The Mermaid and her King (3 page)

Skyla

Guilt eats at
me. I can’t stand knowing Chase lied to the cleaning agency. I didn’t earn that money, and I’m not about to take it for nothing. I’m off today, but I decide to go to Chase’s to clean. If he isn’t there, then I’ll wait for him.

Yes, there’
s a part of me looking for an excuse to see him, but at least I have a legitimate one. With my cleaning supplies in hand and a magazine, I head out the door.

Chase doesn’t answer when I knock.
I debate on using the key, but since I’m not supposed to be in the house today, I decide against it and walk around to the back. I sit on the bottom of his steps that lead up to his patio.

A
t least I’ll get to enjoy part of my day relaxing by the ocean in between checking for Chase’s arrival back home. Another reason I return is for the victory. He’s already ordered me around enough times, so he isn’t winning the next battle. I
will
be cleaning today.

“Skyla.”

I look to my right and see Eric walking toward me.

“Hi
.”

“What are you doing on Chase’s steps?”
he asks.

“I’m
waiting for him to come home. I didn’t get to clean the other day, so I’m going to do it today.”

“Good luck with that. If he doesn’t know
, he won’t like you springing this on him.”

I frown
. “Is he always so overbearing? He’s not going to keep ordering me around.” I probably shouldn’t have said that to his friend, but Chase needs to get over himself.

Eric
laughs. “Yes, he is, and I might have to witness this verbal exchange. How’s your arm healing?”

“It’s healing nicely
. It isn’t that bad of a cut, so that’s why I’m back. I need to do my job.”

Eric
studies me nervously, obvious from his fidgeting. “Skyla, would you want to get some dinner with me?”

Wow
.
I didn’t expect that. Chase is the only man I’ve thought about for the last couple of days, but he’s shown zero interest in me, and I’m lonely. My brother was shipped off to Afghanistan almost as soon as I got off the plane three months ago.

“Sure, t
hat’d be nice.”

His eyes light up. It definitely won’t
pain me to stare at those blue eyes for a couple of hours.

“OK, great. Is tonight too soon?”

“No, would seven work?”

“Yeah, um, I don’t have anything to write
down your address and phone number.”

He’s right about that. All he has with him is
a surfboard and the swim trunks he’s wearing.

“How about I leave it with Chase?”

“Um, OK. I guess that’ll work.” Eric glances away from me.

He doesn’t
seem too hip on that idea. What is it with Chase? It’s as if he can’t be disturbed.

“Well, don’t let me keep
you from your surfing.”

He gives
me a warm smile. “Talking to you is just as enjoyable, but I’ll leave you alone. I’ll call you after I get your number.”

“See you tonight,
Eric.”

Chase

I get home around eleven and remember Eric’s going to be over to surf. Looking out the back windows of my home, I think of Skyla saying she’d never take the view of the ocean for granted. I soak it in a little longer for her.

A
fter spotting Eric, I walk outside to go down to the beach. I reach the top of the stairs and freeze. She’s sitting on my bottom step. I know I just paid a hundred grand to see Skyla again, but I thought I’d have to wait until she walks the beach or comes next week to clean.

“Hi,
” I say.

She turns her body
half way around and looks up at me. “Hi, Chase.”

“What are you doing h
ere?” I try not to sound cold, but it comes out that way.

“I was
just waiting for you, so I can clean.”

“That’s not necessar
y. You can just do it next week.”

“Next week?”

Oh, shit. She doesn’t know about that. “I mean, whoever comes next week. It’ll be fine until then.”

“No, I can’t stand that you told the agency I did the work when I d
idn’t, so I’m staying.”

“Oh, really?” I can’t help smirking
. She obviously doesn’t know me, or she wouldn’t be giving me this much attitude. Maybe I like her because she doesn’t mind dishing it out. She’s exciting.

“Yes, really,
” she says, smiling and walking up the stairs until she’s one step below me. She gazes up at me with determination. Looking down at her, all I see is blue; blue ocean behind her, blue sky above her, and those mesmerizing blue eyes. I get lost in them.

“Well, are you just going to look at me
, or can I get past you to work? I could use a glass of water, too. I’ve gotten hot sitting out here.”

Dammit, how long was I staring at her?
I barely move over and hold my arm up toward the house, signaling her to walk past me. There isn’t much room, so I feel her arm brush against my chest as she passes, and I just want to pull her against me.

I follow her into the kitchen
and fix her a glass of water. Leaning back against the kitchen counter, I cross my arms and watch her. She quickly drinks her water, staring straight into my eyes the entire time. She’s different today, feistier, and I like it. Where’s this coming from? She sits the glass down.

“Thanks for the water.”

“No problem. You can help yourself anytime. How’s the arm?”

“It’s healing well. I better get to work.”

Her perfect little ass sways as she walks out of my kitchen, and I watch it until she’s out of my sight. She’s wearing black shorts and a snug, white tank top. Those shorts hug her ass just right. I’ve paid to be tortured on a weekly basis. I have to get out of this house before I attack her.

Eric
comes out of the water and walks my way as I sit on my patio. “So, is she still here, or did you make her leave?”

“If you’re referring to Skyla, then she’s still here.”

He chuckles. I’m curious as to why this is funny, and I’m sure he’s about to share.

“She won.
Interesting.”

“What
are you getting at, Eric?”

“A
ll I’m saying is you didn’t get your way.”

