The Best of June (6 page)

June screamed his name.

He stilled. “Pain?”

“No.” June reared. “More.”

“You sure, love?”

“Yes.”

His mind reeled from the pleasure of having her wet passage gripping him. Henry closed his eyes while his cock throbbed inside her. Slowly, he pulled back then thrust his hips as he pushed his thumb inside her ass until he passed the tight ring. Shit, he wanted to claim her ass too.

“Henry…”

“Yeah?” He pumped so fast his balls slapped her clit.

“Don’t stop.”

“I won’t. I won’t.”

June’s pussy was so fucking tight. “Come, baby. Come.” His voice sounded harsh, sweat dripped down his temples and his balls were rock-hard. Damn. Fucking was never this good. But then, he wasn’t just fucking June. He was making love with her.

“Henry… Ohh…”

As soon as warm juice coated him and he felt June’s ass muscles tighten, Henry finally let go. Together, they joined the swift roll of ecstasy.

Still trying to catch his breath, Henry once again found himself spooned with June. Interesting, that. “Come sail with me.” The words were out of his mouth before he thought of it.

“What?”

“Just a week—around San Juan Islands to Alaska. I just bought a new fifty-footer.”

“A fifty-footer?”

“Yeah. Just a small one that I could use anytime around here, Canada or Alaska. What do you say?”

“I don’t think—”

“Or three days. Just stay with me.”

“Why?”

Why indeed?
“Celebrate with me. I’m a captain now. A dream come true.”

June faced him. “But didn’t you just have a party downstairs?”

“Yeah. A boring one attended by my father’s many friends whom I don’t even know or care for. My close friends are not even there.”

“That’s too bad. What happened to your friends? They should have been here to celebrate with you.”

“They wanted to but Julian is with his wife and daughter. Sam is sick with asthma. Trey is somewhere in Florida working on a case and Nolan is still in Georgia. So, what about going on a short trip with me?”

“I don’t know.”

He combed back June’s hair then traced the fuzzy hair along the hairline gently. “I’ll be at the E Dock. You know where that is?”

“Yes. Henry, I’m not sure if three more days together is wise. We shouldn’t—”

“E Dock. I don’t care how long it takes you. I’ll wait.”

* * * *

The sky had turned purple, yellow and orange while the sun shone with subdued light. Soon, it would be out of sight, turning the view of the Puget Sound into a dark canvas. How long would Henry sit on that bench? June watched Henry stretch his legs in front of him with one ankle resting on top of the other. Boy, those long legs…

Earlier—as soon as she’d gotten home—June had called Vivienne to relate everything that had happened. She’d skipped the details on the personal part, though. Vivienne had been thrilled to hear about Henry’s offer and advised June to go yachting with Henry for at least three days. Because one night of loving might not do the work, another three days or more would give June a higher chance of getting pregnant. Besides, Vivienne had added, why would she say no to a million-dollar invitation to sail with the man she was secretly in love with? June hadn’t needed much persuasion after that. Using Vivienne’s excuse that they were going to Oregon to check out the job offer that Vivienne had received, June had told her parents that she’d be gone for a few days. Her parents had given her a hug and reminded her to be careful.

That had been this morning after she’d left the club.

Now, here she was, hiding inside the marina ice cream shop watching Henry sit on the bench reading a book. She noticed he would look up whenever someone walked by.

He looked so delicious in his faded jeans and white polo shirt, his hair mussed by the gentle wind. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she knew they were blue—an unusual shade of deep, dark blue.

She was more than flattered by his interest to be with her, but where would this affair take them? For sure, he was just enjoying his time while Stacey was gone. He must have done this kind of trip with dozens of women. When their liaison was over, he’d probably just move on without looking back. Whereas she would walk away from this trip madly in love with him and with a broken heart.

Lord. What happened to Vivienne’s dine and dash theory?

June forced a smile when she noticed the man behind the cash register watching her. He must be wondering what she was doing in the shop not even buying anything. “I’ve walked by this shop many times but this is the first time I actually came inside. It’s lovely in here.”

“Thank you. Would you like to sample our variety?”

She loved ice cream, but she didn’t think she could eat right now. “When I come back. Promise.”

