Page 57 of Escape To Paradise
Julian started peeling my dress off. “Most definitely.” He started sucking on my breasts and biting the tip of my nipples. Then he stopped. “Before I forget.”
He left me hanging. He stepped in the house and came back with a rectangular box. From the looks of it, I was sure it wasn’t an engagement ring. But I knew it was going to be special.
Julian opened the box and revealed a gold necklace with a pearl pendant. He took it out and put it around my neck, securing the clasp. The irony was not lost on me. I remembered so vividly how I discovered Benoit gifting our bartender with a necklace. Although this was a sincere gift, I couldn’t forget that moment.
I pretended to smile and feigned happiness. I was grateful for the gift, but of all the gifts someone could give me, why a necklace? It was as if the universe was playing games with me.
“Do you like it?”
“Of course. I love it.” I appreciated his gift, but it was the association that I had with necklaces that made me feel uneasy.
“One more thing.” Julian took out something from his pocket. It was a keychain with a key. “You get to get my spare key for the house. You can come and see me anytime. I’ve been getting more clients recently, so, whenever your ship docks, you can go here anytime.”
“That’s so sweet of you.” I accepted the key.
I kissed Julian on the lips, and he went back to what he was doing, kissing me all over my body. He was already rock hard when he carried me. He laid me on the kitchen counter, but I complained about how cold the kitchen counter was. He grabbed a clean kitchen towel and placed it on the counter for me to sit on.
The counter was just the right height for Julian to enter me without straining his back. And he penetrated me right there and came inside me. After, we went to the bedroom and had another round of making love before we went to sleep.
I spent the rest of my days off with Julian. We spent it going to the beach, swimming in his pool, and making love. I was already falling in love with him even if I didn’t admit it to myself. I had no intention of falling in love so soon after my split with Benoit, but Julian made me feel so safe. It was almost inevitable for me to fall in love. It was getting harder and harder to leave him as I left for work.
When I got back to the yacht to prepare for the next charter, the girls and I gossiped about Maverick. We were in the kitchen, doing prep work when Zofia joined in. I was in the middle of chopping vegetables when she walked in.
“Did you see that girl Maverick was smooching, Harper?” Zofia started.
“I think everyone saw.”
Kathleen butted in, “She was really hot. I wonder where they found her.”
“But that short shorts though, it leaves nothing to the imagination,” Zofia pointed out.
Kathleen giggled. “That could be the reason why she bagged him.”
“I wonder how they met,” I uttered.
Zofia teased, “Are you jealous?”
“No, I’m not. I’m not attracted to Maverick at all. Besides, I’m dating Julian.”
I don’t know if Zofia detected something. Admittedly, I got bothered that he was dating that girl.
Kathleen started to speculate. “I mean, we could always ask Paul when we get back. I’m sure he’ll tell us. But my guess is he met her at the bar. That’s the only place he ever goes to. I have never seen him not hanging out by the bar.” Kathleen was peeling potatoes and carrots.
“You’re right,” Zofia agreed. “I just wonder how long it’s going to last. I don’t like to speculate, but she didn’t seem like his type.”
“How do you know what his type is?” I asked.
Zofia told me. “Isn’t it obvious, Harper? He likes brunettes like you. He was practically ogling you the first time you met. That hasn’t changed.”
“What do you mean?” I was curious about her observation.
“When Julian picked you up, he stopped kissing the girl and was just looking at you. That guy still likes you.”
“Zofia, we don’t know what’s on Maverick’s mind,” I said. “Besides, who he dates is his own business, not ours.”
Kathleen giggled again. “It’s fun to gossip. It’s no fun without gossiping.” She went back to peeling more potatoes.
“You girls are too much.” I focused on chopping the onions and garlic.
