Chapter 14 Bea
I’ve never said yes so many times
Zaxon leaves to speak with Antionette and I’m tempted to take care of myself in the shower with how turned on he’s got me. But I don’t. Waiting for him to return and take me is far more appealing.
Turning on the water I take my time entering the shower and standing under the warm spray, washing and rinsing the salt from my hair and body.
I may have complained about the sand, but all in all, Zaxon did a great job keeping it off me.
The only grains clinging to me are on my feet and ankles.
It’s probably the most fun I’ve had at a beach ever.
Zaxon returns as I’m rubbing soap in my hands, letting the bubbles foam and froth.
He removes his pants (the only clothing he’s wearing) and enters the shower with me, squirting the liquid body wash in his hands and lathering it up.
We take turns washing each other, Zaxon’s large hands slipping over my shoulders and arms, cupping my breasts and lingering on my nipples.
They trail down my stomach and delve between my thighs.
He only teases me briefly there before moving down my thighs and calves.
Once he’s done with his thorough washing it’s my turn to wash him.
He’s much larger than me and it takes me a few minutes longer to reach all of him.
I start to wash his wings, but he stops me, directing my hands to his hips and glorious cock instead.
Apparently, the skin of his wings is different than the rest of him and requires special oil instead of the frothy soap.
By the time we’re completely washed we’re both breathing heavily and reaching for each other. We don’t even make it out of the bathroom, Zaxon takes me right up against the wall by the door. His wings and tail knocking the few items on the counter behind him to the floor.
After, we lay in his bed, curled under the blanket and staring up at the origami stars hanging from the ceiling.
Zaxon on his back and me lounging across his broad chest that’s smooth as a baby’s bottom, completely hairless, just like the rest of his body.
I’m not sure if he shaves, waxes or naturally has zero hair on his body, but I like the vast expanse of stone-grey skin.
I press a kiss to his chest and realize he also doesn’t seem to sweat. The lack of salty moisture on his skin making me jealous. He’s kind of the perfect guy, and that makes me worry. Because even a top five-star restaurant has a few rats in the pantry.
How did he manage to get me here? So calm and pliant and willing?
I’ve never said yes so many times to another person before.
We’ve only just met each other barely a week ago, and yet, I feel completely comfortable around him.
Like I’ve known him for far longer than the handful of days we’ve spent together.
I suppose being forced to spend nearly twenty-four hours a day together makes it easier to get to know someone.
Which only makes me realize, I have to return to my apartment and job in a few days.
Return to my perfectly scheduled—but increasingly boring and lonely—life.
None of the guys I’ve dated in the past felt like it does with Zaxon.
Maybe my problem was dating human men. All I needed to do was find me a hairless, overly cheerful, dirty talking gargoyle. Who knew?
I drop my eyes from the paper stars on the ceiling to the amethyst starfish Zaxon made me, sitting on the small wooden side table.
I love that he calls me Starfish. Considering how much I hate the beach and ocean—or used to hate it, it’s kind of growing on me—I wouldn’t have though I’d like the pet name.
But it’s sweet and I like the way it sounds when he says it.
I just hope he will continue saying it after I go back to my normal job and living in my apartment.
He can come stay with me whenever he wants.
Although I’m not sure my full-size mattress will fit his large frame. Might have to upgrade.
“So, I have to go back to work soon,” I begin, hoping to ease my way into a conversation that I have no idea how it’s going to end.
“Mmhmm,” Zaxon drawls, his clawed finger trailing lazy circles across my back.
“Which means I won’t be here every day to lounge on the nude beach and eat strange flavored ice cream. I’ll have new assignments and I need to return to my apartment. I have bills and rent to deal with. But that doesn’t mean I want to stop seeing you. I actually really want to keep seeing you.”
Zaxon chuckles and I scowl. What is he laughing at? Is dating me so funny?
“What’s so funny?”
I sit up and glare down at him, that annoyingly gorgeous smile spread wide on his absurdly handsome face, with his square jaw line and sleek horns.
“You Starfish. Thinking we wouldn’t see each other just because your assignment here is ending.
As a matter of fact…” Zaxon tucks a hand under his head, causing his bicep to flex, which momentarily distracts me.
“If you were serious before, down at the beach, Antoinette would love to discuss a job opportunity with you. Then you won’t have to leave. If you don’t want to.”
“Wait…What?” I am thoroughly confused now. We joked about me working here and living in a tropical paradise with direct access to naked Zaxon whenever I desire, but that was just talk. Right?
“I may have run the idea past Antoinette while you were in the shower. She thought it over and is interested in discussing hiring you on as a permanent inspector for the resort.”
“I…what?” I ask again because I’m not sure I heard him right. “Does the resort even need a full-time code enforcement agent? Most establishments only need to be checked over once a year. How could she possibly have enough work to necessitate one?”
I sit up and lean again the headboard, my vision unfocused even more than it already is without my glasses. There’s a hazard of a cracked lens when in bed with Zaxon so I don’t dare wear them during sex with him. Besides, with him so close I’m able to see him just fine.
Zaxon shifts to sit at my side, adjusting his wings to drape over the edge of the bed so he can turn to face me. His ever-curious tail curling around my waist. The weight of it oddly comforting. His beautiful lavender eyes glimmer with mirth as he watches me, far calmer than I.
“I may have suggested you could do more than just point out infractions. You could correct them or create new protocol to prevent further issues. Things like that. If you’re interested.”
Am I interested? It would be a great gig. Work in one location consistently. Be surrounded by the same coworkers daily rather than dealing with an ever-rotating roster of business owners trying to bribe me for a better rating.
