Love Grows in Alaska (The Washington Triplets)

by Michelle Lynn

  “I need to see all of you,” he says, standing up off the bed and yanking my pants off my body. Helping him out, I take off my sweater and his animalistic eyes burn my body as his teeth bite down on his lip. Keeping my eyes fastened to his, I reach behind me and undo the bra, sliding it down my arms while watching the blaze in his eyes darken. I toss the last shred of clothing aside and Zach is already on top of me before I can breathe. His cock poised at my opening and his face buried in my hair. Raising my legs, I lock them around his waist and he slides into me in one swoop, and the pressure of him filling me zings all those calmed nerves again.

  “Show me how much you’ll miss me,” I instruct, my head falling back to the bed as he thrusts in and out of my tightness. His lips suck my earlobe and I lean in, being greedy for his mouth. The warmth spreading through my body as my mouth bites down on his shoulder blade and a fierce growl emerges from his throat, only making me wetter.

  My fingers scrape along his back as I clench and tighten, attempting to keep the release at bay. If I could, I’d hold on forever. To feel this man inside of me, his body uncontrolled with lust and love for me, I never want to leave it. Wrapping my arms to his back, I grip his shoulders, my short nails digging into his flesh when he nips at my skin, showing the abandonment he has for me.

  He never wavers in his thrusting, our glistening bodies allowing us to move at a more urgent pace. Unable to reach capacity for one another. My body halts and tenses for a second before I allow the freedom of my release. Zach pushes through a few times, circling his own hips, slowing the pace for my benefit. As my body calms, he finds his quickened rhythm again before a loud groan flows out of his mouth and his eyes reflect back every emotion I’m feeling.

  We take a few seconds, allowing our breathing to even out while our hands loosen on the other. Eventually undoing my legs, I allow them to fall onto the soft mattress. Zach leans up on his elbows and he looks like he wants to tell me something, but the words don’t escape his lips. Instead he smoothes out my hair with his palm and kisses me one last time. “I guess you have to shower again,” he teases with a cheshire grin.

  “Will you wash me?” I joke back, and the dimples deepen.

  “You never have to ask.” My body fills with goose bumps as he stands up and holds out his hand for me to take.

  Two hours later, Zach’s weaving in and out of non-existent traffic on the way to the airport and I half wish I’d miss the plane so he’d have to drive me home. Two more hours with him sounds much better than a thirty minute plane ride with my three co-workers. The tires screech and I rush out while Zach grabs my bag. “It’s okay, go,” I insist, but he eyes the guy at the curb and the guy nods his head. I guess small town living can have its perks.

  “No way, I’m walking you to the terminal.” My bag clasped in his hand, he presses the other one to the small of my back. Wetness fills my eyes the closer we come to the terminal and I’m not sure I’ll be able to compose myself when I have to walk onto that plane and leave him staying behind.

  Libby, Wes and Pete are waiting along the wall when we reach the terminal. Another benefit of small town airports, security allows the man who currently owns half the town to accompany you to the terminal. Libby halts her pacing when she spots me. “Thank God, Marisa. They’ve already boarded.” Pete grabs his bag from the floor and frantically glances to the gate and then back to us.

  “It was nice to meet you, Zach.” Pete holds out his hand and the security of Zach’s hand leaves my back for a second to shake it.

  “You too. Have a safe flight and be sure to not take care of my girl in Anchorage.” Zach laughs and a nervous unsure chuckle escapes Pete, but he doesn’t smile.

  Without another word, Pete leaves and I watch him hand his ticket over to the attendant, never turning back around.

  “I was just joking,” Zach offers, confused why his joke didn’t go over. “Kind of,” he adds and the four of us laugh.

  The laughing stalls and my throat tightens as I push back the tears. Libby eyes me and then links arms with Wes. “We’ll see you soon, Zach.” She winks and after a quick handshake between Zach and Wes, I watch their backs disappear into the walkway toward the plane.

