“I’d love that.”
She patted my arm, and a feeling of calm and happiness coursed through me. It was as if I were home. Brett stood and held his hand out for me. I took it and stood.
“We need to get going, but I promise you we’ll be back. I kind of kidnapped her today, and I have some other places we need to be.” He kissed his mom and gave her a hug. “Tell Dad I said hi.”
“Will do, sweetie.” She embraced me. “It was so nice to meet you. You’re welcome here anytime.”
“Thank you, Madeline.”
“Well, that went well.” We were back in my car and ready to get on with our day. Seeing the two women I cared about the most together made me feel as though everything was in place and as it should be. But every time I heard Julie say her parents had died hurt.
“She’s wonderful. You’re extremely lucky to have her in your life.”
My heart went out to her. I couldn’t imagine not having my family. We may not have seen each other all the time, but I had no doubt they’d be there for me if I needed them.
“You’ve made me very happy today,” she said.
“The day has just begun.” I shot her a wink, and she bit her bottom lip as her shoulders rose.
We went to lunch at an outdoor bistro, then we spent most of the day going to quaint antique stores and fresh markets. I loved how she took the time to enjoy everything around us, but the gorgeous scenery didn’t hold a candle to Julie’s beauty. The way the sun shone down on her head reminded me of the first time I’d laid eyes on her under the club lights. She had an indescribable aura that was almost mysterious and definitely intriguing. I looked forward to getting to know more and more about her. I tossed my arm around her shoulder, and her hand slid into my back pocket.
“You’re a pretty great boyfriend to go to all this trouble.”
“It wasn’t any trouble, and I’m glad you’re happy.” I was thrilled to have her with me and that my day had gone off without a hitch. If anyone had told me I’d have a woman I could love and who would love me back without expecting a ring, I never would have believed them. But there I was with someone who fits that bill.
When we hopped in my SUV and started heading out of town, she said, “Okay, Chambers, where are we going now?”
A broad smile grew across my face. “A very special place.”
We drove down quiet roads and through serene neighborhoods until we got to my next destination, The Point. I loved it there. The lighthouse was still active, and at night, the beacon could be seen for miles. Families were taking pictures, and couples relaxed in each other’s arms.
Boats sailed by, creating picture-perfect ripples in the water. I remembered going out on my grandfather’s boat when we were younger. I loved my time out there, away from it all—even as a kid. Although back then, I hadn’t appreciated it as I did today. My life was fulfilling, especially since I’d bought into the club and become a co-owner of the White Orchid, but at that moment, there wasn’t any other place I’d have rather been or anyone I’d have rather been with.
“Wow, this is gorgeous!” Julie’s eyes brightened with pleasure as she took in the beauty of Montauk and pulled me out of my thoughts.
“This was where we’d come as kids when we went on vacation. My grandparents loved it here and wanted my brother and me to appreciate life outside the hustle and bustle of the city.” I parked and breathed in the ocean air.
She placed her hand in mine, and I took in her beauty as her head tilted back to look at the top of the lighthouse.
“Come on,” I said.
We walked around the museum then stood on the edge of the rocky cliff, watching the waves lap at the shore. I positioned her in front of me and rested my chin on her shoulder as my arms snaked around her waist.
She rested her head on my chest. “Your grandparents were right. It’s peaceful here.” She sighed.
I took her into the gift shop and bought her some salt water taffy. Julie bounced on the balls of her feet as she held the box of sweet morsels. I also bought a print of the lighthouse, a small replica statue, and a baseball hat with a logo on it. So basically all of the touristy stuff.
She opened the box of candy and unwrapped a pink piece. “Do you want one?”
“No, thanks.”
She bit the taffy and let out a moan that drew my attention to her mouth. Once she was finished, she licked her lips, making my pants a bit tighter. The content look on her face filled my heart with a joy I’d never experienced.
“Let’s go back to my place. We could order in and relax.”
She threaded her fingers in my hair. “I think that would be the best ending to this day.”
