We're One: Two wrongs always make a right

Chapter Eighteen

Zach

Early morning light filters into the cabin as I wake. My body is sore, but I stretch out my arm, reaching for Sia. I frown when I realize she isn’t here. I look over at the nightstand and see a note. Is this payback? I can’t say I don’t deserve it. I’m also afraid. I’m not sure who I am anymore. I’ve never been worried about a woman being around the next day. Sia isn’t just any woman though.

I read over her words, then laugh, my frown quickly fading. Her message says she woke up and had to get home before her parents wake. I shake my head in amazement. She’s twenty-seven years old, living on her own in Seattle, yet back home she doesn’t want her parents to know she stayed the night with a man. It’s quite funny. Then again, if Gramps was still around, I don’t think I’d want him to know what I get up to when the sun goes down. Of course, now I’m a one-woman man. I haven’t had any desire to see any other woman except for Sia from the moment she stepped back into my life.

Being back here makes me feel like we’ve stepped through time, like we’re right back to our summer nine years ago when she was eighteen and everything was carefree and simple. She’d sneak out at night, then sneak back in before the sun rose. Something about the taboo of it all making it that much more exciting. Things are different now, though. I’m not going to be a secret this time around. It’s time for me to meet her parents.

I climb from bed and address my traitorous body. “Not happening this morning, boy,” I say, not even embarrassed to be speaking to my dick. I climb into the shower, run it on cold to wake me up and calm my hormones, then turn up the heat and scrub myself. I pour soap over my lower regions because I’m too sensitive right now for even my own touch, and the only one I want making me come at this moment is a dark-haired vixen who snuck out of my bed. My own hand just won’t do.

I quickly dress, grateful when my body cooperates. I can’t guarantee what will happen the second I see Sia again, but life’s a gamble. I might meet her parents and embarrass myself. That isn’t enough to stop me from going to her home. I’m smart though. I did have my mom around for long enough to teach me how to properly woo a woman, not that I’ve taken her advice until now. In my defense I never needed to. Women have come far too easily for me throughout my lifetime.

I leave the cabin with a skip in my step as I head to The Mermaid Café. I’m glad it opens ridiculously early. I remember Sia saying her parents get up with the rising of the sun, so I’m safe to show up now.

“Good morning, Zach,” the waitress says. It takes me a moment to remember her name, then I give her my most devilish smile.

“Good morning, Amelia. How is your day going so far?”

She chuckles. “Well, when I have such a handsome man come in first thing in the morning, it certainly improves my day,” she tells me with a harmless, flirty smile.

“I like starting my day with great company, so my day is getting better and better by the second,” I tell her.

“What can I get for you? Is anyone joining you?” she asks with a knowing look. My brother warned me that nothing happens in this town without everyone knowing, but surely they can’t know that Sia spent the night with me... can they? I shift on my feet as I look down.

“I’ll be taking an order to go. I’m hoping you have fresh pastry.”

Amelia chuckles. “We have a large supply brought in every morning. You’re lucky you’re here early because we get more and more but they’re still gone by nine.”

“You might run out sooner this time because I want a dozen if I can get them in a variety of flavors.”

“First come, first serve so you’re in luck. Anything else?”

“I’ll take four breakfast sandwiches, your choice of what’s best, and let’s throw in a couple of breakfast burritos as well and some fruit cups. I’ll also take a hot cup of coffee while I wait with a splash of cream.”

“Can do,” Amelia says as I sit at the counter. She moves to the coffee pot and pours me a cup, then hands over the creamer. I sit back and enjoy the coffee while she places my order.

An elbow bumps me; Eileen is sitting beside me. “You taking all the donuts?” she asks.

“Not all, but a good chunk,” I tell her, not feeling bad at all.

“Good thing I already got mine,” she says. I look around the half-full room and see that most everyone has a pastry of some sort. They must get a couple hundred of the treats if they have enough to last until nine.

“I’d give you one from my order. I don’t want to deprive the most beautiful woman in town,” I tell her, which makes her beam at me. I like this woman. She entertained me yesterday when she came and talked to Callan and me. She’s beautiful as well. I imagine she broke many hearts in her youth. Hell, she’s most likely still breaking hearts.

“You’re a smart man, Zach.” She gets a gleam in her eyes. “I hear you and Sia took a long walk down the beach last night... and neither of you returned to the bonfire that went on until about two in the morning.” She gives me a wink after saying this. I don’t know why, but I feel my cheeks heat just a tad. I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve blushed. The knowing look in this woman’s eyes, though, makes me think she can read my very thoughts. Callan said gossip flows here, but this is overboard.