The man smiled back. “Waiting for someone?”

“Waiting for my courage, actually.”

The man looked outside where Henry sat. His smile was so contagious that June started giggling like a little girl.

“Ah. He’s been sitting there since ten this morning.”

“Oh, dear.”

“I don’t think he’ll bite. Just go out there and say hi.”

“I should.” June looked out of the window. “But easier said than done.” When she glanced back at the man, he was already busy texting. Sighing, she checked the clock on the wall.

All right, June. Just do it. You’ve already slept with the man. What’s another three days of being with him? Yup. I should go out there. Think. This is for the greater good.

Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her big red shoulder bag containing her overnight necessities then left the shop. She’d made him wait long enough.

Henry was looking at his phone. She wondered what had him smiling. June’s heart beat wildly with every step she took. Interestingly, Henry didn’t look up when she stood in front of him. June nudged the toe of his shoe, which she recognized as a Sperry.

He made a great show of taking off his sunglasses. When he finally met her gaze, he grinned, resembling a boy who had just won a cookie.

“Finally found the courage, eh?”

“What?”

“Billy told me you’ve been hiding in his shop waiting for your courage.”

June felt her jaw slacken. “You know the man working in there?”

“Yeah. Billy owns the shop. I’ve missed you.”

June felt a vague, sensuous light pass between them. “We were together this morning.”

Henry stood and cupped the back of her neck. “That was this morning,” he whispered before claiming her lips.

The kiss was soft, quick, but enough to make her knees turn to jelly. “Oh, my.”

“Ready?”

Dazed, June blinked. “For what?”

Henry laughed then pulled her in for a hug.

Seeing how June was affected by their kiss made him happy. At least he wasn’t the only one. He thought about giving her a tour of the yacht first, but he didn’t want her to lose her new-found courage and change her mind—not after the kiss, not after he’d seen her in her white tank top and a matching white ankle skirt that hugged her body. So he led her to the second helm. While he slowly steered the yacht out of the marina, June stood on the sun deck.

“This thing is a huge, but are you sure we’re not going to sink?”

Henry grinned. “Don’t worry. I can swim. Can you?”

“Very funny.”

“Hon, we’re not going out in the open sea. No wind today and we’ll stay around the San Juans. So don’t trouble yourself with negative thoughts.”

“We are so lucky to live so close to the water,” June said.

He knew she was a local, but where exactly was she from? “Thanks for coming.” He took her hand and kissed her palm.

“Sorry I made you wait.”

“It’s all right. You’re worth the wait, hon.”

“You know, I just thought of something,” June said.

“What?”

“I’ve never been on a yacht. What if I get seasick? I’ll ruin this trip. I never even thought about it.”

“Don’t worry. If you get sick, I’ll just throw you overboard.”

“Mean!” Laughing, June punched his arm.

“Ouch! That hurts, woman.” Henry pulled her in for a hug. At that moment, he realized he wanted to give her everything, show her the cities that he’d visited around the world, take her to expensive hotels, exclusive beaches. He wanted to keep holding her. He cared for this woman. How in the world had that happened? He’d just met her last night. What was it about her that made him want to keep her?

“Did you bring your bathing suit?”

“Yes.”

Damn. He was hoping she’d say no so they could both swim naked.

“What about you? Did you bring your swim trunks?”

“No, I swim naked.”

June leaned out to look down on the water. “Why? Do you want the fish to go blind or shock their sensibilities?”

“No, I just want them to see what they’ve been missing.” Henry waggled his eyebrows, eliciting a sexy laugh from June.

She stood beside him. “I don’t think I’ll go swimming, though. The water, I’m sure, is cold.”

“It’ll be hot this week. You’ll love dipping in the water. Believe me. As much as I love the Pacific Northwest, I get tired of the cold and rain. This weather is perfect.”

“I love the rain, especially at night when I’m in bed cocooned under my quilt. The sound of rain hitting the windows always lulls me to sleep, not to mention it washes away the stink of the day to bring us a fresh, clean tomorrow.”

Henry couldn’t agree more.

