~ Zoie's POV ~
"This is nice, isn't it?" Landon huffed as he gazed at the bright blue sky. He was sitting on the front side of the yacht with Zoie lounging next to him. She was, of course, donning her new blue bikini.
"Yeah, believe it or not, this is the most fun I've had all summer long," she said, stretching her arms up before laying back down.
It was a lovely summer's day and her father's yacht was gently cruising through the Atlantic Ocean. Zoie's brothers were hanging around the back of the ship, blasting music and drinking beer, while the adults were inside in the dining room.
"Wait, you didn't do anything all summer long?" Landon narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "I thought you had a whole plan set up?"
Zoie let out a long sigh. Landon was the only person in the family that she talks to about her personal life because he understands and doesn't judge. Zoie mentioned that she was gonna have a hot girl summer with her friends before college. Nothing too crazy, she just wanted to have fun and I don't know, maybe fall in love? But unfortunately, what happened was quite the contrary.
"Well, I tried doing something..." she trailed, pausing to look from side to side, making sure no one was listening. "You remember those girls that I told you about? Emma and Bri?"
"The popular girls or whatever?"
"Yup, and their friend Lucas,"
"Uh-huh, the cute one,"
"Well, we're not friends anymore,"
"What happened?"
"They tried to trick me," she pouted. "We went to a club together and the girls were pushing me to get with someone. They said I'd need the experience. They said tonight's the night. And then suddenly, Lucas showed up with drinks, and apparently, he put something in mine. Those three were planning this all along..."
"Holy shit," Landon cursed.
"Yup," she sighed. "I guess dad's right about one thing, you can't trust anyone in this world,"
"Aw, come on," Landon cooed and pulled her into a hug. "You made some bad friends, Zee, but there are people you can trust,"
"I guess," she said as she hugged him back. "I do have you,"
With her eyes closed, Zoie could feel the warmth radiating from Landon's body. She couldn't stress enough how great it was to have him back. She barely had any friends and her brothers weren't the kind and caring type. Landon was the closest thing she had to an actual friend. A best friend even.
"So, what happened then?" he asked.
"Well, a... kind stranger told me about Lucas slipping something into my drink. Then he punched Lucas in the face and I went home with him,"
"Oh?" Landon pulled back and furrowed his brows.
"...Yeah... And then we did it,"
Zoie avoided eye contact and threw her gaze down. She felt weird talking about this while Asher was somewhere in the vicinity. But still, she had to tell someone. She'd been holding onto this secret for far too long.
"Wait a second, you did what?!" Landon gaped and his eyes blinked rapidly.
"Shush! Landon, keep it down!" Zoie hissed and put her hand over his mouth. There wasn't anyone around, but still, they can't be too careful.
Because if dad or my brothers find out about this... well, I might as well jump into the ocean!
"You didn't actually did it, did you?" Landon spoke again, this time his voice was lower and muffled.
Zoie only shrugged in response.
"No," he denied.
"I did it. It's done," she said. "I'm not a virgin anymore,"
Landon stared at her for a second longer. Zoie didn't know what to make of his expression. Was he worried? Was he disappointed in her?
"Zoie," he said.
"What?"
"I told you not to rush these things,"
"I didn't rush it! It just... happened,"
"Zee,"
"It's okay, Landon. I'm fine with it," she said reassuringly. "And honestly, it wasn't so bad,"
"What do you mean it wasn't so bad?"
"I mean it was... pretty good,"
Zoie bit her lip to suppress the smile. As much as she hated to admit it, that was true.
"Okay, I don't need any more information," Landon groaned and rolled his eyes. Zoie let out a laugh and smacked his arm playfully.
"Who is this guy anyway?" he said again.
"I... don't know him," Zoie said quickly.
"You never asked for his name or anything?"
"Nope. I just want it to be a one and done,"
Landon narrowed his eyes at her. A part of him didn't want to believe what he was hearing. Zoie was never that kind of girl. Or was she?
"Landon, I'm fine," she said again. "I promise,"
Landon's eyes finally softened as he let out a long sigh.
"Look, Zee, next time, if anyone tries to hurt you, you come to me, alright? You don't go running off with some stranger,"
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine," she said reassuringly. "Besides, I got myself a shiny new bodyguard now,"
And just like clockwork, suddenly, Asher came strolling into view. He was wearing sunglasses and nothing but a pair of low-hanging broad shorts, displaying those chiseled abs. He caught sight of Zoie and Landon and he nodded at them. Landon nodded back, but Zoie stayed quiet.
Speak of the devil.
"So, how are you and my brother getting along?"
"Famously," Zoie scoffed. "Honestly, I hate his guts,"
"Why?"
"Because he's just... annoying!"
"What'd he do to you?"
"I just don't like the way he looks, that's all!"
"Okay, prejudice much?" Landon chuckled.
Zoie let out a long sigh.
"He's just so... different to you, Land. You're nice to me and he's... a big jerk!"
Landon stifled a laugh as Zoie crossed her arms in annoyance. She glanced over at Asher and he was looking in her direction too.
