by DRAYER, GINA
“Did he date a lot of your friends?” Julia asked. She knew it was irrational and more than a little pathetic, but she didn’t want to think of Simon with any of Megan's friends. She shouldn’t even be thinking of Simon with her, but even now her breasts ached, mourning the loss of his attention.
“No. Not that all the stupid girls from St. Agnes’s Academy didn’t try to get in his pants,” Megan said. At the top of the steps, she turned and leaned against the door to the house, waiting for Julia to catch up. “I don’t think I had one real friend growing up. I know it’s very ‘poor little rich girl’ of me, but I hated high school. All the girls were nice to my face just to get in my brother’s bed. And the only thing the guys were interested in was what my father could do for them.”
Julia made it to back of the house and leaned against the door too. “You had to have a few friends. I couldn’t imagine anyone not just falling in love with you.”
“Not in any way that counted,” Megan said and shook her head.
The moon was high in the sky now and the whole landscape was lit with a pale yellow glow. Megan looked so melancholy. There was a far-off look in her eyes as she stared out over the lake, her long, dark hair whipping in the wind. Julia wished she had her camera to capture the moment.
“There were always people in my life,” she said, turning back to look at Julia. “I was always invited to the parties and trips, but honestly, I couldn't have been more alone. You thought society women were bad? Imagine them as bitchy teenage girls. Think ‘Heathers,’ but without the satisfaction of murder.”
“No cup of drain cleaner for the socialites-in-training?”
“I had many a fantasy about that. You should have read my journal—a virtual menagerie of horror.” Megan sighed and waved her hand down her body, popping out her hip just a little. "I never fit their mold and I wasn’t about to apologize. I think that’s what irritated them most. I didn’t beg Daddy for a nose job or spend all day with a team of personal trainers so I could fit into a size zero. So, no. I didn’t have anyone in high school I’d call a friend.”
“Well, that’s something we have in common,” Julia said.
They stood there in awkward silence for a few minutes, neither of them knowing exactly what to say.
“Shit, I’m sorry,” Megan finally said, breaking the mood. “It's horrible of me to complain about petty things like that when I have so much.”
“Don’t be sorry. While I might not have had the same life, I know how lonely it can be not to have anyone you can count on.”
Julia’s own high school years were pretty miserable. She would have tolerated the bullies and the cliques just to experience life outside the hospital and physical therapy offices. Her grandmother might have bought her the finest tutors money could buy, but it couldn’t replace the experiences she missed out on. “Girls can be catty, but you’re smoking hot, Megan. I would have killed to have even half your curves. Surely you had to beat the guys off with a stick.”
“I hardly dated in high school. Now that I’m an adult—”
“You? An adult?”
“Stop laughing! I’m just saying, now that I have some distance, I’m not sure if it was my looks or if it was my brother. Between Simon, Matt, and Peter, I didn't have a real date until college. No one was ever good enough for me. I was forced to take Peter to my prom, because he broke the nose of the guy who asked me out. He said he wasn’t about to let some horny high school jock fuck me in the back of a limo. Ah, a romantic at heart.” Megan pushed off the door and turned around to face Julia. There was still a sadness in her eyes, but she was smiling now. “I guess I can’t complain too much. Peter always had my back. He beat the crap out of the first guy I ever kissed because he told the whole school I'd slept with him. And he was there after my first boyfriend dumped me.” With a big sigh, she waved away the thought. “That’s enough heart to heart for one night. We’d better get in before our ice cream melts.”
Julia stepped back and opened the door for Megan. “Can I get a rain check?” Julia asked, waiting for her to go inside first. “I know I already skipped out on going into town, but that cold water drained me. I’m beat. I think I just want to go to bed.”
Megan stuck her tongue out, going into the house. “This weekend isn’t turning out how I expected.” She strolled toward the kitchen but stopped. Turning back around, Megan urged her closer, as though she wanted to pass along a secret. “Since you didn’t come with us, I asked Peter what he thought about you.”
“I really wish you’d stop trying—”
“Wait,” Megan said, waving off her protest. “It’s not what you think."
“Oh?” was all she could think to say.
“Peter seems to think Simon might have a thing for you after all. And I think he might be right, after what I saw at the boathouse.” Megan tried to hide a smile. “Get some rest. I put a copy of my book on your e-reader. If you get some time, I’d love to hear what you think.”
“I will,” Julia said.
After what Megan said about her friends going after her brother, Julia was determined not to spend any time alone with Simon. There would be no more private photography lessons, no more chats in isolated corners of the house, and definitely no more hot kissing.
Despite the fact that Megan thought they’d make a great couple, Julia was worried that whatever was going on between her and Simon wasn’t what her friend had in mind. Someone was going to get hurt, and she’d hate to lose Megan because Julia was in short supply of friends these days.
As Julia got ready for bed, she hesitated taking off the sweatshirt. The soft cotton was warm and comfortable against her skin, and the lingering masculine scent that clung to the fabric was a nice bonus.
