Revealing Thoughts (Victoria Wilde #3) (18 page)

A lawsuit against best-selling author
Jillian Grayson who writes under the pen name of Jaclyn West has
been filed by Natalie Brookhart, a young woman who at one time
dated both Miss Grayson's son, Robert, and her fiancé, Brian
Nash.

All eyes looked to the screen as the story
continued.

Miss Brookhart alleges that
her likeness was used in the novel without her permission. She also
contends that she was painted in an unflattering if not slanderous
light in the story. She is seeking unspecified damages that are
rumored to be in the multi seven-figure range. Miss Brookhart says
she can prove her claims and offers up proof with this video of her
striking the exact ballet pose depicted on the cover of the novel
titled
The Leg Thing
.

On the screen a split image of Natalie in the
ballet position appeared next to a large image of the book
cover.

Miss Grayson has yet to comment on this suit
publicly, but experts we spoke to believe that there is more than
enough evidence for Miss Brookhart's claims, and there is rumored
to be a large settlement currently in the works.

Jillian stared down to the floor as everyone
else looked to her and felt her pain. She glanced up. "I'd rather
not talk about it. Let's just keep the TVs off the news channels
this weekend."

Everyone nodded, and no one said a word as they
continued to wait in the terminal. Victoria was expecting the
results of the paternity test any day, and her doctor had promised
to e-mail them as soon as they were available. As she was sitting
in the airport, her smart phone chirped. She read the message,
smiled, and then looked at Jim. She decided to break the news to
him the next day.

During the entire flight, Victoria went over
exactly how to tell Jim while Jillian wore a solemn face. Brian
tried to lift her spirits and then decided it was best to let her
work through it on her own. As the plane was descending, Jillian
painted on a smile and promised that once they landed on the
perfect tropical island, she would put all nonwedding-related
issues out of her mind.

St. Barts or as some call it
St. Barths is a beautiful island in the northeastern Caribbean,
known for its crystal-clear blue water, fine white sand, nude
sunbathing, and exclusive clientele.
The
Nash-Grayson group's charter flight landed in St. Maarten and from
there, they met up with guests who had flown in from other
airports. Then the group split up and took two smaller planes for
the fifteen-minute flight to the island’s Gustave Airport. During
the short flight, the small low-flying planes gave them all a
breathtaking view of the spectacular sunset, and the beauty of this
tropical paradise blew everyone away.

The twin aircrafts landed at
the tiny airport on St. Barts just after 7:00
P.M.
and about ten minutes apart.
Two SUVs were waiting to take Brian, Jillian, Victoria, Jim,
Caroline, Rob, Laura, and the three other members of the wedding
party along with two plus ones to the house Jillian had rented. A
bus transported everyone else to the Hotel Eden Rock, where the
wedding was to be held in a little more than thirty-six hours. The
guests of the Nash-Grayson wedding occupied nearly half of the
thirty-four upscale rooms at the resort. Jillian had arranged for
meals and activities for everyone attending the wedding.

The prospective bride and groom and their ten
guests arrived at the huge lavish mansion that featured eight
bedrooms and nine bathrooms about fifteen minutes later. The house
sat high on a hill overlooking the beach and town, which were a
short five-minute walk away. The house included a gym room and two
pools, a butler, full housekeeping staff, and a chef. Everyone
dropped off their luggage in their rooms, which all featured king
beds, ensuite baths, and private balconies.

Jillian and Brian unpacked and then headed to
the Eden Rock to check on the guests staying at the resort. There
they were assured that every need would be taken care of by the
attentive staff.

When they returned to the house, the mansion
guests met for a delicious late meal and then retired to their
rooms, completely exhausted from traveling. All were looking
forward to the activities planned for the next day. Although
Jillian didn't mention anything related to the lawsuit, she
remained mostly quiet throughout the night, and Brian became
concerned about her.