"Look, ideally, I should be the one going to Stanford with you," Landon said, pulling Zoie's attention back to him. "I'd make a pretty good bodyguard, don't you think?"
"Wait, what?"
"I even asked Uncle Damon about it," Landon nodded his head. "He agreed I would've been his first choice, except I've just graduated school and he wants me to work for him,"
"Wait, daddy was gonna make you be my bodyguard?!"
"Asher's his second choice," Landon nodded. "If it's not me, it's gotta be him. And I think he's the right guy for the job,"
"You do?" she raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
"I've done my research, Zee. Asher's a tough guy, so there's no question whether or not he can handle the job,"
"What do you mean by research?"
Landon looked around to make sure Asher was far enough away that he wouldn't hear their conversation. Then he leaned closer into Zoie's ear and whispered, "I don't wanna scare you off, but Asher's known to have broken some bones. Not only that he's a skilled car driver, but he's gifted in martial arts too. He's quite popular in the underground fight scene,"
Zoie paused for a beat and glanced back at Asher. He does have the build for a gifted fighter. And not to mention, he's got all those scars...
"That's honestly how he makes a living since driving hasn't really paid off yet," Landon continued. "He makes money from fights he'd won. Anyway, all this to say, I think you're in the right hands. So just give him a chance,"
At this time, Zoie's eyes met with Asher's. With Landon's words in mind, she forced out a friendly smile at him. But instead of replying the gesture, he just turned his cheek away!
Geez. What's his problem?!
"You see what he just did?!" she groaned and pointed her finger at him.
Landon only smiled in response.
"Sometimes it takes a while for Asher to warm up to people," he said. "But trust me, give him a chance,"
Zoie was pouting incessantly as she watched Asher walk away. If it wasn't for Landon telling her to give him another chance, she probably would've thrown her drinks at that smirking devil.
"You sure this whole bodyguard thing is a good idea?" she said after a while of silence. "You're on my dad's side about this?"
"I'm not on anyone's side," Landon said reassuringly. "I just want you to be safe. And besides, with him around, no one's gonna take advantage of you like those stupid kids again,"
Zoie bit her lip and thought about it. Asher did save her from Lucas and those awful girls that night. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad having a protector around. Especially that college is a whole other animal...
Maybe... just maybe... my dad has a point after all.
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~ Asher's POV ~
It just wasn't fair!
Zoie was lounging around the yacht in that tiny little bikini and Asher could barely contain himself. As if it wasn't bad enough that he got a boner during dinner, and now this? She was pretty much torturing him on purpose.
Like, what does she want me to do? Jump into the freaking Atlantic Ocean?!
Asher couldn't stand looking at her. His body was acting like he was some horny teenager. And trust me, he wasn't. He's used to having his body under control. Just not this week.
And don't even get me started on her flirting around with Landon!
Everywhere he turned, all Asher could see was Zoie hugging Landon. All he could hear was the sound of her laughter as he told her stories after stories. Not even a superyacht was big enough for him to get away. It drove him mad. So later that afternoon, after seeing Zoie and Landon together again, Asher retired to his room for the remainder of the night. He didn't even come out to dinner, telling everyone that he just wanted to sleep. Needless to say, this family trip was a total dud for Asher. He couldn't wait until the weekend was over and he could get out of this damn boat.
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Later that night, Asher tossed and turned in his bed. He couldn't sleep. Something was stuck in his mind and he couldn't get it out. Or resolve it. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was Zoie's face and how happy she looked talking to Landon. She never smiled that big when she was talking to anyone else.
Is something going on between them?
The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Landon definitely had something going on for Zoie. Man to man, Asher could see it too. The family probably didn't think about it because they're used to seeing them so close together. But from an outsider's perspective, Zoie and Landon are definitely not just plutonic brother and sister. There was obviously something more.
Damn! Why is this bothering me so much!?
Asher let out an angry groan as he got up from the bed. He grabbed a pack of cigarettes from his backpack before heading outside to the deck. It was late at night and everyone else was asleep. There was nothing but quiet emptiness on the boat and it felt kind of serene. Asher stood on the edge of the boat as he pulled a cigarette out. He threw his gaze at the open ocean and the stars above. If only he wasn't so mad, he'd probably appreciate the scenery a little bit more.
Psh! So what if they're together? She's off limits to me, but Landon's a different story.
Asher's mind was going places. He was thinking about Zoie and Landon and how they'd be perfect for each other. Landon was the nicest, kindest guy he knew. He'd treat her with nothing but love and respect. Besides, he was smart and he was going places. Uncle Damon seemed to really like him too. Enough to bring Landon into his political team.
I guess if she's to end up with anyone, it's better with someone like him...
As he admitted that to himself, Asher's chest was stinging in pain. He thought about someone else being with Zoie and his jaw clenched tightly. He thought about someone else's hand touching her face, someone else's lips kissing her, and someone else's eyes looking at her. For some reason, it infuriated him. He didn't even know why.
Asher took a long, angry drag of his cigarette when suddenly, he heard a voice.
"What are you doing here?"
Asher turned around quickly. To his absolute shock, Zoie was standing in front of him.
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- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -