The Bachelor Beach: The Love Connection Series - Villa One

by Ryan, Shari J.

  It takes less than a second for my thoughts to conjugate, and my mouth falls ajar. “Oh shit.” I forgot I had a tablecloth scraper in my back pocket. “Oh my God!” I jump up from his lap.

  The damn thing ripped through my pocket and his pant leg, leaving him with a superficial slice across his thigh.

  I pull the scraper out of my back pocket and hold it up. Noah chuckles and places his hand over his face. “Well, this is going to be hard to explain to the rest of the staff.” The split in his pants can’t be concealed.

  “I’m so sorry, Noah,” I exclaim. My face is hot and probably beet red. “Let me get you a bandage. Where are they?”

  Noah opens his bottom drawer and pulls out a small tin full of first-aid materials.

  The blood is starting to pour out a little more than it was a second ago and concern washes through me. “I think you’re cut pretty badly,” I tell him. His pants are white and soaking up the blood like a wet cloth.

  I’ll be okay. “I just have to clean it up.”

  “It’s totally inappropriate for me to offer to help you, but can I help you?”

  Noah glances up to the ceiling and blows a lungful of air out of his lungs. “You just want to see me in my briefs, is that it?”

  “No, I mean, yes, I just want to help you.”

  “You’re going to torture me for the next six months, aren’t you, Ashley?”

  The thought might have gone through my head, but not like this.

  “I truly forgot I had the scraper in my back pocket. Why are those things so sharp?”

  “They’re meant to scrape, but not puncture,” he tells me.

  “Take your pants off so we can fix the cut,” I tell him. I’m not going to take advantage of him. I just want to help.

  “I didn’t think I’d be seen in my underwear today, Ashley.”

  “Okay, well, you’ll get over it. You’re bleeding, Noah, come on. We can be professionals about this. Pretend I’m a nurse.”

  “Pretending you’re a nurse is not going to help my situation,” he says, trying not to smirk. “Fine, professional. We can do that.” Noah stands from his chair and releases his belt, then lets his pants fall to the floor.

  I clap my hand over my mouth, so I don’t laugh out loud because he’s wearing white Scooby Doo boxer briefs. “My pants aren’t see-through,” he says. “You’re supposed to be professional, like a nurse. Nurses don’t laugh at patients’ underwear.

  “We all have our things,” I tell him, trying to compose myself while kneeling in front of him. I pull the tin of bandages down with me.

  “Ashley if someone walks in right now—“

  “They’d think I was breaking your rule,” I tell him.

  Noah’s hands cup around his junk. “Stop it.” Back to the junk. It’s massive. That is a lot of junk. A lot.

  “I’m just going to clean the wound up. I grab two alcohol wipes, one for my hand and one for his leg.”

  After I clean my hands, I press the second wipe to his leg, feeling his muscles tighten around the area. “Oh, it’s not that bad. You’re just a bleeder.”

  I take a little gauze and medical tape to fix him up. I run my hands across the tape to make sure it’s secure, feeling the muscles around his thigh. “Ashley,” he says. “You’re making this really hard.”

  I glance up. “Making what—” Oh.

  “I’m sorry!” I say, jumping up, pounding against his hardness with the top of my head.

  “Argh,” he shouts.

  “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry!” Noah drops back down into his chair, holding his groin with care. “Can I do anything?”

  “You’ve already done so much,” he cries out.

  I grab his pants from the ground and hold them up. “Here, here are your pants,” I offer.

  “Yeah, I—I don’t know if I can put these back on. The pants are covered in blood and torn.”

  “Do you have anything to change into?”

  “I don't have another pair of pants here,” he says, choking a bit. “Could I beg you to go to my villa and grab a clean pair?”

  “Oh, you want me—yeah, I can run home and grab you a clean pair of pants.” He wants me to go into his villa and rummage through his drawers.

  “The keys are in the back pocket of the pants you’re holding,” he says.

