by Amy Gamet
Julie tried not to cry as she watched Kelly struggle to do the same. Hank spoke to his sister, making her smile as he pulled her into his arms. Julie was spellbound by the lyrics of the song, grief for her own father rising up, choking her.
How lucky Kelly was to have Hank to lean on, to make her smile in the middle of such a difficult moment. Watching him talk to his sister as he gracefully moved her around the dance floor, Julie wished for that man with all the concentration and might of a child wishing on a star.
The song ended and Hank wrapped Kelly in a tender embrace before kissing her on the forehead and walking her back to her new husband. Julie watched him take his drink off the head table and make a bee-line back to where she sat with Gwen. As he come closer, she stood to embrace him.
Hank held her, letting her be the first to let go.
“The song,” he said.
Julie nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
“No. Don’t be. It was beautiful.” She wanted to tell him that Kelly was lucky to have him as a brother, but she was too choked up to get the words out. Hank’s eyes met hers, then he kissed her on the forehead as he had done his sister, and she clung to him again, reveling in the comfort of his arms.
Lifting her head, she said simply, “Thank you.” Then kissed him on the mouth, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. When they separated, their hands remained together.
“Would you like to dance?” asked Hank.
“No, not yet. I’m waiting for the Electric Slide.”
“A girl after my own heart.”
It wasn’t long before the DJ played the wedding classic. Marianne stood and raised both hands to the sky, giving a loud holler as she headed for the dance floor. She pulled family and friends with her as she went, grabbing Hank by the arm and pointing in Julie’s direction. He did as he was told, heading over to collect her, and she graciously met him halfway to the dance floor.
As they stepped and clapped in unison, Julie couldn’t remember ever having so much fun at a wedding reception. Gwen’s loud, “Boogie woogie woogie,” could be heard over the music, making Julie laugh and smile so wide her face hurt.
None of this is real, she reminded herself. Like Cinderella at the ball, her greatest fantasy was doomed to disappear when the clock struck midnight, leaving this dream in tatters.
Enjoy the ball while you can. Especially that prince.
As if he could hear her thoughts, Hank caught her eye and smiled a wolf’s grin. There was a promise therein, that he would come to her if she allowed it. Julie felt her heart leap, pulse pounding, breath coming fast. The music ended and Julie stared back at him meaningfully, then looked pointedly at the door that led out of the basement.
She went first, knowing he would follow.
The air outside was cool. It was warm for December, but she could still see her breath hanging in little puffs. Footsteps behind her and she turned around, almost lunging into Hank’s waiting arms. Their mouths met hungrily, Julie struggling to get closer, pressing her body to his and angling her head to return his passionate kisses.
“I can’t keep my hands off you.” He kissed her neck and shoulder.
Julie was lost in him, the flavor of his mouth and the smell of his skin. Were they really standing in a church parking lot, making out like teenagers? She felt naughty and daring, the emotions only increasing her excitement. She lifted her head and ran her hands in his thick dark hair.
“I think I like being a convincing girlfriend,” she said between kisses.
His mouth stilled against hers, his hands stopped their exploration of her body, and he pulled back.
“Whoa.” He reached behind his neck to remove her arms. “You sure had me fooled.”
The tone of his voice set off warning bells in Julie’s head, yet she didn’t understand just what she had done. “What’s the matter?”
“I’m not a toy, Julie.”
“What?”
He rubbed his hand roughly along his lips. “I’m not here for your amusement.”
She felt as if she’d been slapped. Hank knew they were just pretending. So why was he so angry? It wasn’t like he was really hurt, because he didn’t care about her one way or the other. This was all a façade.
“I’m sorry if I offended you,” she said, bewildered. “I thought you wanted me to be convincing.” Julie stood rigidly still, suddenly chilled by the cold night air.
“We should get back,” said Hank, his jaw set.
Julie looked at him beseechingly, already missing their earlier closeness. She wanted to understand why he was upset, her scrambled thoughts not making any sense. She opened her mouth to speak, but couldn’t decide exactly what to say.
The door behind her opened and Ron appeared. “There you are. Kelly’s about to throw the bouquet. Marianne insisted I find you two.”
“We’ll be right there.” The door closed behind Ron. Hank smiled widely and offered his arm. “Ready, honey?”
The sarcasm wasn’t lost on Julie, and she pouted, narrowing her eyes at him. She could play this any way he liked. Unless he tried to kiss her again.
That would definitely not be happening.
She mirrored his confident grin and took his arm. “Of course, sweetheart. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
He walked her inside and deposited her back at her table before walking off. Gwen smiled widely and handed Julie one of two full Kamikazes.
“Welcome back!” shouted Gwen over the increasingly loud music.
“Thanks,” she said, taking a long swig of the potent cocktail.
“Lover’s quarrel?”
“Something like that.”
“You look like you’ve been making out in the backseat of a Chevy.” Gwen laughed at her own joke, and Julie used her hands to try to straighten her hair.
It was no use. “I’m going to the ladies room.” She stood up to leave just as Marianne came up behind them.
“All the single ladies! That means you two!” said Marianne.
Gwen hopped out of her chair with a flourish. “I’m ready.”
“I was just going to the ladies room,” said Julie.
“Nonsense, you look fine,” said Gwen, steering her toward the dance floor as she winked at Marianne. “I just love the tossing of the bouquet. Such tradition! I’m so glad they don’t mind being sexist.”
“I think I’m going to be sick,” said Julie, then she downed the rest of her drink in one long gulp. Shaking her head, she worked to change her attitude. Hank Jared was not going to ruin her evening. She did some boxing moves, bobbing and weaving. “Let me at ‘em. Lookout, all you eligible bachelors!” She put her arm around Gwen as they made their way to the dance floor. “The Trueblood women are on the prowl!”
They took their place on the dance floor with several teenage girls, a beautiful brunette, three bridesmaids and a matronly woman with black frizzy hair. One of the bridesmaids turned and rolled her shoulder away from the onlookers as she covered her face.
Julie felt her pain.
The DJ played a drum roll, and Kelly turned her back to the dance floor.
Please, don’t let me catch that damn thing.
Then it was airborne, ribbons trailing behind it like a missile’s tail. The bouquet bounced off the clawing fingers of a bridesmaid and headed for the frizzy-haired woman, ricocheting off her bust and landing squarely in Julie’s begrudging arms. She looked at the roses and pansies like they were a pipe bomb waiting to explode.
“Woo hooo!” screamed Gwen, laughing. “Way to go, Julie!”
~~~
Across the room, Hank leaned on the bar and ordered a scotch on the rocks. Damn if she didn’t look beautiful, clutching those flowers like she wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. So sweet and innocent.
Too bad it’s all an act.
“Looks like you have some garter-catching to do,” said his mother, sitting down on a barstool beside him. “A glass of your best Chardonnay, pleas
e,” she said to the bartender.
“I hear it’s all mid-shelf. No cheap stuff, but nothing great,” said Hank.
“Bastards,” she answered, smiling. She squeezed Hank’s hand. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for the wedding. Your father would be proud.”
“Thanks, Ma.”
“Trouble in paradise?”
He took a sip of his drink and chewed on an ice cube. “Didn’t you hear? That was just a reasonable facsimile of paradise. Not the real thing.”
“Looked pretty real to me.”
Hank motioned to the bartender. “Julie is a fabulous actress.”
“I see.” Marianne squared her shoulders to face her son, her head tipped to the side. “It must be confusing for her, pretending to be your girlfriend.”
“Why is that?”
“Because she has very real feelings for you.”
Hank scowled at his mother. “I think you’re mistaken.”
“Hank,” she said softly, “a woman can tell these things. And that young lady,” she gestured to Julie across the room, “is completely taken with you.”
When his mother walked away, Hank turned back to scan the room and saw her. She was standing with Gwen next to the dance floor, watching anxiously as the single men assembled for the throwing of the garter.
Ron made his way to the front of the dance floor, Kelly’s garter in-hand, and some possessive instinct had Hank up and on his feet before he could think better of it. Julie caught his eye as he assumed his place in the group of men on the dance floor, bending his knees like a baseball player in the outfield.
“Don’t worry, baby,” he yelled to Julie. “I used to play shortstop.”
Ron turned his back to the men and threw the garter over his shoulder, which bounced off the low ceiling and landed on the opposite side of the floor. A young blonde man snatched it up and held it in the air victoriously with a loud cheer.
Without missing a beat, Hank walked over and opened his wallet, handing him a hundred dollar bill and taking the garter as the crowd laughed and cheered.
Hank swung his prize around on one outstretched finger, eyeing Julie like a cat eyes a mouse. A warm flush spread from her face to her chest, and he realized he was excited to put the garter on her leg, even if a hundred people were watching.
Anything just to touch her.
A chair appeared in the middle of the dance floor, and the DJ ushered Julie to the seat. For a moment she hid her face behind the bouquet, then bit her lip and forced her hands down into her lap. The theme from Mission Impossible began to play and laughter erupted again.
Hank paced in front of her, planning his attack. Stealthily he walked toward her and kneeled, then he lightly stroked his finger along the blue silk up her knee, exposing her calf.
He uncrossed her legs and took off her shoe, feeling her anxiety in the way she held herself. When he surprised her by tickling her foot, she shrieked, the crowd laughing along with her. He slipped the garter onto her ankle and began inching it upward.
Julie shot him a warning look as he passed her knee, prompting him to look at the crowd for guidance. The hoots and hollers egged him on, as he knew they would. He pushed the lace and ribbon up onto her thigh, his eyes connecting with hers once again. As she looked at him, he felt her legs relax and open to him the slightest bit, the look on her face offering him the world.
Hank had never wanted a woman as much as he wanted Julie in that moment. He felt his fingers tremble. He gave the garter one last pull high on Julie’s thigh, snapping it against her skin and watching her flinch. Then he retreated, pulling her dress back down as he went. He stood and helped Julie to her feet before he kissed her, his lips on hers clearly saying, to be continued.
Chapter 7
Snowflakes began to fall as Kelly and Ron waved goodbye from the window of the white stretch limousine, a large “Just Married” banner hanging from its trunk.
