40. Zack
CHAPTER FORTY
zack
“You said you’d do anything for me.” Even in the moonlight I can see Evvy’s face shining with amusement as she stands ankle-deep in the lake.
My feet remain rooted at the shore as I stare at her in wonder, unable to take my eyes off of her.
In some ways, I’ve gotten used to the fact that Evvy’s back in my life, but every once in a while it hits me again and I have to pinch myself to remember it’s real.
All those years of missed birthdays, holidays, and tiny moments like this are finally over.
My Evvy is back, and I’m never letting her go.
“I’m not getting any younger,” she teases, kicking her foot and sending a spray of water through the air.
“I know. It’s your birthday and you’re old now, remember?” I grin, knowing I’m far enough away from the splash zone that she can’t do any damage.
“Zack!” She yells, sending another splash in my direction. “Didn’t we already discuss that calling a woman old isn’t a good way to get on her good side?”
“I technically didn’t call you old.” I hold up my palms in surrender. “You said I was old, and now we’re the same age…so, you do the math on that. And you’re already talking to me, so I’d say I’m firmly on your good side now.”
Another splash. Closer this time.
“I can change that.” Evvy laughs as she motions for me to join her. “Are you coming out here, Cap?”
“Did I say I’d do anything for you?”
“Yup. Heard it with my own ears.”
I kick off my sneakers and peel off my socks before rolling my jeans up my calves. “You do realize it’s October, right?”
“I think I know when my own birthday is.”
More splashing. It’s a good thing I like her. Far more than like her, if I’m being honest.
My big toe is so close to touching the water before I pull it back with a laugh. Evvy lets out a heavy sigh as she watches me. “I might freeze to death. That wouldn’t be a happy way to end this birthday of yours.”
“The water’s warmer than the air, so you’ll live. I could send some your way if you’d rather test it out first.” She picks her foot up, pretending like she’s going to splash me.
“I’m coming, sweetheart.”
“Already? I haven’t even touched you yet.” Evvy snorts, so proud of herself.
“Laugh now, but don’t be surprised if it happens. Seeing you in my jersey, fuck, Evvy. You have no idea what that does to me.”
The blush creeping across Evvy’s face becomes visible as I wade out into the water, getting closer to her with every step. My hand finds her wrist and my thumb traces that familiar spot I love so much. Evvy softens under my touch.
“Beautiful,” I whisper, looking down at her.
“Yeah, it is.” Evvy gazes out at the lake, eyes full of wonder. She takes a deep breath of the crisp mountain air and her shoulders relax.
I give her wrist a gentle tug, pulling her back to my front and wrapping my arms around her. Evvy tangles her arms with mine, leaning her head back against my chest.
“I meant you, sweetheart,” I whisper in her ear before placing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. Her body melts even further into mine. We stay like that for another minute before she spins in my arms, so she’s facing me.
I tuck a stray hair behind her ear before letting my fingertips glide down her cheek. Her eyes burn into mine, heating me from the inside, and giving me the courage needed to say what finally needs to be said.
Taking her hand, I place it on my chest, right over my tattoo that’s hidden beneath my shirt.
“I’m caught in your web, Evvy, and I never want to escape.
Most people don’t get a second chance, but I’ve felt like the luckiest guy in the world ever since you came crashing back into my life.
You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
” She gazes up at me, unblinking, with a hint of a smile on her lips.
“It’s always been you, Evvy, and I’ve fallen so hard for you, all over again. Fall with me, baby.”
My heart pounds, making its way up my throat, as Evvy cups my cheek.
“I can’t fall with you, Zack.” My eyes squeeze shut, wondering if I heard her correctly.
They only open again when I feel her fingertips tracing gentle circles over my chest. “I can’t fall with you because I’m already there.
I’ve been there for a long time.” She drags her fingers over my stubble before rising on her toes and pressing the softest kiss to my lips.
With one hand still over my heart, she slides her other hand into mine, twining our fingers together.
We’re connected in two places, completing the circuit, and it’s electrifying.
A gorgeous smile spreads across her face.
“I love you, Evvy. I love you so fucking much.” I lean down, pressing our foreheads together. “I’ve always loved you, and I will always love you.”
“I love you too, Zack.”
Best moment of my life.
“Say it again, sweetheart.”
Evvy falls into me, wrapping her arms around my back before mumbling into my chest, “I love you so much.”
I lift her up from under her arms and spin her through the air. Her feet skate across the surface of the lake, sending ripples out from our spot in the water. Laughter bubbles out of her chest as I go for a second rotation.
“Hear that world? Evvy loves me!”
“Zack!” She yells through laughter.
I place her back down in the water and bend my knees. “Hop on,” I say, motioning for her to climb on, piggyback style.
