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“Excellent Now that we have that out of the way, ti fried bananas this ”
“I’ve never had fried bananas,” Julianna ad up at Miles when he tucked her under his ar the way
“Then you’re in for a treat There’s nothing like genuine island cuisine Honestly, I don’t kno I’ll ever survive going back to the States”
“Thank you, Miles You’re turning out to be a lifesaver and a good friend”
“Ahhh, shot through the heart,” he teased dra as if he’d just been drop kicked in the balls “I’ve been punted to the friend zone”
Julianna laughed, clearly delighted by his co in the first place
With any luck, Miles wouldn’t stay in the friend zone forever Well, at his core, he was an optimist
Only time would tell if he was also an idiot
-2-
Boston, dressed and ready, made his way to Larimar, a plan of action in place He shuddered to think just how close he’d coiveness, prostrating hiht coging Didn’t she realize he had the power to destroy her? The point was to win — not li over lost opportunities Weakness simply wasn’t tolerated
He strode into the airy lobby of Larialohen Lilah stopped him
“Are you looking for Julianna?” she asked with a bright smile
“Yes, actually I aive me a hint?”
“She’s on the beach Morning swiestured at the bright spray of flowers gracing the counter “Help yourself to a flower It always helps” Ah, the girl was observant She ht
Boston plucked a bright fuscia blooratitude for Lilah’s benefit He didn’t need flowers to get what he wanted but there was no sense in raising suspicion Boston found his way to the beach and saw Julianna talking and laughing with the saeher shoulder like that and I’ll rip your fucking arnant with his kid, for Christ’s sake Get a grip, don’t let your emotions run off with your mouth Boston took a moment to calm himself and then strode down to the beach to join theht up to Julianna, enjoying her sudden look of surprise and then immediate scowl as she recovered
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her gaze hot and resentful Even pissed off, Julianna was a vision No wonder Surfer Boy was practically panting after her, hoping to piss on her leg before breakfast
“Let uarded smile that certainly didn’t reach his eyes When Julianna jerked a short nod, the , “My name is Miles Lassister Dr Miles Lassiter Pleased to meet you”
Boston regarded his extended hand and patently ignored it As if he would shake the hand of theto move in on his territory “Doctor is it? Such service I had no idea Larimar offered house calls They really should put that on the brochure”
“Stop it,” Julianna hissed, looking ready to pelt him with rocks “There’s no need to be such a prick Miles was just being nice And before you ca Now you’ve ruined it with your face”
“Funny, you weren’t co about my face or my cock yesterday”
She gaped, i up their interlude in front of a relative stranger but she recovered sufficiently to reply coolly, “Well, fronant wos Sleeping with you is only a step above eating paint chips Excuse me, as much as I’d love to say that you’ve killed ” She pushed past Boston and Miles went to follow but Boston stopped him with an arm across his chest
“Where do you think you’re going, Doc?” he asked in a deceptively mild tone
Miles pushed at Boston’s ar because I’ll gladly lay you out for the pleasure of it, but Boston wasn’t inti on his wall He mentally sized his competition up and felt fairly confident he could handle him “She’s taken”
“Doesn’t look that way to me”
“Maybe you need your eyes checked”
“Want to knohat I see?” Miles didn’t wait for Boston, continuing with total confidence, “I
see aa woman who doesn’t want him anymore You lost your chance Now you need to step aside for a real ht”
“Oh, and you’re that man?” Boston dearly wanted to bury his fist in the fucker’s face but there was a frisson of fear squeezing his heart that Miles was right Julianna didn’t want him She’d never wanted him All she’d wanted was his ainst him in the form of his child The sense of loss and inadequacy threatened to strangle hiotten trash but he never shoeakness to the ene hisvery clear: she’s not available Just ask her Ask her why,” he dared Miles, a taunting smile on his mouth He’d love to see Surfer Boy’s expression when Julianna admitted that she’d sold herself to him Hard to pretty up that truth
“Are you threatening her?”
“Not threatening Just stating facts You’d do well to steer clear”
“Oh, now you’re offering advice? Looking out for my welfare? That’s kind of you,” Miles said with open sarcasaze went to the patio, clearly done with Boston and his advice “Look, the lady doesn’t want you any more Why don’t you handle this with a little class?”
“Says the nant wouess sloppy seconds are your thing?”
“Try to show some respect,” Miles said “Julianna is a wo”
Richard’s advice rang in his ears and he faltered There was the tiniest voice beneath the roar of his outrage that begged hi without her was driving hi weak or pathetic? The answer skittered out of his reach and he was left with absolute nothing but his current course of action He couldn’t back down, couldn’t retreat He forced a laugh but it rang with the ugliness curdling his heart “What’s your game, pretty boy?” he asked “Is it si her? Is that your fetish? Fucking pregnant woest you find a different woet your rocks off Like I said, Julianna is taken”