Chapter 3 Bea
Still the devil’s dust
The knock comes right at eight on the dot. Guess he wasn’t joking. Shame. I was hoping he would forget about showing me around and do like every other employee tasked with escorting a code enforcement agent and not show up.
I can already tell by the chipper beat he knocks on the door he’s going to be insufferable and chatty all day. He better not set me back. I only have seven days to walk the entirety of the guest accessible areas in the resort and I do not need a jabber jaw gargoyle slowing me down.
Taking my time walking to the door I half expect a second follow up knock, but none comes.
At least he’s not impatient or rude. Pulling it open, there he stands.
Shirtless, again. The military style khaki cargo pants barely fit his massive thighs and…
other things. Okay I looked at his package alright, sue me.
I may not like being stuck with a nanny but that doesn’t mean I’m blind and can’t see how extremely attractive and built and…
endowed he is. He’s a gargoyle, he’s massive.
Everywhere. The wings, the tail, the talons, the horns, the bulge, and let’s not forget his overly wide smile.
“Oh good, you’re here. I was worried you wouldn’t show,” I say with as monotone and derisive a tone as possible. He doesn’t catch on and smiles wider, flashing fangs.
“I’m a very prompt male, always on time. Don’t you worry.”
Oh boy, it’s going to be a long day.
“Sorry, what I meant to say was, I was hoping you wouldn’t show.”
“You don’t mean that. We’re going to have a great day. Have you had breakfast yet? It’s the most important meal of the day.”
Kill me know, he’s a fucking morning person. I am too, but only in the sense that getting up earlier allows me to get more work done so I can have the evenings to myself. I don’t like getting up early, and I most certainly am never happy about it.
“Yes, I’ve eaten. Can we go now?”
“Absolutely. Where are we going first?” Zaxon asks, holding the door to keep it from shutting as I step back into my room to grab my purse.
“Where the guests spend most of their time.”
“That would be the beach then. I love the beach. It’s a perfect day for a stroll in the sand.”
“I will not be strolling on the beach if I can help it.”
Stepping out of my room, Zaxon barely moves, and I have to maneuver around his bulk that takes up most of the doorway. His ever-present smile falters and a curious expression crosses his chiseled features.
“You don’t like the beach?”
“Nope.”
“Not even a little?”
“Not even a little.”
Zaxon looks downright despaired. Like I just admitted to enjoying watching puppies drown or something.
“Why not? Everyone likes the beach.”
“No, they don’t. Plenty of people dislike the beach.”
Zaxon follows behind me as I make my way down the hall to the exterior exit doors.
The sun is already beaming outside, and I internally groan.
I should have brought a hat or parasol or something.
At least I didn’t forget my sunblock. Thankfully I tan more than burn, but still. Sweat, humidity, yuck.
My glasses shift from clear to a dark tint as we exit the building, and I can already feel the sand in my shoes.
“But the beach is great. The sand, the water, the cool breeze off the ocean.”
“The lack of shade, excess of screaming children, dehydration, and don’t even get me started on the sand.”
“Sand?” Zaxon asks like he completely forgot the beach is covered in microscopic grains of devil dust.
“Yes, sand. Those tiny little particles get everywhere, and I mean everywhere. In your ears, eyes, mouth and butt crack. I don’t know why anyone would willingly expose themselves to such torture.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone describe a day at the beach as torture.”
We turn down the paved sidewalk rounding the main building and outdoor pool area, the place I would like to be at some point this week. Pool areas don’t have sand, but plenty of lounge chairs and an easily accessible bar and restroom. So much better than the beach.
As we get closer to the lagoon’s beach the walkway transitions from paved to wood planked boardwalk.
“Let’s just say if I were to die and go to hell, where they forced me to relive a day over and over as torture for the rest of eternity, it would be a day at the beach.”
“Are you sure it’s the beach and not the company? Maybe you just need to go with the right person to the right beach.”
I ponder his question. He could have a point.
If I were to go to a quiet secluded beach with a private cabana, a cooler filled with my favorite drinks and snacks, an umbrella that rotates with the sun so I always have shade without moving, the perfect lounge chair, and maybe an attractive male to carry me over the sand, I might enjoy myself.
