After leaving the cemetery, I stop at a gas station before settling in for the long drive to Charlotte.
CHAPTER 2
Chloe
Sitting in the airport lounge, I stare through the massive windows at the Boeing. A strange sense of apprehension fills my heart, where just a moment ago excitement was buzzing like a restless bee.
I’ve never left my country before, and the thought alone is scary as hell.
My eyes slowly drift away from the plane as I turn my head to the right and I take in the other travelers waiting to board. A mixture of languages fills my ears, and I recognize most of them.
When it’s time for us to board our flight, I slowly move along with the other travelers. As I step onto the plane, the sense of apprehension begins to grow, and I take a deep breath while I make my way down the aisle toward the back row of seats. As soon as I sit down in the window seat, I close my eyes for a moment.
Shit, why am I so scared? It’s not like I’ve never flown before.
After we take off, I try to get some sleep, but I give up after a while. The hours slowly creep by as we fly over Africa and when we reach Niger, I peek out of the window. Far below I see a grouping of lights, surrounded by vast areas of darkness.
A silent sigh filled with longing leaves my lips.
That’s what I feel like. A single flickering light trapped in an ocean of darkness.
By the time we reach Heathrow, I have to rush through the airport to make my connecting flight to North Carolina. I feel like death warmed up. My body’s aching in places I didn’t know I had muscles, and my eyes feel like they’re filled with sand.
The last six hours torturously tick by, and as we near our final destination, I don’t even have enough energy to be excited.
After landing, I make my way through customs. Pulling my luggage behind me, I mumble to myself in my native language, “Liewe moer, my gat is lam.” I can’t feel my damn ass after the super long flight from South Africa to America.
Walking through the doors, I quickly glance down at the photo on my cellphone Emma sent me, before scanning the group of people waiting at arrivals for anyone who resembles Zac.
When I don’t see him, I slowly walk toward the exit while wondering if I should phone Emma to let her know I’m here.
Glancing around me again, I blink through the exhaustion as jet lag begins to set in. My gaze collides with a dark blue one, and it takes me a moment to realize I’m looking at Zac.
A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he closes the distance between us. “You must be Chloe.” He reaches for the handle of my luggage, and only when he pulls it free from my hand, do I manage to snap out of the daze I was caught in from hearing his American accent.
Talk about a tall drink of hot and deadly handsomeness. I could have some fun with this blue-eyed hunk.
“The photo Emma sent me didn’t do you any justice,” I say before thinking it through, and stepping forward like a girl on a mission – one that’s found a man to devour, I throw my arms around his neck and hug him tightly.
When I pull back, it’s only to see a shocked face staring back at me. His eyes flit to the people around us, then back to my face.
Yep, I definitely shocked the hell out of the poor guy.
Remembering my manners, I step back and hold a hand out to him. “Hi. I’m Chloe Jordaan,” then add under my breath, “But you already knew that.” Plastering a huge smile to my face, I continue, “Nice to meet you, Zac.”
“Uhm… likewise.” It sounds more like a question, and it makes me chuckle. His handshake is firm and quick. “Jordaan,” he tries to pronounce my surname but epically fails.
“It’s Afrikaans. Just go with Jordan. It will be easier for you.”
While standing between the bustling people, it starts to sink in just how damn attractive Zac is. I’m used to being the tall one, but next to Zac I actually feel short. He’s easily a head taller than me.
They sure don’t make men like this back home.
His blue eyes are in stark contrast with his dark brown hair, and his strong features give me the impression that he’s confident and level-headed. A five o’clock shadow rounds off the gorgeous but way too sexy look he has.
“The car’s this way.” Zac gestures to the left with an awkward smile.
Damn, even an uncomfortable smile looks hot on him. It’s the hottest smirk I’ve ever seen, and it makes an unwelcome fluttering ripple through my insides.
Walking side-by-side, the awkwardness grows, and for the first time in my life, I’m at a loss for words.
“Thank you for coming to pick me up.”
