The Best of June

by Tierney O’Malley

  Henry leaned in until his lips touched Stacey’s ear. “Anytime is a good time. I want you—bad.”

  “You have no idea how much I love hearing you say that. But I’m having my period.”

  “Better then. It’s safer.”

  “Gross!”

  “How could you say that? We’ve never even tried it.”

  She’d been an uninhibited lover and loved good sex. But since her first boyfriend had forced her to suck his dick and released his onion-tasting cum in her mouth, she’d never tried it again. “I’m not discussing this right now. Anyway, I’ll be back in a week—enough time for you to think about my proposal.”

  Henry raked his hair with his fingers. “Stays, we’ve been through this.”

  “I know.” Damn it. Stacey couldn’t help it. She looked heavenward then let out a sigh. “Not going to work because you’ll be too busy building your business. I told you I don’t mind as long as you live with me. You know, if we’re together, we’ll actually be able to squeeze in some time to spend in bed.”

  Here we go again. Henry knew Stacey well enough to know that moving in together was her first step in reaching her goal of them getting married. He cared for her, but he couldn’t see himself as a husband right now. “Come on, Stays.”

  “You’re a captain now. Finally, you made a name for yourself. Isn’t it time to just lay back and take it easy?”

  “No. I finally got the ball rolling, Stays. No stopping for me now. I have to use my connections, learn more about the trade. My title will help me move papers from one desk to the next faster.”

  “That’s all you’ve been doing. How long do I have to wait?”

  What kind of a marriage would they have if they had to squeeze time to be together? Henry tucked Stacey’s hair behind her ear. “I’m not asking you to wait, Stays, but I’d love it if you do.”

  “You know I’ll wait. Darling, we could work together on building your business. Just let me be a part of it, of your life. Not just a warm body to please you.”

  “You are a part of my life, Stays. But starting the maritime business is something I want to do on my own. I’m building a future.”

  “Whose? Yours? Mine? Ours?”

  Damn it. He hated it when Stacey started dissecting everything he said. He didn’t want this conversation right now. What he wanted was to take her someplace where he could get rid of her dress. “Come on, Stays. All I need is a chance to get the money for the bigger purchases. I’m getting closer to reaching my goal.”

  “You could have done that already just by using your name—or I could have helped you.”

  The last thing he wanted to do was ask anyone for a favor, especially his father. “I’d rather chew my own fingers to the bone than ask for my father’s help. You know that.” Henry shook his head. “Thanks for the offer, Stays.”

  “But no thank you, right? It wouldn’t make you a lesser man if you do, Henry. But I understand. You want to do things on your own.” She stopped a waitress and gave her empty wineglass to her.

  The waitress rolled her eyes. What a cheeky wench.

  “All right. You know where I’ll be when I get back.” Stacey opened her purse and fished out a silver key without a keychain. “Got two sets of keys. This one is yours.”

  Henry took the key from Stacey. “Thanks. How about we go now and try your new bedroom? You’re going home to change, right?”

  She shook her head. “Sorry. I told you, bad timing. All right, keep busy but don’t forget to spend time with your friends. Where are they anyway?”

  “Busy. Julian couldn’t leave the fam. Nolan is working double shifts, Trey is still chasing bad guys. I’m the only one bored to death.”

  “Well, when I get back, I want you to take me on your new yacht,” she said then gave him another open-mouthed kiss. “We’ll rock your yacht so fast I’ll make you dizzy. You won’t have time to get bored.”

  Henry laughed before cupping Stacey’s face. “I look forward to rocking my yacht.”

  “Me too.” Stacey glanced around. “Lots of shiny ladies here ogling you. You have my permission to do anything you’d like while I’m away.”

  Henry knew he wasn’t the only man warming up Stacey’s bed. She was flirtatious and modern. He wouldn’t be surprised if she suggested an open marriage. Her playground had been full of men. She would kick out those who failed her high standards and would keep the others as fallbacks that she could use when bored. “Have fun in Olympia.”

  “I will. All right, handsome captain. Don’t do anything that will get your name deleted from your parents’ will.”

  The day he’d been elevated to the rank of a captain, his parents had been over the moon, so fucking happy that they’d finalized their will. Everything they owned would be Henry’s someday. He was surprised as hell. But then he knew his parents would rather burn everything or give it to him than see their money go to charity. In all honesty, he didn’t give a fuck if they gave him a penny.

  “I don’t fucking care about my inheritance.”

  “You should care, Henry. Your parents’ money will help build your dream.”

  “I don’t think they’ll keel over any minute. You know what they say—live like fucking Satan and you’ll live forever.”

  “Is that supposed to be the opposite of the good die young?”

  “Something like that.”

  “All right, grumpy. Try to enjoy your party. Be back in a week.” She was gone in minutes.

  Henry found himself walking around shaking hands with people he couldn’t care less about. His father introduced him to his associates as Captain Colchester. Cool, he thought. But this whole party was for his father’s benefit—to bullshit, to spread his tentacles further. Henry looked around. He’d met most of the guests before, but none of them were his friends. If he were in charge, he’d never have invited any of them. But, like his father said, if he wanted his business to grow fast, he should establish his connections. Meaning, bullshit with these people who cared for nothing but money in their pockets.

  Snickering, Henry spent his time nursing his glass, drinking and flirting with whoever would give him the time, including the waitresses.

  This is my fucking day. Might as well have fun.

  * * * *

  June had never been so nervous in her life. Her heart pounded so hard she could hardly hear herself think. She’d been in the upstairs bedroom holding her cell phone, waiting for Vivienne’s call. The longer she waited, the quicker her nerves frayed. She tried to enjoy the music coming from the ballroom downstairs where the party was held. It still didn’t work. If she were a nail biter, she wouldn’t have any left right now.

  Dressed in a pale blue, floor-length dress with the back so open everyone who dared to look would see the twin dimples on her lower back, she paced, purposely ignoring the mammoth bed in the room. Vivienne had said the dress was perfect for what she was about to do.

  For what I am about to do.

  God, another minute and she’d run out of the door. Could she really do this?

  She decided to stand on the verandah. The cool breeze from Puget Sound felt good on her skin, calming her nerves. Better.

  When she’d told Vivienne about her cancer and her plan about getting pregnant, Vivienne had jumped at the idea right away and wouldn’t let her back off. She’d explained that June should act on her idea—for her parents, herself and the future baby. Every woman should have the right to enjoy her womanhood just as babies should have the right to live, laugh and love. And she was right. June agreed with Vivienne wholeheartedly. It was the how to create her baby that had her thinking twice.

  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-wort
hy 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?”