Seducing Phoebe

Phoebe picked up the towel and rubbed it briskly down her arms before wrapping it around her body. The water had been refreshing, but now that she was out of it, her skin was bubbling with gooseflesh. She sat down on the blanket and gazed out over the ocean. It had been a relaxing two days since she’d arrived. She hadn’t come to any real decisions—she’d just spent the time sleeping and sunbathing and taking the odd swim, re-energizing her soul and body. Still, a part of her ached, and when she was watching a television show or a movie she found herself rubbing her finger where Marco’s ring had been.

While it had been good to chill out, she knew she couldn’t do it forever. The time had come for her to sit down and think about what she was going to do next.

As the waves rolled in and rushed just as quickly back out, she wished her problems could be so easily solved. How good would it be to throw them into the ocean, and have them swept away by the receding tide, swallowed up and forgotten? She wouldn’t have to think about them again. Unfortunately nothing was that simple.

A shiver coursed through her and the thought of a warm shower, followed by curling up on the back patio with her book, had her standing and heading towards the house.

Perhaps a solution to her problems might present itself in her book—and pigs might fly.

She ran the short distance to the house thinking of nothing but her shower. As she shook out the towel and blanket a voice interrupted her peaceful thoughts.

“I was wondering if I was going to have to come and join you on the beach.”

Dumbstruck at seeing Marco standing not three feet away from her, Phoebe opened and closed her mouth a couple of times, trying to form words, but not being able to get anything out.

It has to be a dream, she thought. ~He can’t possibly be standing in front of me.~

She closed her eyes and shook her head, hoping that when she opened them Marco wouldn’t be standing a few feet from her. But his heat was radiating out towards her, luring her into its warm embrace. She counted to five and then opened her eyes again. Marco still stood there. He was real. He looked so gorgeous in his tight fitting white tee and cargo shorts. There was something intrinsically male about him that called out to her. It had always called out to her, from the moment they’d stood side by side at Sophie and Alex’s wedding, but she’d pushed it aside because she was involved with John.

“What are you doing here?” Her words came out softer than she wanted them to be.

To her ears, it almost sounded like she was glad to see him. That she had been waiting for him to show up. Which was so far from the truth it was ridiculous. She wanted to be alone.

Didn’t she?

“I’ve come to spend some time with you.”

It was so simply said, as if it was a given that he was always going to join her. But how did he know where she was? Only one person knew she was here, and she was going to call her and give her a piece of her mind.

How could Sophie do that to her? Sophie was her best friend, not Marco’s. Another thought hit her—maybe it wasn’t Sophie who told Marco where she was, maybe it had been Alex. If it had been Alex then she was sure Sophie would have a few choice words to stay to him.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he drawled. “But don’t blame Sophie or Alex, they didn’t tell me you where here.”

“How did you know I was thinking that?” Phoebe asked, surprised that he had been able to read her so easily. Had he always been able to do that? Perhaps she’d been closed off to how Marco had looked at her. Perhaps he knew her better than she’d thought he did.

He gave a negligent shrug of his shoulders and reached out to touch her cheek softly. “It’s good to see you.”

Her skin tingled beneath his touch. Her body softened and it took everything in her not put her arms around him. That would be the worst possible thing she could do.

She was surprised at his comment though. There were times when they hadn’t seen each other for more than two days, usually when she had had a night shift rotation, though admittedly they had shared texts or phone calls. For him to say those words to her now melted her heart just a little bit. There was no way she was going to let him know she was glad to see him, though.

Phoebe went into defensive mode. She hadn’t come to any decisions about her future.

She didn’t need him trying to influence her.

“I’m not sure I can say the same.” She took a step back. She couldn’t think with him standing so close to her. “But you’ve seen me now, and I’m not curled up in a corner rocking back and forth, so I guess that means you can leave.”

“No, I don’t think so. Now that I’m here I think I’ll stay for a while.”

The early thrill she’d received when he’d said he was glad to see her, left in a hurry with the autocratic way he informed her he was going to stay. It took everything in her power not to scream in frustration. She’d come to this little piece of paradise by the beach to think. To work out what she wanted. The man standing in front of her was the biggest thing she had to think about. The fact that she had been avoiding thinking about things the last couple of days was beside the point. Having him here was going to play havoc with her emotions. Emotions she couldn’t trust. She was acting out of character, going from one emotional extreme to the other. She needed to get her head on straight. For so long she’d led with her heart, and now she needed to lead with her head. It was the only way to protect herself and get what she wanted.

“Well I don’t want you here, Marco. Why can’t you accept that?”

“I believe I told you the night we last saw each other that this wasn’t over.” He waved a hand between the two of them indicating he meant them as a couple. He didn’t have to do that. She knew exactly what he was talking about.