I held her face and claimed her mouth. She tasted like cherries, and I couldn’t get enough of her. I needed more.
Once we were back at my apartment, we were both exhausted. We decided on pizza and a movie. Being together was easy, comfortable, but not complacent. After we had finished our dinner, we sat on the couch, and Julie curled up next to me. I’d given her one of my T-shirts to put on since she didn’t have any of her things with her.
She let out a yawn with a tiny squeak at the end. “I’m so sorry.” She giggled. “I guess I’m more tired than I thought.”
“Let’s go to bed. I don’t want us falling asleep on the couch.”
She stood to walk toward my bedroom, but I scooped her up so her legs hung over my arms and carried her upstairs.
“Mmmm, who said chivalry was dead?” She sighed and grinned.
“Someone who had an asshole for a boyfriend.” She laughed, and a confident warmth ran through my veins. “See how lucky you are?”
“Yes, I’m the luckiest girl in the world.”
Aubrey and Alex wanted us all to get together for lunch, and I was excited to see her. She had been in Paris for the past few months, and I’d felt as if part of me were missing. The time difference had thrown us off, and our girl talk was reduced to text messages and emails. But today, everything was as it should be. She was back together with Alex, and I was with Brett. I wished the horrible day that had taken part of her were nothing but a nightmare, but it wasn’t, and it was something I’d never forget.
We met them at an Italian restaurant that a family friend of Alex’s owned. Mark happened to be dating the owner’s daughter, Val, so we frequented the restaurant. The familiar scent of tomatoes and garlic made my stomach growl. Brett laughed, and I blushed.
“Is someone hungry?” he asked.
I punched his arm when I really felt like laughing. The playful look in his eyes when he teased me, turned my insides to Jell-O.
“Ow! Shit, no one can say you hit like a girl.” He chuckled, and my eyes narrowed. “What did I say now?”
“A girl? Listen to me, Chambers, girls can do anything boys can do—maybe even better.”
He put his hands up in surrender. “Yes, okay, okay. Geez, settle down, Rocky, I was kidding.”
My lips curled up, and he threw his arm over my shoulders. We made our way to the table where Aubrey’s parents and Val were already sitting. We exchanged hellos, then I saw Aubrey walk in, hand in hand with Alex. She walked slowly as he guided her to her seat.
We ordered our meals, and I noticed Alex had a weird look on his face. All of a sudden, he turned Aubrey in her chair and took her hands, and I think I stopped breathing for a moment.
“I’m looking into your eyes, and I know you can’t see me, but soon you will. I’ll repeat this to you then.” The sincerity in Alex’s deep voice rendered us speechless.
We all looked at them, not knowing what he was going to tell her. Then he continued.
“You’re the love of my life, Aubrey Ryan. I don’t know how or why, but you were brought into my life, and I’ve never been more thankful for anything. You’re my best friend, my lover, and I don’t want to be without you ever. I want to travel the world with you, have a family with you, and grow old with you. You’re my life, my reason, and my world. My heart beats st
ronger when we’re together. You give me hope. Aubrey, will you marry me and be my wife so we can start our future?” His smile was wide and his eyes soft as he regarded her.
I wished she could see him. I was so happy for her—for them. I grabbed Brett’s hand and squeezed it, waiting for Aubrey to reply.
“Alex, I love you more each day. You’re the love of my life too.”
I took a deep breath as I watched the romantic scene unfold in front of us.
“Yes, I’ll marry you. I’d love nothing more than to be Mrs. Alex Logan.” My friend radiated happiness as she accepted his ring.
The entire restaurant erupted in hoots and hollers as Alex slid the ring onto her finger. I jumped up and hugged Aubrey.
“I’m so excited for you!” I turned and kissed Alex.
After our congratulations were done and our food had arrived, we sat down to one of the most memorable lunches I’d ever had.
Aubrey and I spent the next few weeks talking about how much had changed in our lives—especially when it came to relationships. It made me wonder about my future. Was marriage something I wanted too? I’d never thought I did, but I could see it now. But what was more exciting was that the doctor had diagnosed her vision loss as hysterical blindness. After intense therapy sessions, her sight had returned. There was always the chance of it temporarily diminishing, but she’d become a stronger, more self-assured woman and knew how to cope with situations.
