Sugar Love Page 16

  Even dressed in adventure gear, she looked hot. She’d been working out with him at the gym, as well as at Rock Nirvana, and it showed.

  He had a light backpack on his shoulder. He shrugged it free and fished a couple pairs of goggles out.

  “For you,” he said, handing a set to Effie.

  “Um, thanks,” she said, reaching for them.

  “Trust me. We’re going to need them,” he said, pulling the strap over his head. Then, he retrieved a couple pairs of leather gloves. “Also for you.” He handed them to her. “Choose our ride.”

  Effie rolled her lips between her teeth as she studied the dune buggies. “Blue, of course. It’s your favorite.”

  Zander turned to Kent. “That leaves you with red.” He fished in his backpack for keys, then, tucked the pack between the seats, securing it with small straps.

  He tossed a set of keys to Kent.

  “Works for my hot-blooded self and me,” Kent said, snagging them. He hopped in the driver’s seat.

  Charlie laughed and playfully growled.

  Zander scoffed, then climbed inside the blue buggy. Effie crawled up in the seat next to him. He fit the keys in the ignition, and the engine rumbled to life.

  “Where are we going?” she said.

  “To the dunes, baby. This is the largest set of dunes in the world.” Zander grinned at her.

  She smiled back at him, her eyes sparkling. “Ready.”

  “Buckle up.” He tugged his seat belt over his shoulders and across his lap.

  When she’d fastened her belts, Zander called to Kent. “Take the lead.”

  “Oh, sure.” Kent chuckled. “You think you’re going to kick my ass just pass Three-Tree island.”

  Zander cocked his head. “I might. You’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?”

  He followed Kent, winding along a dirt road behind the house. Zander kept glancing at Effie, to see how she fared. So far, still smiling. They meandered through the woods, then emerged into a world of endless sand.

  Seagrass dotted the hills in places. But Zander focused on the miles of rolling dunes with tire tracks, waiting to be explored.

  Kent accelerated along a long straightaway.

  Charlie threw her hands in the air.

  Zander chuckled. “Ready for some speed?”

  “Sure.” Effie smiled.

  Zander pressed on the gas, and the buggy surged forward with a roar.

  Effie let out a yelp. She grabbed on the side railing, pressing her lips together.

  Zander slowed, a little, wondering if she could handle the ride.

  “You okay?” he yelled over the engine.

  She nodded. “I’m fine. Go.”

  She swept her free hand out in front of her.

  Zander sped forward. He accelerated until he rode side by side with Kent.

  Kent looked over and mouthed “Bastard.”

  His face bore a huge grin.

  Zander let out a, “Yeeha!” and took off.

  Effie screamed, then laughed. “Oh, my God!”

  Zander grinned. They sailed over a rise, catching air before landing.

  Effie yelled.

  “Hang on,” Zander said. He placed his toes on the brake and heel on the gas, partially engaging the clutch. When he released the clutch, he floored the gas pedal and let go the brake. The front of the sand buggy popped up into a sand wheelie.

  Effie screamed, eyes wide.

  But when he let the front down, she began laughing, her expression bright.

  He slowed the buggy.

  “Are you okay?” he said, eying her.

  “This is awesome,” she said.

  Pleased with her answer, he nodded and smiled. “Good. There’s more.”

  Kent passed him, shook his fist at Zander, and laughed. Once he’d taken the lead, he popped his buggy into a sand wheelie, too.

  Charlie threw her hands into the air again, a broad grin on her face.

  Zander couldn’t recall the last time he’d felt this great. He stepped on the gas again and passed Kent. They soared over hills and dipped into bowls. Exhilaration surged through him. A sense of unfettered joy filled his body. Finally, they cascaded over the last rise, descending onto the shore of the Pacific Ocean. Zander stepped on the gas again, cranked the wheel, and did a few sand donuts as Kent and Charlie flew over the rise.

  When he came to a stop, he studied Effie. With her hair all wild around her face, and her eyes bright, she’d never looked so beautiful.

  “This is so much fun,” she said. “I’ve never laughed this much in my life.”

