by J. D. Faver
He felt a squeezing in his chest as the breeze picked up a strand of her hair and blew it across her face. She blinked as, by reflex he reached out to brush the strand away. The slight tinge of color in her cheeks again. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen a woman blush. Clearing his throat, he struggled with the urge to stroke her silky mane again.
“I brought some sunscreen. You’ll need it soon.” He reached into the pocket of his shorts and brought out a tube of number seventy-five SPF. He squirted a little in his palm and handed her the tube. “I’ll get your back.”
She nodded and turned away from him, pulling her hair over her shoulder.
Zach rubbed his palms together to warm the lotion, hesitating before stroking his fingers across her skin. He shook his head. I knew this was a mistake. Her soft, smooth flesh elicited a desire to touch more of her. He carefully worked the sunscreen over her shoulders and around the edges of the scooped back of her suit. Swallowing, he lifted her hair and grazed the back of her neck with the waterproof protective cream.
“Thanks,” she whispered. Zach’s touch seemed to be affecting her as well.
He smiled at that, watching as she studiously bent her head to apply the sunscreen to her legs and arms.
“See that shrimp boat? That’s my friend Mack. He’s a local character, but he has a heart as big as the ocean.”
She followed in the direction he was pointing. “You know everyone around here?”
“Most of the locals. I’ve lived here all my life.”
“And you never thought about leaving?” She gazed up at him curiously.
He shrugged. “I left when I got my education. But I’m a water dog. I have to be in the water somewhere.”
“And you have your research project.” She smiled up at him, her perfect white teeth and dimples complimenting the full pink lips.
He didn’t like the way she made him feel. Some visceral sensation clutched at his chest every time their eyes met. He tried to stem the tide of emotions welling up inside him.
It’s because she’s been injured. He swallowed hard. And because she’s beautiful. He glanced out over the water, then back at her. And because she has that shy, wrapped too tight thing going for her.
The sun sparkled on the water, sending little glints echoing off its still surface.
Skyler wrapped her arms around her knees and stared out at the horizon. “Your friend, Mack, has some company.” Several bay boats chugged across the glassy plane of the Laguna Madre.
He nodded. Sitting this close to her made him want to touch her, to stroke his fingertips over her smooth skin. He cleared his throat. “Want to go in for a swim?”
She flashed a grin at him. “Yes, but I’m not the best swimmer.”
“Then this is a good time to test the water. Hardly any waves and I’m here to protect you if you get in trouble.” He cringed as he spoke the words. Do not become the knight in shining armor for another damsel in distress. The rescuer does not get the girl.
But the eager expression on her face sent another twinge of guilt to his heart. Don’t be such a selfish bastard. Skyler didn’t do anything to hurt you. He stood and held his hands out to her, pulling her to her feet much too close to him. He took a step back as she slipped off the shorts and dropped them on his shirt.
He massaged the sudden tightness at the back of his neck. I am such a sad case. Why does the sight of her shorts on top of my shirt turn me on? He shook his head and tossed his sunglasses on top of her shorts. It’s her sweet body in that suit that turns me on. He expelled a long breath of air. Down boy. He cleared his throat. “I’ll race you.”
“Beast!” Skyler’s laughter was a treat. She’d been so guarded, but, at least for the moment, she threw her head back and laughed without looking around for whatever demon haunted her.
“Okay, pokey. Come on.” Zach held out his hand and they waded into the surf together. He pulled her out into the water, watching to make sure she hadn’t bitten off more than she could chew.
She ducked under the surface and popped back up, the water spangled on her eyelashes.
Zach kept close to her, responding to some strong signal she kept giving off. Save me!
He snorted and ducked under the water, bobbing back up with a clearer head.
He was reading her signals as something personal when, in fact, her neediness was something she’d brought to the island with her. It came along as part of her personal property, like a bed or table. It had nothing to do with him. Skyler Danforth didn’t need Zachary Bailey.
But she did need saving. From what, he didn’t know.
Zach set out swimming with long easy strokes, leaving the beach behind. He kept glancing back to make sure she stayed close. Sky did better in the water than on dry land. She swam in his wake, her slender arms slicing through the water with grace.
He had to admire her style, or maybe he just had to admire her. Zach drew to a stop and she paused beside him, treading water.
Sky laughed; the sound echoing off the water with the chug of shrimp boats as counterpoint. “This is wonderful,” she gasped.
A gentle swell lifted them, pushed them apart, brought them back together. Sky reached out toward Zach and he responded. It was probably reflex, but Zach drew her into his arms, aware that the atmosphere between them suddenly changed.
Skyler gazed into his eyes as he drew her closer. Her eyes strayed to his lips.
Damn! How much can one man take?
