"Let's go, Becky," Alix said, not even acknowledging him.
"Bec, can we talk?" Zach asked, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice.
"Not now, Zach," she said softly.
"When?"
Rebecca shrugged. "I'll let you know." Then she left. With Alix.
Zach stared at them, frozen on the spot. He had absolutely no idea what to do next. Well, he could act on what was going through his mind—which was to haul Rebecca over his shoulder and carry her back to his room so they could talk and make up. But guilt from his past actions stopped him. He'd thought horrible things about her and he'd hurt her deeply. He didn't have the right to act like a caveman with her.
Had he completely stuffed it up? Christ, he hadn't even told her how he truly felt. He'd been holding it back, hoping to stack up his "proof" so she wouldn't have any reason to doubt him. Would he ever have the pleasure of hearing those three words come out of her lips again?
"I love you, Bec," he whispered to the wind while strong hands squeezed his heart unmercifully.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
"Would you tell me what he's done to make you so mad at him?"
Rebecca shook her head. "It doesn't matter, Alix."
"Of course it matters," Alix said. "You were all alone by the pool, looking so sad, then I saw you wipe away a tear. I knew right then that Zach must have made you cry."
"I really don't want to talk about it, if you don't mind."
"Okay. I'm sorry. So would you like to have dinner with me and a couple of my friends? We could invite Sarah, too. Just for fun. Maybe we could all go to the casino or do something lively afterwards."
Rebecca hesitated. She really didn't feel like doing any of those things. All she wanted was to hide herself in her room and cry some more.
"It won't be a date, Becky," Alix said softly. "I just want to be a good friend tonight. I promise you the drunk guy of the other night wasn't really me."
Rebecca sighed. There were still two weeks to go on this trip. Somehow she needed to find things to do that would keep her sane. Wallowing in the hurt inflicted by Zach wouldn't help. Being with other people to get her mind off him would.
"Okay," she heard herself say to Alix.
"Great! I'll see you at, say, six-thirty? I'll organise everything."
*****
"What?! How dare he think that of you?" Trey exclaimed.
"So I wasn't being unreasonable by not talking to him, right?" Rebecca asked her brother, needing validation for her actions. She couldn't shake off Zach's distressed look earlier by the poolside. It tugged at her heart, but she had been too hurt and had wanted to hurt him back. Now she felt guilty at what she'd done.
"The idiot believed you agreed to be the mistress of a married man because he—I—gave you an apartment? How outrageous that someone with his money and power could get very simple facts so very wrong!" Trey said, his tone matching his words.
"He did have good reasons to be cautious of women he dates," Rebecca said, suddenly wanting to defend Zach against her brother's indignation. "After their tragic family accident two years ago, the media haven't let up on them—especially on the three brothers' love lives. That's why I've only told you about him now. Not that I think you would have blabbed our relationship to other people, but I was just being extra cautious."
"I understand that part. But getting back to this guy, how come he hasn't figured out what kind of person you are from the four months that you were together?" Trey asked.
Rebecca inhaled sharply. That part really hurt.
"Forget about him," Trey said. "There are plenty of fish in the ocean. In fact, you're at sea now. Why don't you try to catch another one while you're there?"
"What if I don't want to forget about him?" she asked in a small voice.
"After how he treated you?"
"He hasn't exactly treated me badly. He just thought I was bad and he reacted to that. I think there's a difference."
"Well, I don't approve of anyone thinking badly of you."
Rebecca smiled. "Thank you, my darling brother. But isn't that just a matter of pride? And if I remember correctly, didn't you try to put your best friend's then-girlfriend—now wife—through some sort of gold-digger test yourself?"
"I was just being protective of Dylan," Trey mumbled defensively. "And Ari has forgiven me and she loves me now. Anyway, you're the one who called me to complain about Zachary Carmichael."
"Yes," she sighed. "Zach did say he was sorry."
"Bec, in the end, you make your own decision," Trey said softly. "And if you want to follow your heart, I'm all for that. But the question is does this guy really love you? You deserve to be with someone who does."
