Left Behind(22)

“I guess we better go. The ranger will probably be coming back to check on us and it’s almost dark,” I say, hating to even bring it up as we sit on the outside deck at the top of the lighthouse. Our shoulders pressed against each other as we watch the sunset keeps me warm, even though the air has chilled with the disappearance of the sun.

Without a word, Zack stands, offering me his hand. My back against the wall of the lighthouse, he places one hand on either side of my head, caging me in. His eyes sparkling in what little remains of the daylight, he smiles widely as he slowly shakes his head.

“No?” I whisper, his nearness clouding my brain and making me forget what he is even responding to.

He shakes his head again. Leaning in slowly, he whispers in my ear, “No way I’m going anywhere until I kiss you. And up here, I’m thinking there’s a lot less chance of being interrupted again.” God, the sound of his throaty voice, his warm breath on my sensitive skin, and the thought of his lips finally touching mine— it’s almost too much.

He draws his head back, his eyes meeting mine, and I find the need I’m feeling throughout my body reflected back at me. My breaths become shallow and closer together, and the muscles in my thighs tighten as I watch his eyes drop to my lips and then rise to meet my gaze again. And then ever so slowly, he leans in and kisses me. At first it’s gentle, almost hesitant. But that doesn’t last long. I lean into him, my pert nipples push up against his hard chest and a sound that can only best be described as a growl comes from deep within him.

Our kiss deepens, becoming hungrier, more forceful. He wraps his hand around my neck, guiding my head to the position that he wants me. I cling to him, my hands grasping at his shirt, wanting more, needing it more than wanting it. We seem to have a rhythm together, our tongues dancing with familiarity even though they’ve only just met.

Dusk has fallen into night by the time we both break away, breathless. I take a deep breath, trying to regain my wits, but it’s no use. Zack’s eyes smolder as he runs his knuckles along my cheek and looks into my eyes. His breath is labored and it makes me feel good that he’s as affected as I am. He doesn’t say a word; instead, he smiles, a real, full-mouth smile, his sexy, deep dimples telling me more than words can say. Again, without words, this boy has taken my breath away, and maybe even a little piece of my heart.

Time seems to fly by the rest of the night. The kiss relieved some of the tension that’s been weighing him down, because Zack’s lighter, happier. I’ve seen bits and pieces of this side of him, in small glimpses, but it’s never lasted very long. Until tonight. We laugh through dinner and fight over music as he drives me home.

“Wonder if we’ll have an audience soon,” Zack says as he turns off the engine in front of Aunt Claire’s house.

“Not tonight. My Aunt is working the overnight shift at the hospital.”

Grinning widely, Zack pulls me across the bench seat onto his lap. I yelp in surprise, but there’s no place else I’d rather be.

“So that means I can kiss you as long as I want tonight?” He says with a devilish smile on his face. His hand, casually wrapped around my bare leg, caresses the outside of my thigh. I wonder if he has any idea what the simple stroke of his fingers on my skin does to me. It sets my body on fire and turns my brain to mush.

“I’m supposed to be home at midnight,” I whisper, wishing it wasn’t true.

Zack kisses my lips once, his mouth still lightly pressed against mine as he speaks, so I can feel each syllable as I hear it. “You are home.”

“I guess I am.” I smile. “She did say I had to be home. She wasn’t specific about being inside.” I wrap my hands around his neck.

The corners of Zack’s mouth curl up. “Now you’re talking.”

I don’t look at the time when I finally leave the car, but the windows are completely fogged. We both groan a bit and I can tell that it won’t be long before our kisses become something more. We can’t keep our hands off of each other. The things he makes me feel scare the hell out of me, but excite me even more.

Zack insists on walking me to the door this time. He kisses me a few more times, and then hands me a folded-up paper before he walks away with just a smile. Leaning up against the inside of the door, I wait to open the note until I can no longer hear the rumble of his car as he pulls away. I had a great time tonight is scribbled on the piece of paper. The smile is still on my face when I fall asleep an hour later.

***

I wake to Aunt Claire knocking gently on my door. When I don’t answer, she opens the door ever so slightly to check if I’m inside. As I hear the door open I notice Zack’s note half on my pillow and half stuck to my cheek by sleep drool. How attractive.