  I reach into the pocket that’s still warm from his butt cheeks and retrieve a key. “I’ll be right back,” I tell him.

  “I’m not going anywhere. Trust me.”

  “I’m so sorry, Noah.”

  Well, today has turned out differently than I expected. I’ve injured a man, gave him a boner, and punched said boner with my head.

  Once word gets out, none of those men will be talking to me again.

  Chapter 17

  The aftermath of stabbing my boss with a table-scraper wasn’t pretty. It turns out, Noah has a mild to moderate case of OCD, and his villa looks like no one lives inside of it. If he didn’t own and run a restaurant, I might consider the thought that he’s a drifter and doesn’t stick around in one place for too long. The rest of the afternoon was far less eventful than the earlier half, which is okay because God only knows what else would have happened if my string of luck continued to follow me around.

  I’m still learning how to use this computer and register, but I think I’ve almost got it figured out. I have to input my tips and decide how much I want to off-load to the busboy. Things have changed with these computer systems in the last few years since I waitressed last. Either that or Noah likes to keep up-to-date with technology.

  “HOLY—!”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Noah’s voice whispers against my ear as his cold hand lowers to my shoulder.

  “You came up behind me and put your hand on my shoulder. I don’t know many people who wouldn’t get startled while focusing on this damn machine.”

  “Are you having trouble?” he asks.

  “No, I think I’ve almost got it.” Noah reaches over my shoulder and touches a few buttons. “You’re clocked out now.”

  “Thank you,” I offer.

  I have the desire to ask him what he’s up to tonight, but it’s inappropriate for multiple reasons now. Nothing between us could happen even if it wasn’t the worst idea for a new employee to get involved with her boss. I don’t want to get in the way of Noah’s financial plans—the prize money.

  “What are your plans for the evening?” Noah asks, taking the battling question away from me.

  “No plans. I figured I’d …” There’s really nothing to do. “Maybe I’ll head downtown and see a movie. The night is young, you know?”

  “Are your roommates acting any nicer at least?” he continues.

  “Define nice?” I untie the apron from around my waist. “One of them is batshit crazy, and the other … well, I’m pretty sure she’s also batshit crazy. The second batshit crazy one is also a bitch though, or was until last night. I can’t keep up with them. I can’t figure them out, and they pretty much scare me a little.”

  “That’s terrible,” he says, looking caught off guard. “I thought you knew them for some reason.”

  “Nope, nope, I don’t know them. I have to get to know them, however. My brother is now engaged to their older sister, which means we’re all going to be one big family. This is my life.”

  “Ouch.”

  “Yup. So, a movie for one sounds delightful, believe it or not.”

  “I can see why.” I don’t like the way Noah has a sympathetic look in his eyes as he talks to me. I guess if he knew I had spent the majority of my adult years alone, he might not be wearing that expression.

  “What about you? You have any friends around here?”

  I hang the apron up on the wall of hooks behind the register. “Eh,” he says. “I’ve become friendly with Alexander Lopez—the guy next door. We play poker and chat over a beer or two a few nights a week, but that’s it really.”

  “Alexander.
I haven’t met him yet. I thought I had met all of you by now.”

  “Some of us are honestly focused on the prize money and can keep our shit in our pants,” he says.

  “You don’t find it hard to keep your … stuff … in your pants?” I raise an eyebrow questioning him.

  “I mean, I have urges, don’t get me wrong, but I joined this research project for a reason, and I’m sticking to it.”

  “That’s admirable,” I tell him.

  “As long as no one throws me off my game, I should be just fine.” I can’t help but wonder if he’s asking for trouble.

  “Hopefully that doesn’t happen for you,” I agree. I’m doing my best to keep a straight face, but I think I suck at hiding the truth.

  Noah clears his throat and drops his hands into his fresh pair of white pants. “Make sure you clean that wound tonight and change the bandage. I’m sorry again.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he says, smiling with just the corner of his mouth. “It’s no problem at all, but maybe in the future, you should stay away from my lap. I don’t think anything good could come from that again.”