So instead of changing, she lost the pants and slipped into a dry pair of underwear. She picked up her e-reader, determined to get through Megan’s story, and crawled into bed. For the next few days, Julia was going focus on her photography and forget about Simon’s kiss. It would be a piece of cake. As she turned off the overhead light and settled in to start reading, she tried to tell herself that all she needed to do was keep her mind and her hands off Simon Shelton.
As she read through Megan’s erotic story, Julia was surprised how much she enjoyed it. Megan had been writing under the pen name Meg Wylde for years, a fact she kept well hidden from her family. Julia was one of the only people who knew what she was really doing with her English Lit degree, but she’d never bothered to read one before now.
It just wasn’t her type of book. Her grandmother had read historical romances by the boxful. Julia could never get into the stories. She always thought the heroines were silly and shallow, and the men brutish. But Megan’s current FBI series was different. This one was about an agent protecting a whistleblower. The characters were not only smart and likable, but the sexual attraction that developed between them was incredibly hot.
Unfortunately, the book had an unwanted side effect. Despite her earlier proclamation about keeping her mind off Simon, Julia couldn’t help but imagine herself as the main character and, of course, Simon as the hunky FBI agent. She could almost picture the scene from the book. Just like this morning, they were alone in the kitchen. But instead of him leaving, Simon would push her against the cabinet, pressing against her, his hard erection sliding over her pulsing sex as he rocked his hips harder. All she’d have to do is edge her hand lower and undo his pants. Then he would slide into her as he laid her back on the counter, fucking her hard and fast.
“Shit!” Julia tossed the reader to the other side of the bed. She was hot and needy, and if she read another word, she might find herself marching back to the boathouse and demanding Simon finish what they’d started earlier.
Damn it! She didn’t want to be attracted to him. From what Megan had told her over the years, he was exactly like Luke: ambitious, driven, a workaholic, and very much a ladies’ man. Not the qualities Julia wanted in the next man she dated. Besides, right now she didn’t
need a man in her life.
That was exactly right. She didn’t need a man. Julia had been single for months, and even when she was with Luke she’d spent many months alone. She might be attracted to Simon, but she could take care of herself.
Chapter Eight
Modern Girl Tip #6: Fools Rush In—If the time isn’t right, or you didn’t find your Mr. Right Now, don’t feel bad. There’s no use forcing something if you’re not feeling it.
It was close to one in the morning by the time Simon left the boathouse. He didn’t know why he’d kissed Julia, but now all he could think about were the soft, mewling sounds she'd emitted as he’d caressed her skin. Those needy cries had become a continually looping soundtrack that had played inside his head all night. Christ, all he could think about now was burying himself deep inside her again.
After spending a good part of the evening staring over the lake, willing his throbbing erection to go away, Simon came to the conclusion that this whole denial thing wasn’t working out. For either of them, if her reaction to his kiss was any indication. Simon tried to steer clear of Megan’s friends, but they weren’t in high school any longer.
Besides, Julia was different. And not just because of their night last winter. She wasn’t a preening private school girl or even the flighty artsy types that Megan seemed attached to these days. Julia wasn’t like any of the other women he'd met. There was something unique about her, and Simon wanted to discover all her hidden secrets.
The house was dark when he finally made his way back, but there was a soft light coming from under Julia’s door. If she was still awake, it would be the perfect opportunity to talk with her alone. To see if she would be willing to renegotiate their current situation. Obviously ignoring their attraction wasn’t working, but they might come to some other arrangement.
He knew she wasn’t interested in a relationship right now and neither was he, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t act on their attraction.
As Simon approached her door, he noticed it was slightly ajar. Faint light streamed out of the room, and he peered through the crack, hoping to see if she was awake still. The room she was staying in was his, and Simon knew the bed was positioned on the other side of the room.
He didn’t expect to see her lying in bed, but a strategically-placed mirror hanging directly across from the door framed her body, stretched out on the bed reading.
He was about to knock, but she swore, tossing her e-reader across the bed, and looked into the mirror. Sure he was caught spying on her, Simon stepped back into the shadows and held his breath, unable to take his eyes off her wrapped in his college sweatshirt, lounging on his bed. It was like every erotic fantasy he’d had in his youth, come to life. But instead of calling him out for the Peeping Tom he was, she sighed and rolled onto her back, tracing a long finger over the rise of her breast.
A sly smile crossed her face as she closed her eyes and let her hand tease and stroke her nipple through the worn fabric. Her right hand inched down, pulling the hem up achingly slowly. Simon was transfixed. His pulse sped up as she traced the lacy edge of her panties.
Her eyes fluttered open, and he held his breath, knowing he might be caught any minute. But fuck if that didn’t excite him almost as much as watching her. Again he went unnoticed, and she continued teasing the edge of the black lace. She bit her lip, closing her eyes again, and slid her fingers under the fabric. With a slow rhythm, she pumped her fingers along her sex. Her other hand had pulled up the sweatshirt, gaining better access to her perfect breasts. She teased and pulled on her nipples, causing them to harden under the attention.
He knew it was wrong to continue to watch, but Simon wouldn’t have been able to move away even if the house was on fire. Her ragged breath and shuddered groans told him just how much she was enjoying herself. And even from where he stood, Simon could see her panties were soaked through. He was rock hard now, and it took every ounce of willpower he had not to push open the door and bury his cock deep inside that wetness.
