I finally got up the courage to ask Molly, and she’d told me he was with his mom. She had apparently caught a summer cold, and Zack was worried because it could easily turn into pneumonia with her system being as weak as it was. So he’d stayed by her side, doing what he could to nurse her back to health. He didn’t let anyone else come into the house, and he only left when he had to, as not to introduce new germs into the air.
Although I completely understood, I was a little bummed out that I couldn’t see him. I knew it wasn’t natural to miss a person as much as I missed Zack, especially when I barely knew him, but I couldn’t help it. I craved his presence more than anything.
Fortunately, he called me after three days and squelched most of my fears when he asked if we could hang out the next night when he got off work. His mom was apparently feeling much better, and he seemed to be in great spirits. He said he’d come by and get me when he got off and we could do something.
That day I was as excited as I was nervous, and time seemed to be ticking by slower than normal. Possibly sensing my anxiety, Molly convinced me to go with her to the closest mall, which was an hour away. She said she desperately needed to shop, and the limited selection of clothing stores on the island didn’t provide many options for someone as eclectic as her. Unfortunately, she was less than satisfied with the mall once we got there.
As we walked around, she waxed on and on about the artsy boutiques and thrift stores in London and L.A. that just didn’t compare to what was available in rural North Carolina. Granted, she knew we weren’t in the most forward-thinking, fast-paced of areas, so she was reaching if she thought she’d find anything more extravagant than The Gap or American Eagle during our excursion, but at least there was a Hot Topic.
Still, Molly being Molly made the day fun. She actually turned me into a project and set about dressing me up like I was her Barbie doll. Of course, the outfits she wanted to put me in, my Barbie’s wouldn’t have been caught dead in, and neither would I, but it was still fun. At the end of the day, I left with some new fun pieces that were funky, but I could still incorporate them into my existing wardrobe.
When I got home, I set about hanging up my new purchases and surreptitiously glanced at my watch to see if the time had suddenly inched to nine o’clock without me knowing it. That was when Zack was scheduled to get off work.
He worked at Phil’s Tavern, a local pub that served lots beer and an array of seafood, and boasted a huge deck with outdoor seating and live music. On Tuesday and Friday nights, that live music was Zack and his guitar. He told me he’d worked at Phil’s off and on for the past few years, but he had just started playing live a year ago when he moved back to the island, in addition to bartending three nights a week.
That night he was just bartending, and since it was a weeknight, he wouldn’t be that busy. Seeing that it was only seven, and I still had two hours to wait for him, I made the decision to go up to the bar and surprise him. I wanted him to know that I wasn’t looking for anything serious, so I figured I’d show him just how spontaneous I could be. Feeling bold, I pulled out the new black leather miniskirt that Molly talked me into buying. I forewent her fashion suggestions and paired it with a black fitted t-shirt and black platform heels. I overdid my eye make-up to look smoky and sexy, following the tutorial Molly had given me the week before, and I sprayed some surf spray into my hair and scrunched it into beach waves.
Stepping back to appraise my overall look, I couldn’t help but smile. I’d finally achieved the badass look I’d tried to put together for the first party I’d gone to with Chase. I hoped Zack would like it. So far he’d just seen me in my more casual beach outfits. This look was a complete departure from what he knew of me, and it was perfect for what I had in mind.
“Whoa,” came Chase’s voice from behind me as I started down the stairs.
I turned around to face him, a huge grin spreading across my face. “You like?”
“It’s definitely different. I actually didn’t recognize you. For a minute I thought you were one of Keely’s friends.”
My heart sank. “Do I look ridiculous?” I asked, knowing he’d tell me the truth.
“Nah, you look great, Em. Zack’s not going to know what hit him.”
“That’s the point,” I said, evilly. “I want to remind him of what he’s been missing.”
“I think that’ll do the trick,” he said, laughing lightly.
“Let’s hope so,” I said before starting down the stairs again.
When I got to the bar, Zack was busy taking an order at the other end, so he didn’t see me make my grand entrance. Instead, I settled at the opposite end and waited for him to notice me. A really pretty brunette came over to get my drink order. My jealousy radar instantly went up, and I wondered if she and Zack had ever hooked up as my eyes drifted unconsciously to her more than ample cleavage that was almost falling out of her black ‘Phil’s Tavern’ tank top.
“Hi there,” she said, sliding a coaster in front of me. “What can I get for you?”
“Um,” I said, my mind going blank for a few seconds.
Hot bartender girl had thrown me off. As part of my diabolical seduction strategy, I’d planned to ask Zack to make me something sexy. I didn’t even know what to order from this girl without sounding like a complete moron.
“Do you need minute?” she asked, and I could tell she was eyeing me skeptically, no doubt wondering if I was stalling because I was underage.
“No,” I said then, coming up with an even better plan. “Actually, can you ask that guy to make me the sexiest drink he can think of?”
I slid my ID across the counter to her and watched her glance over her shoulder at Zack. I thought she might have rolled her eyes and wondered how often she got that same request. She turned back around and picked up my ID, looking between it and me several times before she handed it back. I guess she believed it was authentic.
