“What did you two do to her?” I’m pissed. If they’re the ones who hurt her, then they’re in deep shit.
“I scared her. I didn’t mean to, but she had her ear buds in and didn’t hear me come into the bathroom,” Eric answers.
“Tell him why you were in the bathroom,” Andy says.
Eric walks over to her with the first aid kit. “Shut up, Andy.”
“It’s my fault. I had my music up too loud and didn’t hear him walk in.”
She glances up at me but quickly looks away.
She’s protecting him. Skyla’s beautiful and sweet.
“Eric was staring at her ass while she cleaned the tub. He wanted to meet her to see if she was the total package. He said her face was even prettier. Yeah, his words.”
“Andy, I told you to shut up. I’m sorry, Skyla. It does sound bad when he says it. I shouldn’t have told you that,” Eric says.
“It’s fine. Actually, it’s flattering. I don’t get compliments like that, so thanks.”
She deserves a flood of compliments daily. OH HELL NO! Eric can’t have her, either. I want to tell her not to fall for his bullshit.
“See, she liked it. My honesty is a good thing,” Eric says, looking at me. He needs to get that grin off his face.
“Both of you get out. I’ll take care of her.”
Eric doesn’t look up at me as he fishes through the first aid kit. “I got it, dude. Go back outside.”
“No, get out. She’s working in my house. I need to make sure she’s OK. I think you’ve done enough damage.”
I can tell he doesn’t like what I said, but I don’t give a flying fuck. He hurt the adorable creature. He isn’t getting another minute with her.
“Fine. I’m sorry again, Skyla. I’ll come back and check on you later.”
“You don’t have to do that, but thanks for helping me, and it’s nice to meet you both.”
I couldn’t be happier to get their asses out of my house. They’re my closest friends, but that doesn’t change the fact that they royally get on my nerves sometimes. Shit. Now I’m alone with her. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea after all.
“I’m really sorry to cause you more trouble. I’m able to doctor my own arm, so you can go back outside. I promise I’ll get right to work after I bandage it up.”
“Where’s my housekeeper?” I open the gauze bandage and dig out a packet of antibiotic ointment.
“I’m filling in for her.”
I grab a new washcloth from the closet and wet it. Holding her arm up, I carefully wash off the blood around her cut. I’m distracted by her addictive scent that’s a cocktail of flowers, candy and sex. OK, maybe I’m imagining the sex, but whatever it is has me excited. She turns her head up toward me. I shouldn’t look at her face, but I can’t resist. Those sky blue eyes stare back at me. Damn, she looks scared.
“Don’t worry about working today. I’ll tell the agency you did, so you’ll still get paid.”
She shakes her head at me. “No, I can’t do that. This was my fault, and I’m perfectly capable of working. I don’t even need stitches.”
“You’re not working. Your cut might get infected, so it needs to heal a little first.”
“I’m a tough girl. I can handle a little cut. Do you always order people around and get your way?”
Sweet and sassy. I have the strong urge again to spank her ass among the other things I’d like to do to her. “I do tend to order people around, and I usually get my way. So, you’re not working.”
“Oh I’m working,” she says boldly, glancing back up at me. She’s getting pissed, and I don’t want her mad at me.
“You wouldn’t be hurt if my friend hadn’t been acting like a big pervert. Please don’t work today.”
She better cooperate. ‘Please’ isn’t normally in my vocabulary.
Skyla
He’s actually looking at me, and he said please. I feel like I’m doing something wrong if I don’t work, but I have a feeling this is an argument I’m not going to win. “OK, fine. I don’t feel good about it, but I see it would be futile to try to talk you out of this.”
He’s dressed in a t-shirt, shorts and flip flops. Well, I think they call them slippers here. I’m puzzled as to why he isn’t in swim trunks like his friends. I wish he’d take his shirt off, too. From the look of his other muscles, I’m sure his abs are as impressive as his friends if not more so.
He takes his time doctoring my arm. I try to take deep breaths, savoring the clean smell coming from him, but it’s almost impossible to keep my breathing under control. After he cleans my cut, he puts antibiotic ointment on it and bandages it up.
“Do you live here alone?”
He glances from my arm to my eyes. They’re so dark and mysterious. He’s intimidating, but I find myself wanting to challenge him, as well. Shit. He probably thinks I’m trying to see if he’s single.
“Yes.”
“You have an awesome view. I’m sure you’re aware of that and never take it for granted. I know I wouldn’t. I could stare at that water every minute of the day and never grow tired of it.”
His eyes go back to my cut. I want Eric and Andy to return. They’re friendlier and would make things less awkward.
“I do have a great view.”
Stated matter of fact with no visible emotion. Should I expect different? I search his eyes for something other than sadness, but he’s an enigma. I might be imagining, but it feels as if he dragged out the process of doctoring my arm longer than need be. He finally let’s go of it.
“Thank you. I guess I’ll go now. Sorry again for all of the trouble.”
He nervously looks to the ground and back up again. “OK. Can I get your last name, so I’ll know it when I call the cleaning agency?”
