The Best of June (28 page)

June transferred the plates on the table. “Sit before they get cold. I’ll get the pecan and banana pancakes.”

John raised his eyebrows at Henry in a silent question.

“I’ll get them, hon. You sit.”

“No. I can manage. Walking is good for me. I wish I had more time, but it’s almost brunch time now. So you’ll have both.”

She left then came back with the same tray. This time it had the pancakes and bacon-wrapped baked eggs with cream cheese biscuits and arugula.

“Wow. I think I’ll move in here permanently if I get to eat food like this all the time.”

“You’re welcome to live here.”

“No, he’s not,” Henry contradicted. “He’ll destroy the plumbing and he snores.”

“Henry! Eat. I didn’t cook these for you to admire.”

While enjoying breakfast, Henry and John talked about their business. His mind was divided between what John was saying and his wife, who ate little and now moved around the apartment like an ant building a nest. He couldn’t believe that she’d walked to the bus stop in her condition. He noticed too that she would always touch her back and wince. His mom said lower backaches were common among pregnant women. A good rub would help. Henry grinned. He’d bet she’d love that.

“We have a meeting with Loren DeFray,” John said.

“Good. He’s a retired naval architect and highly recommended. He’ll help us with the legal issues that we may face someday. Also, Chief Engineer Brian Friedman would be a good addition to our staff.”

“And we’re all set in Port of Seattle. Got that squared away. But there are still so many thing things to do. I’ve started hiring the staff. Still reviewing résumés,” John explained as he looked at the stacks of papers in front of him.

“Okay. Set the meeting. We need the ball to roll faster.”

Since they’d already done the legwork and had practically all their ducks in a row, they now had to work on the heavy stuff. But with the money, they could handle that easily.

Henry smiled to himself. Finally, he’d be building his dream—proof that he hadn’t wasted all that time at the maritime academy, that he wasn’t a fool. And with luck, he’d be able to build other people’s dreams as well. He picked up his mug and noticed his wife wasn’t in the dining room anymore.

That was interesting. He knew whenever she wasn’t around. It must be her scent, or that her mere presence changed the room’s atmosphere—like sunshine in a dark room, flowers in a meadow, an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day. Yeah, she was that.

He reached for the last cookie on the plate the same time as John did. They ended up breaking it in half. Henry sprinkled powdered sugar on his cookie before taking a big bite.

“I’ll be fat in a week if we work like this.”

“I know.” Henry licked his fingers, glancing at the phone vibrating on the table. Stacey. She had called three times already.

“I’ll definitely miss this kitchen.”

“What are you talking about, John?”

“You know, the first time I met June at your wedding, I liked her instantly. So much, in fact, that I thought it was love at first sight.” John laughed at Henry’s reaction. “I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who felt that way at the wedding, bro. Now that I’ve gotten to taste her cooking and have seen her in your home, I think she’s perfect.”

“But?”

“All of this will be gone in six months.”

John’s statement hit Henry square in the chest, like a hard punch that he failed to block. He couldn’t breathe. Gripping his mug, he tried to control the emotions so foreign to him.

“I’d snag her once she’s free, but she’d probably just smile and say no to me because she’s in love with you.”

Henry frowned at his friend. “How do you know she’s in love with me?”

“The spectator always sees what’s happening in the game, buddy. So, should we use Monster or JobSource?”

“Both.”

June. In love with me.

He liked the sound of it. But was she? Shaking his head, he gave his full attention to John.

It was already past ten o’clock when John left. Henry took the stairs one step at a time. He was spent, brain-fried, but his heart fluttered at the thought of his wife sleeping upstairs. His steps faltered as reality hit him. He really was falling for his wife.

He walked into June’s bedroom and stood beside the bed. His wife lay fast asleep on her side, her hand on her belly. He’d noticed she would always touch her belly, always in a protective gesture. Henry pulled up the covers then lightly ran his fingers over June’s hair.
Silly girl.

He went to his room to shower and get ready for bed. Instead of sleeping in his bed, he went back to June’s room then lay beside her. June moaned then scooted closer to him.

