8. Zac
Chapter 8
Zac
S unday morning is for praising Jesus, and Sunday afternoon is for eating until you roll away from the picnic table. At least, that’s how things are in Courage County.
I have to say, after spending the last ninety minutes with sweet little Dotty pressed up against my side, my thoughts were a little less holy and a lot more sinful. Pretty sure God understands. After all, he crafted the beauty beside me.
She kept fidgeting the entire time, shifting this way and that, just like she did at the diner on Friday when I sat beside her. I’d think it’s something about me, but after what she said that morning about breakfast, I think it’s her.
She’s not comfortable in her skin. It’s something I plan to help her with because she’s perfect. She’s a masterpiece and every roll, every curve, every freckle, all of her fills me with delight.
“Over here,” Mom calls, waving me and Dotty over to where she is at the serving table in the grassy field next to the church.
We’re having a potluck dinner this afternoon. Thea said to take a few selfies and post them which means it officially counts as date number one. And I only have three of them to make my girl fall in love with me.
“Maybe this is a bad idea,” Dotty mutters beside me, clutching a two-liter bottle of soda to her chest like it might be snatched from her any moment.
I loop my arm around hers and steer her toward the table that’s already piled high with delicious food. “We’ll have a great time.”
“Think of the byline,” she mutters to herself, and I try to ignore the tiny stab of hurt. I got her into this by promising her the article, and I don’t regret that. I’d give Dotty the world if she asked. I want her to enjoy my company the way I do hers.
I take the soda from her and place it on the drink table before leading her to the sides. I grab two plates. “Tell me what you want.”
She snorts under her breath. “You don’t want to know.”
I frown. “I want to know everything you want.”
Something flickers across her face, and she shakes her head. “Potato salad, please. I can fix my own plate. You don’t have to wait on me hand and foot.”
“Oh, honey, let him,” Martha says. “A man in love needs to take care of his woman. It’s primal.”
Dotty turns the color of a tomato. “It’s just—”
I can’t help smirking at her. “Indulge my primal side, sweetheart.”
If possible, she gets even redder as my mom bustles over in her wheelchair. She looks so delighted today. Actually, now that I think about it, she’s been looking happier every time I stop by at home. At first, I thought she was happy to see me. Now I suspect something else is going on.
She makes small talk with my soon-to-be wife while I fix the plates and nudge her to the picnic tables where all the Maples are seated, including Noah’s friend, Walter.
Walter runs the bookshop in town. He’s also the grandfather of Noah’s girl, Lizzy. He’s talking with Noah, something about the latest bestseller, but when he thinks no one is looking, his gaze goes to my mom. I’m pretty sure it’s not because he’s in the mood for a second helping of her potato salad.
Is that who is making her so happy lately? I’m not sure she’d answer if I asked. She’s still convinced we’re kids that have to be protected.
“Sit here,” I guide Dotty toward the bench so she can sit next to Sadie and Barrett. But then I realize this will have her sandwiched between me and Barrett. Even though he’s my brother and he’s completely in love with Sadie, I still can’t stand the idea of her sitting next to another man. So I slide into the bench first and gesture for her to sit next to me.
“I can’t talk to my friend like this,” Sadie grumbles, craning her head around my big brother and me.
“Text her,” I mumble, shoving food into my mouth.
Dotty takes a small bite of her food and keeps her head ducked.
I reach for her hand underneath in the table and give it a gentle squeeze before I lean close to her ear to whisper, “I love watching you eat. It makes me happy to know you’re getting the calories you need.”
She blushes but her posture relaxes, and she takes a bigger bite. “Thank you.”
I wink at her before Evie catches her attention across the table and begins chatting with her. I think they’re all in the book club together. I don’t know what the girls read but I know from the whispers I’ve caught from my brothers that they completely support whatever it is the girls read. I’ll have to ask Dotty about that later.
The girls fall into an easy discussion about their upcoming plans and their next book club meeting.
When we’re done with the food, I take Dotty’s hand and tug her toward the woods. There’s a little path through here that I want to show her.
“I should help with cleanup. What’s everyone going to think?” She murmurs even though she goes with me willingly.
“They’re thinking that your boyfriend needs a moment alone with you,” I tell her as I prowl closer to her.
She steps back instinctively, seeing the look in my eyes. I’ve been waiting all morning long to get her alone. Now that I have her, I want to corner her and taste her sweet lips. She told me Friday on the way to Ernie’s Diner that she wasn’t ready for my face to become her throne. So I’ll go slow for now.
“And what if I wanted a moment alone with you too?” She whispers, her eyes dilated. Fuck, is that why she was squirming beside me in the pew today?
Maybe my sweet girl is as horny as I am. The thought gives me hope. Maybe I won’t have to work as hard to convince her to be mine as I think I will.
I thread my fingers through her hair, tugging on the strands. Just hard enough to get her attention and teach her that I’m in charge.
She whimpers my name, the same way she does in all of my favorite fantasies starring her. It’s only ever her. Now I know why another woman never caught my eye, why I couldn’t do random hookups like a lot of the crew members. I was waiting for my forever.
I continue kissing her neck, working my way up until I’m at her jaw, her cheeks… then, finally, my lips are against hers. Stars explode behind my eyes and I know that this is what I’m meant to be doing for the rest of my life. I’m meant to be with this beautiful woman. Kissing her. Adoring her. Loving her.
I nip at her lip until she’s opening her mouth to my invasion, letting me take everything I want from her.
I tangle my tongue with hers while my hand skims her side to caress her breasts. She has beautiful tits. Firm and juicy, the type a man can hold onto.
I move to put my other hand on her back, needing to press her closer. The bark scratches my knuckles and through the haze of lust, it registers that I need to move her.
Without moving my lips from hers, I spin her around, so my back is pressed up against the tree. Then I crush her body against mine, pulling her so close that I can feel the way her breasts are smashed against me.
She finally pulls away long enough to take a deep breath. Her chest brushes mine as she heaves. The little panting noises she makes are driving me wild, making me imagine what it’ll be like the first time I get her under me.
Her lips are swollen and the wild look in her eyes tells me she’s frightened. Not of me. She’s not afraid of me. She’s afraid of what’s happening between us, this intensity that’s growing like a hurricane gathering strength off the coast. When we finally get together, it’s going to be a category five storm and we both know it.
I reach to straighten her clothes. At least, I try to. She steps away from me and tugs her dress into place, covering her gorgeous body. “Zac, we can’t do this.”
“Why the hell not?” I demand, still breathing hard and willing myself to get my body under control. If my dick doesn’t go down soon, I’m going to be indecent in front of the fine folks of our community.
“Because I might forget that I’m not really yours,” she admits.
Before I can say anything, she’s stomping out from behind the trees.
I watch her go, studying the sway of her fine ass and I can’t help but grin. This woman is as crazy for me as I am for her. “The hell you aren’t mine, sweetheart.”