A DEEP THUMP sounded on the wooden door to Julia’s office with each knock. “Come in,” Julia said. She didn’t look up from her computer as she typed, frantically trying to finish one last report before her presentation.
“Hard at work, Julia?” An older man with a large frame entered the room.
Julia stood from her desk, walked around to the front, and held out her hand to greet her boss. “Yes, sir, Mr. Dayson. Just trying to finish a few things before the presentation.”
“That’s why I’m here,” he shook Julia’s hand and sat on the loveseat against the wall across the room. “I’ve been trying to reach you all morning. Did you forget to turn on your cell phone?”
“Of course not.” Julia reached into her pocket for her cell phone. It wasn’t there. She moved to her office chair and searched her purse but still couldn’t find it. “I’m sorry, Mr. Dayson, I must have left it in my car. It broke down this morning. Why did you need to speak with me?”
“The presentation has been rescheduled for next Friday,” Mr. Dayson said. He shifted in his seat and adjusted his coat. “And instead of doing it here at the office, it will be a luncheon presentation for fifty at the Lordis House Restaurant. So make any necessary changes to accommodate.”
Julia felt her pulse quicken. A luncheon presentation was a much more elaborate event than a business meeting. She knew she would need to do more planning and more prep work. “Of course,” She smiled, trying to hide her nerves. “I look forward to it.”
“Great.” He stood and moved to the door. “I can’t wait to see what you come up with.”
Julia closed the door behind him and raced to her office phone to call Kelly.
“Kelly, have you seen my cell phone?”
“Yes, I have it,” Kelly said. Her voice was light and happy. “You left it in the conference room, when we were, um, consulting.”
“Oh, thank God.” Julia ran her hand through her long red hair and sat on the edge of her office chair.
“I was going to bring it to you but someone told me Mr. Dayson was in your office.”
“Thank you for waiting, but he’s gone now. You can bring it to me. And the presentation has been moved to next Friday, so we have time to redo those copies.” Julia paused and looked at the stack of papers and files on her desk. At that moment, she realized she had reached her limit. She had nothing left. “You know what? I think I’m going to take the rest of the day off.”
“No problem,” Kelly said. “I’ll clear your schedule for you.”
Julia hung up the phone, leaned back in her oversized, black leather chair, and filled her lungs with as much air as possible. Letting let her breath out slowly, she felt less stressed.
Yes, that girl definitely needs a raise. And I need to go home...
JULIA LET out a sigh of relief as she walked through the front door of her two-story house. I just want a bath and a glass of wine. I need to apologize to Brian. I shouldn’t have been so harsh. Maybe we’ll order in. Scanning the mail, Julia kicked off her shoes, letting them fall to the floor with a thud. Hearing a Bruno Mars song coming from the other room, she paused. Using slow movements to prevent making noise, Julia placed her keys, purse, and the mail on the entryway table. Brian should be working. She heard voices coming from the other room. Who’s here? Is someone in the house?
“Hello?” She said softly. Julia stepped cautiously, following the sound of the music. It seemed to be coming from the living room. She moved to the entryway, her hands shaking, fearful of what she might find.
She froze in shock, unable to move her body, though she wanted—no, needed—to run out of the house as quickly as possible. Maybe then it wouldn’t be real. Julia swallowed hard as the perfectly shaped thighs of a woman flexed with each movement while she continued to ride on top of Brian. Her long, silky blonde hair moved across her back like a wave. Julia’s gaze landed on her husband’s hands as he cupped the slut’s two large breasts while they bounced up and down.
“Brian.” Julia softly spoke a single word. She wasn’t sure if he heard her. She watched as he bit his lip in the ecstasy of physical pleasure. Who the hell is she? How could he do this?
“Brian!” Julia yelled. Her heart bounded so hard, she could feel her pulse in her fingertips. She tried to catch her breath, but felt as if the all the air had left the room.
Brian and the woman both turned to see Julia standing in the entryway of the living room. He pushed the woman off his lap and sat in front of her, blocking her from Julia’s view.
