by S. M. Shade
“They have a special exhibit on the evolution of the whale. I know how you love that nerdy sciency stuff.”
“Sciency is not a word,” I laugh, grabbing his hand and pulling him inside. “We’d better hurry, it closes soon.”
“Not for us. I arranged for a little private time.”
My mouth falls open. “Private time?”
“In about fifteen minutes, we’ll have the place to ourselves.”
Chapter Twelve
Landon
Bright excited eyes land on mine, and I chuckle at her exuberance. Zoe is beautiful on her worst day, but when she’s happy, she exudes a glow that encompasses everyone around her. I don’t think people even notice sometimes, but when she’s happy, it’s contagious, and the whole room seems to brighten.
Her gaze travels over the exhibit with open fascination. I don’t know half of what I’m looking at, but I know science—and especially evolution—is her passion. “That thing.” I point at a picture of some creature. “Is seriously ugly.”
Her arm hooks through mine. “That’s a Pakicetus. It’s the most basal whale. They existed about forty-eight million years ago.”
“Whales come from that? It has legs. Could it even breathe underwater?”
“Whales can’t breathe underwater,” she giggles. “They have lungs and have to come up for air, just like us. It evolved into Ambulocetus about a million years later. See.” She points to the next picture and studies the replica of an Amb-whatever skeleton. “It still has legs and doesn’t live in the water, but feeds there, sort of like an alligator. It wasn’t until another million years later when the Maiacetus emerged that they started spending more time in the water than on land. Their legs functioned both in and out of the water.
“The Durodon was the first descendent to be completely aquatic nearly nine million years later. See where the forelimbs have become flippers? And the hind limbs are tiny. It’s also developed tail flukes and…” She looks up from where she’s bent over studying the skeleton and giggles. “I’m boring the shit out of you, aren’t I? I can get carried away.”
“I’m not bored at all. I love to see you so excited.” We make our way through the exhibit. “I can tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile, at least.”
“Oh yeah, what’s the difference?” she challenges.
“One will see you later and the other will see you in a while.”
“Of course,” she laughs.
We’re approached by a young man wearing a wetsuit. “Mr. Clark? And you must be Ms. Page. I’m Sully. Are you ready to join me?”
“Join you for what?” Zoe asks, turning to me.
“Would it be too cliché if we swam with dolphins while we’re here?” I ask. Judging by the squeal she emits, I’d say she’s pleased with the idea. I know when I told her to wear a swimsuit under her clothes, she probably thought we were going to the pool.
Zoe in a modest, yellow two piece swimsuit is the sexiest sight I’ve seen since…well, since I saw her naked. It doesn’t escape my attention that Sully appreciates the sight as well. He’s the young, blond surfer type with more tan than brains, and I kind of want to drown him and feed him to his dolphins. If he gives her that searching look one more time, we may find out if humans make good fish food.
She fastens her lifejacket and we follow dolphin boy onto a platform in the water. He blows a whistle and a few seconds later, a pale blue dolphin leaps onto the platform, sliding on its belly. Zoe laughs with delight. “He’s beautiful. Can I touch him?”
“Of course.”
She tentatively strokes down the dolphins back. “Landon! Come and feel him. He’s so smooth.”
I put my hand beside hers and run my hand over the cool skin. “He is smooth. I thought it’d be a bit scaly, like other fish. Kind of feels like rubber.”
“He’s not a fish. Dolphins are mammals,” she says absently, her attention focused on the dolphin. “What’s his name?”
“Dart,” Sully replies. “Would you like to see why we call him that?” Before we can agree, he gives a hand signal, and the dolphin shoots off across the tank. All we can see is a silver-blue streak in the water until Sully blows the whistle and Dart leaps into the air repeatedly, flipping and bolting around the tank like a missile.
“Would you like to ride him?” Sully asks, signaling for Dart to return.
