“What did you think I packed?”
“I don’t know, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”
He wasn’t about to tell her he’d thought of that until he’d decided to ask an expert and called Avery Dawson at the Pump House and ordered a picnic basket.
“Chocolate strawberries for dessert? Wow, I’m impressed.”
That was news to him. He hadn’t thought of dessert. Guess he owed Dawson or more likely his chef Leif for the help.
Zoe bit into a strawberry, starting with dessert first. He watched in awe as her eyes closed with pleasure. Some strawberry juice dripped over the corner of her mouth, and her tongue swept out to catch the drops.
He growled, and she opened her eyes and looked at him. “What?”
He swallowed hard. “Do you have to eat that way?”
“What way?”
He growled again. “Don’t enjoy it like that. It’s like when I—” He couldn’t say it, didn’t want the image in his head of her closing her eyes, moaning in pleasure as he rode her to orgasm.
“I have a solution to your problem,” she said, her eyes hooded.
“I don’t want to hear it.” He knew what she was about to suggest.
“It would put you out of your misery.”
“You’re a temptress.”
She smiled, shifted her hips as though this conversation was also turning her on. “Why, thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.”
Next time they went out he’d have to pick an activity that had people around. Maybe then he wouldn’t be so tempted to jump her. As it was, by the time he dropped her off, he was a bundle of repressed cravings that had to be unhealthy.
He didn’t know how he survived the evening.
Yet he couldn’t wait to put himself through the exquisite torture again.
Chapter 13
Jack Wilde entered the Pump House, not looking forward to the upcoming discussion. He’d received text messages from both Vance and Luke, Derek’s and Trip’s fathers, demanding a meeting to talk about Zoe.
Avery intercepted him before he made his way across the pub to the table housing Luke and Vance.
“This isn’t going to be pretty,” Avery said. “They’ve been arguing since they got here. Signal me if I need to run interference.”
“Thanks, son.” Jack patted him on the shoulder. “Send over a whiskey. Don’t think a beer is going to cut it tonight.”
“You got it.” Avery gave him a sympathetic look.
Jack approached the table and nodded a greeting at the two men, not liking the looks on their faces. Vance’s was pinched as if annoyed. Luke sat glaring with his legs spread and arms crossed over his barrel of a chest.
Jack took a chair across from them feeling like he was in the hot seat. “What’s up?”
“Your daughter, that’s what,” Luke said. “According to my sources, she’s been out every weekend with Trip for the last month, while spending most of her weekdays with my boy, Derek.”
Jack knew Derek was helping Zoe with her secret project, and he didn’t think there were any romantic feelings there. But with Trip, that was another story. The scene at the Pump House spoke volumes about the heat between those two.
“You need to choose which one it’s going to be,” Luke demanded. “Trip or Derek.”
“Come on, Jack, you have to help us out here,” Vance said, much more the diplomat. “Pick one.”
“Listen, both boys would make fine husbands, but it really isn’t up to me to choose. It’s Wild Card’s choice.” There was something special about them together, much different than the relationship between Zoe and Derek. Those two seemed more like the best of friends, whereas sparks flew when Trip and his Wild Card were together. “If you ask me, my money is on Trip.”
Luke blustered. “Hey, that’s not fair. My boy’s been in love with your daughter since they were freshmen in high school. Don’t count him out so fast.”
“Maybe we need to test them to see who’s worthy,” Jack said.
“How do you propose we do that?” Vance asked, with a frown.
“I have no idea.” Jack looked around for his whiskey. Avery was sure taking his sweet time.
“Maybe we should just wait and watch it play out?” Vance suggested.
“Have you talked to your boys?” Jack asked. “Asked them how they feel? Luke, you say that Derek is in love with Zoe, but are his feelings more than just friendship? And Vance, due to the scene last month here that spread through the Heart to Heart Network, we know that Trip and Zoe have already had relations.” Damn, he needed that whiskey if he was going to talk about his baby having sex. “I think that’s where we need to start.”