Zach lowered his head and before he could make contact, she kissed him. He relished the way she melted against him. Her arms circled his neck as the next swell lifted them.
A war of emotions raged inside Zach. He was very much in the moment, aware of the luscious body crushed against him, of the soft lips pressing his and the taste of her mouth as he invaded with his tongue. But he heard a small voice telling him not to get involved with this woman. She offered way too many opportunities for heartbreak.
His arms ignored the message from his brain, gripping her tight and willing the kiss to go on and on. Skyler’s legs wrapped around his waist and he thought he’d reached Nirvana. Good thing the water was still cold. Otherwise he’d produce a huge erection.
She’d probably be back on shore by now if she got a hint of how she was affecting him.
It wasn’t just that Zach had been avoiding all women since his rejection by Chloe. It was that he hadn’t been intimate with any woman in a long time. Way too long.
She pulled away, her eyes closed, and heaved a sigh. “Wow! Best first kiss ever!”
Zach couldn’t argue with that, but he felt tongue-tied, awkward. He kept treading water, holding Sky and gazing down at her.
She opened her eyes and stared into his. “I’m sorry. The last thing you want to do is get involved with your crazy new neighbor.” She swept her hair back from her face. “I just felt so close to you. For a moment, it was like...like...”
“I know,” he said, his voice gruff. “Don’t worry about it. I won’t take it personally.”
She drew back, stung. “No, I meant...Never mind. I should be getting back.” She sent him a questioning glance and then headed for shore.
That went well.
~*~
Skyler was embarrassed. She’d practically thrown herself at Zach and he wasn’t all that interested. Still, he’d kissed her and it was an amazing kiss, stirring her insides like a blender on high speed. She licked her lips, trying to taste its remnants.
Zach walked along beside her, but he seemed preoccupied. At least she didn’t have to make conversation. She heaved a little sigh of relief when she spied the house with her Audi parked in front. Cassie was awake by now and she might have prepared breakfast.
“Thank you, Zach for taking me for a walk.” She tried to avoid his penetrating gaze. “I enjoyed it.”
“So did I.”
She flashed him a nervous smile, noting his serious expression. Those green eyes could sure look grim.
He shov
ed both fists in the pockets of his swim trunks. “I think I gave you the wrong impression.”
Sky ducked her head and swallowed. Yeah, I thought you wanted me to kiss you.
Zach cleared his throat. “The kiss was great, but it’s just that...”
“Don’t worry about it. I shouldn’t have...”
He held up his hand, effectively silencing her. “It’s just that I haven’t kissed anyone in a while and it took me by surprise.” He stared down at her, trying to gauge her reaction.
“Well, I...I haven’t kissed anybody in a long time either and if I misinterpreted your interest, I’m sorry.” She finished all in a rush, aware that her color was rising. Damn that blush reflex.
One side of his mouth quirked up in a lop-sided grin. “You didn’t misinterpret a thing.”
Sky met his gaze, a shiver playing around her spine.
Zach’s fingers grazed her cheek and he bent down to place a gentle kiss against her mouth.
The fluttering of butterfly wings filled her chest. When he drew away he stood gazing down at her, which made her feel tongue-tied. She sucked in a deep breath and blew it out all at once. “Well, now I know.” She grinned up at him, trying to maintain some semblance of control.
He grinned back. “Now you know.”
He left her and loped back to his balcony, waving before he disappeared inside his house.
Skyler reached the top step as Cassie opened the sliding glass door for her.
“Way to go, Sky! I’m proud of you.”
She smiled at Cassie’s smirk. “And just what is it that you’re proud of?”
Cassie giggled. “I saw that kiss.”
Sky made a noise in the back of her throat. “Trust me, Cass. You did not see the kiss.”
Cassie bounced up and down, clapping her hands in glee. “There was another one? Fabulous! My plan is working.”
Sky collapsed on the sofa, stretching her legs out in front of her. “You have a plan?”
Cassie plopped down beside her. “I think you and Zach make a great couple. My plan is to not get in the way and let nature take its course. I’m all about biological functions, you know?”
Sky felt laughter bubbling up from her insides. “I was having plenty of those.”
“Not a problem. Zach seemed to be pretty involved.”
Sky ran her fingers through her hair, sweeping it off her forehead. “I was shameless. I kissed him first. I grabbed him around the neck and practically begged him to kiss me back.”
Cassie giggled. “I am so proud. How was it?”
Sky fanned her face with both hands. “It was the best kiss I’ve ever had. It was the best kiss in the history of the universe. My insides turned to jelly and I wanted to be naked with him.”
Cassie was grinning, a little blush of her own staining her cheeks.
“Sorry. I forgot who I was talking to.”
Cassie shrugged. “Don’t let my virginal state hold you back. I can live vicariously, can’t I?”
