Hand in hand, we walk into the outside garden restaurant. I feel like I’m going to vomit… or come. Damn Sebastian for making me horny. As if I wasn’t wound up enough already.
“Garcia!” voices call as we walk through the restaurant.
Sebastian smiles and waves, and we head towards the table.
“You didn’t tell me that you knew everyone in the Maldives,” I whisper.
He smiles at everyone sitting as we arrive at our table. “You do know that this is the pre-wedding dinner, right?”
“Oh.” I fake a smile as I glance around at all the eyes fixed firmly on me. “I do now.”
This is hell on a stick. Everyone he fucking knows is here.
Great.
He pulls out my chair, and I sit down. He slides in beside me. We’re sitting at a small table for six. His four friends are already here.
“You remember Julian and Spencer, Brielle and Lottie.”
“Yes.” I smile, “Hello.”
“Hi.” They all smile and stare at me like I’m a freak in the circus.
“What were you two doing all day?” Spencer asks. “We were waiting at the pool for you. How rude. I would have thought you would make more of an effort, April.”
“They were getting busy,” Julian mutters.
My face falls, and the girls burst out laughing. “Spencer, stop it,” Lottie says.
I put my hand on my chest in relief. “Oh my God, don’t tease me. I’m nervous enough,” I admit.
Sebastian rolls his eyes. “Don’t be nervous about these fucking idiots. Nobody to impress here.”
“Hey!” Brielle chimes in.
“Watch your mouth.” Lottie laughs.
“Two jugs of sangria,” the waiter says as he puts two huge jugs of some exotic looking red drink on the table.
“Yes, thank you,” Brielle smiles. “Keep them coming.”
Charlotte rolls her eyes. “Oh, this is just great.”
“Just keep making babies for me, babe.” Spencer gives her a sexy wink as he rubs her pregnant stomach.
She fakes a smile at him and fans herself with a paper fan. “When I have this baby, Spencer, I’m going on a bender for a week, and you’re babysitting the entire time. Breastfeeding and all.”
Spencer raises his glass to her. “Yes, dear.”
I can’t help but smile as I watch them. He adores her, it’s obvious. He has a likeable, naughty boy charm about him.
“How long have you got to go?” I ask.
“Ten weeks.” She smiles.
“First baby?”
“No, fourth.”
My eyes widen. ‘Wow.’
She seems nice and has a real toffy English accent. I wonder where she’s from.
I turn my attention to Brielle. “Do you have any children?”
“Yes, five.”
“Five?” My eyes widen, unable to hide my shock. God, these women are full-on breeders.
“Three are ours, and two are my step kids.”
I think I pick up an accent.
My eyes drift to Julian. He must have had kids with someone else before.
“Although, they like Brielle more than me,” Julian mutters dryly.
“We all do,” Spencer replies casually against his glass of sangria.
“Am I picking up an Australian accent?” I ask.
“Yes, I’m an Aussie. Tell me about you.”
Julian smiles as he watches her. It’s obvious he’s smitten, too.
“I’m American.” I smile. “Lawyer.”
They all hang off my every word. I shrug bashfully.
“How did you two meet?” Charlotte looks between us.
“Ah.” My eyes find Sebastian. He’s sitting back, enjoying the show, not a word to be heard. Cut in any time, fucker. “We met in a café about six years ago. We dated briefly then but it didn’t work out.”
Sebastian, Julian, and Spencer’s eyes meet, and I know his friends know the real way we met.
Screw it. He wants to be honest with his friends, so do I.
“Actually, that’s not all of it. After we met in the café, I worked in a strip club, and Sebastian came in.”
A broad smile crosses Julian’s face, and he glances over to Spencer who is also wearing a goofy grin.
“Steady on,” Sebastian chokes.
The girls’ eyes widen.
“I’m telling you two the truth because I can’t lie, and I know that Sebastian has already told the boys. I want to be honest with you both right off the bat.”
Charlotte slaps Spencer’s arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Brielle’s mouth falls open when she turns to Julian. “You knew this?”
Sebastian holds his hands up in surrender. “It was the one time I went to a strip club, and she was working behind the bar to put herself through law school,” he stammers.
I look over to see Julian is smirking into his drink, his eyes holding mine.
He’s impressed that I told them the truth.
So am I.
“Oh, I like you.” Charlotte gasps. “Somebody pour her another drink. I want to hear all the strip club stories.”
Spencer playfully puts his hand over my glass. “Let’s not.”
“So how did you girls meet your lovely men?” I ask.
“Well I was actually Julian’s nanny,” Bree responds with a smirk on her face. “And Charlotte is the rich daddy’s girl that Spencer couldn’t have”.
We all laugh. Maybe this night won’t be so bad after all.
