The Favor
Chapter 4
Rated M
...
Even in the warm cocoon of his own bed he still smelled of the sea. With the smell of saltwater came memories, and guilt came with them. He loved his wife. She was the world, the sun, the stars...everything he had dreamed of, all that he needed and hoped for in his life. But once when he was young and mercurial, an unsure teen, another had filled that need. Phoebe. Back then she was the one sure thing in his life. That and riding the waves. For one heartbeat in his young life everything had been perfect. She was perfect. A wild child. A beautiful girl who could ride the wind driven waves with such joy that it would stop your breath. He still held her love in a secret place in his heart, untouched by the present, and unknown to the woman he now loved. Now that lost love shared its hiding place with the guilt he felt for never telling Kensi about it.
He turned toward his sleeping wife and listened to her breathe. Even in the darkness he could make out the silhouette of her cheekbone, and he stretched his hand out toward her. He needed to touch her, to still his racing thoughts and fears that if he told her his secret, something would be lost. Phoebe was a shadow that belonged in the past. But if he shared with Kensi what had once been, would that shadow come between them? Would his world shift? Wouldn't silence be the wiser choice?
He'd been only two years older than Kai when Phoebe had become more than just a surfing buddy. His home life at the time was squirrelly, and he spent as little time there as possible. He was embarrassed to bring any of his friends home in case his mother was entertaining another one of her male "acquaintances" as she called them. She was enjoying herself, and he knew he shouldn't fault her for having a little fun, but the arguments came nonetheless. She was too trusting, and he yelled at her about that, and at the men who tried to dominate them both. Never again, he constantly told her, and even though she understood and made promises, she couldn't seem to stop bringing men into their lives. Surfing was his escape, and Phoebe was always there, lifting his spirits and distracting him from the reality of his home life. Slowly their friendship deepened into intimacy.
It started with a hug after a chilling ride on a stormy morning. They'd been alone on that section of the beach, a surf spot not favored at the time. Neither one could afford a wetsuit, but they had ignored the cold, determined to ride the massive waves. On their second ride both had been roughed up pretty good after being ragdolled by a powerful wave. They came out in the whitewash laughing that they'd survived, but her smile had vanished when she saw the scrapes he'd suffered. Her whole demeanor changed, and she had moved into his space and wrapped her arms around him, holding him until they both stopped shivering. They had walked arm in arm back to the base of the cliff where they'd stashed their stuff. She pulled him down on the towel beside her, and he felt a sudden rush of pure fire when she held his face and kissed him. Neither one said a word.
She had explored his body as if she'd never seen him before, and then had casually slipped off the top of her swimsuit and straddled him. Fire ignited in his belly as she lowered her breast into his mouth. It was like being electrocuted. Her tit was cold and tasted of salt, but he licked her and suckled her until she began to groan. When he rolled her off onto the towel, he knelt between her legs and stripped off her suit. She was panting as she looked at him with pale gray eyes. They were haunted with want. She spread her legs and he buried his face between them. The heat was intense and she bucked, crying out as she climaxed. He'd been rock hard when he crawled up her body and kissed the tips of each breast and then covered her mouth with his own, pushing his tongue in deep. She laughed and pushed him off. She was a strong girl, and he had no desire to resist whatever she wanted to do to him. Laying her face on his abdomen, she slipped her hand inside his wet board shorts and began to stroke him. It made him realize she wasn't a virgin, but then neither was he. She, however, seemed vastly more experienced. Slowly she exposed him, humming to herself as she held him. Her lips were warm and teasing, her tongue hot as she brought him to the edge of a climax. She mounted him and it was like liquid fire when he came. He could still hear her laugh as she rode him. It was if it was yesterday, and he felt himself harden at the memory. How could he tell his wife that?
Kensi stirred when he got up, mumbling his name before falling back asleep. He made his way to the bathroom and closed the door, embarrassed by the stiff reminder of his first love. It was still dark outside, but he turned on the shower and stepped inside, shivering from the cold water as he had all those years ago on a beach with a blond beauty with gray eyes and a sensuous body that could still turn him on just by thinking about her. He would see her at Zuma Beach this morning, and he had no idea what his reaction would be, or hers. Last night, Kensi had asked to go along. She was a good surfer, but he had put her off, and lying about why. His assessment of her intermediate skills on a board had hurt her feelings, but there was a look of warning behind her eyes. She knew him. She knew he was holding something back, she just hadn't figured out what it was yet. If she came surfing with him and met Phoebe, she would know, and he wasn't ready for that. They had promised there would be no secrets between them, but he wanted to hold on to this one for just a little longer, and he wasn't sure why. The questions tumbled around in his mind as he toweled dry, looking at himself in the mirror. Did he still have feelings for a woman he hadn't seen in sixteen years? The last time they'd spoken on the phone a year ago had been about the death of her father. She had asked him to come to the funeral, but he'd been undercover on a case at the time and never made it. They hadn't spoken since.
He stepped into his board shorts and headed for the kitchen. It settled him to begin the process of making coffee, but it didn't stop the thoughts swirling in his mind. He kept telling himself he was only going to this meet up because of the information he might get about Kai, but deep down he knew that wasn't the only reason. Rooster had questioned him about the boy, suspecting Kai might be his and Phoebe's son. And there was reason for him to think that. Phoebe had come out for a competition sixteen years ago and they had gotten together thanks to Rooster. He was being a good friend, and at the time, he'd been grateful. She was in the full bloom of her fame, but when they got together it was if they were still those poor ragtag beach bums who found solace in each other's arms. They'd made love in her hotel room and then again at the water's edge not far from where the next morning's competition would take place. It had been a passion filled night he thought about almost every time he surfed that beach. He'd told Rooster about it, so it was no wonder he'd asked if it was his own son he was searching for.
Today would be fraught with emotion, and as he swallowed his first taste of coffee, he realized he was excited about seeing her again. What did that mean? He loved Kensi. He'd married her because he loved her deeply, yet here he was thinking impure thoughts about another woman he hadn't been with for sixteen years. There was danger there, and it made him angry with himself and with his unresolved feelings for this woman.
"Hey, baby," Kensi's voice made him jump and he spilled hot coffee on his bare chest. "Whoa, Deeks...are you okay?"
He hurriedly wiped at his chest with a dishtowel, suddenly angry she had startled him. "I'm fine."
"Want me to kiss it and make it better?" She teased, putting her hands on his shoulders.
"I said I'm fine," he snapped and moved away. "I need to get going."
"Deeks? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," he muttered, throwing the dishtowel on the counter as he walked out. "I'm late. Gotta go."
"Yeah, you already said that."
The tone of her voice stopped him, and he suddenly had tears in his eyes. What was he doing? Where did his anger come from? He took a deep breath and blinked back the evidence of his regret. He turned to face her with a tremulous smile he hoped would help her forgive him for his harsh response.
"I'm sorry, Kens. This case is stirring up a lot of emotion."
"It's not a case, Deeks. It's a favor you can't get out of," she reminded him. "Talk to me, sweetie. What's going on with you?"
"Old wounds from my old life, I think."
"Don't get lost out there," she said, her own eyes now wet. "Whatever it is, don't keep it all inside. I'm here for you. I love you. Remember that."
"I'm counting on it, Kensilina," he said.
"Then talk to me."
"I will...just not now," he replied as she came to him. "I need to figure out some things first."
"What does that mean?"
"I wish I knew."
She wrapped her arms around him and held him, releasing a flood of guilt that made him shiver. Why was this happening now? They were trying to have a baby together. Their love was powerful and pure, nothing like what he'd felt all those years ago with Phoebe. She was the past. Kensi was his present and his future. No way was he going to jeopardize that by succumbing to old emotions that had been nothing but lust.
"I love you, Kens," he whispered. "Trust me?"
She pushed away from him and stared into his eyes. "You have to ask that?"
"No...no I don't."
"I know you're keeping something from me, baby," she said, placing the palm of her hand against his cheek. "Don't. When you're ready to tell me, I'm here for you. But I want you to know I don't like it. We made a pledge...no keeping secrets, and I think you're keeping a big one."
"Kens..."
"Go surf, Deeks. Find that kid. Then come home and tell me about those old wounds and old secrets."
She walked away and headed back to the bedroom, leaving him with his burden of guilt and troubling uncertainty.
...
He pulled his oldest sweatshirt over his tee shirt and slipped into his flip-flops. Waiting a few minutes to still his emotions, he surveyed the beach before pulling his old board out of the back of the beat up pickup. An offshore wind was blowing and a host of gulls were hovering above the beach goers spread out across the sand. He'd decided against a wet suit since the morning was shaping up to be warm, and because he needed the cold water as an ally. The thought made him laugh. He grabbed his gear bag and board and headed out of the parking lot and onto the sand. It wasn't too crowded, and a lineup of surfers waited patiently in the takeoff zone. It wasn't hard to find the hardcore groups of surfers. They had gathered on the beach in front of the best breaking waves and he immediately saw they were watching one particular surfer. Phoebe was working a wave to perfection, even showing off a bit. He couldn't help the thrill he felt as he walked to join the others.
"Hey, brah. She's still the best, ain't she?" Rooster crowed, grabbing him around the shoulders with excitement. "You should join her, dude. You two always got better when the other was out there."
"Trying to embarrass me, old friend?" Deeks asked with a slow smile and accusing eyes, playing the disgruntled person he wanted them to see.
"Peace, brah," Rooster said, holding his hands up as he stared curiously at Deeks. "I told her you'd be here. Who the hell do you think she's showin' off for?"
"I haven't seen her in sixteen years, man," Deeks said.
"You didn't see her smile when I told her," he replied. "Don't let time hold you prisoner, brah."
Deeks almost laughed at that, since the comment struck home more than his old friend would ever know. He turned away and dropped his stuff, then watched Phoebe barrel a wave and come out whooping at her success. It wasn't like her, or didn't used to be. She was a pro, but today she wasn't acting like it. He wondered if she knew he was here, and then she waved at him as she rode the wave onto the beach. He walked out to her and waited as she undid her leggie. Her board was expensive. It was a thruster, a board with three fins like the one hanging in his garage at home.
"The waves are righteous this morning, babe," she said, squinting at him with a wide smile.
"You still competing?" He asked.
She frowned at that, and ran her fingers back over the top of her head, her short blond hair slick with seawater. Her freckles were spotted with drops of water, and her gray eyes still hinted at her wildness.
"You gonna surf in that sweatshirt or take it off so I can admire your pecs?" She whispered as she stepped up and began to lift his shirt.
"Don't."
"You were never afraid, especially of me," she said, and ran her hand up under his shirt.
Fire burned in his belly as her thumb rubbed across his nipple. He stopped breathing as old feelings of want rushed through him, and he closed his eyes.
"Don't," he said again.
"I want you, babe. Real bad," she whispered as she rose up on her toes to kiss him. "Knowing that used to turn you on."
Her lips were warm and her tongue teased his as she deepened her kiss. Both her hands were up under his shirt now, and he felt himself lose a bit of control as he held her arms. It was if they were totally alone on the beach. She was taking what she wanted like she always had, and he was letting her. When her hand went down his board shorts, he stepped back.
"What are you doing?" He asked hoarsely.
"Trying to fuck you," she said and laughed.
Deeks started to turn away, but she grabbed his arm and moved in close.
"How are you still so damn hot after all these years?" Her voice was low and seductive, one he had never been able to resist. "Take off your shirt, Marty. I want to see your body again. I want to touch every part of you. I want to lick you and suck you dry. It's what you want too. I can see it in your eyes. You want to fuck me as much as I want to fuck you."
"I can't do that...now," he hedged.
"You've gotten shy in your old age, Marty," she said, and slipped her hand down his shorts. "There's something charming about that. It makes me hot."
She cupped his balls and he sucked in his breath as she squeezed. "Come out in the water, babe. Fuck me out beyond the break. The waves will bless us, Marty. Just like old times."