  He leaned across the buggy, cupped the back of her neck, and kissed her, hard and deep. When he released her, he said, “I’m thrilled you like it. I took another chance, and it paid off. You’re gorgeous when you let go.”

  “Thank you.” She dipped her head. “You’re giving me the world.”

  Kent’s buggy roared in his direction. His hard-edge gaze fixed on Zander’s face.

  Zander glared back at him. Fuck. Now what? He brushed aside his concerns, focusing on Effie, as Kent beelined in their direction, hellbent, no doubt, on stirring up trouble and judgment.

  Chapter 20

  Zander

  Facing the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean, Zander placed his hands on the metal frame and leaped out of the buggy. Glancing at Kent’s buggy, zooming along the sand in his direction, he strode to Effie’s side. “Let’s change places.”

  Her eyebrows launched. “Really?”

  “Yeah, really.” He extended his hand.

  She reached for it and climbed out. Glancing hesitantly at Zander, she made her way to the driver’s side. “This isn’t another one of your plans to off me, is it?”

  “I swear I haven’t had a single plan to off you, Ms. D’Archangel. Scout’s honor.” As Zander hopped in the passenger seat, Kent braked his buggy next to them.

  “Giving Effie a turn at the wheel?” He stared at Zander, another smile on his face that didn’t reach his eyes. “You sure look like you’re having fun.”

  He side-eyed Effie before focusing his narrowed gaze on Zander.

  Zander’s mood began to slip at Kent’s unspoken message. Keep it casual.

  “We are,” he said, aiming a level-eyed glare at Kent.

  Kent put his palms up. “It’s great to see you having fun again,” he said. He turned to Charlie. “You want to take a turn at driving?”

  “No, thanks.” She smiled. Her long brunette hair whipped in the wind. “You keep on at the wheel.”

  Kent gave one last sober gaze at Zander. He shook his head in warning.

  Zander huffed out a sigh before turning to Effie. “Okay, you ready?”

  “Yeah, what do I do?” She clutched the wheel with her gloved hands.

  “Just drive, baby,” he said. He glanced at Kent’s buggy, then brought his gaze back to Effie.

  “What just happened?” she said. “It looked like you two just communicated some hidden message to one another.”

  “It’s nothing,” Zander said. “Work stuff.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “How can you be thinking of work stuff when we’re out here having so much fun?”

  “You’re right,” he said, forcing a smile. “Let’s get back to it. Let ’er rip.”

  Effie cautiously pressed on the gas.

  The buggy surged ahead.

  “Good. Now just head for the horizon,” Zander said, pointing up the shore toward a distant outcropping. “Follow Kent.”

  Effie forged ahead at an elderly pace.

  Zander laughed. “Are we heading for Sunday church, old woman?”

  She glared at him, her lips curving in a tight smile. “I’ll show you how an old woman drives.”

  She floored the gas pedal, speeding north, parallel to the crashing waves.

  The front wheels lifted slightly.

  “Yipes,” she said, braking. Her body lurched forward with momentum, nearly banging her forehead on the small steering wheel.
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  Zander caught himself on the metal side bar. “Whoa, girl.”

  “Sorry,” she said. “Let me have another try.”

  She slowly accelerated again until she hit about forty-five miles per hour. As she drove, she experimented with turning the wheel back and forth, creating a serpentine pattern in the sand and surf.

  “That’s great, Effie. You’re getting the hang of it. From now on, you drive.” A broad smile crossed his face.

  “I don’t think so,” she said, grinning back at him. She pressed on the gas. “Okay, maybe I’ll take you up on your offer,” she yelled above the din of the engine.

  Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the outcropping.

  Kent and Charlie sat on some driftwood in front of a large boulder, chatting and laughing.

  “Let’s stop here,” Zander said. After Effie braked, he jumped out of the buggy and leaned over to unstrap the backpack. “Want some water?”

  “Sure, I’d love some.” She beamed at him in that bright, confident way she’d shown him at Rock Nirvana after she’d mastered a few easy climbs.

  “I’ve got some snacks in here, too,” he said, stepping around the vehicle to hand her the water bottle.

