Christmas in Cancun
Page 26
“I’d like to get married in the quad.” She nodded toward the big house.
“Seems appropriate,” Jack agreed. “I want to get married soon.” Tomorrow wouldn’t be soon enough for him. He knew there was a priest roaming around the quad with bourbon-laced coffee. They could do it tonight. They were both dressed up, and most everyone they’d invite was already there.
“You have to give me time to plan a wedding.” She looked at him now with glee. She and Jimmy had slid off to Vegas to be married, all alone, so she probably wanted a big wedding. He’d give her anything as long as she said yes.
“You haven’t agreed to marry me yet,” Jack reminded her.
“Yes.” She kissed him. “I.” She kissed him again. “Will.” Another kiss. “Marry.” And another. “You.” This last kiss was deep and seemed to last forever.
The five-minute bell rang loud over the water. It was the signal to find your significant other, or a warm body, to kiss at midnight and to be sure your glass was full of champagne.
* * *
Lilly was glad the handsome doctor Stan had his possessive arm around her when the five-minute warning rang. Their make-out session on Christmas Eve had been stupendous. The date a few days later had been even better. He had been a tender and gentle lover. He knew how to play her body, and she’d needed those three orgasms, as well as the desire she’d seen in his eyes. She hadn’t seen that kind of need in years.
She needed a repeat performance tonight. It had been one hell of a day.
When Jillian left the breakfast table to put Addi down for a morning nap and the boys splashed in the pool, Jack announced that he intended to ask Jillian to marry him. Levi had pitched a fit worse than when she’d come home at seventeen with a diamond on her finger from the baddest of bad boys in Levi’s senior class. Turned out to be stolen and the guy did time for a year. Christ, could she pick them?
She looked up into blue eyes that shone with lust. She hoped her luck had improved.
But Jack’s pending engagement was only the beginning. During the heated conversation between him and Levi, it came out that Jack and Jillian had spread Jimmy’s ashes near the underwater Virgin Mary at Isla Mujeres. Mother immediately wanted to go there, but fortunately she listened to Jack, and they all went late in the afternoon. It was the saddest boat trip Lilly had ever taken. They’d sprinkled flower petals on the water and said their silent goodbyes to their brother while the boys and Addi played on the deck.
It should have been awkward to watch Jack and Jillian as they held each other. But it wasn’t.
It was…right.
What Lilly needed now was another drink and a man to help her forget about her day and remember that she was a woman.
They each snatched a fresh flute of champagne as tuxedo-clad waiters passed through the crowd.
“Oh, no, thank you,” an approaching woman said to the proffered bubbly wine. She rubbed her slightly curved belly. “Can’t for another six months, at least.”
Stan dropped his arm as he said, with shock smashing through his voice, “Jessica.” He shifted his weight away from Lilly. “You’re here?”
“Hello, sweetie.” She beamed as she went on tiptoes and kissed him. On the lips. “Yes. I couldn’t stay away from you a minute longer. I sent my last patient home this morning with a perfectly functioning new kidney and told my staff I was taking off for a few days. James is in the middle of that messy divorce, so he was more than willing to take my day of call next week.” She kissed him again, and Lilly swore there was tongue.
It wasn’t a friendly or sister-like kiss. It was a kiss of passion.
“I missed you. So I caught the next flight down. We have a whole week to play on the beach and finalize our wedding plans.” She gazed at him with lovesick puppy eyes.
“You’re here?” It was a question and accusation all in one.
“Yes. I saw the invitation on the fridge. You’d said you might go to a party down the street, so I checked with your service, and they told me you were here. I thought I’d surprise you.” She readjusted the pearl and diamond hair clip that matched the gold necklace encrusted with the same gems. Her three-carat engagement ring flickered in the thousands of lights.
Lilly looked at the light-faced woman with blonde hair and pale blue eyes. She suddenly felt like a servant her ex had often accused her of resembling at just this kind of party. Her brown skin, darkened by the sun over the past week, straight black hair that fell below her shoulders, dark brown eyes. Everything about her screamed local.
Only the designer dress separated her from the wait staff in most people’s eyes.
The woman’s hand was extended. Lilly stared at it.
“Forgive Stan. He’s been down here so long he’s developed Caribbean manners.” She was talking to her. “I’m Jessica. Stan’s—”
“Fiancée,” Lilly finished as she stared at Stan, who looked as though he’d been struck dumb with a ball bat.
To prove to herself, and anyone who questioned it, she said, “Lilly Girard.” She’d dropped her husband’s last name the day she filed for divorce. With a forced smile and years of socialite training, she shook the offered hand with a firm grip. “I hope you enjoy our party. Stan, you should get your fiancée a soda at the bar so you can toast to the New Year together.” Years in the courtroom had taught her how to control her voice, and she called upon every day of that experience now so she wouldn’t emphasize the word fiancée. She was relatively sure she’d pulled it off.
She had been fucked by this man a few days ago and just now realized that was all it had been. He had misled her into thinking he was single, available, and interested in her.
Once again, she’d been a fool.
Shoulders squared, her back straight, she sashayed away, putting a little extra swing in her hips. She wanted Stan to know what he’d miss.
Inside, she hammered at her self-esteem, chastising, warning, cursing her situation and men in general.
Are there any good men out there? Why do I end up with cheating bastards?
* * *
The End
* * *
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About the Author
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