“I can’t get into gossip,” I tell Eileen, then play along and wink back at her.

She pats my shoulder, seeming to give me her approval, a bonus for me. There’s no way I can win Sia over if the people in town hate me. Seaville is the dictionary definition of a close-knit community. You’re either in or you’re out, and if you’re out, you’re really out.

“How did your first night in our quaint little village go?” she asks.

I’m feeling a bit smug right now because my night went just as I’d hoped it would. I can’t share that though. A man never kisses and tells. “I had a wonderful evening. The moonlight on the ocean is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. The sunset before the moon came out was incredible.”

“Did Sia have as good a time?” she knowingly asks. I shift in my seat.

“We had a lovely chat and caught up about old times. It was very pleasant.”

“I’m sure you two caught up on a lot. Now, you did leave her high and dry nine years ago. Are you planning on doing that again?” she pointedly asks. I feel as if I’m suddenly in an interrogation. I thought I had to win over Sia’s parents, but I’m quickly realizing it’s not that simple. I have to win the entire town over. I better be careful.

“I’m not going anywhere unless it’s to follow Sia,” I say, realizing this is true. I’ve never been a puppet, but there’s nowhere I won’t follow Sia. She’s worth the chase.

“Good boy,” Eileen says as she again pats my arm. If anyone else were to do it, I’d feel patronized, but from this woman, I only feel approval. What an odd sensation.

“I’m going to meet Sia’s parents as soon as I leave here,” I tell Eileen, wondering why I’m telling her. Do I want her approval? I need them to like me here, but I’ve never sought anyone’s approval before.

“Meeting the parents? That’s a big step,” she tells me.

“I want to do things right this time around. I could use some of your magic and good luck.”

She laughs. “Oh, people think I’m magical, but I’m just an ordinary woman,” Eileen says with a little extra sparkle in her eyes. “But don’t you worry, Zach, you and Sia have good things coming your way.” I feel a little zap of electricity flow through me and wonder if there really is some truth to the rumors that Eileen is magical. A slight shudder runs through me. I remind myself I don’t believe in magic or fate. I make my own choices.

Eileen gets called away and I finish my coffee just as Amelia comes back out with a large box of donuts and a bag. I pay, giving her a great tip, and make my way outside, hurriedly getting away from the café before I get stopped again.

Carrying the breakfast bounty, I walk down the already active sidewalks of town. It doesn’t take long to get to her house. I remember it well from walking her home countless times nine years ago. I never went inside. Sia kept me her little secret from her parents. I didn’t mind then. This time I do mind. It isn’t happening again. I want us out in the open.

I walk with confidence up her steps to the front door and ring the bell. I hear steps inside, then a beautiful woman, looking far too young to be Sia’s mother, answers the door wearing a fluffy pink robe, her blonde, short haircut perfectly in place. She looks at me with confusion.

“May I help you?” she asks. There’s no fear in her voice, just confusion. That lack of fear might have something to do with the sign in the front yard that says, Due to the cost of ammo a warning shot will not be fired. I better not make these people angry.

“Good morning,” I say, giving her my best smile that’s been known to melt hearts. She doesn’t appear to be too affected by it, so I quickly go on. “I’m Zach, Sia’s boyfriend. I brought breakfast.” I hold up the donuts and bag like a Publisher’s Clearing House prize. The woman’s lips slowly turn up as light dawns in her eyes.

“Nice to meet you, Zach. Come on in,” she says as she holds open the door. This town is a lot more trusting than people in Seattle. I could be lying to her. Then again, I’m sure she’s already heard through the gossip mill that two men were on the plane with her daughter and friends. She’s most likely already gotten my full description.

We walk through the living room into the kitchen where I find a blurry-eyed, tangled-hair Sia sitting at a comfortable table gripping a cup of coffee in her hands like it’s a lifeline. She’s wearing adorable short shorts and a pajama top, and it takes all I have not to pull her up and drag her to the nearest bed. She’s positively radiant in the morning, even with her shocked expression and glowing cheeks. She looks from me to her parents, then back to me, a bit of horror in her eyes.

I feel great. I honestly want to wake up every single day seeing her face. I’ve never had this thought before. I don’t know what exactly it means, but I’m not fighting it. I like how it feels, like throwing her off-kilter, and I really love kissing her.