Jillian stood in the bathroom of their suite
just staring in the mirror while wearing a sour expression. Brian
came up behind her and began to rub her shoulders. She groaned with
her eyes shut. "I could really use a rub." She opened her eyes and
looked at him in the mirror as she said curtly, "A good one—not one
of those where you are looking for something more."

"Okay, okay. We're not supposed to do it
anyway."

"Oh, that's right," she said in a tired
voice.

There was a quiet knock on the door, and Jillian
rolled her eyes. She rushed over and opened it to find Jim wearing
a timid expression. Jillian attempted a smile, but failed as Jim
asked, "Sorry. Is this a bad time?"

"Sure," she said, feeling a little guilty and
trying a little harder to smile.

"I'd just wanted to speak to you both for a few
minutes."

She nodded. Jim moved into the room and closed
the door. He began, "I know this is your weekend, and I don't want
to do anything to ruin that, but…"

"What is it?" Brian asked.

"I decided to ask Caroline to marry me and…"

Jillian's painted on-smile melted away. She
grabbed him for a hug and for the first time since she heard the
news story in the airport, she was really smiling. She kissed him
hard on the cheek, took a step back, and beamed without saying a
word.

Brian shook his hand. "Congratulations."

A tear slid down Jillian’s face, and she said,
"We love her. This is wonderful. When are you going to
propose?"

"That's just it. I want to do it here. It's
gorgeous, but I don't want to take any of the attention off your
day. I was hoping I could do it Monday morning after the
wedding."

Jillian said, "Don't be ridiculous. You can do
it whenever you want. Announce it to everyone. We won’t mind." She
glanced at Brian, and they shared an approving nod.

"It wouldn't feel right about doing it before
the ceremony."

Jillian smiled. "Well, how about this. Do it
Sunday night after we've left the reception. You'll both be dressed
and standing out on the beautiful patio with champagne and great
food. Rather than doing it some sleepy morning or while sweaty and
wearing a bathing suit. You want it to be memorable."

"You really wouldn't mind?"

"Jimmy, I can guarantee you that after we leave
the reception, we won't be worried about what you guys are doing.
It will be all about us." She gave him a naughty grin, but he
didn't need it. He had already received the message.

"Thank you," Jim said. Jillian hugged him again
as he felt tears welling up inside. He pulled away from her while
curling his lip. "I've got to get out of here before I, uh, lose
it."

Brian and Jillian smiled, and she reached out to
hold his hand, and they watched Jim go. She moved to Brian and gave
him a hug. She pulled back with her mood the complete opposite of
what it had been three minutes ago. "I don't care about the lawsuit
or the book or any of it. All I care about right now is marrying
you. No matter what happens, I promise I'll be in a good mood for
the rest of the trip."

Brian smiled as he asked, "Does that mean I
don't need to give you a rub now?"

Jillian glared at him in mock anger as she said,
"Just get the oil."

The next morning, Victoria
woke just after sunrise
.
She lay in bed thinking about Jim and obsessing
about when and exactly how to tell him about the baby. She wanted
to tell him soon and vowed to herself that she would tell him at
the first opportunity. She moved out to the pool area with a cup of
tea and curled up on a lounge chair to enjoy the spectacular
weather. Jim woke up a few minutes later; he lay in bed, obsessing
about the proposal. He walked to the balcony and spotted Victoria
by the pool. He headed down, leaving Caroline sleeping
soundly.

Jim sat in the chaise next to
Victoria. "It's incredible here." She nodded and at the same time,
they each began, "There's something I need to…" Victoria finished
that sentence with
tell you
while he finished it with
ask you
.

They shared a grin, and she said, "You
first."

He began, "I, uh, know we haven't known each
other very long, but I'm going to ask Caroline to marry me."

Victoria's eyes widened, and she smiled at him
blown away. "That's amazing news."

"I know. I feel weird telling you and asking you
this, but I feel like I should. I mean I already cleared it with
Brian and Jillian. I didn't want to take anything away from them on
this trip, you know."

