Chapter 16

'Hooked'

Zach sat at his desk taking his time, willing to make her wait before he would see her. Perhaps the extra time it would give her some time to worry and to contemplate and hopefully he would be able to catch her off guard. Folding his paper and dropping it into the trash he notified his secretary that he was ready. Nodding to his assistant, who had been going over his notes, Jared stood and exited the room just as the blond entered the room.

"Ms. Clark. I want to thank you for being so patient. Please have a seat."

"Thank you." Lauren sat in the chair facing Zach but he rose from his chair and walked around to sit on his desk so he would be looking down on her as they spoke. Forced to look up Lauren asked, "What did you want to see me about Mr. Slater?"

"No tape recorders?" Zach asked. Lauren shook her head but Zach cocked an eyebrow and waited for an audible reply.

A couple of moments passed before Lauren finally grasped his intent and answered aloud. "No. No tape recorder."

"Good, because what I have to say to you should be kept off the record." Zach spoke leaning forward and crowded her slightly. Again Zach paused, prepared to gauge her response, "But first I wanted to applaud your thorough coverage of Ethan Cambias."

"Your son you mean." Lauren said haughtily.

"Yes, my son." Zach grimaced but his eyes were cold and flat as he looked at Lauren. "Ethan has refused my advice that CI will eventually destroy him." Zach shrugged, "And I've agreed to respect his decision by not going after CI for myself." Zach waited for Lauren's composure to slip. She was stoic and Zach appreciated her ability to remain unreadable, "But that doesn't mean that I'm willing to sit back and watch him be destroyed inch by inch."

"What does that have to do with me Mr. Cambias?" Lauren looked Zach directly in the eye but he noted how she shifted slightly in her seat. Nervous?

"Lets not play games." Zach spoke softly so that she was forced to listen intently, "I'm sure we both have a lot to do today. I have work to do and you have to find a new job so let's cut to the chase. I just want to know who orchestrated your move against my son."

"I don't know what you are talking about." Lauren sat stiffly in her chair but for the first time she broke eye contact with Zach and looked away.

"Ah…but you do." Zach smiled inwardly but his face remained indecipherable. "Your 'piece' about Simone Torres was obviously planned well in advance, very meticulous work. Your research was quite thorough. You must have been waiting for just the right moment to release it."

"How do you…?" Lauren stopped short angry with herself for saying anything. Why did he have to stare so intently? She began to shift in her seat and she could feel her face grow hot. "I don't have anything to say to you Mr. Slater." Lauren stood to leave.

"Sit!" Zach's command wasn't quite a bark or a growl but Lauren paused and Zach continued, "Please sit. Allow me to explain myself." Zach waited until she retook her seat and paused again before continuing, "I know that you've been well paid to discredit my son, to undermine his ability to run Cambias Industries. I know that you wanted to use his relationship with Simone to reflect badly on him, that you have an obvious grudge against her and I want to know the name of the person that you are working for."

"I really don't know what you are talking about." Lauren insisted looking away.

"I wouldn't have thought you to be quite so stupid. You must have some intelligence in able to get to where you were before you crossed the wrong man. You know exactly what I'm talking about so quit wasting my time. I can find out what I want the same way I found out that within a week you've made a number of bank deposits totaling in excess of $155,000 to an off-shore account." Visibly Zach remained emotionless even as he noticed Lauren flinching and compulsively clutching her purse tighter in her hands.

Lauren sat back and considered the offer before settling back in her chair, "Say that I can help you. How much money are you offering me to talk?"

"Money?" Zach scoffed, "I don't intend to pay you a dime. And the $155,000 that you do have won't last long when you have hefty legal fees to contend with."

"He can't sue me. I haven't done anything."