Without hesitation I walk to her, lean down, and give her a quick kiss on the lips. She gasps, as her eyes light up a bit, and her cheeks flush even more pink. “Good morning, beautiful,” I whisper before leaning back. Her mom watches the whole exchange. If it was only her and me, it wouldn’t have been a chaste kiss.

“You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend,” Sia’s mother chides as she gazes at Sia.

Sia stutters for a moment as she tries to get words past her obviously closed throat. “He’s not my boyfriend,” she finally manages.

Her mother’s arms cross against her chest. “If he’s not your boyfriend, what were you doing out with him all night?” I didn’t think it possible, but Sia’s cheeks flush even more. She looks like a deer caught in headlights right about now as she tries to get more words out. I want to hear what she has to say, but I’m also enjoying this. She’s twenty-seven, but at the moment she’s shifting in her seat like she’s a fifteen-year-old who was caught with the town’s bad boy.

I decide to save her. I need her parents to like me after-all. “Sia’s a bit shy about our relationship. She doesn’t tell anyone we’re seeing each other.” I pull out a chair and sit right beside Sia, letting our shoulders brush. I need to feel her beside me, want her touch. It’s odd how much I need this.

“In her defense, we dated nine years ago when I was here with my brothers and spent a summer together. I didn’t have my head in the right place at the time and made some mistakes. I disappeared and have deep regrets about that. Last month I found her when looking to have my home redesigned. I’ve been lost ever since,” I finish. “Some people say it’s fate.” I almost choke on this last sentence, but I’m trying to charm her parents.

Before her mom can say anything, Sia’s dad walks in the room. It’s not often I find men taller than I am, but he has a couple of inches on me and is about my same size. Impressive. Sia didn’t get her height from her father. He looks at me, then at Sia’s mother, then at Sia, before his gaze settles over me again.

“I’m Ben,” he says, holding out his hand.

“I’m Zach, Sia’s boyfriend.” The man’s hand squeezes mine a little bit harder at these words. Good thing I’m used to a strong handshake. He holds on a little longer than necessary before finally releasing his grip. Message received.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Sia mumbles, but no one listens.

“How long have you been together?” Ben asks. I wait for him and Sia’s mother to take their seats before I sit back down.

“We dated nine years ago, but recently got back together about a month ago,” I say. I then turn to Sia’s mom. “I appreciate you both letting me in, Mr. and Mrs. Rivers.”

“Just call me Carol,” her mother says.

“And me, Ben. I don’t like formality,” Ben says.

“My pleasure.”

Ben reaches over and grabs a breakfast sandwich and Carol grabs a burrito. I think Sia’s now on her second donut. I’ve noticed when she’s nervous she tends to eat. It’s just one more adorable thing about her.

“Zach, what do you do for a living?” Carol asks. It’s so funny what the questions are from dating a teenager to dating a woman. Parents want to make sure their daughters aren’t with losers. I totally get that. I can’t imagine having a daughter and having some punk come around thinking he can date her. It gives me a bit of remorse for how I’ve treated women through the years. They all are somebody’s daughters.

“I manage properties. I do a lot of buying and selling, but I also keep several of them. I have a great team who does all of the day-to-day work, making it easier for me to get away, for example, it’s easy coming here for weeks at a time. I know Sia’s been talking that she wants to get home more,” I say with my most winning smile. These also aren’t just words. If she wants to spend three weeks of the month here, I’m more than willing to accommodate her. At this moment I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep her at my side.

I see her parents’ eyes light up. They like this a lot. It seems they won’t mind their daughter dating a man who’s willing to bring her home a lot more often than she’s been coming.

They ask a few more questions as all of us make a nice dent in the food I’ve brought over. I’m glad I did. It’s a great icebreaker. Then her dad looks at me with a stern expression.

“How serious are you about our daughter?” Before I can answer, Sia interrupts again.

“I said he’s not my boyfriend. We had a couple... um... dates.” Her cheeks flush again.

“She doesn’t like the boyfriend, girlfriend terms, but she’ll get used to it,” I tell them. Then I look her dad in the eyes. “I’m very serious.” I am serious about her, more than I’ve even admitted to myself. I don’t want to let her get away. I can’t predict the future, and I don’t like that I got her name out of the box on Gramps’s desk, but none of that seems to matter right now.

“That’s good to hear,” her father says.

“Do you have plans today?” I ask them.

“I have golf,” her father says.

“I have a festival meeting that will take all afternoon,” her mother says. I grin at both of them.

“I didn’t want to interrupt family time, but I want to take Sia out, and I’ll make sure to have her back home when you get back,” I say.

