Chapter 13
We landedin Miami around four in the afternoon, and when the heat bathed my face, I welcomed the change. Something about the shift from New York”s cooling autumn air to Florida’s jungle aura always sent a tingle down my spine. Growing up, my family always took their trips to Florida, no matter what time of year or the occasion. When I was married to Peter, we had come to Miami three times, and each time, he complained every damn day we were here.
Peering over to Brett, who stared out the window, taking in the Biscayne Bay as we approached Miami Beach, I had never felt so calm in the presence of another man. Once in the cab, Brett rested his hand on my knee like it was his natural place, and I craved his touch. Whether it was the lingering buzz of the strong cocktails I indulged in on the flight or the weight of Brett’s fingers toying with my exposed skin under my ripped jeans, an unspoken bliss was seeping into my body.
He turned his head, facing me and smiling. “Beautiful view.”
“I know. Isn’t the color of the water amazing?”
“I was talking about you.” Brett winked, sending my insides into a puddle.
Brett leaned in and brushed his lips lightly against my cheek. I turned my face toward his and met his full lips. We melted into each other, our tongues swirling and exploring each other’s mouths. Something about this man made me feel alive again like I had been in a hazy dream for the past few years since my divorce. Brett pulled back from the kiss, pressing our foreheads together.
“What are you thinking about?” Brett’s warm breath coated my neck.
I sighed contentedly, the vibrations of Brett’s voice against my skin sending shivers down my spine. “Just how happy I am to be here with you,” I replied honestly.
Brett kissed me again, this time with more urgency. His hand moved up to cradle the back of my head, and his other hand found its way to my thigh, squeezing gently. I moaned into his kiss, my body on fire.
Brett pulled away and leaned back in his seat. “We’re almost there,” he said, gripping his tousled hair.
I straightened myself and inhaled, mentally preparing myself for the inevitable. Coming to Miami with Brett would be a test for whatever Brett and I were starting. We were at different points in our lives, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this trip would make or break us. But all of my fears dissipated as I looked over at Brett with his playful smirk and carefree demeanor. When we finally arrived at the hotel that Amelia had booked for us, I was blown away by its opulence. The lobby was filled with vibrant colors and exotic plants, and the air smelled like coconut and saltwater. We checked in swiftly and made our way up to the room on the top floor.
What. The. Fuck. This was not the room I had chosen with Amelia. What did she do? I quickly texted her, asking about this ridiculous room with sweeping one-hundred-and-eighty-degree ocean views and a wraparound balcony. The modern furniture dripped from an expensive night’s stay, and the bathroom could easily fit into my home’s kitchen. I walked into the bathroom, my eyes widening at the luxurious fixtures, from the steam shower to the Jacuzzi tub. Were we even in the correct room?
Brett sensed my hesitation and came up behind me. “Is everything okay?” Brett wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder.
I turned around in his arms, cupping his face. “Umm...this is a very nice room, but this isn’t what I put down when I made the reservations with Amelia.”
Brett laughed and pulled me closer to him. “What is Amelia’s deal? She comes off as a real pisser.”
I took a deep breath, savoring the scent of Brett”s cologne mixed with his natural musk. “Amelia inherited a lot of money when her father passed away. While smart with her money, she spoils the people closest to her.”
“Oh, I see.” He planted a soft kiss on the top of my head. “She sounds like a good person.”
“She is.” I leaned against Brett’s hard chest, dragging my nails along his bare arms. “I’m sure you’ll get to know her more.”
“I can’t wait.” Brett leaned forward, kissing my cheek.
I gazed at him, getting lost in his deep, curious eyes. It was as if he could read my thoughts and tell me what I needed even before I spoke. He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear and traced my jawline with his fingertips.
“You know,” Brett whispered, “we have this whole suite ourselves. Maybe we should take advantage of it.”
I smiled, a rush of arousal building inside me. “I’d love that. But first, dinner.” I traced his lips with my index finger for a second before he captured the digit in his mouth and sucked.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Brett gazed at me through hooded lids. “Do you have any business stuff tonight?”