  My heart stalls for a brief moment, deciphering the meaning of what he’s saying. Was I totally out-of-line to sit on his lap and offer him a hug?

  Yes. I was. But he was gazing into my eyes last night. That was real. I can’t mistake the connection.

  “You’re right. I’m very sorry for assuming that was appropriate.”

  Noah clears his throat and pulls in a deep breath. “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at eleven.”

  “Yes, sir. Tomorrow.” I might be biting my lip while trying to look away from him. He’s looking at me like he’s hungry.

  What a waste.

  The breeze rolling in from the shore offers me a cool walk home. The fresh air is needed after inhaling the aromas of spices, carbohydrates, and baked goods all day. I’m not good at shutting off my hunger game while working around a kitchen, or hot men, evidently.

  I turn the corner into the cul-de-sac of villas, finding Theo on his lawn, pruning his bushes. He spends a lot of time outside.

  “Hey,” he hollers as I move in closer. “How was work?”

  “It was good … aside from slicing my boss’s leg open with a table-scraper.”

  “Oh dear God, how is that a thing?”

  I like Theo. He’s harmless and personable. He is the only one who has tried to be a legitimate friend to me besides Noah. Though, with Noah, there are definite sparks flying. With Theo, a nice ground has been laid for a friendship to blossom between us. I tap my finger against my chin as I walk closer. I scrunch my nose a bit as I begin to tell him what happened. “I think I might have a teeny, itsy-bitsy crush on him. It’s Noah James. I think you might know him.” I squint my eyes and elongate my flat-lined smile. “It was just his looks at first, but then I found out he was a Marine, and it all went downhill from there.”

  “First, don’t do it. He’s here for the reason that does not involve you. Second, how the hell did you slice his leg?”

  I tell Theo about the carnival, the woman, Olivia, and her daughter. I tell him how I left him at the carnival, then snubbed him last night when I learned more information about this stupid study they’re all taking part in.

  “You sat on his lap … at work?” Theo asks, running his palm against the side of his face. “Oy, no good will come of this.”

  “He was having a moment. The woman lost her husband in the war, and Noah lost people too, I guess.”

  “So, you sat on his lap …” Theo takes my hand and pulls me over to his front step. He takes a seat and pats the space next to him. “Honey, he’s your boss, right?”

  “Well, yes, but—”

  “Have you ever watched one of those sexual harassment videos that some companies make you watch, so you know the dangers of acting out-of-line at work?”

  “Yeah, I saw one in one of my college classes a couple of years ago,” I tell him. “This was different, though. He likes me. He said all of that first … before I sat on his lap.”

  “He’s still your boss, and he can still flip that shit on a dime.”

  “Do you know him or something?” Theo seems like he either knows Noah or his type, and he’s warning me.

  “No, I don’t know him other than the few times we’ve crossed paths. He seems like a genuinely nice guy, but I think you already know why you can’t trust most of the men around here right now. I just want you to be careful.”

  “I’ll be okay,” I assure him.

  Theo wraps his arm around my neck. “I’m worried about you, honey. I know you didn’t come here to fall head over heels in love with someone. You were persuaded with free rent in hopes you’d find a job. Stick to your plan, and take things one day at a time. The world is a big place, and you’ve only been out of school for a few weeks.”

  I wouldn’t say Theo is a lot older than I am, but he probably has a few years on me. Maybe those years are chock full of experiences, or maybe he’s been in my place before, though, I highly doubt it. “Thanks for looking out for me,” I tell him.

  “This isn’t an easy place to make friends. I’ve learned that first-hand. I’m your friend, Ash. I’m on your side, okay?”

  “Babe, dinner is—“ The words fly out from Theo’s front door before anyone pokes their head out.

  “Ah—Jimmy, I’m just talking to Ashley real quick. I’ll be right in.” Jimmy … Did I meet him? I’ve seen him because he looks very familiar, but I don’t recall speaking to him. And the small fact that he called Theo babe is making it known why he might not have had an interest in chatting it up with me.

