by Eva LeNoir
I wasn’t jealous. Not at all. In fact, I should be grateful.
“My daddy always said, ‘Never mix business with pleasure’” Emma said mimicking her father’s voice and echoing my own reservations.
“Didn’t your father fall madly in love and marry his sports manager?”
“I didn’t say he followed his own advice. Which, by the way, sucks since they clearly came out winners with this specimen,” Emma pointed her index fingers at herself as she did a little stripper dance in my living room.
“Do me a favor?” I asked her, ignoring her shenanigans.
“Another one? Jesus, you’re like a mooch today.”
“Don’t take Libs to the tattoo parlor, I don’t want to get sued,” I looked pointedly at her knowing damn well she had been contemplating it.
“You’re no fun! He’s going to be all alone while I’m there,” she took Libs and snuggled his little head with her nose, “Aren’t you, buddy?” Then turned him so he was facing me and made him nod at me like he was agreeing with her.
“Emma.”
“Marlon,” she mocked.
“If he sprays from fear, you won’t be able to get that stink out for weeks.”
“Hmm, you do make a powerful point, there,” she agreed, her face solemn, “but I think I’ll take my chances. I’m pretty sure he’ll get me even more business while he’s there.” She bit her lip as she was talking, her tell for when she was lying.
Reassured, I closed up my suitcase and spent a couple of hours hanging out with my peeps before heading for the adventure of a lifetime with the only woman who could get my dick hard faster than you could say “On your knees.”
Chapter 15
Jaidyn
One thing I had to admit, Marlon had impeccable taste in accommodations.
Our plane landed in Honolulu around five, the sun only beginning its descent by the time we got our luggage, and there was a lot considering we were staying for almost four weeks. We didn't arrive in White Plains beach until well over seven that evening. The drive west from the city was breathtaking, the blues and greens melting into each other like a painter’s palette. Growing up in La Jolla, the ocean and beaches my daily view, I was surprised to feel this mesmerized by the passing scenery. Marlon had rented a Range Rover for the entirety of our stay, giving us the means to travel the island whenever we pleased.
Marlon had opted for a house instead of a resort, giving us much needed privacy, especially for my father.
I agreed.
"This is very nice, Marlon, great job," I heard my father’s praise from the living room that opened into the lush green lawn just before the pool.
"Where are you staying?" I asked, while peeking in the cupboards and making sure I had all I needed to cook for the next month.
"He's staying here, sweetheart, I thought it would be more convenient."
"I'm sorry, what?" I choked out, clearly having misheard. There was no way my father had asked a stranger, if we were honest with ourselves, to sleep under the same roof for the duration of the trip.
"Judging by your reaction, I'm guessing you heard that right," Dad told me, a smirk playing on his lips, his symptoms under control with his regular vaping and medication. With his frequent drowsiness, he’d opted for the sativa strain to help with his energy levels.
"Daddy!" I whisper-yelled, while Marlon was outside parking the rental car in the garage and bringing our luggage in the house.
"Oh, don't be such a downer, baby girl," he said, taking a seat on the lounge chair outside, satisfaction written all over his face. "He's going to be a great help to us. Plus, who better to keep you company while I'm resting?"
"This is ridiculous," I huffed, slamming the cupboard door a bit too hard.
"I wasn't too keen on the arrangement, either," Marlon said from behind me, close enough to make me jump, "I mean, what if you're a psycho?" he said with practiced nonchalance save for the smirk teasing his mouth.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny, Marlon," I sighed, this was a lost battle. It was going to be so much fun explaining to Calvin that for the foreseeable future, I’d be sharing a house with a man he loathed.
I felt him before I heard the deep rumble of his voice, my body reacting instantly, "I promise I won't bite," he murmured, his breath caressing along the curve of my ear, "unless you beg me. Then all bets are off.”
I may have whimpered, but I would never admit it.
Turning to face him, ready to put him in his place, I pointed my index finger at his chest only to stumble at the sight of his incredible eyes.
