Chloe (3 page)

Chapter Six

Kevin Costner & Modern West - Palisades

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnqFOKQ4IkI&index=39&list=LL1XibADsNiY6dMiJLgBRhkQ

Zac~

I didn’t expect to witness any of that this morning but I’m glad I did. It explains Chloe a little better. She’s hurting just like me under that whole mask of laughter she’s trying pull off. Where I choose to deal with my pain in the privacy of my home, she’s lashing out. I’m afraid Emma’s right, that kind of lashing out might destroy her. If Chloe crashes she will take Emma with her and that doesn’t sit well in my gut. She might bring out the worst in me but that doesn’t mean I don’t care what happens to a fellow human being.

I can handle Chloe for three weeks, keep her busy. At least if she’s with me Emma won’t have to worry.

~*~

I haven’t heard from Chloe in two days. I’m seeing her today for the party at Aiden’s, that at least will curb the worry in me.

I get to Aiden’s early so I can offer my help in getting everything ready. With a knock on the front door, I let myself in. Emma teases me a lot, I’m here so often I might as well move in with them.

I find Emma and Chloe dancing in the kitchen. Neither of them can hold a tune. I stand by the entrance and watch them bump their hips together. Emma notices me first. “You made it early! I’m so glad, Aiden is out back getting everything ready.”

I wave at them, offering them both a smile. It’s my first step towards making peace with Chloe. With a dishcloth in her hand she waves back. She almost looks shy, that’s if I would believe anything could make her shy. She’s way too forward.

“I’ll be out back then.” I leave the women to go search for Aiden.

We get everything done just in time. Wyatt is first, I can hear his laughter all the way from the kitchen. Moments later he comes outside whistling low.

“Bro, that’s so unfair. You can’t have both beauties to yourself. You should’ve told me Chloe was here. I would’ve come around much sooner.”

“Why do you think I didn’t say anything. The last thing I need is my brother using Emma’s best friend for a one night stand,” Aiden warns.

Wyatt laughs and places his hand over his heart. “Like I would do something like that. You think low of me.”

Aiden points to him with a fork. “I know you would. Emma’s due soon. I want to keep the peace.”

“But you let Zac meet her?” Wyatt keeps teasing Aiden. When will Aiden learn that Wyatt is only trying to get a rise out of him?

“Zac won’t jump her like you would. Zac is the last man that would be any threat to a woman.”

Wyatt pats me on the back. “You’re right. I forgot Zac has sworn of all women.”

“Now that’s a pity,” Chloe says as she comes out, carrying a salad bowl. “He doesn’t know what he’s missing.”

“I can see what he’s missing,” Wyatt says as he wags his eyebrows at her. “Don’t waste your time with him, darlin’. If you’re looking for a man I’m more than willing to play the part.”

I frown at Wyatt. I don’t like the idea that he’s flirting with Chloe, not now that I know more about her.

I slap Wyatt upside the head. “Some of us don’t have to play the part, it comes naturally. Keep your grubby paws off of her. She’s not one of your playthings,” I warn.

Chloe’s staring at me, her lips parted in surprise. “Did you just defend my honor?” she asks, looking even more stunned than a few seconds ago.

“Who’s defending whose honor?” Emma asks as she comes out.

“Zac is defending my honor,” Chloe walks in my direction and before I can guess her actions she places a kiss on my cheek. It tingles just like it did the first time she kissed me. She leans in and whispers so only I can hear. “I do prefer a man that’s all natural and heroic.”

I shake my head and smile at her, adamant to win her friendship. “I’ll never win with you, will I?”

“Nope, you make it easy to ruffle your feathers.”

“Is that so?” I lean more in to her and get a whiff of a sweet scent. It fills my lungs and I quickly take another breath. She smells so refreshing.

“Uh-huh ,” she mumbles. She settles one arm around my neck and weaves her fingers into my hair. “I just love it.”

“You two want to get a room?” Wyatt smirks from the side.

“Not yet,” I play along. “Good things come to those who wait.”

“You sure can make a woman wait. It better be real good,” Chloe says, not missing a beat.

“Oh my bloody word, next you’ll be undressing each other.” Emma shoves a beer into our hands. “Here, drink something and cool down. It’s hot enough with me being pregnant in the summer.