"Phoebe...I'm married."
"Who the fuck cares?" She laughed and ran her hand up his stiffening cock. "I feel you, babe. You're hard because of me, not your wife. What does that tell you, Marty?"
"It tells me I'm cheating on the woman I love," he whispered, and pulled her hand off and out of his pants.
"I usually get what I want, Marty," she said confidently. "You can lie to yourself all you want, but in the end you'll come to me. You know it and I know it, because I know what you like and how to make you wait until you hurt so bad your cum explodes out of your dick. I used to make you pant, babe, you wanted me so bad. Remember? You used to beg me just to touch you, Marty. You loved every part of my body. You wanted to suck my tits and lick my clit all night, and I let you. Remember that feeling...that excitement no one else could give you? When you do, you'll come begging again like you used to. I could lead you around by your dick then, and I'll do it again, babe, because it's what I want to do. And I always get what I want. Remember that."
"I'm not seventeen anymore, Phoeb," he said.
"All men are seventeen."
She picked up her board and walked up the beach to her waiting admirers. He felt dirty, and angry, and prayed she was wrong. Several of the large group of surfers who surrounded her looked back at him. They weren't part of Rooster's pack, they were all hers, and all very young. As they parted to let her pass, he saw him. Kai. The teen was smiling at her, his sun-bleached hair blowing wildly in the wind. He was as tall as she was and wearing only board shorts, his body lithe and deeply tanned. Phoebe walked up to him and caressed his chest before kissing him full on the lips. She looked back at Deeks and hung her arm possessively around the kid's neck as she guided him up the beach.
"I should have told you, brah," Rooster said. "She told me he's been in her pack for a couple of days. When I told her you were looking for him, she made me promise not to tell you. She wanted to surprised you. Make him a gift to celebrate you two getting back together."
"The kid's fifteen, Roost," Deeks growled in his face. "And Phoebe and I aren't back together. I'm married. Happily."
"Sure as hell didn't look like it, brah," Rooster said. "She always had a hold on you, dude. Looked to me like she still does. Literally."
Deeks shoved him away and jogged up the beach after them. When he reached them, five of her pack turned to confront him. They were buff and true devotees, and they looked determined to stop him.
"Leave him alone, boys. He's an old friend," Phoebe said. "An intimate one."
He stared at her, and she smiled oddly. Her arm remained around Kai, and it began to sink in what her hold over him was.
"He's fifteen, Phoebe. Think about what you're doing."
"I know exactly what I'm doing, Marty, so fuck off."
"Kai? My name is Marty Deeks. Your grandfather asked me to find you," he said to the confused kid, who was now staring at him. "He's worried about you. He's here in LA and wants to talk to you."
"Grandpa Harry?" Kai said in a soft drawl. "Nah, dude. You're lying. He lives in Hawaii."
"When he found out you ran away, he flew here to look for you," Deeks said. "He cares about you."
"Then why did he leave?" Kai shot back. "He knew what was going on, and he left me there. So, fuck 'im."
"He didn't know, Kai. Just come talk to him. You owe him that," Deeks pleaded.
Phoebe pulled the boy close and put her hand on his cheek. "Do you want to spend the day with your old grandpa, Kai? Or with me. Your choice, babe. I promise that tonight will be magical."
She pulled his head down to her chest and Deeks felt sick. "Why the hell are you doing this, Phoeb?"
"I have needs, Marty. So does Kai. Just like you used to have."
"Don't do this...please. He's just a kid."
She stared back at him and reached over to fondled his nipple. He grabbed her wrist to stop her. "This isn't a game you're playing. It's a crime."
"He's hurting me boys," she said softly.
He was suddenly in a chokehold and under attack by five strong young men. They tackled him down onto the warm sand and held him there. He stopped struggling when she straddled his chest.
"I win, Marty," she laughed.
"What the hell happened to you?" He asked.
"I haven't changed, but you have," she replied. "You got old, but you're still so damn hot I want to fuck you right here. I find that amazing."
