Zoey's Place

by E M Bannock

  “But I didn’t love you then,” she said. “And we fucked. And I liked it. What happened?”

  “Oh, you were weak and I took advantage,” he boasted.

  She smiled. “I guess it was fate,” she said. “Neither one of us planned it. It just sort of happened. It was meant to be, kismet.”

  “Whatever it is or was, I’m glad of it,” he said. “I love you, Zoey, more and more each day. I want to be your everything.”

  “Foolish man,” she said as she gently cradled his face in her hands. “You already are. Don’t you know that? Don’t you know that I couldn’t have done all this,” she motioned to everything around them, “without you?” She leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips.

  “But I’m not Mickey,” he reminded her.

  “I know,” she said. “You’re you. I’m not looking for another Mickey. What you and I have is different. We don’t live the same. We don’t fuck the same. I don’t want the same. It could never be like it was with Mickey. I would just be fooling myself if I thought it could be. That part of me is over, gone, just a lovely memory. I love my new life with you. We share a different kind of love. It’s just as strong, I think, and just as special. I just sometimes feel like I shouldn’t be as happy as I am with you. I shouldn’t be as much in love with you as I am. I don’t deserve it. Does that make sense?”

  “I don’t know, should it? You didn’t do anything wrong,” he replied. “I love you and you love me. Isn’t that all that matters?”

  “Yes,” she said, smiling. “Love is what matters.”

  “Good,” he said, playfully grabbing her by the ass. “Now let’s celebrate our victory.” He rolled her over to face him, kissed her tenderly on the lips, and made gentle love to her.

  Chapter 30

  Fen went back east for the holidays. She still had an active life there. She never quit her fundraising and charity work and was still close to her large family.

  The brothel experience was new and exciting, and the casual sex fit right into her lifestyle; after all, she wasn’t interested in finding a new husband. She was enjoying the freedom of being able to make life decisions that fit her career and desires. She felt empowered and in total control of her life for the first time.

  Annette and Michelle went to San Diego so that Annette could be introduced to Michelle’s family. Things were going well between the two of them. As it turned out, both women had traced their relatives back to the same small French village in the 1800s. They weren’t related, but found a common thread in their heritage. Michelle’s family members were history buffs and were anxious to welcome Annette into their fold. Michelle brought out the best in Annette. That was important to Zoey. She was happy for them both.

  Zoey and James had decided to spend Christmas at the Incline Village house. It was still pretty quiet at Zoey’s Place. They had a pretty good jump on getting things back in operation. Staff was moving in, but regular routines hadn’t yet started. It could manage a few days without them. They planned to leave the day after seeing Fen and Annette off. Zoey was packing the few essentials she needed to take with her when James walked up to her, spun her around, hugged her around the waist, and planted a big kiss on her lips.

  “Wow,” she said with surprise. “What’s that for?”

  James smiled a toothy grin. “Can’t I kiss the woman I love for no reason?”

  Zoey looked at him suspiciously. “Of course you can. But I know you, James Harrison. Why do you have such a shit-eating grin on your face? What did you do?”

  James looked surprised and hurt. “Why, milady, you cut me to the bone.” He began to nibble on her neck.

  “Stop trying to distract me with your sexy talk and neck nibbles,” Zoey interrupted as she pulled herself free from his embrace. “You’re up to something. What is it?”

  “Damn,” James replied in resignation. “I can’t keep secrets from you.” He looked rejected.

  “James,” Zoey continued, “if you don’t tell me what’s going on right now, I swear I won’t have sex with you for a week.”

  “Whoa,” he remarked. “That sounds pretty serious. I guess I’d better tell you.”

  Zoey looked up at him in anticipation. “Yes,” she said anxiously. “I’m waiting.”

  The smile returned to James’ face. “Okay, Zee. What would you say to spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Vegas, ordering room service from your bed in one of The Mansion Estates at the MGM Grand?”

  Zoey’s jaw dropped. “Are you kidding me? How did you…? What did you…? Are you serious?” She was speechless. She had seen The Mansions, but only as she and Mickey did the walk-throughs before a client arrived. She never thought she would stay in one. “How did you arrange that?” she asked. “We don’t gamble.”

  “You’d be surprised how news travels in the brothel social ring. Our little adventure has made us famous, or infamous if you prefer. You especially. The MGM Grand people remembered you from Mickey and wanted to comp you the room on your legal victory. And besides, I know a guy there. Went to college with him, helped him pass a few classes. He owes me, and this is their slow time of year. Not many high rollers spend Christmas gambling in Vegas, not even the whales, so the rooms were going to be empty.”

  Zoey laughed and hugged him tight. “I can’t think of any place I’d rather be.” She expected James to return her enthusiasm, but his body was tense and she backed away.

  “Is there something else you’re not telling me? Do I have to give some exec’s wife a gift certificate for a weekend at Zoey’s Place or something?” She was sure there was more to the story.

