Tracked by Trouble (Bad Boys Need Love, Too #3) (12 page)

She returned from the closet, extended the tissue and he placed the sticky chunk in it. She wadded it up and made her way over to the waste bin to dispose of it. “Oh, my God, Zed, I’m mortified.”

“It put a damper on my mood but it wasn’t a deal breaker,” he assured her. “I think I need a beer or something to get the taste out of my mouth.” He stuck his tongue out in disgust.

“Oh, dear,” she said, starting to giggle.

“What?”

“Your teeth.” She pointed. “Your teeth and tongue are dyed red.” Her giggles turned into gales of laughter. “Oh, my God,” she managed to wheeze out for the third time. “I’ve done a lot of stupid things but this has to take the cake.”

Zed sat numbly at the end of the bed, not sure what to do or say. He never liked to be the butt of a joke, having been teased so much in his life.

When her hysteria turned into sobs, he winced.
Not the way I’d hoped the night would end.
“Beck, honey, look at me.”

She pulled her hands over her face. “I can’t. If I do, I might start laughing at your red teeth.” Averting her eyes, she moved from the bed to retrieve the box of tissues. She dabbed at her face. “I’m sorry. I’m deeply ashamed right now. This isn’t the way I wanted the night to end with you having to pick chemicals from your teeth. I should’ve read the ingredients. I threw them on in excitement and rushed over here.”

“Sweetheart, come here. Please. Come and sit with me.” He patted the bed next to him. “I’m sure it seemed like a good idea. It got you into my bedroom, didn’t it? Come here.”

She reluctantly dragged her pretty feet next to him and sat down.

He put an arm around her, pulling her close. “Here’s the place where you get to learn something about me. One of those vulnerable moments.” He shifted his head to look askance at her.

She lifted her head and looked at him through wet lashes. “I’m ready.”

“This isn’t easy.”

“Please. I won’t laugh. You have my word.”

He took a gulp of air, steadying himself. “I didn’t like being laughed at a minute ago. I’ve…I’ve been teased a lot in my life.”

Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh! I’m so sorry, Zed. I wasn’t laughing at you, not really. I told you, I’m mortified at what happened. When I’m embarrassed, it seems to trigger an automatic defense mechanism of laughter. More like hysteria.”

“That’s not bad, I guess. I once had a friend who could turn the most damning piece of information into a good-hearted joke. She made you forget why you were upset in the first place. I’m…I’m not there yet.” He bit his lip, feeling like a complete idiot.

Here’s the part where she left him, certain he was a head-case, a mental lunatic…or someone else not to be bothered with so she could sashay into the arms of someone more like his brother. Someone cool and put together, not like him. Someone who could shoot the heart of a majestic elk, plunge his bare hand into the chest cavity and retrieve the still pulsing organ, holding it aloft like a prize.
Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump.

Beck rallied to his defense. “I don’t get it, Zed. You’re a gorgeous man, handsome, kind, intelligent, articulate, sensitive, a great cook, musically talented, a tender lover, a solid
god
with a hammer…” She ticked each quality off on her fingertips. “I could go on and on. You make me laugh, you make me think, you make me feel seen and adored. This entire evening, I’ve been on cloud nine, waiting for someone to pinch me and wake me up. I’m completely smitten with you, already, even more so from your moment of vulnerability.” Her eyes blazed with ferocity.

He blinked. “Really? You’re not going to leave or tell me I’m too sensitive or I feel too much or I take things personally?”

“Did someone tell you that? Whoever told you that is
stupid
. I’ll tell them so.”

“My mom. It was my mother who said that.”

“Oh.” Beck looked at him. “Well, she’s an idiot who can’t see the brilliant son in front of her face. Tell her I said so the next time you see her.”

“And my oldest brother.”

“Where is he? I’ll rip him limb from limb.” She cast her eyes around the room.

Zed chuckled at the image. “He’s the marine I told you about.”

“Sounds like a bully.”

