Forever (Time for Love Book 1) (13 page)

"Is there anyone else you're sleeping with?" Rebecca asked softly.

"No! Only you—if you let me again."

Rebecca smiled wryly, her eyes still expressing hurt.

"Bec, I know that my past actions have you doubting my intentions. What can I do to make you believe that I want you back for longer than this trip? Much, much longer than this trip?"

Rebecca was silent for a long moment, and he watched the wheels turn in her head. Finally, she looked him in the eye. "If what you're saying is true, then don't sleep with me while we're on this ship. If you can do that, and still be this interested in me when we get back to Sydney, then maybe I'll believe that it's not short-term, holiday-induced lust for you."

His jaw dropped. Keeping his hands off his Bec for three weeks would be sheer torture. But if that was the price he had to pay for his past mistakes...

"But we can still date while we're here, right?" he clarified. "And I can still kiss you and hug you and hold your hand?"

She thought for a moment, then a shy smile appeared on her lips. "Yes, those will be nice," she said.

He breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Okay. I promise I won't touch you for the rest of this trip if that's what it would take to make you believe me." He cupped her face and kissed her softly, heaviness lifting off him.

"Zach, we're in a public place," she murmured against his lips.

"So?"

He felt her smile as she kissed him back.

"What do you want to do for the rest of the night?" he asked as they came up for air.

"Let's go for a walk around the ship. And talk."

"Okay."

He put his arm around her shoulders, hugging her to him, as they started their stroll.

"Are the grandmothers still out and about?" Rebecca asked.

"I'm not sure. Gran's still set on finding herself an elderly gentleman to be her companion for the rest of the trip."

Rebecca chuckled. "I love your grandmother. She's so full of life. Reminds me of my own nana. But mine is a homebody who loves putzing in the garden and making homemade jams. She and her friends at the retirement village have their own vegetable and herb garden."

"I'd love to meet your grandmother soon," he said, kissing her hair. "And your brother, too."

Rebecca raised her head toward him, her face radiant as she beamed him a smile. His heart expanded and comforting warmth flowed through his veins. He vowed he'd do anything to make her happy and erase the pain he'd caused her in the past.

God, he was itching to tell her he loved her, but he knew the words would mean nothing without proof. He'd show her his love through his actions first. The last thing he wanted was to see doubt in Rebecca's eyes when he finally said it.

They reached the promenade deck and stopped to gaze at the stars. It was a beautiful night, and nothing felt more right than to hold Rebecca close. He sighed with contentment as she wrapped her arms around him, too, and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Would you have breakfast with me tomorrow?" he asked, placing a kiss on her head.

"Sarah and I are having breakfast with your gran. We'll go through what she wants to eat, then discuss her exercise regime for the day. It's easier for her if we remind her of her schedule and goals daily, rather than leave her to her own devices. There's too much temptation in this ship."

Zach chuckled. "As long as she releases you from duty from five in the afternoon every day. Otherwise, I'll complain to her."

"Um, I guess we need to be extra careful around her."

He tilted Rebecca's chin so she was looking at him. "Bec, I want her to know about us. She'll be thrilled. She even encouraged me to date you."

"Really?" she asked, her eyes growing wide.

"Yes. I don't want to hide around anymore, Bec. And if your agency has a problem with it, they can say goodbye to Magda Carmichael as their client."

Rebecca buried her face in his neck. "Okay," she said in a muffled voice.

Zach hugged her tightly, revelling in the blissfulness of it all. They weren't going to have sex for three weeks—an eternity, it seemed—but there was sweet intimacy in simply holding each other, knowing there was nothing to fear or hide away from any longer.

Phillip popped into his head, unbidden. Ah, hell, he'd need to find him soon, and let him know how wrong his hired investigator had been on Rebecca. If Zach weren't in such a fine mood, he'd be cranky again just remembering all the wasted time and all the heartache that particular mistake had cost.

"What's wrong?" Rebecca asked, glancing up at him.

"What do you mean?"

"You stiffened all of a sudden."

He smiled at her, drawing her head back to his neck. "Nothing."