“That’s a lot of maybes and I don’t think you’d be able to deliver on all my requirements.”
“You don’t know that.” Zaxon’s voice drops an octave, and although still teasing, is now more…suggestive. “Tell you what, when the sand starts bothering you, you just let me know and I’ll take care of it.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’ll find out.” His violet eyes sparkle in the sunlight and I hate that he’s so attractive. Why couldn’t he be ugly? Or maybe rude? Then at least I wouldn’t get distracted so easily.
I ignore his subtle offer and not so subtle flirting and keep my eye on to the beach and boardwalk around us. The wood under foot is stable and sturdy, well maintained for the salt, sand and water with little deterioration. That’s a good sign.
Pulling out my handy leather-bound notebook from my purse I open it and make a note for my reports.
“What’s that?” Zaxon peers over my shoulder, which is really just him looking down because he’s so tall and inspects my pocket-sized notebook.
I snap it shut, because he doesn’t need to be reading my notes. Don’t want him tipping off his boss before I can report any infractions.
“My notebook. I am working, remember? I’m taking notes.”
“Anything bad?”
“Like I’m going to tell you that.”
He snorts a laugh and shoves his hands into the pockets of his pants, and I fear he may strain the material beyond its limits and end up flashing the entire resort what he’s packing underneath. Not that I would mind but there are children around that might.
“Fair enough.” He gives me another big grin and I roll my eyes at him, refocusing on my task at hand.
I count the distance between trash receptacles, cleanliness of the beach areas, number of available loungers, chairs and umbrellas and their condition.
A few of the chairs could use replacing but so far nothing overly concerning, other than the amount of sand in my shoe.
Even wearing sandals, it sticks between my foot and the soul of the shoe, rubbing like a pumice stone.
Well, there’s one benefit, exfoliated feet.
“Damn it. Why does there have to be so much sand?”
“Because it’s a beach resort.”
“Ha ha, you’re hilarious.”
Zaxon chuckles and his wings shift with the rise and fall of his shoulders.
“All I did was answer your question. Glad to hear I’m so effortlessly funny. Maybe one of my unintentional jokes will make you crack a smile. I’ve already seen one crack I wouldn’t mind seeing another.”
That almost does make me smile. It was kinda funny. I bite my lips to keep from cracking anything, including my composure.
“So, how long have you been working here Zaxon? You seem to fit right in.”
The large gargoyle licks his lips in concentration, and I stare at his purple tongue as it sweeps across his fangs. Nope. I will not be turned on by him and his attractive face and hot body and giant…everything. Nope. Not even a little.
“About eight, no nine years. How long have you been a code enforcement agent?”
“Going on five years now.”
“Have you always wanted to be an agent? Or is this just a day job? Let me guess your real love is being a party clown and you just do this for the insurance?”
An unexpected laugh burst from my lips. I quickly cover it with my hand hoping he didn’t hear it. No such luck.
“So, you can laugh. I bet there’s even a smile hiding under your hand.”
I lower my hand to show my unsmiling face. He doesn’t need to know I’m actively forcing my lips to remain downturned.
“Ah, well, next time,” he promises.
I’d like to say there won’t be a next time, but at the rate he’s going there undoubtedly will be, so I don’t argue.
“I like rules and structure and was always good at spotting issues. I’m very observant. It seemed like a natural fit. Plus, I like the power it asserts me over business owners who don’t take proper care of their property.”
“Oh, so you like being dominant huh?” Zaxon quirks a brow and I side eye him.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing, just making an observation. I’m good at it too.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about, but I have a feeling it’s inappropriate, so I don’t ask for an elaboration. Plus, I don’t really care what he observes of me. He’s already seen plenty.
For at least an hour we slowly walk along the beach boardwalk. I take my time testing the wood of the path with each step and check the functionality of the outdoor showers for washing off sand and salt.
We pass by guests both human and monster.
A vampire walks past wearing a full linen suit and carrying a black umbrella to protect his skin from the sun.
As long as vampires stay out of direct sunlight, they’re plenty able to be out during the day.