  “Oh my God, I thought you were out here alone,” he says. Jimmy steps out and wipes his hands off on the white apron he’s wearing. “I am so sorry, Ashley. What you just heard—it was a joke.”

  I shake my head with confusion. “I was just saying hi real quick, but it was nice to see you, Jimmy.” I stand up as quickly as I can and make my way across the lawn like I’ve got to pee. I feel bad. I made them uncomfortable. They’re obviously hiding something, and I hate that they think I might ruin that for them. Unless maybe, they don’t want others to know for the reason that might affect the outcome of this study they’re taking part in.

  “Have a good night, hon,” Theo yells after me. I wave as I continue up to my front door, rushing to close myself inside.

  Rushing to find Kricket in leather chaps, fishnets, pleather gloves, and a whip in her hand. Of course, the getup would be nothing without the same man from the other day being pinned up against the wall. “Hey,” Kricket says, casually. “You remember Tristan, right?”

  “Yeah, my memory is too sharp to forget,” I say, trying to avoid looking at either of them.

  Kricket presses her whip against Tristan’s neck, “Tristan, Tristan, Tristan,” Kricket thrashes her whip in my direction, “You are a very naughty man.”

  “Uh, is everything okay in here?” Like, is Tristan in agreement to this hostile-looking situation?

  “Everything is fabulous,” Kricket answers on behalf of both of them.

  Tristan releases a high-pitched squeal of a laugh. “Yup, great. This isn’t what it looks like,” he adds.

  “It isn’t what?” Kricket asks him, holding the popper end of the whip against his lips, then dragging it slowly down his naked chest.

  Tristan swallows hard. “Sorry,” he says, his voice cracking.

  “What was that?” Kricket responds.

  “I’m sorry, Ms. Helga. Please, don’t hit me.”

  Kricket gives him a tap with the end of her whip. I’m sure it wasn’t enough to hurt him, but his cheeks burn red. He tosses his head back against the wall, and his knees buckle a bit. “Again?” she asks him.

  “No, ma’am,” he responds.

  Kricket whips him with the popper again, but this time right on his junk. I clench at the sight because … just no. However, the longer I stand here in shock and horror, I notice a massive bulge rising in Trista
n’s pants. “More,” he grunts.

  “And, I’m going to leave you two to whatever the hell you’re doing in the living room right now.”

  I run up the stairs and close myself in the bedroom, wishing I could erase everything I just saw from my head.

  In fact, I climb under my covers and pull my pillow over my head, forcing myself into taking a nap. I might have slept until morning if my phone didn’t ring for the first time since Bradley responded to me last.

  I glance at my phone, finding an unknown number, which isn’t at all surprising.

  Unknown: Will you come to the door?

  I look around the room, wondering if I should even respond. What if it’s Max, or worse? Instinct leads me to glance out the window, and there isn’t a beach fire, so that’s promising, I hope.

  * * *

  Me: Who is this?

  * * *

  Unknown: For the fact that you don’t know, I’d love to tease you and ask you why you didn’t save my number in your phone, and why you deleted the text you sent me the other night when you were checking to make sure I was okay, but it’s just Noah.

  * * *

  Me: You’re at my door?

  * * *

  Unknown: I’m a creep. I know. I didn’t want to ring the bell in case your roommates are in bed.

  * * *

  Me: What if I was in bed?

  * * *

  Unknown: My mind can’t go there, Miss Ashley.

  * * *

  Theo’s reminding words echo in my ear. He’s my boss. I should behave.

  Me: Right. I’m coming …

  * * *

  Unknown: ::bangs head against wall:: You’re killing me, girl.

  * * *

  With a little excitement rushing through me, I glance in the mirror and wipe away the mascara streaks from beneath my eyes, readjust my t-shirt and pad barefoot down the hallway toward the staircase. Kricket and Krow’s bedroom doors are both closed thankfully.