“Nope. Those don’t start until tomorrow.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, standing on my tiptoes. We swayed to a silent tune, our warm bodies pressed against each other. “Now we have all night to get to know each other like you say.” The corner of my mouth lifted, thinking of the possibilities. And this idea of all these unknowns was killing me and sending jolts of the deepest thrill through my bones. I could feel Brett’s arousal growing against my hip, and I couldn’t help but giggle. “You know what?” I looked up at him through my lashes. “I think I’d like some food now. Let’s go downstairs.” I took Brett’s hand and led him out of the suite.
We found ourselves at the hotel’s impressive restaurant and ate at the bar since there were zero tables. Top-shelf liquor lined the wall from floor to ceiling, overlooking a shiny mahogany bar with maroon leather stools. We sat on two of the leather bar stools while scanning our surroundings. A row of mirrors reflected the golden lights shimmering around us, emitting a soft, purple hue. Our reflections were dark against the bright lights, making it hard to see other patrons. But that didn’t matter. The only person I wanted to see was Brett. After ordering two dirty martinis, our night was just starting.
“So, tell me about yourself,” Brett started, motioning for me to take the lead.
The bartender had set a healthy bread basket in front of us, overflowing with sourdough rolls and tiny pretzel baguettes. I reached for one of the buttery rolls, stuffing an ample amount of dough into my mouth, thinking of where to start. “You’re setting this up like an interview.” I half laughed. “Why don’t we just talk and see where things go?”
Brett lowered his gaze, flashing those take-me-home eyes I couldn’t resist. “Fine. I’ll go first.” He planted a hand flat on his chest.
I cocked an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
“I have never had a cavity.” Brett beamed as if this was his greatest accomplishment.
“You’re kidding me.” And then, I finished my first martini with Brett following my lead.
“Nope. Not at all.” Brett smacked his lips together. “I was a parent’s dream as far as the dentist goes.”
“And what about everything else?”
Brett winced as if to confirm he was a terror. “Oh, that’s not important.” He dismissed me with a wave.
“Oh, it’s not, is it?” I bit my inner cheek, almost forgetting how great banter could be with the right person. The bartender stopped before us, and Brett ordered another round.
“I hope you’re not a lightweight.” Brett nudged my shoulder, sending a jolt of electricity to my core. The lightest touch from this man sent me into a delicious spiral.
“You don’t want to see me drunk.” I placed a hand on Brett’s thigh, and his muscles beneath my fingertips tensed.
“I want to see you in every way possible.”
I was about to come back with something witty, sure to knock Brett off his feet, but the loud ringtone of my phone pierced the moment. I fished it out of my bag, only for a frown to overcome my face. Why was Peter calling me? “It’s Peter.” I twisted my face, answering the call, while Brett placed his hand on mine, preventing me from slinking away. “Hello?”
“Where are you?” Peter hissed.
“Excuse me?” I ground my molars as concern pooled in Brett’s bottomless orbs.
“You took a trip and didn’t warn me?” The venom pouring off Peter’s tongue clogged my ear. The disappointment in his voice kept me quiet, trying to figure out what he was talking about. “Do you have any idea how this looks?”
Brett squeezed my hand reassuringly while I struggled to digest Peter’s accusations. “Peter, calm down. The girls are fine if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“You need to tell me when you’re not around and who is watching my children, Julia.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not how the custody arrangement works, but whatever you say.” I rolled my eyes and mouthed ‘sorry’ to Brett, whose jaw clenched every two seconds.
“Who is with our girls this weekend?”
“Why? Are you suddenly available?” I shot back, pushing Brett’s hand away, needing space desperately. A sweat broke across my neck, and heat rose to my cheeks. I was coming undone by a man who wanted to make me miserable, and I was granting him that power.
“Of course not, but you should have asked me first.”
I bit back a laugh, shaking my head. I couldn’t even believe I was still talking to this guy who was the most entitled narcissistic asshole on Earth. “Amelia is staying with the girls at my house.”
“Oh, your house,” Peter teased.
“Yes, it’s my house.” I jabbed a finger into my chest.
“Keep telling yourself that.” Peter’s tone morphed into a mock, making my blood boil harder.
“I will!” I yelled.
“Are you with anyone?”
“It’s none of your business, Peter.”
