The Matchup

by Alice Ward

  No. Nothing was okay. Nothing would ever be okay again.

  Somehow finding the strength and tact to turn and face her, I stuffed my hands in my pockets so I wouldn’t pull her into my arms. “Yeah, it’s great. Give me a yell when you’re finished writing and maybe we can hang out.”

  I hated the way I was feeling. My insides were all wiggly. Maybe it wasn’t her that was having that effect on me. Maybe it was the food. Yeah, it was probably the food. Food poisoning made more sense than what I was thinking.

  Love.

  No, that wasn’t it. Love was a ridiculous notion.

  I’d just met the chick.

  But her face had fallen, her shoulders drooped. I’d hurt her, and it was like a kick to the gut. I hadn’t meant to do that.

  Just walk away, Zane. Don’t look back. If you make direct eye contact, you’ll be going right back inside, and lose yourself to the vixen. Keep going, man.

  But I just stood there, my feet planted to the floor.

  “Zane?” Her soft hand grabbed mine before I could make my getaway.

  “Yes?”

  She licked her lips. “Can I have one more kiss?”

  Fuck.

  I cupped her face with my hands, desperate to do just that. But if I kissed her right now, I’d never stop until I was inside her. And once I was inside her, I’d never want to leave.

  “I think it’s best we leave things on a friendly note right now. I don’t want to get in your way.”

  She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it and nodded. “Thank you for a lovely island welcome.”

  I nodded and leaned down to kiss her cheek. Even that was a mistake. It was so hard to pull back. “Sleep well.”

  With an act of willpower I never knew I possessed, I pulled away and stepped through her door. When it closed softly behind me, I almost turned and burst back inside.

  But I needed to think. I needed to understand what was happening in my head. I didn’t want to do anything we would both regret. In the space of a few hours, I’d come to care about her more than that.

  Once I was safely inside my bungalow, I picked up my cell and called the one man I trusted. My college roommate, Jeff. He’d know what I should do.

  Jeff had been a confirmed bachelor up until two years ago. I was at the wedding, and both he and his girl looked happy. She was sweet as honey and dripped with class. Then they got pregnant, and he said she turned into a shrew. If I wanted to talk to someone who knew both the good and bad of a relationship, he was my man.

  After the third ring, he picked up. “Zane? Everything okay?”

  “No.” It was then I realized I hadn’t called my old friend in nearly a year. We’d sent a few random texts here and there. No wonder he asked a question like that. “Sorry. I know it’s been a while. What time is it in Texas?”

  “Six in the morning, a busy time for a Monday, man.”

  “Shit, man. I’m sorry. I was just thinking about you, and frankly, needed some of your sage advice.”

  He grunted. “All my advice got pounded out of me a couple years ago, and I’m fucked on time. My kid’s been vomiting all night, so I’m taking him to the clinic soon. What’s up?”

  “That all sucks, man. Hope he’s better soon. How is life otherwise?”

  His guffaw was so loud I had to pull the phone away from my ear. “Let me give you the quick rundown on my happy life. I lost my job last week because my wife kept calling and interrupting the workday, and my boss told me that if I couldn’t control her, I couldn’t possibly control his company. Little Jeff has a little brother on the way.”

  “Oh, congrats, man.” I had to smile at his good news.

  “Congrats? Yeah, that’s what any unmarried man would say. Sure, kids are a blessing, blah, blah, blah. Listen, do yourself a favor and get a vasectomy STAT. It ain’t worth it, hombre.”

  Shit.

  “Sorry, man. Anything I can do to help?”

  “Yeah. Save yourself. Anyway, what were you needing?”

  Dare I say?

  “Nothing important now. Just woman trouble.”

  The guffaw about blew an eardrum this time. “They’re all trouble. Whoever she is, run. Doesn’t matter how beautiful, how terrific the sex is, how much you think you might love her or she might love you… it’s a trap. T. R. A. P. Run, man. Seriously. Don’t look back.”

  “Um…”

  Jeff sighed. “Have you fucked her yet?”

