to act as though she were truly upset.
Zoey knew better.
“So, how’d it go with Zane?” Handing one of the glasses to V, Zoey toed off her boots and then sat on the couch beside her friend, pulling her feet up beneath her.
V didn’t answer in words, but her face lit up like Rudolph’s nose.
“Oh. My. God.” Now it was Zoey’s turn to get animated. “You didn’t!”
“Oh, honey, we did. And holy fucking shit!” V’s smile lit up the entire living room.
“If you even think about leaving out a single detail, I’ll kill you.” Zoey exclaimed.
Vanessa and Zane?Holy crap.
“Well, he is a Walker, and you’ve heard the rumors about them.”
Which one, Zoey thought to herself. There were too many to recall. The Walkers were celebrities in town, and there were so many stories and rumors Zoey had never been able to keep up.
“Let’s just say we were lucky the sheets didn’t go up in flames.” V said, no longer blushing but still grinning like a fool.
“So, it wasn’t good?” Zoey threw in some sarcasm, although she smiled at her friend’s happiness.
“Good isn’t nearly the word to describe Zane Walker naked, honey. But, I seriously don’t want to sit here and talk about that.”
“Like hell.” There was no way Zoey was going to let her friend get away with not sharing the details. “Did you go back to his house or yours?”
“Mine of course. There is no man out there going to get me to do the walk of shame. No way. Uh-uh.” V smirked. “And let’s just say, it was nearly dawn before he went home.”
Zoey felt a smidgeon of jealousy listening to V and, had she not just experienced the hottest kiss of her lifetime just that day with Kaleb, she might actually tell her so. Instead, Zoey smiled. “Well, you know I’m happy for you,” Zoey took a sip of her wine before continuing, “but you also know I’m going to tell you to be careful.”
V was one who fell in love easily and often. Although most of the time she didn’t get hurt in the end, there was always that chance that her heart would get broken and Zoey didn’t want to see it happen. Because Zane Walker was a heartbreaker.
“Y
ou don’t have to worry about me.” V stated, not sounding nearly as confident as she normally did.
“Are you gonna see him again?”
“I don’t know. I’ll leave that up to him. I refuse to add my name to the long list of women who flaunt themselves at the Walker brothers and chase them down. If Zane thinks I’m one of them, he’s got another thing coming.”
“I seriously doubt it’s like that.” Zoey said, downing the last of her wine and reaching for the bottle. “So how’s your mom?”
V didn’t answer immediately, but Zoey knew she would eventually. It wasn’t a secret that Vanessa had had a tough life growing up. But the woman was more determined than anyone Zoey had ever met, and she’d insisted on making a better life for herself than her mother had. It didn’t stop V from worrying about her mother, and because she was her friend, Zoey worried, as well.
“She’s fine.” Her tone was clipped, but V half-smiled before she said, “I really didn’t come over to talk about that. So, how’d it go with Kaleb the other night?”
Should she tell V about what happened then or even today? Zoey wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but sometime in the last week there had been a shift in her relationship with Kaleb and the incredible friendship they’d established had morphed into something intensely complicated. At least in the way Zoey felt for the man.
“It was weird.” Zoey said, watching V pour more wine into her own glass. Apparently her statement startled V because she nearly knocked her glass over. With quick reflexes, V saved Zoey’s carpet from a disaster before turning her attention on her once more.
“Weird how?” There was a sincere interest in V’s eyes, and Zoey decided she had to share with someone.
“I don’t know. We went to dinner, but something seemed off that night. Maybe it was your fault with the whole fantasizing about kissing him bit, but for some reason, that’s all I could think about.”
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