"God, those eyes are..." I had no words to describe them fairly.
"They’re my secret weapon, Jaybird," he said, his lips so close it would only take a slight lean-in to taste them.
Blinking rapidly to clear out the fog his nearness provoked in me, I cleared my throat and took a step back.
"Anyone thirsty? The bar and the fridge are full," I spoke loudly enough for my father to hear me.
"Go sit, I'll get something ready for you both," Marlon said, taking one of my errant curls and letting it wrap around his finger. "One day, I plan on burying my fingers in your hair and kissing the breath right out of you," he whispered on my mouth, I could almost taste him. "But not today, Jaybird. Not yet."
Nodding, I took another step back. Then another, before turning and plopping myself down on the outdoor chair and waiting for Marlon to surprise me again.
Not twenty minutes later, we were all holding flutes filled with pink champagne and an assortment of appetizers he’d personally prepared, including fruit, prosciutto and a mix of nuts.
"This looks delicious, Marlon," my father praised, "where did you learn to make all this?" he asked, using a toothpick to pick up a tiny hotdog wrapped in a flaky bun.
"I used to work in a restaurant before I created my app. I was able to learn a few neat things."
"Your app?" I asked, confused by what he was saying but my phone rang before he could answer. "Sorry, I need to get this. It's probably Calvin."
I thought I heard a sound coming from Marlon, but I was sure I was mistaken. People didn't growl, did they? I mean actually, animal-like growl?
"Daddy, have Marlon come get me if you need me, okay. I shouldn’t be too long," I said as I ran for the phone before it hit voicemail.
"Go, I'll be fine," he gestured with his hand as if shooing me away like a pesky fly.
Grabbing the phone on the way to the first bedroom on the left, I swiped the green button to the right and answered just as I threw myself on the plush bed.
"Hey!" I said, winded from my little sprint.
"Are you okay?" Calvin asked on the other end of the line.
"Yeah, sorry, I had to run to the phone. What's up?" My God, this bed was comfortable and big enough to sleep diagonally which was a plus for me. I'd been told more than once that I was a spread-eagle type of bed hog.
"Just making sure you got there safely, you didn't call," he said, a mix of worry and what sounded like irritation in his tone.
"Aw, I'm sorry, babe. We just got here about an hour ago and we were unwinding a little bit."
"Is the place nice?" he asked, true curiosity evident in his tone, "I'll try to fly out there if I have any free time during the month."
Oh shit. That would be bad.
"Yeah, it's great, very nice. Um, kind of small, though," I cringed because now I was lying. The place was huge, but Calvin hated being on vacation in anything less than five stars with room service. If he came here, he'd have a coronary.
"Well, it's only the two of you, no need to rent something out for so long if you're only going to use half the space," his logic was impeccable, of course.
"Right, makes sense."
We spoke for another thirty minutes about his internship, and the fact that he'd be starting end of August and would continue up until Christmas break.
Besides those first questions, the rest of the conversation revolved around Calvin's life and career. I interj
ected a few oohs and ahs in the right place, but mostly I listened, trying not let my mind wander.
After our fight, a few days ago, he had come back groveling the next day and apologizing profusely for his inappropriate comment, telling me he knew how I felt about the help.
Calvin was raised by a family who respected those more powerful than them, more cunning. I’d only recently noticed the effects of his upbringing. The boy I’d met in high school was fun and caring, he’d confessed his love for me as soon as he’d understood his own feelings. He’d never played games, he was open and giving. Little by little, his parents and the good old boys in his fraternity redefined certain parts of his personality. His kindness and care were now only reserved for me.
I tried ignoring that niggling feeling throughout our college years, reminding myself that we were in love and once I had him all to myself, I’d be able to get the boy, I fell in love with, back.
At least, that had been my hope. I couldn’t possibly marry a man who had no consideration for others.
Right when we were about to hang up, there was a loud knock, the door swinging open from the force and Marlon already talking before I could answer.