“What about her?” Luke asked. “In my book, it looks like she’s stringing them both along.”
“Are you sure she’s ready to settle down?” Vance asked. “I can tell Trip’s heart is invested. I don’t want her to break it.”
“Or Derek’s,” Luke said. “Lord knows there’s already too many men in this town with broken hearts.”
Jack agreed. His heart was still in pieces after losing the love of his life. There was a reason Heartbreak’s road sign said: Welcome to Heartbreak. If Alaska doesn’t break your heart the women here will.
Avery finally arrived with the whiskey.
“What kept you?” Jack grumbled.
“We’re short-staffed tonight, and as you can see, we have a crowd.” Avery moved to head back to the bar. Jack held up his hand.
“Don’t go anywhere.” He tossed the whiskey down with a large swallow and handed the glass back. “Another, barkeep.”
“You got it.” Avery took the glass and headed for the bar. He returned with a full bottle and two more glasses for Luke and Vance. “Figured this would save me a trip. Have at it, boys.”
“Your future son-in-law is downright perceptive,” Vance pointed out.
“That he is. He has to be in order to keep up with my Wild Cat.” Jack picked up the bottle and filled their glasses. “All right. Let’s lay our cards on the table. There’s a reason I nicknamed Zoe Wild Card. I never know what she’s going to do.”
“Well, you had better find out what the hell she’s up to,” Luke said, slinging back his drink. “Hearts are on the line. Besides, I’m after a brood of grandchildren myself. I ain’t getting any younger.”
Vance raised his glass. “I’ll drink to that.”
They clicked glasses. The whiskey went a long way into mellowing tempers. Avery knew his stuff, Jack thought. He gestured to Luke with his glass. “You find out Derek’s intentions, and Vance, you do the same with Trip. I’ll try and talk to Zoe. We need to find out what our kids are up to.”
“Right. No more pussyfootin’ around,” Luke said, slamming his fist down on the table, making their glasses jump.
“They aren’t going to appreciate us meddling,” Vance cautioned.
“Too damn bad,” Jack said, feeling the whiskey heating his blood and loosening his tongue. “We’re parents. It’s what we do.”
“Here, here!” Luke and Vance cheered, and they all toasted again.
Chapter 14
Zoe stood as still as she could while Derek pinned the dress he was currently working on. It was going to be his best yet. Granted, the fabric rocked, bright and cheery, in pinks, blues, and pops of yellow. She’d outdone herself with the wildflower design. But standing here was making her feel nauseous. Breakfast hadn’t settled well.
“How much longer do I need to stand here?” she asked, feeling not only upset to her stomach, but dizzy too.
“Almost done.” He glanced up at her. “You okay? You look really pale.”
“I’m not feeling very well.”
“Are you catching the flu? Cause I can’t get sick.”
“Neither can I.” She’d been so tired during her shift at Pulse Café last night, she’d barely made it through. Maybe she was coming down with something.
“You’ve been burning the candle at both ends, what with
the two jobs, designing with me, and seeing Trip every free chance you get. When was the last time you got a goodnight’s sleep?”
“Can’t remember. I’m so exhausted all day and then wide awake all night.”
Some of that was due to the sexual frustration with Trip. He was still taking their relationship slow. Since they’d gone kayaking, he’d scheduled dates like bowling—which she’d trumped him in—movies, line dancing at the Malamute Saloon, and ziplining. There hadn’t been a moment when they were alone, except on the ride home. It was when he pulled into the driveway of her house that they went at each other hot and heavy, until he pulled back.
How did he deny himself like that? Deny her? She was getting good sick and tired of it.
“You’re turning into a vampire,” Derek said. “You start craving blood and I’ll have to go all Buffy on your ass.”
The mention of blood had bile burping in her stomach. “You need to get me out of this dress. Now.”
“Just another minute,” Derek said around the straight pins lined up in his mouth.
