This story is Rated T, but the Prologue is slightly 'M". Read at your own discretion.
Author's Note: I do not own the characters from 'Hart of Dixie'. This chapter was not beta'd.
Prologue
Wade rounded the corner in front of Zoe's house, finding her outside downing a swig of wine straight from the bottle.
"Ooh, let me guess, somebody else got voted Prom Queen."
Zoe cut him off, gesturing for him to stop talking. She was clearly in no mood for their typical banter.
"I've had a very hard night. And I feel terrible," Zoe told him, swallowing back her emotions. "So for a while tonight, I'd like to feel better… and not talk."
Wade knew exactly what Zoe meant. What she was alluding to. He paused to contemplate the outcome. A thousand thoughts zoomed through his mind in a second. Is she taking me back? She's just hurting and drunk. I shouldn't do it. She hates me. She'll regret it in the morning. But I want her so bad. I want to be with her again. Even if it's just one more time. Maybe she'll remember what we had. Maybe she'll want to go back to how it was before. Maybe I can make her feel better. I want her to feel better. I want her to stop hurting.
Wade looked at Zoe's face, her eyes lost and glazed with tears. He wasn't sure what brought her to that point that particular night. He wasn't sure if those tears were for him or for George Tucker. Ultimately, it didn't matter. As he watched her get up and climb the front steps of her carriage house with a confidence that he wouldn't be far behind, Wade gave into her request. It was the least he could do.
…...
Zoe wasted no time undressing herself. Wade hardly had his jacket unzipped by the time Zoe's dress hit the floor and her naked body pressed against his dusty clothing. He met her rushed and sloppy kisses, and let her eager hands yank his t-shirt over his head then tug hastily at the fly of his jeans. She was on auto-pilot.
As Zoe hungrily took Wade, he quietly let her take the lead. It was unusual for them. Nothing like it had been before, but it was what Zoe needed, so it was what Wade gave her. She took his hands in her hers and pulled him to the bed. Instinctively, Wade hovered over her, and buried his head in the crook of her neck, kissing and blowing on her favorite spot tenderly at first.
But she didn't want tender. She tugged Wade's hair, drawing him away from her neck. Their eyes met for a brief moment and a flash of desperation surfaced on Zoe's expression before she turned her face away and shut her eyes tight. The familiarity of being in Wade's arms, his distinguished scent, the reverence of his gaze was too much for Zoe who only needed to forget. She rolled out from under him, pushed him onto his back, and threw her leg over his waist.
For a few more moments, they both relished in how good it felt to be together again, but when it was over, Zoe wordlessly retired to the edge of her bed. Wade snuck off to the bathroom to clean up. When he got out, he found Zoe already asleep, her slow and even breaths indicating to Wade that she had kept her promise not to talk.
Out of habit, Wade pulled the covers back and slid in beside her, but quickly thought better of it. He, instead, collected his scattered clothing and dressed himself again. Before leaving her carriage house, Wade crouched beside her bed to examine her face one last time. He brushed her hair aside and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Stay," Zoe mumbled almost inaudibly.
"You know I would," Wade replied with a deep sigh. "But I don't want to see your regret in the morning."
Zoe said nothing more in response to Wade except to roll over and turn her back to him.
"Goodbye, Doc."