Unfortunately, much as he hated it, there was one thing he'd have to keep a secret from Rebecca. He had no choice. He didn't want her moving away from him again.

*****

"D
o you want to come in?"

Zach stared at Rebecca as she played with the button of his shirt. Hot damn. Yes, he wanted to go in that room with her. But it was only less than two hours ago that he'd promised not to touch her. "I better not, sweetheart."

"Soooo, are you just going to kiss me goodnight out here?"

"It would have to be out here," he murmured, snaking an arm around her waist and capturing her mouth.

Their slow, tender kiss was more than nice. So nice, in fact, that he didn't want it to end. But when Rebecca made a little moaning sound and pressed closer to him, his erection dug into her belly and he had no choice but to pull away. He had something very important to prove. He must be strong.

"Goodnight, baby," he said, stepping back to create space between them.

Rebecca seemed to hesitate before smiling at him and placing a peck on his cheek. "Goodnight, honey."

His heart skipped before dancing madly in his chest at her term of endearment. He swooped her again in his arms, and gave her another long, deep kiss. Then he let her go before he lost all control.

*****

"H
ello, Gran, girls."

"Zach," Magda cried with delight. "Have you come to join us for breakfast?"

"Yup. Do you mind?" Zach asked, already sitting down next to his grandmother and giving Rebecca, who sat opposite, a wink. He was feeling great today. Better than he'd felt in months, even if last night had been physically frustrating from wanting his Bec and not having her.

"Of course not, dear. I'm glad you decided not to have breakfast in your suite."

"What are you doing today?" he asked Magda.

"Nothing planned. And you?"

"I have meetings with a couple of our business partners here in Cairns, since we're docked all day."

Magda sighed. "I don't know why your brothers couldn't have joined us from here."

"Just another week to go before you see them, Gran. Right on your actual birthday."

"You're not leaving early are you, Zach?"

"No. I promised I'd stay for the whole trip."

Magda smiled. "Good. You know what, Zachary? Even if you're here, I do worry that you're not relaxing and taking a break. You're still working far too hard. We're going to the nightclub tonight to go dancing. Why don't you join us? Vicky might be there. She'll need a dance partner."

Zach made a sound indicating his distaste. "No, thanks."

Magda frowned at him. "Why wouldn't you want to have at least one dance with Vicky?"

"Bec will get jealous," he said, suppressing his grin.

Rebecca cast him a censuring look while Sarah snickered.

"Who'll get jealous?" Magda asked.

"Rebecca," he said, pointing to his girl, who was now rolling her eyes. But he could see a little upward tugging of her lips.

"Why would she get jealous?" Magda asked, looking at Rebecca with wide eyes.

"'Cause she doesn't want me to dance with anyone else but her," he said with a wide grin, fully enjoying his teasing.

Magda gasped. "Is that true, Rebecca?"

"I think he's dreaming, Magda," Rebecca answered, narrowing her eyes at him.

Oops, did he just piss off his girlfriend? She looked so cute.

"Zachary..." Magda said in a tone she'd used many times when her grandsons were being naughty.

"Well, Gran, I also prefer to dance with just Bec. Having her in my arms is like being in a dream I don't want to wake up from."

Sarah burst out laughing while his Bec bit her lip, struggling to keep her annoyed look. His grandmother continued to stare at them in bewildered confusion.

"Oh, Zach," Sarah said, shoulders still shaking from now-silent laughter. "That was the worst cheesy line I've ever heard in my entire life."

"It's true, though," he said, leaning back in his chair and grinning widely at Rebecca.

"Don't mind him, Rebecca," Magda said. "He's just being playful because I teased him about something a few nights ago."

Zach let that go. He'd shock his gran a bit more in a few minutes.

*

Z
ach ate quickly, needing to get ready for his meetings.

"What time are we going to the club?" he asked.

"Around eight," Magda said. "So you might have to have an early dinner. Unless you want to join us grandmas for dinner, too?"

"No, thanks, Gran. I'm having dinner with Bec tonight."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Then we'll come find you afterwards." He wiped his mouth with his serviette. "I'm afraid I have to go. I'll see you girls tonight."