"Jaybird, I'm about to make dinner, any preferences?" Marlon asked, standing in my doorway looking like a cover model for one of Lola’s romance books, all long legs and broad shoulders. I hadn’t spoken to her in weeks, she was back packing through Europe and pretending to be on a budget, but I was sure she’d approve.
"What the fuck, Jaidyn?" Calvin's words held the venom I expected.
"Ah, nope. Just...whatever," I answered Marlon, all the while giving him my what the fuck are you doing face and waving my hand for him to leave. As if it would help, Calvin had clearly heard him.
"Oh, um, that was Marlon? He used to be a chef?" it all came out as questions, too out of sorts to keep my cool.
“I realize that, Jaidyn. What I don’t understand is why he’s there.”
“Oh, well,” I started, trying for nonchalance and failing all around, “my father thought it would be best for him to stay here with us. You know, in case I need help or something?” Again with my voice rising at the end as though it were it a question. I supposed I felt guilty even though I’d had nothing to do with decision.
"Are you fucking with me, right now?" Calvin spat over the line, "he’s living with you? Cooking you fucking dinner?"
"Well, technically, he's cooking us all dinner. I mean," I stuttered, sinking myself into a deeper hole, "it's not like a romantic dinner or whatever."
"This is bullshit, Jai, and you know it," he started, hatred pouring out of him. "I bet your father did this on purpose. He never did like me."
"Calvin, that's ridiculous. We've been together for five years; can't you trust me? Trust the strength of us?"
"I don't know what to trust, to be honest, Jai,"
"Well, for one, your jealousy is unattractive. And two, if you don't trust me then there's no reason for us to even exist," now I was angry. Five years, I'd given him, and this is the amount of faith he put in me?
I could appreciate him being uncomfortable with the arrangement, I was too, to be honest, but for different reasons. And maybe Calvin was right. Maybe this chemistry with Marlon was too obvious to ignore. Maybe he could see it too.
"Fine, call me when you know."
I hung up and turned off the phone, knowing he'd call right back.
It was his modus operandi; saying something that would induce my guilt and then begging for forgiveness.
I was too tired to deal with his shit.
With my suitcases already there, I decided to change into cleaner, more comfortable clothes and throw my hair into a messy bun before going back out to the kitchen that led into the living area.
The whole place was on one floor and open plan, it was airy and spacious. I loved everything about it. From the terracotta interior to the plush sofas facing the bay windows.
As I stepped out of the hall, the smell of spices wafted my way and drew me in.
"Oh my god, what is that?" I said and even I could hear the awe in my voice.
"Just a little something I put together," Marlon called out, satisfaction written all over his face.
I sat at the bar, my face in my hands, and watched him stirring the vegetables and chicken in a wok, the aroma a blessing to my hungry stomach.
"It smells heavenly," I told him truthfully, "I bet this gets the ladies every time," I had no idea why I'd said that, it was out of line.
"I mostly cook for the guys or for Emma," he said, his back to me as he worked his utensils like a pro.
"Who are the guys? And Emma?" I tried for nonchalance, after all, I didn't know much about him and I was just trying to be polite. The fact he was cooking for another woman all the while flirting with me didn't bother me in the slightest.
Nope. Not at all.
"My partners, Ethan and Luca, ," he said, turning to the side and adding a bit more chopped garlic, green and red bell peppers and a small handful of sliced mushrooms, "you'll probably meet them at some point, maybe in Finland."
"That sounds nice," I remembered him telling me about the guys now that he’s said their names. I looked over to see how Dad was holding up and to my delight, he was sitting in a lounger with a drink, the evening light dropping to a pleasant hue of purples and pinks.
"And Emma?" I added, getting up and taking out the plates to set the table.
"Ah, she's something all right," he laughed, shaking his head, "She's keeping my baby boy as we speak, making sure he doesn't get into trouble."
I froze, my fingers in the cutlery drawer, my mouth hanging open and my eyes bulging from my sockets.
