by Kristie Cook
Being a demigod, he could stay under the water as long as he liked, but Skylar could not. Knowing he needed to get her up for air, he shot multiple bolts as fast as he could. Finally, the beast disappeared into the abyss.
With incredible speed, Mason swam to shore with Skylar in his arms and laid her down on the sand to begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Getting no response, he pushed onto her chest. With Skylar still unresponsive, he did it again … and again … and again. “Come on.” Finally, water shot out from her mouth, followed by relentless coughing. Looking drained, her body went limp.
“Dou … g. Maccc … .e,” she mumbled, desperately trying to open her eyes.
Doug? Mace? Letting out a short chuckle, he realized she was recalling the nametag on the cop’s uniform he had worn when he pulled her over, and by Mace, she must have meant Mason. Though Nick habitually liked to call him Mace, he couldn’t recall him saying that name in front of her. He was most surprised to hear the name Doug. Mason was sure he’d told her that he wasn’t the cop.
It was a good thing he had been taking a stroll on the pier. When he spotted Skylar, he watched her in fascination, but hid behind the wooden pole when he thought she had spotted him. He hid for only a moment, but when he turned to watch her again, she had disappeared. Frantically he had looked for her, but when there was no sign of her, he dove in.
He knew there was something different, something special about her the night he first looked into her eyes, but he couldn’t determine what it was. Whatever it was, he liked the way she made him feel by her mere presence. Every cell in his body came alive and his heart burst with elation. Though he liked the feeling, at the same time it terrified him. Knowing she would be trouble, mostly for his heart, he had to dismiss her in every way, if he could. He had to. There was no room for her in his life, no room to care, and especially no room to love. He wouldn’t let her in.
Skylar started to turn as her body shivered from the cold. Just before she did, he placed his hands on her forehead, willing the power within him to give her his warmth—one of his many powers. He knew the heat would travel down her spine and immediately spread out to the rest of her, as if she had been wrapped in a heated blanket.
“Mmmm … .” Skylar moaned, falling asleep, welcoming the heat.
Mason watched her as she lay, gazing at her innocent, beautiful face, from her closed eyes and high cheekbones, to her supple lips. Seeing a strand of hair flutter from a sudden breeze, he brushed her face to put it back in place. In accord, a small jolt from his finger sparked her. What was that? His eyes darted to his finger. This was the second time he’d lost control of his power, first when he touched her at the diner, and now here. Was it his doing or hers? He couldn’t be sure. One thing was definite—something warm and pleasant ignited within him when he touched her skin. At that moment, he knew for sure he was in trouble.
Gazing back to her, one question remained. Who was she? The monster wouldn’t go after a human, not only that, he had compelled her to forget when he pulled her over, but it didn’t work. He would have to look into this, but for now, he’d keep it to himself. He didn’t want to put her life in danger if he was wrong.
Trying to decide what to do next, he decided he had two options—one was to stay with her and wait for her cousin to find her, or two, walk away. He decided on the latter when he saw his brother and Kayla coming out of the water nearby. Mason hid behind a boulder by the pier and watched them run toward Skylar. Knowing she was safe, he swam away.
***
“Skylar! Skylar!” Kayla shouted, running with a beach dress pulled over her bikini and her bag over her shoulder. Plunking herself down next to her cousin, she placed her hands on Skylar’s cheeks, then her chest, making sure she was breathing. Skylar being wet from head to toe was evidence that she’d been under water, and her laying there almost lifeless indicated she had almost drowned. Oddly, Skylar’s body felt warm, despite the circumstances. Unable to comprehend the contrast between them, Kayla forgot about it, thanking God Skylar was alive.
Skylar groaned, laying stiffly while trying to peel her eyes open. “Dou … g.”
“Who the heck is Doug?” Nick asked, kneeling beside Kayla.
“I don’t know.” Worriedly, she refocused on Skylar. “Shh … shh … don’t talk. Thank God you’re okay.”
“Let’s take her home,” Nick mumbled.
“Should I take her to the hospital instead?”
Before he could answer, Skylar mumbled. “No … no. Mom … go home.”
