Wow. He was sticking. That was a good sign. It was ridiculous how happy she felt about not being alone again tonight.
“Nice place you have here, Henry,” he said.
Oh, now he was just being kind. Her place was tiny and old. The Harpers had built the cottages for the townspeople way back in the 1800s. The houses were lined up next to each other, so close that she knew what her cousins were watching on TV next door. Most of them were two-bedrooms with a small living room, minuscule kitchen and a covered porch. They were designed to house workers and their families. Nothing fancy, nothing beautiful. She’d spruced hers up with paint in muted sunset shades. The walls were covered with happy pictures of Henry and birds.
“So, have you flown your plane to lots of places, like, um, Mexico? Or Los Angeles?” Henry asked.
Those were the two places her son had been studying in school. Julia smiled and finished rolling up her stockings.
“The plane I flew today isn’t mine. But I used to fly fighter jets in the Air Force,” he said.
“Really? That’s so cool. Ever been to ’Ganistan?” Henry asked.
“Afghanistan?”
“Yeah, that’s it. My daddy died there.”
Julia gasped and then covered her mouth. Who told Henry that? She hadn’t given him many details about his dad’s death because...well, she couldn’t. To this day, she found it brutally difficult to talk to him about the way his father passed. She quickly pulled up the stockings.
“I’m sorry.” The man sounded sincere. “I was there. I can tell you that every single man and woman fighting in Afghanistan is a hero in my book.”
“Mama says he was a great man. The only guy she loved.”
She pressed her hand to her heart. She was happy Henry listened to her, occasionally, but this conversation had to be a tad awkward for her date.
“Give him the costume, Henry!” she called out.
“Okay. Here. Let’s try this hat thingy on first. Cool! Now the eye patch.”
“How do I look?”
“Perfect! Like a real pirate.” Henry sounded proud.
“Jack Sparrow? Dread Pirate Roberts?”
“Those are fake. We need a real pirate name. What’d they call you in the Air Force?”
Julia’s ears perked up. What was his real name?
“Captain.”
“That’s it! Aye, aye, Captain.” Henry giggled.
Not helpful.
She stepped into the flowing red skirt with the impossibly long slit up the side—hence the reason for stockings. The shirt was white and off the shoulder. She bent over, adjusted her breasts and looked in the mirror. She looked like a harlot. No, that wasn’t it, she looked like Julia Espinoza pretending to be a harlot. Too much like herself to be truly incognito. Shaking her head, she applied the dark red lipstick. Nope. Still Julia. Well, there was nothing else to do but to add Tía Nona’s long, blond wig.
Did blondes have more fun? She’d find out. She was desperate for a little fun for one night.
She came out to find a yummy pirate on her front porch, bending over the lizard cage. She had a great shot of his backside, which looked pretty darned good in those black slacks. He wore a cream-colored shirt and had Henry’s bright yellow pirate bandana on his head. Holy mama.
“What do you think?” She held her breath.
He rose. His eyes—or rather eye, since one was under the patch—was blue and held her gaze with intensity. Slowly, he took her all in, starting at the lacy off-the-shoulder, bosom-lifting blouse, down her red skirt to the fishnets and red stilettos. Then all the way back up again.
The look he gave was pure heat. Goose bumps ran up her arms, shoulders, and danced in her scalp.
“I like your real hair better.”
Not a blond man, huh?
“Okay. But would you recognize me in this?” she pressed.
He wasn’t looking at her wig. He was gazing at her lips and she had the feeling he wanted to kiss her.
“Always.”
She swallowed. She’d just met the guy and yet something inside her that had been dead for years woke up, uncoiled and pleaded for his lips.
Geesh, the harlot costume was getting to her.
He turned back to the lizard’s cage and spoke to Henry. “Old Man Harper only sees what he wants to see. We’ll trick him.”
She stepped closer. “So...we’re calling you Captain.”
“Apparently.”
“What does that make me? Wench? Swabbie?”
He touched her arm. All her senses focused on that warm hand on her skin. “You are my first mate.”
Oh, my.
“Ready?”
No.
A hundred times yes.
Maybe.
Oh, God. Am I doing this?
She bit her lip and nodded.
She kissed Henry on the cheek and he quickly wiped the kiss away. “Mama! Not in front of people.”
Just then Tía Nona hobbled her way onto the porch. “What’s going on here? Another party? Oh, Julia, my skirt fits you well, but careful on the blouse. Your treasures might pop out.”
“Tía Nona! We have company.” Julia raised her voice for the old woman.
“I am not blind, mija.” She stepped closer to get a better look at the man but stumbled on her last step as if her leg gave out. Captain rushed forward and caught Tía Nona before she fell.
“I’ve got you,” he said.
“Are you okay?” Julia asked. Even in the dim porch light, her aunt was pale, shaky.
Tía Nona studied his handsome face. “You...you are...?”
He still held her. “They’re calling me Captain tonight, ma’am.”
Tía Nona blinked slowly and reached up to touch his bearded cheek with her arthritic fingers. Julia was mortified. What had gotten into her old aunt? The man didn’t move, didn’t flinch. Julia was mesmerized by the display. She had no idea what was happening. But his face was full of compassion as he held very still.
