The Mermaid and her King (9 page)

Chase

“Hi, can we talk?”

“No.” She starts to shut the door on me.

I s
tick my hand out and catch it. “Please. I need to apologize.” She looks sad. Her eyes are swollen and red. I hate myself for making her cry.

“Outside,” she says before she pushes past me and sits down
on her porch steps. I sit next to her.

“Um, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you like that.”

“You’re sorry you kissed me?” she asks, looking straight ahead and sounding even angrier.

“No, but i
t wasn’t fair for me to grab you like that. I slept next to you, and I … I haven’t been with a woman in a long time, and you’re a very attractive woman, Skyla. I couldn’t take it any longer.” I turn toward her to see her expression. She blushes and peers up at me.

“I don’t regret you kissing me. What I regret is how you keep giving me the impression you’re
interested, only to turn right around and push me away.”

“I shouldn’
t be coming on to you due to the shit I’m dealing with, but I selfishly want you around. I came to apologize because I have no business trying to keep you to myself when I know I can’t get closer to you.”

Her eyes flash back up to mine.
“You want to keep me to yourself?” she asks softly.

If she only knew how badly I want to lock her in my room and
kiss those juicy lips again. “Yes, but I need to leave you alone. I came to explain, so you don’t think I’m a total jackass. I’m not trying to play some kind of game,” I say as I stand up.

She stands, too and looks pissed. “How can you do
this?”

“Do
what?”

“Ho
w can you feel that way but never plan to see me again?”

“Skyla, I don’t
need to get to know you better to tell how great you are. I don’t deserve someone like you. I’m not a good person.” I look away from her.

“I don’t see that
. You rescued me from those guys on the beach, you doctored my arm and said you’d pay me when I didn’t work. You fed me lunch. You saved my ass at that bar, and you came here to apologize for kissing me without permission. You’re not bad, so why can’t you see that?”

She runs her hand up my neck, her fingers sliding into the back of my hair,
but it’s as if I can feel her touch over my entire body. I feel powerless gazing down at her. Don’t give in.

“I have to go, S
kyla. You deserve better.” I jump into my car and leave. Once again, she’s left standing alone. I’m a dirt bag no matter how it plays out.

Skyla

Oh
hell no!
I go inside to brush my teeth and straighten myself up. He
will
kiss me again.
I walk to his house and pound on the door. He opens it with a surprised look on his face, but I still see sadness. I don’t look for long before I throw my arms around his neck.

My lips
capture his with an unbearable longing. I can’t understand my need to be physically and mentally close to this man I barely know, but I’m so drawn to him. He responds, his tongue quickly circling mine as his strong arms wrap around my waist. My tank top is being pulled tight in the back by his eager hands that grip it.

“Don’t push me away.
Tell me whatever it is, and I won’t judge, but kiss me more first,” I say after releasing his lips.

I hear his light chuckle
. He shuts the door and grabs my hand, pulling me behind him. He sits on the couch in his family room and looks at the spot next to him, signaling for me to sit down. I think he’s ready to talk, but before he can stop me, I straddle him. I don’t know what’s come over me.

“I told you to kiss me more first, then talk,” I say before
I take hold of his face with my hands and kiss him hard, thrusting my tongue into his mouth. His tongue meets mine as he grabs my hips. I feel his fingers so close to my ass, and I just want him to move them down and take hold of it.

I
want to know everything about him. A desperate need to hang on to the little bit of him he’s giving away controls my every move. Our tangled tongues continue their exploration, every hard stroke a release of aching desire.

I tug on his hair, show
ing him I’m needy for his touch, hardly able to deter how much I want him. He moans against my mouth and squeezes my hips harder, showing that his restraint is waning, too.

Our lips separate
in need of a deep breath, and I slide my hands down the firm planes of his chest while leaning my head down to kiss his neck. I gently move my wet lips along it until I take hold of his earlobe, carefully pulling it between my teeth before I lick and blow on his ear.

His head falls back as his hands move from my hips to my ass. My wish is granted when he clenches it with his fingers.
Then I feel it, his erection pushing against me, and all I can think about is being in his bed with him on top of me, sinking into me. What the hell? It’s been a long time since I’ve had sex, but there’s something more to this. A deeper yearning I’ve never felt before.

