The Mermaid and her King (5 page)

Chase

“Hi, Chase.”

I
feel the hair on my skin rise the second I hear her sweet voice. I look up, and I’m in shock that she’s here and speaking to me.

“Um, hi, Skyla.”

“I told Eric I’d bring Andy and him some lunch. I hope you don’t mind that I’m here. I have enough food for you, too.”

She’s so damn adorable. I ha
ve to apologize.

“S
tay here. I promise I won’t bite.”

She
props her shades on top of her head and smiles at me. I try not to get lost once again in her captivating blue eyes. “Um, Skyla, I’m sorry about the other day when I walked out at lunch. I was dealing with some shit, and I just had to get away. It wasn’t personal.”

Her surprised expression at my apology tells me she thinks even less of me than I thought. I
watch her set her stuff down, and as she leans over to dig a towel out of her bag, I get an awesome cleavage shot. I swallow hard and look back up before she sees me.

“Thanks for apologizing
.”

She pulls her bathing suit co
ver off over her head and smiles at me bashfully before sitting down.

“
I told Eric he could spot me by my bright bikini.”

Fuck. Me. Her body is sensational!
I quickly turn my head to the ocean. I don’t know how I’m going to stay out here with her, but if I leave now, she’ll never speak to me again, and there’s no way I’m leaving her alone with the guys.

I don’t even want them to see
her body, and why is she here to see them, anyway? I don’t know how I’m going to keep my eyes from wandering down her sexy, flawless skin.

“
I … I want to ask you something before your friends come over here. I’ll be embarrassed if I’m wrong, but did you fire your housekeeper?”

She looks out toward the
water and picks at her towel. I never considered her asking me about Hilda.

“I didn’t have her
fired. She quit; however, I did ask them to send you to replace her.”

She looks back at me. “OK. I don’t know why
you would do that, but thanks. I enjoy cleaning the homes on the beach.”

“If you ever don’t want to, just tell them.”

“I’ll try my best to tolerate your home and the breathtaking view of the ocean it offers,” she says jokingly.

I see
Eric and Andy coming toward us. I wish they’d stay the hell away.

“You’re right. The bikini is hard
to miss, and so is the hot babe in it,” Eric says.

Skyla blushes
. I want to punch him in the face. I watch them both scan her body with their greedy eyes.

“Aloha, Skyla,” Andy says.

“Aloha, Andy. Thanks, Eric. You’re a flirt, but I can’t say I mind the compliments,” she says nervously.

“It’s firing today,”
Eric says enthusiastically.

“
Chase, did you see that big turn I just threw down?” Andy asks.

“No, sorry. I was talking to Skyla.”

“I brought food, but I don’t know if you’ll like it. I love to make Panini’s, so I brought several different kinds. I also brought soft drinks, water and chips.”

She slips her bathing suit cover back on before
she starts getting the food out. I’m relieved. I’m also wondering if Eric asked her out again. I’ll have to hurt him if he’s changed his mind about pursuing her.

“You didn’t have to do all this, Skyla,”
he says.

“That’s what friends do, and we’re
friends now, remember? I owe you after the other night.”

She flashes
Eric a big grin. I want to make her smile like that.

Andy lightly squeezes her arm.
“Thanks for the food, Skyla.”

I wish I could tell them to keep their damn hands off of her. She’s mine. I didn’t pay a hundred thousand dollars for them to eat her food and eye fuck her.

“You’re welcome. Chase, please eat with us.”

I can’t turn her down. She’
s like sunshine today.

“Give me whichev
er sandwich you think is the best.”

“OK. This is my favorite. It’s turkey with provolone and basil pesto.”
She hands it to me on a paper plate, and our fingers meet underneath. The touch of her fingers is the kindling to the fire.

“Now, this is
a moment when I want you to use Eric’s blunt honesty skills. You need to tell me if you don’t like it. I’ll just eat that one if you don’t,” she says, gazing up at me from her towel with a smile. I take a bite of the sandwich, and it’s really good.

“The
sandwich tastes great, Skyla.” A huge grin spreads across her face, and it warms me knowing I put it there.

“Thanks, I figure it’s something different. I love this Panini place in California.”

“Are you from there?” I ask her.

“Yes. I moved here three months ago. My brother’s statio
ned here in the Army, but he’s deployed to Afghanistan.”

Oh, no. Her smil
e disappears, and I’ve caused that.

“I’ve been to California quite a few times. My mom is from San Diego. My dad met her while on vacation there.
”

“That’s where I’m from
,” she says cheerfully. “It’s about as close as you’re going to get to Hawaii weather.” Her smile returns.