Rebecca's eyes welled up.
No. Zach still had not said he loved her.
*****
"You okay, sweetie?" Sarah asked.
"Yeah, thanks," Rebecca responded. "But you know what? This loud music is giving me a headache. Maybe I should go back to our room."
"How about we go to a quiet lounge? Don't go back to the room yet. You'll just wallow."
"Okay. Let's go."
They searched for Alix and his friends and said their goodnights.
"I'll go with you," Alix said.
"You don't have to, Alix. Stay here and enjoy the night with your friends."
"No, I'd rather join you girls. A quiet drink would be good."
*
They decided on the closest lounge they passed and found a table near the door.
"Quiet enough for you?" Alix asked as he pulled out a chair for Rebecca.
"Sure," Rebecca answered. There was some jazz music playing, but at least it wasn't blaring like it was at the nightclub.
They were deciding on what to have when Rebecca's phone vibrated. "It's my sister-in-law," she said to Alix and Sarah as she rose from her seat. "I'll take this outside."
Alix grabbed her hand before she could leave. "What do you want me to order for you?"
"Uh, a cocktail. Maybe Sarah can choose for me." She was conscious that Alix's thumb was stroking her hand. She pulled her hand from Alix's grasp and walked out, only to gasp in surprise. There was Zach, his hands in his pockets, staring at her with bleak eyes.
"Zach."
He smiled at her with a mixture of resignation and sadness—a smile that didn't reach his eyes, but touched her soul.
"I, um, my phone was ringing and it's my sister-in-law," she babbled, shaken by his expression. She glanced at the device in her hand and noticed it had stopped ringing. "I have to call her back," she murmured absently.
"You want me to go away?" Zach asked softly.
"Were you on your way somewhere?"
"At the risk of you hating me even more, no. I was actually following you."
"Why?"
Anguish lined Zach's expression. "I can't stand this, Bec. I can't stand you not wanting to talk to me. I can't stand you... being out with another man," he said with a pained look in the direction of the lounge entrance.
"I have a heck of a lot of explaining to do," he continued earnestly. "I'm just asking that you give me that chance to explain. Even then, you may not want to forgive me. But I need you to know that I—"
"Becky?" Alix called out.
"Please give us a moment, Alix," she said, annoyed at the interruption. More so because Zach had looked even more upset. She'd never seen him like that before.
"I'll just tell Sarah I'm going with you," she said to Zach. "We can go to your room."
*****
Rebecca glanced at Zach as they made their way to his suite. He was quiet and his hands were still in his pockets. She wanted to reach out and soothe him, and take that troubled look from his face.
Suddenly, she couldn't remember why she'd been mad at him. Was what he did really so unforgivable that she'd let him suffer? She couldn't stand seeing him like that. Her heart couldn't take it.
Oh God. She loved him so.
They arrived at his sui
te just as she'd arrived at a conclusion. If Zach's demeanour was anything to go by, then he was indeed hurting a lot as well. That would mean he really cared about her, right? Maybe even loved her? Or was she just trying too hard to wish a dream to reality?
Zach let out a gusty exhale as he closed the door behind them.
"Bec."
She turned to face him and her heart compressed at his sad expression.
"I love you," Zach said quietly. "I want you to know that before anything else gets said."
She gasped and stared at him. Did she hear him right?
"I'm so sorry," Zach continued. "I don't know how to fix my mistakes. All I can do is plead and beg for yet another chance."
She gave him a teary smile. "What are you doing just standing there? Come here and kiss me."
The shock on Zach's face was priceless. He stared at her for long seconds before scooping her up and kissing her senseless.
"I'm so sorry. I love you. I love you so much," Zach mumbled against her lips, his hands restlessly stroking her back.
Rebecca moaned, all misgivings melting against Zach's passionate onslaught. She pressed herself harder against him, desire swiftly taking over. It was as if a dam had broken, and all her feelings and needs were gushing out unrestrained. He loved her!
