by Lexi Post
Bea tried to breathe past the lightning flash of excitement that pulsed by her heart and down to her groin. But Zach’s mouth had found her breast and his nibbling teeth had her arching into him, her need for air fulfilled only by panting. She grasped his shoulders as one of his hands unbuttoned her jeans and snaked its way between her thighs.
If he hadn’t been pressing her into the wall, her knees would have buckled already, but one hand pinned her, holding her up. His mouth began to suck as his finger pushed open her pussy and slid inside. Bea moaned in pure pleasure.
“Zachary?”
The strange voice filtered through Bea’s cloud of euphoria at the same time Zach froze.
The voice came again, a distinctively feminine voice with a slight Maine accent. “Zachary, is that you under the deck?”
Zach straightened. “Hell. It’s my mother.”
Bea wanted to disappear into the wall at her back, but she doubted even that would help. Zach began to turn but she grabbed his arms. “Wait.” Despite the shame flooding her, her panic gave her strength and he hesitated when her nails bit into his arms.
He glanced at his biceps. “Great, now I’ll have nail marks to prove what we were doing under here.”
She glanced at his face to see if he was angry, but his grin remained.
She let go. “Let me at least close my bra and button my jeans.”
He nodded, his grin widening. He was enjoying this.
Another voice reached them. “Zachary, is this any way to greet your mother?”
The stern male baritone added to Bea’s frustration, which caused her fingers to slip as she attempted to button her pants. Zach pulled her shirt down over her waistband to hide the button and grabbed her hand. “Come on. I want you to meet my parents.”
Bea stumbled once, her knees still weak, but Zach held on to her and gave her a reassuring smile.
It didn’t help.
Except for talking about the logging company, Zach had never indicated what type of relationship he had with his parents.
As they came to a stop in front them, he put his arm around her waist and brought her close. “Mom, Dad, this is Bea. I told you a little about her on the phone last week. Bea, this is my mom Ginny and my dad Nathan.”
Bea tried a tentative smile. Zach’s mom appeared friendly, but his dad had Andy’s height and Gerry’s build with a weathered face. Before she could say “hello”, she found herself in a Chantilly Lace-perfumed hug. She looked over Ginny’s shoulder at Zach, who crossed his arms and winked.
Ginny stepped back. “It’s so wonderful to meet you, Bea. The only girlfriends my Zachary has introduced us to, before you, were his fiancées. I’m so thrilled to meet you.”
Fiancées? Zach had fiancées? “Thank you, Mrs. Woodman. It’s nice to meet you too. I hope you can tell me more about Zach. It would appear he’s left a few details out.” She raised her eyebrow at him and felt vindicated when he had the grace to flush.
He gave his mom a kiss on the cheek and a welcoming hug. “It’s not as if I knew you were coming. Why the sudden visit?”
Mrs. Woodman stepped back and beamed, making her round face glow. Bea liked her already. She reminded her of what Mrs. Santa Claus would look like, if she existed.
“Dear, I had a hunch you needed to see us. You know I always follow my intuition.”
Mr. Woodman shook his head like a man used to his wife’s idiosyncrasies and held out his hand. “Do you have a last name, Bea?”
She shook his calloused hand. “Yes, Rappaccini.”
He raised his brow, reminding her so much of Zach that she relaxed a little. “I imagine that gets spelled wrong more often than not.”
Zach pulled her back against him and gazed at her. “No worries there, Dad.” He switched his gaze to his father. “It’s going to change to Woodman very soon.”
Bea pulled out of Zach’s grasp at the same time his mother clapped her hand on her leg. “I told you, Nathan, didn’t I? I know my baby when he’s in love.”
Bea stood stiffly, trying to control the boiling in the pit of her stomach. “Actually, that’s not a true statement.”
Ginny gazed at Zach with such hope Bea felt like the Grinch who stole Christmas, but she wouldn’t start her relationship with Zach’s parents on a lie. She glared at him.