They even invented a sunscreen to help protect from sunburns, at least in small amounts.
It's not one hundred percent effective but it allows a vampire to wonder outside in indirect daylight easily.
I give the vamp plenty of space to pass by without hindering his shade.
I end up stepping on Zaxon’s tail and almost fall over in the process.
Zaxon is quick to catch me by the arm so I don’t face plant in the sand.
Once again, he saves me from eating a mouth full of sand and spending hours trying to wash out the grains from between my teeth.
“Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. Are you okay?”
Zaxon’s hold on my arm is sturdy and firm but not painful as he rights me and pulls his tail out of harm’s way.
“It’s okay. It’s mainly muscle and you weigh very little. I barely felt a thing.”
“Oh good.”
One edge of Zaxon’s mouth quirks and I can tell he’s trying to not smile but having a hard time stopping it.
“Is there something you need from me?”
That’s a strange question to ask after I just walked on his tail.
“Um, no. I don’t think so. Why?”
His violet eyes angle down, and I follow their trajectory. That’s when I realize I’ve managed to drop my notebook and press myself to his chest, my hands practically groping his abs.
“Oh, sorry,” I squeak and jump back as if bitten by fire ants.
What the hell is my problem?
“Not a problem. You’re welcome to accost me whenever you’d like.”
“I didn’t accost you, I…I just…” I fumble with my words unable to come up with a fast enough excuse for why I was feeling him up.
“You were just…?” Zaxon hedges and lifts a knowing eyebrow at me. “Checking for other injuries? Making sure you didn’t give me a papercut with your cute little notebook?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Speaking of my notebook, where the hell did it go?
Looking down at my feet I don’t see it and circle like a dog chasing its tail before I spot it a few feet away. In the freaking sand. Ughk. Fucking sand.
Stepping to the edge of the boardwalk I squat down and stretch out an arm to grab my notebook. Damn thing is just out of my reach. I try twisting to the side but no luck.
“You need some help? I can get that for you.”
“No thank you, I’m fine. I’ve got it.”
I can hear his silent laughter behind me but ignore it. I think I’ve managed to make enough of a fool of myself this morning, I don’t need to add to it.
When I realize there’s no way I’m going to be able to reach it without getting into the sand, I give up and lean forward falling onto my knees.
The sand is warm and admittedly softer than expected.
Still the devil’s dust. I pluck the upturned notebook, shaking out as much sand as possible before brushing the rest off with my hand, and slipping it back into my macrame purse.
I’m going to have to use the hairdryer in the room to blow out all the granules later.
“Did it survive?” Zaxon asks sarcastically from behind me.
I stand, brushing the sand off my knees and regret not letting him retrieve the notebook for me, because the sand just falls onto my feet and between the straps of my sandals. Turning on my heel I face Zaxon and his grin is soft and lacking the mockery I would expect from anyone else.
“I think it’ll live.”
“And what about you? Is the sand finally getting to you?”
“Maybe, if I could write it up as excessive and obstructing guests I would. Why? Are you going to take care of it?”
He shrugs one massive shoulder and crosses his arms over his chest. “Maybe.”
“What are you gonna do? Politely ask the sand to leave me and my shoes the hell alone?”
“Nope.”
I nearly miss the mischievous grin spread across Zaxon’s face, because in about zero point three seconds, he’s scooped me up under my knees and around my back and is cradling me like a bride against his broad, warm, hard chest. God he smells good.
“What are you doing?”
“Saving you from the sand. This way you won’t get any more on you. Problem solved.”
This close to his skin I can smell the ocean on him and nearly lean in to get a better whiff.
Instead, I reach down to make sure the sundress I put on this morning isn’t falling open and flashing everyone my butt.
Again. I really should wear shorts or pants if this is going to keep happening.
Thankfully, Zaxon managed to catch the hem of my dress and has it securely wedged between my thigh and his large hand.
A hand that nearly encompasses my entire thigh. Damn.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone else see your crack.” He winks and starts walking in the direction we were heading.
Although that was my main concern it is not my only concern. There’s also…um, you know…stuff.