Breach of Honor by Naomi Porter

12 Miranda

I WAS FALLING for Will. Not a single day had gone by where we didn’t see each other, even if only for a quick, passionate kiss before I had to work an event.

Will was everything I’d ever wanted and so much more. He exuded chivalry and charm, tenderness and respect. I often caught him gazing at me from across a room or above flickering candles at dinner. He listened with genuine interest when I talked about work. And his eyes never strayed when a gorgeous woman passed him on the beach.

He seemed to only have eyes for me.

More so, Will hadn’t pushed for sex once. When we’d heated up, Will slowed us down. How could I not fall for such a caring man? His patience with me solidified the feelings I’d had the night in the club: He fit me.

Now more than ever, I wanted to take our relationship to the next level. And that’s what this little trip was about, making love.

“And you have no clue where he’s taking you?” Lily plopped onto my bed with a bottle of hard cider in hand. I dialed into the jealous tone in her voice. My beautiful friend had been living vicariously through me. She tried to be happy for my new love life, but I could tell it was a struggle.

“No clue, babe.”

“I’m sure he’ll blow your mind. I hate you. You know that, right?” She guzzled her cider.

“All Will has to do is be himself to blow my mind.”

Lily rolled her eyes.

I zipped up my weekend bag, watching her. “Do you have any plans while I’m gone?”

“You mean other than the Harris masquerade ball tonight?”

Ouch. I knew she was perturbed about doing the event without me.

“Then there’s filing my nails. That’s always thrilling.”

“Lily—”

“Oh! I could watch The Wedding Planner for the millionth time. That would be spectacular!”

“Now you’re making me feel bad.” Two days apart wouldn’t kill Lily, but I knew better. She had to be worried Will would ask me to move in with him. Some might think it presumptuous since we’d only been together for a month, but he’d already mentioned it a dozen times. My gut told me once we had sex, he’d want me to move in. I could sense it on the horizon, and I believed Lily could too.

“I’m just giving you shit. But doesn’t Will have a rich friend? I want to be a princess too!”

“I’ll ask him.” I scrunched up my nose at her playfully.

As far as I knew, Will didn’t have available friends. They were all taken or fixated on being lifelong bachelors. Well, except for Mr. Dark and Nasty, Jason Sayton. He creeped me out. I’d never try to set Lily up with him.

“Come with me to Will’s parents’ home for Christmas. It’ll be fun, and you can drool over everything.” Lily shrugged as if bored. “You could meet Simone, Will’s sister. Get in good with her and I bet you’ll meet all kinds of wealthy men, and her socialite friends.”

“I’ll consider it while you’re gone.”

“Okay, good!”

Will’s classic knock echoed: two firm knocks and a pause, then a single beat. I nearly ran to the door, eager to see him. I’d been crazy busy the last two weeks, and it had cut into our time together. The saying distance makes the heart grow fonder was true, for us at least.

I flung the door open and he scooped me into his arms.

“Hi, baby.” Will greeted me with a delicious kiss, holding me protectively. One kiss and I knew I couldn’t wait to take our relationship to the next level. He released my lips but kept me close.

“Hi, handsome. I missed you.” I inhaled his cologne. Yes, I’d move in with him if he asked me to. I hated being apart from him.

“It was a torturous week.” Will wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me up to him. He often did this, and I adored it.

I cupped his face, pulling his lips to mine.

“You two are freaking adorable.” Lily sighed. “Aren’t you afraid that having sex will ruin your fairytale romance? Just keep it platonic and you’ll last a lifetime together.”

Neither Will nor I responded to Lily. She always had snarky comments for us. Will put me down, and I grabbed my handbag while he picked up my tote bag.

I went over to Lily and kissed the top of her head. “Call Tate and Viv. Hang out with them or invite them over. Order Chinese or a pizza.”

“Nah, they’re newlyweds. I’d just be a third wheel. Don’t worry about me, sweets. Go and have a disgustingly, wonderful time. I’ll be fine.” She patted my hand.

“Okay, I’ll see you in two days. And call me if you need anything.”

Will reached for my hand with a smile on his face and longing in his eyes. I felt the same way.

“Think about Christmas!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Like I’d suspected, we were flying somewhere. What I didn’t expect was the private jet. Will parked the car and helped me out, and we walked into the small terminal. This was the luxury part Lily envied, but I feared it on some level.

