20
Caroline spent the night, and Jim had an early class. He got dressed without waking her and studied her bare shoulder for a long time as he stood in the door frame before he slipped away. He didn't want to go. After class, Jim walked past a jewelry store and glanced at a display of engagement rings in the window. He turned back and entered the store wearing a big smile.
Victoria answered her front door to find a deliveryman holding a large box. She signed for it and couldn't wait to open it. It was one of the wedding gifts she had picked out for Jillian and Brian—a sexy one.
Brian took another bath and applied cream to all his affected areas. He avoided letting Jillian see him naked by locking the bathroom door.
Jillian knocked. "What are you doing? You never lock the door. Are you…jerking off?"
"What? No." he called back.
"We said no sex until—"
"I know. I don't trust you with this body. You get all crazy when you see me."
Jillian leaned against the wall completely naked and sighed. She traced her finger along the door molding. "Sometimes I just can't help myself."
"I think we can both make it a couple more days," Brian said loudly through the door. He unlocked and then opened the door, and spotted her hot body. He walked out wearing only boxer briefs as he covered his eyes and walked past her. "This is not good for the celibacy pact."
"You're very weak."
He glanced back to watch as she waltzed into the bathroom catching just a brief glimpse of her shapely ass. He sighed and headed out of the room.
That night Brian struggled to fall asleep. His new hair-free balls were really itching for some female attention. He spent a good five minutes checking everything out down there, and it felt incredible. He couldn't wait to show Jillian and have her try out his new equipment. Rather than use a quick self-pleasuring session to try to sleep and break his word, he turned to booze. Twenty minutes later he was out.
The next day Brian woke up late and discovered Jillian in the great room frowning as she watched television. She exhaled and then turned it off. "The lawsuit is all over the news."
"Oh no."
"They're saying I based the character on her. Natalie's attorney, a Josh somebody claims that Rebecca is Natalie, but the novel is filled with lies amounting to character assassination. He said they're seeking damages to ensure this never happens to another young woman. And something about repairing Natalie's reputation and helping her move on with her life. He called her a 'respectable, shy young girl who would never manipulate men or engage in the kind of sex described in the book.'"
Brian gave her an incredulous look. "All she did was engage in the kind of sex described in the book."
Jillian nodded. "I know. I think…"
"What?"
"I think we should postpone the wedding."
Brian moved to her. "We're flying out tomorrow. Everything is set. Just forget about all of it."
"How can I forget? And we won't have the money to pay for any of it when she gets through with us."
She rested her head on his chest, and he stroked her hair as he said, "Don't let her ruin this for us. It's too late to cancel it. You probably can't get any of the money back. I'll call the bank and ask for my job back."
"Don't do that. I need you with me now."
They kissed, and he held her on the sofa for the next hour. Later that day the phone rang often with requests for comments and interviews. Jillian turned them all down and then disconnected her phone. They kept the television off for the rest of the day and stayed off the Internet.
21
Jim, Caroline, and Ed and Bev Nash boarded the same flight to Miami early the next day. This was the first time Jim’s parents had met Caroline and overall they treated her well. If fact, they almost acted like normal people. Neither mentioned the word fornicate or anything relating to religion during the flight.
Jillian and Brian met them at the gate and guided them to the correct gate for the charter flight to St. Barts. Victoria, Rob, Laura, and the rest of the wedding party, along with the local guests were waiting there as well. All other out of town guests were flying directly from their own airport to meet them on the island of St. Maarten for a short flight to St. Barts.
As they waited to board the plane, a television was blaring in the waiting area. Jillian had been able to put the entire lawsuit out of her mind until the news story began on the screen:
A lawsuit against best-selling author Jillian Grayson who writes under the pen name of Jaclyn West has been filed by Natalie Brookhart, a young woman who at one time dated both Miss Grayson's son, Robert, and her fiancé, Brian Nash.
All eyes looked to the screen as the story continued.
Miss Brookhart alleges that her likeness was used in the novel without her permission. She also contends that she was painted in an unflattering if not slanderous light in the story. She is seeking unspecified damages that are rumored to be in the multi seven-figure range. Miss Brookhart says she can prove her claims and offers up proof with this video of her striking the exact ballet pose depicted on the cover of the novel titled The Leg Thing.
On the screen a split image of Natalie in the ballet position appeared next to a large image of the book cover.
Miss Grayson has yet to comment on this suit publicly, but experts we spoke to believe that there is more than enough evidence for Miss Brookhart's claims, and there is rumored to be a large settlement currently in the works.
Jillian stared down to the floor as everyone else looked to her and felt her pain. She glanced up. "I'd rather not talk about it. Let's just keep the TVs off the news channels this weekend."
Everyone nodded, and no one said a word as they continued to wait in the terminal. Victoria was expecting the results of the paternity test any day, and her doctor had promised to e-mail them as soon as they were available. As she was sitting in the airport, her smart phone chirped. She read the message, smiled, and then looked at Jim. She decided to break the news to him the next day.
