A Wild Ride (Jessica Brodie Diaries #3)

by K. F. Breene

  I loved vacations!

  I walked through the swanky hotel, easily fitting in amongst those wanting an upscale night, but not getting stared at by the tourists or locals wanting to tone it down. It was San Francisco, after all, anything goes. I spotted William, leaning against the bar elegantly, oozing self-assurance and charisma. His beer was half-way to his mouth when he noticed me. Eyes slightly widened, he did a full look, starting at my eyes, and helplessly dipping down my body, taking it all in. When his eyes once again settled on mine, they were soft and warm, the lust I was expecting on the back-burner.

  He tipped the bar and stood up to greet me. I could feel the draw of his eyes from across the room. As I got closer he had a small smile, and swept me away into the liquid pools that had claimed my soul so long ago.

  “Hi,” I said breathily.

  His smile got bigger. He leaned close to me, his scent wafting into my nose sending shivers through my body and into my toes.

  “You look like a goddess,” he said softly into my ear.

  He licked my ear lobe, then nibbled it. I ran my hand up his chest as he moved down to lightly tickle my neck with his lips, tongue and breath. Arms of electricity were firing from my nerve endings as liquid magma pooled in my groin.

  He backed off just enough for his face to be inches from mine. “Down girl,” he said with a smile in his voice.

  He stepped away with sparkling eyes, leading me toward the front of the hotel. I couldn’t help but notice people watching us as we walked through the lobby. William with is confident gait, his hand entwined in mine. I felt like I won the boyfriend lottery!

  Out front a black town car was waiting for us. I did actually splurge on this because I didn’t want to climb in a cab all dressed up. William probably would have gone for a limo, but with just the two of us, I figured that was a bit much.

  We got to the pier where we would catch the bay cruiser. I spotted our nightly transportation immediately. It was hard not to. It was a giant, three-decker block of fading white paint and dried, cracked and yellowing bird poop. Obviously it was a ferry in the daytime, probably going back and forth to Alcatraz, but while the outside looked a wreck, I had heard, and read reviews, that the inside would be done up with decent fair. Plus, we’d be going under the Golden Gate bridge, so the scenery would be phenomenal.

  As we walked up the creaking dock, William stopped. “I want to get a picture.”

  I immediately looked around for someone to pass the camera off to.

  “No, with you and the cruise ship.” His lips were curved into a handsome smile.

  Sensing a joke, but not the punchline, I struck a post next to the cleanest spot I could find. It wasn’t saying much. The picture probably had my face next to a speckle of poop.

  “Okay,” he said, stepping away.

  “You want one?” I asked as I reached for the camera.

  “Oh, no. That’s good enough. Okay, now step over here to the other side.”

  I stepped confusedly to the other side of the dock, dodging nicely dressed couples as I did so. Here I stood in front of a beautiful, and much smaller, sleeker, and sexier yacht.

  “Why do you want a picture of the yacht? Next purchase?” I asked teasingly, turning around to look at it when he stowed the camera.

  “Because I want to show everyone the difference between your planning and mine.”

  “Huh?”

  “Jessica, we aren’t getting on that bird cage. C’mon.” He held out his hand.

  “But…we have tickets...”

  Utterly confused, I let him lead me away from the line waiting to get on the bay cruiser. Up ahead on the other side of the dock was the ramp to board the yacht. He led me straight to it.

  “What are we—“

  “Mr. Davies, Miss Brodie, welcome.” The man was medium height and wearing a nondescript white jacket. He held out his hand to me, probably intending to guide me into the floating Rolls Royce.

  “William! What...?”

  “I looked over the plans for the evening and decided your decision had to be overturned,” he said with a smiling playing around those kissable lips. “I am not planning on apologizing so I hope you aren’t planning to raise a fuss.”

  “This is way too much, William!”

  It was a nautical Gladis’s house. The dining room where we would be eating was an actual dining room. The table was big enough to fit eight comfortably, but only set for two, with lit candles, china and crystal. The ceiling was wood paneling, the windows all presently closed and covered with what looked like velvet curtains. To the side of the table was a cushy love seat that matched the curtains.

  It was unreal!

  I sat down and noticed William looking at me funny. If I had to put a name to it, it would have been intense love mixed with nervousness mixed with something else I couldn’t put my finger on. He probably thought I was going to fly off the handle.

  Instead, I smiled in elation. “It’s beautiful.”

  He smiled back. “I thought you would like it. How often do you get to do a bay cruise, after all?”

  The waiter came in wearing a tux! He set out champagne immediately followed by salads. I assumed William already worked out the menu in advance, so I wasn’t going to question what I put in my mouth. William was always careful of things I hated.

  Probably because I made such a scene when I had to go hungry.

  “So” he said through his nervousness. Apparently he’d forgotten that I acclimated to the finer things in life pretty quickly. “We are still going to do the same cruise. When we are on the water they’ll open up the curtains so we can see out. I thought they should all be drawn now since we’re docked.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Just then the boat started moving. William gave a tiny jump, small traces of fear flashing through his eyes.

  “Do I make you nervous?” I laughed.