Phoebe clenched her fists in frustration. “So, what did you do, Marco? Did you have me followed? Have you been watching me the whole time I’ve been here?”

She didn’t like to think that he could’ve had her followed. It didn’t seem to fit the person she knew him to be.

“Why don’t you take a shower, and then we can talk about things.”

She was about to object. She didn’t feel comfortable showering knowing he was loitering around the house. Not after the worrying thoughts of him possibly having her watched or followed still fresh in her mind. It was stupid to think those thoughts. In all the time they’d been together he’d shown no signs of having stalker tendencies. Once again she was letting her emotions careen out of control, like a car on slick roads.

Marco held up his hand. “No, don’t argue. You’re freezing and your lips are turning a fetching shade of purple. Plus I don’t want you to get sick. Please go get warm.”

He once again moved closer to her and Phoebe held her breath, waiting to see if he would take her in his arms. A secret part of her craved for him to hold her again. As if sensing her inner war, he touched her cheek once again.

He then moved his hand and smoothed a thumb across her forehead, attempting to erase the worry lines away she was sure were showing. “I know what you’re thinking, and I’m not sure where it’s coming from. But let me allay your fears—I didn’t have you followed. I’m not that sort of man.” He dropped his arm and took a step back, giving her space to move. “I’ll tell you how I found you after you’ve got warm again.”

Trying to form words was impossible, as her teeth had started chattering. The temperature had dropped. The wind had picked up and the sun had gone behind a cloud; it was as if nature knew the situation between her and Marco was serious.

“Fine, but I’m only agreeing because I’m cold, not because I want you here.” She brushed past him, knowing that he would follow her into the house. Once she got inside she raced up the stairs. All she wanted to do was to get showered and changed and then back to Marco so that she could get him to leave. Only then would she be able to get her peaceful retreat back. And finally get to a place of happiness in her life.

***

The smell of bacon and toast wafted up to Phoebe as she made her way down the stairs. It seemed that Marco had made himself at home, and he was preparing one of her favorite sandwiches—a BLT. Her stomach grumbled in appreciation of the aromas. She didn’t think a way to a woman’s heart was through her stomach, she thought the saying was only appropriate to men. But at that moment, him remembering her favorite food was not making her goal of remaining impartial to him easy.

She walked into the kitchen and appreciated Marco’s fluid movements as he dealt with the bacon just as the toast popped up. It brought back memories of the other times he’d cooked for her. She had to admit that they’d had a good relationship. She just felt she didn’t have what he needed; that she would let him down somehow. As he hadn’t shared much with her about his past, she didn’t think her assumptions were far off. She pushed those thoughts aside—going over it all wasn’t going to get her anywhere. She was who she was, and even though he said things weren’t over between them, if he couldn’t share things with her, then there was no point moving forward.

“I see you’ve made yourself at home,” she said drily as she sat down at one of the stools at the breakfast bar. “Just don’t get comfortable, because you’ll be leaving in a couple of hours.”

Marco didn’t answer; he just placed a plate with two bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches in front of her. “Eat, we’ll talk soon.”

She wanted to push the plate away and demand they talk right then, but she was starving. The apple she’d had before she’d gone to the beach was so long ago. A quick look at the time glowing on the microwave showed it was close to midday. She had been at the beach a long time.

“I know what you’re trying to do,” Phoebe said around a mouthful of food. “But it won’t work.”

“What am I trying do?” Marco asked as he sat beside her with his own plate. Suddenly the spacious breakfast bar shrunk in size.

“You’re dragging out having our little chat, hoping I’ll change my mind and let you stay. But it won’t work.” She put her sandwich back on her plate. “I need to be by myself, Marco.”

***

Marco looked at the woman beside him. Her damp hair was drying in soft curls around her shoulders. His hands itched to reach out and touch the silky blonde strands. It had taken all his willpower not to sweep her up in his arms and kiss her when she’d walked onto the back patio. Her bikini had showcased the body he adored. If he closed his eyes the image of her as she wandered up from the beach would play like a movie. A movie he was happy to sit and watch over and over and over again.

He knew he wasn’t going to leave, no matter what she said or wanted. He was determined to fight for her.

“Why do you need to be by yourself?”

She hesitated as if she was trying to work out what to say. Was she only giving lip service to him? Was she expecting John to come and see her? Had he already visited Phoebe? He clenched his fist at the thought of another man touching her. Phoebe was his and he didn’t share.

He counted to ten, getting a reign on the anger that was starting to sizzle through him. “It’s not that hard of a question to answer.” He kept his voice neutral so as not to give

any indication of what he was truly feeling. “Or is the reason you don’t want to answer and you want to get me out of here quickly is because you’re expecting someone else to turn up on your doorstep?”

