Happily Ever Afters: A BWWM Best Friends to Lovers Romance Page 7

  The spirits amongst the women high again, they left the shop for the island’s afternoon sunshine.

  In the couple hours it took for Juliette to return, Preston occupied his time by going for a run on the beach. He returned red and sweaty and hopped in the shower. He washed under the hot spray when the bedroom door clicked open and Juliette walked through. Over the streaming water, he called out to her.

  “You’re back!”

  “We finished the fitting,” she answered, voice muffled through the bathroom door. “Do you want to go for a walk on the beach? I need some fresh air.”

  Whatever would cause her to say that, he vowed to find out. He quickly wrapped up his shower, dialing down the knobs. He opened the door to Juliette's weary smile and he put his arm around her, sensing it’s what she needed.

  In the next moment, they headed out to the white dunes by way of the Brosman’s back entrance. Side-by-side they walked the beach, headed toward the swirling blue surf. Dusk around the corner, the crowds had dimmed some. Soon the tiki torches would light up, commencing whatever nightly celebration thrown.

  Juliette was quiet. He let her be without interruption. She’d speak when ready. Right now she gathered her thoughts. He was the same when after a long day. That’s what he appreciated about her—she got him like that. Shoe on the other foot, she always gave him the time he needed, too.

  “Please don’t tell anyone.”

  “Anything you say, is between me and you. Nobody else.”

  “Gigi thinks Dom is cheating on her. Have you seen anything?” Juliette stopped walking to peer at him. Brow furrowed, she resembled anytime she’d been lead prosecutor on a case. “You were with the guys today. Did you hear anything?”

  “No,” he said. “Nothing at all. Dom talked about Gigi and the wedding. He seemed excited. Said he couldn’t wait for their honeymoon.”

  “Gigi found out Dom has a Dates and Mates account.”

  “A recent one?”

  “That’s what she says. He’s logged in not too long ago. I told her she’s need to confront Dom.”

  “And she doesn’t want to?”

  Juliette sighed, shifting so that she faced the clear blue waves and the orangish sky at dusk. “She says she wants to do it her way.”

  “I dunno; I only met him a day ago, but Dom doesn’t strike me as that guy. My read on him is that he’s pretty crazy about your sister.”

  “I thought so too.”

  “How can I help?”

  “I’m not even sure I can help,” said Juliette, folding her arms. “Gigi said she’s going to talk to him about it tonight. I guess we have to wait and see. I don’t want my sister’s heart broken. I really hope it’s not true.”

  Preston eased her into his arms, again offering comfort with his touch. Juliette fit against him like a perfect mold, pressing her cheek to his chest. His hands acted on their own and naturally fell to cradle her head, stroking the tresses cascading down her back. They stood there like that for who knows how many minutes, the cool waters sweeping across their feet.

  “You smell really good,” Juliette mumbled into his chest.

  Preston tossed out a husky laugh. “Wasn’t expecting that.”

  “It’s whatever soap you use. I’ve never told you before, but it smells amazing on you.” Juliette wasn’t bashful about inhaling another whiff, chancing a look up at him after with a scant smile. She had that playful look about her, like whenever she teased him about his beard when it grew too long and she wanted him to trim it.

  “Thank you. Don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed anybody smelling me before.”

  “First time for everything. How was your day? You haven’t told me.”

  They picked up walking again, exploring the length of the endless shoreline. Preston told her about his poor golfing attempt and then his encounter with Natasia. He ended with his run on the beach and shower.

  “That’s when you showed up.”

  Juliette zeroed in on his talk with Natasia. She said nothing for a second or two, but her posture stiffened and she raked her teeth over her bottom lip.

  “She’s probably interested in you,” she said candidly.

  “Uh, yeah. I get that impression too.”

  “I can’t be mad.”

  Preston tilted his head, unsure of what Juliette meant. She clarified.

  “We’re not really together,” she explained with a half-shrug. She traced her toes in the sand, eyes intent on the pattern she drew. “You’re an attractive guy. Other women are going to notice. A part of me knew you might meet a woman like that on vacation. If you want to—”

  “I don’t. She’s not my type.”