  “What?” He looked at me with surprise. “Of course not. No, I’m just in a new city, so it takes me a second to get my bearings.”

  Sounded reasonable. I probably would have asked more questions if I wasn’t stuffing salad and bread into my face. I was starving!

  “What other plans did you change?” I asked in between mouthfuls.

  He smiled sheepishly. “I left L.A. completely to you.”

  “So, what else did you change in San Francisco?” I demanded.

  He laughed and leaned back in his chair. No sooner did he put down his fork then his dish was cleared away by Tux Man.

  “I didn’t change much. I just wasn’t in the mood to spend my time on that cruiser. I saw the picture you emailed me and decided you were half cracked.”

  Soup arrived. It was some type of carrot. Though I didn’t love carrot soup, it was absolutely delicious.

  “They do up the inside, though,” I said, tearing my mind away from wondering what the next course would be. “It wouldn’t have been as bad as you’re thinking.”

  He looked at me askew. I let it drop.

  We chatted about random things through the five course meal, each entree coming out better than the first. It was excellent. All of it! Better than most of the restaurants I had been to in Houston. Better than Gladis’s cooks. All were original in some way, and the tastes were nothing I had tasted before.

  It was shaping up to be a fantastic evening.

  For the dessert course the windows were opened and lights dimmed. We had had red wine with dinner, but now the champagne was brought out again. We toasted to the good life, and I wondered how soon we could get closer.

  “Speaking of,” I said, forgetting I hadn’t actually spoken that last thought out loud, “can we dance on this boat?”

  “Yacht, Jess. And yes. After we get a peek of the Golden Gate bridge we can dance.”

  There was that strange expression again. He’d definitely relaxed through dinner, but now the fear encrusted nervousness was back. I suddenly had a terrible fear that he was afraid of the open water. I’d never actua
lly asked him. He swam well, but some people got nervous when they went out on boats. Maybe that was why he opted for the small yacht rather than an old, limping water beast.

  “Sir. We are under the bridge,” the waiter said with a bow.

  William shot me a look of trepidation and covered it with a smile.

  Uneasy that this would turn into a man trying to act strong though he was scared silly, I let him lead me through the yacht onto a back deck. We were greeted with another bottle of champagne and a freezing, gale force wind.

  “Nippy,” I said easily, snuggling closer.

  Through watering eyes I could make out the glimmering lights of the Golden Gate Bridge, looming over us with a certain quiet majesty.

  “Oh William, it’s beautiful!”

  “Jessica.” His voice sounded strange, but still full of love. If he had said, “Rose” I would think he was ready to sink with the Titanic.

  I turned to him...and met air. I looked down.

  “William, what...?”

  He was on one knee.

  Chapter Twelve

  My breath caught in my throat. My heart started racing.

  “Jessica Brodie, I love you more than my own life.” He opened a box with a glittering ring remarkably similar to the one I picked out that day with Candace and Lump. “Will you marry me?”

  “Oh my God, William! Oh my God. William, of course I will!” I knelt with him, wanting to touch him. Wanting to get inside his clothes and feel skin.

  “No Jess,” he chuckled as he stood up, bringing me with him, “you aren’t supposed to kneel, you ninny.”

  “Oh my God,” I said in wonder as the diamond neared my finger. “I thought you were afraid of open water.”

  “What are you talking about?” His eyes were focused on mine, his hands holding my hands.

  This man wanted to marry me. This remarkable man, who had it all, wanted to share his life with me forever. It was a dream. It was more than I could ever hope for in a partner. I was so lucky that tears began to fall.

  “I thought you were nervous because you were afraid of water,” I heard myself say in a whisper, watching his fingers gently slide forever up my finger.

  He laughed and hugged me, squeezing me for all he was worth, more tears falling out of my eyes. The man knew all my faults, all my quirks, all my twisted ideals and stubborn issues, and he still wanted me. He wanted to share his soul with me. I really couldn’t believe it.

  “No, my love. I was nervous you would say no.”

  “Idiot.” I laughed through my tears. As if I would be the one to say no. I still wasn’t sure if he was half-cracked to even ask me. Poor guy.

  He held up his glass to salute. “To forever, my darling girl.”

  I laughed like a fool, cried a little more, and kissed him. He pulled me to him in a tight embrace and kissed me back so passionately it curled my toes. When he let me go I was breathless and dizzy.

  “Shall we go inside? It is a bit chilly,” he said with his lips against mine.

  My teeth were chattering at this point so I nodded and wiped my eyes.

  We went into a different room that was set up for dancing and relaxing. There were white couches along the sides with a few low tables to place drinks. There was room for a band that currently held a string quartet. I figured it would be slow dancing for us tonight, which was perfect.

  It was all perfect. Everything!

  When we sat down with our drinks William put his arm around me. He continued our conversation with, “I thought you might be ready when I heard that you called me your finance in the hospital. I never did thank you for all you did that night. And while I was in the coma.”

  He face took on a somber look.

  “I never thanked you for saving me from Dusty,” I retaliated, knowing he’d quickly change the subject.