During the entire flight, Victoria went over exactly how to tell Jim while Jillian wore a solemn face. Brian tried to lift her spirits and then decided it was best to let her work through it on her own. As the plane was descending, Jillian painted on a smile and promised that once they landed on the perfect tropical island, she would put all nonwedding-related issues out of her mind.
St. Barts or as some call it St. Barths is a beautiful island in the northeastern Caribbean, known for its crystal-clear blue water, fine white sand, nude sunbathing, and exclusive clientele. The Nash-Grayson group's charter flight landed in St. Maarten and from there, they met up with guests who had flown in from other airports. Then the group split up and took two smaller planes for the fifteen-minute flight to the island’s Gustave Airport. During the short flight, the small low-flying planes gave them all a breathtaking view of the spectacular sunset, and the beauty of this tropical paradise blew everyone away.
The twin aircrafts landed at the tiny airport on St. Barts just after 7:00 P.M. and about ten minutes apart. Two SUVs were waiting to take Brian, Jillian, Victoria, Jim, Caroline, Rob, Laura, and the three other members of the wedding party along with two plus ones to the house Jillian had rented. A bus transported everyone else to the Hotel Eden Rock, where the wedding was to be held in a little more than thirty-six hours. The guests of the Nash-Grayson wedding occupied nearly half of the thirty-four upscale rooms at the resort. Jillian had arranged for meals and activities for everyone attending the wedding.
The prospective bride and groom and their ten guests arrived at the huge lavish mansion that featured eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms about fifteen minutes later. The house sat high on a hill overlooking the beach and town, which were a short five-minute walk away. The house included a gym room and two pools, a butler, full housekeeping staff, and a chef. Everyone dropped off their luggage in their rooms, which all featured king beds, ensuite baths, and private balconies.
Jillian and Brian unpacked and then headed to the Eden Rock to check on the guests staying at the resort. There they were assured that every need would be taken care of by the attentive staff.
When they returned to the house, the mansion guests met for a delicious late meal and then retired to their rooms, completely exhausted from traveling. All were looking forward to the activities planned for the next day. Although Jillian didn't mention anything related to the lawsuit, she remained mostly quiet throughout the night, and Brian became concerned about her.
Jillian stood in the bathroom of their suite just staring in the mirror while wearing a sour expression. Brian came up behind her and began to rub her shoulders. She groaned with her eyes shut. "I could really use a rub." She opened her eyes and looked at him in the mirror as she said curtly, "A good one—not one of those where you are looking for something more."
"Okay, okay. We're not supposed to do it anyway."
"Oh, that's right," she said in a tired voice.
There was a quiet knock on the door, and Jillian rolled her eyes. She rushed over and opened it to find Jim wearing a timid expression. Jillian attempted a smile, but failed as Jim asked, "Sorry. Is this a bad time?"
"Sure," she said, feeling a little guilty and trying a little harder to smile.
"I'd just wanted to speak to you both for a few minutes."
She nodded. Jim moved into the room and closed the door. He began, "I know this is your weekend, and I don't want to do anything to ruin that, but…"
"What is it?" Brian asked.
"I decided to ask Caroline to marry me and…"
Jillian's painted on-smile melted away. She grabbed him for a hug and for the first time since she heard the news story in the airport, she was really smiling. She kissed him hard on the cheek, took a step back, and beamed without saying a word.
Brian shook his hand. "Congratulations."
A tear slid down Jillian’s face, and she said, "We love her. This is wonderful. When are you going to propose?"
"That's just it. I want to do it here. It's gorgeous, but I don't want to take any of the attention off your day. I was hoping I could do it Monday morning after the wedding."
Jillian said, "Don't be ridiculous. You can do it whenever you want. Announce it to everyone. We won’t mind." She glanced at Brian, and they shared an approving nod.
"It wouldn't feel right about doing it before the ceremony."
Jillian smiled. "Well, how about this. Do it Sunday night after we've left the reception. You'll both be dressed and standing out on the beautiful patio with champagne and great food. Rather than doing it some sleepy morning or while sweaty and wearing a bathing suit. You want it to be memorable."
"You really wouldn't mind?"
"Jimmy, I can guarantee you that after we leave the reception, we won't be worried about what you guys are doing. It will be all about us." She gave him a naughty grin, but he didn't need it. He had already received the message.
"Thank you," Jim said. Jillian hugged him again as he felt tears welling up inside. He pulled away from her while curling his lip. "I've got to get out of here before I, uh, lose it."
Brian and Jillian smiled, and she reached out to hold his hand, and they watched Jim go. She moved to Brian and gave him a hug. She pulled back with her mood the complete opposite of what it had been three minutes ago. "I don't care about the lawsuit or the book or any of it. All I care about right now is marrying you. No matter what happens, I promise I'll be in a good mood for the rest of the trip."
Brian smiled as he asked, "Does that mean I don't need to give you a rub now?"
Jillian glared at him in mock anger as she said, "Just get the oil."