“You’re welcome.”
The words sound formal but before I can overthink things we step outside into the bright sunlight. My feet come to a sudden standstill, and as I look down at the foreign soil, I feel unbelievably vulnerable.
“You okay?” Zac asks.
Tearing my eyes away from the ground, I force a smile to my lips. “Yes. It just hit me that I’m actually in America.”
Shit, I’m thousands of kilometers away from home.
As we near a black SUV my eyebrow pops up. Seeing the car which looks similar to the ones I’ve seen in every law enforcement movie and TV series I’ve watched, makes me feel paranoid over the weed I smoked years ago.
While Zac opens the boot of the car and loads my luggage inside, I get a good look at him. My eyes travel from his broad shoulders to his arms which are lined with veins before dropping down to what can only be described as one hell of a sexy ass.
When I met Aiden, I thought he was seriously good looking, but I have to admit he pales in comparison to Zac.
Zac slams the boot shut and glances at me. Not wanting to be caught staring, I begin to walk toward the passenger side.
“That’s the driver’s side.”
Zac’s words have me flushing with embarrassment as I change direction. “Sorry.” When he opens the car door for me, the flush on my cheeks deepens.
This is the first time a man has ever opened a door for me, and I have to admit it feels oddly good.
“Thanks,” I whisper as I climb inside. I use my hand to fan my face as he walks around the front of the car but when he gets in it still feels as if I’m overheating.
I’ve never felt so unsettled around a man before. Maybe it’s just because I’m overtired from the long flight? Yes. That must be it. I just need some sleep, and then Zac will look the same as any other guy.
We make our way out of the airport, and once we’re on the main road, Zac says, “You must be tired after the long flight.”
“Yes, it wasn’t what I expected.”
“The drive home is over an hour. You can try to get some shut eye if you want.”
“I’m good.” Not wanting the drive to be long and uncomfortable, I ask, “You and Aiden work together, right?”
“Yeah.”
His short answer makes the awkward feeling rapidly grow. I glance out the window and instantly notice how neat everything looks. I realize it’s because there aren’t any taxis on the road, at least not the ones I’m used to seeing every day.
“Emma says you’re a nurse?” Zac finally breaks the silence.
“Yes, up until a week ago I worked at the Groote Schuur hospital.”
“How long did you work there?”
I let out a thankful breath that we’re talking. “Almost three years. How long have you been a policeman?”
“February was ten years.”
“Do you like your job?” Turning my head, I let my eyes wander over Zac’s profile. His jaw is chiseled where it’s covered in a trimmed dusting of dark hair. I can’t see his eyes behind the dark sunglasses which he put on after getting into the car.
The white long-sleeve shirt he’s wearing makes his tanned skin look golden.
I love the way he’s shoved the sleeves up his arms.
Shaking my head lightly, I force my eyes back to the window.
Stop noticin
g how hot he is. You’re not here to get stuck in a stupid relationship, and besides, he’s Emma’s brother-in-law.
“Yeah, I love bein’ a detective,” he answers my question. His heavy Southern accent is like music to my ears, and before I know what’s happening, I’m grinning like a bloody idiot at him.
Right at that moment Zac glances at me and a few seconds pass before he says, “You have a beautiful smile.”
The words catch me off guard and have my heartbeat speeding up. “As hy so aanhou gaan ek diep in die kak wees,” I mumble to myself.
Zac lets out a chuckle. “I have no idea what you just said.”
“Uhm… I just said thank you in Afrikaans.” Lie! But there’s no way I’m telling him that I just said I’ll be in deep shit because of all his Southern hotness.
CHAPTER 3
Zac
I haven’t even switched off the engine when Emma comes out of the house. Chloe rushes to free herself from the seatbelt before she bolts out of the car and runs toward Emma.
Getting out of the car, I watch the two women embrace each other. Chloe breaks free from the hug, only to frame Emma’s face.
“Sunshine, I missed you so much.” Her voice is filled with love.
“I missed you more,” Emma says, then she pulls Chloe back into her arms.