  “Do you have a type?”

  Preston saw the trap Juliette was setting up for him. Did she want him to give Natasia a chance? Or was she about to encourage him because it’s what she thought he wanted? His gut told him the latter…

  “Yeah, I do. Not her.”

  “Okay. But don’t hold yourself back for me. You’ve made a lot of sacrifices. If that’s what you want, tell me. Of course I’d prefer…you don’t. This is a small island and it could get back to my family. That kind of scandal could ruin Gigi’s wedding. And my parents would be crushed. Especially my dad.”

  “Juliette,” said Preston firmly, grabbing her hands to bring her face-to-face with him. “I’m not seeing any other woman while I’m here. I made a promise to you and you alone. For this week you are my woman. You know I wouldn’t do that to you.”

  She gave him a small, relieved smile. “Thanks, Preston. I’ll try not to feel bad you’re missing out on meeting other women.”

  “Really don’t. I’m not interested.”

  “Should we head back to the house? It’s almost dinner.”

  Preston nodded and linked his fingers with hers.

  7

  “How’d the doc go, Tom?” Dominic asked over sangria.

  Everybody was gathered around the table on the terrace for a second night. Tonight Trey and his crew served a plethora of seafood dishes. Almost everyone wore bibs for their lobster and crab legs, cracking open the shells between conversation.

  “The ticker’s still ticking along,” answered Dad brightly. “He gave me some meds for the pain. He warned me not to take any with alcohol. I guess tonight’s out of the question.”

  “Daddy!” Gigi shot him a scolding look.

  “I’m kidding. I’m kidding. This is non-alcoholic. Your big sis already got to me. She’s a prosecutor for a reason.” Dad chuckled, raising his glass across the table at Juliette.

  It was true. Earlier Juliette had sat down with Dad and made the case why he needed to cut back on the cocktails and liquor. Vacation or no vacation. Wedding or no wedding. Last hurrah or no last hurrah. He needed to take his health seriously. He’d pouted for a second, his brain on the many delicious drinks and foods she’d scolded him about, but in the end, he agreed she was right.

  “I’m glad you girls got to him,” Mom chimed in. She also aimed a chiding look Dad’s way. “He never listens to his poor worrying wife.”

  “Brandy baby, I do listen to you. All the time.”

  Gram Babes snorted loud enough to interrupt and get her point across without a word. Several others around the table grinned and snickered at Gram’s moxie.

  Dad waved the white flag there, under attack from the Lowry women on all fronts. He admitted his defeat with a wise lesson for Preston and Dominic. Shaking his head at both engaged men, he gave his warning.

  “You fellas take note. This is your future. They stick together too. All four of ‘em. You can’t win so just shut up and color.”

  “That’s my son. I raised him right,” Gram added, winking.

  Laughter erupted around the table, lasting for the rest of the dinner as the topic of discussion changed course. The older folks called it a night much earlier, still worn out from the long feast yesterday.

  Dad helped Gram out her chair. “You too, Ma. C’mon.”

  “
Shoot, I wanted to hang with the young folks.”

  “Perry Mason comes on in fifteen minutes.”

  “Never mind! See ya!”

  Juliette laughed alongside Preston as they watched Gram hustle inside. Dad trailed in her wake, shaking his head.

  “Your family is every sitcom I’ve ever watched as a kid,” Preston told her, shooting her a grin. “It’s kinda the one I always wanted. You’re lucky to have ‘em.”

  A bubbly sensation filled Juliette's chest. “I know.”

  Dominic suggested a game night in the den. The groomsmen and the bridesmaids agreed, the two groups heading to the room and staking their spot around the furniture. Preston and Juliette followed, last in the room. The good spots were taken, leaving a solitary space on the last sofa cushion. Juliette thought to forego seats altogether and sit on the floor, but then the instinctual answer overrode the silly suggestion.

  Her hand slipped in Preston's and she smiled up at him as she led the way to the sofa. Preston understood playing off her body language. He sat down first and she slid into his lap. She wanted to say that sitting in Preston's lap was awkward or uncomfortable—something to draw the line and distinguish it as part of their ruse—but it wasn’t. In fact, it felt nice. Balanced on his lap, his hand snaked around to her hip, his touch warm.