“Why not? Is honesty that hard?” This fucking guy, Peter. How the hell did I ever marry someone like him?
I was about to respond, but Brett’s determined hand grabbed the phone from mine. “Julia is not alone. She’s with me.” Brett put the phone on speaker.
My eyes bulged, but I didn’t try to grab the phone from him. In a way, I needed to be saved, but I also felt ashamed. I should be able to deal with Peter or anyone when defending myself.
“Who the fuck is this?” Peter’s voice cracked.
“And let me tell you something,” Brett added, pointing to the phone. “I’ve been to Julia’s house, and I think it’s great.”
That was it. I slammed my hand over the phone but kept it on speaker.
“Are you the pool boy from the other week?” Peter asked.
“No, I’m the barbecue man,” Brett said, leaning over me.
I took the call off speaker and slammed the phone to my ear. “I’ll text you when I’m back in New York. Goodbye.” Hanging up on Peter didn’t ease my nerves. It only prepared them for how he might try to get back at me. “You shouldn’t have done that.” My defeated gaze found Brett’s calm face.
“He shouldn’t speak to you that way. What right does he have to do that?” Brett pointed to the phone in my hand.
“Peter is an asshole.” I rolled my eyes.
“But why is he so mean to you? He cheated on you. He lied to you.” Brett’s finger nudged my chest, but gently.
I shrugged. “Maybe all men become jerks when they don’t have to be nice anymore.”
“Fuck that,” Brett spat, glaring at the phone. “I couldn’t be more different from your ex if I tried.” He paused. “Aside from him being attracted to men. I’d never berate you or any woman I was with.”
“I thought you didn’t date.” A small grin played across my face when Brett’s eyes bore into my soul with his jaw ticking.
“Maybe that’s about to change.” Brett scooted closer to me until his body shielded me from the crowded restaurant’s patrons, running his hands up my thighs.
I let a soft chuckle slip from between my lips but halted the second he palmed my sex. “Brett, I…”
“Shhh…I like you. I like kissing you, touching you, fucking you. I can’t stop thinking about you. But there’s so much more I wonder about you.” His lips danced along my jawline as my breath hitched and liquid heat flooded my core. “When you think of me, what comes to mind?”
I attempted to gulp down my breath. “Your smile.” My mind wanted to go into a steamy place, but I sipped my drink instead.
Brett smiled at me and ran his thumb along the blue-filtered rim of my martini glass. “You think I have a good smile?” He grinned so big it couldn’t be contained, causing me to laugh. It didn’t faze him. He pressed his thumb against my bottom lip before I could reply. My body jerked, our hips bumping into each other as I gripped Brett’s arms and let his gentle touch slip under the hem of my blouse. The waiter chose that moment to drop off a small plate topped with palm-sized truffles. I laughed, tripping over myself when Brett tried to sneak a finger under my bra strap, attempting to pinch a very hard nipple.
“Easy there.” My hand stopped Brett’s fingers from intruding. I had to remind myself just how public of a place we were in, and anyone from my company or industry could catch us any second. “We haven’t even had dinner yet.” I planted a featherlight kiss on Brett’s jaw, hearing him breathe. My own PDA was shocking, but I also had some liquid courage in me. “And I’m very hungry,” I whispered.
“I bet you are.” Brett bit his bottom lip, holding the skin between his teeth for an extra second. “Fine. We’ll eat, but after that, I choose what we do. Deal?” He cocked an eyebrow and signaled over the bartender to place our order. Two burgers with ample French fries would soak up any liquid courage we had downed over the last few hours.
“Deal,” I said, giggling as his hand crept under my shirt. The contact of his warm fingers against my abdomen oozed through my thin panties, freaking me out a little. Brett squeezed my thigh playfully. “Stop.” I pushed his hand away, and it still lingered on my leg. “Brett. Stop. People are going to start staring at us.”
Brett smirked and was about to advance when the burgers interrupted a dangerous moment. “Ah, saved by the food.” He winked, sending my mind into a spiral. I watched him take the first mouthful of the medium rare burger and studied the square form of his jaw as it moved. Brett peered over at me, smiling. “Eat up. You’re going to need the energy for later.”
Fuck. I was so done.