She hesitates briefly before finally deciding to live in the moment. “What are we doing?”
“No time for shoes. I’m carrying the love of my life to that sofa. Then I’m celebrating by burying my head between your gorgeous fucking thighs and making them cry.”
Evvy nuzzles her face into the crook of my neck and her laughter vibrates against my skin, making me shudder. “That’s one of the things I love most about you.” I feel her smile pressed to my neck.
“What? My tongue?” The sound of her sweet laughter ringing in my ear has my heart racing.
“No.” She laughs with her whole body, sending a shiver down my spine. “Your ability to say the craziest, filthiest things that somehow simultaneously turn me on and make me laugh. And your tongue is a close second.”
“So, what I’m hearing is my tongue has room to improve? Challenge accepted.” I take her hand and lick her palm, making her shriek with laughter.
“That tickled! What if someone hears us?”
“No one’s out here, and we’re surrounded by trees. But if you’d like to try, make sure to shout loud enough for them to hear my name being screamed from those pretty lips.”
With a final step, I turn and let Evvy slide onto the outdoor sofa. She looks at me with a sinful smile before biting her bottom lip. “Should I leave this on?” She holds the bottom of my jersey, doing a little shimmy as she turns to show off my name splayed across her back.
“Fuck, yes you should.”
“Caveman.”
“A lovable caveman.”
“A caveman whom I love,” she corrects me.
“Say it again.”
“I love you, Zack.”
“That’s never gonna get old.”
Evvy lifts her hips, pulling her leggings and underwear down her thighs.
I kneel and help drag them over her feet.
With a final tug, I send them flying and press a kiss to her ankle.
Her skin is cool and silky from the fresh lake water.
Little droplets drip down her legs, illuminated by the light of the fire.
“I don’t even need to ask if you’re wet for me, because you quite literally are.” I lick a drop of water off her calf and she giggles.
“Way to make it weird, Shayle.”
“You love it. And me.” I can’t hide my grin as I gaze up at her from between her legs.
“You’re waiting for me to say it again, aren’t you?” She’s glowing as she beams down at me.
“You know it.”
“I love you. And I’d love for you to put that tongue to work.”
Evvy’s deliciously devious grin has my cock threatening to burst through the zipper of my jeans. Things escalate further when she spreads her thighs and runs her finger through her slit. The sound of her wetness spreading is my undoing.
“You want to know if I’m wet, Zack? Find out for yourself.” She pretends to hold her finger out for me but pulls it away at the last second, sliding it into her own mouth. She pulls it out with a pop then lifts one leg, resting it on my shoulder.
Evvy’s always been introverted, but when we were together before, she really opened up to me.
Over the last few weeks, she’s finally come out of her shell again.
It’s an honor to know she trusts me enough to allow herself to let loose with me.
I love all versions of Evvy, but wildly sexy, confident, take-charge Evvy has me feral. I’d live on my knees for this woman.
“That’s my fucking girl.”
Running my hand down her delectably thick thighs, I sink my fingertips into her soft curves. My lips trail behind my fingers, painting kisses up her leg before pressing one right at the apex of her thigh.
Evvy moans as I lick straight up her center, stopping just short of where she wants it. I explore, licking and teasing every last spot except for her clit, until she’s writhing beneath me.
“How would you score my tongue now?”
“Zack!” Her laugh morphs into a moan as I circle her clit.
“So good.” Evvy’s hands sink into my hair and the gentle tug has me throbbing.
My tongue plunges inside and my eyes close, relishing in her heat.
My nose grazes her clit as my tongue slides out and Evvy’s hips lift, trying to grind into me.
“Fuck, you taste so good, sweetheart.” I inhale, allowing myself to get lost in my intoxicatingly beautiful home between her thighs. I might move in here.
“Please, Zack. I need to come. Make me come.”
With another languid stroke, arousal coats my tongue. My lips press a kiss to her clit as I glide two fingers inside, curling them to find the spot that’s sure to drive Evvy wild.
My tongue swirls and flicks, picking up the pace as my fingers massage deep inside. Evvy’s walls begin to clench around my fingers and I press my lips to her clit, murmuring, “I love you.”
Evvy throws her head back as her hips buck off the couch.
I quickly slide my fingers out, replacing them with my tongue so I can feel her pulse around me.
Pressing my thumb to her clit, she lets out an uninhibited moan, making my pulse race.
With one more swipe of my thumb Evvy comes, sending a gush of liquid down my cheeks.
It isn’t until the pulsing slows, and her breathing steadies, that I slide my tongue out and brush my lips over her inner thigh.
Evvy’s eyes go wide as she looks down at me while I’m in my most favorite spot on the planet. She throws her hand over her mouth with a gasp, but I can’t wipe away the grin plastered on my face.