Chapter 8 #2
“There was this guy I was seeing for a little while, maybe a year. I knew it wouldn’t last even before he constantly made fun of me for having a night-light on while I slept.
But that was the final straw—when he told me it was childish.
‘Adults shouldn’t be scared of the dark.
’” Her voice deepens on the crappy impression of this guy who obviously enraged her in the past. Hell, I’m infuriated for her.
“When I kicked his ass to the curb, I added an extra light at night to spite him. Not that he ever knew, but it was my personal ‘fuck you.’ That lasted a week because he wasn’t worth my time.
” She finishes with a shrug of one shoulder, almost as if she’s putting up a brave front though she’s definitely still affected by it however many years later. “So, yeah. Every night it’s still on.”
“What a dick.”
“Understatement. And not an impressive one.”
I wasn’t expecting those words from her, so I choke on a sip of beer. Thankfully, it doesn’t exit my mouth and slides haphazardly down the esophagus, burning on the way down.
“I could have lived my entire life without that visual, Jude.”
“Pfft. His wasn’t even the worst. This one guy—”
I hold up my hand. “Not over lunch. I’d like to enjoy what’s left.” She calls my bluff with a scan of the table. We demolished lunch, leaving only a few sips of our drinks. “Just no.” I don’t need images of other guys’ dicks, especially in relation to Juliana.
Silence joins our conversation, and I finish up the last of my beer. Though not before she quietly adds, “Yours was the prettiest I’ve ever seen. And the biggest. And you were barely out of your teens.”
Beer sprays from my mouth, coating the table and her boobs with liquid. I can’t apologize because I’m gagging, the last remnants of beer trying to slide down my throat yet having a hard time.
I chance a peek at Juli, who seems pretty unfazed as she blots at her chest with the white cloth napkin. “I’d apologize, but I’m not all that sorry.”
“Not even a little?” I sputter out, wiping drool and beer from my chin, the epitome of sophistication.
She holds up her right hand, the thumb and pointer pinched closely together. “Maybe this much.” Inching them closer, she shakes her head. “Nope. Only this much.”
I have no comeback. No witty retort. No quick humor. She’s rendered me speechless. And not for the first time in our lives.
The waiter drops the bill off. With a flashy smile in his direction, Juli takes it and inserts cash inside, all while he stands there, his eyes focused on the wet spot on her chest, a chest his eyes never leave as he asks, “Need anything else?”
“Oh, no. We’re great here. Though I am glad for the double showerheads back in my room at the resort. I’m going to need a long one to get rid of this sticky mess.”
Now, not only am I speechless, but I’m turned the fuck on. Because there’s so much—too much—innuendo in her comment.
Similar to me, our waiter seems flabbergasted. His attention volleys between the two of us before he grabs the check and darts away.
When I finally find my voice, Juli’s innocent look is almost enough for me to say something stupid. Something I would definitely regret at some point, even if it’s the only thing I want to do and say at the moment.
“I’m a little scared of you right now. I don’t know if we can share any more beverages together.”
She purses her lips. “It’s not like I invited anyone into the shower with me. Should I call him back? Tell him where I’m staying? Ask to see his dick to add to my list of good versus bad ones?”
“Juliana Langley! Does your mother—hell, your brother—know you’re so crude?”
“It’s better they don’t know. Since you can keep a secret, it’s safe to assume you won’t tell them?”
“Well, duh. I can keep a secret.” I state the obvious, not giving away the rest. Until she’s squirming in her seat. “Yes, I won’t tell them.”
She whistles, the sound staccato yet bouncy. “Whew.” Her bright smile lights up the room and parts of me. “Any chance you want to join me in the shower?”
And now I’m dead.
Her expression gives nothing away, and I can’t tell if she’s serious. Not even the slightest hint of whether she’s joking.
So of course, the only thing I can do is tease her back. It’s only fair.
“Count me in. I’ll even allow for a thorough dick inspection.”
Her mouth drops wide open. She was probably kidding, but I won’t attempt to backpedal. Regardless if I should.
In no way, shape, or form should I entertain the idea of joining Juli in her shower, yet it doesn’t stop my mind from conjuring up images of what she looks like naked. And the shower in her suite is sweet. Definitely big enough for two and useful for more than getting clean.