“I’m an old woman with many faults. She’s my hija, Captain. She’s all I’ve got,” Tía Nona said. “Understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Madre, mia, I hope you do. One day, perhaps. For now, be careful.” She released him. To Julia she said, “Never forget, nene.” And then she hobbled into the house without another word.
Never forget, little one? What was her old aunt babbling about?
“That was weird,” Henry said.
“She seems tired.” Strange and old. Maybe the onset of dementia? What would Julia do without her aunt? Tía Nona had always taken care of Julia even through the loss of Matt. Tía Nona had helped put all the shattered pieces back together again. Tía Nona was the mother Julia never had.
“Be good for Tía Nona, Henry. Go to bed on time. If you need anything, call Tina next door. She’s staying home with the new baby.” She kissed her son one more time before he could wiggle away.
“Aye, aye, Captain.” Henry saluted them both.
“Goofball.”
Her date escorted her down the stairs and around the front of the house. A silver motorcycle sat in her driveway.
“Wait. That’s a Harley.”
“Surprise.”
The emotions hit hard. She had a death grip on his arm and her teeth were clenched tightly. The last time she’d been on a motorcycle, she’d had her arms wrapped around Matt. She’d pressed into him as if he were her body armor. He’d protected her while driving them both toward freedom. When she was on the back of his bike, nothing could catch them or hurt them. Bad stuff was left in the dust. It was like flying. She’d trusted him with her life. With her love.
She’d never trust like that again.
Letting go of Captain’s arm she stepped backward. “I can’t go on that.”
“Why? I thought
you liked motorcycles.”
Who told him? Linda and Maria must have given him an earful behind her back. She was lucky he’d showed up at all.
She did like motorcycles, had loved them once, but this was no ordinary bike. Oh, God. It looked just like Matt’s. Pain ripped through her chest.
She turned away from the two-wheeled dagger in her heart. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I thought I could, but obviously I’m not ready.”
* * *
“Tell me what the problem is and I’ll fix it.”
What in the hell was going on with Julia?
First, she acted like she didn’t remember him and now she was having a meltdown next to his bike? It was almost as if she had PTSD. But why?
He decided to play her game for a while, until he figured things out.
“It’s personal.” She sighed. “Which tells you absolutely nothing, right? Wow, what a great first mate you’ve chosen, Captain. Feels like this ship is sinking already. I’d understand if you want to take someone else to RW’s party. You’ll have more fun without me.”
“I want to have fun with you.” Like old times, only better.
“But I don’t know how to...to do...this...” She motioned between them.
He liked where her mind was going. Hated the terror on her face.
“Listen, Julia. We’ll dance, drink champagne, eat, laugh. It’s just a party. Come with me.”
She shook her head. “It’s not fair to you.” Her brow creased. “If you knew what was good for you, you’d hop on that Harley and go. You don’t want a broken girl tonight.”
He rubbed his thumb over her chin. “Broken?”
Her eyes welled.
That got him. Julia had always been fierce and brave. Had that husband of hers hurt her? If so, the dude was lucky he hadn’t made it out of Afghanistan or he and Matt would be going a few rounds right now.
Hell, he was still recovering from the fact that Julia had a child with that jackass. It ripped him up. He’d never wanted kids. Why ruin a child’s life like his parents did his? It never crossed his mind that Julia would marry someone else to have a child. Is that why she did? To have the baby Matt wouldn’t give her?
“I can’t ride that bike with you,” she said.
Dammit, what happened? Julia had always loved riding on the back of his bike. His plan had been to get her to wrap her sweet arms around him and press her full breasts into his back. Then they’d cruise and he’d kiss her senseless and remind her how much she’d missed him. Afterward they’d go to the party and dance the rest of the night. With any luck, he’d wake up with her in his arms.
That was how it was supposed to go. But somehow his plan had gone south.
“Julia. Talk to me.”
“The Harley reminds me of—” she blew out a long breath “—things I’m trying to forget.”
That was a gut-punch he didn’t see coming. At the café, she’d called him her mistake and now their adventures on the bike were things she tried to forget? Clearly, she was trying to kill their past.
“Fine,” Matt growled. “You don’t want to go with me. I get it.”
Putting his helmet on over the pirate bandana, he swung his leg across the bike. He needed to put some distance between him and the woman who was driving him crazy. Hell, maybe he’d skip the party and leave Plunder Cove tonight. He’d done his father’s bidding. He’d get the plane he needed without hearing whatever announcement his father had planned to make.
He could go back to forgetting Julia. Somehow.
“Wait!” She put her hand on his back. He felt that touch all the way to his groin. “Can you be patient with me? I haven’t been on a date in a long time. I’m saying all the wrong things, but I want to be with you tonight.”
“You do?”
Her gaze was on his lips. “I really, really do.”
Her husky voice was his undoing. He froze. He wanted to kiss her, but she seemed fragile. He didn’t want to push her—yet.
He handed her a helmet. She climbed on the bike, wrapped her arms around him and held on.
They’d make new memories on this machine tonight. Ones he could take with him when he left Plunder Cove once and for all.