They actually seem nice.
Sebastian
I watch as April chatters and laughs with the girls at the other end of the table. This is so weird.
The girls never like anyone I date. Not that I ever bring them to anything like this, I guess. I’ve taken dates to black tie balls before, but Brielle and Charlotte have always been guarded and not overly friendly.
They’re different tonight. Or maybe it’s just that it’s April.
Unassuming and pretty, she oozes warmth and kindness. But most of all, she’s intelligent.
“So, what’s the plan if you go into early labor while we’re here?” April asks.
“I don’t know.” Charlotte looks over to her husband. “What’s the plan, Spence?”
He shrugs. “Freak the fuck out.” He puts his hand over his mouth so the girls can’t hear. “And then getting rolling fucking drunk,” he mutters under his breath.
Julian and I laugh. Spencer is hardly drinking due to Charlotte’s condition in case he needs to drive somewhere in an emergency. He wants the baby to come more than anyone.
“You can call me and Sebastian,” April slurs in her ‘I’ve had way too many sangrias’ voice. “I’m good in emergency situations, and Seb always knows what to do.”
I smile against my wine glass. When do I always know what to do?
Never.
“And besides, my cat had kittens,” she continues.
“Trust me, this pussy is a lot bigger than yours. We need back up,” Spencer mutters dryly.
We all burst out laughing.
Charlotte slaps him on the arm. “Spencer.”
Brielle goes to stand and stumbles back on her chair, crashing spectacularly backwards into the garden bed.
“Fucking hell,” Julian mutters, jumping up.
April bursts out laughing, and she scrambles to pick Brielle up. She grabs her hands and begins to pull her out of the hedge. They’re laughing loudly as they fumble around, and everyone is looking our way.
“No more for you. We’re going home,” Julian says as he pulls Brielle to her feet. “You could have broken your neck.” He smooths down her dress and straightens her up.
“But we’re going dancing,” Brielle slurs. Her hair is wild, and she has the Devil in her eyes. Jeez, I think she’s even drunker than April.
Drunker. Is that a word?
“Yes. Dancing!” April gasps. “Let’s go.” She grabs Charlotte’s hands and pretends to slow waltz with her. “Bubba loves to dance.” She bends down to Charlotte’s stomach. “Don’t you, cutie pie?” she says in a baby voice.
“Oh God.” I roll my eyes. “That’s it. We’re out, too, April.”
Brielle sidesteps and stumbles again on her heels. Just as she’s about to fall back in the garden, Julian catches her. “Home,” he demands, putting his arm around her.
“Yes, good idea.” She looks lovingly up at him. “What have you got for me, big boy?”
Julian winces, and Spence and I burst out laughing.
I take April’s hand. “Come.”
“Noo.” She laughs. “Don’t be a party pooper, Seb. Me and the girls are out on the town. Aren’t we girls?”
“There is no town,” Julian replies.
“Yes!” Brielle calls from under Julian’s arm. “I’m going out, Jules.” She goes to pull away, and he takes her arm in a vice-like grip. “Home time, Bree.” He pulls her along. “You’ve had enough.”
Brielle puts her hand to her mouth, whispering while she’s being pulled along like a child. “He’s being boring.”
“What’s new?” Spencer mutters.
We walk through the gardens back to our apartments. The girls are on each arm of Charlotte, chatting and giggling, tottering along like drunken sailors.
The boys and I are walking behind them, rolling our eyes at their antics, and a strange thought crosses my mind.
This is the first time that this has ever happened.
The three of our partners, getting along and having fun. Actually, having more fun than us.
Weird.
Julian slaps me on the back when we get to their hut. “Good luck with that one tonight.”
“Oh,” Brielle frowns. “I don’t feel so good.” She holds her stomach. “Jules, I feel sick.”
“Christ almighty,” he winces.
I chuckle. “I think you’re going to need some luck yourself… and a bucket.”
He helps her up the stairs, and Spence and Charlotte say their goodbyes. I take April’s hand, and we continue to walk to our room.
She hiccups in an exaggerated way as she looks up at me, and I smile down at her. Even blind drunk, she’s adorable.
“I like your friends.” She beams.
“They like you.”
“Really?” She seems surprised. “Because I like them.”
“Yes, you just told me.”
“Did I?” She frowns.
I lead her up the stairs, and she sways as I unlock the door.
“Are you alright?” I ask.
She nods. “Yep.” She hiccups again.
“Why did you drink so much?”
“It was Charlotte,” she slurs.
I frown. “Charlotte?”
“Yes, I had to drink for her, too.”
I chuckle. “That makes sense.” I lead her into our room. “Bed.”
“No, I need a shower.” She rises on her toes to kiss me. “Can you run us a shower, babe?”