“What if I was kidding?”
“I’d tell you so was I.”
She ponders my abrupt retort. “What if I told you I wasn’t kidding?”
I waste no time with my comeback. “I’d tell you I wasn’t either.”
“We shouldn’t.”
“I’m not saying we should.”
“But you’d be willing?”
“Always.”
Like the last twenty-four hours, this conversation is hella confusing. I’m not sure what I’m committing to or not committing to. All I know is if the offer stands, I’d take it. No questions asked.
Because it would be guaranteed to be a good time. Besides, she’s only here for a few days. Then we’ll go our separate ways again. Like last time.
Juli stands abruptly. “We should go.” By her alarmed expression, I’m going out on a limb to say she didn’t mean to suggest that.
Even if she meant to leave the restaurant.
“We should leave,” she corrects. “Is it hot in here?” She gulps the rest of her water, then grabs my glass as well.
Without waiting for a response from me, she turns on her heel, marching out of the restaurant.
Needing a minute to control myself and steady my pounding heart, I don’t follow right away. I keep an eye on her actions as she paces the sidewalk in front of the glass windows. Her mouth mutters continuously, most likely chastising what just happened.
Honestly, I’m not exactly sure what went down, where we stand on anything except she’s right about leaving.
With the ominous weather headed our way, it’s probably best we head back to the resort.
Put some distance between us. Though not sure she’ll be able to enjoy the pool if the forecast is correct.
Unhurriedly, I exit the restaurant, my eyes fixed on her the entire time, watching her like a hawk. When she faces me, she doesn’t see me, her sight fixated on something in the distance. I call her name to get her attention.
“What?” she snaps. The tension in her expression lessens.
“Ugh, sorry. I’m not sure what’s gotten into me.
I’m not usually this . . . awkward. And crass, as you put it earlier.
It’s like I spend a little time with you, and I revert to teenage Juliana who can’t get enough time with the guy she has a major crush on. ”
I can’t help the smile spreading. Because in a way, I feel the same. “Right. I get that.”
She rolls her eyes. “Please. No way you know what that’s like. Liking someone from afar, and them not knowing you exist beyond being your best friend’s little sister.”
My brain rouses something about a similar comment she made last night. Before I can send a message not to say anything, a question barrels out of my mouth. “You think that’s all you were to me?”
A noncommittal shrug. “Most days.”
I stalk closer, which leads her to retreat a few steps. My head shakes. “Never. You were never Preston’s little sister.”
Wonder has her head cocking to the side. “Then your little sister.”
“Gross.” The word pops out of my mouth beyond my control. “Again. Never. Not once did I ever think of you as my sister. Ew.” For good measure, my body revolts at the thought with a full shudder. Because ew.
She studies my face, looking for what, I’m not sure. Evidence I’m telling the truth? Confirmed when she says, “I don’t believe you.”
“I’ve never given you a reason to distrust me. Why would I start now?”
“I-I’m not sure.” Her answer isn’t resounding honesty, and disbelief leaks into her features. “We should go.” Unlike last time, she doesn’t move, her feet firmly planted on the sidewalk. Her shoulders heave with weighty breaths, indecision making each one heavier.
“Go where?” I press, wondering where exactly she thinks we go from here.
“Not . . . here.” She flicks a wrist between us, then out to the side.
I know where I want to go, but I’m not positive it’s the best idea. In fact, the only thing I’m certain about is that it’s probably the worst idea ever. Doesn’t mean I’ll keep it to myself.
To rile her up, I slide closer. “I believe there was an invitation to your suite’s shower. That offer still on the table?”
“We shouldn’t.” It’s not convincing.
“What if we should, Jude?”
The moniker breaks her, like I knew it would, and why I used it. To gain admission.
Her mouth opens, as if she wants to say something. Probably to refute my words. But it closes without her voicing anything. I wish I could read her mind, to know what she’s thinking, to know if there’s any inkling of giving in to what I want.
Before I can speak again, she presents her back, trudging away from me, leaving me standing there at a loss for what’s happening.
Seems like it’s par for the course with this relationship these past two days.
Despite my brain coaxing them to move, my feet stay planted.
It’s not until she looks over her shoulder and mouths, “You coming?” do I kick it into gear.
“Not yet,” I mumble. “But you will be.”