Aiden steps out of the house and walks over to me. Patting me on the shoulder, he says, “Thanks for bringin’ her.”
“You weren’t jokin’ when you said she’s outgoin’,” I casually mention. I still can’t believe she hugged me at the airport. Who does that to a practical stranger?
Aiden tucks his hands in his pockets and shrugs my comment away.
I tilt my head and give him the wipe-the-amused-smile-off-your-fuckin’-face-look. In true Aiden style he grins wider.
“I’m gonna make you do all the paperwork for the rest of the month if you keep grinnin’ at me like that,” I threaten him.
Some brother he is. I know next to zero about women, then enters Chloe over here and I’m looking for my running shoes. I call them as I see them, and this woman is making all my alarms go off for some reason.
Emma reaches for Chloe’s hand and places it over her pregnant bump. I watch Chloe’s eyes widen and then she squeaks while placing both her hands on Emma. “I felt her kick,” she almost breathes in awe.
The smile on Chloe’s face has me staring because it totally transforms her features from exhausted to excited. I thought she was beautiful when I first saw her – then crazy – but with the dazzling smile lighting up her face, she looks breathtakingly gorgeous. Where Laurie had tanned skin, which made her grey eyes stand out, Chloe has a snow-white complexion, which gives her a vulnerable look.
Unexpectedly, shock ripples through me and my heart squeezes painfully as the realization hits. I just compared a woman to Laurie. I’ve never done that before.
As the blood drains from my face, my eyes lock on Chloe. It dawns on me I don’t see her as Emma’s best friend, but as a woman, and the awareness is startling.
“You wanna stay for dinner?” Aiden asks, yanking me out of my turbulent thoughts.
Figuring I can’t leave Aiden alone with the two women, I reply, “Sure.”
Tearing my eyes away from Chloe, I walk to the back of the SUV so I can grab her luggage.
Aiden takes the carry-on bag just as the women turn to us.
“I haven’t even greeted you yet. Looks like I left my manners on the damn plane.” Chloe stands on her toes and presses a quick kiss to Aiden’s cheek, then smiles brightly at him. “It’s good seeing you again. Thank you for letting me visit.”
Aiden lets out a burst of silent laughter as he wraps an arm around her shoulders, giving a brotherly squeeze.
“It’s good havin’ you here. Let’s head inside and get you settled.”
Emma hooks her arm into Chloe’s and gives her husband a thankful smile. While the three of them head toward the front door, I stare after them with an unfamiliar emotion creeping into my heart.
Following Aiden into the guest room, I leave the luggage at the foot of the bed.
“What do you think of her?” Aiden asks.
“Chloe? I just met her, but she seems okay. Maybe a little on the crazy side, though, but she gives me the impression that she’s carefree and outgoin’.” Aiden tilts his head as his eyes lock on mine. I wonder if he picked up on my emotions while we were outside. “Don’t give me that look.”
“What look?” He begins to smile which only ruffles my feathers more.
“Like you’re tryin’ to figure out somethin’.”
He grins like he just won a prize then says, “You were starin’ at her.”
“She has a nice smile.” The words come out sounding defensive.
Aiden slowly nods, the smile on his face growing bigger.
“Whatever you’re thinkin’, stop. She’s Emma’s best friend. There’s no way I’ll ever get involved with her.”
The fucker begins to chuckle. “Don’t let that stop you. Emma won’t mind.”
“Aiden,” I warn him with a glare.
“I’m just sayin’.” He pats me on the shoulder then heads for the door.
I let out a sigh and shake my head as I follow him downstairs.
Chloe
“Oh, Sunshine, that baby is Big Ben.” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively. Emma’s face pinches with confusion as she stares at the vibrator, and I know I should stop, but she’s so easy to take the piss out of.
“But it’s so … ah …big,” she tries to chuckle but gives up with a nervous gulp while placing her hands over her belly and caressing it lovingly.
