He can think what he wants. The truth is this is for her. This is about her. Not me or the fact that I have to ice my nuts every night. She doesn’t sleep unless I’m holding her. There’s no way in hell she’s comfortable on that damn rock, so I’m going to treat her right. I could kick my own ass for not thinking of this before.
“Whatever you say, Zachary. You always know best when it comes to her.”
“What’s your problem?”
He huffs. “I’m sitting here watching you two sneak around. How the hell is that okay with you? If she’s not ready to even talk about you both, how are you even anything?”
“I’m not sneaking around. We’re not kids anymore. She’s got kids she needs to protect. There’s a lot more to this than what you think you know.”
Wyatt needs to take his opinions somewhere else. I don’t know when he became the expert on relationships. He’s never had a serious girlfriend.
Wyatt crosses his arms. “I’d bet my ass that there’s more you don’t see. But hey, I’m just a country boy, right?”
Wyatt walks back in the house, and I let it go. Sometimes he grumbles regarding Presley. They have a very unique friendship, and I respect it. At the same time, I fucking hate it. I hate that he gets her on such a deep level.
I hop in the truck and head to our meeting spot. Only this time, our night is going to go down much differently.
Me: Head out early.
Presley: I just got the boys to bed.
Me: Perfect.
Presley: I didn’t say yes.
Me: You didn’t say no. I’ve got a surprise.
I hope that gets her attention. She’s a stubborn Southern woman who likes to press my buttons. If I don’t keep her on her toes, she’s likely to keep going in circles.
Presley: Oh? What kind?
Got her.
Me: The kind that you need to come see. Your parents know. Just come to our spot.
I spoke with her mama this morning when I got the idea. She smiled, patted my leg, and told me I’m back on her good side. That’s one Townsend down. Her daddy is going to be a whole different ball game.
Presley: What are you up to, Zachary Hennington?
I love when she calls me by my full name. She only does it when she’s mad or feeling feisty.
Me: Darlin’, get your fine ass down to our spot. We got us a hot date.
And hopefully one that puts a big smile on that gorgeous face. I’m going to show her how special she is and how she’s always been my choice.
Presley
I WALK DOWN THE STAIRS after getting the kids to bed and Daddy is sitting in his chair. “Goin’ somewhere, sugar?” he asks not looking away from the television.
“Hi, Daddy,” I say as if I’m fifteen again.
He gives a short laugh. “Right. Don’t think I don’t know you’re out every night with that boy.”
“I’m pretty sure he’s not a boy anymore, and I’m well past the age of curfews.” I kiss his cheek and he humphs again.
“We’ll see you in the morning.”
I smile and squeeze his shoulder. “Love you, Daddy.”
He looks over. “I love you, Presley.”
There are days I kick myself over pushing my family so far away. Today is one of them. My father and mother have been the solid ground throughout these months. They’ve not asked for anything from me but have given everything of themselves.
I head out the back door and snuggle into the blanket I keep out on the deck. It’s chilly out, and I’m barely wearing much. When I got his text, I felt like I needed to put a little effort in. I’m wearing a short, white, eyelet dress with a brown belt and a light jean jacket, I curled my hair this morning so it cascades in soft flowing waves. I threw on my cowboy boots, since trudging through the field to get to the creek isn’t usually a good idea in any other shoes.
Not that I usually go looking like crap, but at the same time, I never dress up.
I get to our meeting spot and find Zach leaning against his truck. “Hello, beautiful.” He walks forward, tugging me into his arms.
“Hi yourself.” My smile is instant. I try to look over his shoulder, but he turns me so I can’t see.
“You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?”
“Me?” I ask with confusion.
“That dress.”
I grin. “I might have had a plan to torture you.”
“Well.” His lips press to mine. “I think.” Another kiss. “You’re doing.” And another. “A good job.” This time when our lips touch, I hold him there. Zach’s hands find their way to my hair, and he fists it loosely. I love the way he kisses me. Such power and strength, but never brutal. It’s a heady feeling when someone makes you feel safe and strong at the same time.