“Jules,” Brian said. “You’re not supposed to be home.”
“Wow,” Julia said. She let out a sarcastic chuckle. “I’m sorry about that. Next time I’ll call first.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Brian said. “I’m sorry, I just—”
“I don’t care, Brian. Don’t even bother trying to rationalize or explain this. We’re done.” Julia walked into the room and moved to where Brian’s keys sat on the coffee table. Picking them up, she removed his house key. “I’ll be home at 8:00. Make sure that neither you, your clothes, or your whore are here. We’ll sort the rest out in court.”
“Jules—” Brian stood up and started putting his clothes on.
Picking up Brian’s wallet, she removed the ATM card for their joint account. She’d have to call the bank and have his name removed tomorrow. There was no way she was giving him a penny more than she had to. He could survive on the credit cards he paid for, the bastard. She tossed his wallet at him. “Don’t call me Jules.” She turned around and walked out the door without looking back.
Driving away in her rental car, she saw Brian in her rear view mirror standing on the front step yelling out for her. Once she turned onto the highway, Julia allowed the tears to fall. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry, but she had loved Brian. She knew there were issues with their marriage, but she hadn’t thought they were serious. Now, she felt like an idiot. Now what do I do?
CHAPTER 2
“To divorce,” Deb, one of Julia’s closest friends, held her wine glass over the center of the round table. Julia knew her friend meant well, but as the wounds of her divorce were still fresh, the toast didn’t inspire the reaction Deb must have hoped for.
“How about we drink to better days ahead,” Mia, Julia’s best friend, said and held up her mixed drink, clinking her glass with Deb’s. She had met Mia during their freshman year at Ohio State University. They had been inseparable ever since.
“Here’s to better days ahead for all of us.” Deb agreed.
Now that she could drink to. Julia lifted her glass along with Wendy and Grace to join in the toast. “To better days,” Julia said. The glasses clinked and tinged and then there was a silence at the table. They pity me. Julia watched her friends over the rim of her glass. They all gave her their best fake smiles. None of them had shared any of their recent drama with her, and that was not normal for this group. They think I’m fragile. That I’ll break.
“Okay,” she said. She set her glass down on the table, leaned forward, and placed her folded hands in front of her. “Enough is enough. You guys need to quit treating me as if I’m a china doll.”
“What are you talking about?” Grace reached under her hair and scratched at her neck. Her tell. She did that when she was nervous, anxious, or lying.
“Shut up, Grace,” Julia leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not stupid. Not one of you has shared any of your crap with me in months.” Julia pointed at each of her friends individually. “Not. One. Of. You. So either your lives have miraculously become perfect or you’re trying to protect me because you think I can’t handle it.”
Mia remained quiet, picked up her drink, and swirled the ice cubes around in the glass. “What’s wrong with that?” she said, taking a sip. “Besides, there’s really nothing going on these days. Is there ladies?”
Her friends nodded and agreed.
“Oh, nothing’s going on, huh? So
, you finally talked to Richard about not being ready to move in together. Right, Deb?”
Deb shrugged. “Not exactly, but there’s no hurry. I can have that conversation any time.”
“And Wendy, you talked to our boss? So you got your raise then? Or you handed in your resignation, right?”
Wendy shook her head, leaning toward the table. “I decided I was being too hasty. I’m going to think on that one for a while. Can’t afford to be unemployed in this economy.”
“Okay, Julia,” Mia interrupted. “We get the point. You’re calling us on our shit. None of us are doing as well as we let on. But we didn’t want to put all our crap on you with what you were dealing with.”
“Did you ever think that maybe being there for my friends and helping them with their problems would have made me feel better?” Julia grabbed her napkin off her lap and tossed it on top of her plate. “Did you?”
The girls looked back and forth at each for a few moments. Julia realized how silly she was being and covered her mouth as a giggle slipped out. Wendy looked away from the group as a smile overtook her. Deb covered her face with her hands, unable to hold in the amusement. Mia tossed her napkin at Julia as the table was overtaken with laughter.
