The Best of June by Tierney O’Malley Read Free Book Online

finally let go. Together, they joined the swift roll of ecstasy.
    Still trying to catch his breath, Henry once again found himself spooned with June. Interesting, that. “Come sail with me.” The words were out of his mouth before he thought of it.
    “What?”
    “Just a week—around San Juan Islands to Alaska. I just bought a new fifty-footer.”
    “A fifty-footer?”
    “Yeah. Just a small one that I could use anytime around here, Canada or Alaska. What do you say?”
    “I don’t think—”
    “Or three days. Just stay with me.”
    “Why?”
    Why indeed? “Celebrate with me. I’m a captain now. A dream come true.”
    June faced him. “But didn’t you just have a party downstairs?”
    “Yeah. A boring one attended by my father’s many friends whom I don’t even know or care for. My close friends are not even there.”
    “That’s too bad. What happened to your friends? They should have been here to celebrate with you.”
    “They wanted to but Julian is with his wife and daughter. Sam is sick with asthma. Trey is somewhere in Florida working on a case and Nolan is still in Georgia. So, what about going on a short trip with me?”
    “I don’t know.”
    He combed back June’s hair then traced the fuzzy hair along the hairline gently. “I’ll be at the E Dock. You know where that is?”
    “Yes. Henry, I’m not sure if three more days together is wise. We shouldn’t—”
    “E Dock. I don’t care how long it takes you. I’ll wait.”
     
    * * * *
     
    The sky had turned purple, yellow and orange while the sun shone with subdued light. Soon, it would be out of sight, turning the view of the Puget Sound into a dark canvas. How long would Henry sit on that bench? June watched Henry stretch his legs in front of him with one ankle resting on top of the other. Boy, those long legs…
    Earlier—as soon as she’d gotten home—June had called Vivienne to relate everything that had happened. She’d skipped the details on the personal part, though. Vivienne had been thrilled to hear about Henry’s offer and advised June to go yachting with Henry for at least three days. Because one night of loving might not do the work, another three days or more would give June a higher chance of getting pregnant. Besides, Vivienne had added, why would she say no to a million-dollar invitation to sail with the man she was secretly in love with? June hadn’t needed much persuasion after that. Using Vivienne’s excuse that they were going to Oregon to check out the job offer that Vivienne had received, June had told her parents that she’d be gone for a few days. Her parents had given her a hug and reminded her to be careful.
    That had been this morning after she’d left the club.
    Now, here she was, hiding inside the marina ice cream shop watching Henry sit on the bench reading a book. She noticed he would look up whenever someone walked by.
    He looked so delicious in his faded jeans and white polo shirt, his hair mussed by the gentle wind. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she knew they were blue—an unusual shade of deep, dark blue.
    She was more than flattered by his interest to be with her, but where would this affair take them? For sure, he was just enjoying his time while Stacey was gone. He must have done this kind of trip with dozens of women. When their liaison was over, he’d probably just move on without looking back. Whereas she would walk away from this trip madly in love with him and with a broken heart.
    Lord. What happened to Vivienne’s dine and dash theory?
    June forced a smile when she noticed the man behind the cash register watching her. He must be wondering what she was doing in the shop not even buying anything. “I’ve walked by this shop many times but this is the first time I actually came inside. It’s lovely in here.”
    “Thank you. Would you like to sample our variety?”
    She loved ice cream, but she didn’t think she could eat right now. “When I come back. Promise.”
    The man