  “No.”

  He snorted. “Then you’ve known her for what, an hour?”

  Even after all this time, he knew me well.

  “Yeah. We kissed and it, well… it fucked me up.”

  He laughed, but it was bitter. “Let me guess, you saw bursts of bright light, like fireworks or stars or some shit like that? Electricity shot through you?”

  “Man, how did you—?”

  “Get out of there, man. Run like hell. Get on a plane, a boat, a bicycle, anything, but get the hell away from her. That’s how it all starts. Don’t you see that? Don’t be a fool like me. It’s too late for me.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. You have a chance. One kiss is all it takes. But you can get over that one kiss. If you go in for another, you’re done for. If you have sex, forget about it, Zane. You’re as good as married and on the road to hell.”

  “It’s—”

  “Sure, it all seems like a pretty fucking picture as they get you up to that altar. After the I dos are said, it takes no time for their fangs to sprout and their claws to show. By then, it’s too late. You’re a daddy and stuck like Chuck.”

  I was dead silent. Was he right? Should I leave?

  “I don’t know…”

  Another snort. “I hope you’re packing. I hope you’re about to get off this phone and do what I’ve said. If you can’t leave, then for fuck’s sake avoid that woman at all costs. She’s the devil, dude.”

  I barked out a laugh. “She’s not the devil. And how bad is marriage, really? Aren’t there good times?”

  “No.”

  Wow, this wasn’t good. Maybe it was just sleep deprivation talking.

  “Okay, thanks for the pep talk, Jeff. I hope things start to look up for you. Tell Maggie hi from me.”

  “Zane says to tell you hi, babe.”

  Fuck, had she been right there the whole time?

  Had he been fucking with me? Was she actually giving a blow job as he railed at me?

  “Tell him love isn’t quite as bad as you make it out to be, sweetie.”

  Jeff laughed, but it was a softer sound this time. “Run, Zane. See you, buddy.”

  Now I was just confused. Was fighting their form of foreplay?

  I shook my head and tapped my dad’s number. After half of one ring, Dad answered, “Zane, what’s wrong, son?”

  Damn, I need to make more calls to people.

  “Nothing, Dad. I met a girl.”

  “Oh no, son. I thought we had this talk. Always, and I do mean, always wear a condom. You can’t trust these loose women you tend to run with. Is there a doctor down there in…” he paused. “I’ve lost track. Where you are, Zane?”

  I fell backwards onto my bed. “Maldives, Dad.”

  “Oh, yes. I think I recall your mother saying you went there to some resort. Is there a doctor there? Maybe he can get rid of whatever you’ve gotten.”

  Wow, was I really that fucking bad or did they just think I was?

  Whatever the case, I needed to make some changes if my own father’s brain went immediately to sexually transmitted diseases when he thought of me.

  “Dad, I’ve managed to stay disease free for thirty years, by the way. Jumping to that conclusion won’t make me call home more often.”

  “So, you’ve got some girl pregnant then?”

  What the fuck?

  “No, Dad. Look, you listen while I talk. Deal?” I pressed the heel of my hand into my eye, hoping to keep my head from exploding.

  “Deal, son. I’m sorry fo
r jumping to conclusions. Go ahead.”

  “Thanks. I met a woman today. She’s smart, gorgeous, a good girl. We kissed just once, and it was like shooting stars filled the universe. What does that mean?”

  “It means that you two have good chemistry.”

  “Did that happen to you with Mom?”

  He laughed. “Oh, no. We were set up by a mutual friend. Three years later, we decided marriage was the next logical step. Not a shooting star in sight, but we’ve had a good relationship all these years.” He paused and I could practically see him stroking his beard. “Do you like this woman?”

  “Yeah, she’s great, but she has something going on that she can’t tell me about. I’m pretty sure she’s a private eye, but she says she’s a photographer. She says things that don’t add up.”

  “Perhaps the woman is just a liar, Zane.”

  That stung.

