Zach (Torey Hope: The Later Years #3)

by A. D. Ellis

  “Is this okay, Zo?” He traced the elastic and kept himself from yanking the shorts down her gorgeous bare legs.

  She answered wordlessly, lifting her hips so he could drag the material of her shorts and panties off her body.

  His large hands gripped her hips, and his thumbs caressed along the delicate skin. Breathing hard, he dropped kisses to her navel.

  “I think you have too many clothes on.” She grinned at him and yanked on his shirt.

  “Only my shirt comes off. I need to keep something between us for now.” He smiled at her huff of annoyance.

  “I’m trying to be good here, Zo. The shorts stay on.” He tweaked her nose as he removed his shirt.

  “As much as I want to have you show me all about sex. I could beg you while you’re completely naked and you’d never take advantage of me, would you?” The love and adoration she had for him was clear in her words and eyes.

  “Never. You’re too precious to me to screw this up. We’ll enjoy each other tonight…” He adjusted himself dramatically, “No matter how hard it is to keep that promise.”

  She giggled, but stopped almost immediately.

  “Show me, Zach. Show me what it’s all about.”

  He let his fingers trail along her flesh until he found her warm and wet.

  Before she had descended from her first, his mouth found her and her second release barreled through her body.

  Pulling her into his arms, he brushed kisses along her neck.

  “That was beautiful. You feel okay?” He murmured in her ear.

  “I feel amazing. That was amazing. If I wasn’t so tired, I’d be asking to do it again.” She blushed at her admission.

  “It can be arranged.” Zach winked.

  “No, it’s my turn now.” Zoey rolled over, and straddled his thighs.

  “Zoey, no. Tonight was about showing you how good it could be. It’s not about me.”

  His protest fell on deaf ears.

  “I said I wanted to know all about what leads up to sex. I want to experience it all.” She smiled cheekily, waggled her brows, and began to pull his shorts down.

  When she succeeded in removing the material completely, she sat back on his thighs and admired him laid out in front of her.

  When she licked her lips lightly, he groaned and laughed.

  “Like what you see, pretty girl? You look like you’re about to devour me.” He knew she had no experience with giving or receiving oral sex, but just the thought of her touch on his skin was enough for him to tap out before the fun even started.

  “You’re beautiful. And very big.”

  “Big is good, beautiful is not the word most guys are looking for, but if you think I’m beautiful, then it’s all good with me.”

  “Can I touch you?” Her question was soft and uncertain.

  “You can do anything or nothing or a mix of the two. I can’t promise how long I can last, but you’re welcome to touch or watch or just talk.” He submitted to her sexy curiosity by placing his hands behind his head.

  When her soft, delicate fingers brushed along his length, he knew he had died and gone to heaven. When her tiny fist gripped him and stroked top to bottom and back, he knew he never wanted to return.

  “I want to taste you, like you did me.”

  The strangled moan from him was answer enough.

  He had to bring his hands down to clutch the sheets when her warm, wet mouth closed around him. “Oh, damn, Zoey.”

  “Is it bad? Do you want me to stop?” She licked her lips as she took her mouth off him.

  “Oh, hell no. I don’t want you to ever stop.” He threw his head back as her mouth took him in again.

  It wasn’t the best blowjob he’d ever received, but it would forever and always be top of his list from that moment on because it was his favorite girl blurring in his vision as he watched her head bob up and down.

  “Oh, hell, Zoey. I’m not going to last long. If you don’t want me to come in your mouth, you need to stop.”

  The negative response she hummed against his length took him over the top. He groaned his release and fought the desire to yank her hair and drive into her mouth.

  When she pulled off him, and wiped her lips with the back of her hand, he felt like he was going to pass out.

  Gathering her in his arms, they curled together and fell asleep.

  **********

  He was on fire. He was dying. And it was the best death possible.

  He came awake slowly. Recognition dawning on him as he realized Zoey was no longer curled in his arms, but had her hot little mouth on him.