“Oh, nice barrel,
Eric,” she says. “I saw it when I was walking up. The swell looks pretty solid. I’ve always heard about the waves on the North Shore, but you have to see it to really understand.” All of our eyes flash to her.

“Do you surf, Skyla?”
Eric asks.

“Yes
.”

“Why
is your ass not out there? It’s almost November. We’re getting into the best time to surf here,” he says.

“I haven’t surfed for months. I—I just haven’t wante
d to be on my board. I’m hopeful that I’ll want to soon.”

“You’re g
oing to have to show us your skills,” Andy says with a grin.

She surfs. I can’t believe we’re both taking a break from our boards. I swear this woman was made for me, and I didn’t need a reason to find her any hotter.
All of us talk surf for a while, and I’m amazed over how much she knows about it. It’s obvious she’s experienced.

“Thanks for lunch, Skyla. Are you ready to surf,
Eric?” Andy asks.

“Sure. Talk
to you later, chick. Thanks for the sandwich.”

Eric
gives her a big grin. I’m glad to see he’s leaving. She puts the food away and spreads her towel out. The next thing I know, she’s stripping off her cover again. She sits next to me on her towel, and I watch out of the corner of my eye as she starts rubbing sunscreen all over her body.

I have shades on, but I still c
lose my eyes. I can’t watch anymore, but I’ll be taking that image to the shower with me.

“Um, Chase, would you mind puttin
g sunscreen on my neck and back? I’d do it myself if I could. I’ve been getting too much sun there since I have no one to do it. I guess I need to find some girlfriends to hang out with on this island.”

Shit!
She wants me to rub lotion on her bare skin. I can’t tell her no, and I can’t deny that I want to.

“Sure.” I try not to sound too eager. She sits down in front of my chair and hands me the lot
ion, taking me by surprise. My chair is one of those low ones that sit right above the sand. Her back is practically between my legs.

Since I live on the beach, I’ve done this
for other women over the years but never have I wanted to so badly. I rub the lotion between my hands and start at her lower back. I’ll feel guilty about this later, but I’m going to stretch this out as long as I fucking can. I move slowly, massaging her skin in a circular pattern. I take more lotion and work my way up her back.

“I have a hunch you’ve done this before. You’re
really good at it,” she says softly.

“Um, when you live on
the beach, it’s a given.” I work my way up, spreading lotion out over her silky shoulders, gliding my restless hands up and down her arms. Then I move to her neck and apply the last of the lotion before I gently massage it with my thumbs.

I
swear I hear her whimper. I want to devour every inch of her body. I finally stop, but I don’t say anything. I feel something happening between us, and I’m at a loss for words.

She sits up on her knees and turns around
to face me. I can’t take much more of this. She’s on her knees and is only inches from being between my legs. I’ve always just taken what I want, so this is torture. It’s exactly what I deserve.

Skyla gazes at me with those ocean blues, and all I can see in my head is her gazing up at me like that with her mouth around my cock.
I’m a bad man.

“Thanks,” she sa
ys before she stands to go back to her towel.

She stretches out on her stomach, putting her fine ass on disp
lay. I can’t take any more of this torture. If I stick around any longer, I’ll say all the charming things she wants to hear. Then if I’m lucky, she’ll be mine, and that can’t happen.

“I have to go, Skyla, but
thanks for lunch. It’s been cool hanging out with you.”

She rolls over onto her back and looks
up at me through her sunglasses. I want to pounce on her.

She covers her forehead with her hand, shielding her face from the sun.
“Can I ask why you’re not surfing?”

“I’m taking a break from my board, too
.” I look out at the ocean. I don’t want her to see me weak and broken.

“I’m sorry,
I should mind my own business. I hope the rest of your day is good.”

“I’m certain I’ve already experienced the best part
of it, Skyla. I’ll see you Tuesday.” I turn and walk away, stunned that I shared that with her.

Skyla

I wish he’d stay with me and talk. What is he hiding? He said the sweetest words, and damn it felt incredible when he touched me. I didn’t want him to stop, and I don’t think he wanted to. I’m in big trouble. I don’t know how I’ll keep him out of my head.

“You’re go
ing to fry out here.”

Eric
’s standing over me, letting water fall onto my body, and it feels good after lying in the sun.

“Are y
ou leaving?” I ask.

“I think so. I’ve been out
a long time today. I need a nap.” He smiles at me, and his blue eyes glisten. I see him eyeing my body. I want to grab my cover, but I don’t want to embarrass him. I decide to sit up instead.

“I see Chase went home.”