  “There’s more to it than that.” Shoving my hand through my hair, I stared at the ceiling. “She’s watching this couple for some reason. She hasn’t told me she’s doing it, but she is.”

  “Mysterious.” He seemed to be pondering things. “Maybe the mysterious nature of things has you excited.”

  He was right. I was excited about all the spy shit. “Maybe.”

  “I think we’ve found the cause, son. Don’t you?”

  I sighed as relief took the tension out of my body. “So, do you think it’s safe for me to pursue things with her without the fear of falling head over heels in love?”

  His chuckle was deep yet raspy with age. “Are you afraid of love, son? Has that been your issue all these years? Why would you fear something so nice?”

  “It kind of rules you, Dad. It makes you do things you normally wouldn’t. Like drugs and alcohol does.”

  “Don’t be silly. Love is nothing to be afraid of. You’re not some spring chicken, Zane. Love isn’t something one should avoid. True love doesn’t happen with just anyone.”

  “But you said that you and Mom didn’t have any big sparks.” I shook my head as I pinched my brow.

  Why was this relationship shit so damn complicated?

  And why the hell was I even thinking about it?

  “Just because we never had sparks like that doesn’t mean our love is any less real. It settled in with us. Little by little, we both realized we had more than an admiration going on between us. Take my advice and let things happen however they will.”

  I suddenly missed my family.

  “Thanks, Dad. I’ll call more often.”

  “See that you do. I like to hear your voice, son. A visit would be even nicer.”

  Yeah, it would be nice.

  “Soon.”

  He chuckled. “I won’t tell your mother you said that. Don’t want to get her hopes up.”

  That jab hit center mass.

  “Goodbye, Dad.”

  “Bye, son.”

  I ended the call, feeling even shitter than before, and no closer to knowing what I should do.

  I’d sleep on it. I’d just close my eyes, get a good night’s sleep, and reconsider everything tomorrow. I’d see Sloane tomorrow and kiss her all day if I had to. I’d get those shooting stars under control. No electricity was going to conquer me.

  At least that’s what I hoped.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Sloane

  Leaning with my back against the door, I held my fingers to my pulsing lips as my mind raced.

  Why did he leave me like that?

  Slowly, I went to the bathroom to look in the mirror to see if something was wrong with me. I half expected to see something peeking out of my nose or a smudge or something on my face. Instead, I found my normal face, free of any faults.

  “So why’d he leave?”

  I put my hand in front of my mouth and breathed out to see if my breath was stinky. “It’s not that.”

  Leaning in to inspect myself further, I looked into my eyes. “Maybe he just didn’t get the same sparks you did, Sloane. Let it go.”

  I turned and walked out of the bathroom, knowing I wasn’t about to let it go.

  We had a spark, dammit.

  Traipsing into the living area, I was about to fall on the sofa when I saw a light come on in Smith’s bungalow. Hurrying to the window, I peeked out and saw that Smith and his girlfriend were leaving. I’d been wrong about them staying in for the rest of the night.

  Now would be the good time to sneak into his place and see if I could get any incriminating photos. Moving quickly, I had to put the Zane business out of my mind.

  Finding the wet suit in my bag in the bedroom, I pulled it out and sighed. It was a complete bitch to put on and take off, but it was a necessary evil. It was black, so it would keep me from being seen too easily. And it was waterproof if I had to slip into the water. It would also give me a place to hide my Glock, unlike any of the bathing suits I had with me.

  With a bit of tugging, I got into the suit and pulled a black mask over my face. If Smith had any type of security camera set up, I wouldn’t be recognized on it. I noticed he’d left the door on the deck open. That might be because he had other ways of keeping his things safe or he might just be a dumbass. Either way, I wasn’t about to take any chances.

  I grabbed my phone and gun so I’d be ready if I encountered Smith. He might have a gun too. I had to cover all my bases. Moving out onto the deck, I gave a quick glance at Zane’s place. His lights were all out. Had he already forgotten about me and fallen asleep?

  Bastard.

  Had our kiss meant nothing to him?