The next morning, Victoria woke just after sunrise. She lay in bed thinking about Jim and obsessing about when and exactly how to tell him about the baby. She wanted to tell him soon and vowed to herself that she would tell him at the first opportunity. She moved out to the pool area with a cup of tea and curled up on a lounge chair to enjoy the spectacular weather. Jim woke up a few minutes later; he lay in bed, obsessing about the proposal. He walked to the balcony and spotted Victoria by the pool. He headed down, leaving Caroline sleeping soundly.
Jim sat in the chaise next to Victoria. "It's incredible here." She nodded and at the same time, they each began, "There's something I need to…" Victoria finished that sentence with tell you while he finished it with ask you.
They shared a grin, and she said, "You first."
He began, "I, uh, know we haven't known each other very long, but I'm going to ask Caroline to marry me."
Victoria's eyes widened, and she smiled at him blown away. "That's amazing news."
"I know. I feel weird telling you and asking you this, but I feel like I should. I mean I already cleared it with Brian and Jillian. I didn't want to take anything away from them on this trip, you know."
"So what do you want to ask?"
Jillian told me I should propose Sunday night after the wedding. Now I want to be sure it won't make you feel awkward or anything like that. We did share all that…you know months ago, and you know I still have strong feel…uh, I'm not sure what I'm trying to say."
She looked at him with her heart melting as she said, "You're just about the best guy on the planet. You don't worry about me. All you should worry about it making the perfect proposal. You've got to do it right. Let me see the ring."
He pulled it out of his pocket. "I was hoping you would ask. I haven't shown it to anyone yet."
Jim glanced around and then up to the house to be sure no one was watching. Then he handed her the box. Victoria opened it, and her mouth shot open as she gazed at the nearly flawless and colorless pear-shaped diamond. She looked at him speechless and then back to the ring. "You picked this out all by yourself?"
"I saw it in the window, and it just seemed perfect."
"I love a pear-shaped diamond."
"It’s one and a half carats. Do you really think she'll like it?"
"She'll love it."
Victoria put her hand out to him, and he took it. She squeezed his hand and then gave him a sincere look that bordered on tearful as she said, "She'd be crazy to not say yes." Their emotions began to get the best of them. She handed him back the box, and he tucked it away in his shorts as they both attempted to collect themselves.
"Do you think you can make it through the proposal without crying like a baby?"
"I hope so," said Jim. As he stared out to the pool, he remembered that Victoria had wanted to say something. "Oh, so what did you want to tell me?"
She glanced at him in shock. "Uh, I, uh…wanted to tell you that if you needed someone to bounce your wedding toast off, then just let me know. I'd like to get an opinion on my toast."
Jim’s eyes widened in alarm. "Oh shit! I completely forgot about the toast. I've been so busy worrying about…" He stood. "Thanks for reminding me."
She watched him leave while shaking her head and vowing to never tell him about the baby.
Natalie and Josh settled into their seats on the plane bound for St. Barts at the same time that Tim Dale, who was using the other plane ticket billed to Albert Blair, was heaving his heavy carry-on bag into the overhead bin just six aisles back. Albert was waiting for his plane at airport ten miles away.
Jim rushed up to his room, and while Caroline continued to sleep, he went on the balcony with a pad and paper and worked on his toast. Ten minutes later, Brian stepped out onto his balcony and saw Jim next door.
"Hey."
Jim looked up from his pad. "Good morning."
"What are you doing?"
"Working on my toast. What do you think?"
Jim stood and moved to the railing. He stretched the three feet over to Brian to hand him the pad.
Brian read out loud, "Jillian and Brian are—" He gave Jim an odd look and then nodded with a sarcastic grin. "It's short."
"I just started."
"It's a good start."
Brian handed back the pad and then paused in deep thought while staring into Jim's room without really focusing. Caroline was still asleep. She was naked and one of her perfect breasts was in full view outside the sheets. Brian exhaled deeply. Jim noticed his brother’s odd expression and followed Brian’s gaze. When he spotted Caroline's exposure, he said, "Dude."
Brian shook his head and then focused in on where his eyes were looking. "I swear I wasn't looking, well until now…wow, she's…"
"You creep."
"At least I didn't shower with her."
"Hey, I was in the shower first, Jillian's the one who—"
"Good point." Brian interrupted. "I swear I didn't see her until just now. I was just staring at nothing and thinking about the wedding and my job and, oh…the lawsuit and everything."
"I believe you."
Brian looked his brother in the eye. "But she's cute."
"I know, right?"
"F*ck the toast. Get in there."
They both looked into the room just as Caroline turned, exposing her even more perfect ass outside the sheets. They slowly turned to each other, and Jim said, "I'll just knock this out later." Brian had to take one more peek as Jim slipped back into the room and closed the blinds. Brian looked down to his groin and thought, This no-sex rule is killing me.
Two hours later, brunch was served at the house and at the resort the rest of the group was also sitting down for a meal. Soon after that a bus transported the wedding party group to the resort where they picked up the other guests. From there, they all set out on a tour of the island.