Em’s due to pop in three weeks, and I mean pop. My best friend’s gone and gotten the size of a baby whale.
I take in Emma’s glowing complexion, her blonde hair that’s up in a messy ponytail, and sparkling green eyes. She looks so happy. Unlike the last time I saw her back in the Cape Town when I had to get her away from that bitch who dared to call herself a mother. I’m so glad she’s making a new life for herself here in South Carolina with Aiden. She deserves to be happy.
This visit is long overdue, and with the baby on the way, it was a perfect excuse for me to come to America for the first time.
“Surely that doesn’t all fit, you know, up there?” Her eyes bulge huge as she awkwardly asks.
I bite the inside of my cheek to hold the laughter back. “This one’s nothing, want to see my favorite? I keep this big guy for special occasions.” Lifting an even bigger vibrator from my luggage, Emma’s hand flies to her mouth. “I call it The Eiffel Tower.”
Her cheeks stain a rosy pink. I should stop, but she’s making it so easy.
“Bloody hell, Chloe. That thing should have its own set of lungs and kidneys.”
I can’t hold back anymore and sink to the bed in a fit of laughter. I missed this with Emma, our days of light bantering while we were studying together.
“Sounds like y’all are havin’ fun in here.” Aiden steps into the room with a broad smile on his face. His eyes rest lovingly on Emma before he glances in my direction and sees the vibrators I’m still holding. He frowns slightly, but then amusement settles on his handsome face.
Emma really got herself a handsome one. They make a beautiful couple.
“The table is all set for dinner. What do you want to drink?” Aiden’s eyes drop to the vibrators I’m holding, and he chuckles, “But first finish… ahh… unpacking.”
“Just water for us,” Emma gets out while trying to control her laughter.
“Hey, talk for yourself. I’m not the pregnant fairy here. I’ll have a beer if you have any,” I quickly rectify the order.
“Are you gettin’ the order or flirtin’ with your wife?” Zac says, walking into the room.
His eyes flit from one vibrator to the other and watching his eyes widen I think I just managed to shock the hell out of Zac again. At this rate, the poor man must think I’m clinically insane.
Grinn
ing teasingly, I say, “It’s just vibrators, Zac. Girl’s got to have some fun, right?”
Zac
Every couple of minutes I catch Aiden watching me.
Walking by him with a glass of water for Emma and a beer for Chloe, I grumble, “Stop your shit.”
He shrugs innocently, then turns to Chloe as she walks into the kitchen. “Finished unpacking?”
“Yes, thanks. How did you and Emma deal with the jet lag? It feels like I’ve been hit by a bus.”
“Lots of sleep,” Emma says, placing the food on the table. “Let’s eat then you can go get some rest.”
Aiden grins when I sit down next to Chloe. I just shake my head at him because it’s not like I had much of a choice. The table in the kitchen only seats four people.
“How was the appointment?” I ask Emma to get the conversation flowing.
“The doctor says we’re both healthy. Just three more weeks to go,” Emma answers with a glowing grin.
“I can’t wait,” Chloe exclaims before popping a bite of pasta into her mouth. She moans around the bite of food. “Oh my gosh, I missed your pasta. This is soooo good.”
“I made it just for you.” Emma smiles as she scoops a forkful into her mouth, and after swallowing says, “I’m glad you’re here. I’m excited but also scared out of my mind.”
Chloe takes a sip of her beer then wipes her mouth with a napkin before saying, “You’ll be fine.”
Emma gives her a loving smile. “Is the hospital okay with you taking a month’s leave?”
Remembering what Chloe said in the car, I wonder if I understood her wrong. It sounded like she resigned from the hospital.
Chloe shrugs. “I gave notice before coming over.”
“You resigned?” Emma asks, her eyes widening with surprise.
“Yes, it was good while it lasted, but it’s not what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
“So you don’t have to go back? Are you going to stay here?” Hearing the hope in Emma’s voice, I turn my eyes to Chloe.
We Were Lost (A Southern Heroes Novel Book 5) Page 2