  “Damn, Zo, you better be careful, or I may start thinking I need to wake up this way every day.” He fought the urge to pump his hips.

  “I know Kendrick is adventurous, but I don’t think even he would help you with this type of wakeup call.” Her quip was teasing before she took him in again.

  Laughing as her heat threatened to push him over the edge, he grabbed her quickly and rolled her to her back.

  Laying himself between her legs, he tortured himself by pressing into her heat.

  “Oh, God, Zach. Please.” She rolled her hips against him, begging.

  “Not today, but soon, pretty girl.” He rocked against her, marveling at how perfectly his body molded to hers. “Someday I’ll be right here, nothing between us, and I’ll fill your gorgeous body. There is nothing I want more than to make love to you.”

  When his length connected with her core again, she bucked against him, whimpering.

  “Until then, how about I help you out a bit? Would you like that?” He nipped at her lips, her neck, her ear.

  Wordlessly, she grasped his backside and pulled him closer into her.

  “Tell me, pretty girl, what do you want?” He teased.

  “Touch me, Zach. Taste me.” She writhed under him.

  He was happy to comply.

  **********

  Later, as they washed each other in the shower, Zoey pouted.

  “I wanted to make you happy waking you up that way, but you took over and made me crazy. You didn’t get anything out of it.” She stroked him lightly, huge green eyes gazing up at him.

  “Zo, I’ve never been happier to wake up than I was this morning. Just knowing I had you in my arms would have made me happy, but finding you doing that was ecstasy. I may not have come, but I had the pleasure of watching you and knowing it was because of me. Believe me, I got plenty out of it.” He let his lips linger on hers, before resting his forehead on hers.

  When she dropped to her knees, he hissed out a breath as her mouth closed around him.

  He had no problem with her finishing what she’d started.

  **********

  “So you made me wear workout clothes, what exactly do you have planned for us, Mr. Morgan?” Zoey’s eyes twinkled over her French toast breakfast.

  “Zoey Belle, when will you figure out that I will never tell you my secret plans? One, because it’s a secret, and two, because I know it drives you insane.”

  He smiled at her over his coffee. “All I can tell you is that we are going to the park, we need to be there in about 45 minutes, and I think you will love what we’re doing. In fact, the whole reason I wanted you to come do it is because I think you’ll want to take it back to The Center+.”

  She pursed her lips at him and scowled, but he could see she was intrigued by what they were going to be doing.

  Thirty-five minutes later, they walked hand-in-hand through the entrance to the park. It was a bigger area than the local park in Torey Hope, but Zach knew Zoey could take what she saw and make it her own back in Torey Hope. He had no doubt she’d want to start the same type program.

  When she saw the sign stating, “Yoga in the Park” she cocked her head and smiled at him.

  “Are we doing yoga in the park?”

  He had worn his own workout clothes, knowing he’d want to participate as well.

  “Yep. And if you like the concept…” He trailed
off, trying to see if she thought the idea sounded like something she’d want to do.

  “We could do this in Torey Hope!”

  She glanced back at the sign. “It’s open to anyone to join for free. What an awesome way to give back to the community and teach them some beneficial techniques. I love it! Can we talk to Decker about getting it set up?”

  He loved that he knew her well enough to know she would love this idea.

  “I already mentioned it to Decker, he thinks it sounds like a great idea. We figure some people will only take advantage of the free park classes, but it’s a good bet that many will like the yoga practice so well they’ll come to The Center+ to get a more formal class. It’s a win-win.”

  Zoey rubbed her hands together and smiled. “This is great. Not only do I get to spend a fabulous morning enjoying nature and yoga with my favorite guy, I also have a great idea to take back to Torey Hope. I love it, Zach. Thank you.”

  Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling his lips down to meet hers. “This is almost as good as our hotel activities. Almost.” She winked at him.

  As they unrolled their borrowed mats, neither caught sight of the man hiding in the shadowy grove of trees. But, he saw them, and his blood boiled as he watched her in the arms of another.

