The Best of June

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The Best of June Page 6

by Tierney O’Malley


  Can’t top that.

  June took everything in, memorizing every detail. She would never forget this.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “How lucky I am to be here with you. This is a surreal mix of fantasy and reality.”

  “I feel the same way, love. You’re a beautiful dream that I found staring out into the Puget Sound. You’re one special gift.”

  “Thank you. You’re cool, if I say so myself.” She passed him the plate of broiled vegetables.

  “Thank you. This smells divine.” Henry handed her the basket of bread. “Do you have any idea how hot you look.”

  “Hot? Hmm…no one has called me that before.”

  “That’s hard to believe.”

  “It’s true. I’ve never attracted a man’s attention before.” Maybe one time, at the bar, but the jerk only wanted my virginity. “I bet women flock to your side because you’re a hot dude.”

  “Heck, yeah. When I was young, I didn’t have to seduce little girls. They’d come to me like bees to honey.”

  “And what did you do with them.”

  “Lifted their skirts using a stick.”

  “What in the world!” June nearly choke on her pasta. “You’re so bad.”

  Henry refilled his glass with wine. A look of sadness passed over his handsome face. “I grew up in the care of a nanny. Went to a private all boys’ school. Never played with girls and never knew one until I went to high school. I met a couple, maybe—daughters of a congressman, mayor, president of this company and that, but never hung out with any of them. You could say that I was sheltered growing up.”

  “I never would have thought that.”

  “What about you? What did you do to the boys following you around?”

  “I was never interested in boys.” June laughed when Henry rolled his eyes. “Really. My mom and dad told me that when I was young they tried leaving me at a friend’s house many times but I would cry and cry. I would rather hang out with my parents than friends. Mom said I was like a barnacle attached to her hip all the time. But, I was most happy when we rode with Dad.”

  “Rode with him?”

  “He was a Metro bus driver. Mom and I would wait at the bus stop for Dad. I’d have a Slurpee and a hot dog from 7-Eleven.”

  “Riding around town on a Metro bus. Sounds like a lot of fun.”

  “It was. From Northgate all the way to downtown Seattle. I got to see the pier, Aquarium, the malls. You have no idea how much fun it was to watch people get on and off the bus. Interesting people. Then Dad had an accident when I was in high school. Metro gave him two options. Retire or he was fired. He retired. Now we hang out at home, play games and eat. So, yeah. I was always attached to my parents. They never complained. I think they loved it.” When June looked up, she found Henry staring at her. June realized she’d just turned the conversation into a dull one.

  “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to bring down the mood.”

  “It’s all right. I actually enjoy listening to you—although you make me jealous.”

  “Jealous?”

  “Yeah. I grew up playing with the gardener, driver and a cook who smelled like food all the time. I loved old Beth. She promised to make special desserts if I ate my veggies. Mom never really cared if I ate or not—or if I was home or not.”

  “I’m sorry. No child should feel that way. I’m not bragging, but I love my parents for showing me what it’s like to love, be loved and know that someone is waiting for you at home.”

  “You’re lucky to have them and I’m sure they are lucky to have you pestering them all the time.” Henry grinned.

  “I know.” She would love it too if she had a baby who would cling to her all the time and cry whenever she left. Would that ever happen? June stared at her plate. “Someday, if I happen to have a baby, I want her to have someone to run to when there is lightning and thunder, to come home from school and smell my mom’s freshly baked cookies, to listen to my dad’s crazy stories about Metro commuters. Mom and Dad provided a sanctuary for me. I want the same for my baby. I’m sure Mom and Dad would entertain their grandchild. My baby will never be bored.”

  “And your baby would be as beautiful as you are.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You sure look kind of melancholy.”

  “Sorry. I perfected the art of ruining a good dinner.”

  “Just wait until you taste dessert.”

  “Boy, after three days, I’ll be as big as a milk cow.”

  “Don’t worry, love. I know how to work your udders.”

  June never laughed so loud in her life. “Oh, my God! You’re horrible.”