  James looked shy. “You can read me like a book. Yes, there’s something else.”

  Zoey straightened up and gave him a piercing glare. “Spill,” she demanded impatiently.

  James ran his fingers through his hair and cleared his throat. Zoey was getting annoyed.

  “I’ve been thinking, Zoey… you know I love you.”

  “Yes, James.” She softened, and replied lovingly, “And I love you.”

  “That’s what I mean. We love each other. So, I was wondering…” He began to fidget again.

  “James, what the fuck?”

  He regained his composure and smiled, but still struggled for the words. “I didn’t think it would be this hard.” He cleared his throat again. “Okay, here goes. Zoey, what if when we’re in Vegas we go to one of those cheesy chapels and get married? I mean, will you marry me? Guess I should have opened with that, huh?”

  Zoey blinked, freezing in place. “You want to marry me? Like for forever?”

  “Oh yes, Zee,” he said. He was animated and excited now. He held her hands in his. “I’ve been thinking a lot about life these days. It’s short, and happiness is fleeting. When I finally told you I loved you I asked if we should get married, and you said no. I would have, you know. I would have married you right on the spot. I’ve loved you for a long time. I know now that I have to make you mine or I’ll die. I’m committed to loving you for the rest of our lives. Please say yes. We could be married on Christmas Eve and make our time in Vegas our honeymoon. Please, Zee. I love you and I can’t live without you.”

  Happiness and bliss filled her. She had often thought about marrying James. At first, she felt it was a betrayal of the love she had for Mickey. That was the real reason she turned James down at first. But she was beginning to realize that loving James in no way degraded or lessened what she’d had with Mickey. The love she and James had for each other was true. She wasn’t being unfaithful. She deserved to be happy, and James made her happy; more than she thought she would ever be again. After she refused him the first time, the subject had never resurfaced. They had been living as man and wife for quite some time now. It suited them. Perhaps this was the right time to accept. Yes, she was sure it was time.

  “Oh, James,” she cried as she embraced him. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you, you silly romantic.”

  “Zee, mon amour, I’m the luckiest man in the w
orld right now.”

  “You’re corny, too,” she added as she was enveloped in his arms and passionately kissed. “Oh!” Zoey exclaimed suddenly, taking James by surprise. “I’m going to need a new dress!”

  Chapter 31

  Soon after Christmas, things began to settle down. Everyone returned from their Christmas adventures. Fen looked rested and was anxious to get the brothel up and running again. Annette and Michelle were anxious get back into the swing of things, too. Zoey could see that the future looked bright for the two women. And after the shock of the elopement and disappointment that they hadn’t been able to attend the wedding wore off, the marriage of Zoey and James was accepted with great happiness.

  Annette insisted on hosting a wedding dinner at Keith’s Kitchen before the hub- bub of the brothel got too out of hand; just a private dinner with the partners and Michelle. Keith was honored and delighted at the news, and even provided a small wedding cake for the occasion.

  The rest of the Zoey’s Place staff had moved back in, and the vibe at the brothel once again felt like the happy place it was before.

  The partners hosted a grand feast for everyone the day before the re-opening, with some of Chef Marguerite’s newest menu entrées for all to enjoy. Before dinner Zoey gave a speech, thanking everyone for their patience during the shutdown. Fen followed with a pep talk and got everyone motivated for the re-opening.

  James closed by repeating the thanks for the patience and trust extended to the partners during this unfortunate incident. He ended by holding up his glass and inviting everyone to toast his beautiful new bride, Zoey Harrison. This was followed by cheers and congratulations from the crowd as he planted a long, passionate kiss on his wife.

  After the feast and a final check to make sure all was in readiness, Zoey and James retired to their room for the night.

  “So, Mrs. Harrison,” James purred as he snuggled Zoey in bed, “tomorrow’s the big day. Are you ready, Madam?” he exaggerated the last word.

  She laughed. “I’ll never get used to being called that.”

  “Mrs. Harrison or Madam?” he asked.

  “Madam, silly. I’m getting used to being called Mrs. Harrison. In fact, I love it,” she replied happily. She smiled, and snuggled into his shoulder. “To answer your question, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. It feels different this time.”

  “How so?” he asked.

  “Well, easier I guess; less stressful than the first opening. For one, we know what we’re doing now. Not that we didn’t before, we just didn’t know if it would be successful. Now we know it works. In fact, based on how fast the bookings came in and are still coming in, I’d say we aren’t the only ones who are anxiously waiting for Zoey’s Place to reopen.”

  “That’s a fact,” James confirmed. “I feel good about it, too. Our guys are good and are ready to get back to work. We’ll be just fine.”

  They lay there in silence for a while, basking in the warmth of the love between them. Then James propped himself up on an elbow to face her. “So, how do you feel about us?”

  Zoey turned to him and looked puzzled. “You mean about being married?”

  “Yeah, that. How do you like being married to me? Do you think we did the right thing? You think we should have waited? You don’t regret not having a big wedding with all of your friends here, do you? I want to know you’re happy.”