“He doesn’t date,” she said then, and I wondered if she knew that from personal experience.
“Is that so?” I asked, glad I was armed with more information about him than she was.
“Yeah, I am.”
“What’s your name?” I asked her, leaning forward just enough to show her she didn’t intimidate me.
“Daphne,” she said, eyeing me warily. I could tell I’d set her on edge by going on the offensive.
“Hi Daphne, I’m Emily.”
I stuck my hand out so she could shake it.
“Okay,” she said with enough boredom in her voice to let me know she could care less who I was. She took my hand briefly, only because it would seem rude not to while she was on-stage behind the bar.
“I just wanted you to know my name since I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other.”
“That’s what they all say,” she said, glancing back at Zack who was pouring beers for some guys who had just sat down. “I wouldn’t waste your time.”
I suddenly felt bad for her.
“I can take care of myself,” I said confidently. “Let Zack know I’ll be over by the jukebox if he wants to say hi, which I know he will.”
She raised her eyebrows at me skeptically but didn’t say anything else before turning around and walking over to Zack. As soon as she was engaged in a conversation with him, I got up and walked over to the jukebox before he could see me sitting at the bar.
I’d just selected my second song when I felt arms wrap around me and lips on my neck. See Daphne, I told you he’d want to say hi. I smiled involuntarily as I leaned back against Zack’s chest.
“I don’t think it’s possible for you to look any sexier right now,” he whispered in my ear. “If it weren’t for the fact that I need this job, I might be inclined to drag you back to the stockroom and have my way with you.”
I spun around in his arms and looked up into the eyes I’d missed seeing. “This is nothing compared to how sexy I’ll look later,” I said, leaning back against the jukebox. “If you’re interested.”
“Is that an invitation?”
I shrugged. “Consider it a request. No, scratch that. Consider it a demand,” I said, as I locked eyes with him.
“Damn, princess. Are you trying to get me fired?”
I shook my head. “Not at all. I just wanted to be sure you had something to think about during your shift, since I know you’ll be busy serving thirsty customers and no doubt being hit on by cute girls all night. Consider this my way of keeping your attention where I want it. And after you get off, I’m demanding some alone time.”
“Your wish is my command,” he said, before he leaned down and kissed me deeply, pushing me back against the jukebox. All too soon he let me go. “I’ll get right to work making that sexy drink for you, but I demand something in return.”
“What’s that?”
“That you hang out until I get off. ‘Cause there’s no way I’m letting you walk out the door in that skirt with anyone but me behind you.”
With that, he turned and walked back to the bar. As he did, Daphne stood there watching him, nine million questions burning in her narrowed eyes. A few minutes later, I finished my song picks and returned to my seat at the bar. In front of me was a martini glass and a little hand written card that read: A dirty martini, because there are literally no clean thoughts left in my head right now.
I glanced up at Zack who was watching me and smirking. I shook my head a few times and smiled at him before taking a sip of the strong, but delicious, drink he’d made for me.
When he got off work a few hours later, I had a nice buzz going from the martini, a Sex on the Beach (something I know you’ll enjoy) and a Screaming Orgasm (because I don’t want you to hold back). I’d noticed a pattern developing in the drinks he made and loved that he was playing along with my sexy game. I leaned against him as we walked out of the bar. He looked over at his motorcycle and then down at my short skirt and shook his head.
“What's wrong?” I asked him.
“No way am I putting you on my bike wearing that,” he said. “I’d like to reserve what’s under that skirt for my eyes only.”
I pouted. “But black leather and motorcycles go together.”
“Not a chance. Where’s your car?”
“Over there,” I said, pointing to my navy blue Explorer.
“Keys,” Zack said, holding out his hand.
“Come and get them,” I said, pulling away from him and stalking off toward my car.
Zack caught up with me by the driver’s side door, just as I was opening it. “Hand them over. You’re not driving.”
“You have to earn them,” I teased, holding the keys out to him and then pulling them away. I reached behind my back and tucked them into the waist of my skirt.
Without warning, Zack picked me up and sat me on the seat. His hands eased my knees apart, and he settled between them. He looked at me for a beat before trailing his hand from my knee, up underneath my skirt to the top of my thigh. I let my head fall back and let out a soft moan.
“What has gotten into you tonight?” he asked, and I could tell he was smiling.
“I missed you,” I said, as I lifted my head and opened my eyes to see him looking at me in delighted amusement.
“I need to stay away more often then,” he teased as his hand flirted with the lace of my panties.
“I’d prefer that you didn’t,” I said, as I reached for his belt buckle and pulled him toward me.
He crushed his lips down on mine, pushing me back against the center console. My hands went up into his hair, loving the feel of the soft locks of his dark hair around them, as he deepened the kiss, his tongue flirting with mine. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him closer still, fully aware of how I was affecting him.
“Em, we’re in public,” he groaned, against my lips, hardly breaking the kiss, and I wondered if he really minded where we were. No doubt a bad boy like him had been more than adventurous in his sexual exploits in the past, so this probably wasn’t new to him. For me it was like an out of body experience, but one that I was sort of loving, since what I was doing couldn’t have been more out of character for me.
