The Best of June (3 page)

She and Vivienne had spent formulating a plan. The hows, whys and candidates were laid on the table. Since Vivienne worked at Edmonds Marina Club, they had decided the club would be the perfect place to find a guy suitable for what June needed. Vivienne knew several members. They didn’t necessarily know her, but she got the inside scoop on most of them, especially the drool-worthy bachelors. They went through different names. Each time, Vivienne would explain why that particular guy would work. After weeding out numerous names, there was only one left name on the table that fit their Mister Perfect description—Henry Colchester.

Henry, according to Vivienne, had recently been promoted to a captain position, a devil with an angel’s face, a fat bank account as big as his parents’ mansion, and he belonged to a family who would never let anyone in to their circle unless the person had a name. Henry frequented different bars with his friends and was often seen arm in arm with a stunning lawyer. But gossip about him having different women in his bed all the time circulated also.

Handsome, a rascal with a great bloodline, he was one who most likely wouldn’t remember her after tonight. Henry was just the right one.

The best part of this whole plan was that June had been in love with him since he’d bought bait from her. Since then, she’d watched him through the small window of the fish-scented Bud’s Bait Boathouse whenever he was at the marina.

Okay, Henry was the right man to seduce. The question that needed answering was, could she seduce him? She’d never done this before and didn’t even know how to start. Vivienne’s idea of just simply removing her clothes as soon as Henry walked in didn’t sound right. No, she wasn’t a virgin anymore, but she couldn’t even remember how she’d lost her virginity. All she could remember was the soreness from her bruised breasts down to her calves. She didn’t know when to start undressing, how to excite a man and please him. Vivienne said it would come naturally to her when the time came. June really hoped her friend was right.

Deep in her thoughts, June jumped when her cell phone rang. It was Vivienne. Her friend sounded giddy while June was about to pass out from nervousness.

“Vi, you’re not supposed to drink while working,” she chastised.

“God, June, stop being a mother. Nobody’s paying attention to me. These people don’t care about anything but their pockets. I only exist when they need a drink.”

“Are you sure this is going to work?”

“June, I know the workings of a man’s mind. They’ll fuck anything that wears lipstick and a dress, especially when they’ve been drinking. Are you listening?”

“Yes.”

“I can hear you breathing hard on the phone. You’re nervous. And when you are, you tend to lose your hearing.”

“Can’t help it, Vi. Yes, I’m nervous. You were saying?”

“Your man has been drinking steadily.”

“Oh, dear. I hope he’s not a mean drunk.”

“He’s not. Most men when drunk are horny as rabbits in heat.” Vivienne giggled again.

“And that thought should calm my nerves?”

“Just think how awesome it’s going to be, June!”

“How could having sex with a stranger be awesome?”

“Because you’re in love with him, dufus. He’s not a total stranger. If I could sleep with a man like him—rich, handsome and a ship captain—
that
would be awesome.”

“Lord, I hope you are right about this, Vi. Wait, what if Henry recognizes me? Remember, he bought bait from me once.”

“Just deny it.”

“Okay. You didn’t tell Craig about this, right?”

“Of course not. He’ll probably lock you up to keep you from doing this. Kinda weird, really. For a gay guy, he thinks straight.” Vivienne laughed.

Craig had been a good friend. Gay, funny, with a great heart and, like Vivienne had said, he acted like a straight guy. No one would ever know that he loved dressing up. And he would definitely disapprove of her plan.

“Hey, just heard him talk to his girl lawyer.” Vivienne put stress on the last word.

“Him?”

“Yes, him. Who else?”

“Sorry.”

“Lawyer is saying goodbye. She is going to Olympia. He is alone. Perfect, my dear friend.”

“God, I don’t know.” Could she really do this? Maybe they should cancel this plan. “Vi, should we think this through? Maybe—”

“Time is not our friend, duckie. You’ll be fine.”

“I’ve never been—”

“I know, dear friend. Just think. Your baby’s father is going to be the man you are in love with. Not just some man we picked from the phone book.”

June sighed. “
If
I get pregnant.”

“You will. This is your fertile window. Now, I know you’re nervous. Remember, you are his present for making it to a captain position. If he asks from whom, say you don’t know.”

