Are we Hard-Wired to Crave Connection to Others? (Free excerpt from DIRECTING ZAC)

Do you believe human beings are wired to feel a connection to others?

I certainly feel that way when I attend a motorcycle charity event.

I’m a part of a group of people with the same interest and passion (bikers are some of the most passionate people I know). And for a little while, I get to be part of something bigger than myself.

You’d think a Hollywood star would have no trouble finding people to connect with, but that’s not how it’s been for Zac (DIRECTING ZAC). He lost his parents as a teenager, and he’s had to be wary of those who are jealous of his success and will do whatever it takes to make him fail.

So when Gina takes him to his first motorcycle charity event—one where the people don’t know he’s a Hollywood star (and probably wouldn’t care much if they did)—their acceptance of him for himself makes an impact.

And the unexpected kissing? Well, that makes an impact of another kind…

SNEAK PEEK OF DIRECTING ZAC

Gina parked in a gravel lot. As they neared the field, she suddenly got nervous. What if people thought Zac was an actual date?

What if she wished he was?

“Gina?” Zac turned to her. “You coming?”

She hadn’t realized she’d slowed down so much.

“Zac…about us…”

“We’ve already covered that,” he said. “Tonight is about you, and I’ll do anything you want. Live a little, Gina. Let yourself have a good time.”

She looked at him: the leather chaps over the tight jeans. The vest the girls had picked out for him open at the neck. A curl of hair escaping the bandana around his head. The belt buckle above his well-endowed…

Gina shook her head. Biker looked damn good on him.

But she couldn’t tell him that.

And she didn’t dare let her mind wander to the kisses they’d shared last night.

“I’ll be watching out for you.” His eyes were hard to read with the sun setting behind him, but the earnest tone in his voice was impossible to miss. “Trust me?”

She smiled; the tables were turned. She held out the car keys. “Just make sure we leave in time to pick up the girls.”

He grinned, pocketed the keys, and offered her his arm.

********************

Zac had never been to a biker event of any sort, and he watched with wonder as the bikers who’d gone on the charity ride rolled in, engines rumbling like constant thunder, American flags flying.

Gina had told him about The Patriot Riders, a biker organization that focused on all things American. There was a heavy contingent of military and ex-military amongst the riders, and he couldn’t help but think of Mack. This seemed like a fitting way to honor him and others like him.

He pulled out his phone and snapped a photo, taking a few moments to attach it to a text message to Mack. Gina peered over his shoulder, then broke into a wide grin when she saw what he was doing.

The line of bikes seemed to stretch forever, gleaming chrome reflecting the setting sun. Gina stood beside him hollering and waving at the riders. They trotted along with the last of the riders, waiting until they were mostly parked before wading into the melee to greet Gina’s friends.

Zac had never seen so much leather in one place. He loved the way bikers greeted each other; bear hugs and hip checks were the norm. There were introductions all around; thank God he was good with names.

Most of the riders were camping in the fields next to the stage area, so while they were stowing gear, Zac got Gina a drink and they wandered amongst the bikes. He got a kick out of her “oohing” and “ahhing” as she pointed out features on bikes that he was sure most women would never even be aware of.

When the band started tuning up they wandered toward the stage area. The microphone came to life with announcements and good-natured B.S.

Gina’s friends joined them near the stage.

“Hey everybody!” Willow said. “I want you to meet my friend Andie. She’s a biker, too.”

The petite red-haired woman with Willow did a little wave to the chorus of hellos.

“We grew up together,” Willow said. “In fact, we learned to ride together.”

“I’ve been gone for awhile,” Andie said.

“Yeah, she got the hell out of dodge,” Willow said. “But she’s back and she wants to ride.”

“You definitely should ride with us,” Gina said.

“Thanks,” Andie said. “But I don’t know how long I’ll be in town. I really only came to settle my dad’s affairs.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Gina said, but Andie just shrugged.

“It doesn’t matter how long you’re here,” Sabrina said, jostling the man next to her. “You’re welcome to join us girls for a ride anytime.”

Before Andie could answer, Willow threw herself at Andie and squealed, “It’s so cool that you’re here!”

Another round of drinks appeared just as the band started to play.

The band, too, had a decidedly patriotic bent, and Zac found himself grateful. Grateful for the freedom that he took for granted. Grateful for the reminder that there were bigger things in life than a film. He was quickly coming to appreciate why Gina chose to be associated with these people.

And the band could rock. “Come on!” he shouted to Gina. “Let’s dance!”

Even the dancing was different here. When dancers stepped out it wasn’t for attention; it was because they were just carried away. Everyone else cheered them on, stomping and clapping along. They were just there to have fun, not to “be seen.” They weren’t looking for a hook-up like in the clubs in L.A.

He didn’t have to be anything more than a guy out showing his girl a good time.

His girl.

Now he was starting to sound like a country boy!

It was true though. The best part of the night was seeing Gina loosen up and have a good time. He took pleasure in being the one who could give her that.

