PassionsPoison (28 page)

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.

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.

The crowd settled to a dull roar and Craig tried again to
explain the carving’s story. Bea continued to admire it when she caught sight
of an indentation on the left side. Not wanting to stand in the way of the
audience, she slipped around the back and stood next to Zach.

She gasped. Craig hesitated in his speech and looked at her.
She waved him on before turning back to the carving. Zach had included a heart,
much like she had drawn in grammar school, only this one was special. Inside
the carved heart were the initials BR + ZW, TLA.

Bea’s heart swelled. True love always. A phrase as a child
that seemed mushy and dramatic, but today it took her breath away. Pure joy
flooded her veins even as fear pestered her spine. She turned to Zach.

He mouthed the words she’d just read as he placed a hand
over his heart. She gave him a tremulous smile and whispered, “Always.”

He pulled her against his side as they waited for the
ceremony to finish. When people started to head inside for refreshments, she
faced Zach. “Can you stay for a while? I could find us a room and we could test
Josh’s cure.”

His face lit, but as he opened his mouth to answer, his dad
joined them and clapped him on the shoulder. “Zach, this is brilliant!”

Bea stepped away as others crowded around Zach, praising his
work, asking for his card or giving him theirs. She could envision every
business in town with a Zach Woodman carving on their threshold. The town might
even become known as the town with the great wooden carvings, which could
increase tourist traffic. Her education must have stayed with her for her to be
thinking in that vein. Maybe a chat with her dad Mathew couldn’t hurt.

Zach looked at her over the heads of those gathered around
him and shrugged.

She chuckled. As the most humble man she knew, he seemed
lost among the accolades. She pointed inside and he nodded in understanding. As
she walked away, she had the sinking feeling that time together would not
happen for another night.

Her frustration grew. Instead of fearing the result of their
lovemaking, now she wanted to know, desperately needed to know. Today she had
committed to being with Zach always. Now she had to know what that future would
be like and somehow, some way, come to terms with it.

* * * * *

Bea threw the pen onto the desk. What the hell was wrong
with her? She should be excited, thrilled, elated, to see Zach tonight. Instead
she couldn’t concentrate and the blasted columns wouldn’t add up.

She stood and walked around her desk to stare out the
window. It had been five days since the supposed cure took place. Now
anticipation warred with anxiousness, causing her to reach for the Tums again,
though it was only eleven in the morning. Chewing a couple of the chalky
tablets, she crossed her arms over her stomach. Great, at this rate she’d
arrive at Zach’s crippled with stomach pain.

She turned and leaned against the sill. When Zach had called
a couple hours ago to let her know his parents had left, she’d been excited,
but her mind wouldn’t stop thinking about tomorrow morning. Then they would
know what the rest of their lives would be like. She brought her finger to her
mouth and chewed on her nail. Pulling her hand away, she swore. “Damn it.”

If only she could focus on the night ahead instead of the
morning after. She would be arriving naked and that thought alone should have
had her blood heating, but the fear returned and turned her blood colder than
the depths of the lake in spring. Maybe if she checked on the caterer for the
evening’s—

“Bea, you have visitors.” Kayla leaned against the doorway,
a pile of receipts in her hand and a frown on her face. It appeared her own
irritation had become contagious.

“Who is it?”

Kayla pushed away from the door and sat at the side counter.
“It’s your dad and that cop.”

Bea tensed. Chris was here? Why? She’d left him a message
letting him know they’d discovered the letter writer. And her dad? “Kayla,
which dad?”

She sighed. “Tony.”

Bea squeezed behind Kayla and rested her hand on her
shoulder. “I’m sorry I’m such a bear today. Gary has the front. Why don’t you
take a break from the receipt work and find us both a cup of coffee? After I’m
done, maybe we can talk about Josh.”

Kayla’s shoulders fell. “Yeah, I could use some more
caffeine and the chat. Thanks.”

Bea strode into the lobby to find Tony talking to Chris, in
his uniform this time. They stood to the side of the front doors, away from the
front desk. “Dad?”

Tony switched his gaze to her and she glimpsed a melting in
his dark-brown eyes before he distanced himself and resumed his usual
professional aura. “Bea, I understand you called Chris about the letters
Phillip wrote you.”

She stared at Chris, who appeared uncomfortable, as well he
should be. He’d contacted Tony behind her back. She turned to her dad. “Yes. I
didn’t know Phillip had sent them and asked Chris for help. But when we
discovered they were from Phillip, I let him know he didn’t need to waste his
time.”

She caught Tony’s glance toward Chris. Her dad already
realized he may have been used for other than clearly revealed purposes. “I
see.” He paused.

That’s what she liked about Tony. He didn’t ruffle easily.
He took his time to think through his options.

He locked gazes with her. “Since Philip’s machinations did
no harm, we don’t have anything concrete we can charge him with.”

She agreed. In other words, they couldn’t reveal Phillip had
tried to kill her with an antivenom.

Tony continued. “However, I do believe Phillip is a threat
to you. Would you agree, Bea? Based on the letters you received and your last
conversations with him, would you say he may be dangerous? I would venture to
say he’s showing signs of insanity, but that is between the three of us. I’m no
expert in that area.”

Tony faced Chris. “Would it be possible to obtain a
restraining order against Phillip?”