  Grinning, Henry stood then went to her side. “Sorry. Not really a good joke. He leaned down so his lips were close to her ears. “You already know, my hands are not the only part of me that I’ll use on you.”

  * * * *

  Thinking he would disturb June if he used an alarm, Henry set his cell phone to buzz then placed it beneath his pillow. He wanted to make sure that he’d wake up in time and not blow his surprise.

  He wondered what it was that had made June sad during dinner. One thing for sure, he didn’t like it. She spoke about her future baby as if the kid would be growing up without her around. The sadness in her tone had touched him. It was bone-chilling and comparable to hearing someone mourn a lost child. He wanted to ask why, but for some reason he didn’t think it was right to pry. Hopefully, his surprise would bring her happiness, something to think about when sadness started creeping in. Sighing, he tightened his hold on June. Damn, she was so soft. June, he learned, liked to sleep with her back against him. He liked it too.

  What a sensual, giving woman. He would forever remember how she’d come apart in his arms. So uninhibited, but at the same time still innocent. She blushed easily, like a woman who’d never been with a man before.

  Henry’s cock thickened. He wanted her again. Slowly, he moved his hand to cup her breast then teased the nipple he’d sucked repeatedly. Carefully, he wedged his knee in between her legs. June moaned but remained asleep. He wondered if she would sleep through his caresses. Henry kissed the base of June’s neck while he snaked his hand lower to touch her pussy. He groaned when he felt her wet heat. Fully aroused now, he thrust his hips.

  “Hmm…Henry…”

  “Shh…honey. Just let me.”

  June arched her back, helping him guide his cock into her. Henry drowned in the intense feeling and bit harder on her neck. From behind, he made love to June. Slowly at first, until both of them were panting, seeking to reach the highest peak.

  “Honey, I love this—so good, so fucking good.” The beast inside him fought to claw its way out. He kept June on her side then anchored her leg on his thigh. She was wide open. Slowly thrust his dick deep inside her while he played with her clit. “Honey…”

  His thrusts became faster and harder, his balls slapped her flesh. Damn it to hell. He didn’t want their lovemaking to end.

  “Oh, Henry…”

  “Baby, can’t get enough of you. You’ve cast a spell on me.”

  “I’m just a woman.” June moaned.

  “A beautiful, sensual woman. Oh, yeah. Keep your legs open, hon. Just like that. Jesus, you’re tight.” He kept his rhythm until both of them were wild with need to come. Henry licked his fingers then rubbed June’s nub. “Come for me, hon,” he whispered in her ear.

  Henry was in heaven. If he was dreaming, he didn’t want to wake up. He could just lie like this all night, making her come over and over, but his body screamed for release.

  As he roused her passion, Henry’s own was close to bursting. He rotated her wet bud with his fingers while he fucked her. “Honey…”

  June’s ass muscles tightened then she screamed his name.

  “You’re mine.” He thrust so hard the tip of his cock touched her cervix. “You’re mine,” he repeated. There was no stopping him now. Over and over, he thrust his hips, then he let go.

  It wa
s the best night of his life.

  He was still kissing June’s neck when he realized she’d fallen back asleep already. Smiling, he covered them both with a blanket. He reached beneath his pillow to check the time. Two in the morning. Sunrise would be at five-fourteen. He still had three hours to sleep, if he could sleep at all.

  * * * *

  June was having a marvelous dream. The sand felt cool on her back, the crisp air enveloped her hot skin and the birds singing drove away her fear, sorrow, apprehension and pain. She didn’t want to get up and leave her spot under the heat of the sun. This was lovely. But something blocked her sun.

  “No. Move away,” she said.

  “June.”

  She tried to move, but couldn’t. Someone loomed above her. Annoyed, she pushed hard.

  “June! Open your eyes. You’re dreaming.”

  June blinked, trying to reorient herself. She wasn’t on a beach, but in Henry’s yacht.

  Oh, my God!

  “Henry?”

  He nodded.

  “I’m sorry. I forgot where I was.”

  “It’s all right. You okay?”