“She’s in love with you.”

God, what if she really was in love with him? He pulled her tighter in his arms then closed his eyes. He’d break her heart. Damn it to fucking hell.

“I’m sorry, love,” he whispered then closed his eyes.

Chapter Twenty-One

It had been almost four months of wedded bliss.

Living with June was a dream. She was a great housewife, so caring and she always thought about his needs. Her sense of humor was amazing too. Her smile was enough to make him forget why they’d ended up married.

They shared the apartment in harmony and talked about Jelly Bean all the time. They lived in tandem, always knowing what the other wanted or needed. He kissed her before he left the house, and when they made love they shut the world away. Both of them were careful not to touch the reason why they’d ended up married.

It helped that Stacey’s texts had stopped and when she did message him, it would be to ask how June was doing. She’d even offered to take June shopping when he told her that his wife didn’t like to drive. He liked that she hadn’t mentioned anything about continuing their relationship when his secret contract with the Greenwalds was over. She seemed to have moved on.

But what he wanted now was for the contract to disappear. He didn’t care about the other half of his inheritance, if his parents disowned him or if he lost everything. All that mattered to him now was June and their baby. If only his parents and the Greenwalds would listen.

Like a teenager with a constant boner, he just wanted to stay close to his wife, cuddle with her in front of the television, and take naps in the afternoon, which he hadn’t done since he was two. Most of the time, he found himself looking at her. At night, while he watched her sleep, Craig’s words would echo in his head.

“She’ll make you fall in love with her without even trying. Then she’ll break your heart—also without even trying. Mark my words.”

His heart always beat erratically whenever he thought of his wife in love with him, and anger would rise from his chest whenever he thought about June breaking his heart.

Does she really love me?

In bed, she never showed anything that would tell him to slow down. He was careful not to hurt her and the baby, but their passion never diminished. In fact, it was getting hotter, stronger and deeper. They enjoyed playing with food in bed and she pleased him to heaven.

Her actions—the way she looked at him and how she took care of him—all spoke of more than just a wife caring for her husband. But not once had June mentioned that she loved him. To hear her say that she loved him would be wonderful, though. Why it mattered, he didn’t know. And it wasn’t as if he’d uttered the word himself.

Soon this marriage would end.

Thinking about waking up and going to bed without seeing her lovely face poked him deep in the gut. He frowned at the painful feeling. Damn, could he really give up this marriage? Could he let her go?

“What’s up with the deep frown? You look like a king with a heavy crown on his head, thinking about how to take care of his kingdom.”

Henry looked up. A vision of his wife standing in front of him in a pale yellow dress with her hands on her rounded belly made him smile. She looked like a dream. “A king?”

“Uh-huh. Is it really that hard?”

He motioned for June to come to him. As soon as she was close enough for him to touch, he pulled her onto his lap. “Not yet, but getting there.”

June pinched him.

“Owwww…meany mommy.”

“I’m talking about what had you frowning.”

“I’m just thinking. Our child will have your eyes, nose and hopefully not your toes.”

“What?”

“Accept it, hon. Your toes are stubby.”

“Shut up!”

“How are you?” He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Emotions running high, he couldn’t stop touching her.

“Heavy. Feeling fat.”

“I know. You look like a cow now. I hardly recognized you.”

“Soon I’ll be an elephant.”

He shifted June’s position so she could straddle him. “Comfy?”

“Yes.” June ran her fingers at the back of his head, massaging his scalp. He loved it when she did that.

“How’s the baby treating you?”

“Still pushing on my bladder. What about you?”

“Tired. My wife is keeping me awake all night. But I’ve never been happier.” Slowly, he lifted her dress to bunch it around her waist.

“Are you really happy?”

“I am, hon. You make me happy and hotter than ever.” He cupped her face with his hands then kissed her. She was rounder now, her breasts plumper and harder. He ran his hands over her shoulders and back before moving down to her thighs. “What a beautiful mama.”

“Hmm. Keep saying that and I might believe you.”

“It’s true. How’s your back?”