  The attendant eyes me, and the waterworks break with uncontrolled, hyper-ventilating hiccups starting. In one second I’ve gone from composed to an ugly snot-inducing mess. “Oh, baby.” Zach pulls me into him and I clasp my arms around his stomach as tight as I possibly can. “You want me to live, right?” he quietly says and I pull back, loosening my arms.

  “What kind of question is that?” I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion.

  “You’re cutting off my breathing.” He laughs and I giggle, leaning my head on his heart. Trying to memorize the rhythm of my favorite body part on him. “Now, you’ll see me in five days. Call me as soon as you land and I expect to hear from you at least ten times if I’m to make it through the day.” I smile into his sweatshirt and break the distance.

  “Okay, officially sucking it up.” I push those bad feelings aside to show him how strong I can be.

  “Me too.” He straightens his back and his hands cup my cheeks, leaving my eyes to slowly rise to his. The dim glare of the lights in this airport still allow me to see he’s just as affected as I am. “But I’ll never leave you without a kiss.” He bends down, his lips light as feathers on mine and my hands grip the front of his sweatshirt, pulling him closer.

  I press firmly against him and his tongue licks my seam of my overused lips in a slow manner, but once it breaks through, my tongue demands more. Zach quickly adjusts, his hands firm on my hips, thrusting my body to his. Warmth spreads through my veins with the feeling of shelter and protection only he’s been able to give me. Our tongues dance, until we break apart, breathless and happy.

  “I was trying to go slow.” Zach’s one corner of his lips turn up into a smirk.

  “I’m not capable of that with you.” I smile back, jumping into his arms for one final bear hug from him. “See you Friday,” I whisper, while the tingling behind my eyes increase. I only have to hold them at bay for a few more minutes. I can do this.

  “See you Friday, beautiful.” Zach kisses my neck right behind my ear, and I benefit from one more quake of shivers induced by his touch.

  Letting me down, my feet find the floor and my one hand starts at his hair and then slowly falls down his face as I memorize his sparkling blue eyes and his tight jaw. The pink soft lips I love to kiss and that smile that melts my heart.

  Turning around, I hand my ticket to the attendant who I swear has her own tears in her eyes. When I reach the opening, I turn around and his hands are pressed in his pockets as he watches me. I wave my hand to him and he does the same before putting it back in the pocket of his jeans. Every muscle in my body fights my movement away from him, but I manage to turn around.

  Biting my lip, hoping that I can keep it together, I walk down the walkway and when I turn the corner, Libby’s arms are wide open for me. “Come here, honey,” she says, and all those tears release.

  IT’S BEEN A MONTH AND Zach’s come up on two weekends and I’ve gone there for one. This is the first Saturday night I’ve been without him. There was a wedding being held, and since it had been the first in a long time, he wanted to see it through. I can’t fault him; he’s pushed that fear away and started taking over the day-to-day operations of King’s Gate Resort. Although some of our conversations haven’t been stellar during the week, because he’s so tired and exhausted, he makes up for it on the weekends. Since he just hired on a new manager, Len, it should help him be more of a behind-the-scenes owner.

  I thought about surprising him for the night, showing up at his house and waiting for him, but that doubt of mine still lingers, wondering if he really would want me to be there after a long day. My dad’s wedding is next week and I’m going, even if my sisters are on the fence. Communication is at an all time stall right now between us and I’m not sure I can remember a time when I felt so apart from th
em. It’s something I wished for as a child, to be an only child when I would find Mya in my closet or when Mikaela stole all of Mom’s attention when we were teens. I wanted all of the attention and to have my things solely be mine. Now that I have it, I don’t want it. Isn’t that always the way? Now that they never call or text, I miss them more than anything. I’ve picked up my phone to call them numerous times, tell them about Zach and find out about their lives, but I always put it back down.

  I dig into my bowl of popcorn, watching the last scene in The Wedding Date when my phone chirps. Picking it up, the smile is already on my face from the designated tone Zach picked out for himself.

  “Hi,” I say, finding the remote to mute the television.

  “Hey, you. I miss you. Watching two people so happy while they tie the knot is hard to swallow when my girl isn’t by my side.” His admittance that he misses me flutters my heart, and I place my hand over it to seal those assurances in.