Hank stood in the cold and watched the tail lights disappear into the night. Norah and Steve had headed home an hour earlier, anxious to get back to their lives in Boston.
That meant there was another bedroom available at the house, if he chose to use it. Hank suspected Julie would share his bed tonight if he asked her.
He knew it was wrong to sleep with someone he was protecting as an officer of the Navy, someone who might be involved in this case more than he would like. Hell, who was he kidding? She was definitely involved. It was just a matter of degree. Hank shivered in the cold and cursed the situation.
The church doors behind him opened and closed.
“Hi,” said Julie.
And he knew.
Julie Trueblood had gotten under his skin, maybe even into his heart. How the hell had that happened? Why did it have to be this woman who affected him so strongly?
He turned to see her standing on the steps of the church, her blue dress swirling in a light breeze, snowflakes twirling in the air between them.
“Merry Christmas, Hank,” she said, smiling lightly. “It’s just after midnight.”
He would remember this moment always—how she looked—how it tore him up inside. “Merry Christmas, Julie.”
“Are you ready?”
“Yeah.”
“Your mom needs some help loading up the car.” Julie opened the church door and waited for him to come inside. “Kelly and Ron get off okay?”
Hank nodded. “They said goodbye.”
“It was a good day,” she said, smiling at Hank and resting her hand on his back as they headed downstairs together. “You did good, Hank.”
“We all did.” They reached the bottom of the stairwell and Hank held the door for her.
~~~
An hour later, the group walked into Marianne’s kitchen. Julie slipped off her high heels and covered a yawn. “I’m exhausted.”
“Me too. Let’s go to bed,” said Hank.
Julie’s head snapped up at his suggestion. “I need a few minutes to unwind.”
Marianne opened a cupboard and withdrew a round bottle. “Nightcap, anyone?”
“Chambord,” said Gwen appreciatively as she pulled back a chair. “Absolutely.”
“Yes, please,” said Julie.
“Why not,” said Hank, closing his eyes.
“If you’re tired, you can go ahead,” said Julie.
“I got my second wind.”
Marianne stifled a laugh as she poured the drinks into cordial glasses. They were a heavy cut crystal in pale pink, each one shaped like a tiny vase.
“Marianne, these are precious,” said Gwen.
“They were my mother’s.”
“Just lovely. Really.”
Hank thought of the china cabinet in the dining room, chock full of crystal, and wondered how long the women were going to stay up.
Julie rubbed her neck with her hand, and Hank saw his opening, walking behind her to rub her shoulders. She made little sounds of pleasure as he worked her tired muscles, her skin warm and smooth beneath his strong hands.
“Sure you don’t want to go to bed?” he whispered in her ear.
Julie straightened her shoulders abruptly and lightly shook off his hands. He stepped away, his ego stinging from her response.
“It has been a long day. I think I am going to go to bed,” he said.
“Goodnight, Hank,” said Julie sweetly.
Once upstairs, he undressed in a huff. Hank had wrestled with his conscience and fully committed himself to breaking the rules, only to realize that Julie had no intention of coming to bed with him.
What kind of game was she playing? It seemed her affection was directly related to the size of their audience. He shouldn’t have listened to his mother. He had been right all along. Julie was playing the role he had asked her to play, and was not interested in a real relationship with him.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” he said to himself as he stepped into the shower. He let the hot water run over his head and flow down his face before he grabbed a bar of soap and w
orked up a heavy lather on his arms and chest. His mind replayed their kisses outside the reception hall and his body responded to the memory.
Was she really just pretending? Hadn’t she felt even a portion of what he felt?
The rest of his body got the same punishing treatment with the soap before he turned off the water and hastily dried his body. He was a grown man, damn it, and these games were making him crazy. Hank pulled on a clean pair of black briefs and considered grabbing a T-shirt and shorts out of deference to Julie.
She can close her damn eyes if she doesn’t like it.
Throwing back the covers on the bed, he dropped onto the cold sheets and waited for her to come in. It was nearly an hour before she did—time that did nothing to improve Hank’s mood. He watched as she closed the door as quietly as possible and tiptoed into the room.
“I was starting to think you were sleeping on the couch.”
In the darkness he saw her straighten to her full height. “I was talking with your mom and Gwen.”
“You were avoiding coming to bed with me.”
She didn’t answer him.
“Why, Julie?” His eyes were adjusted to the dim light of the room, and he saw her cross her arms over her chest as he waited for a response. When none came, he asked again, “Why are you avoiding me?”
She snapped at him. “Because you don’t really like me anyway, and I don’t want to sleep with someone who…”
“Whoa, wait a minute. I don’t really like you anyway? What are you talking about?” Hank swung his legs out of bed and walked toward her.
She stepped backwards and bumped into a dresser. “This whole charade. You pretending to like me.”
“I do like you, Julie.”
“No, not like that. Like a man likes a woman.”
“I do like you like a man likes a woman.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m not being very clear.”
Hank reached out and stroked his hand down her arm.
“Please don’t touch me,” she said, recoiling. “I’m trying to make you understand.”
“I understand. You think I don’t like you like a man likes a woman, but you’re wrong.”