My hands keep moving down his chest, past his
stomach until my fingers hit the waistband of his shorts. I softly feather a few kisses back down his neck before he gently takes hold of my wrists. I sit up and gaze into his pools of darkness that are beginning to show a sign of light, and I can see the effect I have on him.

“You’re unbelievable.
That was the hottest thing ever. I mean the hottest,” he says before he pulls me forward until my forehead presses against his.

“How am I going to stay away from you?”

“You’re not,” I whisper.

He shakes his head. Is he sayi
ng no? I can sense his struggle, so I sit back up, waiting anxiously for his response.

“
I’ve wanted you since the first moment I saw you. I’ve wanted you so fucking bad. Will you go on a date with me, Skyla?”

A
grin spreads across my face. I’m winning. Mr. Moody is losing.

Chase

This woman is the sweetest taste of temptation. I walk away from her, leaving her on her porch
alone, and she hunts me down. It plays out like a fantasy as she straddles me on my couch. This is one determined chick, and she’s got me turned on.

Her mouth is on fire
, and God, when she moves it to my neck and ear, I have to put my hands on her ass and squeeze. If I don’t, they’re going to go everywhere else on her luscious body.

She wants me. She’s offering herself to me, so I grab her wrists to s
top her from going any further. Anymore, and she’ll be in my bed. Everything feels right, and I want to do everything to her that I shouldn’t.

“Would you go on a date with me, Skyla
?”

Where in the hell did that come from?
I’ve never even been on a date. I’ve had women on my arm for different occasions, but they weren’t dates.

She gifts me a beautiful
grin that’s the best damn present ever. “Yes, but only if you’re sure. I probably shouldn’t give you time to process this. You might change your mind.”

“No, I’m not chan
ging my mind. I want to be near you, Skyla.”

“Chase
, if you don’t want to share your darkest secrets, then don’t, but talk to me about everything else. Spend time with me, and kiss me,” she says before her lips are back on mine.

I r
un my hands up into her hair and hold her head, kissing her slowly and softly for several minutes. The kiss in my room was hot, but it was over too quickly.

I’ve dreamed about having her this way
for months, so I relish every second of it. Her warm breath and wet tongue are in sync with mine, made only for my greedy mouth from here on out.

I’ve never cared an ounce about kissing, but
doing it with her is erotic, and I
will
do it again and again. I’m selfish, and when it comes to Skyla, it’s a quality I’m not going to be able to change, especially now that I’ve had a taste.

Skyla

I’m giddy like a teenage girl wh
en Chase drops me off at home. The cheesy grin I kept giving him had to have him laughing inside. I’m happier than I’ve been in years, and although I should be guarded from his erratic behavior, I have no desire to be. I want to be close to this man more than I’ve ever wanted anything.

After losing almost everyone I’m close to, I can’t hold ba
ck. We don’t know how long we have to live and love. I have to take a chance on Chase, even if it means my heart may hurt from it.

He told me
to dress nice for our date in Waikiki. He definitely keeps me on my toes. A couple of hours ago he was barely speaking to me, and now he wants to take me on a special date.

I pu
t on a flowing, royal blue dress that hits mid-thigh and silver, strappy heels. There hasn’t been a reason for me to dress this nice since I got on the island, so I’m excited. I put loose curls in my long blonde hair and wear silver jewelry. My nerves start getting the best of me right before Chase is to show up, so I call Eric. “Hi, it’s Skyla.”

“How’s
my new friend?”

“I have some news.”

“Please tell me you’re not moving back to the mainland like you threatened at the bar.”

I begin giggling.
“No, I need to see how something pans out first.”

“
What might that be?”

“I had a break th
rough today with your friend. We kissed, and we’re going on a date in a few minutes.”

“I’m happy for you, Skyla.
I knew it was only a matter of time. Chase is used to having what he wants, and I know he wants you. How could he resist a chick as special as you? Don’t worry, I’ll kick his ass myself if he screws this up.”

“
You always know the right thing to say. He’ll be here any minute, but I’ll let you know how it goes.”

“No getting smashed tonight,” he says, laughing before he hangs up.

I’m grateful that since meeting Eric, he’s graciously let me talk to him like he’s a chick. I need a girlfriend on this island. I hear the knock on the door, and my stomach is giving me the feeling that I’m in the ocean. I feel sea sick, so I swallow hard and take a couple of deep breaths before I open it.