  “Yeah.” As soon as Henry moved, she sat up. “What time is it?”

  “Just a few minutes before five. Honey, you should put your clothes on. Right away.”

  “Right away?”

  “Yes.”

  June’s heart sank. They were leaving. Maybe Henry had changed his mind about sailing for three days. “Uhm, okay. I’ll get ready and pack my things.”

  “Pack your… No, silly puss. We’re not going back to the marina. We’re just going up. Put your pajamas on. And this. It’s a bit chilly out.”

  June looked at the oversized coat. She would probably disappear in it. “Thank you.”

  “Five minutes?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’ll meet you above.” Henry planted a loud kiss on her mouth then left the bedroom. She wondered what he was up to at this early. Letting out a tired yawn, she quickly dressed.

  * * * *

  Stacey had been calling and texting Henry since she’d left, but he’d sent only a couple of brief replies. Someone had told her that he had left the marina with a woman. Was he really that busy with the bitch that he’d taken her on his yacht? Fuck! She dropped her briefcase so hard on the glass table that she heard it creak.

  Goddamn it! She thought…shit. What had she thought? That Henry loved her? Stacey paced around the room. Yes, damn it. He wouldn’t stick with her this long if he didn’t.

  The manager at the marina’s club couldn’t tell who the woman was. For all Stacey knew, the bitch could be his friend or someone he needed for his business. But no matter how hard she’d tried to convince herself that Henry wouldn’t cheat on her, pain still lacerated her heart. She’d never felt this green-eyed monster toward any woman—only with Henry.

  Maybe he wasn’t happy with her because she’d turned down his offer of driving her to Olympia, but she’d done it many times. This had been the first time that she’d heard of Henry taking a woman to his yacht.

  As soon as her meeting was over, she’d see him. She’d apologize if she had to. Fishing her phone out of her purse, she dialed Henry’s number again. Her call, however, automatically went to his voicemail. Fuck!

  * * * *

  June couldn’t have had prepared herself for the shocking view that greeted her. The yacht sat in the middle of a thin mist floating on water. Dark clouds veiled the tips of the mountains and the islands looked as if they wore a fog skirt. The stars still littered the sky. There was no sign of other boats. It was like being in a mythical place, away from civilization.

  Wow.

  “Hey there.” Henry walked toward her. His hair was mussed, his long-sleeved shirt wrinkled and his low rider jeans rode low on his hips.

  Lord, what a seductive man.

  June noticed a small table covered with a white cloth. There was a white coffee pot and a basket of bread on top. “What’s this? A picnic at five in the morning?”

  Henry actually gave her a shy smile. It was so endearing. As soon as he stood close, she gave him a kiss. “Something else?”

  “You have to wait a few more minutes.” Henry pulled her in for a tight hug. “How are you?”

  “I feel like I’m in a fantasy land. I love the view.”

  “Me too. Now, look at the horizon. This is my surprise for you.”

  June pointed her gaze to the thin black line that separated the sky and calm water. Then, before her eyes, the sky turned a pale orange. Right in the middle of the horizon a tiny orange dot appeared. June gasped—the sun was rising.

  “Oh, wow,” she whispered.

  The tiny dot produced short and long rays, turning the sky into breathtaking colors of yellow mixed with blue and purple.

  So this was how a day was born to breathe a new life. It was as amazing as a beating heart.

  What a beautiful reminder that she had made it another day. Instinctively, she touched her belly. What would be the chance of her baby witnessing a miracle like this? Would she even conceive? If she didn’t, it would be a sad fate.

  June’s chest tightened, the back of her nose began to sting. Part of her wished Doctor Sanders was wrong, despite the numerous results that he’d showed her. A second opinion would be great but where would she get the money? Oh, God. If only she’d witnessed another miracle—her cancer disappearing.

  “June? Baby, what’s wrong?”

  She blinked her tears away. She avoided Henry’s gaze. “I’m just happy,” she whispered.

  Henry let go of her waist then forced her to look at him. “You’re happy. Kind of scary to think what you’d look like when you’re sad. Anything you want to tell me? Maybe I can help.”