  She grasped it, twisted open the top, and took a long swallow. “What do you have in there?”

  He spread the top of the pack wide. “Trail mix. Energy bars.”

  “Yes, please,” she said, smiling, holding out her hand.

  He chuckled, snacks for them both. Then, he took her hand and led her over to Kent and Charlie.

  Kent glanced at their clasped hands. He leveled his gaze at Zander.

  Fuck off, Zander thought, glaring, planting his butt next to Kent.

  Effie sat close beside him.

  “Good ride,” Kent said. “Just like the old days.”

  Zander let out a short laugh. “What? This was so tame. You and I are used to far more dangerous stunts.” He blinked a few times, surprised at using the word “are” instead of “were.”

  “How’d you like the ride, Charlie?” Zander asked.

  “It was okay,” she said, glancing at Kent.

  He nodded and patted her thigh.

  I give them two weeks, tops. Zander tore open his trail mix and poured some into his mouth. He leaned back against the boulder and gazed at the waves. Maybe I could get back on a surfboard. That doesn’t require much in the way of hands. And, who would judge me? I’d be wearing a wetsuit.

  The four of them grew quiet, taking in the sea and sun.

  Finally, Kent broke the silence. “What say we do a little bouldering?”

  He inclined his head behind him at the outcropping of rocks.

  Zander lifted his eyebrows and glared at him. “I’ve given up rock climbing, remember?”

  “I’m game,” Effie said. “I’ve been practicing at the rock gym.”

  “Yeah, you have. You’re getting good,” Zander said, smiling.

  “I’ve never done it, but I guess I’ll try,” Charlie said, unenthusiastically. She pushed to her feet, pivoted, placed her hands on her hips, and stared at the rise of boulders.

  “Great,” Kent said, standing next to Charlie. “Zander? You in?”

  “Nah. Go ahead. I’ll stay down here as a spotter.”

  Kent flashed Zander a challenging glare. “Girls, you go on ahead. I need to talk with Zan.”

  Zander eyebrows lifted. “We don’t need to talk about anything. Get on up the boulders, Kent.”

  “This will just take a sec,” he said, a cold smile sliding into place.

  Zander swallowed. He didn’t care to talk to Kent, but he said, “Go ahead, Effie. I’ll be right here.”

  Effie jumped to her feet. She glanced between Zander and Kent. Then, she turned to Charlie. “You ready?”

  Charlie sighed. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  Effie began climbing.

  Zander kept his attention on her for a few minutes.

  She looked like she was born to climb. Her movements had become much more fluid.

  As Zander watched her, his own longing to climb slithered free of his inner depths.

  “I know you want to climb,” Kent said. “Go ahead.”

  Fear spiked in Zander’s belly. “I said, no.”

  “Quit being a pussy, Zan.”

  Zander’s head jerked backward. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. Quit being a fucking little pussy.” Kent’s eyes blazed.

  “I don’t recall asking for your opinion on my behavior,” Zander said, his muscles tensing. He lifted his gaze to see Effie looking down at him, concern in her eyes. He waved. “You look great, D’Archangel,” he called, adding a thumbs up.

  “You can’t avoid your passion forever,” Kent said.

  “Rock climbing is dead to me.” Zander glared at Kent. “And what business is it of yours what I do?”

  “You’re my friend. It was great seeing you let go for once. We need to get out and live, man. Like we used to. Ski the Alps. Climb mountains.” Kent placed his hands on his hips.

  “Yeah, well I don’t want to climb again. Ever.” Zander directed his attention at Effie.

  She’d ascended about thirty feet up the boulder outcropping.

  Charlie had stopped at about fifteen feet. She turned around and sat. “Kent? Can you help me get down, now, please?”

  Kent glanced at her. “Just a minute, baby.” He turned back to Zander. “Just fucking get back up on the rocks, Zan. Then, this thing with Effie won’t appeal so much. You seem to be living through her. It’s got to stop.”

  Zander threw up both his hands. “Hold up there, Manning. You’re crossing a line. You’re getting in my business, and I don’t like it.”