Kayla understood. Skylar was right. Skylar’s mom would insist on her going home. Their summer would be ruined for sure. “Okay, okay, but don’t go in the water again. Why were you in the water? You don’t like to go in that deep.” Kayla was so mad at Skylar, but now was not the time to scold her, so she softened her tone.
“Let’s help her up. I’ll help you take her home,” Nick said, already standing.
Kayla’s eyes teared up, wiping them away before peering up to Nick. “Thanks.” What she wanted to do was bawl. If anything happened to Skylar, she didn’t know what she would do. She was more than her cousin. She was her best friend.
Effortlessly, Nick pulled Skylar up, and Kayla threw her beach towel around her. With her arms around Kayla’s and Nick’s shoulders, she looked like a rag doll being dragged.
“Monssserr,” Skylar managed to say.
“Skylar, don’t talk. You almost drowned.” Kayla was disturbed. She couldn’t understand how this could’ve happened. Skylar was always careful—almost too careful. There were a few sports Skylar didn’t like, and swimming was one of them, especially in the ocean. What the heck was she doing? Kayla blamed herself, and swore she would never bring her cousin near the ocean again.
“Dou … g,” Skylar mumbled.
“Is Doug her boyfriend?” Nick asked, chuckling.
Kayla flashed a “be quiet” look to Nick. “We’re almost there,” she said to Skylar. “Rest. Don’t talk.”
The bonfire was out, and Nick’s brothers and their company had gone. Smoke from the fire lingered, and a few empty bottles were buried in the sand. Nick grabbed his bag, slipped into his T-shirt, and wrapped a beach towel around his waist for privacy, quickly changing from his trunks into shorts. After they settled into Kayla’s car, they drove to her house.
Not bothering to rinse the salt water off Skylar, Kayla helped her change out of her swimsuit into the shorts and tank top she always wore to bed, and tucked her in. Then she went to her bedroom where Nick waited for her.
He had spread himself across her bed, looking irresistible with his arms behind his neck to support his head. Kayla inhaled sharply, wondering if she should kick him out or ask him to stay until her mother came home. Being that it was past midnight, her mom was surely on her way and her decision was made.
Nick patted the bed, beckoning her to lie next to him. She did as told, but she suddenly became shy, realizing she was still in her bikini. She had taken off her beach dress, meaning to change into something comfortable after she had taken care of Skylar, but she had forgotten. Being shy rarely happened to her. She didn’t know if it was Nick being in her room, or knowing her mom was on her way home, or if it was her cousin almost drowning tonight. Whatever the reason, she wasn’t in the same mood he was.
“I think we should call it a night. My mom is on her way home.” Kayla pulled in her lips, giving him half a smile, not wanting to disappoint him.
Nick frowned and pouted. “Okay, how about a kiss good-bye?” His fingers trailed from her cheeks, to the side of her neck, over the curve of her shoulder, and finally down her arm.
“Are you trying to seduce me?” Kayla moaned softly, taking in the pleasurable sensation, trying to suppress the heat that rushed through her body.
“You’re still in your bikini. Easy access, you know. How am I to contain myself with a beautiful, half naked girl lying next to me?”
Kayla blushed. He’d called her beautiful. “You’re containing y
ourself pretty well.”
“You spoke too soon.” Nick reached in, kissing the pulsating veins down her neck. At the same time, he positioned her right leg over his hips and ran his hand up her legs.
Maybe I won’t be able to contain myself, she thought. Wanting more of him, she had to break away before things got out of hand. “Nick,” she said, pulling away reluctantly. Still dazed from his caress, she had to clear her thoughts. “We need to figure out how you’re getting home.”
“I’m not going home. I’m sleeping here with you.”
“What?” Kayla’s pitch went up a notch.
“Relax, I’m just joking. I’ve already called my brother. He’ll be here shortly.”
“Which brother?”
“Mason, the reliable one, Mr. Goodboy.”
“The reliable one? Then your older brothers are not reliable?”
“Sometimes.”
“What about you?”
