Divine Weekend

By Francesca St. Claire

When Julia Chapman first sees drop-dead handsome Ben Russell at the helm of his boat, she’s hooked. They meet soon after at a mutual friend’s party, but her hopes and dreams are shattered by his less-than-friendly behavior toward her.

Fighting the instant attraction he feels for the gorgeous school teacher, Ben pushes her away with borderline rudeness. But he soon finds he can’t fight his growing desire for her.

When they finally come together, the sex is explosive and plentiful. She falls hard for him, and is happy beyond belief, until she hears a message on his answering machine, a couple of months into their relationship, and her perfect world collapses.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Torrid Books
• Release date: Jan 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781682992692

Book preview

Prologue

When the drawbridge bells rang and the barriers dropped, Julia sighed in frustration. Hey, why the rush? Really, why the rush? It wasn’t as if she’d miss something important by delaying her return home by fifteen minutes. Her conscience assured her that a few idle moments off a busy schedule didn’t exactly translate into slackness—a notion she had yet to grasp since quitting life in the Big Apple—and she turned off the engine and settled down to watch the boats sail by.

The old steamboat Sabino was first, only half-full now that summer was coming to an end and the number of tourists had thinned out. Recognizing the lonely sailor on one of the fishing boats, Julia waved, then her gaze wandered to the crowd gathered on the banks of the river.

The opening and closing of the drawbridge was always a fascinating event for both adults and children. To locals, the bridge was a royal pain in the neck most of the time, interrupting traffic and creating havoc on the main street of town every hour of the day. But the bridge drew in thousands of tourists, so everybody tried to put up with the inconvenience as best they could.

Just as the last boat disappeared around the river bend and the warning bells began to sound, a slick yacht rushed by.

Now that!

Mesmerized by the tall, rugged-looking man at the helm, Julia followed his progress as he entered the Old Seaport, unaware she was holding up traffic until the impatient driver in the car behind hers urged her to move on.

Serenity...nice name for a boat. And who might that guy be? No one she’d ever seen before, or she’d have remembered. Probably a tourist… Great shame, she would have loved to take a closer look at his handsome face and athletic body.

After seeing him sailing by, she found herself thinking about sex for the rest of the day. On the drive home, while walking her dog, and even when putting the garbage out, she daydreamed about all the ways she’d love for him to take her. Doggie, missionary, cowgirl—she wanted to try them all. With him. Repeatedly. And when later that night she pleasured herself, his was the face, the body, she pictured thrusting into her—her orgasm more intense and lasting than in the past months.

Chapter 1

Julia’s love for Mystic had started when she first visited the area while still in college, so when she was offered a teaching job in the nearby town of Stonington four years later, she had not hesitated. Fred, her black Labrador, moved in six weeks later. Ecstatic with her new life, she ignored her best friends’ bewilderment as to why she would trade Manhattan for life in a small town. She couldn’t understand their disapproval of Mystic, and they didn’t get her fascination for it. But that didn’t bother her. She had the perfect life…except for one aspect. Dating.

It had been six months since her last date, and there hadn’t been many—and certainly no remarkable ones—since moving to Mystic two years before. Available, interesting men she felt attracted to weren’t exactly swarming around the place, but she was still hopeful. The image of the gorgeous stranger on the boat sent a shiver of lust through her body. Now that was a man she could easily be charmed by. But was he available? That, unfortunately, would remain a mystery.

Just as Julia arrived at school, her friend, Sarah, announced by way of a greeting, We’re having a potluck dinner party a week from tomorrow.

Great! Sarah’s gatherings were a lot of fun. Together with her husband, Mark, she always managed to have a surprise guest up their sleeve, making their parties that much more entertaining. What’s the occasion?

A welcoming party for a newcomer.

Woo, woo, could it be him? Who is he?

Did I mention he? Sarah teased.

Julia narrowed her eyes, and Sarah laughed. Who is this person, then?

A writer from L.A.

Julia’s eyes widened. What’s a writer from L.A. doing in Mystic?

Well, from what I understand, he— Sarah gave Julia a meaningful, sidelong glance, —is going to write a book on his solo sailing trip around South America.

No shit! Could this L.A. writer and the man on the boat be the same person?

Sarah laughed. Well, bring your famous lasagna and come see him for yourself.

Thank you, I will. What’s his name?

Ben Russell. He’s also a TV writer, Sarah said, sounding impressed. Imagine a movie star here in Mystic!

Julia smiled, amused by Sarah’s enthusiasm. A TV writer wasn’t exactly the same as a movie star, but with the total absence of glamour in town, any person remotely connected with the glitterati of the movie industry would do.

Where’s he staying?

He’s rented a house on Mason’s Island, where he apparently plans to stay for as long as it takes to finish his book.

Hmm, better and better. If only he was the man on the boat…single, and interested in her.

Get real, Julia!

How did you meet him?

I haven’t, actually. Mark handled the rental of the house he’s in now, Sarah explained. They got to talking, one thing led to another, and my dear husband decided to be neighborly and invite him for our potluck dinner. Sarah’s lips curled inward.

What’s the matter?

Mark said he’s not the easiest person to get to know. Very secretive… She rolled her eyes.

Good luck to him! Having been an outsider herself, Julia knew exactly how nosy small-town folks could be.

They parted ways at Julia’s classroom door, but just as Sarah began to turn away, Julia remembered to ask, "Oh, Sarah, do you happen to know who owns Serenity?"

Sarah stared at her blankly. I’m afraid I don’t. Why?

Never mind.

Not easily fooled, Sarah pressed on. You’re not thinking it could belong to our mystery writer, are you?

If only!

Sarah lifted an eyebrow. Oh? That hot, huh?

Julia fanned