My encounter with Seth has left me buzzing, a happy kind of buzz. A genuine grin has been plastered on my face since seeing him. Seriously, what were my chances of meeting my Captain America again so soon?
As I soak up the sun on the back porch, the UV rays heat my skin. This place is heavenly; it helps me forget my woes. Tonight, my plan is to go see Sherri. A nice night out will be good for my sanity, plus she had already invited me around.
My phone rings again, and when I see Dad’s name flashing on the screen, I sigh. I can no longer avoid talking to him. I haven’t wanted to talk about Mum and I don’t want to hear the sadness in his voice. It will tear me apart because I know he’s hurting as well.
“Hey Dad,” I answer, with no emotion in my voice.
“Oh, finally,” he breathes. I hear the relief in his tone. “Hello, sweetheart, how are you going?”
“Surprisingly, I’m going good. Just taking some time out.” And I am. I’m starting to feel somewhat happy again. I may put on a ‘I don’t care attitude,’ but I’m not dwelling on the pain that’s left an empty void within me. At least I’m trying.
“Yeah, you told me. Where are you?”
“Oh, a little beach town a couple hours’ north.”
“You don’t want to tell me?” he questions, and truthfully, I don’t want to.
“No, I don’t.” I sound like a bitch of a daughter. I’m allowed to be this time.
Dad sighs into the phone. “Sweetheart, she wants to talk to you.”
Here we go again. My eyes roll the instant I hear the mention of her. “I don’t want to talk to her, Dad. I don’t want to hear excuses, and why the heck are you sticking up for her? She betrayed you.”
I’m met with silence. I hate myself for lashing out at the one person who hasn’t lied to me. Perhaps my confrontations went too far. Yes, she did betray him, but he forgave her. “Sorry Dad.”
“Alright Chloe, I’ll leave you to it. Please keep in touch.” His response is cold.
The ache in my chest becomes more pained, because of my thoughtless words. “Thanks Dad. Bye.”
“Love you, Chloe.”
“Love you, too.”
Our call disconnects, and I’m back in my dark, depressed state of mind. Now I’m left struggling with the guilt.
“Great job, Chloe,” I say aloud, frustrated with myself, no longer enjoying the sunshine.
“What’s Chloe done now?”
“Holy damn!” I shout at the unannounced male standing at the corner of the porch. I practically tumble out of my chair. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Amused at my reaction, Seth replies, “I’ve come to tell you I’ll have your replacement tyre here the day after tomorrow.”
Twice in one day. I’m not sure how much more I can handle. His eyes fall on my tanning body. I quickly scramble for my sarong to cover up. Seth has a hungry glint in his eyes, as though he could jump me at any moment.
“Are you stalking me? Why didn’t you simply call, instead of scaring the ever-loving hell out of me?” I ask, once I compose and adjust myself in my seat. My pulse races with excitement as well as fright.
He erupts with laughter. “No, although I’m sure that’s what it looks like. It’s not a bad idea.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me. My body decides to respond with flutters trailing up and down my spine.
“You do realize I could get you arrested?” I raise my eyebrows with a cheeky smile on my face. My flirtatiousness pokes its head out of the corner I’d stashed it in.
“Oh, I’d love to see you try, my little damsel in distress,” he tuts, clicking his tongue.
“I can be very persuasive,” I say seductively, pouting my lips.
“Oh really?” he says briefly. “I’ll have to wait and see about that.”
My eyes drop to my hands to hide the shy smile playing on my lips.
“I have a tendency to catch you by surprise,” he says as if he’s super proud of his efforts.
“Yeah, you tend to do that.”
“It’s rather fun.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Sarcasm drips from my words.
He stands at the bottom of the porch steps. He is a great-looking man. He’s still in his work clothes and a tad greasy. Damn! Those arms are toned, and I can easily imagine myself wrapped in them.
Snap out of it! I cuss myself.
“I actually wanted to see if you were busy tonight.”
Umm . . . what?
Finally, after a moment, I respond. “Yeah, sorry. I’ve got plans to go visit Sherri. She invited me over when I saw her yesterday.”