Instead, he reached down to adjust his throbbing erection, not daring to look away. Julia shoved the soaked panties off her hips, giving him the perfect view of her curls in the mirror. Unrestrained now, she started moving her fingers again, breathing faster with each stroke of her fingers. A moan of pleasure escaped into the night, and Simon thought he might come just from watching her.
Julia’s movements grew more frantic as her hips rocked to meet every stroke. Simon had never seen a more erotic sight: her flush body, glistening in the low light, framed perfectly by the mirror. When her rhythm became erratic, Simon knew she was there. He held his breath and waited, caressing his erection in time with her strokes.
Suddenly her eyes shot open. They were dark with desire and the scarlet blush across her freckled skin was almost too much for him to handle. Was she looking at him? Did she want him to join her? Simon was ready to interrupt her, when she cried out.
“Yes! Oh, yes!”
Julia’s breath hitched and she bit her lower lip, squeezing her eyes shut. She let her head fall back against the pillow as her body arched off the bed, rocked with the intensity of her orgasm. After a few seconds, she collapsed on the bed and slid her hand away from her wet pussy. The damp fingers glistened in the lamplight. Simon licked his lips, remembering the taste of her.
Despite her climax, a frown creased her brow, and Julia leaned up on her elbows, pushing his shirt down to cover her breast. She started searching the bed. He assumed she was looking for her panties, but instead Julia found the e-reader. After flipping through a few screens, her frown deepened. She let out a frustrated huff and threw the offensive object into the bedside drawer. She mumbled something under her breath.
Simon was plunged into darkness as she turned off the bedside lamp. He stood there for a few seconds, sure he’d heard her say his name—along with a few choice expletives.
Had she been thinking of him while she touched herself? That thought alone was almost too much for him, but now that the show was over it didn’t take long for reality to set back in. Simon came out of his fog and realized he’d been standing in the middle of the hall, pumping his dick through his jeans, and watching his baby sister’s friend masturbate. Insanity was his only excuse. This woman was driving him mad.
Simon marched up the hall before he could get caught and headed straight to the shower. He needed to take care of his current state before he could even think about sleeping. Now, even more than before, he was determined to do something about this irrational desire. If they had one more night together, maybe then he could get her out of his system.
Simon felt like his head had just hit the pillow when Megan came bounding in and jumped on his bed.
“Get up, asshole,” she said and bounced up and down beside him. “You skipped out on dinner last night, but I’m not about to let you miss sailing today.”
“What time is it?” Simon looked over at the clock and groaned. “Fuck. It’s not even six. Go away, Meg. I’m supposed to be taking the weekend off.”
He yanked the pillow over his head, determined to ignore her. His head pounded and what little sleep he did get last night had been haunted with images of Julia’s flushed, sweaty body stretched out, pulsing with pleasure.
Megan crawled off the bed with a loud harrumph. “I’m going, but if you aren’t down at the boat by seven, I’m coming back with the bucket.”
“What are you, ten?” he asked and she just laughed, retreating from his room.
It didn’t seem to matter how many years had passed—when he and Megan were together, they reverted back to childhood. One summer when they were young, he’d dumped a bucket of ice water on her while she slept. She had never forgiven him. And to this day she kept that old bucket, and out of the blue would catch him unaware. Simon had no doubt that if he wasn’t down at the dock she’d use that old tactic, so he rolled out of bed and got ready.
Despite his headache, he and Peter had the boat out of storage and ready to sail by eight
. The wind was stiff and it was a good day to be out on the lake, as long as the weather held. The high, white clouds that raced through the sky forecast storms later that day as the temperature rose.
He had just finished checking the sails when the girls started down the stairs from the house. They were loaded down with a large picnic basket and several wine bottles. He leaned over and helped Megan into the boat and then took the basket. He held out an arm to help Julia, but she just looked at his hand as though it was a snake poised to strike. “Let me help you," he said, prompting her.
When Julia placed her hand in his, he leaned back, causing her to slam into him.
“Watch your step,” he whispered into her ear.
Her breath hitched and she looked up to meet his gaze. “I’m…I’m sorry."
“I’m not.”
“Megan said there was a small galley on the boat. I’ll just put this stuff away.” Julia took the basket and turned, but not before he caught the high flush on her cheeks.
After that reaction and the scene last night, Simon knew it was just a matter of time before he had her back in his bed. He’d just have to turn on the charm today.
Julia disappeared below and Peter unmoored them from the dock. They planned to sail along the coast of Lake Michigan and anchor for lunch, before heading back. Simon planned to use that break to find out a little more about Julia, so he could plan his next move.
Peter joined him at the helm after they’d been out for a while. “Megan wants to know if we can stop while the sun is out. She wants to have some wine and sunbathe while she still can.”
Simon looked to the stern where Megan stood waving a bottle of wine and then to the sky. The white puffy clouds were starting to converge into towering thunderheads. It was just a matter of hours before they’d need to head back.
“I think that sounds like a good idea,” Simon said. He looked north and frowned. “The wind has really picked up and it's getting a little choppy. Why don’t we stop here for a short break and then head back?”