~*~

The others arrived shortly after Wyatt. Everyone is taken with Chloe’s spontaneous personality. I’m surprised when Cole and Lily arrive. I really didn’t expect to see them. They’ve only started hanging out with family a few months ago. I really hope they’ve moved on and put the bad that happened two years ago in the past.

I walk to them and pat Cole on the back. “How are you guys. Long time no see.”

Cole reaches out and we shake hands. “We’re good, still travelin’ all over the place. Seein’ all the family before we head out again.”

“You guys really look good. I’m glad things are going well.” I talk with Cole and Lily a while longer before a splash gets our attention.

“She’s a real wild one, that friend of Emma’s,” Cole says. His eyes doesn’t stay on Chloe long before they settle on Lily again. “You should’ve brought your bathingsuit as well. You could’ve joined her for a swim.”

Lily slaps Cole on the chest. “No way am I paradin’ around in front of your family in a skimpy piece of clothin’. I don’t have half the guts Chloe has.”

I look to where Wyatt has just joined Chloe in the pool and I feel an unsettling stir of jealousy. The longer I watch her in the tiny bikini, the more I doubt that she would be safe with me. I don’t want to admit to myself that I’m attracted to her.

~*~

Chapter Seven

Lady Antebellum – Just a Kiss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_yTphvyiPU

Chloe~

I had fun at the party but cleaning up sucks. We’re busy washing the dishes when Emma chuckles softly. “Zac couldn’t keep his eyes off you. I think he really got jealous with all the attention Wyatt was giving you.”

I wash another plate then glance behind me to make sure we’re alone. “You really think? I don’t want to waste my time on the wrong one. Wyatt is fun and you know me, I’m game for any fun.”

Emma gives me a look. “Just admit that you like Zac. Why don’t you give it a chance?”

“I’ll give him a chance alright. He’s really dishy and I think he can use a good shag,” I tease Emma.

“You’re impossible!” She slaps me with the dishcloth before drying the last plate.

“I’m going to go shower.” I run up the stairs and I’m just about to go into my room when Zac comes out of the bathroom. He really has loosened up since we met. He was actually nice to me today.

“Want to join me in the shower?” I tease him.

He stops right in front of me. I see lust swirl in his eyes and don’t think twice about what I’m doing. I stand on my toes and kiss him full on his mouth. No peck on the cheek this time. I grab hold of his shirt and drag him into the room, then kick the door closed. When I rub my hands up his chest to put them around his neck, he finally starts kissing me back. I open my mouth for him. The moment our tongues touch I lose control. This is the part I love, just letting myself be in an ocean of crazy-good emotions.

Our tongues dance passionately, trying to taste as much of the other person as we can. And fuck does he taste good. Just like I thought he would.

I shove him back into the wall and reach for his belt. I only get it half unbuckled when he pick me up and carries me backwards. He drops me on the bed where I land with a bounce. He yanks the towel from around my body. His eyes burn over every inch of exposed skin. His hands grip my hips and he pulls me to the edge of the bed. He opens my legs and steps between them. I want to reach up for him, but still with anticipation when his hand brushes over my mound. He pulls my bikini bottom to the side and enters a finger into me. I arch my back as pleasure courses through my veins. I want more, so much more from him. I grab hold of his hand, the only part of him within my reach, and press him deeper into me. Holding him there as hard as I can, I start to ride his hand.

A low growl escapes his throat. With his free hand he yanks my top to the side so his mouth can find my hard nipple. It only lights the fire in me more and I ride him harder looking for the ultimate escape. He presses another finger inside of me and when he curls them, rubbing his hand up and down my swollen core, I find my release. It washes over me, washing me free of all memories for a precious few seconds. I ride his hand slow, trying to prolong the ecstasy.

Zac brushes my hair from my face and for a long moment he just looks deep into my eyes. I don’t like the affection in his eyes and start to feel uncomfortable. Crawling backwards on the bed, I put some space between us. I quickly adjust my bikini, covering what I can.

“That was some kiss,” I try to joke the intensity of the moment away.

“Sure was,” he agrees, still not taking his eyes of me.