“It’s Moore.” After gathering my supplies, I walk to the front door. He follows me but keeps a fair distance between us. I turn and smile. “Thanks for fixing up my arm and for paying me. I still don’t feel right about it.” Silence again. “Um, maybe I’ll see you around sometime.”
“Bye, Skyla.”
I wish he would give something away. A smile would be nice. I shut the door thinking maybe he wanted to say more …. wishing he would’ve said more.
Plan Put in Motion
Chase
The door shuts, and I feel something good inside. For the first time in months, I feel something other than guilt and pain. Worthy or not, I have to find a way to keep her around for as long as possible. After the time I think it would’ve taken her to clean, I grab my phone off the kitchen counter.
“Hi, this is Chase Kalani. Skyla Moore just finished cleaning here. She did a great job, so I wanted to let you know. Also, I’d appreciate it if you would send Ms. Moore whenever Hilda’s unable to work.”
That was easy enough. The next part will be a little more challenging. I dial another number.
“Hilda, this is Chase. I wanted to make sure nothing was seriously wrong since you couldn’t make it today. No, the girl did great. Your husband had to have hip surgery? That’s terrible. Could I have your address? I’d really like to stop by in the next couple of days. I want to give you something.”
I hang up, knowing I’ve reached a whole new level of pathetic.
Eric
After I finish surfing, I go into Chase’s to check on Skyla.
“Cuz, where’s Skyla?”
“She’s gone.”
“Damn, I was going to ask her out.”
“Don’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I said,” he replies, sounding irritated.
He really pisses me off sometimes. “Chase, I’ve put up with your dictatorship attitude almost all my life, but we all know you’re not going to go out with her, so if I see her again, then I’m asking.
“We’ve already had the talk about what you’re doing to yourself, so you know how I feel about it, but you can’t keep trying to hold everyone else back, too. You need to get out of t
his self-pity bubble you’re living in. If you don’t stop punishing yourself, then you might as well have died with Bud.”
I see his icy glare.
“Yes, I said his name. You need to hear it. It’s been nine months, so it’s time for you to start living again. You’ve lost almost a year of your life.”
I go back down the steps to surf. I probably shouldn’t get my hopes up too much when it comes to Skyla. I already sense that Chase likes her. I guess that would be a good thing.
He’s punished himself long enough for Bud’s death. Actually, a lot of other people punished him enough. He didn’t need to add to it, but I guess the guilt he feels is still haunting him. I’m glad Chase has made some positive changes, but it serves no purpose if he’s going to stay locked up in this house.
Chase
Two days pass, and I can’t wait any longer. After signing the check, I take a deep breath and slip it into my pocket. Hilda agrees to see me early this morning before she leaves to visit her husband at the hospital. Driving down the road, I think about Skyla’s striking, blue eyes and fantasize about the cleavage I managed to stare at the entire time I was bandaging her arm. I might’ve stood there longer than necessary.
She hardly looked up at me, so I got to watch the top of those tempting, soft looking mounds shift whenever she moved. They are the perfect size and need to be in my mouth, but my eyes are going to be the only thing on them.
I pull into Hilda’s driveway and knock on the door. I feel bad to see that she lives in a shithole. She was my parents’ housekeeper for years, and I don’t understand why she’s working for an agency.
I should’ve hired her privately, let her do more for me, so she could’ve made more money. I’ll never stop being reminded of what a dirt bag I used to be. This hellhole is reminding me now.
“Chase, it’s so nice to see you. Come in please. You’ve never wanted to come to my home before. Did I do something wrong?” She gives me a very worried expression.
“No, Hilda. It’s the opposite, actually. I owe you an apology. I haven’t thanked you enough for all you’ve done for my family and me over the years. I should’ve paid you more.”
She shakes her head. “No, Chase. You’ve been great to work for and very generous, and your parents were always so kind to me. Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you. I’m not going to stay. I know you probably need to get to the hospital to see your husband. Do you remember the times you’ve mentioned to me about wanting to retire?”
Uncertainty spreads across her face. Oh shit. I’ve scared her. I have that effect on women.
“Yes, I recall we’ve discussed that many times, but I’m not able to retire yet. Maybe in another year or two. I have to take time off to care for Kamuela due to his hip surgery, so that will set me back awhile.”
Her eyes search my face, and I can tell she’s wondering where I’m going with this. I pull the check out of my pocket and hand it to her. I never have conversations like this. It’s going to be uncomfortable as hell.
Her eyes grow five times their size, and I pray the check doesn’t give her a heart attack. I can’t take feeling responsible for another person’s death. Bud’s is enough. There, I said his nickname in my head. That’s a start.
“Chase, I don’t understand. What is this?”
“It’s for you and your husband. Now you can retire. You deserve it.”
She tries to give it back. I’d counted on that happening at least a few times, but I get my way nine times out of ten, so I push her hand back toward her. Dammit, I’m going to have to say the mushy shit, so she’ll keep it.
“Hilda, I’ve never been one to do for others. I’ve never given any money away other than to my friends, so I need to do this. My parents would be pleased, as well. I don’t want you struggling.”
“Chase, I—”
“You’ve worked hard your entire life, so please keep this. Then you won’t have to work anymore. You’ll be here every day to take care of your husband with no worries.”