The laughter died down, and Julia glanced around the table. I’m lucky to have such great friends.
“Hey,” Deb said. The excitement in her voice was obvious. “I have a great idea. Why don’t we do a girls’ only weekend? A getaway?”
“And go where? Vegas?” Wendy made a disapproving face as she reached for her wine glass.
“No, go on a real vacation – some place warm and tropical. Somewhere we can sit on the beach, drink sweet concoctions out of tall glasses with little umbrellas, and visually assault the tanned, hard bodies as they walk along the –”
“I’m in,” Mia interrupted. It didn’t take much to convince Mia. “I have vacation time that I would love to use. When do you want to go?”
“I could probably get a full week off next month,” Grace said. She picked up her phone and began tapping the screen. “Yep. I can take off either the first or the second week.”
Julia followed Grace’s lead and picked up her phone. Checking her calendar, she looked to see if she was available. Do I want to go? I don’t know if this is a good idea. Maybe I should lie and say I can’t make it that week. No, Wendy works with me so she will know and call me on it. Dammit. Fine. I’ll just go. “I’m available,” she said. She placed her phone on the table and picked up her drink. Dammit. “And while you ladies finish figuring this out, I’m going to the restroom.” Julia stood up from the table.
“I’ll come with you,” Mia said. “Give me a second.”
“I’ll meet you in there.” Julia moved quickly, making her way through the restaurant. Turning the corner, she ran into the broad and rock solid chest of a man coming from the other direction.
“Oh god,” she said. She felt strong hands grab her arms to steady her. “I’m so sorry,” she said. Julia looked up at him. He was at least six feet tall, and had milk chocolate brown eyes.
“Easy there. No worries,” he replied. His voice was deep and full. “Are you okay?”
“I think so,” Julia said.
“Can you stand on your own?”
“I think so.” Julia stared into his eyes. They were almost as mesmerizing as the leathery smell of his cologne. It had been a long time since she’d come close enough to smell the base notes in a man’s scent.
“If not, I can help you back to your seat. Or maybe we can get a table and talk until you feel better.”
Julia looked at the man for a moment, taken in by his dashing good looks. He’s so hot. Why does he have to be so hot? She let out a long deep breath. Nope. Brian was hot and look what that got me? A cheating husband and a naked blonde chick in my living room.
“Thank you for the offer,” Julia said, “but I’ll pass.”
“You sure?” he said, taking a small step closer. “We could have a lot of fun.”
Mia stepped up and stood beside Julia. “Everything okay?”
She probably had her claws at the ready to defend her friend. “Yep,” Julia replied. “Everything’s fine. We were just saying goodbye.”
The man smiled, showing off the large dimple on the left side of his cheek. Julia let out a small, quiet sigh over the missed opportunity. Julia offered a little wave and then locked arms with Mia, moving down the hall making their way to the bathroom.
“You’ve still got it, Julia. We’re going to have so much fun on this vacation.”
CHAPTER 3
“Did I mention that I hate airports?” Julia glared at Mia.
“Only a million times before and on the flight.”
Why did I ever let them talk me into this? “Are you sure this is the right place?”
“Yes.” Mia said. She chuckled. “Look.” She pointed to the sign over the luggage carousel. “See. Flight 555 from Miami to Saint Lucia. That’s us.”
“Saint Lucia.” Julia pulled her long red hair off her neck and fanned herself with her hand. “Whose idea was it to come to Saint Lucia?”
“Mine,” Wendy said. She walked up from behind and bumped Julia with her hip. “It’s gorgeous. You’re going to love it. And they actually had a girlfriends’ getaway package. But, with five of us, and only two to a room, one of us has to room alone.”
“I will,” Julia said without hesitation. “I’ll take the single room. I don’t mind. Really.” I’m going to need the alone time. This is already a bit much for me.