“Then let’s go somewhere private,” I said breathlessly.
“I thought you’d never ask,” he said as he grabbed the keys from my skirt.
As if I weighed nothing, he lifted me over the console and dropped me onto the passenger seat, climbing in next to me and starting the car before I could even get my seatbelt on. Before I knew it, we were flying across the island to the secluded spot he loved so much.
“There’s a blanket and towels in the back,” I said, as I discarded my heels and started to head down the stairs alone.
“You’re not going to wait for me?” Zack called out.
“You know the way,” I said, when I was halfway down.
By the time he caught up with me, I was already at the entrance to the cave. Zack did a double-take as his eyes drifted down my body, bathed in the light from the moon overhead, to my discarded clothes on the sand.
“Black lace,” he said, dropping what he was carrying and crossing the sand to me. “Are you trying to kill me?”
“God, it’s so hot,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck in what I hoped was a seductive way. “I think I’m going to go for a swim.”
I took off down the beach before Zack realized what was happening, discarding my bra and panties along the way. I felt exposed for about thirty seconds before the cool water rushed over me and covered my nakedness. Zack, having undressed in record time, was behind me a few seconds later, his hard body pressed against mine. I spun in his arms and looked up at him.
“Princess, I don’t think you realize what you do to me,” he said. “Do you know how incredible sexy you are?”
“I can guess by the way you keep looking at me.”
Thank God I was buzzed or I would have been really embarrassed about saying that, but I didn’t have time to dwell on that thought for very long.
“Looking at you isn’t all I’m going to do,” he said then as he lifted me and settled my legs around his waist as the waves gently rolled in around us.
***
“Seriously, what got into you tonight?” Zack asked, as we lay on the blanket at the mouth of the cave, wrapped up in the towels I’d brought, looking up at the millions of stars overhead. Every now and then his lips would land on my shoulder, sending electric currents down to my stomach and beyond.
“Hey, you’re the one who insisted on giving me a playbook on how the night was going to unfold with those sexy drinks you kept making – I just went along with your suggestions.”
He laughed. “I never expected you to be so literal, but I’m so glad you were. Please assume that I’ll continue to make subtle insinuations as I see fit, because holy shit that was fun.”
“Come on, you don’t use that trick on all the girls you meet?” I teased. “Tell me you haven’t used alcohol and this secluded beach to lure women before?”
“You make me sound like a sex offender,” Zack scoffed.
I laughed. “No, seriously, that was a pretty sneaky seduction maneuver. You had to have practiced it before.”
“Nope. That was the first time I ever tried it,” he said, sound sincere. “You inspired me with your request for a sexy drink. It’s too bad you’re such a lightweight, because I could have made tonight’s playbook a little more interesting with all the potentially suggestive drinks I could make.”
“I think it was plenty interesting,” I said as I ran my hand over his bare stomach. “Besides, who said the game’s over?”
“See, this is what I meant by mysterious. Just when I think you’re going to do one thing, you do something else entirely. You are not the same girl who skittishly hopped on the back of my bike a few days ago. What gives?”
He could read me too well. I twisted so I was facing him, my head propped up on my elbow. “Honestly?”
He nodded.
“When I didn’t hear from you for a few
days, I was afraid I might have scared you away. I know my announcement the other day sort of freaked you out, so I wanted to be sure you really knew I wasn’t looking for anything serious.”
“So you figured leather and skinny-dipping would do the trick?”
“Did you not like it?” I asked teasingly.
Zack laughed. “Oh, no, I definitely liked it. It just not you – not that I wouldn’t want you to do it again, multiple times – but I know it’s not you.”
I raised my eyebrows at him. “How do you know it’s not me?”
“Because you’re a good girl,” he said simply as his lips landed on my shoulder.
I had the sudden urge to smack him.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I asked, sitting up abruptly, the words ‘good girl’ grating on the insides of my ears.
“Hey,” Zack said, sitting up with me. “I didn’t mean that as a bad thing.”
“Then how did you mean it?” I ask tersely. “Because, from where I’m sitting, next to a guy who drives a motorcycle, is pierced and tattooed to high hell, who professed to having slight alcoholic tendencies, and who has girls who could pose for Playboy throwing themselves at him on a regular basis, I’m thinking ‘good girls’ like me probably aren’t your thing. Forgive me for thinking you wouldn’t want to be with someone like me.”
Zack’s head fell back in exasperation, and for a minute I thought I’d taken things too far. When he lifted his head, he glanced at me for a second before shifting his gaze to the ocean.
“Stereotype much?” he asked, shaking his head, his eyes locked on a distant point.
“Hey, I know the kind of girls who are into my brother, and you’re not much different from him. You’re a bad boy, Zack, and I’m fine with it. Hell, I think it’s hot, but come on. You and I don’t exactly go together, so I figured I’d do something to change that.”
Broken Fairytales Series Box Set (Broken Fairytales, Buried Castles, Shattered Crowns) Page 20