“Don’t have a minute, I’m going to be sick.”
“Not on the dress!” Derek jumped up plucking pins, and stripping the dress off her, leaving her in her lacy bra and panties.
She ran for the bathroom and tossed up her breakfast. Why had she eaten Captain Crunch cereal? Never again.
Derek entered the doorway, and she waved him out as she cradled the porcelain throne. He ignored her and pulled her hair back as she continued to heave.
Once she was done, he wetted a wash cloth and held it to her forehead. “Come on, let’s get you into bed for a lie down.”
“Best idea I’ve heard all day,” she said, her voice raspy, stopping to weakly brush her teeth and wash her mouth out.
Derek helped her onto the bed and covered her up with the throw draped at the bottom of the mattress. He studied her for a long moment, his expression worried. “Zoe?”
“Hmm?” She closed her eyes and willed the flu-like symptoms to disappear.
“How long has it been since you had sex with Trip?”
“A month ago, maybe longer. Why?” Her eyes flew open, and she stared wide-eyed at the ceiling, counting back the days. “Oh, God.” She sat up and clutched Derek’s hands. “I can’t be. I can’t!”
“Let’s hope it’s just the flu, but we should rule it out. Are you late?”
“I don’t know. This month has been so busy that I haven’t kept track. I’m not that great at it anyway.”
Derek grabbed his measuring tape. “Let’s measure your waist.”
She slapped his hands away. “My measurements haven’t changed.”
Derek tossed the tape aside and looked deep into her eyes, his expression sober. “We need a pregnancy test.”
“Shh!” she hissed. “Don’t say that word out loud, that’s like inviting it in.”
“I hate to tell you this, chickee, saying the word isn’t inviting the tadpole in, unprotected sex with Trip Hunter did that.”
“Stop talking. There’s no way I’m…you know what.”
He sat there for a long moment. “You’re probably not, but like I said, we should rule it out.”
Her heart pounded in her chest and she broke out in a cold sweat. She couldn’t be, she just couldn’t. “I can’t go into the Convenient Heart and buy one. The Heart to Heart Network would know.”
“I’ll get one. You stay here and rest. Most likely it’s the flu. Like I said, you’ve been working too hard.” He looked like he wanted to say much more, but finally settled on, “Why don’t I make you a cup of tea before I go?”
“That I can get behind. Thank you, Derek. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Love you, chickee.” Derek kissed her forehead and then got up and opened the door just as Brey walked down the hall. He peered in and came to a stop, seeing Zoe sitting in the bed, her upper body clad only in a bra.
“What in the hell is going on here!” he hollered.
Chapter 15
“Are you sleeping with my sister?” Brey asked, glaring at Derek as he advanced into the room. Derek backed up, his back to the wall, his eyes wide, looking for an escape. Brey turned his hot gaze toward Zoe. “You’re sleeping with two men?”
“I’m not sleeping with Derek.” She wasn’t sleeping with anybody. Yes, she had sex with Trip, once. Just once. Six weeks ago. Oh God, six weeks ago. She couldn’t be pregnant from just once, could she? Of course she could.
No, don’t think about it.
She had enough problems, like keeping Brey from killing Derek.
“If you two aren’t having sex, then why the hell are you in bed in the middle of the afternoon, naked?” Brey pointed to Derek who stood there dumbstruck and seemed to be shaking in his loafers. “I wasn’t born yesterday.”
“I’m not naked.” Though she felt it like. She’d grabbed the blanket to cover herself up when she’d first seen Brey outside the door.
“You sure as hell aren’t wearing much. Somebody better start explaining. Right. Now.” Brey stood between Zoe and Derek. It was apparent that Derek wouldn’t be able to handle Brey. He was scared to death. It would come down to Zoe to save him.
Holy crap, didn’t she have enough to deal with?
“Brey, get out of here.” She didn’t need the overprotective brother thing right now.
“Not until I get some answers.” He planted his hands on his hips just like her dad did.