"WGPV is unhappy with the coverage that you leaked directly into the Internet. It seems that you did that on their dime. All of that coverage technically belongs to them. And you have stolen it by turning it over for money. Cambias has friends in powerful places and I can assure you that Ethan will go after you just for sport. I'm merely giving you the opportunity to help yourself by telling me everything that you know. If you play your cards right you might be able to avoid bankruptcy. You really have crossed the wrong man this time I'm afraid. The clock is ticking and your days as a journalist have permanently drawn to a close. But take heart," for the first time Zach smirked, "Waitressing is a noble profession. I might even have an opening for you here. If you decide to play nice."

Wide-eyed Lauren looked at Zach as the realization of what she had just done crashed down upon her.

Zach paused for a moment. "What have you done now?"

"It's so beautiful." Simone whispered as she leaned back into Ethan's embrace. The morning air was cool and Ethan had his arms wrapped around her as they stood at the starboard rail and watched the sunrise over the island. "I really wish we could go ashore." she sighed wistfully. Simone and Ethan had spent the past few days, swimming, diving, fishing, eating, talking and making love but they were growing anxious to get on solid ground. "The island just looks so enticing. I miss the having solid ground beneath my feet. I want to go shopping. I want to walk. Explore." Simone knew that some of the crew was going to the island for the day to pick up fresh supplies and some mail Ethan that had forwarded to the island. Simone couldn't help but envy them their afternoon. She would have loved to be able to run a few errands herself. "It was much easier to stay on the boat when we weren't anchored here watching the island. I want to go ashore. Don't you?"

"I do and I'm sorry we had to stop here but some things were accidentally forwarded to one of CI's offices here." Ethan sighed and rested his chin on her head. "At least we'll be able to get back on solid land once we get to the Cambias Island." Then Ethan gently reminded her, "We've gone to a great deal of effort to get away undetected without anyone knowing where we are. We can hold out a little longer."

"So if you are sure no one else knows we're here..." Simone sighed and looked at Ethan, taking a deep breath, "do you think we could send the entire crew to the island so we can be alone for a bit? They can be trusted to go ashore right?"

"They've all signed a secrecy agreement and every member of the staff has been with Cambias for a long time without incident. But do you really think that it is necessary to send them away? The crew will stay below deck if you want some privacy." Ethan suggested.

"Trust me you're going to want to let them go for the afternoon." Simone smiled up at him.

"Hmmm…would you like to share your plans with me?" Ethan noted a definite spark in Simone's eye. His was amused by that look but his instincts and his experience with Simone cautioned him to be wary when Simone got devious expression.

"Nope." Simone grinned. "You'll have to wait. Lets go have breakfast and then we can tell the crew they can have the rest of the day free."

"Maybe we should keep the captain on board…" Ethan suggested.

"Why? We aren't going anywhere. The ship is anchored. Just let them have some time off, who knows when they are going to be able to get away again this trip or when we will be able to be completely alone on the ship again."

"Will it make you happy?"

"Oh yeah." Simone grinned.

"Fine. Done." Ethan smiled back, "Lets go eat and then you can let the staff know that they will have the day off."

"Well, they're all gone." Ethan smiled entering their bedroom and closing the door behind him.

Simone grinned, "Then this is for you." She removed the lid and handed him a very large box. Dumbfounded Ethan stared at the contents speechless.

"Well?" Simone replied softly, slightly unnerved by his shocked expression. "Ethan, you said you dreamt…"

"When I was a child." Ethan gasped and tried to push the box back into her hands.

"Oh come on! I have one too. It'll be fun." Simone insisted as she tried to press the box into his hands, "Please Ethan, when I was a child I had a fantasy of my own. And when will we have an opportunity like this again?"

"I'm sorry but I'm just not comfortable with this." Ethan grimaced as he once again tried to push the box back into her hands.

"Please. There's no one here but the two of us." Simone pleaded. "I promise I'll make this worth your while."

"Hmmm…Where's yours?" Ethan asked hopefully.