Our tongues dance as I get lost in Zachary’s touch. I can’t seem to stop myself. Being around him makes me crazy. It’s as if the time we spent apart only amplified things. When he touches me, it takes everything I have not to throw him down and feel every inch of him.
Zach’s grip loosens, and he touches the side of my face. “I have a plan.”
“I remember.” I smirk.
He takes my hand and pulls me to the truck. This isn’t his old one, this is brand new. “This yours?”
“I have two. Our truck, and this one.”
It hits me that he said our truck. “You think of the other truck as ours?”
Zach starts the engine and turns with a sly grin. “Of course I do. It was where a lot of memories were made. I can still look at the passenger seat and picture you doing your summer strip down after I made the winning homerun.”
There are some memories I guess we’ll never forget. “I was young.”
“You were naked.”
“I had my bra and underwear on!”
Zach drives down the road with the biggest smile. “Pres, you had white panties on that might as well have been off. And you took your bra off if I remember correctly.”
I shift in my seat as he taps the steering wheel. “You aren’t wrong, babe. You took my bra off.”
Remember that, buddy.
We were always experiencing this high force of sexual tension as kids. I didn’t want to wait too long, but I was terrified once we had sex, he’d leave. Zach was always going somewhere and maybe I knew we wouldn’t last.
“I remember. You squirmed in that seat. You kept lifting your hair, letting the wind blow it around. I also remember that was the first time I realized why road head is a dangerous act.”
“Zach!” Heat burns my cheeks. “I can’t believe you said that.”
He shrugs unapologetically. “It was a good day.”
“Where are we going?”
His fingers tangle with mine. “We’re having a date.”
“But everything is closed, it’s already ten.” I peek at my watch. “And I’m not ready.”
I hate myself for saying that last part. I wish I would get over my issues. Zach has been damn near perfect. Today reminded me of that. The way he was with the boys, the race, and then how both of them rooted for him.
“I know, baby. This is a date for us. Trust me.”
I squeeze his hand. “I do. I’m sorry. I don’t mean that I’m not ready. I think I’m just really scared.”
“Relax.”
He turns onto a piece of land that the Henningtons own. It has a pond about two miles in where we used to swim as kids. Trent would freak me out with this stories of the blood-sucking leeches that would kill me. It took me a good year of watching Wyatt and Zach not die before I’d go in. Trent lived for tormenting me—he was damn good at it too.
“The pond?” I ask.
Zach doesn’t answer, he focuses on the road. The moon is bright tonight, and as we stop in front of the pond, the reflection is breathtaking.
“Zach,” I whisper. All around the lake are lanterns with candles casting the most beautiful glow. There’s a gazebo tent with chairs and a screen around it. I continue to scan the area as my
heart swells. “It’s perfect.”
Zach gently takes my hand. “Come on.” His voice rings with pride. He drags me in front of the truck with the lights shining on us. “Dance with me.”
I don’t say a word. Instead, I wrap my arms around him and let all my fear fade away. The music from the cab plays around us, but I couldn’t tell you the song. I feel the music. I feel his pulse beneath my hands, but mostly I feel us. We’re the music of this moment. He’s the beat that I’m dancing to. And our music is a beautiful symphony.
“You’re like this dream I keep waiting to wake up from,” he croons in my ear.
My eyes meet his. “I know what you mean.”
“I thought you were gone forever.” His thumb brushes against my face. “I never thought I would touch you again.”
I smile softly, leaning my head in his hand. “I didn’t either.” We weren’t supposed to be this anymore. I learned to love with part of myself missing. It wasn’t easy, but I was doing fine. Never did I expect my reality to become this.
He lifts me slightly so I have to look in his eyes. “I’m not happy about the how, but I am happy that it’s this way. I missed you, Pres. You’re my heart.”
