Love Grows in Alaska (The Washington Triplets) (7 page)

“It’s not like this is a date.” Battling with myself, I allow further doubts to sink in, stupidly verbalizing them. My hand chills from the cooler Alaska weather when he takes his hand out of mine and places it over his heart as though I wounded him.

“You break my heart, Marisa,” he feigns, the drool-worthy smile never faltering. I’m positive if he asked, I’d accept the invitation back to his place and allow him to manipulate me anyway he wished.

“I don’t remember being asked.” I lift one shoulder up, trying to flirt as best I can. Walking steady to the doors, Zach grips my upper arm and swings me around.

His hands grab my arms to stop me from circling and I inch back due to his close proximity from the sudden movement. I sway into his arms catching a scent of peppermint that I desperately need to taste. “Tomorrow. I’ll pick you up outside the hotel at six.” Then he swings me to face forward again and links those long fingers in mine, warming me instantly.

“Maybe we should see how coffee goes,” I say, wishing I’d double-lock my mouth shut because I’m pretty sure after coffee I’ll only be yearning for more.

“I’m fairly certain I’ll be fighting the urge to drive you back to my place after this, I can’t imagine what shape I’ll be in by tomorrow,” he divulges, staring down at me. Those blue eyes so mesmerizing, I don’t want to tear away.

“Excuse me,’’ I vaguely hear in front of me, and a dimple begins to crease in Zach’s perfect cheeks while his lips turn up.

He places his other hand on my shoulder and steps us away from the door. “Sorry, Mrs. Carrington,” he says, never wavering his focus on me.

Now the woman’s voice is behind me. “That’s quite all right, Zach, I see you’re occupied.” She giggles quietly, jolting me from the trance of Zach Greer.

Zach chuckles when he notices my eyes pop open. “Shall we?” he asks, holding the door open for me.

Cinnamon and coffee are the first things that float below my nostrils, as though there’s a scented candle by the door. Checking to make sure there isn’t, my mouth salivates with the thoughts of a large coffee with a chunk of cinnamon cake from the glass case crumbing in my mouth with every bite. The only image better would be Zach feeding it to me, naked in bed after he pleasured me into oblivion.
Crap, there goes my mind again. What is this man doing to me?

“Yes, two please. Thanks, Molly.” Zach’s voice suddenly brings me down to reality that there’s still clothing separating us. Blinking my eyes, they find a sweet, middle-aged woman, a little round in the belly, with a brown, bob hair style and wearing a frilly apron. An exact resemblance of the sign posted out front.

I lead the way, following Molly who tells customers she’ll be right back or gives a quick hello. The patrons, happy to see her. Some touching her arms and others saying how they missed her. How nice it must be to be liked and cared for by so many people. I could come around to this small town love. She places two small menus on the table of a booth in the back corner. “This should do for you both,” she comments and then focuses her sights on me. “I’m Molly, are you new in town?” she asks, and I smile before answering.

“Hi, I’m Marisa and I’m just visiting for a work retreat,” I inform her, and her lips fall before she recovers and then eyes Zach, whose dimples never falter. I wonder if I could pry some information about Zach out of Molly. She looks like a woman that would be willing to gossip with me.

“Well, at least you have a good tour guide.” She smiles softly to Zach and he mimics her expression.

“Thank you, Molly,” Zach says and she pats his hand before scrambling to another table, chatting them up.

“She seems very nice,” I comment, picking up the menu and looking over what they offer. Since it’s between lunch and dinner, she has a variety of sandwiches and homemade potato chips. Everything sounds delicious.

“She is. It’s her family’s bakery. They’ve been here from the start of King’s Gate, but every generation that takes it over changes the name and logo to fit their style. It first started as just coffee and donuts. Molly brought in more coffee variety and sandwiches. Her grandma had expanded to more coffee cakes and danishes. The list goes on and on; it’s pretty cool actually how the generations don’t get pigeon-holed into a specific company type.” I love the way he knows so much about a town he’s only lived in for five years, but I can’t help but notice that with that last sentence his voice changed octaves. I wonder what Zach Greer is hiding behind that gorgeous face and casual attitude?