“I can’t believe you said that,” Phoebe gasped. “Why would you even think that?” “Quite easily; it’s not an unreasonable conclusion to come to.” He paused and finished

off the final mouthful of his food. “After all, you broke off our engagement because of another man.”

He quickly picked up her plate, as he had visions of the food remaining on the plate being dumped over his head.

“I think you should leave.”

Marco took the plates over to the trashcan and scraped the remnants of their lunch into it. He’d overstepped the mark. He’d let his anger and jealousy get the better of him. He couldn’t regret it though—what he’d said had been nothing but the truth. Phoebe had used the re-appearance of John back in her life as a reason to break off their engagement.

He placed the plates in the sink and walked back over to where she was still sitting at the counter, her back so straight he was surprised it didn’t shatter.

If he wanted to get things back on track he needed to make amends. He sighed and walked over to where she sat on the high kitchen stool, her back so rigid and straight he could feel the anger emanating from her. Anger he’d put there with his crass words. He placed his hands on her shoulders and swiveled her around so that she was facing him. She refused to look at him so he lifted her chin with his finger so that their eyes connected. The hurt shining in them pierced his heart.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. They weren’t easy words to say because he had spoken the truth before, but he didn’t want to hurt her. The last thing he wanted was to push her away when his only goal was to bring her closer to him again.

When she didn’t respond, he said it a little louder. “I’m sorry. What I said was uncalled for.”

She placed her hands on his chest and for a moment he thought she was going to push him away. It was what he deserved. Instead, her hands flattened against his chest. Her fingers tapped softly against his shirt, before moving up to his shoulders. He held his breath as he waited for what her next move was going to be.

***

Phoebe had no idea what she was doing trailing her hands from Marco’s chest to his shoulders. All she knew was that when he’d turned her around and apologized, all the reasons as to why they had gotten together in the first place fired to the forefront of her mind. She couldn’t deny the physical attraction that still flared and burned brightly between them. Slipping off the stool she closed the distance until she was flush against his hard body. She sighed when his arms closed around her, cementing their embrace.

The hairs on her arms stood to attention and her skin quivered to life. This was their strong point. Physically, they matched. No matter how hard she tried to forget, her body remembered, and shouted at her to give in to its urges and wants and needs.

They stood locked in an embrace, not saying anything for long moments. She pulled away; even though she wanted to stay where she was, she knew she couldn’t. It was clear Marco didn’t want to let her go, because he pulled her tight against him again. She looked up to ask what was going on and found her lips captured by his.

His lips moved softly over hers. There was no arrogance in the kiss. It was full of promises, and she didn’t want it to end. She got up on her tiptoes and opened her mouth under his. The kiss became more and more intense with each passing second. She jumped slightly when his hands connected with her skin. She hadn’t even felt them move down and under her t-shirt.

The need to feel his warm flesh overwhelmed her. She reciprocated the action and lifted his shirt until she could squeeze the muscles of his back. Her breasts ached for his touch, to have his hands caress them the way he always had. She pulled her lips away from his and angled her neck to allow him to trail hot kisses along her jaw line before nibbling at the tender flesh below her ear.

“Marco,” she moaned as he sucked on her ear lobe. She grabbed his head so that his lips could torture hers again. The kiss had gone from sweet to erotic in a matter of seconds. Their tongues dueled, trying to get the upper hand in the sweet torment they were treating each other to.

In that moment everything seemed right.

“Why?” Marco asked as he pulled his lips away from hers and rested his cheek against hers, shivering in pleasure at the light stubble of his re-growth. “Why are you throwing all this away?”

With those words, the mood was killed. The fire inside her doused in a coldness like that first dive into the cold ocean. She pushed him away as she wrestled with her

shirt, pulling it down over her bare skin. She was surprised her bra was still intact. Marco was a professional at getting her bra undone with a quick flick of his wrist.

Phoebe hated to think what would’ve happened if he hadn’t pulled away. She couldn’t believe she’d lost her head with just one touch of his lips. This was why she needed to be alone. She couldn’t trust her feelings or her thoughts when all it took was one kiss and she was a melting heap of hormones. If she was truthful with herself, she wasn’t dealing very sensibly with the situation they were now in. It was so unlike her to fly off the handle at every word or touch.

She needed to get control back, and she was going to start now. No more acting like a whiny child who wasn’t getting her own way.

“I think you should leave now.” She walked away, heading toward the front door to show him out.

“No, I don’t think so, Phoebe,” he said with quiet resolve. “I’m not going anywhere.”

She wanted to scream in frustration at his refusal to do what she asked. All thoughts of changing and becoming calm and rational flew out the window with a couple of sentences. Why was he being so difficult? Why was she only now seeing this arrogant, stubborn side of him?