“Sounds about right,” he agreed. Thoughts of his brother stirred up all kinds of dark images inside. For a moment, Zed disappeared into a bleak landscape in his mind.

“Zed. Are you with me?”

“Huh?” He blinked his eyes, coming out of his stupor.

“You disappeared on me for a moment.” Beck smiled at him.

“Did I?”

“Yes. You were far, far away.”

“Sorry. I need to get this taste out of my mouth. It’s awful. I think it left its spawn in here and they’re about to re-populate. Be right back.” He made his way into the kitchen, spied a half full bottle of beer on the island, seized it and poured a glug into his mouth. He swished it around like mouthwash, the remaining carbonation creating a stinging sensation in his cheeks. He spit into the sink, turned on the tap, and scooped a couple handfuls into his hand, slurping them like a dog.
She defended me. Now, there’s a switch.

When he returned to the bedroom, Beck had her top on and she sat cross-legged on the covers.

“So, we’re done then? With our date?” He sat next to her.

She tipped her head back to look at him, biting her lip, her head scrunched in concern. “I have to leave at six thirty in the morning to catch my flight and I haven’t even packed.” She appeared rueful, apologetic.

He nodded. “Makes sense.”

“This went…” She waved her hand between them. “This went way better than I expected. Better than I could have imagined.”

“Until we got to dessert,” he said, sheepishly.

She blushed. “I might have to borrow a pair of boxers.”

He smiled at the thought. “Sure, I have plenty.”

“Don’t give up on us, Zed.”

“I, uh…I haven’t. I’d like to see you again. Without the candy bits.” He gave her a half smile.

“Oh, we’re going to do more than merely see one another again.” She gave him what seemed to be her signature saucy look, complete with wink. “We’re going to touch and talk and explore. We’re going to be intimate with one another.”

“Are we?” He blinked a few times.

“Yes, Zed Farrell, we are.” She trained her gorgeous eyes at him. “You told me you know how to sustain life.” She scooted close to him, extending her legs so their thighs touched. “I know a thing or two about promoting healing. You seem to have been left with a scar or two.”

Zed eyed her warily. “Shouldn’t that be my responsibility? I don’t want you to be with me because you want to heal me. I’m not…I don’t want to be anyone’s charity case or act of goodwill.”

“That’s not what I’m saying.” She placed her warm hand on his still naked knee, causing his cock to stir in responsive eagerness. “I like you. I enjoy your company. I like talking to you. I loved being in the kitchen and cooking with you. I definitely like our sexual connection.” Again with the sassy smile. “I can’t believe I didn’t disappear in a puff of steam or molten lava or ash already.” She chuckled.

Her fingers trailed their way up, up, up his leg until they rested on his growing desire. She petted his hard cock, like petting a kitten. She leaned over, curled her fingers around his shaft and spoke to it like it had a mind of its own. “You and me, bub. We’ve got some exploring to do. I’d like to be your lover, what do you say?” She cocked her head as if listening. “Not getting an answer. He’s a quiet one. Or is he considering what to say?”

“He’s trying hard not to show his appreciation via a liquid fireworks display.” Zed smiled, his mood lightening.

“Oh, tell him not to hold back. Liquid fireworks can be a girl’s best friend especially if she likes the guy as much as I do you.”

The look she gave him this time seemed to wind its way into his chest like lingering rays of summer, stroking and caressing his heart. His feelings of closeness with her returned, leaping over the wall of mistrust he carried around. “Beck, honey,” he said to her, looking deep into her eyes. “Are you sure you want to keep going with me? You’re the first person I’ve ever admitted this to, but I’m a little bit damaged.”

“I’m sure, Zed.” Her eyes shined bright and clear, meeting his gaze directly.

He closed his eyes and shook his head slightly. When he opened them, he said, “Sweetheart, you’re going to be the undoing of me.”

“I hope so, Zed. And it will be my pleasure to be the one to do it.”

