The Mermaid and her King (10 page)

Chase

W
e start the drive home, and the only thing I can think about is making her feel better than that damn cake tastes. I’ll make her forget all about the fucking cake. There’s no denying the sexual tension between us, and it’s suffocating me at the moment.

I need a release, and it needs to be with Skyla underneath me in my bed.
I glance to her, and she seems in deep thought. I have to get my mind off of sex.

“
I had to give Eric and Andy hell for getting you drunk when you’re under age. It wasn’t safe, either.”

She giggles. “
I think it was the other way around.”

“
They took you too far away and let you drink way too much.”

“
I guess I’m very lucky then that no one kidnapped me from the bar and sold me off as a sex slave.”

Her comment leaves me chuckling.
“Where did you come up with that idea?”

“
I’ve heard it happens to girls my age who are in strange cities. I saw it in a movie. I had you walk me home that first night instead of driving me because I was worried you might sell me off.”

I glance over at her and realize
she’s serious.

“
I don’t need the money.”

H
er head snaps toward me. “You’re being facetious. I know you wouldn’t do something that awful.”

“
You’re right. I’m bad but not that bad. You’ve mentioned sex a couple of times tonight. Is there something you’re trying to tell me?”

“
Let me just say it’s been a long time for me, too. I can’t understand why that’s the case with you. I imagine you could have almost any woman you want on this island.”

“
Time will tell. I’ve never wanted a relationship, and I gave up sleeping around many months ago. You’re a lot like Eric. You tell it like you see it even when others don’t ask to hear it.”

I glance over, and
she looks in deep thought again.

“
Are you never planning on being in a relationship?” she asks.

“I
haven’t felt like I deserve a relationship.”

“
I’ve had a few boyfriends. They were assholes.”

“What about friends? Do you have a lot of them in California?”
I ask.

“I
have one close girlfriend named Brooke, and a few that I’m not as close to. I’ve always gotten along better with guys. I grew up with just males, so I’m more comfortable around them.”

“
That’s cool. I’m an only child, but I’ve been fortunate to have great friends.”

“
I wish Brooke could live here. I could fix her up with Eric.”

That
’s one worry I can scratch off the list. I guess she doesn’t have any romantic feelings for Eric after all. She seems upset since I told her I’ve never wanted a relationship. I feel an urgency to clarify that, so I pull over on the side of the road, my heart pounding in my chest.

She immediately looks at me. “Why are we stopping?”

“You seemed upset after I said I’ve never wanted a relationship. I should’ve been clearer in expressing that I felt that way in the past, not now.”

“OK,” she says while picking at the hem of her dress.

I’ve made her nervous. “I like you a lot, Skyla. I’d like to see where this can go.”

“I like you, too
. I’ve tried to show you,” she says softly.

“
You have, Skyla, and I feel like a jackass for pushing you away, so I wanted to explain what I meant about a relationship. I don’t want to punish myself anymore and miss out on a chance with you.”

“
You give the impression you were an assassin or something. If you’ll let me, I’ll be here whenever you’re ready to tell me what’s made you think so badly of yourself. Then I’ll be here to tell you that you’re a great person.”

I
cup the side of her face. “You’re amazing, Skyla, so damn amazing.” Even in the dim light of the car, her blue eyes shine up at me. She leans over and parts her lips, urging me in. Our kiss ignites quickly, our mouths crashing against each other as the sexual tension swells between us.

I’ve always been rough with women. They did what I wanted, when I wanted and where I w
anted. I could’ve ravished Skyla and tossed her aside in a flash, but her kindness and honesty makes me want to do better. We kiss for several minutes, and when I let her go, we’re both breathing hard. She’s too sweet for me.

“
Dammit, Skyla. I fuck. I don’t date.”

“I disagree.
Tonight’s been a great date. You could’ve fucked me when I was drunk, but you chose not to. You grabbed my wrists earlier today, and I was definitely reaching for something … something
hard
.” She tries to be serious but starts giggling.