“Yeah, that sounds like her.” He grins knowingly. “Would you like some company? I can pick you up and take you so you don’t get lost or . . . bust another tyre.”
His playful response makes me immediately want to say yes. A battle begins waging within me. Men equal trouble and betrayal, I remind myself. “No, I’ll be okay. Thanks though.”
He nods, seeming to accept my answer. “So, what’s Chloe done now?” he repeats.
“Oh, that’s not important.” I wave my hand.
“Oh, come on, I’m a good listener.” Without an invitation, he leaps up the stairs and sits in the empty chair beside me. Our arms are centimetres from each other. My body becomes alive, and I’m fully aware of his proximity.
“I don’t even know you . . . Why would I tell you?”
His blue eyes gaze at me. I wonder what he’s thinking “Well how about I prove to you I’m someone you can rely on?” I wasn’t expecting this question.
“Pfft . . .” I expel a breath of air between my taut lips. “Wait, what? Me trusting you might be harder work than you realise.”
He doesn’t respond; instead, he looks out over the ocean. The silence is only broken by the sounds of the sea and seagulls. I watch the water slide along the sand with each new wave, smoothing out every imprint, making it flat once again. If only things in our lives could be washed away as easily as the sea made it look.
“I’m more than ready to prove myself.”
Goosebumps prickle over my skin. I shift my body to look directly at him. “Why?”
He simply shrugs, not shifting his eyes from mine. “Because I can, and I think everyone should have a friend.” His grin is infectious, making my stomach clench.
“Well good luck to you then, dear sir.”
He stands from his seat, taking my hand once again and placing another light kiss upon the back of it. “And to you, fair lady. Please try not to fall too hard for me. It might hurt.” He seems so sure of himself.
“Me? Fall hard? I think you’re the one that better not fall. This,” my free hand gestures to my body, “is hard to resist.”
His eyes ogle me. Quickly clearing his throat, he releases my hand. “Umm yeah . . .” Another clearing of his throat. “Yeah, you got me there. I’ll do my best.”
“Game, set, and match, my dear sir.”
Catching me by surprise, he releases my hand and leans forward on the armrests of my chair. His face is right in front of mine. My stomach dances like a swarm of butterflies are taking flight in there. If I lean in, I could totally kiss him right now.
He moves closer. His breath tickles my nose. A large lump catches in my throat. His soft lips that were placing a kiss on my hand only moments ago, now move in. My eyes connect with his deep blues; they entrance me in some sort of spell.
Closer and closer he gets, licking his lips. I follow suit. When he’s mere millimetres from my lips, he bolts upright. His wicked yet cheeky grin beams down on my waiting and wanting body. I’m left panting as though I’ve run a race.
“Don’t look so disheartened, sweetheart.” He chuckles.
Composing myself as quickly as I can, I respond, “Who’s disheartened? Stop playing games with me.” Grabbing the cushion from his chair, I throw it at him. He’s left me wondering about his taste, and what his lips would feel like on mine.
“Till next time, my fair lady.” He twists suddenly before stepping away as if he was planning to leave, but his eyes are fixed on mine once more. “I’ll pick you up at seven. We’ll go see Sherri together.”
“No, I would feel terrible not giving her enough warning.” I argue jumping from my chair.
Seth waves his hand. “Sherri loves me. She has always loved when I visit because I make her laugh,” he states, puffing out his chest proudly. I roll my eyes at his boyish charm. Who wouldn’t love you? Damn, there I go again with my stupid girly infatuation.
“She probably just puts up with you,” I tease.
He takes two of the four steps in a leap until his face is right in front of mine again. “How could she not love this face? You like it, don’t you?” His breath now tickles my lips. I suck in a mouthful of air as my throat constricts, causing me to swallow, hard.
“Ye—I mean no.” Shaking my head, I take a quick step back, I force some distance between us. Gosh . . . How does he steal my strength and resolve so easily?
The sound of his laughter bellows loudly. “See you at seven, beautiful.” He winks before walking away.
I can’t fight this. It’s taken all my fight to disagree with him after his almost kiss. I collapse back into my seat. I nearly kissed those perfect lips. Damn him . . .