  “Yeah? What are you going to do about it?” Kent shoved his shoulder with one hand. “You pussy.”

  Zander shoved back. “Quit calling me that, you prick.”

  “Just fucking climb, already.” Kent’s arm shot out.

  Zander jerked backward, thinking Kent meant to deck him.

  “These rocks are easy, King,” Kent yelled.

  “Well, if they’re so easy, why aren’t you on them?” Zander shouted. His hands balled into fists. Briefly, he considered the damage he could do punching Kent with a hard metal and plastic prosthesis.

  “Kent, I need help getting down,” Charlie called again.

  Zander glanced up at Effie.

  She stared at him, her face furrowed. Then, she began down-climbing.

  “And why are you acting so twitchy lately? What the fuck is going on? Is your sugar baby getting under the skin the same way that bitch did?” Kent said. “I wanted you to have fun, not turn into a lunatic again.”

  Zander turned to Kent and said, “Quit being an asshole, Manning, and mind your own fucking business. Go save your girl of the hour. I’m done with this talk of yours.”

  He pivoted and stalked away from the outcropping, heading toward the surf. Painful memories of his accident shot to the surface, stirred by Kent’s harsh words. Paranoia about being stalked by Trisha again soon followed. The thoughts flooded his brain, blinding him. His stride became a jog. Then, the jog turned into a full-on run. He headed for the hills, intending to run all the way back to the cabin. His legs propelled him in relentless fury. His feet dug into the sand, spraying it along his calves. He kept to the hills dotted with seagrass, away from the dune trails.

  A short time later, the engine noise of dune buggies filled the air.

  “Hey, Zander,” Kent called. “Zander! I’m sorry!”

  “Zander!” Effie yelled.

  Their voices came from far, far away.

  He dashed along the sand to evade the fear that kept him pinned in the past. Every time he dipped his toe into those memories, searing pain shot through his soul. His mind began to warp and blur. He swore he saw a redhead in the distance, watching him. He had to get away from that fucked up reality he’d shared with Trisha Banks. He thought he’d put it behind him. But, with one phone call fr
om the bitch, and one encounter while exiting the gym, all the crazy he’d fought to escape leaked out into his world. He sprinted away from his fucking artificial-hand reality. The loss of his hand had ruined him. Trisha had made him insane. But mostly, he ran away from any chance he had with Effie. He couldn’t deal with the feelings threatening to draw him closer to her.

  Instead, he chose to run away from everything.

  Chapter 21

  Effie

  Effie huddled on the hanging bed in the dark bedroom, staring at the moon. She hadn’t eaten, and her stomach growled. Zander hadn’t come back yet. She glanced at her mobile phone for the thousandth time. Midnight. Earlier, she’d wanted to send out a search party for him…call 911…something…anything. What if he’s injured somewhere? What if he ran back to the water and drowned himself? What if, what if, what if?

  “He’s an adventurer,” Kent had reassured her. “He’s slept in tiny hammocks on the side of mountains. Base jumped. Parachuted. He’ll be okay. He just needs to cool his jets. If he doesn’t return in the next few hours, I promise to head out in the dune buggy and search for him. But, in the meantime, sit tight. He’ll be back.”

  As Effie gently rocked on the bed, she decided despite Kent’s words, she didn’t really like him. He and Zander had something huge going on—it wasn’t merely a work issue—and she wanted to know what it was. And, from what she’d overheard, even Kent had noticed Zander acting all weird lately. She was right about that. But, in her mind, Haley kept reminding her not to pry or get involved. We’re playthings, nothing more. She sighed. I’m in over my head.

  A noise outside the window caught her attention. She stood up and crept to the window.

  Outside, in the moonlight, a tall figure emerged from the woods. The moonlight glinted on his high-tech hand. Zander. He’s back. Relief flooded through her.

  He stood with his hands on his hips, looking up at their darkened bedroom.

  Effie tensed. Can he see me? Should I race down and see if he’s okay?

  Finally, he turned and strode toward one of the hammocks she’d discovered out back earlier. Her heart sunk as he sat on the hammock, rolled back, and stretched out.