“I-yes!” Zoe cries, wiggling like a sugared up toddler. The next hour is one of the best of my life. We swim with Dart, and Sully also brings in another dolphin. The wide excited smile never leaves Zoe’s face as we frolic with the friendly animals. I arranged this for Zoe, but I’m having the time of my life watching her enjoy herself and let go in ways she’s never had a chance to experience.
When the session is over, Zoe retreats into the restroom to dry off and remove her swimsuit. I’m sure as hell not taking her anywhere else public, because her lack of a bra is obvious. Tiny hard nipples stand at attention as she throws her arms around me. “Thank you for bringing me here. I had the best time.”
My hands travel down the back of her shorts to squeeze her bare ass. “No bra or panties. How am I supposed to function knowing that?”
Her fingers tangle in my hair. “You’ll have to tough it out. I’m not wearing a wet swimsuit.”
“Are you tired? I thought we’d take a walk on the beach.”
“I’m not tired. Let’s do it.” She grins and takes my hand.
The night is hot and humid, but the breeze off of the ocean cools the sweat on my body as soon as it pops out. Zoe holds my hand and walks beside me while her gaze shifts back and forth between the dark roiling water and the bright burst of stars above our heads. “I love it here,” she sighs.
“We can come back whenever you like.” A fire pit has been dug on the beach and it looks as if it’s just been abandoned since a few embers still glow in the bottom. A pile of driftwood waits nearby.
“Did you plan this?” Zoe asks, when I throw two logs on the fire. They’re so dry, they flame up instantly.
“Nope. Happy accident.”
“Well, it’s perfect.” Her skin is so soft when I pull her into my lap.
Her phone vibrates against my leg, and she reluctantly pulls it out of her back pocket. “I just want to make sure it isn’t Ethan.”
“Is it Ethan?” Judging by the look on her face, something is up.
“No, I messaged an old friend on Facebook this afternoon. I haven’t heard from her in years. She just messaged me back. She wants to get together.”
“That’s good, right?” My fingers find their way into her silky hair.
“Yeah, I’m just surprised.”
“Why did you lose touch?”
With a resigned sigh, she stares into the fire. “We were raised by strict evangelical parents. They homeschooled us and controlled every aspect of our lives, including our friends. When I told them I wasn’t a believer anymore, that I wanted to be a scientist, they kicked me out. They did the same to Ethan when he came out.
“The only friends I had were in the church, and none of their parents would’ve let them near me once I was destined to burn in hell. I just cut all ties.”
My chest feels tight just thinking about Zoe, so young and all alone in the world. She had absolutely no one, and now look at her. She still managed not only to house and feed herself, and put herself through school, but is doing the same for her brother.
“You’re amazing, do you know that?” I ask, tilting her chin so I can see into her eyes.
“Amazing for running away?”
“You didn’t run away. You were pushed, and you landed on your feet. I’m so proud of you.”
A light blush sweeps across her cheeks and she shrugs. “It’s all behind me now. My parents insurance and the proceeds from the sale of their house will more than see us through our college years.”
“Didn’t you say you inherited a commercial building as well? My realtor can help you sell it, too.”
; “I gave it to the Every Life Counts Homeless Shelter. Ethan and I would never have made it without them.”
Like I said, she’s amazing. Sweet, funny, and a difficult smart-ass, but I’m crazy about her. My lips are drawn to hers like I have no choice. Maybe I don’t. I tried not to want her, to fall for her, but I don’t think I ever had a snowball’s chance in hell of fighting it.
A little moan rumbles her throat as I give her a long, soft kiss. Her forehead falls to mine when we break apart and she murmurs, “I love you.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart.”
She scoots out of my lap and traces a pattern in the sand with her finger. I can feel the shift in her mood, but I have no idea what the problem is. “I need you to promise me something,” she says, and I sense she’s drawing a line in the sand in more ways than one.
“Okay.”
“If this doesn’t work out between us, I want you to tell me. Don’t just disappear and stop responding to me like last time. I can handle being dumped, but not being ignored.”