"Oh no!" Simone laughed knowing that she had won. She grinned and grabbed the second box off the bed. "You're not going to see it until I'm in it. Just give me a few minutes and meet me on deck." Holding her box tightly to her chest she ran from the room, closing the door behind her.

"Ok princess. Just give me one guess as to what you have in your box!" Ethan called to Simone. He paused for a moment but she was obviously not going to answer him him. Grumbling Ethan looked at the costume, red coat, bandanna, pointed hat, hook, sword, eye patch, britches and black boots. Damn! Why did he ever mention his childhood pirate fantasy to Simone? He was too young to dream about women in his fantasies. Those fantasizes were all about bloodthirsty villains, earning respect, revenge, sword fights, murder, buried treasure and freedom. This was just so, so wrong.

Still, it did cheer Simone up. And they did have the yacht to themselves. Ethan stopped to look in the mirror and quickly turned away. Though he felt like a fool he had to laugh even if he couldn't bear to look into the mirror again. Instead Ethan strapped on his sword, hung the ridiculous hook from his belt, took a deep breath and forced himself to leave the stateroom. Still feeling foolish Ethan anxiously walked the deck straining his eyes to make sure that there wasn't another boat in sight.

Nervous, Ethan started fiddling with his sword and he was pretending to slay an opposing enemy when he heard her laughter. Ethan's arm froze mid air. The sword slipped from his grasp and clattered as it hit the deck. Ethan's mouth moved. He wanted to say something but nothing came out. Simone was a vision of perfection in her light green concoction.

"You used to dream about being Tinkerbell?" Ethan's voice was hoarse.

"What were you expecting? A Princess?" Laughing Simone did a quick spin. Her short costume just barely covered her unclad bottom. "Disappointed? Well, what do you think?"

Ethan didn't have anything to say. Ethan started walking toward her. Expecting his reaction Simone took off, her wings fluttering behind her, her laugh leaving a trail for Ethan to follow. His eyes never left her. She ran barefoot. Her costume swayed tantalizingly to the rhythm of her running. Simone seemed to be flying, darting like a sprite across the deck. But as she dodged around a chaise Simone slipped a little. Ethan resisted the urge to caution her to slow down and he held his breath as he ran faster silently praying that she wouldn't slip again and fall or if she did he would be there to catch her.

"You can keep me prisoner but you'll never be able to make me your slave Captain Hook." Simone called. Simone was fast but Ethan was faster and he was closing in on her. He almost had his hands on her when Simone, tiny, managed to squeeze into the smallest of places and she was able to cut across the deck while Ethan had to work his way around. Backtracking to where Ethan had dropped his sword she quickly grabbed it just as he reached her. Holding it before her Simone breathlessly demanded, "So who is the prisoner now Hook? Turn around and march below deck."

Ethan stood still, his heart beating fast in his chest, "Simone…"

"I don't know who you think you're talking to Hook. My name is Tink." Simone's cheeks were flush from running and her natural beauty clouded Ethan's thoughts. Distracted he simply stood and smiled at her. Poking him in the chest with the sword, "Now, put your hand up where I can see it, turn around and get marching! We're going below deck." Simone then whispered, "Why aren't you wearing the hook?"

Ethan either ignored the question or didn't hear her and he asked, "Can't we stay up here?" His eyes trailed across her face and stepping back he took a moment to admire the overall effect of her costume. Smiling softly and lost in his vision of running his hands along her thighs and under her short skirt he reached for her. Simone playfully smacked one of his hands away with the blade of the sword and then flicked the hook caught on his belt. Ethan sighed and slipped his hand into the sleeve of the hook.

"Get going Hook. It's below deck or off the plank." Simone tried to keep a straight face and gently prodded Ethan with the false sword. Her voice was soft but controlled, "I call the shots and I said march."

Sighing Ethan went bellow deck with Simone behind him. "Turn left here Hook and no sudden moves. Open the door." Ethan entered the stateroom and turned to look at Simone. She was so happy she was practically incandescent but as soon as Ethan reached for her she poked him in the chest with the sword again and shook her head. "What makes you think you can touch me Hook? I don't belong to you. You belong to me. Now. Take off your boots."