  “I was thinking since we have an even number of guys and gals,” spoke Dom to the room, “it would be fun to play couple’s trivia. We can pair up and square off. The alcohol will obviously make it even more interesting.”

  The groomsmen paired off with the bridesmaids. In the end, as everyone nursed their drinks and prepared themselves for the game to begin, Elena sat beside Xavier as a newly matched duo. Tabitha was partnered off with Theodore. Lastly, there were Mellie and Lee, averting each other’s direct gaze.

  “Hey, Trey…come in here!” Dom called out suddenly. “You’re off shift, right? Why don’t you and Natasia join us?”

  Trey had walked by the open door to the den in passing. The burly chef backtracked and stuck his head in the room, surveying the arranged couples curiously. He was a lot livelier than his sister. That much was obvious. His thunderous voice rumbled out in agreement, but first he asked if he could make himself a fruity cocktail with one of those tiny umbrellas.

  “I’ve been serving ‘em all day! They look delicious.”

  From feet away, Juliette overheard Gigi’s murmured exchange with Dom.

  “Maybe we should let them relax on their own. It’s already full in here.”

  “Two more can’t hurt. We have enough room for everyone.”

  Gigi stewed on the spot, looking as agitated as last night. Juliette understood. The tiff from breakfast was on Gigi’s mind. She didn’t want Natasia around. Taking a look at the other ladies in the room, none of them did either. They each strained hard not to roll their eyes the second the springy haired woman walked in with Trey to join them.

  The partners switched up to make room for Trey and Natasia. Trey partnered with Tabitha while Theodore volunteered to couple up with Natasia, much to her visible dismay. The game began shortly after. The questions started off easy, the rules like something of the newlyweds gameshow. The clear advantage was in Preston, Juliette, Giselle and Dominic’s corner being the actual real couples. That was the fun part though, watching the others get to know each other.

  Juliette forgot about one common trait she and Preston had in common. They’d realized this a while back before they even became friends. Juliette was a competitive woman and Preston was a competitive man, these sides to them most coming out during their line of work. Together they were a force to be reckoned with. Tonight was no different as they breezed through the trivia rounds.

  “Alright, Preston, for another fifteen points. This is a tough one,” Dominic said, reading the card. “What was the name of Juliette's first pet?”

  During one of their many Sunday walks in the park, guiding Tank along as he sniffed grass and peed on trees, they had talked about childhood pets. Preston told her he’d dreamt of having a dog as a kid. Cue Tank, who he’d chosen fresh out the liter as a puppy when he was twenty-two. They’d been best buds since. Juliette had shared hers too. Over fifteen years later from his demise, she still mourned her precious pet turtle.

  “Piece of cake. Her first pet was a little turtle named Blue. Her parents got him for her when she was three, so she was still a little confused on her colors,” answered Preston cockily.

  The others laughed at the answer, waiting for Juliette to turn her whiteboard over and show them the answer she’d scribbled. Her heartbeat hummed a mile a minute, thrilled to reveal that her first pet was indeed a spunky little turtle named Blue. Some clapped, impressed by Preston's thorough knowledge of his fiancé. The more competitive partners like Elena and Xavier groaned at another point jump for Preston and Juliette.

  Preston's hand squeezed her hip. When she glanced at him, he winked at her and she giggled. How could she doubt him? So far he’d gotten every question right. Preston knew her better than most.

  “Okay, Dom, you’re turn to answer for Gigi.” Tabitha plucked a card off the top of the stack and sat back to read the question. “Oooh, this is another one for fifteen points. What is one thing Gigi cannot live without?”

  Curious silence settled across the room as Dom stroked his chin in thought. Gigi’s agitation had gone nowhere. Juliette had kept her eye on her baby sister throughout the game. Nothing seemed to pacify Gigi’s bad mood. Even as she and Dom scored points and he reached to caress her hand or kiss her cheek, she either pulled away or sat still as a statue. Everyone around them avoided addressing the tension between the main couple, minding their business.