The moment keeps growing more intense until I can feel it prickling my skin. “I … I’m gonna go have that shower now,” I mutter uneasily. I scramble off the bed, avoiding Zac’s eyes.

I make a run for the bathroom, and only once I close the door behind me can I breathe easily again. I lean against it taking deep breaths. “What the bloody hell was that? You don’t get emotional over a quickie with a guy! You don’t do emotions … period!” I keep scolding myself as I turn on the shower. Letting the warm water wash over me will help to wash away the uneasiness. There can never be anything between me and Zac. I only do one night stands. Fun only!

~*~

Chapter Eight

Shane Ward – No Promises

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLphrgQFHUQ

Zac~

I didn’t expect that to happen. More so, I didn’t expect to feel so deeply. That was wow … the most erotic experience I’ve ever had. She caught me totally off guard, stirred life back into my heart, and then made a run for it. I won’t be just another one for her. I’ll show her there is more to life. The sooner she gives in the better for us both, because I never give up if I want something – and I want Chloe.

I wait in her room for her to finish in the shower. We need to talk about what happened. I make myself comfortable on the corner of the bed. The door opens and wisps of steam come out first, then Chloe with only a towel wrapped around her body. My jaw hits the floor as my eyes travel from her feet, up the sexiest pair of legs I’ve ever seen, to her wet hair. She’s not wearing anything else but a towel! The thought gives me an instant hard-on.

“You’re still here,” she says shocked, freezing in the doorway.

I clear my throat and wish I could adjust myself. My jeans feels way too tight. “I’m still here and not goin’ anywhere until we’ve talked.”

She huffs out a breath of air and looks down at her feet. “There’s nothing to talk about. We had some fun. Now it’s time to move on.”

“So I’m just another one?” Her eyes jump up to meet mine and for the moment I hold them I see pain. The last thing I want to do is hurt her. I need to be straightforward with her, the way I’ve always been in life. I’m not going to play any games. “We both know something happened between us. I know you’re not into relationships but even you can’t deny the electricity between us.”

“I’m not denying it but I don’t see what that has to do with relationships.” She looks at me all confused, clearly not on the same path as me.

“Normally when people like each other they get involved, Chloe,” I spell it out for her.

Her eyes widen as she finally gets what I’m saying. “Oh no! No…no…no! We can’t get involved.” She waves wildly between the two of us, almost dropping the towel. “I’m only into fun and you’re still mourning. What happened was only a bit of fun between us.”

Her words sting, but I remind myself of her trust issues. I’ll have to find a way around it.

“Look,” she levels me with a gaze that tells me I’m not going to like what she has to say now, “I’m a one-time-girl. I give you what you want and I move on. You really don’t want to get involved with my kind. We can have sex, I’m all for that, but it’s a one-time thing.”

“You can’t be happy with being used all the time, Chloe?! You have to want more from life,” I argue, hoping she’ll see my point. She shakes her head and there’s almost a look of pity in her eyes. My heart starts to thump slow and heavy with the tinge of panic I’m feeling.

What if I can’t make her see my way? The only woman I’ve desired since Laurie, and she’s happy being every other douchebag’s one night stand. Just the thought alone makes my head rush with jealousy.

“I’m happy with the way my life is,” she whispers softly, as if she’s being cautious delivering the death blow to a relationship that could’ve been amazing. “I’ll be your friend, any time, but I can’t give you more than that. I don’t do serious.”

I pin her with a forceful stare, she needs to know I’m being dead honest. “I don’t give up easily, Chloe. I’m a very determined man. If I see something worth the chance, I don’t give up until I have it. You’re worth the chance, worth fighting for and right now you need someone to fight for you. You are worth so much more than being someone’s one-time deal. You’re a forever kinda’ girl and I’m going to make you see it.”

Her eyes are wide with sadness, I can feel it rolling off of her in waves. I stalk to her and grabbing her behind the neck, I force her face up to mine. I place a quick but passionate kiss on her partially open lips. “I’m going to make you my forever girl and there is nothin’ you can do about it, you might as well make peace with the idea.”

Letting her go I leave the room. She needs time to think about everything I said. But when I come back it will be game on.  

~*~