Not Just Friends

“Good,” Mason said. “You two can work on that project tomorrow.” He stood and grabbed his coffee mug. “Well, men, it’s time to get down to business.”

Adam circled the table to Julia and reached for another scone, resting his hand on the small of her back. “Just one more,” he murmured.

She glanced at him, her gaze fixed on his mouth, and he knew instantly what she was thinking. Could he steal one more kiss without anyone noticing? “You know, I think I’ll wrap up a few of those scones to go.”

“I’ll get you a bag,” she said. Julia turned back to the kitchen and a few seconds later, Adam followed her through the door.

She spun around when she realized he was in the room with her, her hands braced against the edge of the work table. Adam slowly crossed to stand in front of her. She was so close, he could feel the heat from her body and hear her breath coming in quick gasps.

He slipped his hands around her waist and pulled her against him. Adam didn’t bother to ask. He could see what she wanted the moment their gazes met. His mouth came down on hers, and this time, there was no hesitation, no doubt about what it all meant.

They wanted each other and denying it was an exercise in futility. His tongued delved into the warm depths of her mouth and she responded eagerly, matching his desire in every way. Adam’s hand skimmed over her hips and he cupped her backside, drawing her even closer.

But there was a limit to what he could take from her before the evidence of his desire was on display for all to see. He stepped back, knowing if he went on, he’d need a cold shower or at least ten minutes alone to recover.

“I’ll see you later,” he said, letting his palm smooth across her back.

A smile touched the corners of her mouth. “Don’t you want your scones?”

Adam shook his head. “No. It will give me a chance to come back.

“Later,” she repeated.

When he reached the door, he glanced back to find her still standing where he’d left her, her hand pressed to her chest, her lips still damp from their kiss.

Adam strode through the dining room and out onto the porch. “It’s going to be a good day,” he said to Mason as they strolled out into the sunshine.

JULIA’S KNEES WOBBLED and she drew in a deep breath, trying to steady herself. But the rush of oxygen only made her dizzy. She stumbled to the sink and splashed some cold water on her face. Would she ever get accustomed to kissing him? Would the after-effects wear off more quickly the more they did it?

Since their kiss in the cabin, she hadn’t been able to think of anything else. She’d accidentally dropped two eggs, spilled a glass of orange juice and burned a batch of scones just reliving that moment. And now there was another moment to add to it.

She drew another breath. Though she’d dreamed about kissing him for years, she’d never expected it to have such a profound effect on her. The taste of his mouth, the warmth of his lips, the strength of his hands on her body, were enough singly to drive her to distraction. But combined, she was powerless to do anything but surrender.

When she was teenager, all her fantasies were colored with romance. But now, everything was about raw lust. His touch made her body ache from something more satisfying and she knew exactly what it was. Naked bodies, limbs entwined, searching mouths and soft sighs.

This was exactly what she’d dreamed about and now that it was happening, she wanted to remember every single moment. Slowly, she sank to the floor and closed her eyes. The taste of him was still on her lips and she smiled. Blindfolded, she could kiss a hundred strangers and recognize him.

She wanted to run and jump and scream, letting loose the wild emotions that coursed through her body. But Julia knew that for now, she had to keep her feelings to herself. This could last a day or two and then, just as suddenly as it began, it could be over. And the last thing she wanted to do was make a fool of herself.

And yet, it was so hard to believe it was real when she was the only one who knew about it. If she could tell Kate or Frannie, then maybe it wouldn’t seem so surreal. And maybe it wouldn’t frighten her so much.

There hadn’t been a man in her life that had made her feel this heady mix of elation and anticipation since—well, never. What would happen when she saw him next, when he touched her again?

“Jules?”

She looked up to find Kate standing beside her, the coffee carafe in her hands.

“What are you doing?” Kate asked.

“Nothing,” Julia said, scrambling to her feet. “Just … relaxing. I didn’t sleep very well last night.”

Kate sat down next to her. “Are you all right? You look a little flushed.” She pressed her palm to Julia’s forehead. “Are you getting sick?”

“No. It’s just the heat in the kitchen. The oven’s been on. I’m great, really.”

Kate sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if we’ll ever finish what needs to get done. With everything we cross off the top of the list, we add another two or three on the bottom.”

“So, we have to fix the screens on the cabins?”

“Don’t worry, it’s not that hard. It just takes time and patience. But we don’t have to get to work yet.”

“What are you guys doing in here?” Frannie said, wandering into the kitchen. She plopped down on the other side of Kate and leaned over to look at Julia. “Are you all right? Your face is all red.”

Julia clapped her hands to her cheeks. “Yes.”

“She’s just warm,” Kate explained. She sighed softly. “I can’t tell you how much we appreciate all your help. We just never could have done this alone. And hiring help is beyond our budget. Do you have any idea what plumbers cost these days?”

“It’s no problem,” Frannie said.

“I just want you to know that—”

“Stop,” Julia said, wrapping her arms around Kate’s shoulders. “We’re all here because we love this place and we love you.”

Kate pulled them both into a group hug. “I’m so glad we’re all back here, together.”

“We haven’t changed at all, have we, girls?” Frannie said, stretching her legs out in front of her. “But you know who’s gotten better with age?” She leaned over the table. “Adam. Oh, my God, I didn’t think he could get any hotter, but he has. Why hasn’t some woman snapped him up by now?”

“Maybe he’s gay,” Kate said. “Look at Derek and Steven. We never even suspected they were.”

“I don’t think he’s gay,” Julia said.

“How do you know?” Kate’s eyes went wide. “You two haven’t—”

“I saw him in Chicago once. On Michigan Avenue, walking down the sidewalk with this gorgeous blond woman. He was definitely into her. It was obvious. I think he just likes women too much to settle on one.”

“When a guy looks like that, I guess he can afford to play the field,” Kate said. “I still say the best thing to ever happen to Mason was his hairline receding. Marriage looks pretty good to a guy who thinks he’s going bald.”

Frannie scrambled to her feet. “We need to have a toast.”

“It’s too early to start drinking,” Julia said, getting to her feet. She reached out and pulled Kate up. “We should really wait until at least 1:00 a.m.”

“I was going to say noon,” Kate countered.

“We’re on vacation. We can start whenever we want,” Frannie said. She filled three glasses with orange juice and passed them out. “To Camp Winnehawkee. Friends forever.”

“It really is true,” Julia said. “Look at us. All these years have passed and we’re still friends. I don’t think I have any better friends than you two.”

“We really should get together more than once a year,” Frannie said. “After all, we don’t live that far apart.”