“Okay,” Mia said. “On one condition. You can’t stay in the room all the time–”
“And you have to do all the activities that Deb and I have planned,” Wendy interrupted. She smiled sweetly. “Unless, of course, you meet a really cute guy.”
“Fine.” Julia agreed to their terms. It was easier than trying to barter with them, and it meant she got her own room.
“Oh, there are my bags,” Wendy moved quickly to the conveyor belt to pull her blue suitcase and black duffle bag onto the floor at her feet.
Deb stepped up, grabbed Mia’s luggage, passing it off to her and then grabbed her own. Grace pulled her bags off and looked back at Julia. “Where’s yours?” she said.
“I don’t know,” Julia said. “They haven’t come out yet.”
“Aren’t those yours?” Mia pointed to a green suitcase as Julia watched it and her red duffle bag move past them on the belt. She moved quickly, reaching out for it. As she moved to grab the bag, her shoe fell off and she nearly tripped. Grabbing her red, open-sided flat, she pulled off the other shoe and turned to run after her bags. Standing a few feet away was an attractive young man, holding her bags, one in each hand.
“I see you lost your shoe,” he said. “Running after your luggage?”
Julia nodded. “I guess you could say I’m the Cinderella of the airport.”
“That must make me your Prince Charming?”
Julia stood speechless for a moment. “Something like that, I guess,” she said. She stuttered a bit, chuckled, and reached for her bags. “But actually, you found my bags, not my shoe.” She caught his gaze and smiled. “Thank you for catching them.”
“Go ahead and put your shoes back on, Cindy,” he said. “I’ll hold your luggage while you do.”
Julia reached down and put her shoes on, never taking her eyes off him. She noticed his gaze dart down to the plunge of her neckline and watched his chest rise as he breathed in deep. Clearing his throat, he glanced away and back to her eyes. Julia stood up quickly. She glimpsed at her cleavage and wasn’t sure whether to be embarrassed or proud. “I’m Seth, by the way. Seth Knight.”
“Julia Turner.” Julia closed her eyes and winced. Why did I just tell him my name? I told my name to some strange guy in a foreign country. This is how every episode of CSI starts.
“Nice to meet you, Julia,” Seth said. “Are you here with your husband?”
“No. I’m divorced.” Oh my god!
What the fuck is wrong with me? Why did I tell him that? Now I’ve told a stranger no one is home waiting for me. “I’m here with my friends.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“Don’t be. He was a cheating bastard.”
Seth reached out to return her luggage. Julia took them, brushing his large hands as she grasped the handle on the suitcase. She couldn’t help noticing his toned, muscular arms. Arms that likely led to a toned chest, abs. Maybe I should stop right there. She sighed and placed the bags on the floor at her feet. “It’s nice to meet you too, Seth. It’s nothing personal, but I’m a little jaded right now. And it’s not that you’re not gorgeous, because, well, you are.”
“Thank you.” Seth shifted his weight and tucked his hands in his pockets. Julia’s eyes drifted to his crotch.
Come on! Fuck! He’s doing that on purpose. “And, from the way you were checking out my tits a moment ago, I know what you were thinking. But the last thing I want or need right now is the company of men.”
“Of course,” Seth took a step back and bowed at his waist slightly, resembling a knight from King Arthur’s court. “My apologies.”
“No need to apologize.” Julia tossed the strap of her bag over her left shoulder and positioned it as comfortable as possible. “I’m very flattered.”
“But if I may be so bold,” Seth retrieved his lost step, taking another to close the distance between them even further. “Any man that let you get away, let alone not give you every moment of his attention is an idiot.”
“I, well, he, we just...” Julia’s words stammered as she tried to comprehend Seth’s statement.
“And I am truly sorry that we met at the wrong time,” Seth leaned in closer, his words soft. Julia smelled the crisp oak scent of his cologne. “I would have been my pleasure to give you the attention you deserve. I think we could have been great together.”
Tropical Tryst: 25 All New and Exclusive Sexy Reads Page 187