Since the day that Zara and I got caught kissing, we’ve stayed out of the public eye. Mostly, we’ve held up at the house, having groceries delivered and just being a family. That is all about to change because tonight, I’m taking her to a party at Chet’s, and everyone will know that I’m serious about her.

Yes, after a few weeks, I can easily say that I’m in love with Zara Phillips. I can’t explain it and each time Barbara or my mother asks if I’m sure, I just smile and nod. I know I need to tell her, but I want the moment to be right. Lately, I can feel the words sitting on the edge of my tongue, and all I have to do is open my mouth, but something stops me. I don’t know if it’s because she catches me off guard with how motherly she is with the girls, or if it’s when I find her staring off into the sunset and the wind is lightly blowing on her hair. I do know she’s who songs are written about, and has become my muse.

I’m scared, though, to show her my music, afraid that she won’t understand or grasp the emotion behind it, but I want to share everything with her, especially after watching her reaction to Stormy’s racing today. She had no idea what Stormy was doing, but that didn’t keep her from showering my daughter with admiration and praise. I stood back and watched the two of them converse and could see it in both their demeanors. Whatever Stormy had against Zara in the beginning has dissipated, and I couldn’t be happier.

I don’t want to call tonight a test for us, but in a way, it will be. Even though my group of friends has already met Zara, they didn’t know the magnitude of what was developing between us. Hell, I didn’t even know that night when we were sitting by the fire. After they left, we sat together, and she kissed me, or I kissed her. I don’t think it really matters at this point because the deed was done, and we were well on to something amazing.

That is how I feel when I’m around her. I feel like a shy schoolboy with his first crush and the horny high school kid trying to get into the hot girl’s pants at school. Every look, subtle touch, every minute that we’re together as a family, it all increases my desire to be with this woman, fully committed and without reservation. My friends are going to think I’m nuts, but I don’t care. I’d be stupid to let her slip away because of what others think.

I finish getting ready by slipping into my boots and grabbing my trucker hat. I thought about wearing my cowboy hat, but want everything to be casual. When I step out of my room, Willow is curled up on the couch, watching television and Stormy is busy typing on her phone.

“What are you doing?” I ask Stormy.

“Looking at dogs,” she says without looking away from her screen.

Willow sits up suddenly and looks at me all wide-eyed. “Are we getting a dog?” She rushes from her spot to sit next to her sister who is agreeably sharing her phone, so they can look together.

Shaking my head, I rest my hands on the back of the couch and peer over their shoulders. The image Stormy has up is of a litter of black lab pups; each one is as adorable as the next.

Stormy looks up and smiles. She already knows that I’m going to say yes, and instead of giving her an answer I strut down the hall with my shoulders square and knock on Zara’s door. Tonight is the last night she’s sleeping in the guest room. The girls and I had a long talk while we were giving the horses a bath about how much Zara and I care for each other, and how much I love having her around. I didn’t exactly come out and say that she’d be sleeping in my bed though because honestly, that is awkward and not an easy conversation to have.

Still, I didn’t give Zara enough time to move her stuff into my room before I announced that we were heading out for the night. Willow was none too happy, but when I told her that her Memaw was coming over, she pepped right up. I’ve seen her growing closer with Zara, and know it’s a good thing for both of them.

Zara opens the door and greets me in a form fitting dress, heels, and her hair in a sleek ponytail. I can’t even lie, when I’m alone at night and missing her, I look her up on the web. I’ve seen pictures of her in just about every outfit, but they pale in comparison to the live version. I don’t hide the fact that she’s turning me on when I have to adjust myself. I lean against the doorjamb and stare as hard as I can at every curve, from her neck down to her toned calves.

“I’ve changed my mind,” I tell her.

She steps forward, angling herself, so all I have to do is look down to see the perfect valley of her breasts. “About what?” she asks, her voice dripping with honey.

“About takin' you out with my friends. I think we should stay in and lock ourselves in my room.”

“And turn the music up really loud?”

My head moves up and down rather slowly. “Or I’ll have my mother take the girls to her house so I can fuck you all over this one.”

“Levi…” her breath catches as her eyes flutter. “Don’t tease.”

“I’m not.” Sexual deprivation is an illness. I have it. So does Zara. Since the girls have been here, we’ve had to sneak around: the laundry room, sauna, and outside on my deck when the girls were asleep. I’m not complaining, but quickie sex is just that… quick. I want to lay her out and worship her body. I want to taste every inch of her creamy skin and feel her writhing under me. None of that can be accomplished when you’re already in the ‘hurry up and finish’ mode.

