Finding Solace (The Finding Series Book 4) Read online

  “Hell no, it was faster to switch ATV’s. Plus, it would be a crime to rob me of looking at those gorgeous legs all evening,” I respond.

  As we get closer to the gazebo, I hear her let out a sigh. “Oh my God, it’s…beautiful. You did this?”

  “Only the best for our first date,” I respond.

  As we pull up, I turn off the engine and look over. “Stay,” is all I say.

  She doesn’t move, so I get out and move to her side. I reach out both of my hands. When she places hers in mine, I lift her up and place a kiss on both knuckles.

  I lead her to the gazebo that has a small table and two chairs. I put all the dinner that Gram helped me with there and it looks pretty damn good.

  Pulling out her chair, I wait for her to sit and push her in before moving to take my seat that is next to hers. One thing I learned from my dad was to never sit across from the girl you were trying to get to know. Always make sure you sit as close to her as you can.

  “So, Gracie. I’d like to get to know you better. Tell me what you have been up to since high school,” I say.

  I’m feeling a little awkward, and I can sense she’s feeling the same. I want this to be natural, but how do I break this tension?

  “Well, I originally went to school to be a vet, like Akia. However, I couldn’t stomach the dissections. So, I switched to business and now I’m putting my love of animals and my degree in business to good use. At least I hope. William is wonderful to work for and I just love the farm. I don’t know my official title. Business manager assistant, maybe. But I love what I’m doing and I love helping Pam.”

  “Sounds amazing. Enjoying what you do for a living is really important. I love what I do. When I can put away someone for a crime simply by breaking down their computer…nothing better.”

  “That sound incredible, Zeke.” She hesitates and takes a deep breath.

  “What are you thinking, Gracie? I see those wheels turning,” I ask.

  “Zeke? What is this? Really. I need to know. I’ve never had anyone do this much for me on a date. I’m a little overwhelmed and I’m not sure what’s happening here,” she puffs out as she tucks her head into her chest.

  Reaching out, I lift her face up by her chin. “It’s a date. A date with a beautiful woman that I want nothing more than to get to know better. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”

  “Stop, I don’t know what to say. This is incredible, but why me?” she asks.

  “Not sure what you mean by that. Why not you? I mean, you are incredibly gorgeous. My Gram Pam loves you and so does everyone else that I’ve come across that knows you. So, I want to see if you are as beautiful inside as out. Even though I have good instincts and think that you will be. I feel lucky that no one has snatched you up. Do you believe in fate?” I ask.

  “I guess…I’m not sure. I’d like to believe,” she responds with a smile.

  “I believe in being open and honest with everyone that is in my life. I have had some incredible role models in my life that have shown me how special it is to find your person. I could spend all evening telling you the lessons I’ve learned from them. What I’m getting at is this: I really didn’t want to come home. I thought I was in love with Akia. I’ve had feeling for that girl for as long as I could remember. I really thought having to watch her marry someone else was going to be one of the hardest things in my life.” I see Gracie nod her head seemingly knowing the history.

  “I waited for that punch in the gut the first night I saw her again in person. It never came. So, I was waiting for something to happen when I hugged her. It never did. For the first time, in a very long time, I felt free. Free of the angst and the bitterness I felt every time I thought about her not feeling the same way about me. The next morning, I wake to the sun in my face, and I was not ready to get out of bed. I’m so glad I did. Because I saw this vision of beauty walking out of the barn like a dream. Then I scared the shit out of her and it makes me laugh each time I think of it.” I smile.

  “How nice to know the memory of our first meeting is so embarrassing,” Gracie says, covering her face.

  “Don’t be embarrassed. It was cute and something we can tell our kids about one day,” I tease.

  “Whoa there, buddy. Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you?”

  “Well, I’ve been wrong before. I’m teasing you anyways. Please, eat before it goes cold. I will preface by saying it is perfectly safe to eat, since I didn’t cook it. Gram Pam helped me in that aspect.” Laughing, I motion to the spread of food in front of us.

  The conversation flows easily from there and I’m entranced by her sweet voice and animated movements when she talks. We talk about high school and laugh about some of the antics of our classmates. I’m amazed that she was there for many of our hidden tailgate parties. I had no clue she was even there. It kind of makes me mad that I missed out on knowing her back then.

  As the sun starts to set, the dimmer switch kicks on and the whole gazebo lights up like a Christmas tree.

  “Oh wow. I didn’t even notice the lights. So beautiful.” Gracie’s face lights up and the twinkling causes her eyes to almost glow.

  “Yeah…beautiful,” I say, staring at her in awe.

  Gracie

  I’m in complete shock. The gazebo is covered in flowers and candles and there’s a sweet little table set up with a lot of food on it. He’s smooth, I have to hand it to him. He’s saying all the right things and making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I hate that I’m second guessing him, though. I don’t want to, but I’m just in disbelief that he did this for me. Talk about the flutter of butterflies, I have an army in my stomach right now.