  “I should have surprised you. I thought about it.” I bite my lip, waiting for his reaction.

  “I would have enjoyed that,” he remarks and I hear his car door shut, as the keys jingle.

  “Next time, I swear.” My boost of ego committing it to memory that he does like me.

  “I’m exhausted. I think I ran all over that place tonight. Next on my list is to hire an event organizer.” I hear shuffling and I imagine his hand struggling with his tie to loosen it from his collar.

  “I would have given you a massage if I was there.”

  “I’ll take you up on that,” he remarks at the exact same time my doorbell rings. Could it be? No—

  Bolting from my seat, I allow silence to fill the phone line. I peep out through the hole and there Zach stands, disheveled, handsome and all mine. I bite my lip, staring out at this man who, if I was being honest, I love. “Well, are you going to open the door?” He laughs and shakes his head in a playful manner. Needing to feel his body against mine, I drop the phone and throw open the door.

  “Hi,” I greet him, trying to act casually, but he wraps his arms around me, picking my feet up off the floor.

  “Hey.” His deep voice softly speaks in my eardrum. In that instant, I feel as though I have everything I’ve ever dreamed of. A man who goes out of his way to see me. After working all day, he makes the long drive to come see me, because I’m that important to him. My body lightens and I squeeze my arms around his neck as hard as I can, because I’m hoping he never leaves.

  “So, what are you watching?” he asks, placing my feet back on the ground even though I haven’t released my arms. He chuckles. “Babe, I’m not going anywhere,” he kids me, swatting my ass and I relent before kissing him square on his mouth.

  “I know.”

  ONE WEEK LATER, I’M BACK in Chicago without a jacket. Walking into my old childhood bedroom is surreal, scary and comforting all mixed in one. The academic award ribbons hang from my corkboard that’s pinned with pictures of my sisters and I, plus some of our friends. Slowly, I take in my room in the house that formed me. Where I was stifled with the good girl image, how I always strived to make that come true. The good grades, top volleyball scorer, never getting into trouble. The late nights that Mya would sneak in past curfew and how I wish I had an ounce of her fun-filled carefree gene. Mikaela, staying home on the nights we left and jealously that she seemed content with herself, never trying for approval from anyone. All those expectations that strapped me unbuckled with Zach’s introduction into my life. He’s freed me of that stigma I thought was a necessity for too long.

  I shake my head from the images of when I met Nate and thought he was someone to help wash that image from me. Help me find who I really was. He never did. It took Zach six weeks to find the real Marisa. The one who will always do right by her family and friends, but it’s a good thing. The one who can openly tell him what she wants without restraint, and finally, knows he’s lucky to have me. When you hear that phrase I was lost without you, it’s true for me. I was in a fog somewhere between my old self and who I wanted to be. Zach lifted that for me and now it’s crystal clear. I accept myself for who I am, the good and the bad.

  A hard knock shocks me back to present. “Honey, it’s time,” my dad’s voice hesitantly says.

  “I’ll be there in a minute, Dad,” I call through the door, checking my hair and make-up in the mirror.

  Smoothing out my green dress, I fluff my hair a little, sweeping it over my shoulder. I take a deep breath and push back memories of my mom in this room with me. Today is my dad’s day and I have to be there for him, especially since I have no idea if my sisters will be joining me in that front row. The good girl thing is a hard thing to shake.

  Walking down the hallways, the pictures of me and my sisters adorn the walls and my heart begins to ache with sadness over our shattered relationships. Our arms linked or hands entwined now separated by miles, and we don’t even try anymore. I miss them so much; I wish we could mend the breaks and become glued to each other again. My hope is someday it will happen.

  All of my misery vanishes a little when I spot the large male figure leaning against the door frame, staring out to the yard. I bite my lip, unable to fully gather that he’s mine and he wants me for whoever I am.

  Sensing me, he turns around and his eyes rake over my body. From my heels, up my legs, resting on my breasts for a beat, before his eyes reach mine. “Hey you,” he says and with those two words, my body tingles and my stomach flips.