“But do you think he’ll come upstairs? He’ll ask questions? What if he says no?”

“Oh, come on. I’ll make him go upstairs. Once there, it’s your job to keep him there. Be creative with your answers. And, June, I don’t think any man can refuse you. Believe me.”

June sighed. She wanted to believe Vivienne. But for some weird reason, she felt that their simple plan would land them in a heap of trouble.

* * * *

He’d had enough of the fucking chatting. Most of the guests were here to rub elbows, get the latest gossip, make it through the big name lists and to show off. Just look at the parking lot—the damn thing was full of cars that cost more than an ordinary man’s yearly income.

Henry stared at the darkened horizon with just a tiny orange glow visible where the sun had gone down. Shit. He could hardly wait to sail and be away from this bullshit. He never enjoyed parties—big or small. No one here opened their mouths without mentioning politics, business and transactions. No one dared talk about the minimum wage, companies closing or if the healthcare system worked for the little people. Why would they? Second-class citizens, immigrants and the poor didn’t have places at their tables. It was the world that those sharks didn’t fucking understand at all—the very reason why his parents questioned the reason he’d become an able seaman—a position they considered so low he didn’t need an education for it. His parents couldn’t quite comprehend why he would do anything that would dirty his fingers.

Then he’d become a captain, the ship’s highest responsible officer. His parents rejoiced because he had a rank that they could boast about. To them, the line of work wasn’t embarrassing anymore.

He swirled his wine then drank the liquid. Good stuff. The price for this one bottle could feed a family for a week.

As soon as he’d finished the wine, the same waitress appeared at his side so fast he thought she’d been watching him. She was pretty with big brown eyes and breasts any woman would envy. He doubted those babies were implants. Her smile was contagious and she looked to be imbibing. Her red cheeks and the slow blinking of her eyes gave her away. Yeah, this little pretty had been drinking too.

“Hello, Vivienne.”

“You know my name?”

Henry grinned. “You have a name tag.”

“Oh! Yes. Sorry, sir. I forgot. No one really calls me by my first name. Most people just call me using their fingers.”

“I apologize on their behalf.” He remembered she was the one who’d rolled her eyes to Stacey earlier.

“Thank you. Well, Mr. Colchester, I—”

“Henry. No sir, please.”

“Cool, cool. Henry, I’ve been instructed to tell you that you need to go upstairs. Here is the key to the room.”

Imagine that. He’d been given two keys in one day. Henry raised an eyebrow when Vivienne fished the key from inside her bra.

“No pockets in this skirt and top. Whoever ordered this uniform most likely never worked as a waitress—or these are made without pockets on purpose.”

“So you can’t hide forks and knives, salt and pepper shakers or small bottles of jam and ketchup.”

“Yup.”

“What kind of uniform do you prefer?” He took the key from her. It was warm.

“The kind that would make waitresses look human.”

Henry laughed. “You look human to me.”

“Not to others. Waiters and waitresses are just black and white walking around carrying trays. If I could wear something like the stewardesses wear, something that would get attention, that would be awesome. You know, the kind with slits on the side and pockets for tips, and I want the one with the scarf also.”

“I’ll see what I can do. You want to be a flight attendant?”

“God, yes. That would be a dream come true.”

He had friends in different airline companies. If this little thing had the right credentials, he might be able to help her. “Have you tried applying?”

“I called around. I was told I need customer service experience. My only work experience is waitressing. I’m taking classes at Shoreline Community College to strengthen my résumé.”

“Give me your number and I’ll have a friend call you. He might be able to help you get—”

“No shit?”

Henry chuckled. For the first time tonight, he actually enjoyed conversing with someone. “No shit.”

“Okay. Your friend a man or a woman?”

“Man. Is there a problem if my friend is a woman?” Henry reached into his pocket and fished for his cell phone.

“Not with me. But I’ve been judged by a woman based on the number of scuffs on my shoes and the price of my haircut. For some reason, women are born biased and weirdly judgmental. Totally different species. Learned that in Women and Anti-Bias class.