He shrugged. “I did ask her to marry me, but she turned me down.”
“What?” Zach’s mom rounded on her so fast Bea took a step backward.
Zach grinned.
Wonderful, make her the villain. Bea faced Zach’s shocked mother. “Mrs. Woodman, it has nothing to do with Zach. I have some health issues I need to take care of and until I’m sure Zach will be happy with me as his wife, I’m not ready to commit.”
Ginny grabbed Bea’s hand in her own and headed for the basement door. “Oh, my poor dear. You must tell me all about it. Maybe we can help. You know, Zach has a very good friend who is a doctor.”
Bea looked over her shoulder at Zach as his mother led her toward the house. His perpetual grin said he enjoyed the pressure he’d placed on her. But when he shrugged as if he hadn’t done anything, she decided upon a little revenge. “Tell me, Mrs. Woodman, does this doctor friend specialize in sexually transmitted diseases?”
* * * * *
Zach led Bea outside. The temperature had dropped, giving him a reason to bundle her in his Chamois shirt and keep her close. He didn’t understand why she had to go back to her little apartment when he had plenty of room in the house for all four of them. He tried again. “Bea, you don’t have to leave.”
She sighed. “Yes, I do. It isn’t right.”
He squeezed her shoulders as they strolled toward her car. “My parents won’t mind.”
She stopped and tilted her head up to meet his gaze, but her face remained in shadow. “I mind. For me to stay the night with you shows a lack of respect, and I do respect them. Besides,” she lowered her face, “I have no control around you. If I screamed, I’d be more embarrassed than when they caught us under the deck.”
He pulled her close and lifted her chin. “There’s something else. I can tell. What are you afraid of? I know it’s not my parents. I can’t believe you let my mom think you have a sexually transmitted disease.”
She shrugged. “It served you right for telling them you asked me to marry you. Now what if it never happens?”
He squeezed her to him as a sliver of doubt slid under his confidence. “It’s not about whether you’ll marry me, it’s about when and how we’ll handle our sex life. Wait, that’s what’s bothering you, isn’t it? You’re afraid that when we make love, I’ll get sick.”
She didn’t say anything.
Frustration burned its way through his gut. He dropped his arms from around her and stepped back. “You don’t think what we have is worth fighting for, do you?”
She shivered. “No, that’s not it. I just can’t stand the thought of putting you into a coma. Is that wrong?”
He lifted his hands. “But we don’t know that’s what will happen. Don’t you think we should find out if that’s the case first? Don’t you think we should tackle this together? After all, it affects us as a couple, not as individuals.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “But it’s my problem, not yours.”
Huh? Where the hell did she get that idea? “Excuse me? I thought the only reason it’s a problem for you is because you love me. You can’t separate the two, Bea.”
She dropped her arms and shook her head. “I know, I just can’t shake my fear.”
He put his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “You don’t even know if you should have this fear yet. Is there something you aren’t telling me? Is your body craving a release and that’s why you want to have sex? Or is it your natural inability to resist me?” He grinned.
“Oh Zach.” She pushed her arms through his and hugged him to her. “I don’t know. I know I want to make love to you so much I’d be happy to do so in my car, right now, even with
your parents waiting for you to return. But I don’t know why I want to. It’s always been different with you. You’re the only one I’ve ever let have complete control.”
He tugged his hands from his pockets and cupped her face. “Total control? I like the sound of that.”
As she opened her mouth to respond, he descended upon her, thrusting his tongue between her lips like he wanted to thrust his cock between her legs.
She moaned. Her breasts flattened against his chest as she squeezed herself to him.
He pulled her head away and forced the end to their kiss. “Bea, we will make love. And we will find out if Josh’s cure worked. And then we’ll decide what to do. Now, do you want to come back inside and test your cure tonight?”
She shook her head. “Not tonight. Let’s wait until your parents leave because when I come for you, I want to let myself go.”