  **********

  “I didn’t realize that doing yoga outside would make it even more invigorating. That was awesome, Zach, thanks so much for taking me. I know we have one more night here, but I’m chomping at the bit to get back to Torey Hope and get this all set up.”

  She talked a mile-a-minute over her turkey and cheese deli sandwich, and Zach couldn’t help but smile. He loved that he had helped bring her the excitement, and he loved more that he had been there to experience it with her.

  “What are you smiling at?” She tossed a chip at him. “I know I’m talking a lot, I’m just excited.” A blush lit her face.

  “I’m not judging with my smile, I’m just happy. Happy that you’re so excited, happy I had a part to play in it, and happy I got to be here to experience it with you.”

  He checked his watch.

  “We have to be at our final destination in two hours. Let’s go change our clothes and maybe walk the town a bit. We can check out where we want to have supper tonight.” He reached for the check, but her hand stopped him.

  Looking up, he met her gaze.

  “What’s wrong, Zoey?”

  Worrying her lip between her teeth, she huffed out a sigh. “I don’t know, Zach, it’s hard to explain.”

  “Try. You know I’ll always listen to anything you have to say, even if it’s hard to say or harder to understand.” He rubbed her hand with a soft thumb.

  “Sometimes, like now, when you’re taking me to all these great things, buying breakfast, buying lunch, treating me…I don’t know, it’s like I’m not capable of taking care of myself, or coming up with great ideas by myself.” She frowned as she continued thinking through her thoughts.

  “I’ve always been reliant on you. I’m the hometown girl, the one who graduated early just to stick around and wait for her dream to come home. Do you think that makes me look weak?” She raised serious eyes to him.

  “Zoey, I think you are the strongest, most creative, smartest girl I know. I don’t ever want to make you feel like you’re trapped with me in Torey Hope. My dream has always been to settle in our hometown with you by my side, building The Center+, and making a life for ourselves. But, if you need more than that, I won’t hold you back.” He brushed her hair behind her ear. “Is this all about me paying for lunch?”

  She smiled slightly, “No, that was just the catalyst for all the thoughts in my mind. I have the same dream as you, Zach. Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to be part of the family business, and be by your side as we build it up. I’m out of high school, working towards my degree, working with you, helping with The Center+. I guess I just feel like everyone else has left for bigger things before coming back to settle down, but I’ve never really been anywhere. I don’t want to leave forever, I just want to say I’ve been places.”

  She took a deep breath and let it out shakily.

  “Does that even make sense?”

  “Yeah, it does. And it’s an easy fix. You and I will travel. Once we get things settled a little more at The Center+ and you can work around your semester schedules, we will pick our top five places and start making plans to travel. Sound good?”

  He knew deep down that his offered solution wasn’t exactly what she was needing. His heart hurt at the thought of her wanting to be more independent because that meant he’d have to let her go, even if just for a while. But, until that day came, he’d be happy to travel the world with her.

  She leaned in to kiss him. “Sounds wonderful. Let’s start our lists soon. I’m feeling a bit anxious, like a bird ready to stretch its wings and fly.”

  Please, just don’t stretch those wings and fly too far away from me, Zoey. I don’t know if I could survive losing you. But if being away from me is what you need, I’ll die a thousand deaths before I deny you what you need.

  **********

  “I feel a little odd walking around in my gardening clothes, Zach.”

  She smiled up at him, her reddish-blonde hair shining in the sun from under her big floppy garden hat. She was shorter than him, but the cute little shorts she wore with her bright pink gardening boots made her legs look like they went on for miles.

  “Well, you need to have on your gardening clothes so you don’t get dirty. And that’s all you’re getting out of me.” He tapped her nose, and pointed to the quaint little diner across the street. “That’s where we should eat dinner. Greasy cheeseburger, hot, salty fries, and a milkshake. Sounds good, right?”

