Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“Oh really? So you like the fauxhawk,” he says and shoots me a smile. “I’ll have to keep that in mind.”
“My turn. What do you want to know?”
He puts his ice cream down and shifts on the couch until he has one knee bent, with his foot planted into the couch and his other long leg draped over the side. He pats the space between his legs for me to come to him.
My nipples tighten and my pulse picks up. It’s like the air between us starts to sizzle. I take a calming breath and place my bowl beside his.
Slowly, I move to sit in the space where he pats. He wraps his arms around my shoulders as I settle into the space. I reach for his arms, but he takes my hands and laces our fingers together.
It feels like coming home. I melt right into him. He plays with my fingers as he rests his chin on the top of my head. My heart nearly leaps from my chest when he presses a kiss to the spot.
“How are you? Really. Is there anything I can do to make it better?”
I close my eyes, wanting to pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming. However, when he moves to kiss my neck and bury his face there, I know I’m not. This is real.
“I’m… getting there, I guess. I just wanted some time to think. I’ve been babied most of my life and that allowed me to act like one.
“I was so out of my depths with Danny. It wasn’t what I wanted, and when I figured that out, it was too late. I get angry with myself because I could’ve fought him off, but he surprised me and I never got the chance.
“I don’t want to be that person again. I don’t want to be caught off guard, I don’t want to accept less than I deserve, I don’t want to be with someone just so I’m with someone,” I say aloud, all my bottled-up feelings.
“You’re doing more than you know, by the way,” I add.
He tips my head back and looks into my eyes. I hold my breath, silently pleading for him to kiss me. Gently, he presses his lips to mine.
I close my eyes and savor the feeling. The kiss travels through my entire body. He’s so gentle as he nips at my lips and caresses the side of my face.
He pulls away, causing me to open my eyes again. I stare into his blue grays and feel like I’ve found all my answers, yet I blurt out a question because I don’t know what else to do.
“You really won’t get behind the wheel of a car?” I ask after he made mention of the fact earlier.
“Nope. Haven’t since that night.”
“Do you think you ever will again?”
“There would have to be some extreme circumstances. Even then, I don’t think I could bring myself to do it. So no. Not likely to happen in this lifetime.”
“I admire that you know yourself so well.”
“Keep talking. We can learn who you are together.”
“But I’d rather you kiss me,” I whisper shyly.
He leans in and takes my lips again. I forget all my questions and get lost in his soft, tender kisses. Now this is what making out should feel like.
I feel wanted and cherished, yet I don’t feel any pressure as if he’ll wait as long as I need. I like that.
Chapter 41
You’re Not Ready
Shawna
Joshua has spent the last three days with me. While we’ve made out a lot, he’s never pushed for more. I think that’s making me respect and want him more.
It’s crazy how we can sit in silence and still have this amazing connection. Like now, he’s answering some work emails and I’m browsing on my phone. I’m thinking about taking an assignment to travel.
Something has come up in Italy and another position has opened in Spain. I’m keeping my options open. It could be time I stayed put. Lord knows that would make my mother happy.
“You hungry?” Josh asks, pulling my attention from my phone.
I open my mouth to say no, but my stomach speaks up for me. I guess I hadn’t noticed how low I was on fuel. I smile and shrug instead.
“I guess.”
He moves to stand over me and bends to peck my lips and then my nose. “Come on. We can cook together. Helios did some shopping for me,” he says and gives me a gentle tug from my seat.
“You know he can stay here. There are plenty of rooms.”
“He’s good at the rental. I think he has a friend who’s been coming in from Vander,” he says with a smile.
Helios is handsome with his dark hair and hazel eyes. I might have a thing for Greek men. Josh pulls me in and places his forehead to mine.