Sky shook her head, at a loss for words.
“Look, Sky. I just never found the right guy. No one worthy of ‘my special gift’, as Mom says. I’m sure it’ll happen before I turn into a crazy old spinster with too many cats.”
Skyler folded Cassie into her arms. “He better be some great guy.”
“He will be. I’ve waited this long. I can wait for the real deal to come along.”
Sky pulled back and examined her little sister’s face. “He could be right here. Maybe some wonderful guy has been kicking around South Padre Island, looking for his dream girl.”
Cassie emitted an indelicate snort. “Right. So far, I’ve seen crusty old shrimpers and a ton of beach boy types.”
Sky chortled. “I would have thought Zach was a beach boy type. Wouldn’t you?”
Cassie considered, returning Sky’s amused expression. “He’s hot, tanned and has that lean muscular body. But when he opens his mouth, you know there’s a brain engaged. I really like his dry sense of humor.”
Sky leaned back against the sofa. “I like his honest, head-on attitude. He doesn’t know how to dissemble. It’s quite refreshing, especially after all the young male residents and interns only interested in nurses for one thing. Even the doctors at my last job were on the prowl and a lot of the nurses played along, hoping to land a doctor husband.”
“Sounds like an unlikely place to meet a dream guy.”
“It was.” Skyler wrapped her arms around herself, staring out the glass at the clear blue sky. “I learned my lesson about partying with my co-workers.”
“Don’t go there. You’ve moved past the accident.”
“A woman and her son died. I have to live with that all of my life.” Tears welled in her eyes.
Cassie’s gaze darkened. “Someone slipped you a date-rape drug. Some complete stinker planned to have sex with you when you were under the influence or unconscious.”
Sky nodded. “But I got in my car and drove. I may have passed out at the wheel. I killed a woman and a child.”
“Sky, stop obsessing about it. The police report said the other driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and she plowed into you. What kind of mother would be driving that fast with her child in the car? She was at fault.”
“But, if I hadn’t tried to get home that night, they might both be alive.” Sky buried her face in her hands.
“You can’t keep rehashing the event. You were lucky to escape the wreckage with your life.”
Sky nodded, mutely.
“And I, for one, am glad you lived through it. Other than the scar on your leg, you’re going to be none the worse for wear.”
Sky focused on Cassie’s face. “Did I say thank you for letting me crash here with you?”
“Lots of times.” Cassie hugged Sky around her shoulders. “And I love having you here. It’s like all those summers with Gram when the parental units dumped us and ran off together.”
“We were such horrible little brats. How did Gram put up with us all summer long?”
“Gram loves us. She thinks we’re her little blessings. Remember?”
“Maybe she’s delusional?”
Cassie put on a horrified expression. “For shame! The woman is sharp as a rapier. Gram does the New York Times Crossword in ink.”
Sky rested her head against the back of the sofa. “It’s good to be important to someone.”
“We’re very important to her.”
The sisters sat, facing each other for a few minutes.
“Want some breakfast?” Cassie asked.
“Sure. I’ll help.”
“Nope. You relax. This is your last day of indolence. Your new job starts tomorrow, so you should just chill out today. Take it easy.
Skyler smiled. “Thanks, Cass. I’m scheduled for a day of orientation tomorrow and then I’ll find out what shift I’m assigned to.”
“Didn’t you put in for days?”
“Yes, but I really don’t care. Graveyards are easiest and I’m thinking that might be a better place for me to slide into when I’ve been off for so long.”
Cassie gave her a dubious look. “Aren’t you scared to be out at night with a stalker roaming around?”
Sky heaved a big sigh. “If he’s going to get me, it doesn’t make any difference what time it is. He tried to run me down in broad daylight.”
“I know. I’m being a worrywart.”
“Just get me something to eat before I faint. I worked up an appetite walking and swimming with Zach.”
Cassie giggled. “And kissing Zach.”
~*~
CHAPTER FOUR
Invitation
Zach ate a bowl of granola and thought about Skyler Danforth. While he’d been reluctant to get involved with her, it appeared that he was. Holding her had felt better than anything he could recall. And kissing her had been unlike any kiss he’d experienced before.
“She’s just a woman,” he said aloud. The sound of his voice within the confines of
his silent home made him shake his head. “Just a woman,” he whispered, grinning.
He rinsed his bowl and spoon and looked around. For the first time in a long time he was not interested in running to his dolphin project. He wanted human companionship, but he couldn’t pop next door again. The awkwardness between himself and Sky needed a little time to repair.
It was too early to show up at the Bait Camp bar and gab with Calvin. Rafael didn’t like him hanging around Chloe, when he wasn’t home. And Zach’s other friends held down real jobs. There was only one place where he would always be welcomed at any hour of the day or night.