  Juliette knew better. Dom was left baffled while Gigi’s scowl deepened. Things wouldn’t get any better until the couple talked about Gigi’s suspicions.

  “I would hope it’d be me?” Dom finally offered uncertainly. He smiled weakly at Gigi to no return effort.

  “AIHRRRR!” Tabitha blared like a buzzard. “ Wrong! She answered her cell phone.”

  “Oh.”

  “That’s fifteen points off.”

  “No surprise there,” Gigi mumbled, pouting in place. “That’s how many questions now?”

  “Gigi—” Dom began.

  “I don’t wanna hear it, Dom. We shouldn’t have played anyway. I’m going upstairs.” Gigi popped to her feet and beelined for the door, her tailbone length box braids swaying along. At the threshold, she paused for a heavy hint. “You should probably be over playing too.”

  Then she was gone.

  Dominic sat wide-eyed and flat faced in her absence. Again everyone kept silent, uncertain what to say or do. Finally, Juliette half-rose to go after her sister. Dominic held up his hand to stop her.

  “No, I’ll talk to her. It’s clearly me she’s upset with. You guys and gals keep playing. Please. Gigi and I’ll be down soon.”

  Another stretch of awkward silence passed. At last Xavier shrugged and picked up another card. The game continued, but with a quarter of the heart and fun air as before. By the end, Preston and Juliette won by a landslide. It didn’t matter though. The more important outcome was that a couple of the pairs between the groomsmen and bridesmaids had hit it off. Elena and Xavier flirted openly with each other while Mellie kept rolling her eyes at Lee’s jokes, but she stayed put just the same.

  Preston and Juliette watched the others like proud parents. She sat draped on his lap so naturally now that it didn’t occur to her they’d relaxed in the position. Preston's arms were slung on her hips and she leaned against his chest, trading off smiles and laughs and private chatter. Eventually, guilt panged her and she apologized for taking too long to get off him.

  “Your legs have to be numb. I should probably stop sitting on you now.”

  “Sit on me anytime you’d like.”

  The line was unabashed flirtation. Juliette's cheeks rounded in a playful smile and she raised an eyebrow at him. The liquor in them was talking, g
iving them the bold beat of courage to say things they otherwise would’ve censored. She surrendered much like he had. Her inhibitions loosened thanks to the several glasses of sangria.

  “Are you flirting with me, Detective?” she asked softly, eyes on his.

  Preston's signature crooked grin arrived right on time. “And if I was, Miss Prosecutor?”

  “I’d be shocked. You’re way too serious to be flirting with a woman.”

  “Maybe I haven’t met a woman I wanted to flirt with,” he said and her stomach clenched with nerves as his hands traveled across the curve of her hips. All the while his eyes remained intensely on hers like a trance of their own. “’Til now, that is.”

  “Then I’m going to have to ask you to prove it.” The nerves continued, setting her on an exhilarating edge in wait for him to up the ante.

  And Vice Detective Preston Brooker did. He proved to her yet again his dedication to keep true to his word. His gaze dipped to her lips in a last tempting second, and he kissed her. Juliette's arms slipped around his neck and she opened her mouth wider, letting out the soft purr of a moan. Preston pulled her deeper into his lap and kissed her harder. His tongue slicked against her own, hot, wet and searching.

  Everything else fell away. The world around them ceased to exist. The room with the others crumbled, and it was suddenly just she and him, seated cozily on a sofa in each other’s arms, kissing fiercely.

  Juliette floated on cloud nine kissing Preston. The euphoric weightless sensation enveloped her as other feelings jumpstarted too. Redder feelings that tempted her into another moan. Lustier feelings that coaxed her core into throbbing as its own separate heartbeat. Before she could control herself she ground in his lap against what was most certainly a hard bulge in his pants.

  “Preston,” she breathed. At last a lick of sense hit her, sobering her up. She pulled away, completely lost what to do next.

  The room was almost empty save for Lee and Mellie, who chatted by the window. The others had headed up to bed sometime since they started flirting and they allowed things to tumble out of hand. She almost cringed still perched in his lap, still feeling the extent of his desire, large and hard. How could she ever look him in the eye again?