“I need to get dressed. And I don’t answer to you. In fact, the only person I answer to is me, just like you only answer to yourself. Now, get out!”
He stood there, and she started to wonder if he would push the issue. She lowered the blanket like she was going to get out of the bed, and he jerked, moving toward the door.
“This isn’t over,” he said, poking Derek in the chest as he stomped past.
“Ow.” Derek rubbed his chest.
Zoe didn’t think it was over either, but she had a moment of reprieve, Derek too.
Once the door slammed behind Brey, Derek slumped. “I thought I was a dead man. My fantasizes of being poked by Brey never ended quite like that.”
“You still might be a dead man. I think it’s time we tell everyone what we’re up to.”
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I wish we had another couple of weeks.”
So did she, but right now, she wanted a nap in the worst way.
“Get dressed,” Derek said. “Let’s get out of here and find out for sure what we’re dealing with.”
Oh, God, she didn’t want to know. Ignorance was bliss, right?
She climbed out of bed and paused, thinking she needed to throw up again, but the feeling thankfully passed. She found her clothes, dressed, and then she and Derek slipped out of the house. She settled into the passenger seat of Derek’s Toyota, closing her eyes as they drove into town.
It wasn’t long before he parked. She opened her eyes. There were outside of the Convenient Heart.
“Maybe we should drive into Fairbanks,” she said, worrying her bottom lip.
“You—we—need to know right now what’s up.” Derek unclipped his seatbelt.
“If I’m…you know. It will be me dealing with it.”
“Do you really think I would abandon you in your time of need?” Derek looked hurt.
She laid a hand on his arm. “I know you wouldn’t, but your dreams are New York and I want that for you.”
“New York will still happen, and it’s not like it’s going to happen tomorrow. We have time, Zoe. You’re not alone in this. Besides, chances are it’s just the flu.” He tried for a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You stay here. I’ll be right back.”
Zoe watched him walk into the convenience store.
Why did he have to be gay? She could have fallen in love with him, if only there were a chance for chemistry between them. She did love him. He was her best friend.
It wasn’t long before he was hurrying back to the car
with a brown paper bag. He got in and handed it to her. “Do you want to head back to your house?”
“No, Brey is still there. Let’s go down to Mistress Lake.”
Derek put the car in gear, and within a few minutes they were parked outside the public bathrooms on the banks of the lake. It was the middle of the afternoon, and the place was packed with kids playing in the water and mothers clogging the public beach.
“This isn’t going to work,” she said. “Too many people. Take me to Lake Amore.”
“That’s like ten minutes from here. You have a private stall in there.” Derek pointed to the public restroom.
“Please.” She looked at him with needy eyes, imploring him to do as she wanted, knowing he would cave. “I can’t do this with people around. Lake Amore is fairly deserted.” And she couldn’t help but think of it as her and Trip’s lake.
“You got it.” Derek stroked her cheek. “Don’t worry. Whatever the outcome, we will deal with it together.”
Derek drove them out of town, fiddling with the radio as it was apparent that she didn’t want to talk. The soft strains of the Bee Gees started to sing. Derek was a fan of the disco era.
How Deep Is Your Love filled the confines of the car. She couldn’t help her emotions when the lyrics of the song washed over her.
What if she was pregnant? What did she do then?
She had the right to choose. It was her body, but she didn’t think she had it in her to abort a baby. She was only nineteen, soon to turn twenty, but still. Wasn’t her life just beginning? Did she want to be a mother this young?
There’s no point in thinking like this until you know.
Derek parked in front of the outhouses lined up at Amore Lake. “You okay?”
“I don’t know.” She opened the bag he’d handed her earlier. Inside was a pregnancy test and boxes of condoms.
“Condoms?” she asked with a raised brow.
“Well, if you aren’t pregnant, you need to be using the other.”
He had a point. She took out the pregnancy test and opened the passenger door. Derek laid his hand on her arm. “Whatever the results, I’ve got your back.”
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