Exhausted from work, taking a break from his plant and garden consultations, Zed sauntered into the lively waiting area of his sister’s salon in downtown Port Townsend. “Hey, sis, can I buy you a cup of coffee?” The salon had been decorated in a retro early Hollywood vibe. In the reception area, low curved furniture, bold colors—Chinese red, apple green, peacock blue and banana yellow, Chinoiserie lamps, glossy lacquered pieces and neoclassical elements created a hip, trendy, old-school kind of atmosphere.

Caitlin, still rocking black and blond hair, looked up from her client, blow dryer in hand. “Sure, Zed, I’ll be done in ten.” She plucked a round bristle brush from a container, and began coaxing her client’s long brown hair into curls and waves.

Zed settled into one of the plush chairs, watching, appreciating his sister’s one pointed focus on the client, the brush, each strand.

“While you’re waiting, can you please straighten the picture of Marilyn?” Caitlin lifted her eyes and nodded in the direction of the photo on the wall. “She’s sagging again and we can’t have that.”

“Sure.” Zed got to his feet, strode to the offensive frame and straightened it. He stood back and looked at the Hollywood glam queens, side by side on the wall. Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich all regarded him with sultry, smoky, frozen-in-time gazes.

“Damn. Nice body, brother,” Caitlin said, studying him. “He’s training for a triathlon,” she said to the client.

The young woman stared straight ahead as if frozen.

“Thanks,” Zed said, pleased by the appreciative compliment.

When Caitlin finished drying the hair, she added some kind of product, brushed it through the wavy strands making them glisten, stood back and folded her arms. “What do you think, Georgia?” she asked the woman’s reflection.

“Oooh, I love it,” Georgia cooed. She patted her hair and turned her head this way and that.

“I gave you subtle highlights. Nothing too dramatic. Once you get used to them we’ll go for drama.” She waved her hand through the air as if conjuring up an image.

“It’s so pretty. Beats mousy brown.”
Pat, pat, pat.

“You, Zed?”

“Huh?” He looked up from his phone, hoping to find a text from Beck. Nothing.
The night had ended well enough, hadn’t it?
He’d given her the pleasure he’d meant to give, then finished on her belly in a juicy finale.
But she’d liked it, right? She said she had. She’d even requested it, right?
Entering her had seemed far too intimate. Too soon for that. Sex he could do. But intimacy?

“Want to weigh in here?”

Zed brought his attention to the young woman and said, “It’s very pretty. It makes you look like one of those Hollywood sirens.” He smiled, pointing to the wall of glam.

The client grinned, her face turning bright red.

Caitlin beamed. She unclipped the back of her client’s drape, carefully pulled it free from the woman’s torso, letting the remaining hairs fall to the floor. She grabbed her broom and got to work cleaning the station floor as the client stood and reached for her purse. “Suzette will check you out. Be sure to make your next appointment. I get swamped pretty fast.” She smiled, professional, courteous, doing the upsell, “I’m in high demand” method that kept her calendar jam-packed.

Zed smiled. His sister was a pro, through and through.

Georgia glanced at Zed, stumbling as she caught sight of him. She lowered her gaze and hustled to the check-out area. Her hushed whispers could still be heard. “Is that Caitlin’s brother? He’s a hottie.”

“Yeah, and he’s the nicest guy around,” Suzette said.

“Is he available?”

“Don’t think so. You’ll have to ask Caitlin. He’s pretty aloof. Doesn’t say much when he comes in here.”

Zed scoffed and rolled his eyes.

His sister disappeared into the back and returned a few minutes later, purse in hand, sleek black salon apron no longer covering her short, curvy body. “Come on, I’ve got thirty minutes before my next client.”

When they emerged from the salon, striding briskly along the sidewalk, Caitlin said, “How are you?  I’m sorry but I haven’t had time to stay in touch. I’ve been worried about you.”

Zed’s gaze slid toward his sister and back toward the street. “Yeah, don’t. Don’t worry. There’s nothing any of us can do. That’s not why I stopped by to chat with you.”

“More bad news?”

Zed smirked. “Why would you think that? I don’t usually stop by with bad news.”

“Because you look like you swallowed a gorilla.”