  He smiled haphazardly. “Then at your surprise party it looked like you were expecting a ring. Lump thought so, too. I’m sorry about that. I tricked you on purpose with the size of the box. I just...wanted to be sure. There is a lot on the line when you ask for forever.”

  “I can’t believe you love me enough to want me forever,” I said, tears springing again. I nearly told him to scrub his eyes first before he actually went through with it, but I thought better of it. I didn’t want to ruin my chances.

  “I’ve loved you this much from the beginning, Jessica. I would have given you that ring a long time ago if I thought you were ready. I bought it a day after you picked it out.”

  “What? You did?”

  He smiled, his eyes reaching into me again. “I have been ready for you all my life. I was just too stupid to see it in the beginning.”

  “And you are saying I was too stupid for most of our time together?” I asked in mock anger.

  “Well, if the shoe fits.” He laughed and hugged me closer.

  “Ass,” I said, wiping the tears away again.

  We spent the rest of the ride back to the dock dancing slowly together, bodies pressed firmly against each other, and kissing. They made us sit down when they were tying the ropes, which made me sad that the evening was ending. I desperately wanted to get William alone, but I didn’t want this perfection to be at an end.

  “How long did it take to plan this out?” I asked as we waited.

  “Ah...well...”

  “Give it up, Davies.”

  “Honestly... I was the idea man. The assistants put the plan into motion.”

  “Uh huh.”

  We headed to the waiting town car. Once inside I cuddled up next to my man. After the door was closed he pulled me closer.

  “I do love you, you know,” he said softly in my ear.

  “Oh really? Is that what this big rock means?”

  “Is it too big?”

  I looked at the ring again. I had been glancing at it constantly. At first I was so excited by the design and the fact that he was proposing that I didn’t notice the extent of the sparkle. Now, however...

  “Yiks.” It was probably two ct. and the cut and color were remarkable. I had a feeling the clarity was also above par.

  “Yeah, I intended to get one smaller, but the ever-nagging voice of my mother was in my ear.”

  “Go big or go home, right?”

  He laughed. “The Texas way.”

  “But...what do you mean the voice of your mother?”

  “Oh. She says a diamond on a woman’s finger is a status symbol. People will be looking at it and comparing it with your monetary value. Being that you’re in my family now—“ His eyes got so mushy that if I squeezed them I’d get a glass full of love, ”—I was told, under no uncertain terms, that I would do our family proud and give you something to show off.”

  “Huh. She doesn’t know me all that well.”

  “It’s not about knowing you, it’s about impressing her friends. And while I’ve never really bought into that where you are concerned, I figured you didn’t want her making snide comments for the rest of her life.”

  “You’re right. I don’t. Also, it is beautiful, so I ain’t complainin’.”

  He laughed, “Ain’t, huh?”

  The car stopped outside a large building with lights and people.

  “Wait,” I said as the door opened and William got out. He put his hand back in to escort me out as well.

  We were in front of a hip San Francisco club with a line down the block. I climbed out into the crisp night air. Only San Francisco could be crisp in the summer. Well, and Alaska.

  “You didn’t think I would keep your beauty to myself tonight, did you? I want every man to envy me my bride to be.”

  “It’s good to be King.”

  “Hey, that’s my line!” he said with a smile that couldn’t light up his face enough to match the twinkling of his eyes.

  Was this real? Is this what all women felt when they got engaged?

  William led me to the door and stepped arrogantly in front of the line. No one complained.

  “Two for Dav
ies,” he said curtly.

  He never acted this way at Froggy’s. But then, Froggy’s had nothing on this place. Ruby something it was called. Apparently a happening spot for the young and beautiful, judging by the overly made up beauties waiting patiently outside. It was a terrible place to get a guy for keeps, but a great place to flirt and maybe get a guy for the night, depending on the level of drunk. I was going to have one guy for the rest of my life.

  But I already decided I wanted that.

  But one guy. One penis. One set of tools. One set of comfort levels.

  But a really hot one. A really good set of tools. A willingness to explore his level of comfort.

  Yeah, I made the right choice! I was so excited.

  Focus!

  The door man looked at his list and gestured us through. Through the doorway and we were accosted by a really large, really effeminate black man in his late twenties. My God but he was big. Six-foot-four at least. Big like a truck; muscles all over the place. Looked like a Running Back. Gay as a spring day.

  “Heeeelllllooooooo!” he called, mostly to William, who he looked up and down without reservation.

  William blushed furiously and mumbled, “Hi.” His arrogance was long gone.

  I started to chuckle.

  He stamped William’s hand with a lingering look. He turned to me next.

  “Giiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrl, look at you!”

  I smiled proudly and gave him a little swish to show off my dress. You were never as appreciated as with a gay man. They really made you feel hot and sexy without being slutty. I loved the whole breed! But then, who wouldn’t love someone telling you that you looked fabulous, and wholeheartedly meaning it without trying to stab you in the back directly after?

  Beware looking like shit, though. Same rules.

  “That dress is...” He shook his head and waved at me. “I need your tailor, girlfriend. I need your damn tailor! Send him my way!”

  “What? You think I need competition?” I held up my nose.