My hand rests on her hip as I pull her to me until her lips are pressed against mine. My tongue trails along her lower lip until she opens for me, giving me exactly what I’m seeking. She moans and cups my ass until my erection is pushing into her.

“If we don’t stop, I’m takin' you right here.” The words are rushed as I trail a path down her neck. Every moan spurs me on. She needs this as much as I do.

“We have plans,” she says breathlessly.

“Everyone will know you’re my girlfriend because I’m not lettin' you go all night.” I remind her of what we’re about to do.

“Thank God,” she says, but I can’t tell if it’s because of what I said or the fact that I’m groping her tits. Either way, I find it hard to stop what I’m doing, especially since she’s grinding against me. “Levi…” she says my name in a way that has me ready to pull down my zipper and let myself free, but she’s pushing me away. Zara is taking a step back. Her chest is heaving, and her lust-filled orbs are telling me everything I need to know. We’re treading on dangerous ground tonight, and it’s going to be a race to the finish line. “The door is open, and I don’t want the girls to see us like that.”

She’s right. I nod and take another step back so I can start thinking about granny panties, manure, and any other thing that don’t associate with the hot rocker babe standing a few feet away from me. Zara stands in front of the full-length mirror and runs her hands down the front of her dress and over her ponytail. My hand didn’t even get a chance to wrap around the silky strands of hair, but I plan to tonight.

“I’m ready,” she says, giving me a curt nod.

I take her hand and lead us down the hallway. Willow jumps when she sees us and proudly proclaims that we’re getting a dog. Zara looks at me wide eyed.

“I didn’t say yes, Willow.”

Zara chuckles beside me, knowing all too well that I’m going to cave. Every man who owns acres of land needs a dog, and apparently so do his girls.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Memaw will be here shortly.” I kiss both of the girls and watch with apt attention as Willow says goodbye to Zara.

“You look really nice, Zara,” Stormy adds. “It’s nice to see you back to Zara Phillips.”

I gather the comment is meant to compliment Zara and not insult her. I suppose Stormy is used to seeing her differently since she’s a fan.

“Thanks, Stormy.”

Once I have Zara in the truck, which proved to be rather difficult because of her dress, it’s only a matter of minutes before we’re pulling into Chet’s neighborhood. Cars line the street, making me a bit nervous about showing up. It’s a hard line to draw when you become someone that people seek, and you still want to hang with your friends. It’s not like I can put demands on him and Lori, or any of my other friends.

There’s one spot near his house that I take, parking as close as I can to the curb, so Zara doesn’t have too far to step down. “I’ll buy a car,” I say when I open her door.

“Don’t even worry about it. I like the truck.”

“But it’s hard for you to get in and out of.”

She steps to me, placing her hand on my chest. Even in her heels, she’s not even close to my height. “Know what’s not hard?”

“Not me,” I say winking. I’ve been sporting a semi since we stopped making out in the guest room.

“Hiking my dress up over my hips and riding you in that truck of yours.”

The semi is now a full-fledged stiffy, begging for attention. “Zara…” I draw her name out in agony.

She pulls me down to her level and whispers into my ear. “Keep the truck, Levi.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She doesn’t have to tell me twice. We link hands and walk up the driveway and into the house where I’m instantly greeted. As soon as my name is said, all heads turn. I say hi to a few people as we weave our way into the house. I refuse to let go of Zara’s hand, even when people want to shake mine. The last thing I want is for her to get swallowed up in the crowd. This is a grown-ups version of a keg party, and I’m already itching to leave.

“Levi, you’re finally here. I have someone…” Holly stops in front of me and looks at Zara, and then down to our hands. Chet told me that this girl is hung up on me and that Sarah keeps pushing her to try and take me out.

“Hey, Holly. Do you remember Zara? My girlfriend?”

“Oh… I didn’t… um…” she’s clearly flustered, and it’s making me feel like an ass, but I have no interest in dating her. She might have been someone I’d take out if I hadn’t met Zara.

“Austin, you piece of shit bastard,” Chet comes up and slaps me on the back. “And who do we have here?” he asks, pointing to Zara.

I look at him a bit cock-eyed and wonder how much he has had to drink. “Zara Phillips,” I tell him. “You met her at my house not too long ago.” Although it was dark out and she had her hair hiding inside a beanie.

“Chet, you dumbass. This is the chick he stopped screwing Holly for,” Sarah says, stunning us all.