After lunch, Tami had to get back to Wesleyan, so we said our goodbyes. I felt we’d made a good first step toward becoming best friends again. We’d made some progress over the last few months, but we’d had a breakthrough today. Alan and I still had some work to do. I’d run hot and cold towards him, and it had hurt his feelings. At the time, I frankly hadn’t cared, because I kept seeing him in bed with Tami. I was confident, though, that we’d get past this.
◊◊◊
I made my weekly trek to the Pearson farm and helped Zoe with the stalls. The snow had stopped and made everything appear shiny and new. Zoe let the horses out, and the juveniles seemed to love it. With them all out of the barn, it was easy to get everything cleaned up, and new straw put down.
“David, I need your help,” Zoe called from the tack room.
I opened the door to find her with her flannel shirt opened to show her cleavage. There was a space heater, so she’d taken her coat off.
“Aren’t you worried about someone catching us?” I asked.
“No. Everyone’s over at the Bauers’.”
“What about what we talked about last week?” I asked.
“I realize that you may not be the one whom I eventually marry, but I know that you’re not just trying to take advantage of me. What you said about it being my decision got me to thinking. It really
“That goes both ways. I’ll also be responsible,” I said.
“I imagine you’re comfortable with your decision,” she said with a smirk.
Obviously, I was.
“I guess I just had some doubts, and when my mom had a fit about you getting caught by Halle’s mom, well … I just wasn’t sure. I hate sneaking around. Besides, I was scared of what people would think if we were caught. That was why I chickened out at school,” she said.
“What have you decided?” I asked, and then added to assure her, “Whatever it is, I’ll abide by it.”
She answered by reaching out and pulling me into her arms. Our lips met in a tentative kiss. Zoe pushed her tongue against my lips, and I opened them so our tongues could duel.
Oh. Dear. God.
I felt it deep inside. There was just something about Zoe that made me feel like I might spontaneously combust. I kissed her back, too far gone to think, just giving myself over to my racing heart. The kiss went on and on, her tongue exploring the shape of my lips, willing them to part again. Zoe’s hands pushed inside my coat so she could press her body against mine. There was a dizzying swirl of pent-up emotions that played through my brain. I felt my knees start to go weak as we clung to each other.
The feel of her full lips against mine was reminding me that Zoe had a special place in my heart. Maybe it was because this was the first kiss where I felt like she’d fully given herself to me. Or perhaps it was me falling into old habits where I fell too fast for someone. It wasn’t like I would figure it out right now.
At this point, I just enjoyed the delicious contact with Zoe’s body as she slid her hand up my neck and played with my hair. She angled her other hand down my back, found my butt and squeezed, while I pressed my hardening Mr. Happy against her stomach. Our hot breaths mingled as we kissed, and it only increased our rapture for one another.
Zoe pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. She looked stunned.
“I was crazy to doubt this,” she murmured.
I think both of us became lost in the moment. At that point, I became an active participant with my hands. Zoe grabbed a handful of hair as she pushed herself against me. Mr. Happy seemed to push back as she rubbed her belly against him, just about driving me crazy with lust. The hand on my butt came in between us and found what was poking her in the stomach. Zoe was reaching for my belt when I heard someone clear their throat. Both our heads turned to see Roc standing there with his face flushed.
“Uh … Mom and Dad are home,” he warned us.
&@^*#!
“Thanks, man,” I said.
He quickly left to allow us to get our clothes back together. Mr. Happy didn’t care when I urged him to relax and wouldn’t cooperate. This had become a theme for me recently, one which needed to stop.
I helped Zoe feed and water the horses. Her dad and Roc came out and groomed them. It was apparent I wouldn’t get any more alone-time with her, so I said my goodbyes.
◊◊◊
On my way home, I sent a text to Pam to see what she was doing. She invited me over to the new condo. She was painting her bedroom before she and her mom moved in. The doorman called and sent me up. I smiled when Tracy opened the door.
“Hello,” she said as I gave her a hug and kissed her cheek.
“You timed it just right. We just finished,” Pam said as she came out of her room.
The two of them showed me around. It was a three-bedroom unit, and they’d painted one room blue for when our son slept over. It was a well-arranged open floor plan.