“I could’
ve, but I didn’t see the point. It’s her job, and she’s easy on the eyes, so why should I?”

“She sure is. She’s gorgeous
.”

M
y jaw tightens before the rest of my body tenses up. “I’m going to go fix some lunch.” I get up from my chair. I don’t want to look at him right now, and I don’t want him anywhere near Skyla.

“Alr
ight, dude. I’m gonna surf, but I’ll be back.”

Rumma
ging through the fridge, I find everything needed to make a salad. I sauté some chicken strips to add to it and put them in a bowl.

Cut
up pineapple goes on the table along with a few different salad dressings. Maybe if I can get Skyla to spend time with me, she’ll stay away from Eric.

Skyla

I clean
one of the upstairs bathrooms off of a guest room. It’s been used recently, and I figure it’s a friend who slept over. I’m certain a woman would’ve been in his bed. I feel a tinge of jealousy toward any woman who gets to be pressed against that fine body. I hear someone coming. Determined not to be startled again, I glance toward the door. Mr. Mysterious is looking at me, and he is divine.

“Hi,
” he says.

“Hi. I wised up on using the iPod wh
en cleaning the tubs, so I heard you coming.”

“Um … I made some lunch. It’s har
d to cook for one, so I always have too much. Would you want to join me?”

I tho
ught Eric’s request was a surprise, but this is over the top shocking. I’m starving, and I can’t bring myself to turn Chase down when he asked so nicely. Spending time with him is what I want, but that scares me. I don’t need anyone to tell me he could break my heart. I’m fully aware.

“OK, if you’re sure,” I
say politely. He flashes me a smile. I can’t believe it. I thought I saw the start of one on the steps, but this is a sure thing. I wash my hands in the sink before I follow him downstairs.

Everything’s placed
nicely on the table.

“
Did you do all of this?”

“Yes.”

“It looks delicious. Thank you.”

I don’t understand how some
one this good looking and wealthy can be nervous. One minute he seems confident, and the next minute he acts like a scared boy.

“Sit,
help yourself.” He leans against the counter and watches me.

After sit
ting, I fix my plate. “You’re going to eat with me, right?”

I’ll refuse to eat if he doesn’t. He hesitantly takes a seat. I hate feeling like I have
a disease around this man. He finally fixes himself a plate of food.

“Have you always lived on Oahu?” I ask.

“Yes.”

One word is al
l he offers up. I’m not saying another word until he speaks to me. Several minutes pass, and with every minute of silence, I’m becoming more uncomfortable. I feel his eyes on me.

“I’m sorry, I can’t eat with you,” he says before he gets up and drops his plate hard on the counter.
He goes out the glass door to his patio, leaving me sitting at his table. I’m once again humiliated.

After rinsing m
y plate off in the sink, I hurry back to the restroom to finish cleaning. I look in the mirror and see that I’m beet red. The anger from his rejection spreads through me, fueling my energy. I finish up as quickly as possible and go to my purse that’s sitting on the kitchen counter.

T
he food is put away, and I don’t see or hear Chase. I root for a pen and a piece of paper in my purse. On the back of a grocery receipt, I write a note to Eric, giving him my address and phone number. I also add that I’m looking forward to our date. Folded, I write his name on the front and leave it on the island, so he won’t miss it. Take that Mr. Moody ass.

Chase

I
hear the door slam shut. Walking through the huge, empty house, I realize I’ve drove away the most sweet and pleasant voice that’s ever been in this place. She thinks I didn’t want to eat with her when actually, I wanted to more than anything. I just couldn’t stop thinking about how I didn’t deserve to.

I should’
ve drowned in that ocean. If it’d been me instead, Bud wouldn’t be wasting his life the way I am. Hearing Eric say his name the other day stunned me. I haven’t heard it in months, and the sting of it took my breath away. I miss my friend. He was one cool dude. We were fucked up idiots, but damn, we were good friends.

I’ll
never forget that day. Eric desperately pounding on the door and ringing the doorbell had woke me around noon. I remember sitting up and looking at the naked woman in my bed, the residue of coke still spread across the glass on my nightstand.

Bud
hadn’t shown up for work. He was last seen surfing with me the night before until I left him outside while he was higher than a kite. I had gone inside to get even more fucked up and sleep with only God knows who. I sure didn’t know her name.

A search boat actually found his board later that day, and my life was forever changed. Bud was gone,
and it was all my fault. I had left him on the beach.

I spot
the piece of paper on the counter the second I walk into the kitchen. After seeing Eric’s name on the front and reading it, I slam my fist down hard on the counter.
Fuck
,
I drove her right to him!
I leave it there and go outside to sit on the patio. Here comes the asshole himself.

“Hey, dude. What’s up?”

“Nothing.” I continue to stare at the ocean.

“Is Skyla still here?”

I take a deep breath. I don’t want to punch my friend over a chick. Although, Skyla’s not just any woman. “She’s already gone, but she left you a note on the counter.”

“Sweet,”
Eric says before he walks into the house. He comes back out and walks past me.

“I told you not to ask her out,
” I say angrily.

“And I told you I was going to.
I won’t if you want to go out with her. Will you ask her?”

I don’t answer. I can’t ask her out.

“That’s what I thought,” he says, shaking his head as he walks down the stairs. Unless I’m going to ask her out, I can’t say a damn thing to him, and he knows it.