  Taking a small bite of the piece of cheesecake, I’m stuffed. “This is delicious, but I don’t think I can eat another bite, sorry,” I say and accidently let out a small burp.

  I slam my hand over my mouth and mumble out an “I’m sorry.”

  Zeke laughs as he stretches back and lets out a rumbling size belch. “There. Feel better?”

  I bust out laughing, and although I know I shouldn’t, it was almost like a challenge. I don’t back down from challenges. I mimic Zeke, leaning back and letting out an equaling impressive belch myself.

  “Oh, is that how it’s going to be. You’re on. I can burp with the best of them, sweet girl,” he says as he starts burping out the alphabet. I’m laughing so hard there are tears streaming down my face.

  “Oh my God, stop. I’m going to be sick after eating all this food and laughing so hard. Uncle, I give up. You win!” I say, wiping my eyes.

  Zeke pats his chest and lets out on last burp throwing his hands in the air. “Yes. Champion once again.”

  He stands and starts wrapping up the dishes and putting them into a wicker basket that was sitting on one of the gazebo benches. I see pile of blankets set off to the side. I refill our wine glasses and go over to sit down. I’m trying to be as lady-like as I can, but who am I kidding? I end up sitting on the bench and then sliding to the floor. I tuck my legs beside me and look around proud that I didn’t spill anything from the glasses.

  “You are one of the most expressional people I’ve ever seen. I think I could watch you all day,” Zeke says as he grabs a guitar I didn’t notice leaning against the bench.

  “I didn’t spill anything. So, no alcohol abuse, which is truly a crime you know,” I say, laughing.

  Zeke sits down beside me with his legs crisscrossed. He starts strumming the guitar and I notice it’s an old Daughtry song. I heard that he sang, but holy shit, the boy can sing. He’s voice sends tingles down my whole body.

  I find myself starting to harmonize on the chorus. I catch myself and stop. Zeke stops playing, causing me to look up at him.

  “Why’d you stop? Keep singing. That was amazing,”

  I nod my head as he starts back where he left off. I join back in with harmonies as we smile at each other through the entirety of the song.

  We end up sing a f
ew more songs together and I find myself snuggling in and leaning my head against his shoulder. When I feel Zeke’s lips press against my forehead, I close my eyes and sigh.

  I try my best to suppress a yawn, but the harder I try, the harder it becomes.

  “It’s getting late. As much as I don’t want this evening to end, it’s going to be a long day tomorrow. We probably should head back,” Zeke says, kissing my forehead quickly and standing.

  He tells me to stay put and starts grabbing things until his arms are full, putting them into the back of the side by side. I pull a blanket around me and lift myself up onto the bench.

  I’m surprised when Zeke comes over and scoops me up into his arms. I cringe a little inside and look to see if there is any sign of strain on his face. He bounces me once like I weigh nothing and walks over placing me gently into the passenger side.

  My face must show my shock because Zeke leans down and kisses my nose. “What’s with that face? I can tell I’m going to have fun learning all those unique faces you make.”

  “Oh, um, well. I’m just a little taken back. I mean, I’m not exactly little and you just picked me up like I was a feather,” I say, tucking my head.

  “You are perfect and felt really good in my arms, by the way. So, I’m not sure I understand what you mean?” he says, moving to the driver’s side.

  I know he knows exactly what I mean, but again seems to know exactly what to say. I’ve gone out with guys who have made comments about my weight, seemingly to joke, but they only made me feel like crap. I’m learning quickly that Zeke is different. He’s a gentleman and gentle with his words.

  We pull up to the front of the main house and Zeke jumps out, taking me by the hand and walking me up to the door.

  “Thank you for tonight. This was the best date I’ve ever experienced. Not sure how you are going to top this one,” I say, pulling the blanket a little tighter around me.

  “Thank you for agreeing to go out with me and letting me enjoy your company. You have an amazing voice. Since you seem to be challenging me to top this one, I guess that means I’ll have a chance to have a second one?” he says, wrapping me in his arms.

  “Well yeah, at least to see if you can top this one of course,” I say, looking up at him.

  “Good. Because I like you Gracie. You are going to the rehearsal, right? I was planning on taking Gram Pam, so I’d like you to come with us.” He’s now rocking us back and forth almost like we are dancing.

  “Didn’t Akia tell you?”

  “Tell me what?” he asks, stopping our movements.

  “You and I are paired up in the wedding, so yeah I’m going and yes, I would hope we could all go together.” I see a smirk come across his face.

  “So that’s what she meant when she said she hoped you would forgive me for calling you Squeak. My wedding party partner, huh? Damn this trip keeps getting better and better.” He chuckles.

  Lifting my chin with his fingers, he slowly leans forward and places his lips against mine. Moving his fingers around to the back of my neck, I feel his mouth open, pulling my bottom lip inside. I gasp and he takes the opportunity to give me a kiss that has my whole body on fire.