  “Hey, handsome.” I cut the distance and grab his hand he’s offering out.

  Pulling me closer, he nuzzles in my ear. “You are gorgeous,” he whispers and goose bumps travel up my spine as fast as the warmth of his security hits my heart. Taking care of me this whole trip, he leads me to the car and we pull out of my parents’ driveway. “Everyone has already left,” he informs me, just as I figured.

  We arrive at Tillman Estates and I watch the guests file in the building; my stomach clenching and churning, wondering if I can get through this. Pushing every gut-wrenching thought to flee. To run from this and maybe it won’t happen. Zach stands outside the car, waiting for me to gather the courage to see my father marry another woman as my mom’s fresh grave is only a few miles down the road. My hand rests on the door handle, and after a big inhale of air, I emerge, earning a reassuring smile from Zach. We walk through the doors and most guests are already seated. There isn’t much family here from our side and I know why. My body shakes with the thoughts of walking down that aisle to the first row, reserved for me and my sisters. The chilling whispers from friends or strangers of my father’s actions.

  Zach wraps me in his arms before we descend through the doors. He’s my calming source recently. “Ready?” He pulls back from me, unsure eyes that are only concerned about me in the moment.

  “Yes,” I answer, mustering the bravery as he escorts me down the aisle to the first row that has six chairs, all unoccupied. We look at each other and I don’t miss Zach’s sad eyes before he tries to conceal them with a smile. We sit down in the first two chairs, but my eyes keep wavering to the empty ones next to us.

  ~ One Month Later ~

  To: Mya, Mikaela

  From: Marisa

  RE: MOVING DAY

  So, I’m moving today to King’s Gate to live with Zach. I can’t flippin believe it, but when he asked me after the reception, I couldn’t refuse. There’s something about him—he just gets me.

  Anyway, wanted to send you a quick message that if you don’t hear from me for a few days, it’s because I’m either fully enjoying my new roommate, or I’m exhausted from him having his fill of me. LOL

  Hope all is well with you guys. Let’s plan a trip to see each other soon. Maybe we should head to California for the colder months. Mya, what do you think?

  Talk to you soon!! Text me if you need me, I’ll always be there for you.

  Love,

  Marisa

  “Marisa, you’ve only lived here for like two months, how on Earth
do you have so much shit?” Libby heaves a box into Zach’s truck. Me moving out while she simultaneously moves in has been absolutely horrible. Need to think that through next time.

  “Lib, it’s only filling up the back of a pick-up. You act like I’m taking multiple trips here,” I hammer back, and her face turns down.

  “I kinda wish you were.” She runs up to me and throws her arms around my shoulders. “You’re my only friend up here,” she says and my heart breaks that I’m leaving her. But Zach asked me to move in with him and run the Human Resources of King’s Gate Resort. It’s turning around slowly, more events being planned, and hopefully I can find a staff that won’t call him for every request.

  “I’ll only be two hours away.” My eyes find Wes standing by the edge of the truck and I wave him over. “You’re not alone, Libby.” I break apart from her slowly and her fingers raise her glasses as she swipes the tears from her eyes.

  Wes holds her at his side and she nuzzles into his neck while Zach emerges from my apartment with another box, stopping for a second to look at the scene unfolding. Laughing silently to himself, he continues, placing the box in the back of his truck and then tightening the harnesses across the bed. Since Libby’s moving in, I didn’t have any big furniture that needed to be moved.

  Zach hesitantly walks over when he’s done, his keys swinging around his finger and eyeing me to say it’s time to leave. I bite my lip and Wes holds Libby tighter. Tears well up in my eyes, because even though we aren’t far, we won’t see each other every day. Wes whispers something in Libby’s ear and she looks up at me as tears pour out of her eyes, which makes them stream from my own.

  Soon our arms are tight around each other and our faces are buried into one another’s necks. “Wes and I are coming out in a few weeks. Text me every day, call too,” Libby gushes into my shoulder.