He couldn’t argue with that. “Okay. They will probably leave tomorrow.” He took her hand again and continued their stroll to her car. “But when I call, I expect you to come over immediately, and Bea?”
“Yes?”
“When you arrive, come naked.”
He felt a shiver flow across her skin. Good. He wanted her hot for him. Hot enough to fry her fears.
They arrived at her car and he gave her one more fiery kiss for her to remember. He held her car door open while she started the engine.
She looked up at him. “I have to work tomorrow. Please tell your parents I enjoyed meeting them.”
He cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb across her skin. “I will. And I’ll call you the minute they leave.”
She swallowed hard. “Please.”
Zach closed the car door and stood in the darkness as Bea drove away. The woman was a walking contradiction. God help him, he loved that about her.
As he turned to walk back to the house, he readjusted his jeans. At least it was late enough that his parents would soon go to bed. He could stay up and sketch his favorite subject. Perhaps he could even draw a particular position he’d like to try.
Ignoring the rubbing of his pants on his hard cock, he sprinted back to the house.
Chapter Sixteen
Bea shoved the last bill into the inbox and grabbed her brush from her purse. She couldn’t believe how fast the day had gone and now she would see Zach, in front of a hundred or so people. Her need clawed at her, but was it for release or for him? Not knowing drove her crazy. She could understand why Zach’s parents had wanted to stay for the unveiling of the carving, but she wouldn’t make it much longer without him. Maybe she could sneak him into a room for a few hours.
The image of her, Zach and Kayla on the bed came unbidden to her mind. She groaned.
“Bea, are you all right?”
She snapped her head around to find Kayla standing in the doorway. She swallowed hard before responding. “Yes, just can’t believe it’s time already. What a busy day.”
Kayla sat on the desk. “Are you dying to see the carving? After all, it’s what brought you and Zach together.”
She clipped her hair back for a more professional appearance before answering. “I’m excited, but I’ve already seen most of it. Trust me, it’s impressive.”
Kayla pouted. “Do you think Josh will come down?”
“Zach didn’t say he was. Do you really like him?”
Kayla glanced away. “He’s different. I like that.”
Bea lowered her brush. “Wow. I didn’t see that coming.”
“What? I just want to find out more about him that’s all. It’s not a crime.”
“No, of course not.”
Kayla jumped off the desk. “Hey, you better hurry up. Your dad is already here.”
“Right.” Bea threw her brush in her purse. She’d best go outside to the great porch at the front of the inn and make sure everyone was ready. “Could you find the Larsens? They may not realize what time it is.”
Kayla nodded and left.
As Bea entered the lobby, Zach strode in.
She forgot to breathe. He wore a black suit with an ivory shirt and a Jerry Garcia tie. His shoulders appeared enormous, but the clothes fit him to perfection. Wow, her man cleaned up nice.
He stopped in front of her. “I missed you.”
“I—”
Zack kissed her and dipped her so fast she couldn’t tell which made her more lightheaded.
Having devoured her thoroughly, leaving her legs weak, he set her upright again. “Hi, beautiful.”
“Oh gosh, Zach. People are staring.”
He surveyed the lobby and shrugged. “So? I bet they’re jealous.”
She linked her arm with his and smiled. “Yes, of me, because I have one amazingly handsome boyfriend.” Bea’s heart glowed at the phrase. To be able to use the word boyfriend in the present tense was such a new experience. She warmed every time she had the chance to say it.
As they strolled toward the exit doors, Zach bent his head and whispered in her ear, “Fiancée.”
She stiffened, fear racing up her spine at his reminder. He must have sensed her reaction because he squeezed her hand before opening the door for her.
As they stepped onto the porch, Bea’s gaze swept the gathering of people for her father. Spotting him, she tugged Zach’s arm. “Come. I’d like you to meet my father, but whatever you do, don’t mention marriage or Mom will hear of it.”
Zach smirked, making her nervous. What was the man thinking now?