Shit. I’m such an asshole. If anyone should understand how much it hurts to be ignored, I should. “Look at me, Zoe.” Her gaze is guarded and wary. “I’m so sorry for hurting you like that. It will never happen again.”
“Why didn’t you want to talk to me? Did I do something to piss you off?”
She allows me to pull her back into my lap. “No, it wasn’t anything you did.” Sighing, I run a hand through my hair, trying to find the best way to explain. “I knew I was falling for you, and that you were getting close to me, too. Then the first time I try to take you out for a simple date, we get stuck in a shitty hotel because of my XP. I’ve dealt with the limitations my whole life, and I didn’t want to put that on you. Because it will get old, sweetheart.
“When I can’t come to your special occasions, like your graduation, or even if you just need my help, like the day your car broke down. I can’t always be there for you, and you deserve to be with someone who can. I wanted to let you go, but I couldn’t do it. I missed you, and every day seemed longer than the last.”
Soft hands cup my face and she sighs, “You’re a goddamned idiot.”
Not what I expected to hear. It takes me a second to process what she said. “What?”
“So you can’t go out in the sunlight. It sucks and I hate it for you, but it doesn’t mean we can’t have a relationship like everyone else. So we ended up in a hotel. I thought it was fun, kind of spur of the moment romantic. Shit goes wrong in every relationship. That doesn’t mean you give up. Dating me isn’t always going to be a joy, you know. I’m raising a teenager with issues of his own, and I have more baggage than an airport carousel. Either you’ll be able to handle it or you won’t. I wouldn’t take that choice from you, so don’t take it from me.”
I can only stare as she tears me a new one because she’s absolutely right. I just decided that she couldn’t—or rather, wouldn’t want to—deal with it instead of talking to her about it. “I’m sorry. Even if we weren’t going to be together, I should’ve told you face to face. I know what it’s like to be ignored and I never want to hurt you like that.”
“Who ignored you?” she asks, lacing her fingers through mine.
“My parents loved to travel. They spent months at a time going from country to country, and they didn’t want to drag along a kid who had to be kept out of the sunlight, so I was left with nannies and tutors most of the time. They just parked me at home and went about their lives.”
“I’m sorry. Sounds like we both won the shitty parent lottery.” Her hand tightens on mine. “Just talk to me if you’re worried, but you don’t need to be. I’m not going anywhere.” Her warm body snuggles against mine.
“I promise.”
“Good, now take me back and fuck me.”
* * * *
Our week in Florida flies by. Zoe spends the days on the beach or doing things with the boys while I sleep in and get some work done on my laptop. In the evenings, we swim in the hotel pool with the moonlight twinkling on the water, eat at a different restaurant every night, and spend half the night screwing our brains out.
“Best vacation ever,” Zoe mumbles, resting her head on my chest on the plane ride home. The plane I chartered gets us home a few hours before sunrise. Ethan and his friend stumble into Zoe’s apartment, still half asleep. Waking a teenager in the middle of the night is like waking a toddler, they both have that zombie stare going on.
“They’ll be out in five minutes,” Zoe laughs, throwing her arms around my neck.
“You’d better get some sleep too. I know you have a lot to do.”
“I should. I want to get settled in my new house before I go back to school Monday.”
“I can come tonight and help.”
“Thanks, but we don’t have much. I’m getting new furniture, so we’re only taking our clothes, housewares, and stuff. Frannie’s coming over to help today. Will you be able to move back to your house soon?”
“Hopefully this week. I plan to go check on the repairs tonight.”
She smiles up at me. “Want to come and have a gourmet dinner of pizza with us?”
“I’d love to.” She walks me to the door and gives me a kiss. It’s clear she wishes I didn’t have to leave, but it’ll be light soon. This is the first time since I was a kid that my condition has bothered me. I got used to my routine and didn’t feel like things were much different for me than most people, but now I feel limited. Like I’m missing out. She wants me to stay. I want to stay, but it can’t happen. I may take her up on her offer to light proof her new house with blackout curtains.