My heart races as I approach Skyla’s door. She opens it and smiles.
Wow!
She’s stunning. I take in a gasp of air and try to dismiss the dirty thought I’m having of skipping dinner altogether.

“Skyla
, you’re stunning.” My voice cracks, and I realize I said it because I genuinely meant it. It wasn’t just the line I’ve used to get a girl into bed. She’s gorgeous and needs to hear it every day.

She takes my hand
with a hopeful smile on her face, and the weight of the world settles on me. There’s no going back. Skyla’s already given me many chances to be nice, and even though she came after me earlier today, I know in my gut that this is my last chance.

“N
ice Corvette. Have you had this hidden in the garage?”

“Yes, I don’t dr
ive it every day, especially when I’m picking up a drunk person who might puke in it. It’s very new,” I say with a chuckle.

“Ha ha, funny. I like it, and I promise I won’t get sick in it. That is, as long as you don’t feed me too many drinks.”

“I don’t plan on it. Although, that’s when I know how you truly feel.” I pull out of her driveway.

“W
ell, aren’t you just full of wise cracks? Am I finally seeing Chase’s true colors?”

“Jus
t maybe.” It’s been a long time since I’ve allowed myself to feel or show anything, and it’s terrifying me, but I’ll hurt her if I don’t open up.

Skyla looks
out the side window most of the way, which keeps me from getting busted every time I glance over to see her silky thighs showing. I called in a couple of favors last minute for our date.

I’ve managed to screw up the other times I’ve fed her, so I’m determined to make this dinner special.
We get into Waikiki and drive along the coastline in front of the many resorts.

I pull up for valet parking at the
hotel and take her hand to walk inside. The men working eye her, and it annoys me but makes me proud all at the same time. Even without a lot of money, Skyla looks classy and wholesome, unlike the many women I’ve screwed around with over the years. For once, I feel lucky to be someone else’s date.

We walk to the oceanfront restaurant where I give them my name. They immediately take us past the other tables and down some steps onto the beach. Skyla looks up at me and grins with eager curiosity.

Chase picks me up in a black corvette. He also has the red jeep and a silver, Mercedes S550 that I avoided puking in on the way back from the bar.

I’ve never valet parked before
, and I sense it’s going to be a day of firsts for me. Lavish floral arrangements grace the lobby, and I can’t help but admire their rich colors. The ornate patterns on the floor are drawing my attention when I hear Chase chuckle. He leans down to my ear.

“I think it’s rea
lly cute how everything excites you.”

“Well, i
t’s lovely in here.”

“That’s what I m
ean. You notice and appreciate what many people take for granted. The way you spoke of the view from my house, the scenery during the drive here, and even when you described our sandwiches on the beach, you don’t miss a thing,” he says, squeezing my hand.

As soon as Chase gives his name, t
he host at the restaurant has us follow him. We walk past the outdoor seating to some steps that lead down to the beach. We’re then seated at a candlelit table set with white linen and fancy flatware. It’s the only one right on the beach, and it’s centered outside of the oceanfront restaurant.

Chase looks like a model straight out
of a magazine with his dark hair and eyes that pop from the white dress shirt he’s wearing.

I noticed on our walk into the hotel
that his khaki pants look as if they were measured and made just for him. They fit him perfectly, and I remember hearing once that designer clothes fit better that way. I’m sitting across from him, taking in the sight of his chiseled jaw line in the candlelight. This man is beyond handsome.

“Why do we get to sit
here?” I see all eyes are on us as I look back toward the restaurant, and I imagine they’re wondering why Chase and I get the table on the beach.

“Because
you’re special.”

“I’m guessing it’s because
you’re
special,” I say, laughing.

He smirks.
“OK, maybe because I’m special it can happen, but I made it happen because you’re special.”

“Thank
you. This is lovely. I’ve never been anywhere this nice.”

“That’s a shame.” He frowns and reaches his hand across the table to hold mine. “
I’m not really special. I made some real estate deals with the owner of this resort, and I managed to reach him after I took you home today. He called in the favor for me.”

My guard wants
to go up. He’s being the complete opposite of how he was when he repeatedly rejected me. I can’t figure him out. The waitress comes to take our drink order, and we both get iced tea.

“Do you not drink?”
I ask.

He appears uncomfortable and looks
away.

“No.
I used to drink a lot, but those days are over.”

“That’s a good thing, right?”