When he tried to take a break from dancing, he was lassoed by Willow and Andie. “Come on, Zac, you owe us one!”

Gina waved him off good-naturedly, so he did a round of dancing with Willow and Andie (and several other women who joined them), all while keeping an eye on Gina. Each time he looked it seemed another man had been pulled into her circle. An unaccustomed feeling caused him to  falter momentarily.

Was that jealousy?

He shook his head; he had no claim on Gina and this was not a date in the usual sense of the word. But the next time he looked, she had another drink in her hand—which man had purchased that one for her? —and she was laughing at something one of them had said. That’s when he decided it was time to reclaim Gina as his dance partner.

Willow was drifting toward a biker who had apparently caught her eye, and Zac pulled Andie over to the small group. Gina pulled him into the circle and introduced him to “the boys.” He made small talk for a while, but as soon as he could, he slipped one arm around Gina and suggested they return to the dance. She slipped her hand into his and let him lead her back into the gyrating bodies.

But they couldn’t dance forever; they had to take a break sometime. While Gina visited the ubiquitous portable toilets, Zac wandered off for another drink for Gina (and a pop for himself).

He hadn’t quite made it back to Gina’s friends when he found himself stopped by two women in skimpy tops and heavy makeup.

“We haven’t met,” the shorter blonde woman said. “I’m Debra. My friend is Sarah.”

“Nice to meet you,” he said as he glanced past them.

“I haven’t seen you before,” the dark-haired one said. “I would definitely have remembered you.”

“I’m from out of town,” he said. “I’m just visiting friends. Speaking of which…”

“You’re delicious,” the blonde said. “Why don’t you dance with me?”

He held up the extra drink to indicate he was already on a mission. To his surprise, it was lifted from his hand.

“Sorry, ladies.” Gina took a sip of the drink, her eyes appraising the two women. Her hand ran down Zac’s arm. “He’s all mine tonight.”

He shrugged at the two women as Gina took his hand and led him into the throng of dancers.

“Nice save,” he said as he wrapped his arm around Gina’s waist and pulled her into him. He sensed a slight stiffness in her that hadn’t been there before.

“Debra,” Gina said. “I should have known.”

“So she has a reputation?”

“She’s actually quite nice when she’s not drinking,” Gina said. “I think she’s just lonely. The other one I don’t recognize. Must be a new friend of Debra’s.”

She pulled back from his embrace and eyed him coolly as she took another sip from her drink. “You seem pleased with yourself,” she said.

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone wants to dance with you.”

He rolled his eyes, then pulled her toward him again. She made no resistance.  “Don’t think I haven’t noticed a number of the men eying you,” he said.

She shook her head slightly. “Eight or ten years ago, maybe…”

“You don’t see it, do you?” he said.

“See what?”

“You’re selling yourself short, Gina,” he said. “You are both sexy and smart.”

“Well…” She blushed. “I feel that way tonight.”

He smiled and wrapped his hand over hers, pressing it tight against his shoulder. “Good,” he murmured into her hair.

When she’d had enough of dancing they found their blanket at the far edges of the light, up on the hill. She parked herself between his legs and leaned against him as they watched the dancers below.

He leaned in to speak into her ear. “Are you having a good time?”

“Hmm.” Her right arm came up and her hand found its way into the hair at the nape of his neck, creating a pleasant tickling sensation. He tucked his chin into the soft hollow of her neck and inhaled her scent. A sudden image from the night before rose sharply in his mind: Gina on her back, her wrist trapped above her…

“Zachariah,” she said, her voice husky. And just like that, his groin tightened. Was she thinking about the same thing? “Would you take it the wrong way if I kiss you?”

He was sober, but she wasn’t. Was it wrong to feel this attracted to his director?

“This night is about you,” he said. “Whatever you want…”

“I just mean…without it having to mean something…and nothing more…”

She shifted to sit sideways across his lap, and he felt himself becoming aroused.

“Without it being weird in the morning…” she continued.

His hand came around her hips and all he could think was God yes, kiss me.

But she hesitated just short of her mouth on his. A sly smile graced her face as she shifted again, pressing herself into his groin. “I think you would like that, too.”

Before he could form a response, she brought her lips to his. Geez, she even tasted good; a hint of rum-and-coke and pure female…

He’d always prided himself on his control, but he quickly realized that Gina’s fire ran deep. Yes, he was sober, but the smell of her perfume and the feel of the leather smooth against his hands made him feel intoxicated.

Careful, Davies.

Gina shifted again, and before Zac knew it she was straddling him, and he was pulling her hard into him, bringing his own urgency into the kiss, his hands running up the smooth leather of Gina’s chaps and pressing into the small of her back.

They both came up for air at the same time, breaking the spell. They went still, foreheads resting against each other, trying to catch their breath. “Oh boy,” he whispered.

… And Gina giggled.

He couldn’t help it; he chuckled.

It must have been infectious, because Gina giggled again…and he laughed…and they toppled backward.

********************

Ready to Read More? PURCHASE NOW!