“Shit, Skyla.
You have a dirty mouth. Now that I’ve allowed myself to be close to you, I want all of you.”

“That turns me on,” she says.

An arousing look comes my way, and I swear I’m ready to spank her ass. I’m trying to behave. “I’m getting the impression that you’re not as innocent as I thought, so I promise I’ll have you soon.”

“Swear?”

I believe this is my payback for what I’ve been doing to her the last couple of weeks. I shake my head and smirk as I pull back onto the road. I’d like to tell her to quit being a tease, but I have a feeling she’s more than willing to mess around. There’s no way it compares to how badly I want her.

“
I should go on to my house since it’s getting late. Can I take a rain check for the walk on the beach?” she asks.

“Of course. Did I say something to upset you?
”

“Not at all
. It’s just … after that kiss, it’d be dangerous for me to be near your home. I don’t think I’d want to leave, and we both work tomorrow.”

“That’s probably a good idea. I wouldn’t want you to leave, either. I want to take my time when I get
the opportunity to pleasure you.” I bring her hand up to my mouth and kiss it. I glance over, and even in the dim light, I see she’s blushing.

We’re bot
h quiet the rest of the way. I pull into her driveway and look at her for several seconds. I want to take her home and tuck her into my bed.

“I’ll be home all eveni
ng tomorrow, or any other day this week if you feel like going on that walk,” I say.

S
he shows me that cute smile again and kisses my cheek. For the first time that I can remember, I’m looking forward to what tomorrow brings.

Skyla

I wake up the next morning thinking of Chase. Since February, my first thought has been of Bud. I realize I’m starting to heal, but I’m still fragile, so I hope I can trust Chase not to break my heart. 

It took me hours to fall asleep last night from the happiness and sexual frustration I felt.
I should probably be ashamed for wanting to go to bed with him this soon, but I’m not. I can’t seem to get close enough to that man, and what woman wouldn’t want a night with him? He couldn’t be any more desirable.

I get out of the shower and see I have a text. I seldom get them since I have very few people in my life. My heart flutters when I see it’s Chase’s number.

Chase:
I had a great time with you last night, and you were my first thought this morning. I hope you have a good day. Keep that iPod turned down. I don’t want you falling into anyone else’s bathtub. You’re only allowed in mine and under different circumstances.

I grin from ear to ear.
I’m going to fall for him fast. Please, please don’t crush my heart into a million pieces.

Me
:
I had a hard time falling asleep last night from that amazing date. You were my first thought, and I don’t think I can stay away today, so if you’re still up for that walk this evening, then I’m game. I’ll try not to injure myself beforehand. You have a good day, too.

Chase:
I’ll be waiting.

The day drags, and he’s all I can think about. I go home to shower again, and
Eric calls.

“So, how was it?”

“Eric, it was unreal, and I’m in deep. He was different last night. He was sweet and really talked to me. We have a lot in common, too.”

“That’s great, Skyla. You have no idea what it means to me to know
we might see a happy Chase.”

“I’m dying to know what has made him feel so awful about himself, but I know he needs to tell me, and I think he will when he’s ready.”

“It might take a while, so please be patient with him.”

“Listen, I thi
nk I’m ready to get back on my board. Can we surf together Saturday?”

“Hell yeah, chick. I need to see your skills.”

“I might be a little rusty at first. It’s been nine months.”

Eric
is quiet.

“Are you still there?”
I ask.

“Um, yeah. I was just thinking about something. I’ll see you Saturday.”

It’s
five o’clock when I finish getting ready. I put on my red spaghetti strap sundress and flip flops before I message Chase.

Me
:
Hi, still up for that walk? I’ll bring tacos.

Chase:
Yes, and tacos sound great. Do you want me to pick you up?

Me
:
No, I’m a big girl, remember?

Chase:
You keep reminding me. See you soon.

