Chapter 10
Haji
It felt backward as hell asking Zoe out on a date after I’d seen her naked and devoured her pussy, but here we were.
I’d stopped by the floral shop to grab her two dozen red and white roses before showing up at her room.
I wasn’t expecting things to progress the way they did last night, but I went with the flow.
It wasn’t just about sex, which was why I didn’t penetrate Zoe with my dick.
More than anything, I wanted to connect with her intimately.
I wanted to take care of her. I wanted to cherish her and pleasure her.
All night, images of her body plagued me. Her smile. The taste of her pussy. Feel of her kiss. Warmth of her walls. Her mouth. The beauty of her smile.
I didn’t want to acknowledge it.
It felt impossible.
I refused to accept the fact that I was falling in love with another woman.
There was a part of me that had been tied to Zoe from the moment we met, and the time we were spending together only tied me to her more. In different ways, but a tie, nonetheless. It felt pertinent that I got to know her and rely on more than just how good we felt when we were together.
When she opened the door and gasped and smiled at the sight of me, her reaction made me happy. It felt good knowing there was someone happy to see me outside of my family. Someone who had no obligations to me at all.
“Hi, GG.”
“Oh hell no. You are not calling me that.”
Zoe cackled as I stepped into her room. “Why not? It’s cute.”
“Absolutely not. Think of something else.”
“I like it,” she whined, wrapping her arm around mine.
“So I come up with something beautiful like precious to call you, and you’re gonna call me some goddamn GG? That sounds like somebody’s sixty-seven-year-old grandma.”
The more she laughed, the more my defenses released. “Well technically, precious sounds like something my grandma would call me. It’s only cute because it’s coming from you.”
Sucking my teeth, I chuckled as I handed her the flowers. “I should take this shit back since you wanna play.”
“You better not!” Her laughter was infectious as she lifted the roses to her nose and inhaled them. “They’re beautiful, Haji. I love them. Thank you.”
“Mhm. You’re welcome.” I lowered myself to kiss her, which felt natural. Too natural. “How’s your day been so far?”
“Relaxing. I needed the sleep after yesterday. How about you?”
“Same. I wanted to stop by and ask you on a date before going in to the coffee shop.”
“A date?” she repeated, swaying from side to side with a syrupy grin.
“Yes. Will you accept?”
“I would love to. What time should I be ready? And how should I dress?”
“Seven. Dress comfortably. I want us to get to know each other a little better tonight so I can plan some more tailored dates while you’re here. Tonight, we’re keeping it low-key with dinner, drinks, and a little time in the country if you’d like.”
“Ooh, I love the sound of that! I haven’t ridden a bull or horse since . . .”
Not wanting her to get too in her head, I tilted her head and dropped a quick kiss to her lips. “We’re going to create a great memory tonight. Stay mindful. Stay in this moment. Don’t focus on anything else but you and me and how much fun we’re going to have.”
She inhaled a deep breath and nodded before smiling. “I can’t wait.”
“Wait. Party food? That’s your favorite meal?” I asked skeptically, but loving the makeup of Zoe a little more.
We’d had dinner and gone for a walk before landing at one of my favorite bars—Ever’s Pub.
It was their line dancing night, so the place was already packed.
I was glad I had the mind to come early so we could get a table.
Even if I hadn’t, a few of my friends were here, and we could have sat with them, but I wanted Zoe to myself.
I did introduce her to Dali, Titan, Jax, and their women before we disappeared into our own little world though.
We were getting to know each other, and when the subject of our favorite things came up, she said her favorite food was party foods.
“Yes,” she said with a soft laugh and glossy eyes. The drinks were getting to her, leaving her more relaxed. “My favorite meal is meatballs, Rotel, hot wings, chicken or tuna salad, and pasta salad.”
“No deviled eggs?”
“Unh uh. I don’t like eggs.”
Her scrunched up face made me laugh. “Aight, bet. That’ll be easy for me to make you. What’s your favorite thing to watch?”
“Hmm, I love Christmas movies and music. They cheer me up. But on a regular basis, I love shows from the eighties and nineties.”
“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 being around 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 lips connected, and the longer we kissed, the more passionate it built . . .