He stood up and gave his grandmother a kiss on the cheek. Then he walked to Rebecca, leaned down and gave her a tender kiss on the lips. "See you later, babe."

"See yah," she said shyly.

"Bye, Sarah."

"See you, Zach."

Before he left the dining room, he looked back and caught Magda with hands pressed to her chest, looking mighty pleased at what Rebecca was saying.

Yes, this was how it should have been from the beginning. But all was well that ended well.

The only other thing he'd need to do to right everything that had gone wrong was to make sure Phillip learned the truth, and to deal with that blasted investigation agency that completely stuffed up.

R
ebecca stared at her phone as it rang, not wanting to answer but knowing she'd have to deal with him sooner or later. "Hi Alix."

"Hi Becky!" Alex said with his trademark enthusiasm. "What are you doing today?"

"Um, I want to have a quiet day today, and just do some reading."

"Right. How about we sit in a quiet spot together somewhere—maybe in the library?"

"I'd prefer to stay in my room alone and read in the balcony, actually. But I do want to talk to you about something first. Do you want to meet for a quick drink somewhere?"

"Yes, of course. How about the place we went to yesterday?"

"Sure. I'll see you there in ten minutes."

Rebecca trudged toward the place Alix had suggested, dreading what she had to do. She so hated making people feel bad, especially someone so nice, sweet and fun like Alix. If she weren't in love with another man, Alix would have made a good boyfriend—even if he lived in another country.

Alix was already there, waiting for her. And... oh no... he had flowers with him.

"Hello, gorgeous one," he said, kissing her on the cheek. At least he didn't try for her lips like he did the other night.

"Hi Alix," she replied with a wan smile.

"You want something to eat or drink?" he asked as he pulled out a chair for her.

"Just a café latté for me, thanks."

"I don't need to tell you that these flowers are for you, darling. I saw them at the shop outside the terminal and they looked so beautiful they reminded me of you."

"Alix, thank you. But I can't accept them," she said softly.

Alix's face lost its lightness. "I don't see a reason why not. I bought them for you just because. I'd really like you to accept them. Please."

She sighed. "Zach wouldn't like it if I did," she blurted out.

Alix slumped in his chair and stared at a faraway spot.

"Thank you for your past company," she said softly. "Thank you for being so sweet."

"How did it happen?" Alix asked. "You and I were spending more time together than you and... that arrogant man."

"He was my ex, Alix. Seeing each other here made us realise we want to be together again."

"I see," Alix said in a low voice.

"Hey, there are plenty of other girls on this ship. Don't waste your time on me."

Alix looked at her. "We'll still be friends, yes? Do things together—with Sarah around? I really enjoy your company."

"Sure," she said readily.

"Good. Gives me time to steal you away," Alix said with a hearty laugh.

She chuckled with him, taking his comment as a joke. At least he was back to his jovial manner.

"Okay," Alix said. "But please take the flowers. They're really beautiful, and I'd hate for them to go to waste."

She smiled her acquiescence. Sarah would enjoy them in their room.

*****

"G
rrrr."

Rebecca stood up from her chair and walked to the balcony railing. Whatever possessed her to read a steamy romance novel and daydream about Zach at the same time? Now she was feeling really horny, and she knew it would only get worse since Zach wasn't around to relieve it.

She snickered. It would still get worse even if Zach made love to her, because then she'd want more.

Except that she'd made him promise not to have sex with her for three long weeks.

She sighed, still believing that it was a good idea to keep that arrangement even if she didn't know how she'd cope with the wait. Last night had been so wonderful even if all they did was walk, talk, hug and kiss. It highlighted Zach's tenderness and she'd felt so close to him.

"Hi!" Sarah called out as she walked into their room.

"Hey! How was your massage?"

"Absolutely heavenly. You should have had one with me."

"Next time. Anyway, do you want to join me and Zach for dinner?"

Sarah snorted. "Wouldn't you two want to be alone?"

"What are you gonna do?" Rebecca did worry that her friend might get lonely. Sarah had ditched Ron.