Zed frowned. “Swallowed a gorilla?”

“Uncomfortable. You look uncomfortable, as in
way
.”

“Ah. Got it. As usual, nothing escapes your scrutiny.”

She waved her hand at him. “Years of motherhood will do that.”

He chuckled, pulling open the door to the coffee shop, aptly called
Good Grounds
and held it open for his sister.

“You look great, by the way, as in amazing. Wow. I thought Georgia would melt into a puddle.”

“Yeah, okay,” Zed said, dismissing the compliment. “Thank you. I can only receive one compliment per day. It’s in my contract. You’ve given two today. Tomorrow will be a complete bust.”

His sister laughed.

“Two double lattes,” he said to the cashier.

Once they were seated in the corner with their coffee, Caitlin said, “Okay, shoot. Spill it.”

“I’m, um…I’ve started dating someone.”

“That’s great, Zed! Anyone I know?”

“Don’t think so. Her name is Rebecca Tosetti. Everyone calls her Beck.”

“Tosetti, huh? Gotta watch those Italians, bro. I hear they’re a passionate bunch.”

Zed squirmed slightly, his body affirming his sister’s breezy response. “She’s a redhead. She just got a job as a physical therapist. She studies living systems, only bodies, not plants.”

“Nice. Sounds like she shares similar interests as you.”

“Yeah, I enjoyed her intelligence.”
The mind of a scientist and body of a siren,
he thought.
I’m doomed.

Caitlin nodded, blowing on the surface of her hot drink. “Why are you telling me this? You’ve never asked for advice on dating before. If you had,” she arched an eyebrow and glared at him, “I would’ve said no to screwing Jace Savage’s ex-girlfriend. Although, the guy has a reputation as a hot head, so maybe he had it coming. But Kate Bethlehem?” She wrinkled her nose. “It’s a wonder you didn’t come away with a disease.”

“Newsflash, sis. Ever heard of condoms?”

“Ew, stop giving me images like that.”

Zed laughed. “Too late for that advice. I paid the price, don’t worry. I got my karmic dues paid in full.” He rolled the warm paper cup of java between his palms. “No, I’m here because…well, I
like
this girl. A lot.”

“Okay. That’s good. So what’s the problem?”

Zed said, “I’m not sure. I’ve been hesitant to get close to a woman for a long time. My brother and Jace helped with that. And when Beck questioned me, I admitted I’ve never been in love. Not really. It…” He directed his attention outside the huge picture windows that flanked the store, overlooking the water. “Oh, look, there’s a family of otters.”

Caitlin turned to view the sleek brown heads and tails, bobbing above the water, then sliding below. “Aw, cute. Love the otters.” She turned back to Zed. “So you’ve never ever been in love? Are you sure about that?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. I think I’d be the first to know if I ever fell in love.” He glared at his sister.

“Okay, okay. When I think about it, no one’s ever stuck around for long. Why do you think that is?”

“I dunno. That’s what she asked me…Beck, I mean. And I didn’t have an answer other than the usual statement of ‘it’s too risky.’” He tapped his fingers on the table. “I mean, what’s to stop Lawless moving back here when he retires, swooping in and claiming her.”

“Ouch, Zeddy, that sounds so painful and mistrusting.”

“I know. It makes me feel like a dumbass in need of major repair. I even told her she might not want to take a chance on someone who’s as damaged as I seem to be.”

“Oh, honey,” Caitlin said, soothingly.

“She wants to keep going, though. That’s what she said anyway. We had a great date the other night.” His leg started jiggling as he thought of the panty episode. “A few bumps, but overall, it was the best date I’ve ever had, guaranteed. That’s what scares me. I already like her too much.”

“I wish I could slug both Lawson and Jace. You’ve got such a tender heart inside your badass britches.”

“Hey,” Zed protested. “That makes me sound like a wimp.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve seen you beat the crap out of a guy or two. I
did
say you have badass britches. Don’t get all selective with your hearing.” She winked, then grew thoughtful. Her lips puckered into a peevish expression. “I know Jace is your friend, but he, of all people, should know better than to take away women you’re interested in.”