“I’m the bad boy kind.” He pulled her in so fast she didn’t have time to react. He conquered her lips passionately, letting her know he wanted her. His tongue danced with hers, tasting and sucking her deep within him. Kayla found herself on top of him again, as his hand ran smoothly over every inch of her curves. For a while, she forgot where she was, and the fact that her mom was coming home. Lost in his kisses, lost in his sensual embrace, she wanted to stop time.
Heat whizzed through from the tips of her toes to the depths of her mind as she vividly envisioned both of them naked. With that thought, every nerve in her body had awakened. Panting, wanting more of him, she knew she shouldn’t, especially not right now. Not to mention, she didn’t really know him that well. But no matter how hard she fought with her own free will, she couldn’t pull away. He knew all too well how to get her high with ecstasy, pulling her into his world. He was experienced all right, that she knew for sure, and she knew from that moment that he would be hard to resist.
Just when she felt her top loosening, they were interrupted by the sound of the garage door opening. Still out of breath, Kayla climbed off him and re-hooked her top. “My mom is home. And … and you can’t be here.” She paced around, looking for a place for him to hide.
“Relax.” Gently, he placed his hand on her shoulder. “Go downstairs and get her away from the door. I’ll sneak out.”
“Okay.” Kayla took a deep breath. No biggie. I can do this. “Will I see you again, bad boy?”
“Of course. This Friday night at Starla. It’s a restaurant and club. I’ll text you.”
“But I didn’t give you my cell number.”
“Don’t worry. I have it.” He twitched his brows. “Now go before I show myself to your mother.”
Kayla slipped into her beach dress and ran downstairs. When she noted her mom was in the kitchen, she ran back upstairs, but Nick was gone. Strange … she didn’t see him leave, and the front door was locked. He couldn’t have gone through the window. She dismissed it, checked on her cousin, and went downstairs again to greet her mom. But she couldn’t shake the hot sensation that still lingered from Nick’s touch.
SEVEN
The next morning, Skylar woke up with a huge, pounding headache, and her lungs felt like an over blown balloon ready to pop. Not only that, she felt as if she’d swallowed half the ocean. Her muscles ached, especially her arms and legs, and her body throbbed like she had the flu. She wondered if last night was a dream, but when Kayla entered her room looking concerned, she knew it wasn’t.
“How are you feeling?” Kayla sat on the edge of the bed.
“I feel horrible. I’m sore all over.” Skylar suddenly realized how parched she was. Swirling her tongue to produce extra saliva didn’t help. It felt as if she had swallowed a handful of sand. She noted she was in her shorts and a tank top, and wondered how she’d gotten home.
“Nick and I brought you home and I changed you.”
“Thanks,” Skylar said, feeling embarrassed she had caused trouble.
“You scared me last night. You were supposed to look at the water, not swim in it. What happened?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure. I know it sounds strange, but I can’t remember how it happened.”
“You kept saying Doug and monsters.”
“I did?”
“You don’t like to go in that deep. What made you do it?”
“I don’t know. I saw a light. I guess I lost track of how deep I was going.” Skylar was confused. She thought she’d seen something like a sea monster, and she was almost sure Doug … or Mason … had saved her. She blew it off, thinking she was delusional since she had been unconscious and sea monsters didn’t exist. “Don’t worry. I won’t ever do that again.”
“You better not,” Kayla scolded. “You scared the life out of me. If something were to happen to you … .” Kayla’s eyes became teary.
“Hey,” Skylar said, noting Kayla’s sadness. “I’m okay.” She pulled her in for a hug and changed the subject. “So, what happened after?”
Kayla blushed. Her eyes sparkled, telling Skylar about them making out on her bed. She also told her about the restaurant-club they were invited to.
Skylar rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. We don’t even know them.”
“He didn’t ask us to go to his house. We’ll be out in public.”
Kayla was right. Other people would be there. She guessed it would be fine. Not wanting to burst her cousin’s bubble, she agreed. Watching Kayla’s eyes twinkle the way they did when she talked about Nick, she knew Kayla was in trouble.