Henry nodded. Better not say anything about what he’d learned dealing with women. Adding gasoline to the fire was never good. “Number?”

Vivienne frowned while she bit her lower lip. “How about if you give me your friend’s number?”

“I think it’s best if I talk to him first. See if he could help or not.”

“All right.”

Henry added the number that Vivienne dictated on his contact list. “So, who told you that I should go upstairs?”

“Can’t tell you. But you have to go and take the present you’ll find in the room.”

“Take it?”

“Not an it, really.”

Not an it
? If he were to guess, Henry would say Vivienne was talking about a woman. What the hell? Why would he get that kind of present and from whom? “Where do you think I should take my present?”

“Where you’ve taken the others, Henry.”

“You have to tell me.”

Vivienne rolled her eyes. “Sheez, pick a place. Heaven would be nice. Just be…” She cleared her throat. “Nice, okay. She…I mean, your present is still green.”

What the fuck?
“A woman is waiting for me upstairs. Right?”

“Right,” Vivienne whispered. “She is somewhat fragile and new. Mishandled once. But believe me, she had nothing to do with that.”

Man, this woman is drunk.
”I see.” He couldn’t believe someone gave him a woman for a present. A
green and mishandled
one. Damn. “Well, Vivienne, I hate to say this but I don’t want—”

“No, no! You can’t say that.”

He would have laughed at the situation if Vivienne hadn’t looked worried. “But I don’t want to go upstairs.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I don’t like trouble. Vivienne, I’m sorry. I’m going to have to say no. Now, if you’ll tell me who sent this woman, I’ll talk to him.”

“Shit.”

“What?”

“Never mind. Please go, Henry. Someone gave you…your present. You should accept. She’s bought and paid for.”

“Vivienne, are you and your friend in trouble? Do you need help?”

Vivienne’s expression turned sad. “No. But this is too important. You have no idea. This is a matter of life, present, future and dreams.”

“She wants money?”

“Not at all.”

“Job? She wants to be a flight stewardess also?”

“No.”

“Then why—”

“Oh, my God. You’re making this hard on me.”

“You’ve been drinking.”

“Just a little to back-up my nerves. I don’t usually drink while working. I swear on my life. Just go and look, please. If you decide you’re not interested, then leave. But you have to deliver the news yourself.”

“Vivienne, pimping is not good. If you need other work, I might be able to find something for you.”

Vivienne stared at him with her mouth wide open then closed it. She looked like a fish gasping for air. He watched her expression change from shock to annoyance. Then she squared her shoulders while adjusting the tray balanced on her hand. “Excuse me, Colchester. I’m not getting anything out of this except the satisfaction that I helped a friend. Therefore, I don’t qualify as a pimp. Don’t call me that. The word grosses me out.”

Henry shook his head. This conversation was getting more ridiculous by the minute. “Why do it then if you’re not even benefitting from it? You have to be wise.”

“Wait, you told me not to be a pimp, but now you’re telling me that I should make money from this. Wow. That’s some contradiction.”

“You’re right. You see, it’s not every day that a pimp talks to me,” he joked.

Vivienne took the bait. She turned bright red. “I’m not a pimp!” she squeaked. “Please, go upstairs. Okay, instead of calling your friend to help me get a job just do this for me. Please.”

He must be drunk, but honestly, he was curious about the woman waiting for him upstairs. “All right. But don’t expect anything, Vivienne. I’m doing this because you said it’s important. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Vivienne nodded fast. “You won’t regret this, Henry.”

“We shall see.”

Chapter Two

She didn’t hear him come in.

Just as he’d thought, his gift was a woman.

Henry watched her from the door. She was leaning against the railing. The position gave him a great view of her ass. Her blue dress hugged her like a second skin, showing her finest qualities. Her honey-wheat hair was piled high, exposing her long neck, but a few tendrils cascaded down her shoulders and back. That hairstyle always got to him. So fucking sexy. He loved a woman’s neck. To nibble on the sensitive skin and make a woman shivery and wet from expectations.

Henry admired the contours of her back—the shallow dip on her spinal column, the sexy dimples just inches above the rise of her ass where her narrow hips met her waist. Man, he wondered if she looked as good from the front.