“Chase, I can’t accept this. I would’ve thought a hundred dollars was too much, and you’re trying to give me a hundred thousand.” She stares at the check in one hand while holding her other hand to her chest.
“Look. I don’t like to hear the word no. This is as much for me as it is for you. You have to take it. I won’t accept you not keeping it. If you tear up my check, I’ll go to the bank and have it deposited into your account. Let me do this for you and your husband.”
She gazes at me. I’m sure it’s a huge internal struggle, especially for someone who’s lived without and worked so hard, but she knows me. Hilda is aware that I had a spoiled upbringing and wouldn’t give it to her if I didn’t really want to. Unfortunately, she knows the old Chase.
“OK. I’ll accept it. Only because I can tell it’s something you need to do, and your parents would be very upset with me if I didn’t.”
I jump from my seat and hug her. I don’t know where that came from, and she seems as surprised as I am. I pull away, and Hilda is crying. I’ve never understood this with women, but I think I made her happy.
“I can’t thank you enough, Chase. You have no idea what this means for our future.”
“So, you promise you won’t go back to the agency? If you ever need work for some reason, you come to me.”
“Yes, I promise. I’ll quit today.”
It worked. Skyla will be back. I leave after I get Hilda to stop crying. I never would’ve thought to give her the money if I didn’t want to see Skyla again, but I still did the good deed, which is a start for me. I don’t know if I can get any more pathetic. I paid a hundred thousand dollars to spend only brief moments with a woman I won’t give myself permission to touch. I could have the best prostitutes on the island for less money. That’s what the old me would’ve done with it.
Skyla
Guilt eats at me. I can’t stand knowing Chase lied to the cleaning agency. I didn’t earn that money, and I’m not about to take it for nothing. I’m off today, but I decide to go to Chase’s to clean. If he isn’t there, then I’ll wait for him.
Yes, there’s a part of me looking for an excuse to see him, but at least I have a legitimate one. With my cleaning supplies in hand and a magazine, I head out the door.
Chase doesn’t answer when I knock. I debate on using the key, but since I’m not supposed to be in the house today, I decide against it and walk around to the back. I sit on the bottom of his steps that lead up to his patio.
At least I’ll get to enjoy part of my day relaxing by the ocean in between checking for Chase’s arrival back home. Another reason I return is for the victory. He’s already ordered me around enough times, so he isn’t winning the next battle. I will be cleaning today.
“Skyla.”
I look to my right and see Eric walking toward me.
“Hi.”
“What are you doing on Chase’s steps?” he asks.
“I’m waiting for him to come home. I didn’t get to clean the other day, so I’m going to do it today.”
“Good luck with that. If he doesn’t know, he won’t like you springing this on him.”
I frown. “Is he always so overbearing? He’s not going to keep ordering me around.” I probably shouldn’t have said that to his friend, but Chase needs to get over himself.
Eric laughs. “Yes, he is, and I might have to witness this verbal exchange. How’s your arm healing?”
“It’s healing nicely. It isn’t that bad of a cut, so that’s why I’m back. I need to do my job.”
Eric studies me nervously, obvious from his fidgeting. “Skyla, would you want to get some dinner with me?”
Wow. I didn’t expect that. Chase is the only man I’ve thought about for the last couple of days, but he’s shown zero interest in me, and I’m lonely. My brother was shipped off to Afghanistan almost as soon as I got off the plane three months ago.
“Sure, that’d be nice.”
His
eyes light up. It definitely won’t pain me to stare at those blue eyes for a couple of hours.
“OK, great. Is tonight too soon?”
“No, would seven work?”
“Yeah, um, I don’t have anything to write down your address and phone number.”
He’s right about that. All he has with him is a surfboard and the swim trunks he’s wearing.
“How about I leave it with Chase?”
“Um, OK. I guess that’ll work.” Eric glances away from me.
He doesn’t seem too hip on that idea. What is it with Chase? It’s as if he can’t be disturbed.
“Well, don’t let me keep you from your surfing.”
He gives me a warm smile. “Talking to you is just as enjoyable, but I’ll leave you alone. I’ll call you after I get your number.”
“See you tonight, Eric.”
Rejection and Drive
Chase
I get home around eleven and remember Eric’s going to be over to surf. Looking out the back windows of my home, I think of Skyla saying she’d never take the view of the ocean for granted. I soak it in a little longer for her.
After spotting Eric, I walk outside to go down to the beach. I reach the top of the stairs and freeze. She’s sitting on my bottom step. I know I just paid a hundred grand to see Skyla again, but I thought I’d have to wait until she walks the beach or comes next week to clean.
“Hi,” I say.
She turns her body half way around and looks up at me. “Hi, Chase.”
“What are you doing here?” I try not to sound cold, but it comes out that way.
“I was just waiting for you, so I can clean.”
“That’s not necessary. You can just do it next week.”
“Next week?”
Oh, shit. She doesn’t know about that. “I mean, whoever comes next week. It’ll be fine until then.”
“No, I can’t stand that you told the agency I did the work when I didn’t, so I’m staying.”
The Mermaid and her King Page 2