I smile against her lips.
“You owe me an orgasm.” She smiles sexily and cups my cock in my pants.
Blood starts to swirl around my body. Now that I can do. Even drunk, this woman is hot for it. “All right.”
I walk into the bathroom and turn the shower on. I retrieve the towels, undress, and I get under the water to wash myself. I give myself a few sneaky strokes.
Hmm, yes, I feel like this. I imagine how good she’s going to feel around me.
“April.” I smile. “Come and get it.”
Silence.
“April?” I frown. What’s she doing out there?
Silence.
I walk out of the bathroom and around the corner to see her curled up on the end of the bed, still in her dress, fast asleep.
I exhale heavily. This is not what I had planned.
I pick her up and put her bed, taking her shoes off. I pull the sheet up over her and kiss her forehead as I brush the hair back from her face.
I frown as I stare down at her. I didn’t realize how much I’ve been missing by being alone. This weekend has opened my eyes, and I feel like this is a turning point in our relationship.
I bend and kiss her again. I kiss her shoulder, her cheek, her arm, and I just can’t get close enough.
I lie down beside her and hold her in my arms. She’s dead to the world, fast asleep, but it makes me feel better by holding her close.
The longer I hold her, the stronger my need becomes. I get up and return to the shower. I see the lube and squirt some into my hand.
No use wasting this boner. I may as well help myself.
April
I sit in the sun, my sunglasses on. I’m somewhere between Heaven and Hell.
Being hungover is bad.
Feeling near death from alcohol poisoning while sitting in the sun at a wedding is the fucking worst.
We are on the beach, sitting on the chairs that are lined up in pretty rows as we wait for the bride to arrive.
I am in a world of pain with absolutely no sympathy from Sebastian.
Bree is worse, and Charlotte thinks this is the funniest thing that has ever happened.
Brielle has been throwing up non-stop all morning.
“Oh.” Brielle sighs and holds her head. “I swear to God, I’m literally dying here. If I even see a bottle of sangria again, I’ll throw up. That shit is the Devil.”
“It doesn’t come in a bottle,” Julian says, staring straight ahead. “It’s a cocktail.”
She rolls her eyes, annoyed by his response. “How come you’re not sick, April? Do you have an iron stomach or something?”
“Trust me, I am,” I whisper.
Not a lie. I really am feeling as sick as a dog.
“Some people can handle their liquor,” Julian replies.
“Did you bring me any water?” she asks him.
“Do I look like I have water?” He holds his hands out.
“Seriously, Jules, if you love me, you will go find me some water. I’m so dehydrated, I’m turning into a sultana.”
Julian rolls his eyes.
Sebastian smirks, and I can tell that Julian and Brielle’s conversations often keep everyone entertained.
“And if you love me, you wouldn’t expect me to fly all the way to the Maldives to be your hydration slave. Your condition is self-inflicted. Suck it up, princess,” Julian replies flatly.
Spencer drops his head and chuckles.
Sebastian glances over at me and gives me a soft smile. I reach over to take his hand and pull it into my lap.
This all feels so natural and not at all what I expected. I really like his friends. They’re my kind of people. The girls are around my age, and we have a natural rapport. Spencer and Julian are dry and witty.
Spencer is soft and swoony, and Julian is a hard ass, although I kind of get the feeling he’s a big softy underneath, too.
And then there’s my man, Sebastian Garcia.
Tall, dark, handsome, guarded and damaged.
Perhaps the most beautiful man I’ve ever been with. In terms of looks, definitely, but it’s his heart that has me convinced. He’s like an onion. With every layer that I slowly peel back, I get a little more from our relationship.
He’s deep and caring, bossy and dominant, with a huge heart.
I know he said that he loves me, and in his own way I know that he does, but his walls haven’t come completely down yet. I guess it’s just going to take time to build that trust between us. For me, too.
But I have faith it will come. What’s between us is too good for it not to. By admitting what we’re both feeling, it’s a big step in the right direction.
And now with his friends…
He lifts my hand and kisses my fingertips. I smile over at him.
The way he looks at me is just everything.
“Get a room, you two,” Spencer whispers. “I’m about to vomit in my own mouth here.”
“That makes two of us,” Bree moans as she holds her temples.
“Don’t even think about it,” Julian warns her.
“Oh, please do,” Charlotte whispers. “That will be the highlight of my life if you vomit here at the wedding.”
“Do it on the groom,” Spencer whispers. “Let me film it.”
I drop my head and giggle. Brielle’s hangover is hilarious.
“Hurry the fuck up.” Sebastian looks around. “It’s two thousand degrees. What are we waiting for?”
“The bride.” Charlotte widens her eyes to accentuate her point.