Bea stopped next to Mathew, who was surrounded by a handful of people from town. She recognized a few, but he knew everybody. He had their undivided attention and cut a fine figure in his business suit. The graying at his temples made him appear quite distinguished. “Hi, Dad.”
He stopped in mid-sentence and turned. A broad smile lit his face. “Bea. How’s my honey bee?” As he gave her a hug, she cringed. She’d forgotten he would call her that in front of Zach.
When Mathew let go, she did the honors. “Dad, this is Zach, my boyfriend. Zach, this is Mathew Emerson.”
Her dad hadn’t missed the importance of the introduction, but then again, he rarely missed anything. “It’s a pleasure to officially meet you, son. It takes a heck of a person to capture my Beatrice here. She’s not an easy one to handle, but if you need any advice, feel free to give me a call.” He handed Zach his business card.
She’d always wondered how he did that. It was like a magic trick. A business card appeared at his fingertips from out of nowhere.
Zach took the card and shook her dad’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you as well, sir. I understand you will be speaking at the ceremony?”
Her dad puffed with pride. “Yes, yes I will. I’m the president of the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce this year and it is my honor to be a part of all this. I love to see a great business like the Lakeside Inn add a piece of fine artwork from a local company.”
Zack raised his brows. “Not sure I’d call myself ‘a company’, but I’m happy I could help. If it wasn’t for this carving, I would have never met your daughter.”
Mathew nodded sagely. “This carving will always have a special meaning in our hearts.”
Bea glanced around, now was a good time to move along. “We’ll see you at the ceremony, Dad. I need to introduce Zach to a few more people.”
“Of course, of course. You have work to do. I’ll be over in a few minutes.”
After they met with the Larsens and the organizer of the Lakes Region Craft Fair, Bea steered Zach toward the carving, which stood beneath a red piece of material, hiding it from view. Zach touched the cloth. “Hell, this looks a lot better than the blue tarp I kept over it.”
Bea cocked her head. “Why wouldn’t you let me see the carving after you finished the tree and the animals were roughed out?”
He strolled around the statue as it stood to the right of the main door of the inn. “I wanted it to be a surprise. I added one additional detail to the original sketch. I’m hoping you’ll like it.”
For the first time since she’d met him, Bea caught uncertainty in Zach’s eyes. Could it be the artist in him that felt insecure or something else? She touched the carving. “I know I’ll love it. You’re a wonderful carver. Besides, I love everything about you and as Dad said, this statue will always mean so much to me.”
Zach pulled her into his embrace and kissed her gently, lovingly.
When he released her, she noticed the Larsens approaching. It was time. They would love Zach’s work and she couldn’t wait to see their faces when they saw it unveiled. She stepped back with Zach as the Larsens took their positions before the microphone stand. Craig winked at her and she nodded. Everything was ready.
She and Zach stood on either side of the carving, ready to pull off the material. She couldn’t see him, but she could sense his anxiousness.
Sharon Larsen opened with a welcome and then Mathew spoke. They introduced Zach, who didn’t have to speak, but he waved to the crowd. The director of the Lakes Region Craft Fair spoke next and finally they were ready.
On the count of three, she and Zach pulled the material down over the front and let it fall to the porch floor. A gasp went through the crowd of a hundred people. A second of silence followed before they erupted with cheers. The clapping overwhelmed Craig as he tried to speak and explain the carving.
Bea’s heart flipped over with pride. She glanced at Zach, and his ever-present grin was back. Her eyes watered as she gazed at the man who had created such a perfect and detailed piece of work. At his arched brow, she stepped back to take a better look.
The carving couldn’t be described in words. The tiny branches of the birch sprouted leaves that seemed as if they would blow off in the wind. The beaver’s fur appeared so soft she had to keep herself from bending down to feel it. And the woodpecker, with his wings wide and his beak opened, looked ready to do serious damage to the plodding beaver.
She switched her watery gaze back to Zach, sure that nothing could be as beautiful as he, not even the carving. But he lifted his eyebrow again.