Four
Matt loved driving his old, faithful Harley with Julia on the back. It felt familiar, comfortable and so damned good. Instead of winging through the curves like he used to do, he drove slowly along the coast. Sure, he was stretching out the ride, but Julia didn’t seem to mind. She put her head on his back and seemed to relax.
The night was warm with the ocean fog hanging in the distance. The sliver of moon winked at him as if it knew how hard Matt’s heart was beating. The breeze against his face smelled like the sea and Julia.
The long lane to Casa Larga came up too quickly. He drove under the lacy pepper trees and purple jacarandas. Luminaries lit up the driveway, making the normally private mansion seem strangely inviting. He idled in the driveway in front of a line of parked cars. Julia’s cousins were right—everyone was here. For an extra beat, he sat there memorizing the feel of Julia against him.
His Julia. One last time.
He cut the engine, swung his leg over and offered his hand to her. “Ready?”
She took his hand quickly and held on tight. “Yes?”
“I heard the question mark, sweetheart. It’s going to be okay. Trust me.”
She bit her lip. “I...do?”
He laughed. “Getting closer. Think the word...” Circling around, he came up behind her and whispered in her ear, “Fun.”
He couldn’t help but notice the shiver and slight roll of her shoulders. She was still ticklish. Good to know.
“Fun,” she said softly.
“What we have here is a two-part mission. Part one—” he lifted his finger “—get inside the mansion to seek intel to stop plover destruction. Part two—” another finger lifted “—have the time of our lives. We’re not leaving without having fun. Got it?”
She nodded.
“Good enough.” He led her toward the front door.
She stopped. “Oh, no. There’s a guard at the front. See him?”
“Yes, I see him. Let’s go around the side,” he said. He’d recognize his dad’s bodyguard anywhere. The man had been one of the two goons who’d escorted Matt off the property ten years earlier. It still pissed him off. The itch to bloody the man’s nose was real, but what good would that do?
She cocked her eyebrow. “You found a secret entrance since this afternoon? You’ve been busy.”
What was he supposed to say to that? If she thought hard enough, she’d remember how to get in through the side garden. This wasn’t the first time he’d snuck Julia Espinoza inside Casa Larga. He took her hand and they walked past the rose garden. Up ahead was the gazebo under the coastal oaks. He’d kissed her against the railing in the gazebo the last time they were here.
“We don’t have to go in just yet.”
“Okay,” she croaked. Her voice gave her away. That and the way she didn’t know where to put her hands. They went to her throat, by her sides, clasped.
“Don’t be nervous.”
“You’re not?”
“A little.” Hell, okay, a lot. About the party. About her. “But we’ve got this.”
“This is all foreign to me. Last week I was taking my finals in Environmental Science and Law and I was restricted from entering Casa Larga. Now I’m here with a...a...date.”
Could it be any harder for her to say the word? He didn’t want to dwell on it so he changed the subject. “Do you like your classes?”
Her eyes lit up. “I love them. I want to be a lawyer. I really do. Those poor birds can’t defend themselves against corporate monsters.”
“Like RW.”
Her eyes widened. “Um, and others who suck all the go
odness out of the environment for their own personal gain. Meanwhile, species are going extinct and our air and water is becoming polluted. I want better for my son, for everyone.”
Passion for her cause lit up her expression. God, she was magnificent. He ran the backside of his knuckle over her cheek. “I agree.”
She closed her eyes, leaning into his hand. “That’s why I study so hard. Two more semesters and I can take the bar exam. Next to being Henry’s mom, it’s the one thing that gives me purpose. Something I can be good at.”
It pleased him that she had found a noble cause. She’d always been a caring person and a spitfire. It made perfect sense that this is who she would become—a strong woman who knew her mind and fought for the innocent creatures of the world.
“I like that. Julia Espinoza, Planet Saver.”
She cocked her head. “Now you’re making fun of me.”
“No, way. Your eyes light up when you talk about environmental law. Strong women are sexy. It’s great to be doing what you were born to do.”
“Yes.” Her voice was very soft.
“Setting difficult goals and flat-out going for them? In the Air Force, we call that ‘balls to the wall.’”
She laughed. “I don’t have balls.”
“Are you kidding me? A single mom raising a son while putting herself through college? Your cajones are humongous, lady. I’m jealous.”
She blushed.
Thinking about his package, was she? He dragged his thumb across her bottom lip. Silky, warm, his. No woman he’d known had a mouth like Julia’s. He bent to put his lips where they belonged.
Used to belong.
A woman screamed in the distance.
“What was that?” Julia asked.
Another woman yelled, followed by a slew of Spanish words. Julia ran toward the sounds and Matt was quickly in pursuit. They raced across the aggregate pathway and stopped in front of a large dolphin fountain where two elderly ladies had climbed in. They splashed each other like kids at a public pool.
“Tía Alana! Tía Flora! What are you doing?” Julia asked. “Get out of there before anyone sees you.” Julia looked at Matt. “They’ve fallen off their rockers.”
“Watch it or you and guapo will be next,” Alana threatened, lifting her arm to splash them.
Forbidden Lovers Page 3