Our friends were meeting for lunch—Alex, Aubrey, Mark, Val and Tyler. The whole group was coupled off, except for Tyler, but I doubted he was lonely. Brett may have said that they all got hit on equally, but Tyler was in a class all his own. With his model looks and confident charm, women didn’t stand a chance.
I looked around the restaurant and wondered where Alex and Aubrey were. They should have been there already. The rest of us chatted until Alex and Aubrey finally showed up. I could tell by the look on her face that she had just rocked Alex’s world.
“Where did you and Aubrey run off to? I turned, and you were gone.” Brett said with a grin.
I stifled a giggle as Aubrey’s cheeks went from flushed to red in an instant. I raised my brow at her. “Really? You don’t have the JFL. Were you standing?”
Everyone laughed except for Brett, who looked confused, and Aubrey, who buried her head in Alex’s chest.
“What the hell is JFL?” Brett said, very matter-of-fact.
I whispered in his ear, “Just fucked look.”
He erupted in laughter as he decided to clue in the rest of the table. “You’re a lucky man!” Brett lifted his hand to high-five Alex, but Alex just shook his head.
Mark whispered something to Val before he said to the table, “On that note, we’re outta here.” Mark and Val stood—obviously foregoing food.
“Hold on a minute. Aubrey and I have an announcement.” Alex cleared his throat as pride washed over his face. “We’re getting married on December twenty-first.”
I knew that was the day his mom had passed away, so it was important. However, it wasn’t far away. I squealed and clapped while I bounced in my seat. “Yay! When are we going gown shopping? I’m in the wedding, right?” Pure joy and happiness filled my entire heart.
After a silent exchange between her and Alex, Aubrey said, “Yes, you’re my maid of honor, and Val, I’d love for you to be my bridesmaid.”
The three of us had a group hug as we spun in a circle like school girls.
Alex looked at the guys. “Brett, you’re the closest thing I have to a brother, and I’d like you to be my best man. Ty and Mark, I’d be honored if you would also stand up for me as groomsmen.”
My excitement tripled! I’d be standing up with Brett. Then I looked at Aubrey and our friends and realized she was short a bridesmaid. “Don’t worry, Aubrey, I can handle two at once.” I shot her a wink and smiled.
Tyler looked at me then at Brett. “Right on!” They high-fived and threw their arms around me.
Then Brett said to Tyler, “You better remember she’s mine.”
The possessiveness in his voice shot through me like a lightning bolt. His eyes consumed me as if he was telling me that he would never share me, which was fine with me. I wouldn’t have wanted him to.
“Yeah, I know. You don’t have to take all the fun out of it.” Tyler quirked his lips and shook his head.
I was sure he could find a single guest to dance with.
I didn’t know what it was, but when I saw the look on Tyler’s face when he looked at Julie, my blood ran cold. They would never have stepped out on me, but Julie was a fine-looking woman. Tyler had been approached by modeling agents, so it wouldn’t have been a huge stretch to think that she might be interested in him. All I could think was, Thank God I got to her first.
My girl and I went back to her place.
“I’m so psyched about their wedding!” Julie threw her arms around me when we got in the door. “It’s going to be so much fun!” She shrieked, and I chuckled. “Let’s celebrate!” She walked into the kitchen to get us some drinks.
We were both ecstatic for our friends, but Julie’s excitement went beyond that. Since I’d met her, she’d made me look at relationships differently. I’d never thought I could love someone after what my ex-wife had put me through, but Julie was nothing like Samantha. Julie never brought up the subject of money. Between her job and the money she had received when her parents passed away, she had enough to give her a comfortable life.
Even better, she’d never brought up the subject of marriage. It was refreshing to know that exchanging vows wasn’t on Julie’s mind. I didn’t need a document stating we belonged to the each other, but I needed her.