  The look on his face told her that he was looking for her approval. She called it his puppy dog look. She could read his face like a newspaper. There were subtle quirks and twitches that were telltale signs of his emotional state that only she seemed to be able to pick up on. Her mind wandered to the childlike grin he had before he proposed to her, and she chuckled. She looked at his face lovingly.

  His piercing blue eyes reminded her of the deep blue water of the Blue Grotto in Malta and the glacier lakes in Alaska. She thought it funny that, throughout her life, some of her most treasured and enjoyable experiences took place around water. In her travels with Mickey, her favorite spots were near lakes or other large bodies of water. Then there was the lake house in Michigan.

  It was Lake Tahoe and the Incline Village home that had brought her and James together. She loved their lakeside walks. They still tried to take at least one walk every time they went there now. It had become a tradition.

  She reached out to him and smoothed a few fallen curls over his ear. She loved his long hair. She liked to call it ‘sophisticated hippy’. It was always so clean and shiny. James was meticulous about his hair. The shades of browns and blondes changed with the light. Seeing it hang out from under a ball cap gave her shivers. She loved to run her fingers through his tangle of curls when he was between her legs, servicing her. Just the thought made the heat rise between her thighs.

  “I feel wonderful, James. I don’t regret a thing. What you and I have is amazing. Our wedding was special, and personal to you and me. We’re the only ones who count when it comes right down to it. Just us.

  “I’m sure my Michigan friends are disappointed, but you know what? I wouldn’t change a thing. They’ll get over it. I’m sure the next time we visit they’ll throw us a huge reception dinner.

  “As for us? I love you, James, in a way that’s wonderful and exciting to me. Our love is unique. It’s our love. We don’t need tradition or conformity to dictate what we should do or feel or be. We think for ourselves and do what we think is right, and the world be damned.

  “I think that’s why God gave us a brain. He doesn’t want us to follow the herd and be one of the sheep. We’re supposed to use reason and feeling. We listen to our heart.

  “I’m in this for the long haul, James. I have been from the beginning, even if I didn’t know it then. I don’t know how we found each other, but we did, and I know now that my heart belongs to you.

  “So, how do I feel about us?” She licked her lips salaciously and gave him a seductive glance. “I feel like I’m married to the handsomest, hottest man on the planet. Just looking at you makes me wet.”

  “Oh, Zee,” he moaned. “Don’t you know how horny you make me when you say things like that?”

  “I know exactly how horny it makes you,” she retorted. “What are you gonna do about it?” she challenged.

  He gave her a devilish smile. “I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna fuck you until you beg for mercy.”

  She smiled. “Oh, you think I’m gonna beg? You’ll be the one begging for mercy, young man,” she retorted.

  “Young man? Did you just call me young man?”

  She laughed, and he pulled her close as he kissed her hard on the mouth. His hands wandered over her soft, curvaceous body, touching and squeezing. She whimpered in submission as she let him navigate to his pleasure.

  He put his hand behind her head and gently guided her down so that she could put her mouth around his hard cock. Closing his eyes, he rode the waves of pleasure each time her lips went up and down over him. He could feel his heat rising, but held back the urge to come and pulled her head up.

  Now it was his turn to pleasure her. He kissed her again and let his mouth travel down between her breasts, gradually making it to her navel and beyond. His tongue teased and titillated her as it found all her favorite places. Finally, he straddled atop her and gently spread her thighs. He lowered himself on to her as he entered her. She cried out in pleasure as he did. Sparks of electric energy surged between them as the rhythmic tempo of their love play created a sweet melody of passion and desire, building until the thunder of their orgasms drained them of their strength.

  “Mercy, milady,” he whispered breathlessly as he lifted himself off and lay beside her. “You win.”

  That night they fell asleep in each other’s arms once again, spent, satisfied, and comforted by their love. Ready for whatever lay ahead.

  Meet the Author

  E.M. Bannock grew up in the Detroit suburbs in the 1950’s and 60’s. She attributes her love of storytelling to her father whom she says gave her
the gift. She left home after high school and traveled to Los Angeles. It was the 1970’s and she had many exciting adventures there. She met her husband in Malibu, California. They have a son, a lovely daughter-in-law, and a grandson. In their 40 plus years of marriage, they have lived in California, Oregon, Alaska, Florida, and Wyoming, where she now lives with her husband, dog, cat, horses, and brood of cantankerous hens.

  E.M. Bannock is a member of the Romance Writers of America and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers..

  She is a Goodreads Author, and a BookHub Author

  If you enjoyed Zoey’s Place, check out E.M. Bannock’s other book, Totally Devoted, published by 5 Prince Publishing. It’s available in print, e-book, and audio.

  Contact E.M. Bannock:

  Web Site – www.embannock.com

  Email – embannock@yahoo.com

  Find her on Facebook – E.M. Bannock – Author

  Follow her on Twitter - @EMBannock

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