“That really is. I can’t imagine growing up in such a small city, knowing everyone.” I place my menu down, deciding on coffee.

“Yeah, probably your worst nightmare.” He places his own menu on the table and for the first time his eyes don’t meet mine when he says it, instead they focus outside the window.

“Not at all. I kinda like it,” I say and he turns his attention back to me, dimples deepening with another amazing smile. Earning those is worth sticking around, that’s for sure.

“Really? Usually you big city girls wouldn’t be able to stand it up here where you know everyone and everyone knows your business.” He assumes he can classify me into a category, or he’s testing the waters to see if he’s wasting his time with me, which I would love to jump in his lap and assure him, if he’s part of the package, I’m all in.

“I moved to Anchorage,” I tease and he chuckles.

“In comparison to King’s Gate, that’s big city, but I really meant coming from Chicago.” Another waitress walks over, interrupting the conversation and fills our coffee mugs. She’s probably early twenties, long dark hair, but the same button nose as Molly.

“Hi, Zach,” she greets him.

“Hi, Riley. This is Marisa.” He introduces me to the cute little waitress while she eyes him before tossing me a courtesy glance. Then right back to him.

“What can I get you two?” she asks, never really pointing the question in my direction.

“I’m fine with coffee, thanks,” I answer, wrapping my hands around the mug to feel the warmth and bringing it up to my lips.

“We’re going to split a cocoa coffee cake,” Zach says, and Riley stops writing at the word
share
.

“Share?” she questions.

“Yeah, share. Thanks.” Zach quickly ends the back and forth, making my mind swim with images of them together. Has he … does she … questions float around in my overused head.

“As in two forks?” Riley continues, and I bite my lip to keep the laughter in at her obvious jealousy.

“Yes, Riley. Thank you,” Zach exasperatedly replies. Riley huffs like a toddler as though she was told
no
in the middle of a toy aisle and stalks away from the table.

I wait a few minutes to see if Zach might add something to clue me into their relationship, but he doesn’t. Instead, his eyes study me with that damn smirk. “What’s going on with you two?” I ask, unable to let it sweep under the rug.

“Nothing.” His face completely stone.

“Ever?” I tilt my head, double-checking.

“Never.” He shakes his head, smiling.

“It seems like maybe she—” I foolishly continue.

“Marisa.” I love the way the
s
in my name rolls from his tongue. He reaches over and laces his fingers in mine across the table. I’ve never been a huge fan of holding hands over the table, always cringed witnessing people doing the cheesy behavior, but in this moment, when the butterflies are at capacity in my stomach, I only wish he could hold more than my hand. “There’s no woman in this town that I’ve been with.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“I just want to clarify. So when we walk around or go to dinner, you never have to worry.”

“So, you just go after the out-of-towners? Less of a hassle in the whole commitment thing?” I seam my lips together, but unable to keep the upturn slightly at the corners. Don’t want him realizing the jealous thoughts of the women before me that ring in my head.

“You’re the first.” He shrugs his shoulder while blowing on the cup of coffee, his eyes holding steady on mine, waiting for a reaction from me.

“I doubt it.”

“I don’t lie. You are. I’m not saying I’ve been celibate, but I haven’t been with anyone in King’s Gate.” His eyes widen as though that’s his sign he’s telling the truth.

“Okay.” I let it go because his eyes do seem genuinely truthful and that is scary, because I put my trust in Nate all those years ago and I’m not sure I can do it again.

“What about you? Do you have a boyfriend back in Anchorage?” he asks, leaning back and spreading his arm out along the back of the booth.

“No.” I shake, begging that smile to stay hidden.

“Chicago?”

“Nope.” I shake my head again, biting my lower lip.

“That’s great news.” Those dimples dig so far in his cheeks, and I hope he’s not making promises he won’t fulfill.

“That I’m a loser with no social life?” I jokingly sneer and he chuckles.

“No, that there’s no one I have to beat out.” He smiles and then a coffee cake in the size of a small watermelon lands on the table. Two forks bounce off the aluminum a second after.

“Enjoy,” Riley says and turns on her heels.