"Simone…"

"Excuse me?" Simone asked tapping her foot in annoyance.

"Tink." Ethan sighed but smiled.

"Yes?" Simone grinned.

Ethan held up his hooked hand.

"All right, if you swear on your honor as a pirate not to try anything I'll help you with your boots Hook."

"I swear on my honor as Captain Hook that I'll keep my hand to myself." Ethan laughed. Simone pushed Ethan to the bed and grabbed a heel and pulled off the first boot. Ethan took the opportunity to run his free hand along her thigh to her bottom. "Hey!" Simone protested lightly tossing the boot at him.

"Well Tink, I am Hook, a blood thirsty pirate… Hook has no honor. But I expect you already knew that." Ethan laughed as he dodged the flying boot, "If you wanted a good boy you would have captured Peter Pan."

"Peter Pan is just a boy. What kind of pixie do you take me for?" Simone laughed and poked him in the chest with the sword. "You can remove the other boot all on your own then."

Ethan shook off the annoying hook, did as he was instructed and then sat back on the bed. "So what now Tink?"

"I didn't tell you could talk. Please wait to speak until you have been addressed." Walking over to Ethan she shook her head softly, "Hmmmmm…. I can see that you need specific instruction." Straddling Ethan's hips she leaned over him and took his face in her hands. Whispering softly into his ear, "Kiss me softly. Just your lips." Ethan leaned forward to reach her but she pulled back and paused before leaning in. For a few moments they barely grazed each other's parted lips. Sharing each other's breath their eyes locked. Finally, Simone gave in and took his mouth gently with hers. Sighing she took his face in her hands, "Now open your mouth just a bit." Ethan did and Simone kissed him hard as she pressed against him. She took his wrists in her hands and forced his hands over his head as she used her weight of her shoulder to nudge him back onto the bed. "Be still and don't touch me or you'll break my spell."

Simone sat back and tried to capture the image of her 'Pirate Ethan' compliant in her bed. She laughed softly and thought that he'd been a good sport about the whole thing. She kissed him again and then let her kisses travel from his neck, to his collarbone, to his chest as she unbuttoned his shirt to expose his broad chest. Ethan grabbed the headboard in order to keep from reaching down to stroke her hair. Simone glanced up and saw him and she smiled softly before returning her attention back to what she was doing. She kissed his navel and then her long dark hair draped across his thighs as she stripped him of his belt and pants and bent to take him into her mouth.

Ethan lay back and closed his eyes as the lush sensation of Simone's warmth began to overtake him. She paused for a moment and he glanced down. The sight of her beautiful, intent face and the light from the window shining through the fluttering iridescent wings of her costume took his breath away. Overwhelmed by the sight and feel of her and afraid he would be unable to contain himself any longer, Ethan reached to take her face gently in his hands, to draw her up to him so that he could take her lips with his mouth. Simone kissed him warmly before pulling from his embrace. Sitting up she smiled when she looked into Ethan's eyes and read his mind. "Simone..." Ethan's voice came out a pleading whisper. Simone swatted away his hands as they reached to take her by her hips. She was still determined to retain control and make love to him slowly, on her own terms.

"I'm Tink, Hook. And I'm still in charge," she whispered back. Leaning down she kissed him passionately. "You are mine. You belong to me Hook."

Playful but just as determined as she, Ethan smiled and whispered, "Yes, I am yours but your mine as well." Ethan drew her into his arms and rolled over her. Suddenly the yacht lurched and they found themselves rolling off the bed onto the floor. Ethan crashed to the floor with Simone still in his arms. "What the hell?" Ethan gasped as he tried to get his breath back.

"Coastguard…Prepare to be boarded."

Please leave a review and then check out the Sethan site at my homepage.