Will looked utterly relaxed in his element at the counter. Every time I experienced “the good life,” I questioned how many other women he’d spoiled before me. How often had he taken a lucky lady on a trip via private jet? If I allowed myself to wonder about such things, I’d get a tad green with envy. I needed to leave it alone. What he did before me didn’t have any bearing on me or what he did with me.

Battling my thoughts and keeping jealousy at bay wasn’t easy.

Worse, images of the woman on her knees sucking off Will would creep into my mind out of nowhere. I hated how seeds of doubt lived just beneath the surface of my skin. I hated how it made me insecure with Will, but I wasn’t sure how to make it go away.

My biggest fear was disappointing him in bed. We had talked a little about sex and my worries and forgettable boyfriends. I still considered myself wet behind the ears, but Will, I’d consider him a pro.

“Are you ready, baby?”

I nodded as he lifted my chin to kiss me on the nose.

“Good, let’s go.” Will nodded to his security guy, and to my surprise, he didn’t follow us out. Bodyguards and the like were something I was still getting used to. They were around sometimes, usually not in plain sight, but I knew they were nearby.

The inside of the jet mirrored the interior at SJI, black-and-chrome accents sprinkled with gold SJI monograms, modern yet luxurious.

“Is this SJI’s private jet?” I asked, buckling my seatbelt.

“It’s my father’s jet.”

“And he’s okay with you using it?” Probably a silly question. It wasn’t like Will was a rebellious teenager taking his parents’ car on a joyride. “I mean, does he know you’re with me?”

I couldn’t help but ask the real question plaguing me. Did Will’s parents approve of me? I knew he hadn’t been serious about anyone or in a long-term relationship since high school. That bit of information made me feel special, but I really hoped his parents liked me.

Will smiled, lifting my hand to his lips. “He knows and hopes we have a good time. I assured him we would.” He gave me a pointed look and it turned my insides warm and gooey.

Relief washed over me. I rested my head on his shoulder, entwining my fingers with his. “If your father knows where we’re going, when will I know?”

“Carmel,” he said with a smile in his voice.

“Really? I’ve never been there before!”

“Well then, I’m glad we’re going. All I want to do is make you happy.”

This sweet man always spoke earnestly to me. After only a month, I cared deeply for Will. I was falling in love with him, though I wasn’t ready to admit it to anyone yet. I had an inkling he might feel the same judging by the way he treated me. I hoped I was reading him right.

I did wonder if I deserved him or if this thing between us might end up like a repeat of Freddy Smith and me. Being blindsided with the unimaginable again would devastate me.

“You do make me happy. So very happy.”

He touched his nose to mine, then brushed his lips over mine and parted them gently. His warm tongue darted in, and a zing of desire shot between my legs, making me shift in my chair.

I was so ready for sex.

We settled into the flight, hand in hand, hearts in sync. It was just as I’d dreamed a relationship would be like with the right man, sans the luxury jet, multi-million-dollar beach house, and Will’s trust fund he mentioned one afternoon in passing. He hadn’t given me specifics, nor did I want any, but I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck either. The St. James family dynasty had to be in the multi-million-dollar or billion-dollar range.

This affluent lifestyle still unnerved me, but Will and I were on the same page, so alike in our expectations and hopes for the future. I deduced it had to have been fate that brought us together.

And how could I argue with fate?

An hour after we left Van Nuys, we landed in Monterey. There was something to be said about traveling via private jet—no busy, clunky airports, just comfortable leather seats and efficiency. I wouldn’t complain if this became my usual mode of transportation.

Gray skies didn’t affect our moods. Will had likened the overcast day to London, promising one day he’d take me there. I relished the thought. I’d never traveled abroad before, just Hawaii and Mexico.

A black Jaguar waited on the tarmac for us. A long red carpet led to the door, where a serious man waited. Will held my hand as we approached the car, my heart racing with excitement.

“Sir,” the gruff bald man greeted with a nod.

“York. I didn’t expect to see you.” Will helped me into the opulent sedan. After he closed the door, they talked. The tinted windows were so dark that I could hardly make out their expressions, but I thought it odd that Will knew the driver by name. Did they have an office on the central coast too?

Will took his frustrated stance, a hand on the back of his neck. He often did it when dealing with his dad. York remained stone-faced. Suddenly the door opened, and Will ducked in.

“Everything okay?”

“Absolutely, baby. Nothing will ruin our little getaway.” He lightly pecked my lips, holding my hand, while his other hand tapped on the armrest of the door.

Something was most definitely wrong.