“Are you sure, you never—”

“I swear. That attraction is one way.” He confirms the one-sided lust from Riley. I can’t blame her; as Zach sits across from me, I’ve already pictured him naked at least ten times.

Our fingertips zing when they brush against one another’s when he picks up the fork and hands it over to me. Digging it in the spongy cake, my mouth drools imaging the cinnamon, sugar and sweetness that’s about to fill my taste buds. “Man, can I take it home and cover my body in that cake?” Zach laughs, erupting a giggle from me.

“Why do you say that?” I ask and place the forkful into my mouth, my lips covering the fork and slowly pulling it out of my mouth.

“Because your eyes were devouring the cake and you hadn’t even tasted it yet.” He picks up his own fork and takes a small tasting.

“Sorry, I love sweets.” The urge to close my eyes due to all the tastes exploding in my mouth bombards me full force, but I deny it, not wanting to seem lame in front of Zach.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for. It just makes me want to be your something sweet.” Thoughts of Zach Greer as my dessert plunge in my head. Zipping my lips of my freaky fantasy, Zach shoots me a knowing smirk.
I’ve got to get better at hiding my emotions.

CIRCLING THROUGH THE ROTATING DOORS
, wheeling in bliss from my coffee with Zach, I’m startled to find Libby pacing in the lobby. She swishes back and forth on the tile floor with her teeth pinned down on her nails.

“Lib!” I call out and she jolts to my voice before her feet speed up, rushing to me. Unable to process everything, her body slams into me and I falter back before recovering. I’m terrified of what happened; I was only gone a few hours. “What’s wrong?” Sobs escape her throat and I firmly comfort her with my arms.

“Cam … Camden … is … on his way.” A screeching sound ruptures my ear, causing me to cock my head away from her.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” I whisper to keep the nosy eyes at bay, since we’ve already become a spectacle in the lobby.

“NO!” she yells and I watch an elderly lady pat her friend’s arm and point to us.

“Let’s go up to my room, okay?” I pull her back, witnessing her swollen eyes.

“Ok … ay.” She hesitates, but allows me to guide her to the elevators.

I hold Libby close to my body, her head in the crock of my neck, tears streaming down my skin. We secure ourselves in my room, thankful of neither Wes or Pete hearing. Leading us over to the bed, I sit her down and then grab a water from the fridge. Twisting it open, I hand it over to her and she takes a sip.

“Libby, I don’t understand. You were crushed you were leaving Camden. You seemed happy he was going to come.” The bed dips as I sit next to her and she quickly changes position to face me. Her one leg tucked under the other, she wipes the lone tears left. My fear that my intuition that Camden is a little too much like Nate is turning correct which frightens me for Libby.

“He’s not coming to see me.” She bites her lip, and although Wes is the first thought that rings in my head for some reason, I keep my mouth shut.

“Why is he coming then?”

“For Wes. God, Marisa, there’s so much I’ve hidden from you. So much I should have told you.” Her head falls into her hands again and she shakes her head violently, crying uncontrollably. “Camden knows.” She raises her head and fearful eyes point at me.

“Libby, you’re not making sense. What does Camden know? Why is he coming for Wes?” Playing stupid, because although I’ve put two and two together, how do you ask your only friend in Alaska if she’s a cheater?

She takes a hefty breath and stands up, walking to the window. I wait patiently for her and after a few seconds, she begins. “When I first started at Henbrook, I met Wes at orientation. We started within days of each other.”

“You’ve told me. But you moved here with Camden, right?”

“Yeah. One night Camden came to pick me up. I was at a meet and greet with Wes and the other employees. You know the ones they schedule every month?” I nod showing I’m following. “Well, Camden came in and saw me talking with Wes. Thought we were a little too chummy … a little too close. Camden stormed over, tightly wrapped his hand over my upper arm and yanked me through the front door. Camden’s always been jealous, but I’d never seen him so upset.” Her eyes close and her mouth twitches as though she’s reliving the moment right now. “Disposing me onto the concrete, he was huddled over me, screaming every name you can imagine. From whore to slut to bitch. Wes came out to ask what the hell was going on.” Her breath shutters until she composes herself.