"So what do you want to ask?"

Jillian told me I should propose Sunday night
after the wedding. Now I want to be sure it won't make you feel
awkward or anything like that. We did share all that…you know
months ago, and you know I still have strong feel…uh, I'm not sure
what I'm trying to say."

She looked at him with her heart melting as she
said, "You're just about the best guy on the planet. You don't
worry about me. All you should worry about it making the perfect
proposal. You've got to do it right. Let me see the ring."

He pulled it out of his pocket. "I was hoping
you would ask. I haven't shown it to anyone yet."

Jim glanced around and then up to the house to
be sure no one was watching. Then he handed her the box. Victoria
opened it, and her mouth shot open as she gazed at the nearly
flawless and colorless pear-shaped diamond. She looked at him
speechless and then back to the ring. "You picked this out all by
yourself?"

"I saw it in the window, and it just seemed
perfect."

"I love a pear-shaped diamond."

"It’s one and a half carats. Do you really think
she'll like it?"

"She'll love it."

Victoria put her hand out to him, and he took
it. She squeezed his hand and then gave him a sincere look that
bordered on tearful as she said, "She'd be crazy to not say yes."
Their emotions began to get the best of them. She handed him back
the box, and he tucked it away in his shorts as they both attempted
to collect themselves.

"Do you think you can make it through the
proposal without crying like a baby?"

"I hope so," said Jim. As he stared out to the
pool, he remembered that Victoria had wanted to say something. "Oh,
so what did you want to tell me?"

She glanced at him in shock. "Uh, I, uh…wanted
to tell you that if you needed someone to bounce your wedding toast
off, then just let me know. I'd like to get an opinion on my
toast."

Jim’s eyes widened in alarm. "Oh shit! I
completely forgot about the toast. I've been so busy worrying
about…" He stood. "Thanks for reminding me."

She watched him leave while shaking her head and
vowing to never tell him about the baby.

Natalie and Josh settled into their seats on the
plane bound for St. Barts at the same time that Tim Dale, who was
using the other plane ticket billed to Albert Blair, was heaving
his heavy carry-on bag into the overhead bin just six aisles back.
Albert was waiting for his plane at airport ten miles away.

Jim rushed up to his room, and while Caroline
continued to sleep, he went on the balcony with a pad and paper and
worked on his toast. Ten minutes later, Brian stepped out onto his
balcony and saw Jim next door.

"Hey."

Jim looked up from his pad. "Good morning."

"What are you doing?"

"Working on my toast. What do you think?"

Jim stood and moved to the railing. He stretched
the three feet over to Brian to hand him the pad.

Brian read out loud, "Jillian and Brian are—" He
gave Jim an odd look and then nodded with a sarcastic grin. "It's
short."

"I just started."

"It's a good start."

Brian handed back the pad and then paused in
deep thought while staring into Jim's room without really focusing.
Caroline was still asleep. She was naked and one of her perfect
breasts was in full view outside the sheets. Brian exhaled deeply.
Jim noticed his brother’s odd expression and followed Brian’s gaze.
When he spotted Caroline's exposure, he said, "Dude."

Brian shook his head and then focused in on
where his eyes were looking. "I swear I wasn't looking, well until
now…wow, she's…"

"You creep."

"At least I didn't shower with her."

"Hey, I was in the shower first, Jillian's the
one who—"

"Good point." Brian interrupted. "I swear I
didn't see her until just now. I was just staring at nothing and
thinking about the wedding and my job and, oh…the lawsuit and
everything."

"I believe you."

Brian looked his brother in the eye. "But she's
cute."

"I know, right?"

"Fuck the toast. Get in there."

They both looked into the room just as Caroline
turned, exposing her even more perfect ass outside the sheets. They
slowly turned to each other, and Jim said, "I'll just knock this
out later." Brian had to take one more peek as Jim slipped back
into the room and closed the blinds. Brian looked down to his groin
and thought, This no-sex rule is killing me.