I quickly fold the note and stuff it under my pillow as I see Aunt Claire’s eyes peer in through the cracked door. “Wanted to check on you. I just got home.” Obviously she’s worried about how far my date went last night.

“How was your date with Zack?” she asks as she slides her head in just a little bit farther. I feel bad about making her beg for information, so I sit up and welcome her into my space. She truly has been great about giving me privacy and a beautiful bedroom. She hasn’t even complained about my boxes. I never had anything as special and private in my life and I worry that I haven’t thanked her enough.

“Come in. You don’t have to stand in the hall,” I say with a smile.

Still in her hospital whites, Aunt Claire sits on my bed. She never had children of her own and she’s still trying to figure out her role in our newfound relationship.

“So, did you have a nice not-go-to-the-dance date?”

I know I’m beaming, the flush of my cheeks telling more than my words. “It was really great.” I stop short without saying anything else, suddenly remembering sitting on Zack’s lap in the Charger long beyond midnight. She’s a really cool Aunt, but I’m not too sure that would be cool with her.

“Great? Well, that’s great, I guess.”

I sense the disappointment my limited response evokes, but I also think I spot some concern in her voice. I want to assure her everything is fine. More than fine actually.

“It was a great date, Aunt Claire.” I tell her how Zack surprised me by taking me to a lighthouse because I’d mentioned I had never seen one up close before. Sounds harmless enough, right? Thank goodness she doesn’t know that, minutes ago, I was dreaming about the feeling of Zack’s hard body against mine as we shared our first kiss at the lighthouse.

Feeling like I should give her a little more, but not yet ready to reveal the change in my and Zack’s relationship, I let her in on my idea.

“Zack runs too,” I say. “He’s actually really fast. I was thinking about running by his house to pick him up for a run this morning.” I don’t tell her it was actually Ash’s idea during our 1 a.m. phone call where she pried for details of how far I went with Zack in the Charger.

Concern wrinkles her face. Does she think it’s a bad idea? Is she just worried I’m moving too fast? “It’s a hot day, Nikki. I’m not sure a run in this kind of heat is safe.”

“The heat here is so much more bearable than in Texas!” I’m out of bed and grabbing clean running shorts from one of my boxes. “You can’t even imagine the difference. I’ve run miles in way hotter weather than this. My body is used to it.” I pause, and then add, “I think nursing makes you a perpetual worrier, Aunt Claire. I guess it’s a hazard of the job,” I smile attempting to lighten the suddenly serious mood. “

Aunt Claire, still holding onto a look of fear and concern, only says, “Go slow, Nikki.”





Chapter 26



Zack





“Zack? Zack, honey, you have company. Can you come down, please?” Mom sounds nervous.

I have company? The only person who ever comes by anymore is Keller and Keller hasn’t seen ten on a Sunday once in the twelve years I’ve known him.

I throw on a t-shirt and grab my Dodgers hat. A few steps down the stairs, I hear Mom mid conversation with another woman. I thought she said the company was for me?

From the top of the stairs, I catch a glimpse of a ponytail. Her back is to the steps, but I’d know that laugh anywhere…and the image of that ass is permanently scorched into my brain. Nikki is in my house, talking to Mom.

The creak of my footsteps on the wooden stairs alerts Nikki to my presence and she turns before I hit the landing. “Hi Zack,” she says, with energy that usually only comes from a bag of Swedish fish chased by a Red Bull. I spot her nervous smile as she speaks.

“I was out for a run and thought you might want to join me. It’s beautiful out,” she talks fast.

Mom is smiling even broader than Nikki. She looks like the sun just came out after a thunderstorm. I didn’t realize how long it’s been since I saw Mom light up with real happiness. I savor the moment.

“You want to race me again? I let you win last time. Don’t think I’m doing it twice,” I say with a grin.

She turns to my mom, her face full of innocence. “Zack didn’t let me win, Mrs. Martin. He’s trying to rewrite history to cope with the fact that he was beaten by a girl.” She turns to me. “Did you get a good night’s sleep?” Nikki arches an eyebrow and attempts to conceal her smirk. “You sure you’re up for a rematch? I don’t want you to have any excuses when I beat you again.”