“He did. I still can’t figure him out, but at least he was nice to me today. He’s a man of few words, that’s for sure.”

“He used to not shut up. I can tell he likes you, but if you tell him I talk to you about this stuff, I’ll deny it, and then the next time you’
re out here, I’ll toss your cute ass in the ocean.”

“Will you be out here next weekend? If so, I’ll bring lunch again.”

“Probably, but I’ll call to let you know. You can’t spoil me, or I might have to tell Chase to take a hike.”

I push his shoulder with my hand
, and he almost falls over before we both start laughing. I really hope we become good friends, but the flirting will have to stop. “Why don’t you have a girlfriend, Eric?”

“I guess I haven’t wanted to make time for one. Chicks don’t exactly
want a boyfriend who only works and surfs. I couldn’t resist asking you out though. I’ve been thinking more about making time for a girlfriend.”

“Well, I’m sure it won’t be hard for you to find one if you can keep that filter of yours close
d a little bit,” I say, giggling.

“That’s it girl, you’re going into the ocean.”
Eric swiftly picks me up.

“Please, no! I’m getting ready to leave, and I’ll have sand everywhere.”

“OK, I guess I’ll let you off the hook this time.” He stands me up and hugs me. I imagine Chase’s arms around me the entire time.

“See you later, Skyla. I know you’re alone, so if you ever need anything at all, please call me.”

“Thanks, Eric. That means a lot to me.” I pack up my stuff and start walking home. It’s been a good day, but I hate going back to an empty house.

***

It’s Tuesday, so I go to Chase’s. I make myself look better than I probably should for cleaning, but I can’t help it. I long for him to want to spend time with me. I’m determined to crack the code to the safe he keeps his secrets in.

M
y stomach knots when I knock on the door. It’s not long before he opens it and gives me a friendly smile. It’s not the big one I was hoping for, but I’ll take it. He looks like he just showered, and I can instantly smell his clean scent. He’s so damn gorgeous in his swim trunks and tight t-shirt, and I imagine he just saw me ogling him.

“Hi, Chase. I know your house doesn’t need it yet, but I have to clean on the same day every we
ek unless you tell them not to send me.”

“Come in
. Just clean what you think needs it.”

H
e immediately wanders off. I have no right to feel hurt, but I do. Picking the wrong guys to fall for is the norm for me. I’ve only had a few boyfriends, and they were losers. I put my ear buds in and get to work. After thirty minutes, I’m already finished with the upstairs, so I look for Chase.

I don’t see him anywhere.
I look out the front door and realize his car is gone. I can’t believe he just left without saying a word to me. I have to get him out of my system and find someone else to be attracted to.

I go
into his game room that has a pool table and monstrous television. There are surfboards hanging up on the walls, and I find myself curious again as to why he doesn’t surf. After cleaning the room, I stand in front of the couch and admire the boards that are placed above it. They are top of the line.

I hear
Chase yell my name. Alarmed, I spin around and start to fall backwards. Just before I land on the couch, he grabs me and pulls me into the warm muscles of his chest. I feel his arms wrap around my waist, and I sink against him, standing motionless for a few seconds as I breathe in his intoxicating smell on his shirt. I slowly look up at him.

He gazes down at me and smirks as he reaches a hand up and pulls
out one of my ear buds. “I think these are hazardous to your health. There’s really no good way to approach you with these things in.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t like the quiet, but I think you’re right. I was just admiring your boards.”

My arms are pinned between our chests, and all I can think about is how I wish he’d put his free arm back around me and kiss me. His touch is like a cover, protecting me from a cool breeze.

He gently drops my e
ar bud and wraps his arm around my waist.
Yes.
We’re gazing at each other, and I realize I’m weak around this man. He doesn’t know it, and I don’t understand it, but I think I’d do anything he asked.

“I came to see if you’d eat lunch with me. I promise I won’t
leave this time, so let me make it up to you. I already ran out to Macky’s shrimp truck, and I can’t eat all the food I bought.”

He’s still holding me
, which seems odd, but I love it. I need Chase to hold on to me and never let go. My strength on this island is waning, and I realize how much I yearn for physical contact. Eric reaching his hand out to me when I fell into the bathtub was the first physical contact I’d had in three months. That’s sad. It’s no wonder I want to be wrapped in Chase’s arms.

“I like that place,” I say with what has to be a goofy grin on my face. I’m
giddy that he wasn’t trying to be mean when he left me here alone.

“Come on then,” he says, chuckling.

I guess I did give him a goofy grin, and I’ll keep making that face if it’ll keep that smile on his. I eagerly follow him into the kitchen.