Noah #2
Instead, I steered her over to a pair of lounge chairs. My timing was impeccable too. The moment our backs were turned, Alexandra had pulled up ultrasound photos of the baby she and Graham—her sister’s asshole ex-husband—had created.
I guided Vic to sit, then snagged two bottles of water from a server passing by before I joined her.
For a moment, I let her sit in the quiet. But when she hadn’t moved an inch for more than a minute, I scooted my chair closer to hers and squeezed her hand.
Sunglasses lowered, she looked at me, her eyes rimmed red.
“Thank you,” she mouthed. With that, she slid them back up and rested against the back of her chair, never letting go of my hand.
I squeezed her hand three times and looked out at the water.
The lake was pristine and the forest surrounding it thick.
The only signs of civilization were a few mansions and the town marina on the far end.
The rest of the expanse appeared untouched, wild.
Katahdin and the Appalachian Trail created a serene backdrop.
It was the perfect reminder that no matter how fancy the house, we were still in Maine.
We’d spent our childhoods in this lake, jumping off tree limbs, skinny dipping, and all kinds of other stupid stuff. It made me strangely happy to be here with Vic.
Elizabeth wandered over, along with a little boy wearing Bluey swim trunks who darted straight to Vic and looped his arms around her waist.
“Look how grown up you are,” she said as she stood and ruffled his hair.
Head tipped back, he launched into a monologue about what he was learning in kindergarten, bouncing on his toes the whole time.
While I watched, not even bothering to hide a chuckle at his excitement, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I inhaled and stood as well, bracing myself for a conversation I wasn’t sure I was ready for.
Instead of being met with scrutiny, I found Elizabeth smiling widely. “So good of you to come.”
“It’s a lovely home,” I replied, letting my shoulders fall a fraction.
“Can I get you anything?”
I shook my head.
She stood there smiling at me, the moment getting more awkward by the second. Eventually, blessedly, her son led her away.
Vic sat and adjusted her chair so she was reclined fully, giving me an eyeful of her swimsuit.
The lake view was amazing, but nothing compared to the sight of my fake girlfriend.
Thank fuck I’d worn sunglasses. It meant I could ogle Vic without looking like a total perv. Though now that I was studying her, I could see the tension radiating off her.
I flagged down a server and took two more bottles of water before I sat. With the backs of my knuckles, I brushed her jawline, then used my thumb and forefinger to tip her chin up so she met my eye.
Vic leaned over, sliding her sunglasses down her nose. “I’m sorry.”
I laced my fingers behind my head and leaned back in the chair. “Don’t be. I’m having fun. It’s not every day I get to hang out in a fancy mansion with a gorgeous date. The rest of the company may be lacking, but I could happily sit and talk to you for days.”
She huffed, lowering her focus to where she was wringing her hands.
“My mother is such a snob. What she said about firefighters?” Another huff, her shoulders drooping.
“Then there’s Elizabeth. I have no idea what’s come over her.
She keeps awkwardly staring at you like a piece of meat. I’m so sorry.”
“Hey.”
I cupped her jaw, noticing then that her sister, who was now across the pool, was watching intently. Since we had an audience, I figured I’d put on a show, so I pulled Vic into a lingering kiss. It was chaste enough for public, but possessive enough to ensure everyone here knew who she belonged to.
I pulled back slowly, and the smile that spread across her face lit me up inside. I wanted to properly kiss her. To take my time savoring the taste of her and the feel of her curves under my hands.
“I’m not a piece of meat.” I brushed a kiss against her knuckles. “I’m your piece of meat.”
She giggled, her cheeks going pink. “They’re just jealous because you’re so hot.”
I shook my head, relishing the way my lips ghosted over her fingers while I kept them close. “Nah, they’re jealous because you’re so hot.”
She propped herself up on her elbow and glared. At least I thought she glared. It was hard to tell when she wore sunglasses. “Don’t do that. I don’t need you to lie to me to make me feel better. I’m a cow compared to them.” She looked down. “My hips are huge, I’ve got cellulite, I—”
I squeezed her hand firmly to shut her up. “Are you drunk? You are the most gorgeous creature in this county, maybe the state.”
She sat up and crossed her arms, which made her breasts press against the skimpy fabric.
“That”—I nodded, allowing myself the briefest of peeks at her cleavage—“is not helping your case.”
“Elizabeth is a former ballerina”. She said it as though the title was some kind of indication of her worth.
Sure, Elizabeth was tall and was so thin that in the skimpy bikini she wore, anyone within twenty feet count every one of her vertebrae. The task was only made easier by her perfect posture. She had been civil to me and seemed like an engaged parent, so I couldn’t fault her.
Compared to her sisters, Vic looked like a Renaissance painting. All creamy skin and delicious curves. Long legs, curvy waist, and pouty smile.
I would never understand why women were always comparing themselves and finding so many faults in their own bodies. Beauty came in many forms. So did desirability.
Standing, I pulled her up with me. Then I placed my hands on her shoulders and angled in until my lips skated over her earlobe.
“When I saw you in that bathing suit this morning, I was dangerously close to popping a boner while holding my child. You’re a goddess, Victoria.”
She let out a little gasp, and the sound went straight to my dick. I wanted to unleash a tirade of every filthy fantasy I’d ever had about her, but I’d already crossed the line. I couldn’t light the match and watch it burn.
Instead, I pulled her close and gently kissed her forehead.
“And more importantly, you’re my friend. I won’t let you talk shit about my friend.”