  “As someone who does yoga, strives to be a physical trainer, and likes to grow organic foods in my garden, I should be appalled at the artery-clogging foods you just listed. However, they sound so delicious, I can’t help but agree with you. That’s where we will eat dinner, but we have to go for a run afterwards.” She cocked her head to see if he was up for it.

  “If it means I get to eat that meal, I’ll run.” They both laughed and headed down the street into a more residential area.

  Zach looked at his phone in confusion when a text came through.

  “What’s wrong? Who is it?” Zoey asked.

  “Nothing’s wrong. It’s Kendrick, but I think he texted the wrong person.” Zach shrugged and put his phone back into his pocket as they continued down a shady sidewalk.

  “Do we know someone here? Are we visiting?” Zoey’s curiosity was never quiet.

  “Well, we are going to someone’s house, but it’s a friend of a friend, and we aren’t exactly visiting, we are here to learn. Well, you’re here to learn, and I’m here to learn how to assist.” He knew his words would aggravate her even more.

  “Stop talking in riddles!”

  They arrived at a beautiful old home. Walking toward the back door, Zach turned to look at Zoey. “You coming?”

  “Isn’t it rude to go to a stranger’s back door?”

  “When I talked to her on the phone she said to come straight to the back door.” He held out his hand for her.

  She shrugged and walked with him.

  They came to a back patio covered with lush flowering plants and surrounded with huge, well-maintained ferns and potted plants. Zoey immediately fell in love with this little oasis.

  “When I have my own house, I want an area just like this.” She closed her eyes and lifted her face to the plants as if to breathe in their beauty.

  A woman about their grandmas’ age came out the back door.

  “Hi, I’m Ann. You must be Zach and Zoey.” She reached a hand out to shake.

  “Hi, I’m Zoey, you have a gorgeous home, but I think I could survive right here on your patio for the rest of my life. It’s amazing.”

  “Thank you. We love it here. There’s nothing I love more than sipping my coffee out here in the mornings, or w
atching my grandchildren play among the flowers.” Ann pulled a couple chairs out and indicated they should sit.

  “So, on the phone, Zach told me he had talked to a friend of a friend and heard about my garden. I saved a little bit of work so you could help me with it if you’re up for that. And I’ll show you the books and explain how I got everything set up.” Ann spoke, but then looked around the patio. “Would you like to see the plants down here first? We can head up the hill to the garden in a bit.”

  “I’d love to see the plants down here and your garden.” Zoey smiled at Ann, but looked curiously at Zach.

  He shook his head and blushed a bit. “Sorry, I had kept this all a surprise from her, so I didn’t tell her anything about your garden.”

  Turning to Zoey he spoke, “Ann has what’s called a lasagna garden. When my friend told me about it, I knew it was right up your alley. So I called Ann to see if she’d teach you about it.”

  “You had me at ‘garden’, so let’s get started.” Zoey smiled at both Ann and Zach and took his hand as they toured the older woman’s patio.

  Zoey quickly pulled out her phone and began taking pictures and making notes about the types of plants Ann had growing.

  Their tour was interspersed with Zoey’s “ooohhhs” and “aahhhs” and the occasional “I’ve got to plant some of this!”

  “Whew, it’s starting to really warm up. I’ve got some cucumber, lemon, mint ice water if you’re interested?” Ann offered the beverage, but then quickly added, “Or, I’ve got regular bottled water in the garage refrigerator.”

  She spoke with a smile which indicated she knew her water concoction maybe wasn’t made for everyone.

  “No, the water you described sounds delicious. I’ll take a glass, please and thank you.” Zoey spoke politely and looked at Zach.

  “I’m always up for something new, I’ll try it too.” He shrugged good-naturedly.

  As Ann walked through the back door to get their waters, Zoey turned to him and smiled from ear-to-ear.

  “Oh my gosh, Zach! This is so amazing. Even if we just came to see her patio and drink her water, it would be worth it. But I’ve caught a few glimpses up the hill and her garden looks unbelievable! Thank you.”