Zed’s defenses rose. “He’s admitted to being a jackass. And our respective sins sort of cancel each other out. Don’t pick on him—he’s a good friend. Both he and his wife are good friends.”

“Okay, he does seem changed.”

“Yeah,” Zed said. “And speaking of crap beating, you should’ve seen his face when we patched things up several months ago,” he said, adding air quotes around the end of the sentence. “I even sucker punched him. Stuck out my hand for him to shake, then, wham!” He jabbed the air forcefully.

“You didn’t,” his sister said gleefully.

“I did. It was a low blow but I figured he deserved it. We got out all our misgivings and resentments in one fight. His wife drilled him a new one after that. She’s got him by the short hairs.” He chuckled.

“It’s about time someone did.”

“Yeah, and his upbringing was brutal. You don’t want to know kind of brutal.”

“Okay, I’ll give him that. He’s changing for the better.” His sister sipped her coffee. “But Lawson’s always behaved like a dick. I don’t know what his problem is. Our upbringing seemed normal enough.” She pressed her lips together in a look of utter disgust. “I doubt if any female will turn his shit around. And what a loser for poaching your girls. And for…” She shook her head and shivered.

“Yeah, thanks, sis.” He drummed his fingers on the table, considering his next words. “Here’s something else. I’m kinda used to putting up walls. I’ve done it for years, even before Jace and I had issues. But ever since San Diego…”

His voice trailed off and he zoned out for a second. “It’s like…I can’t put my finger on it, but the other night, on our date, I had this completely irrational moment of absolute, shit my pants terror. And I kind of blanked out for a moment. It was like a lightning strike. Then boom, it was gone and we proceeded with our date. Don’t you think that’s kind of odd?”

“I have no doubt that whatever you went through in San Diego left marks. I raged for days after you told me. Jeff probably thought my period was intense and long. You males always excuse a woman’s anger with her menstrual cycle, like we don’t have reasons to get mad in general.
Lawson
makes me feel
violent
.”

Zed put his hands up. “Don’t look at me. You drilled that fact into me when we were growing up.” He lifted his hand, waggling his index finger. “‘And don’t you
ever
think because I’m
pissed
it means I’m on the
rag.
’” He let his voice raise in pitch and intensity as he repeated words he’d heard long ago. “You scared the shit out of me,” he said, laughing. “I remember thinking, ‘N-n-no, Caitlin, I would never.’”

Caitlin laughed, too. “Oops. I presumably used my ‘outdoor voice.’ You probably did something to piss me off. Being the only girl in the family had its disadvantages.” After their laughter died down, she said, “I dunno, little bro. Have you ever thought of talking to a therapist?”

“Shit,” Zed said. He finished his coffee and crushed the paper cup. “No, to that idea. I don’t want to give Mom more reasons to feel sorry for me, nor do I want a shrink to examine my head.”

“Is that what you think Mom does?”

“She always looks at me like, ‘poor Zed, he has no wife and is therefore unfulfilled.’ Like that’s the sole purpose of the species.”

Caitlin waved away his comments. “Oh, you know Mom. She worries about looking good, keeping up appearances and all that, sending the right message at Christmas at how incredible we are as a family. I figure now that Dad’s dead, Lawson is doing his part for the family by drawing all the attention so the rest of us can live interesting lives without scrutiny.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Zed said. “But you know all the stuff I’ve done to set myself right. I’m even about to be issued patents for my soil saving compost. I’ve worked years on perfecting it. Now
that’s
something to be proud of.”

His phone vibrated on the table. He snagged it and read,
Hey, sexy man. I’m thinking of buying some maple syrup panties while I’m in Minnesota. You pour them on and they harden within minutes. How does that sound?
He burst out laughing, both from finally hearing from her, and from her funny idea.
Hell, no,
he quickly typed.
You taste far better than maple syrup.
He hit Send and looked up to see his sister studying him, her eyebrow cocked. “What?”