She bent over and kissed him, then twirled her tongue around each one of his nipples. "I bet your wife can't make you as hard as you are right now, Marty. If she could, you wouldn't be here."
"I came to find the kid. To keep him out of trouble," Deeks said.
"Too late, babe," She laughed and pushed herself off of him and stood up. "He's with me now."
"Did you tell him how old you really are?" Deeks asked. "Did you tell any of these guys?"
"They know, and they don't care, cause I'm hot. I keep them happy, babe," she said. "Did you tell your wife about me? About all the things we used to do to each other? Did you, Marty? Or am I one of your dirty little secrets?"
"You get dirtier by the second," he replied and fought to break free of the surfers who held him.
"Don't you dare say that to me, Marty," she said harshly. "I wanted it to be like the old days and you pushed me away. You don't get to do that. No one does, especially not you."
She was suddenly on him once again, pressing a wet towel down hard over his nose and mouth. He tried to fight free, but her boys held him down. Her eyes grew wild and dark and crazed. He couldn't breathe and his mind began to get muddled as the edges of his vision began to go gray, his muscles suddenly weak and unresponsive. He could feel her breath on his face as she panted hard above him. It was the last thing he remembered.
He woke to Bodie slapping his face. He could hear shouting in the distance and he rolled over and coughed, sucking in sand as he tried to catch his breath. Rooster knelt beside him and handed him a bottle of water.
"I told you, Roo...She's nutty...now. Nutty butter. I told you," Bodie said slowly. "You okay, Marty Mar?"
"Yeah, buddy. Thanks," Deeks said as he struggled to sit up.
"Didn't realize they were pounding you, brah, till Bodie yelled for me," Rooster said as he took his hand and pulled him to his feet. "What the hell happened? Why'd she go at you like that?"
"Not sure, but she's changed, brother. She's angry and out of control," he replied. "That boy is just a kid and she's..."
"Yeah...he's jailbait for sure," Rooster said. "None of the guys in her pack are underage that I know of. Not sure why she needs to fool around with a fifteen-year-old, when anyone of those kooks would fuck her in a heartbeat."
"They don't...don't fuck...her heart," Bodie stuttered. "I watched. They do it in her pool. All of 'em. Like a...like a school of fish...feeding...you know, man?"
"I need to get that kid away from her," Deeks said. "She doesn't know what the hell she's messing with."
"Wrong, brah," Rooster said. "She knows. She just don't care. Her surfing career is over, dude. All she's got left is the admiration."
"And a big, big house," Bodie said.
"Where is it, Bodie?" Deeks asked. "Do you know?"
Bodie looked confused as he tried to think, and Deeks felt sorry for him. Once a wiseass and a crazy good surfer, he was now a brain damaged hanger-on who had trouble communicating small details like an address. He suddenly looked up at Deeks and smiled, making him hopeful the man could give him the lead he needed.
"She let me...touch her...when I was there once," he whispered slowly as if it were a secret. "She has nice...tits."
"Do you remember where you were?" Deeks asked, desperate for a clear answer.
"On the patio...I think that's what you call it," he replied. "That's right...ain't it Roo?"
"Yeah, Bodie. A patio," Rooster said, smiling sadly at the man before looking over at Deeks. "I'll keep askin', but it might take a while. Her pack is loyal, brah."
"I'm not sure I can wait. I'm not the only one looking for that kid," Deeks said. "She could go to prison for this, Roost. Kai has a very powerful relative who will come down hard on her."
"You gonna rat her out?"
"I don't want to, but I will if I have to," he said sadly. "If she's doing to that kid what I think she's doing..."
"You're guessin', brah."
"Come on, Roost. You know her as well as I do. She'll do whatever she wants. I can't let that happen. It's wrong, man. I need to find her and get that kid away from her."
"You two used to have a thing, brah," Rooster said. "You jealous?"
"Seriously? She just tried to take me out."
"Nah, Marty. She may be pissed at you, but she still wants you.
"I don't care what she wants anymore."
"You sure about that, brah?"
...
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