  Shaking off that mess, I headed off my deck and walked down the pier to get to Smith’s. They’d left the light on in the living room, making it easy to see. But I’d be easy to see too. I had to be careful.

  If I was lucky, paradise would have made Smith stupid, and he’d forgotten to lock his safe or left a suitcase of evidence open. I knew it wouldn’t be that easy, but a girl could hope. I could impress the home office with my quick actions, then go home and forget about all this.

  That stopped me. Did I want to go home?

  No.

  But I had a job to do and putting it off wasn’t the right thing to do. I willed myself to stop thinking about leaving or staying with Zane and moved into the bedroom. It was dark in there, and I could move around more freely.

  There was no sign of any security system. No cameras that were readily evident. There was one large bag, but it was empty. I took a picture anyway.

  The bed was a wreck of disheveled sheets. I was thankful for the mask. At least I didn’t have to smell the sexual funk that surely filled the room. Now the open door made sense. They needed to air the place out.

  And there I was, back to thinking about Zane and me. How would the bed look after he took me? How would it smell? Would our smells combine to make a pleasing aroma?

  I bet they would.

  I bet everything that Zane and I did would smell great, feel great, sound great.

  Ugh, I had to stop.

  Back to being a professional FBI agent, I carefully checked every drawer but came up empty. I checked for loose floorboards and for covert spaces in the walls, but couldn’t find anything there either.

  He must have rented a locker at the airport or in the main lodge under lock and key. Up there, they had real security systems. I couldn’t search any of those areas. But if I found him getting into a safety deposit box or an airport locker and got a picture of that, then we’d have enough evidence to bring in a couple more agents to check it out.

  I was merely the forerunner. If I noted anything suspicious, I’d have to stand back and let the big boys do all the really dangerous work.

  The thought pissed me off. I’d like to be here when the shit went down. I’d seen it on videos but never got to participate. And man, did I want to participate.

  I was an expert with my gun because I’d practiced more than most. Even though the powers that be at Quantico didn’t think I was ready for more, I knew I could hold my own if I
had to. The academy was a place I loved. Anytime I was given a chance to further my knowledge, you could bet your sweet ass I did. I was the first to raise my hand, and I pushed myself hard to get what I wanted.

  This was my chance to prove myself.

  Just as I began to make my way out of the bedroom, I heard a high-pitched giggle.

  They were back.

  Adrenaline shot into my system, making me quicker, my eyes on the door. I could make it out, but I wouldn’t make it out of their line of sight, I knew.

  Moving like a snake, I slithered along the wall and out the sliding door onto the deck. But they got into the house before I could get back onto the pier. Tucking my gun and phone into my wet suit, I dove smoothly into the water, turning below the surface so that I was hidden by the decking when I broke for air.

  From this position, I couldn’t see, but I could hear. More giggles, then the telltale squeaking of the bed. As the first moan escaped the woman, I ducked beneath the surface and swam for the ladder.

  On the second rung, I stopped and listened again. Nothing. I was hidden now, not just from the sexed up couple but from anyone who might be around to witness my escape. Taking a quick look, I saw that Zane’s lights were still out. Resting peacefully, I guessed.

  Shithead. Really? Our kiss did nothing for him at all?

  Most women thought of men as simpletons. Not me. I found them complex as hell. I didn’t know what any of them really wanted. I’d always thought it was sex. I guessed I was wrong. At least where Zane Boyd was concerned, I was.

  Moving up the ladder, I gave one more look around as water pooled at my feet. I wanted to avoid going inside with the wet suit on, so decided to strip on the deck. With only the high moon, I wasn’t worried about being noticed.

  Taking off the mask, I tossed it onto one of the chairs. The gun and phone followed before I began the process of wiggling out of the tight skin.

  Shaking the excess water off the best I could, I laid it over the railing to drip dry a few more minutes before taking it inside. I didn’t want Zane to see it and ask questions.

  Zane.

  There he was, back in my head again.

  Why did he leave?

  Damn. I was tired and thinking of him was just too much. I needed a break. A nice hot bath would do the trick.