Just when she was ready to tear off their clothes, Zach pulled away.
"Do you want to talk first, baby?" he asked huskily.
She made a little whiny sound, pulling his mouth back to hers and trying to wrap a leg around him. But her blasted dress was too tight, so she settled for rubbing herself against him instead. Somehow, she wanted to show Zach that whatever was to come next was just for clarification—that it wouldn't have any impact on the fact that she loved him and wanted to move forward with him, leaving behind all the misunderstandings and mistakes they'd both made.
Zach groaned and unzipped her hastily, heatedly kissing the skin he'd exposed while undressing her. By the time her dress was on the floor, her legs felt like jelly.
Zach lifted her up and placed her on the bed, then took his clothes off impatiently.
"So no talking yet?" he asked as he covered her with his hard body.
"Later," she said, cupping his beloved face that now wore an expression in stark contrast to the gloomy one he'd worn earlier on. "Except for one thing."
Zach raised his eyebrows.
"I love you, Zach."
He let out a shaky breath, his eyes showing the depths of his emotions. "Oh, Bec, I love you, too. I promise to say that to you every day from here on in."
"More than once a day?" she asked playfully.
"Every chance I get, sweetheart," he promised.
Her heart bursting, she reached between their bodies and captured his hard erection, eager to make him feel good.
Zach grunted, his already hard breathing becoming even more laboured.
All words left Rebecca's mind as Zach put a sensitised nipple in his mouth. When his fingers found her wet centre, a lusty sound escaped her, and she tugged on his length faster.
"Stop, baby," Zach panted, moving his lower body out of her reach by crawling down her legs. He kissed and licked the parts of her that he passed, all the way down to her toes. Then he kissed his way back up, pushing her legs further apart as he reached the apex.
"Ah, so wet," he whispered, his eyes dark and hooded as he dipped his finger in her juices before rubbing it on her swollen nub.
"Oh, God. Zach!" she cried out as pleasure bolts erupted from where he was touching her. She was so close and she didn't want to come yet, but she couldn't find it in her to make him stop. It just felt too good. When his mouth sucked her clit gently and he inserted his fingers in her warmth, she keened, calling out his name as her body clenched over and over.
A frustrated groan came out of Zach as he abruptly left the bed to head for the bathroom. When he came out, he was fumbling with the condom packet.
"Let me put it on you, honey," she said, sitting up on the bed.
"No mouth," Zach warned. "I'm too close. I need to be inside you."
With a sensuous smile, she took the condom from him and unrolled it along his impressive hard-on. "Mmm, promise I can kiss it later?"
"I'll be begging for your mouth later, baby," he said as he flopped on the bed. "Right now I'm begging for your pussy. Please."
How could she say no? She straddled him and guided his cock onto her waiting entrance. They both moaned loudly as she sheathed his hardness. Pleasure began to build within her again as she rocked on top of him. Before long, she was moving faster, her movements as uncontrollable as Zach's bucking hips.
"Oh, Bec... so fucking good, baby..." Zach gasped, his face contorting as his climax loomed.
Rebecca reached for her swollen nub, wanting to reach the crest with Zach.
Zach's breathing became harsher, his hips flexing faster as he watched her busy finger and the joining of their bodies. Then, with an animalistic groan, he exploded inside her and she too toppled over the edge, her body following in response as she came hard all over him.
*
"You're amazing. I love you," Zach whispered in her ear as they caught their breath.
Rebecca smiled, making herself more comfortable sprawled on top of him. She was thrilled to bits that Zach wasn't holding back on saying those words anymore. "I love you, too, honey. Now we can talk."
"Okay," Zach said, kissing her hair.
Zach spoke softly, explaining his side of the story starting from the time when they first broke up seven months ago.