“Fine. Didn’t hurt today.”

“You sure your doctor is—?”

June touched Henry’s face. “Yes.”

“Why can’t I take you to your appointments once in a while?” He’d been jealous of Vivienne for driving June to her doctor appointments. “Shouldn’t I be a part of this whole pregnancy thing?”

“You’ll be bored sitting in the waiting room. It’s better if you just work with John. Besides, Vivienne and I like to hang out after my check-ups. It’s a woman thing.”

“To chit-chat? Fine. But what about the car that I bought for you? It’s been sitting in the driveway collecting leaves and dust.”

“Maybe I’ll drive it with Jelly Bean.”

“Do you want to go out see a movie tonight?”

“Are you sure? You might be seen walking with me.”

“Do you think I care? What made you say that?”

“Because we’ve never gone anywhere together.”

“It’s because I’d rather spend my time here with you. While working, I always look forward to coming home because I know you’ll be here. I keep thinking about this apartment that you’ve turned into a home. Going to different places would be a waste of time when we could be here together. Here, I feel like I belong, you know. I’m home. Here is the best place for me. Nowhere else. I’m sorry for being selfish.”

June stared at him. “Really. You love my cooking that much?”

“Ha. Ha.”

After combing back Henry’s hair, she pressed her forehead against his. “That’s the best thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“You’re a good woman, Juniper Ivy Colchester. You deserve the best the world can offer.”

“You, too, Captain Colchester. You have a good heart.”

Henry pulled June in for a tight hug. God, it felt so good to have her in his arms like this. Oh, how things had changed. He had a wife now who needed him, and he longed for her. Yeah, he yearned for his wife the way a sailor needs his compass. Without her, he’d be lost.

Lost.

Henry closed his eyes. When he opened them and stared at his wife, at that moment, he knew that no amount of money could take her away from him. Damn the fucking contract. Henry laughed as he remembered Craig’s words.

“She’ll make you fall in love with her.”

Henry combed June’s hair with his fingers. He loved his wife.

“My wife,” he whispered, while his heart soared.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Fuck!”

Stacey threw the glass she held across the room, hitting the china cabinet her mother had given her. The glass shattered. She should care. The cabinet had belonged in the family for generations, but she was too pissed to care. She wanted to destroy everything, anything. Including that bitch, June.
That fucking JC Penny woman can’t take Henry from me!
He belonged with her and no one else.

She’d fucking destroy her! She wasn’t a successful prosecutor for nothing. If her plan worked, that damn cheap JC Penny bitch would regret sleeping with Henry.

Stacey smirked at the sound of the doorbell. Taking her time, she changed into her little black dress and pumps. After gathering her hair, she tied it on top of her head, leaving a few strands dangling. After the third ring, she went downstairs and straight to the kitchen. Earlier, she’d tried preparing a meal. The whole kitchen was a mess. It was perfect. She splashed water on her dress then smeared spaghetti sauce on her cheek.

She opened the door.

“Hey, stranger. Lost your key?”

Henry just smiled. “You look great, Stays. But what have you been doing?”

Stacey laughed. “What do you mean?”

“Cooking?”

She waved Henry’s question away. “Trying.”

“Is that how you plugged up your sink?”

“I guess. Sorry to bother you this late, but I couldn’t find a plumber to come after five. How’s June?”

“Getting big. Let me check the sink.”

“Okay. I bet she’s more beautiful now.”

“Yeah, she is.”

Damn her.
Aware that Henry followed behind her, she made sure he saw her best asset. She walked as gracefully as she could, swaying her hips with seduction in mind. “I heard most pregnant women glow and their skin looks younger.”

“She’s all that, but June thinks she resembles a cow. What’s this?”

She is a fucking cow.
“A simple meal. Spaghetti. And I think I botched it. Please don’t compare, okay? I heard your wife cooks like a pro. Why don’t you sit? You can fix the sink later.”

“Thanks, Stays. But I—”

“Oh, sorry. I understand. Don’t worry. I don’t think you can hurt my feelings.”
Oh yeah, you did, Henry.