He exhales heavily, unimpressed. “Ah. Her.”
The music starts, and we all stand and turn to see a beautiful bride walking down the beach, wearing a classic white dress and a veil. With long, dark hair, she looks every bit of the wedding fantasy.
“Oh, no.” Brielle drops her head and fans her face. “I think I’m going to throw up.”
“How lovely,” Julian murmurs, faking a smile at the oncoming bride.
I bite my bottom lip to stop myself from bursting out laughing. Even sick as a dog in ten-thousand-degree heat, I’m having so much fun.
We walk along the beach on our way home from the wedding. It’s nearly 1:00 a.m. We’ve had the most amazing afternoon and night at the romantic beachside wedding.
There’s been laughter and dancing. Sebastian has been utterly gorgeous, and I’ve been swooning at his every word.
The moonlight is dancing over the water now, and the breeze is blowing through my hair. We stop walking and look out to sea.
Sebastian takes me in his arms, and I stare up at him. Our lips slowly meet and, unable to help it, my eyes close. I’m giddy over this man.
Like a wave in the ocean, attachment is beginning to flood through us. It’s exhilarating and terrifying.
Real.
Sebastian stares down at me, and it’s as if he can read my mind. A frown creases his brow. “What?” he asks.
I swallow the lump in my throat. I don’t want to admit that I’m petrified of loving him—that this is all going to go south, and that the next time my heart breaks it might be beyond repair.
When I’m alone, I’m safe. Nobody can hurt me.
But…
“I don’t want to be that person anymore,” I whisper.
Our eyes are locked. “Me, neither,” he says softly.
He kisses me, and I know that he feels the same. Unbridled fear is running between us like wildfire.
“Sebastian,” I whisper. “Promise me that we won’t fuck this up.”
“You know that I can’t.”
My eyes search his. He reaches up and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear.
“I can promise you two things,” he says.
The wind whips through my hair. “Such as?”
“That you have me.” He takes my hand and places it over his heart. I feel the warmth of his chest. “And that I’m trying my hardest.” He leans down and kisses me softly. “You make me want to be a better version of myself. The old version… before…” He cuts himself off.
“What’s that old saying?” I stare up at him. “Love like you’ve never been hurt.”
‘I wish I could.’ His eyes search mine, “How do you do that?”
I shrug as emotion overwhelms me. For some reason, I tear up because, fuck,
I wish I knew.
He sits down on the sand, and I sit down beside him. We both stare out at the sea in silence.
I feel like I’m on the precipice of heartache.
Relationships are hard when both people are whole. Relationships are barely doable when one person is broken. But both parties… how could that possibly work?
“Why did you stop seeing Duke?” he asks.
I frown, surprised by his question. “Because I didn’t love him.”
“How did you know that you didn’t love him?”
“Because it didn’t bother me if he slept with anyone else, which he did. We had an open relationship. Not that I ever slept with anyone else. I would never put a title on our relationship. I hated the thought of being tied down and trapped.”
“How does that differ to how you feel about me?”
“Because…” I pause. “From the first moment I saw you in the street with that homeless man, I could see you.”
“For what?”
“For who you really are.”
He stares at me.
“I’d been dating all these supposedly great guys who said they loved me. Then there was you, telling me you didn’t want me, acting like you hated me, treating me terribly, wanting me to be your whore… but deep down, I always knew.”
He drops his head as if overwhelmed with emotion. “Knew what?”
“That you and I would end up together on a beach on the Maldives one day.”
He breaks into a slow, sexy smile. “Hungover?”
“Only one of us is hungover.”
His eyes twinkle with a certain something. “The other one is smitten.”
I smile at the beautiful man in front of me. His eyes oozing with honesty. His hair windswept and wild. “I do love you, Seb. So much.”
“Show me.” He rolls us over so that I’m on top of him.
I sit up, my legs on either side of him, our most sensitive parts touching. I stare down at the beautiful man shining in the moonlight. “You’d better undo that fly on your pants, Mr. Sandman.”
He chuckles, and I go up onto my knees to give him room to move. He struggles and unzips his suit pants. “Now what?” He smiles up at me.
I pull my panties to the side. “We do this.” I slide down onto him.
He looks up at me in awe. “I like that we’re doing this.”
I smile, the double meaning not lost. “Me, too.”
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.
Hmm, what’s that?
“Hello,” Sebastian answers in a husky voice. He stands and walks over to the window and peers out onto the street below as he listens to whoever is on the phone. “Is he alright?”
He falls silent.
I rub my eyes as I watch him. Who’s he talking to?
“I’ll be on the first plane home.” He nods and turns. His eyes find mine. “See you soon.” He hangs up.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“They found Theodore.”
I smile. “Great.”
“He’s dead.”
