“Same. Is Christmas your favorite time of year as well?” I checked. Even though I knew our time together had an expiration date, I was already thinking about things I could do for her for Christmas.
“Yes, but not because of gifts. Christmas was the happiest time in our house. Everyone was always so happy, so fun, so loving. The world was always kinder around that time.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
Silence found us briefly before we started talking about our hobbies. By then, the deejay had gotten set up. Though I had no plans to dance the night away, as soon as “Wobble” started playing and my eyes zeroed in on her hips and ass, I quickly made my way behind her. One song turned into three, then five, and before I knew it, it was almost midnight.
We’d had a few more drinks, so when she made her way between my legs with her sideways saunter, I chuckled and flagged the waitress down so I could order her some fries before we left. She wasn’t drunk, but she was tipsy and feeling good. I loved seeing this version of her. One that wasn’t weighed down with work or responsibility or sadness or thoughts of the past. Seeing her like this made me wonder if my people looked at me the same way. I could admit, the more time I spent with Zoe, the more I realized I’d become a shell of myself over the years. Now, I wanted that to change.
“You are so handsome,” she said, cupping my cheeks. “So fine.” Her lips went to my lips. “Sexy as fuck.” A low moan escaped her before she kissed my tattoos, then my forehead, nose, and lips.
My hand lowered to her ass, and I pulled her closer as we kissed.
Yeah, we were definitely going to have a change in plans.
Not just because I didn’t want her to go to the country and get even drunker around a lot of people, but because I was enjoying having her to myself too much to risk sharing her with anyone else.
Once her fries arrived, I paid the tab, said a quick goodbye to my friends, then we left.
“One more stop before I take you to your room,” I said, helping Zoe into my pickup truck. “You cool with that?”
“I’d go anywhere with you, GG.”
I loved her trust in me so much I didn’t give a damn about her calling me that shit. My head shook as I chuckled and closed the door, then made my way to my side.
Our ride to the destination was done with no talking as low music played in the background. There was a comfortable smile on her face as she allowed the midnight breeze coming through the window to cool her skin. Zoe hummed along to the songs she liked as I alternated between gripping her thigh and holding her hand. When our hands weren’t connected, hers was on the back of my neck. Time spent with her felt like we’d lived a lifetime together, and that truth reminded me of how comfortable I felt with her.
When we pulled up to my place of solitude, she sat up in her seat with wide eyes. Her mouth was opened as she stared into the distance.
“I haven’t been here since Lianne . . .” I couldn’t finish the statement as I stared out into the river. “Couldn’t stomach beingaround large bodies of water, you know?” Zoe looked over at me. “But the great thing about this river is the silence and the view.”
Behind the river was the mountains, and above the mountains was the most perfect view of the starry night sky. To some, Jasper Lane may not have had a lot to offer, but our night skyline was immaculate. If you neared the mountains or the country where trees and buildings didn’t obstruct your view, it was even better. I’d traveled a bit, but there was no other destination that gave me as beautiful of a view of the starry night sky as my small town, and I believed that was why I had no desire to move.
“Haji, this is . . .” Her head shook in awe. “Absolutely beautiful, babe. Wow.”
I reversed and parked, then pulled the bag out of the back seat. I had the mind to pack a bag in case our plans changed tonight, and I was glad I did. At the bed of the truck, I laid out a few blankets and pillows. She said listening to jazz relaxed her, so I started a jazz playlist. Then, I helped her out of the truck and into the bed. We stretched out and looked at the stars as her hand slipped into mine.
“This is so beautiful, and tonight has been perfect,” she said. “Thanks, Haji.”
“It’s been my pleasure. Thank you for saying yes and letting me get to know you a little better.”
“Crazy thing is, I know we still have to learn some facts about each other, but I feel like I already know you in the ways that matter most.”
“Same.”
We enjoyed the view for a while before she said, “God. I have never seen a more stunning view.”
Looking over at her, I took in her beauty. “I have.”
When she looked at me and noticed I was already looking at her, she smiled. We turned on our sides before our lipsconnected, and the longer we kissed, the more passionate it built . . .
11
Zoe
The longer we kissed, the more passionate it built.
I knew long before now that I was going to share every part of me with Haji, including my body. When his hands connected with mine, I sighed. I wasn’t exactly sure how to describe how good, how wanted, how safe I felt with this man. He made me feel anxious to give myself to him as thanks for the way he treated me, and I’d never felt like that before. Lifting, I pressed my hips against him, and he moaned.