She was in her kitchen, pouring herself a glass of wine, and I couldn’t stop staring at her. I stalked up behind her, took the bottle out of her hand, and set it on the counter next to her glass.
As she turned her head to look at me, I grabbed her face and pulled her lips to mine. Our mouths molded together as our tongues glided across each other’s in a fury of passion. She tasted of the red wine she’d sipped and her natural sweetness—it was intoxicating.
I ran my hands down her sides until I got to the tops of her thighs. I picked her up, forcing her legs to wrap around my waist. She broke our kiss and made me gasp as she brought her mouth to my neck and gently sucked on my pulse point. My dick stirred, and I carried her into her bedroom and laid her on her bed.
I unbuttoned her faded jeans and slid them off before stripping her of her top. I stepped back and admired her beauty. Her white lace bra which didn’t do much to hide her pebbled nipples. Her taut abs and beautifully contoured hips brought my eyes to her tiny white thong. I slid my fingers under the sides and removed it.
She adjusted herself on the center of the bed and nestled her cheek on the pillow. Her emerald eyes darkened with desire as she arched her back. I quickly stripped and lowered myself to hover over her. Julie dropped her knees to each side, giving me ample access.
I lowered my head and ran my tongue up her inner thigh, tasting her skin that was prickled with goose bumps. I kissed her clit before I wrapped my lips around her folds. My tongue went to work, lapping and savoring every ounce of her until she squirmed.
“Brett…”
My name came out as a plea, and I glanced up at her.
“I need you now.” Her fingers slid down the backs of my arms to my back. The tenderness she exuded made me feel more desired than any words she could have spoken.
“You have me, Jules.”
She reached into her side table and grabbed a condom. Once I was sheathed, I glided into her. The way she felt around me was like no other. I felt her wetness and heat through the rubber and wished we were skin to skin. I’d never gone bare, not even with Samantha. Even though she had been on the pill, she’d never wanted to risk getting pregnant.
We moved in unison, slowing down and picking up our pace at the same time. I brought my lips to her breasts, which were still covered in
white. I pulled the cups of her bra down with my teeth before I stroked her breasts with my tongue. I gently bit her nipple.
She bowed her back and moved her hands behind herself to unfasten the bra. As soon as she’d pulled it off, I gave each of her tits the attention they deserved.
Julie ran her fingers through my hair as her hips bucked up to meet mine. Our lips crashed together. She tightened around me as I pulsed into her. We were amazing together.
“You’re stunning.” I pushed her hair back from her face, which had a sheen of sweat and peppered her with kisses.
She sighed, and I rolled us to our sides. We were still connected, and at that very moment, everything in the world was as it should be. Being with her was comfortable and peaceful. When I’d told Bentley she was different, I wasn’t kidding. Little did I know how different she was. The more time we spent together, the more she surprised me. My heart opened up more to her each day.
The difficult part of our relationship was our schedules. She’d leave in the morning, and I’d be at work when she was headed home. I enjoyed my job, and the nights used to fly by, but not so much anymore.
Happy hour was a bitch tonight. I spotted my ex-wife with a group of women who looked as though they were on the prowl for their next hook-up. I hadn’t even realized Samantha was in the city. My lawyer took care of ensuring she received her monthly alimony checks, so I had no idea where she even was, nor did I want to.
The sight of her made my skin crawl. She still looked good, but she worked as a personal trainer, so she should have. She’d been working at the gym I belonged to, one push-up led to another, and we’d hooked up. We were young, and she had a body that wouldn’t quit. Her chestnut hair paired with her deep brown eyes and olive skin was a heady combination, and no twenty-year-old man with a pulse would have passed her up. But now I was almost a decade older and had better sense.
Things with us weren’t all bad until I heard I was getting part of my grandparents’ estate. That was when her true colors came to life. All of a sudden, she wanted designer clothes and fancy cars. When I told her the money was in a separate account that had been set up so she couldn’t get her hands on it, she turned into the bride of Frankenstein, and I was poor Frank.
A Heart's Forgiveness Page 7