  He stops and pulls back resting his forehead against mine. I reach up and run my fingertips across his beard and let out a deep sigh.

  “I better get inside. Thank you again, Zeke,” I whisper.

  “Yeah, better get yourself inside because I may just lose a little control here,” he says kissing my nose.

  I watch as he moves to get some of the items from the back of the ATV and I swear I hear him mumble, “Hope I get another show tonight.”

  “What?”

  “What?” he responds with a huge smile and a wink, jogging backwards to the apartment steps.

  He stops and motions his head for me to go inside. I walk in and close the door behind me smiling as I jog up the stairs. Oh, I’ll give him a show alright.

  Zeke

  Her comment alluding to her weight pissed me off, but I think I played it out okay. She has no clue how beautiful she is, how her body is like a dream land.

  To think that Marilyn Monroe would have never been a pin up model by today’s standards is just sad. It may seem hypocritical since I work out religiously and my friends joke that my muscles have muscles, yet I find nothing attractive with women having as many muscles as me. A woman’s body is supposed to be soft. Soft enough is sink into and feel it wrap around you. She’s like an undiscovered diamond that I plan on digging up and treasuring.

  The fact that she seems to be a little kinky has my blood boiling in excitement. I know she heard me, and I pray that she in fact gives me a little show tonight.

  Once I see her enter the house and close the door, I rush up the steps and drop the wicker basket on the counter and my guitar on the couch. I switch off the lights and move immediately to the window.

  I watch as I see her light go on and the curtains start to move from the fan. I see her glance quickly in my direction and turn her back. Yeah, she knows I’m watching. I can tell because her movements are slow and seductive. I see her slowly grab her dress and pull it over her head. As she drops it to the floor, she lifts her hair and pulls it over her shoulder. Reaching behind her, she releases the clasps of her bra, shimmying her shoulders and letting it drop. Walking to her dresser, her hips move from side to side, and I immediately undo the button and zipper of my pants.

  She bends over rubbing her legs together like she’s trying to get friction to her core. Reaching down, she pulls out a pair of sleep shorts as I reach down and release myself from my pants.

  Turn around, turn around, I’m chanting in my head, but she doesn’t. She continues to tease by setting the shorts on her dresser and slowly peeling her lacy underwear over her hips until they slip down her legs to the floor.

  Christ, it’s almost like I can see her glistening from her wetness between her legs. She spreads her legs slightly as her hand moved down between them. I can see her fingers as she slides them through the gap in her legs.

  I fist my erection and give it a tug feeling a jolt right in my balls. Rubbing my thumb through the pre-cum, I place my palm against the window and spread my legs.

  I let out a growl and notice that Gracie turns her head to the side and smiles like she heard me. I see as she raises the hand that was just between her legs and slowly put them into her mouth. Her eyes flutter closed as she sucks on them.

  I increase the speed of my strokes feeling that familiar tingle down my spine. Gracie moves slightly to the side so I can see her pinch her nipple as her other hand goes back down between her legs.

  I let out a louder than I want “Fuck” as she arches her back and I see her arm start to move faster and faster. I can’t really see what she is doing, but I can image it. I know she must be rubbing her clit as she massages and pinches that nipple that is still on full display. Her head is still turned to the side, her eyes are closed and her lips are open as I see her gasping out breaths.

  What comes next has me emptying everything in me against the screen in a rush of ecstasy. Gracie slaps her hand down on the dresser and bends her knees as I see her whole body shake. She lets out the most incredible moan as an orgasm rushes through her.

  I’m panting and sweating at the incredible feeling that I just experienced. I place both palms on the window frame and watch as she stands and pulls her sleep shorts on. A tank goes on quickly after and the light goes off.

  It may be my imagination, but I swear I hear a “Goodnight Zeke” uttered as the light goes off.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Happily Ever After

  Zeke

  When I go over to the farm house the next day, Gram Pam is more energetic than normal. She says that she is so excited to see this union and so excited to hear about my date with Gracie.

  I tell her an enough that has her bouncing in her seat. Giving me a fist pump that I find really sweet, I ask where Gracie is.

  “Oh, she’ll be d
own in a minute. That girl usually doesn’t take much time to get ready. Lately though, she’s been taking forever.” She gives me a knowing look.

  I hear movement on the steps, so I help Gram Pam up and walk her over to the front door.

  “Wow, you look fantastic. All the guys are going to be jealous watching me walk in with the two of the most beautiful ladies in the world,” I say.

  Gracie smiles but doesn’t meet my eyes. There’s a slight blush to her cheeks. She wasn’t shy last night that’s for sure. I don’t want to embarrass her and possibly have her second guess the show she gave me. Plus, I want more.

  I get them settled into Gracie’s car. I wasn’t sure if Gram would have been able to get up into the truck. She takes the backseat and Gracie hands me her keys as I get her into the front passenger seat.