He looks back at me. “Yes, it’s a good thing. For me, too much of anything’s not good. Well, you might be the exception.” He grants me a lascivious look that gives me butterflies and sends chills up my spine.

“That’s sweet to say.
Um, are your parents alive?”

“No. My mom died of breast cancer about ten years ago, and then my father died from a heart attack three years a
go.”

I see the grief in his eyes
. “I’m sorry. That’s extremely odd because my mom died of breast cancer ten years ago, too, and then my father died three years ago in Afghanistan.

“
He was a contracted employee for the government. He worked construction, and on his way to a job site, the vehicle he was in hit an IED. I was told he died instantly. My brother joined the Army then, and that’s basically how I ended up here.”

“
He squeezes my hand. I’m sorry, Skyla. You’re even younger than me, and it’s unfair you’ve had to lose your family at such a young age.”

The tears moisten
my eyes. His words are so sincere, and I know he understands exactly what I’ve been through. A few drops fall to my cheek, and I quickly wipe them away.

“I’m sorry. I haven’t had anyone to talk to about my parents in a long time
, and knowing you can relate makes me sad for you, too. My brother won’t discuss my parents with me,” I say.

He leans over and wipes away another tear with the pad of hi
s thumb. His touch is soothing, and all I want to do is curl up in his arms. I feel I’ve made him terribly sad.

“Are you OK? I’m sorry I asked about your parents. I don’t
want our date to be depressing.”

“I’m fine,
Skyla. I hate that we’re in the same club, but it’s comforting to know that if I needed to talk about losing them, you’d understand.”

“You keep saying really sweet t
hings, and it’s a little jarring after the way you’ve been since I’ve met you.”

“I know, and
I’m sorry. I still feel you deserve someone with less baggage, but I can’t resist being close to you. It’s selfish of me, but that’s one behavior I’m still working on improving.”

“
Everyone has shit from their past. I mean, look what grief we carry just from our parents’ death. I’m no better than you. Other than knowing I’m going to college, I’m just a lost twenty year old.”

The waitress arrives with our entrée
. Feeling as if our date is turning a little too serious, I’m relieved to see her at our table. She sits down our platter of seafood for two, and I have no idea what I’m looking at. I try to hold in my giggle until the waitress leaves, and as soon as she walks away, it erupts from my mouth.

Chase is grinn
ing at me. “What’s so funny?”

“I have no idea what any of this food is other than I recognize the shrimp. Sorry, I’m not a very worldly person.”

“I’ll tell you what you’re eating.” He proceeds to point to each item as he speaks. “This is lobster, and this is onaga, which is long-tail red snapper. It’s all steamed with kaffir lime leaves. The kaffir lime is a fruit native to some Southeast Asian countries. These are different aioli sauces. They’re kind of like different types of mayonnaise.”

“OK. It
looks delicious. I want to know all about the Hawaiian culture, so tell me more about the foods.”

Chase educates me through dinner, and I try to absorb all the information. He’s even smarter than I thought, and I find myself smiling often over how he’s opening up to me. The waitress comes bac
k with dessert, and my hand goes straight across my stomach.

“I’
m so full, but whatever this is, it looks delicious.”

“It’s coconut cake
filled with coconut-amaretto cream.”

“I love anything
coconut, and I also love amaretto flavor, so I’m certain this will be like sex for me.”

Chase raises his eyebrows and
smirks. “Well, if this is what gets you going, then I’m in trouble. I don’t know if I can compete with this cake.”

“Maybe I’ll get a chance to compare,” I say with an alluring smile.

His smirk instantly disappears.
“You’re sexy, Skyla.”

“So are you, Chase.
” From the light of the candle, golden speckles in his lust filled eyes glimmer. We stare at each other in silence while I take bites of my cake, and I’m ready for dinner to be over. I want physical contact with him.

“
Would you like to walk the beach here, or would you prefer the beach by my place?”

“
I would definitely like to walk the beach here at some point, but I work tomorrow, so maybe it’d be better if we head back.”

“
I have some work to do tomorrow, too, so that sounds good. Are you finished with your ‘better than sex’ cake?” he asks with a devilish grin.

“It satisfied some of my craving, anyway.”

He gives me another lust filled stare and takes my hand for the walk to the car. His touch sparks a tingling sensation to course through me, settling heavy between my thighs, and I can’t help but imagine him remedying the situation.