To Skylar, Nick and his brothers were out of their league. Not only were they mega rich, they seemed more experienced, and they were the type that didn’t mind breaking young girls’ hearts. They fell under the category her mom termed bad boys.
“Sure, I’ll go with you. Someone’s gotta watch over you,” Skylar teased.
“Well, you won’t be near the ocean, so at least I’ll know you’re safe.”
Skylar smiled. “Let’s get some breakfast. I need to take something to get rid of this awful headache. Does your mom know what happened last night? You didn’t call my mom, did you?”
“You think I’m crazy? No way. You would’ve been out of here by now. Your mom would personally come and snatch your butt.”
Skylar’s tense body relaxed. “Just checking. Speaking of which, I’d better give her a call.”
After Skylar showered, got dressed, and called her mom, she went downstairs to greet her aunt and eat breakfast, then they were on their way to the diner.
As usual, it was empty when they walked in. The breakfast rush was over.
“Hey, Jack. Hey, Mona,” the girls greeted.
“Hey, girls. Back again, huh?” Mona cheered. “To eat or to work?”
“To work,” Kayla replied.
“How are my two Barbie dolls?” Jack asked from the kitchen.
The girls giggled. “Just peachy,” Kayla answered. “Get it, Jack? Peach pie is our special today, right?”
Jack chuckled. “It’s Monday.” Jack’s tone was cheerful like it was every day. He was always carefree and full of life.
“So how was the beach last night?” Mona asked.
The girls flashed their eyes to each other and busted out laughing.
“That good, huh?” Jack said.
“Sorry, it’s just that … ,” Skylar started to say and lost her words. She didn’t know what to say without providing too much information.
“Yup, we had the best time ever.” Kayla turned to Skylar and winked.
***
Without warning, Kayla jumped like she had just sat on tacks, then pulled out her cell phone from the back pocket of her shorts. “My cell phone. It vibrated.” Kayla laughed out loud, playfully sticking out her tongue, mostly embarrassed by the way she’d leapt off the floor. Looking at her text, she beamed a huge smile.
Hey good girl.
Hey bad boy.
What cha doing?
I’
m working.
Shall I come over and be a bad boy?
No!
How’s your cousin?
Skylar is fine thx for asking.
See you Friday at 9.
Will Mason be there?
Don’t know. Wear something hot.
Haha … in your dreams. I’ll wear my PJs if I want to.
Frown.
Or nothing … giggle.
Oh, I like. I’m already picturing you.
Gotta go. Customer.
No!
***
Seeing Kayla engrossed in her text and giggling to herself, Skylar had a hunch it was from Nick. After Kayla placed her phone back in her pocket, she caught Skylar’s eye. “From Nick,” she mouthed and turned to look at Mona, who was scowling at her.
“Put that away, young lady,” Mona scolded, pinching Kayla’s cheeks. “Ahhh … to be young again. When I was your age—”
“Don’t scare the girl,” Jack laughed, and the other customers joined in on the humor.
Mona shook her head, giggling, and went to greet more customers. “Hello, boys.”
When they walked in, all eyes turned to them. With their swaggering cool steps, they looked like four male runway models. Skylar’s eyes grew wide and she was stunned. Mason was there again, but this time he was there with all of his brothers. The oldest, Everett, was the tallest. Remus and Mason looked similar, with dark hair and sensual greenish-blue eyes, while Everett and Nick had light hair and dark eyes. They all wore shorts and black T-shirts that had different designs on them, except for Mason. He wore a sky blue T-shirt, which brought out the enticing color of his eyes.
Surprised Kayla hadn’t warned her, Skylar gave her a questioning look. Ignoring Skylar, Kayla lit up like the sun and took them to their seats. Besides Nick, who greeted Skylar with a smile, none of the brothers looked her way. After Kayla took their orders, she headed to Jack.
Skylar tried her best not to look, but she couldn’t help herself. Every time she glanced Mason’s way, as if he knew she would, he would catch her gaze. But once their eyes met, he too would drop his, as if he didn’t want to get caught looking at her either. Many times, she’d replayed in her mind how she was going to tell him off, but seeing him now, her anger had tapered.