My hotel room seems so empty after a week of her company, and the bed feels too big without her. I toss and turn for over an hour before sleep finally comes for me.
I get a call that wakes me in the late afternoon from the construction company working on my house. The roof has been repaired and while they still have some painting to do, I can move back in. Thank fuck. Believe it or not, no matter how luxurious, hotel rooms suck after a few weeks. As soon as it’s late enough, I’m headed back home.
The renovations have gone well and Justus has been there to install all the outlets and wiring we need for ISH, plus get our high speed wifi up and running with all the protections that mask our activities. The expanded office looks great. We can now easily fit all our computers and equipment. ISH has a new home.
I also had them install UV blocking windows since I know the guys won’t want to sit in the dark any more than Zoe did. On the next place I purchase, I’ll have them installed too, so she won’t feel so closed in. I’m used to the sun being my enemy, so I haven’t bothered with it until now, but I guess it is nice to brighten the place up.
Dare, Justus, and Jeremy are all at my house when I pull into the drive. They’re wasting no time moving our operation from Dare’s little apartment. “Hey, the raisin is back!” Justus exclaims.
“Fuck off stripper.”
“He hates me because I’m beautiful,” he says to Dare, who rolls his eyes.
“Speaking of beautiful, where is that pretty little thing you brought to poker night?” Justus asks, taking a seat in his desk chair.
“I’m meeting her for dinner in a couple of hours. As a matter of fact, I need to talk you guys about Zoe.”
Dare studies me, his eyes on mine. “How much have you told her?”
“After we stepped in to help her brother’s friend, she figured out most of it on her own. She knows we work outside of the law sometimes.”
Justus runs a hand through his hair and gets right to the point. “Does she know we killed the bastard?”
“She knows I did. I didn’t tell her anything that would put the rest of you at risk, but you should know I trust her. She had no problem with what I did. She thinks child molesters should get the death penalty and has no compunction about who carries it out, other than not wanting me to get caught.”
Dare breaks the silence after a few minutes. “You’re pre
tty serious about this chick, yeah?”
“She’s the one.”
“If you trust her, that’s good enough for me,” Dare announces.
Jeremy nods at me, looking pleased.
Justus shrugs. “Hey, if she can overlook the fact you’re a vampire, I say hold onto her.”
Flipping off Justus, I glance from one guy to the next. “So, you don’t have a problem with her being here sometimes?”
“Can we watch when you fuck her?” Justus asks, and dodges the punch I throw at him. “Fine! Be that way.” He grins. “We’ll just listen.”
Jeremy turns and starts typing on the keyboard in front of him. “I like Zoe. She doesn’t take any shit. As far as I’m concerned, she’s one of us.”
“Landon’s settling down with a woman. Hell must be a frost covered wasteland,” Dare remarks.
“It’ll happen to you assholes too. Just wait,” I warn, grabbing my car keys.
“To Dare maybe. Justus is way too big a whore,” Jeremy laughs.
“Pots and kettles come to mind,” Dare remarks, shaking his head.
“I have to go. Are we infiltrating the new forum tonight?”
“Yeah, they’re trading child porn for sure, but there’s one guy I’m pretty sure is shopping for more,” Justus replies, his eyes darkening. Justus may love to give me shit, and put his cock in anything that moves, but he doesn’t fuck around when it comes to protecting kids.
“I’ll be here.”
* * * *
“Thanksgiving is next week,” Zoe remarks, leaning back against me as we sit bundled up on her porch swing.
Is it? The last few months have gone by so fast. I’ve never been happier, and Zoe seems to feel the same way. I spend most of my free time at her new house. When she showed me she had installed the UV proof windows, I scooped her up and we spent the whole day in her bed, making love in a room filled with natural light. There’s no doubt in my mind that this woman was born to be mine. That I was meant to be hers.
“Ethan and I usually volunteer at the shelter the night before, but I always cook for us on Thanksgiving, if you’d like to come.”