It took three hours before the islands came into view. June gasped. He stood. When he looked at her, his heart constricted. With the lowering sun reflecting in her eyes, she was breathtaking. She seemed to be in awe.

The yellow-orange sun gave the horizon a beautiful skyline. There were touches of purple, red and pink in the sky. The mountains were darker green on some parts and gray on others. It looked like God himself had thrown buckets of paint and this was the result.

“Isn’t Mother Nature magnificent, Henry? She’s beautiful.”

He grinned at the wonder in her voice. He stared at her. “I know. So beautiful I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“You haven’t? But—” She caught him staring at her. “Henry…”

“June…” he mimicked then leaned closer to plant a quick kiss on her lips. “Why are you whispering, hon? We’re alone. You won’t bother anyone if you scream your thoughts.”

June laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m not that sophisticated. This must be the most magnificent sight in the world. I’ve kept a brochure about the San Juan Islands. I must have read it a hundred times. Now, I am actually here. In person. Incredible.”

Henry had been to different places around the world that could rival the allure of the San Juan Islands but didn’t mention it. Last thing he wanted to do was stomp on her enthusiasm. “We’ll see all of them. For now, we’ll anchor here. To watch the sunset.”

“Is it okay to stay here? We’re not going to get hit by another boat, right?”

He found her innocent questions refreshing. “We’re fine. When the sun is gone, you’ll see another wonderful scene. Night lights.”

“Oh, I’d love that.”

“Have you been outside Edmonds?”

“Been to Oregon. My parents are planning on going to Las Vegas in three months or so, but they are still saving for the trip. I might go.”

“Ah.” He wondered if the trip to Las Vegas was the reason she’d agreed to become his gift. He had yet to figure out who had paid her. He’d called his friends and all had sworn they had no idea who June was.

“Can I go with you when you and your parents go to Las Vegas?”

“Yeah. And stay in Motel 6 with us?”

“As long as we get our own room, I’m down.”

“Nah. You snore and hog the blanket.”

“Hmm…if I remember it correctly, I was your blanket. And, woman, I don’t snore.”

“You’re right. You sleep like a baby with a smile on your face and you drool slightly.”

Henry pinched her butt, making her squeal. “If I drool it’s because you look so delicious.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” June wrapped her arms around his neck. “How come I just now realized that you’re so tall?”

“Maybe because you wore heels yesterday. Why are you staring at me?”

“You’re so handsome.”

“You just realize it now?”

June laughed. “No. I knew it a long time ago.”

Long time ago.
Henry frowned. Before he could ask what she meant, June cupped his face, went on up on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss. He didn’t need any more coaxing. Right there, with the beautiful sunset that served as a spotlight pointed at them, he returned her kiss. The moment was so romantic he couldn’t even describe how he felt. But one thing was for sure. He was beyond happy to have June in his arms. She was so damned enchanting that when he stared at her, it was difficult to look away.

Hell, he barely knew her. What was happening didn’t make any sense at all. Yes, she was a sight to see with her long, curly, honey-wheat colored hair and thunderstorm eyes, but he’d been with different women, most belonged in his circle and were not paid companions.
So what gives?

“Honey, you make me forget myself.” Between each word, he planted kisses along her jaw and the column of her neck. He sucked her skin hard then licked the red mark that he’d left there. Damn, he wanted to do that all over her body—to mark her, to claim her.

Staring at June’s passion-coated eyes, he dipped his thumb inside her mouth. June sucked him. He liked that. Her cheeks turned bright red as she tasted the thumb that she sucked. Swiftly, he snaked his hands inside her top. He grinned when he discovered she was wearing a strapless bra. Unhooking it, the material loosened and he pulled it down. Quickly, he stuffed it into his pocket.

June tried to end the kiss, but she stopped when he cupped her breast. “Henry…” she whispered in his mouth.

“June…”

June moaned. He throbbed.
Fuck
.

Right then, all he wanted to do was bury his cock deep inside her, feast on her breasts and worship her body. And she would let him too. Damn. But he needed to slow down. He’d made plans. Something that he hoped June would remember when this tryst was over. Henry left her lips to nibble at her earlobe. “You make me forget where we are and think only of you.”