She put her hands on her hips, hoping he could see she wasn’t in the mood for any more of his behavior. She should’ve realized her stance wouldn’t touch him. “I don’t believe I invited you here in the first place—you just turned up. I told you I needed some time out. Why can’t you respect that?”

“Because I think you’re wrong. I believe we’re perfect for each other. You can’t deny that we have passion between us.”

Phoebe resisted the urge to fan her face as a blush stole over it. She couldn’t deny it; they did have amazing chemistry. But she wasn’t going to let “amazing chemistry” rule her life. Chemistry fizzled out and you were left with nothing.

“You’re right. But a relationship needs more than just hot chemistry to make it work.” “I thought we were doing a pretty good job with our relationship, before your friend

came back to town. We were only a few weeks away from being married. I don’t think that makes our relationship empty.”

“If I’d known you were this arrogant, I’d never have gone out with you in the first place. I can’t believe this,” she said as she walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. What she really wanted was wine, but she didn’t want to give Marco any indication that his presence disturbed her. “Why are you acting the way you are?”

“I’m not usually this way,” he said on a sigh and ran a hand through his hair, messing it up, making him look much younger, and sexier. She definitely needed something cold to drink now.

“Well, I guess it’s just dumb luck that I’m seeing you act this way then?”

He laughed and the sound lifted some of the darkness that had pervaded her soul after their kiss. “Consider yourself privileged.”

“I’d hardly call it a privilege, but whatever.” She drained the rest of her water, still itching for a wine. If only he’d leave then she could enjoy a glass of her favorite vintage on the back patio, gazing out at the ocean. “Are you leaving now?”

She gripped the counter as he once again moved into her personal space. He placed his arms on either side of her, trapping her. She didn’t want to admit it, but she quite liked his more assertive Marco. She certainly wasn’t going to let him know—if she did, then he’d never leave her.

“I told you before, I’m not going anywhere.” He whispered the words against her cheek.

The shiver she experienced wasn’t from the cold water she’d just finished. It had everything to do with the six-foot-two male in front of her. If she moved her head a fraction to the left she’d be able to graze her lips against his cheek. Then a couple of more millimeters and she’d be able to kiss his lips. With his body pressed up against her, she could tell their close embrace was affecting him as much as her. She wiggled her hips slightly and his indrawn breath was the response she wanted.

“I don’t want a quick roll in the hay with you, Marco.” Phoebe gave him a shove and slipped under his arms. She walked out of the kitchen.

“Did I say I wanted a roll in the hay, as you so eloquently put it?”

“You’ve heard of the saying actions speak louder than words?” She waved her hand around in the air. “It was pretty clear by your actions that you want something.”

He threw back his head and laughed again. It was a rare sight to see him laugh so freely. Even though they were in the midst of an emotional upheaval they were joking around, as if they did it all the time.

A thought struck her—she claimed that he didn’t know her, but she didn’t really know him either. Not the real Marco, and that was the reason she couldn’t marry him. No point denying she was still attracted to the man, because she was. But she wanted more than just attraction. She wanted to be able to do what they were doing right now. This lighthearted banter was something they’d never done. Between her work hours and his work functions, they’d never really done the casual date thing where they sat on the couch with popcorn and watched an action flick followed by a chick flick.

That what was had been missing between them. It was why she’d rekindled ideas of perhaps getting back with John because they had done fun things together. Their whole relationship had been based on fun. How long would that have lasted? How long before fun wasn’t fun anymore?

“You’re thinking really hard there, sweetheart. Are you coming up with any answers?”

Phoebe hadn’t heard him move to her side. He didn’t touch her. His hands hung loosely by his side, but she could’ve been held in a tight embrace with the comfort she felt from him standing next to her.

“We don’t know each other, do we? I mean really know each other.” She walked over to the couches and sat down. The sun glinted off the ocean and it looked like a blue piece of silk with diamonds sprinkled over it. “I got so caught up in the moment,” she whispered to herself. “Everyone around me was married and starting families. I wanted that too.”

“Are you saying you feel nothing for me at all?” Marco asked as he took a seat on the couch beside her. “Because let me tell you, I wasn’t caught up in the moment. I knew exactly what I wanted then, and I know exactly what I want now.”

Phoebe let her hands be enveloped in Marco’s larger ones. She wanted to believe that he felt more for her. But he’d never told her he loved her. He’d never told her much about his past or his past relationships, even though he’d known all about her sorry relationship with John. All Marco had said was that he’d had a couple of serious relationships but they hadn’t worked out.

“And what is it you want?” she asked.

“You,” he said simply as he brushed his thumb over her hand. Electrical currents zapped along her arm, causing her brain to short-circuit. “And I don’t plan on leaving until I have you back.”