  Forcing a smile, June shook her head. “In such a short time, you’ve shown me the best things, things I never thought I would experience—dinner on this yacht, seeing the view of the San Juans. But this”—she nodded toward the sunrise—“is beyond what I expected. And it has made me feel so fortunate to be alive. It has made me stop feeling sorry for myself. I am here breathing and living. I can still walk and dream and…everything. This has made me appreciate what I have and not cry over what I couldn’t have. I am lucky. I read Browning’s Cheerfulness Taught by Reasons. She essentially said that we shouldn’t complain when things go wrong or even during the worst day of our lives. Even if our journey is not what we expected it to be, despite the obstacles, we should be happy because the life God has given us is short. Now I understand her.”

  “We have to be happy because our lives are short?”

  “Yes, because in the end, Paradise will be waiting for us.”

  “Honey, I don’t think I like that poem. I want my journey to be long, especially if I’m walking beside the woman I want to share my life with. Here on earth I want to grow old with my mate. When the Seattle’s cold weather is too much for her weary bones, I want to be there to wrap her with a blanket. I want to be there to make her coffee when her knees are too weak to support her. And I want her old self to be beside me when I’m ready to go to Paradise. I want to see her grandma face when I’m ready to shut my eyes forever. I must sound corny to you, but that’s just my two cents.”

  “Believe me. I want the same thing…”

  “But?” Henry placed a finger beneath her chin and forced her to look at him. “But?” he repeated. “What can’t you have, June?”

  A long life. “Just…things. Oh, I’m sorry. My skill ruining a perfectly good mood is showing again. I’m a Debbie Downer.” June met Henry’s blue eyes. “So, do you like Elizabeth Barrett Browning?”

  “Not as much as I like you. She talks kind of funny.”

  “Funny?”

  “She’s English, right?”

  “Ha. Ha.”

  “My friend Julian’s wife, Joanie, is into reading poetry. A big fan of Browning from what I’ve heard. Julian gave her the first edition of Browning’s book. It belonged to Julian’s grandma. A gift from h
er husband.”

  “So awesome.”

  “You collect books?”

  “Cookbooks, yes. I’ve found awesome copies from second-hand stores and garage sales.”

  “The Internet is loaded with free cooking recipes.”

  “True, but I’d rather use a real book. I use the margins to make my notes. It’s easier. In some of the books that I’ve bought, there are notes already written on some pages.”

  “You got me there, chef.” June laughed. “Thank you for sharing the sunrise with me. I’ll never forget this.”

  “Me too. Here…” Henry removed a signet ring from his little finger. “I want you to wear this.”

  “What? No. No, Henry. You told me this ring belonged to your great-grandfather. I can’t take—”

  “Yes, you can. Whenever you’re in need of help, you’re in trouble or something, I want this ring to be a reminder that you can come to me. You’ll find me at the marina or someone there can tell you where to find me. Someday, when you’re ready to create new memories with someone, send this back. Then I’ll know that you are fine, that you’ve moved on and won’t want a reminder of me anymore. How’s that?”

  “Henry…” June tried to mask her inner turmoil with a smile, but failed. Tears blurred her vision. Oh, God. Why did he have to be so wonderful? She felt horrible for lying, for making Henry believe that she was a paid woman when in truth she was just using him to get pregnant. All that she represented was a lie. But how could she tell him?

  “Promise me, hon, that you’ll come to me when you need help?”

  June watched Henry slide the ring on her finger. “I promise.”

  Another lie.

  * * * *

  Standing by the E Dock, Henry watched June walk away.

  Three days had gone by like a dream. He’d wanted to extend their trip and take June to Alaska and even Europe, but June hadn’t jumped at the idea. She’d said her parents would worry if she didn’t come home. Surprise and disappointment settled in his chest. For some reason, he wanted to know where she lived and to meet her parents, so he’d offered to give her a ride. She’d refused, so he’d let her go. But no matter how hard he tried to convince himself that it was over, he couldn’t make himself turn around.

 

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