She couldn't help the tear that escaped when Zach told her about Phillip's bungled "investigation", and how his heart had broken at the thought that she'd lied to him about her feelings.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Zach said, wiping the wetness from her face. "With all the ridiculous press coverage that had gone on after the accident, you wouldn't believe how many women turned up at our doorstep with the intention of seducing us—mostly for money." He tilted her head with a finger under her chin. "I've never thought that you were like them—until Phillip's story. I think it was easier for me handle that you were a gold-digger rather than face the fact you'd replaced me with another guy."
"Both of which weren't true," she said to him gently.
He nodded with a regretful smile. "I wish I'd taken your calls. But I had Jeff and Greg who'd practically forced me to move on. I just can't believe all three of us believed Phillip. I'm now convinced that the only thing that idiot is good at is acting and making up tall tales."
"Phillip told me the other day you guys were having me investigated again."
"No. I did ask Jeff to check out the man who gave you the apartment, after we had sex on this ship for the first time. But even before I got an answer, I'd already decided to steal you away from that guy. Imagine my relief and horror when I found out he was your brother. I asked Jeff to stop then."
"You know what hurt the most?" she asked him softly. "That you thought I'd lied about how I felt about you—that you thought I was after your money."
"I have no excuse, Bec," Zach said, tightening his arms around her. "Could you ever forgive me for that? I promise I'll make it up to you."
She burrowed her face deeper in his neck. "I guess I can understand why you would think that, given your experiences in the last couple of years. Besides, I haven't really told you much about Trey. I just didn't want to talk too much about my family because I didn't want to talk a lot about my mum—or my father."
"Would you tell me more about your parents when you're ready?" Zach asked.
She looked up at him and smiled. "There's not much to tell. My father disappeared when I was two. I don't really know if he left us or if my mum left him, and I don't remember him at all. My mum was beautiful when she was young—she still is even up to now—and she never lacked admirers. She loved to travel and would go away with a new boyfriend for months on end, leaving me and Trey in the care of our grandparents. When we were young, there were bo
yfriends of hers whom Trey and I had gotten close to, only for them to be replaced by another boyfriend after a few months. My mum's excuse was always that the new one was richer, and that she was only doing this for our sake. But she was hardly ever around, and I remember my grandparents having to work hard to raise me and Trey."
"Wow, I'm surprised you still have her in your life after all that."
"Before my grandfather passed away, he made Trey and me promise to never close our doors on Mum. We loved our grandfather and we owe him a lot, so we're still respecting his wishes. I think in my grandparents' eyes, Mum's behaviour is an affliction. Giving it that label made everything easier for them, I guess. As for me, there's a certain level of acceptance of my mother. I don't hate her, and when she's around it doesn't bother me much anymore. What bothers me is when I'm thought of as a gold-digger.
"During my fourteenth birthday party, an ex-boyfriend of my Mum came to our house—our grandparents' place—looking for Mum. He demanded that my mother return the jewellery he gave her. I happened to be wearing a necklace that Mum loaned to me to wear during the party. Turned out that was one of the pieces he'd given her.
"I can still remember the sneering, hateful look he gave me. He said he could see that I was going to be a slutty gold-digger like my mother. All the friends I'd invited to my party were around when he said that. I felt so ashamed. From then on, I made a promise to myself that no one would ever have a reason to call me a gold-digger."
"I'm so sorry, baby," Zach murmured, hugging her so tightly that it made it difficult to breathe.
"Well, it wasn't all bad," she said with a lighter tone, kissing him. "Trey and I were very happy living with our grandparents."
Zach smiled. "We should introduce our grandmothers to each other."
She beamed at him. "Yes. I think they'll hit it off."
Zach pressed a kiss on her forehead, running his hand up and down her arms and back. "So am I forgiven for everything?"
"Do you really love me?" she whispered.
Zach rolled, taking her with him so she was on her back, pinned by his body to the bed. "I love you more than I can say," he said in a serious tone, looking deep into her eyes.
"Then there's nothing to forgive," she murmured, pulling his head down to hers and wrapping her arms and legs around him.
Forever (Time for Love Book 1) Page 15