And I melt. “You’re making it hard to resist you, Zachary.”
Zach dips down and kisses me with everything. My fingers grip his hair, holding him to me. Our lips move with passion and fervor. I want him to feel how much he means to me. How much this means to me. Dancing under the stars with nothing but the headlights and lanterns shining on us. I hate how much he knows me. He planned the most perfect non-date date.
His hands frame my face as he tears his lips from mine. “I need to stop.”
I want to urge him to keep going. Every cell in my body is saying tonight is the night. We’ve danced around this, and he asked me to feel. I want to feel him. All of him.
But I don’t. Instead, I step back.
“Sorry.” He comes closer. “Sometimes I have to remember we’re not there yet.”
“I want you, Zach.” The words come out before I have a chance to catch them.
His eyes widen. “I’m not trying to push you.”
I never thought he was. There was a hope that tonight would be that, but I’m shocked I’ve been able to keep myself from jumping him. I know what I feel. I want to be with him.
I need to be with him.
If I never knew how incredible it could be, maybe I would hold off. But it’s been a long time for me. There’s a very real part of me that needs to be taken care of. I don’t doubt that he’ll do that. I trust him.
“What’s in the tent?” I ask with a sultry undertone.
The first time Zach and I made love was in a tent. I have a feeling about what’s there.
I turn, but he grips my wrist. “I promise it wasn’t for what you think.”
I give him a soft smile. “I know, Cowboy.”
Even if he told me that was his intention, I wouldn’t care. Well, maybe I would. But all I see right now is that he cared. He did everything so that our first “date” was special. Just like he is.
“We don’t have to do anything. I just want to sleep together under the stars. I want to hold you all night long. That’s all, Pres.”
I take his hands and walk, leading him to the tent. “I want that too, Zach.”
He lets out a sigh. I want all of that—after.
Once we enter the tent, I zip it shut so we have no bugs or unwanted guests. Zach faces me as I turn back toward him. I peel off my jean jacket, showing my strapless dress before turning around and looking at the interior of the tent. Once again, he’s truly gone above and beyond.
It’s filled with more candles and lanterns. But in the middle is a bed with blankets and pillows. Not a blow up mattress either, no, he has an actual bed. He had to have worked on this as soon as he left me.
“Tell me this is real,” he murmurs.
I reach behind me, sliding the zipper down. “This is real.”
He strides forward and grips my hands, stopping me from removing my dress. Zach releases my hands and holds me close. “We don’t have to do anything, Pres.”
My fingers graze his cheek allowing the scruff to tickle my skin. “I’ve never been more sure. I want you to make love to me, Zachary. I want you to give me tonight.”
His head rests against mine. “I’ll give you every night.”
Zach’s mouth fuses to mine as he lifts me in his arms. I hold on to his neck as he walks toward the bed. He lays me down with care, bracing himself above me. He continues to kiss me without hurry. We both take our time since we have all night.
His lips move to my neck, kissing every inch of my skin on the way to my shoulder. “So perfect,” he whispers.
I push up on my elbows as his fingers roam my body. I shiver under his touch, but I’m far from cold. The warm summer air leaves a light mist of sweat across my skin. I close my eyes and breathe in this moment. Musk, grass, and country air fill me. Everything that is Zach.
I run my hands through his dark brown strands as he uses the position to slide my zipper the rest of the way. He leaves it that way, and he’s letting me lead a little. “I want you,” I reaffirm. “I want us.”
“I’ve always wanted you.”
I get on my knees, allowing my dress to fall. I couldn’t wear a bra with this dress, and it seems that worked to my benefit. His eyes drink me in. Zach lets out a deep groan, and I move closer. “Touch me,” I plead. “Please.”
He doesn’t make me wait. His hands are on me in an instant. It’s not like we haven’t gone this far in the last few weeks, but this is different. I feel it too. There’s a barrier down between us. We both know where this is going.