Sia grumbles at me. We all pretend not to hear. “That sounds lovely. People don’t initially see the beauty of our town, but we don’t mind as it’s been our own personal paradise for a long time, however there’s a lot to do and see,” Carol says.

“I was going to go to the planning meeting with you, Mom,” Sia says, looking at her mom with pleading eyes.

“Oh, darling, we can’t bring visitors to the meetings. It’s very hush, hush until the festival. You know how rumors spread around here,” her mother says, not even attempting to save her. I give Carol an award-winning grin.

“Good, then it’s settled,” I say as I reach over and give Sia’s enticing thigh a nice squeeze. She narrows her eyes at me, and I’m sure I’m going to get an earful when we leave, but for now, I’m quite pleased with the situation.

“I have to get going if I’m gonna make tee-time,” Ben says as he stands. I rise as well and shake the man’s hand again before he exits the room.

“I also need to get ready. It takes a while,” Carol says. She then gives me a firm look. “You take good care of our daughter.” It’s definitely a command.

“I sure will,” I promise. It’s a promise I intend to keep.

Sia gives me another look before she rises and exits the kitchen with her parents. I have all the time in the world to wait. I lean back and grab another donut. It’s delicious, definitely worth flying down here for the food alone. The company is an added bonus.

It takes nearly an hour, but Sia finally comes back out, freshly showered and wearing shorts that showcase her long, lean legs, and a shirt that hugs her beautiful curves. I want to take her straight back to her room and strip the clothes away. Maybe I can get us back to the cabin. The problem with that idea is the workers are now out and I don’t need more gossip spreading. It’s okay, though, because I need to show her this is about more than sex. I’m sure the need to take her every ten minutes will pass the longer were together. Besides, I already made plans, hoping they’d come to fruition.

Back to the sex thoughts, though. Our summer together the lust never dimmed. I couldn’t get enough of her then, and I have a feeling it’s going to be the same now. Making love to her is different from anyone else I was ever with. My appetite is insatiable. I do want more though. I have no desire to run as soon as I’m satisfied.

“Are you ready for a day of adventure?” I ask.

She nods. “It looks like that’s what’s happening,” she says. I have no idea what she’s thinking, but I’m okay as long as she’s with me. I have a fun activity planned. I need to get her to take down her walls again.

We leave her parents’ house and walk down the block before she speaks. “I can’t believe you showed up at my parents’ house,” she says, keeping her voice quiet. We’re both well aware neighbors could be listening in. It’s so odd to have to be careful with what I say and where I say it. In the city no one cares what other people are talking about.

“I wanted to meet them and needed to make a good impression since we’re together now.”

“What makes you think we’re together?” She stops and looks at me, her hands on her hips. She’s trying to be firm, but I see the spark in her eyes. She’s just as affected by me as I am by her. We’re meant to be together.

I pull her to me and love the small gasp that escapes her pretty pink lips. “The moans you cried last night,” I tell her and give her the kiss I’ve been wanting to give her all morning. She instantly melts against me. I might have to keep her in lust all day as she seems far more receptive to me in this state. I’m good with that.

When I pull back, she’s a bit wobbly on her feet. She takes a moment to pull herself together. Then she glares at me. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, and I’m not going to say I regret last night, but just because we had sex again doesn’t mean we’re a couple.”

I grin at her before taking her hand and walking again. She has no choice but to walk at my side.

“You keep thinking that. I choose to think of us as a couple. I have no desire to be with any other woman, and if a man even attempted to ask you out, I’d have to pulverize him. That makes us a couple.” Her breath hitches at these words. I’m shocking her. Good. I like keeping her off-balance. I’ve never wanted to be in a monogamous relationship before, but considering I don’t see other women except for Sia in my life, it’s pretty clear that’s what this is.

“Well, I can’t keep you from thinking what you want.” She doesn’t pull her hand from mine, though. We’re making progress.

“I will. Now, I’ve rented a boat for us and your friends, so we’re going fishing.” She stops and her eyes light up. Good. I chose well. I might’ve had some help when I called and woke Nikki up, but I won’t share that.

“I do love boating,” she reluctantly says.

I laugh. “Then today will be a fun day. We better hurry though. We’re wasting the best fishing time.”

She finally smiles at me, and I want to skip down the damn sidewalk. It’s crazy how much I want to please this woman. I finally understand how my brothers felt on their own journeys. I’m not fighting it anymore. I’m going to embrace it and see exactly where it leads me.