I get the tacos and drive
to his house as quickly as I can. He’s smiling at me when he opens the door, his perfect white teeth shining against his dark skin. He smells enticing, and his athletic shorts and tight t-shirt are hugging all the firm, muscular parts of his fit body just right.

“Hi, Skyla, come in.”

“Hi.” I follow him to the kitchen and set the food down. I’m caught off guard when he pulls me into his arms and hugs me. I could stay here forever.

After a long embrace
, he pulls back and gazes down at me.
“I’ve wanted to hug you since we talked about our parents. I hope you don’t mind.”

I know I’ll give this man whatever he wants if he keeps saying sweet things like that.
“No, I don’t mind. You can kiss me, too if you want.”

He smiles at me
before his lips are on mine. They’re soft, wet and wonderful. Our kiss intensifies, tongues swirling together as he pulls me in closer to him. My fingers go straight into his hair, gliding through the silken strands before I scrunch it back up into my hands, tugging it, bringing his face as close to mine as possible.

His tongue darts in and out of my mouth
as his hands travel down over my ass. He lets me go and looks down at me with that same starving look he had when he kissed me in his bedroom.

“We should eat.”

I try to slow down my breathing before I speak.

“We should
.” It’s all I can say. Every part of my body is screaming for him to touch it. I know he sees it in my eyes when he takes my face into his hands and kisses me again, this time even harder.

I run my hands up under the back of his t-shirt, and unlike when we were in the bedroom, he doesn’t stop me. Turning my body, he pushes me up against the isla
nd in the middle of his kitchen and settles his leg between mine.

I feel his erection pressing against me
as he runs his hands down my neck to my breasts and massages them while kissing on my ear. My head falls back, his touch stirring up a hot sensation throughout my yearning body, eliciting a whimper.

“Your whimpering drives me crazy, Skyla.”

Chase quickly releases me when we hear a noise behind us.

“
Shit, sorry dude. I didn’t know you had company.”

I recognize
Eric’s voice immediately. He’d come in the back door off of the kitchen, which leads out to the patio. Glancing up at Chase, I see he’s glaring at him.

Without turning a
round, I speak, trying not to giggle. “Hi, Eric. How are you?”

“Hi, Skyla. I’m not as good as you two,” he says, chuckling. “I’ll come back tomorrow, bro, and I’ll knock first.”

“That’s a good idea,” Chase says.

I look up again and see that he’s now smirking
at Eric. I’m glad he’s seeing the humor in this. I hear the door shut. Slowly, I look up at Chase and giggle with embarrassment.

“We should eat,
” he says before he leans over and kisses the top of my head.

Damn you,
Eric. Feeling the pulsing ache between my legs only makes me want Chase more. “OK.” I lightly sigh with disappointment. He tells me to sit while he heats up our food. Taking deep breaths, I try to calm my nerves, but the ache between my legs is not fading.

We sit
across from each other, and he’s quiet. I don’t like it, and I’m paranoid he’ll shut me out again. I know he wants me, but he seems to be fighting a battle. I don’t like the enemy one bit, and I’m determined to help him conquer it.

“How was your day?” I ask.

“It was good since I had you to think about and a pretty image in my head.” He gives me a faint smile.

“Every time you say sweet things to me, it makes me want you more,
” I say with longing.

Chase stops moving and stares
at me for a few seconds before he speaks. “You are so damn sexy, Skyla. I’m trying not to take you to my bed, but if you don’t stop, I’m carrying you there, and we won’t be sleeping this time.”

My eyes widen. He’s the sexy one.

“Who said I don’t want that?” My gaze is locked firmly with his.

“Fuck.
Are you finished eating? I think we need to go for that walk. I need to talk to you about something.”

“I’m fini
shed.” I’m also nervous. Is he getting ready to reveal his big secret? He takes my hand and shakes his head.

“I’m beginning to think our paths crossed, so you can torture me every day with temptation.”

“You’re torturing yourself, mister.”

“Not for long, angel … not for long.”