Our lips find each other as his hands squeeze and pinch my breasts. He rolls my nipples between his thumb and forefinger, making me nearly buck off the bed.
I want to feel his skin. My hand presses against his chest. He moves back and looks at me, questioning, and I lift his shirt over his head. There’s nothing I like more than looking at him. We may be in our thirties, but Zach is built like a twenty-year-old. His chest is broad and his abs are exactly like I remember. Every valley and peak is firm and mine to touch. I allow the tips of my fingers to enjoy the divots as I explore him a little. “You’re still the sexiest man I know.”
“It’s because we’re a perfect match.” He kisses my neck. “You’re the most beautiful thing in the world. Because you’re made for me.” Zach moves a little higher and places another peck right below my ear. “Just like I was made for you.”
I recline and grab his face. “I’m feeling so much right now. I can’t explain it.” I want him to know, but I don’t think I can put it into words. Maybe I’m not ready to either. It’s so overwhelming, knowing in my heart that this is what is meant to be.
“Just feel us,” Zach commands before his mouth is on mine.
His fingers descend the length of my back, and I hold on to his shoulders. He presses me against the pillow, my eyes close, and I do exactly as he said—feel.
His lips travel back down my body, lavishing my breasts and sucking on my nipples. Fire burns through my bloodstream. I have no thoughts that aren’t of him and me right now. I can’t remember the last time I felt so adored. Each of his touches is purposeful, branding me to him.
“If you need me to stop . . .” he reminds me.
“Don’t stop.”
Zach hooks his fingers in my underwear and slides them off. I lift a little to make it easier. I’m now completely bare to him, in every way. I let him see in my heart and my body. The last time Zach saw me like this I was eighteen. I had no stretch marks, cellulite, scars, or unwanted pounds. My boobs were perky, not showing the aftereffects of twins. Fear takes hold. What if he doesn’t like me? I close my eyes with my head turned.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly.
Suddenly, I feel his weight over me again. “Presley.” He brushes my hair back. “Look at me, b
aby.”
My eyes flutter open.
“Time has made you more magnificent than I remember. Whatever imperfections you see . . . I only see beauty.”
A tear falls from my eyes. “Why do you always know the right things to say?”
He shrugs with a grin. “Trust me—I don’t. I’m telling you what I feel. Showing you what I see. If that’s the right thing, then it solidifies what I already know.”
My heart beats against my chest and I pray he doesn’t say it. I know he loves me. I see it when he looks at me, and if he’s looking closely too, he sees it. But I can’t say it right now. We may have established there’s no right timeframe for us, and it’s crazy to think we wouldn’t fall back in love, considering I don’t know that I ever really stopped, but I won’t say it to him tonight.
I’ll show it.
To ensure he doesn’t utter the words, I lean in and press my lips to his. His tongue moves with mine as we pour ourselves into the moment. I unbuckle his belt, undo his pants, and slide them down. Zach kicks them off and flips me so I’m on top.
His dick presses against my core and I moan. “I need you.”
He pushes me so I can stare at him. I move, giving myself the friction I so desperately crave. My hair falls around me and he leans up taking control. He kisses me and drags his fingers down my back. I hold on to him, living each second in Zach’s embrace.
Zach turns me so I’m on my back again. He slithers the length of my body, leaving a trail of kisses. This is what he was fantastic at even as teenagers. His tongue and mouth had a way of working in perfect harmony, ensuring I would lose it. “Zach,” I whisper into the night.
“I need to taste you, Presley.”
“I might combust.”
The sound of his amusement vibrates against my skin, but he doesn’t say a word. Instead, his tongue presses against my clit.
My fingers grip his hair as he does it again. My hips move, but he holds me still, continuing to lick and suck. Each swipe causes my head to thrash. I mumble incoherently as he takes me to new heights. I’m lost, floating, weightless, and I don’t care if I ever come down. “Zach!” I scream out as I fall back to earth. He continues until I grow still.
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