"A baby boy? You're a father?" I blurted out, shocked that he'd be leaving his son for such an extended period of time.
"You should see your face, right now. It's pure gold," he chuckled, throwing me a wink and a smirk that would make any woman's panties melt right off.
"You're an asshole!" I cried out.
"Admit it, you were a little jealous there, weren't you?" Oh, the nerve of him insinuating that I would care that much about his private life.
"I was not," I started, "I was just shocked that you'd leave your kid. I was scared to be sharing a house with a sociopath." I said, giving him the side eye, "I'm guessing your girlfriend isn't too happy with this arrangement either." Was I fishing for more information?
"Emma is my best friend, she's taking care of Liberace, my pet skunk."
I gasped, my eyes wide and a grin spreading all over my face.
"You have a pet skunk?"
"Yup, just a baby too," he leaned in and whispered, "he'd like you, by the way. Has a thing for beautiful girls."
Pushing him, I laughed it off in order to avoid saying something stupid like, do you think I’m beautiful?
"Dinner's ready," he said, only to me. I quickly jumped back and turned on my heels to go get Dad.
It was going to be a long, torturous month of playing the Don't Fall For Marlon game.
Chapter 16
Marlon
It was going to be a long motherfucking month in good old Oahu, Hawaii, with a perpetual hard-on knocking on the door of my own lust filled room of torture.
Why was I getting so close to her? Every time I leaned in, I could smell her shampoo or maybe it was her shower gel. It didn't matter, it was on her body and my tongue wanted to lick it from her skin.
For our first night in Hawaii, we were all exhausted from the long flight and time-zone changes, so we decided to turn in early. We would have all the time in the world to revel in the beauty of the main island, so we didn't make any plans for our first full day. Instead, we took a stroll around the small neighborhood and checked out the smooth sand beach that was barely a two-minute walk away.
Robert joined us once we headed for the shore, allowing me to carry out a folding chair so he could soak up some vitamin D and contemplate the soul-soothing view. He chose a spot at the shore, where his
feet met the water, sitting, enthralled, by the sheer beauty of the Oahu horizon, Jaidyn planting a fisherman’s hat on his head for protection. I figured for a man like Robert, whose life must have been one speeding train after another, this quiet contemplation must have felt like the world had finally stopped spinning and he could appreciate its finer gifts.
"Wanna go for a walk?" I asked Jaidyn, who seemed oblivious to my struggles at seeing her in that fucking bikini. It was all strings and little cover and I swore that at twenty-eight, I was too damn young to die of a heart attack.
"I don't know, I mean, is it safe for him to be sitting there?" she asked, but I could tell it wasn't actually a question and I didn't get a chance to answer anyway.
"I'm fine, baby doll," her dad answered in my stead, "in fact, I'm perfect right now."
"Are you sure?" She looked around the area as though the late summer crowd would have answers for her.
"Go, I need to be alone," his tone a bit harsher than necessary.
I had a great deal of respect for Robert Hughes, his accomplishments alone earned him the admiration he deserved. But I couldn’t ignore the jolt of anger it provoked in me. The guttural need to shield her from his unintended attacks.
I shouldn't care, it wasn't any of my business. But seeing the way she cared for him, the things she did for him, putting aside her own needs to make sure her dad was comfortable, it was worthy of sainthood.
So far, I hadn't seen many of the bad days that Jaidyn had warned me about. Maybe he was relaxed, looking forward to seeing his bucket list fulfilled. Maybe he was coming to terms with the disease.
Or maybe I didn't know what the fuck I was talking about.
"Come on, Jaybird," I said, a wink from her father telling me that was exactly what he wanted, "I think your dad wants to hit on that hottie over there and as a man, I have sworn on the Sacred Wingman book that I shall never hinder another man's game," I shrugged, a smirk on my face as I took her hand and pulled away from her father and down the beach with me.
"Okay, but not too far away," she said, unlocking our hands and tightening her ponytail.