“Are you interested?” Zaxon’s soft voice pulls my attention away from staring at his sheets.
“Maybe. I wasn’t in the market for a new job but I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Why are you smiling like that?”
Zaxon’s practically showing me all his teeth with how big he’s grinning. It’s obscene, even for him. It makes me frown, my brows knitting together in confusion. Since he’s always smiling it can be confusing sometimes to know why.
“You’re not saying no. Looks like I may have succeeded in fucking the grumpy right out of you.”
I bump his shoulder with mine and can’t hide the grin tugging at my lips. Zaxon’s tail slides up my naked body and the tip cups one breast. That damn tail of his is far too dexterous.
“I wouldn’t go that far. There’s still plenty of grump left. If there weren’t I wouldn’t be so good at my job.”
“I guess I can live with that. As long as none of the grump is directed at me.”
I laugh and relax into his touch, melting against him. “I can’t promise that. If you do something that deserves my grump, you’re going to get it. Can’t help it.”
With a kiss to my temple, Zaxon wraps himself around me pulling us both back down to the bed. “Guess I’ll just have to work harder then.”
“You can try all you like, but it’s not going to work.”
“Challenge accepted,” is all he says before trying like hell to fuck the grump out of me…and almost succeeding.
~
I make my way to the main building with the reception and check in desks, where Zaxon instructed me to find Antoinette’s office. He wanted to come with me, but I insisted he didn’t. This is basically a job interview and I don’t need my_lover?...boyfriend?...reference?_ to come with me.
I ask a friendly looking male faun employee where to find her office and follow down the hall he indicates.
Her door is ajar when I approach it, but I still knock.
Quickly smoothing the skirt of my most professional sundress I packed.
It has a higher neckline and covered shoulders, but there’s nothing I can do about the sunny yellow and white stripes.
Hopefully she won’t judge me as unprofessional because of it.
I wasn’t planning on a job interview while here.
“Come in,” Antoinette’s light but authoritative voice calls out from beyond the door.
I press through the door and take a few steps into the colorful office.
It’s décor matching the rest of the resort, the pastel palm frond print carpet continuing in from the hallway.
Her unique blue and yellow desk faces into the room, her back to the wall on my left and the large windows open to the resort beyond.
I stop and wait politely for her to either tell me to leave or sit.
Antoinette looks up and her face transforms with a genuine smile. “Bea. Wonderful to see you. Come in, sit. You can close the door behind you, please.”
I quietly press the door shut and quickly move to the chairs across the desk from her, sitting on the edge and crossing my ankles, my purse rested at the foot of my chair and my hands folded demurely on my knees. The picture of propriety. At least the best I can in a sundress and ballet flats.
“Thank you for seeing me. I wasn’t planning on a job interview while here,” I laugh quietly, trying to ease into this conversation, not sure what to expect.
“Neither was I, but when Zaxon brought it up yesterday, the idea was intriguing.”
“I thought he was just joking when we were discussing it on the beach. But when he said you were interested, I couldn’t say no to at least meeting with you.”
Antoinette stacks the folders together on her desk and clears away a space in front of her, steepling her fingers and watching me intently but sincerely.
“So, tell me Bea, what is something you may have seen while here that you would change? I know you can’t tell me anything that you listed on the report but let’s say a for-instance situation.”
I think about it for a moment then go into a generalized description of something I saw in the movie theater/bowling alley area. Citing possible solutions and ways to avoid similar issues in the future. When I’m done with my suggestions Antionette is nodding and smiling, which is a good sign.
“Well, I guess now is the time to discuss pay and benefits,” she says, completely surprising me.
“Oh, okay. What is your offer?”
I learned in the past that you never tell a potential employer what you want to be paid until after their first offer.
Because sometimes their offer is higher, and you never want to sell yourself short.
If her offer is lower than what I’m currently making, then I’ll negotiate, if higher, then I’ll have something to think about.
Her offer is definitely higher. And the benefits way better.
“In addition, part of your benefits will also include access to our facilities. You will have unlimited use our pools, beaches, fitness center, movie theater, bowling alley, and carnival rides. All of which are restricted to guests or day pass holders only. You will have access to the restaurants, shops, bars, and the spa but unlike our guests who get food, drink and spa services included with their stay, you will have to pay for your own.”
“That seems more than fair.”
“So, what do you think Bea? Is this something you’re interested in? I think adding you to the Coconut Cove family would benefit everyone.”
My lips part like I’m going to answer, but nothing comes out.
I don’t think I can answer on the spot like this.
I should at least take a day to think it over, right?
Such a big change should constitute more processing than a few minutes.
Or does it? I don’t have to leave my old job until after I sign a contract with Coconut Cove. But just to be safe.
“Can I think about it for the day? I’d like to make sure this is the right decision for me. Especially since it came as a surprise.”
“Of course,” Antoinette says gesturing with her hands, her plastic dangling sea turtle earrings tinkling with her movement.
“You think about it and get back to me with in the next week. I promise I won’t interview anyone else for the position and all my offers will not change.
Here at Coconut Cove, we take care of our employees so that our employees can take care of our guests.
We want to make sure you’re happy here.”
“Thank you I will get back to you soon. Before my stay here is over for sure.”
“That would be wonderful. I’d like to get you working as soon as possible if able.”
She lowers her custom chair and stands, circling her desk. I stand to meet her, picking up my macrame purse and slipping it over my elbow.
“I look forward to hearing from you Miss Barlete.” She extends her small pink tipped mint green hand, and I accept it, shaking it. She has a firm grip for someone so small.
The entire walk back to Zaxon’s apartment I drag my feet, taking my time, and even sitting on a bench for a while, to think about her offer.