by Lucy Darling
“Let's just do this and get out of here. I’m hungry.”
“You’re always hungry.”
“Good thing I’m going to culinary school then,” I tease, grabbing a box. Josh doesn’t move from blocking the door.
“I want a kiss.”
“No.” I glare at him but lick my lips. His eyes drop to my mouth.
“You know if I put my hands on you, we’ll end up in your bed this time. You’ll have those pretty legs spread and I’ll have my cock deep inside you again.” He’s right. When he touches me I forget about anything else. “So, you choose. You can either give me a kiss or I can make you come on my cock while your mom is only steps away in the other room.”
“Fine.” That’s the only word I can manage to muster up. My clit throbs from his dirty words. I want nothing more than for him to do as he said, but I know I can’t do that with my mom in the other room. I step closer to give him a kiss. He grabs me, pulling me into him, his mouth taking mine in a deep kiss. I drop the box I’m holding in my hand as he tangles his hands into my hair. A deep groan comes from him, making my nipples go hard. I give his chest a small push, stepping back.
“You got your kiss.” I am breathless. My body is lit up with desire, but I know we need to stop.
“I want to kiss your other lips.” I scrunch my nose, not understanding. Then it hits me.
“You’re a perv.” I smack his arm.
He grabs my hand. “Only for you.” His thumb drifts back and forth over my wrist, feeling my pulse before he lets me go. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
For once Josh and I actually agree on something.
2
Josh
“Thanks for helping.”
“Did you really think I wasn't going to?” I look over at Noelle. She pushes her glasses up her nose. Her delicate shoulder gives a small shrug. I’m starting to understand that Noelle thinks I’m going to get bored and move on to something or someone else.
She keeps throwing up roadblocks trying to protect herself. She doesn't seem to want to listen when I tell her I’m in this for the long haul. I’ve been in this for fucking years. But if she wants me to prove it to her, then that’s what I’ll do. No matter how long it takes.
“Sometimes things come up,” she mutters, looking out her window. I tighten my hands on the steering wheel. The only thing her parents ever showed up to were those stupid pageants her mom made her do.
Scratch that. Her father never even bothered to show up to those. He’s never fucking around when it concerns Noelle. Even today he was nowhere to be found. His only daughter is starting this new journey in her life, and he couldn’t even take the time to wish her luck or help her move.
“Come here.” I pat the seat next to me.
“I’m fine.”
I give her a look. She huffs, undoing her seatbelt, knowing I’ll pull the truck over and put her next to me if she doesn't. She clicks her seatbelt back on. “They’re dicks. They’ve always been self-centered. I’m used to it already. I don’t expect anything from them.” She may be saying those words, but I know that she’s disappointed deep down.
“I know.” She drops her head on my shoulder. Some of the tension I was feeling drains from me. No wonder she doesn't want to lose my family. Soon she’s going to understand she’ll be one of us. Hopefully sooner rather than later. “My mom’s mad I’m going to culinary school.”
“I caught that.” I want her to tell me things about herself. I don’t want to have to drag every bit out of her, so I say as little as possible and allow her to talk in her own time.
“She wanted me to do the college thing, the sororities, and all that other stuff that I have no interest in. She never got the opportunity to do it, so I guess she figured she’d push me to live her dreams.”
“I’m glad you didn’t cave and give her what she wanted.”
“I used to do that, trying to win my mom’s favor, but no matter how many times I agreed to whatever it was she wanted, I never really got anywhere with her. Nothing was ever good enough.” She looks back out the window. I bring my hand down on her thigh. “Your mom gave me the push I needed to do this. It was her idea that Daisy and I get a place together. That I follow my own dreams.” I smile, not the least bit surprised my mom did that. “She means a lot to me. Your entire family does.” She turns to look back at me.
“I know. I’d never hurt that. I promise.” She lays her head back down on my shoulder. I feel like I’ve gotten a little further with her. One step at a time, I suppose.
“You scare me.” She almost whispers it.
“The last thing I want to do is scare you. I’m trying to go slow. I’ve given you space like you asked.” She snorts a laugh. “I slipped up a few times. I’m not a saint when it comes to you. That’s for damn sure.”
“Do you like what you do? Your life has been kind of planned for you, hasn't it?”
“I love what I do. The land is in my blood. It’s part of me. I’ve never thought about anything other than following in my dad’s footsteps. But if I wanted to choose something different they wouldn't have stopped me.”
“Of course not. I just wondered if you ever felt like you had to. You’re always doing the right thing. It’s kinda who you are. The all-American boy. Quarterback of the football team. Prom king.”
“I wasn’t prom king,” I mutter under my breath. Shit was ridiculous. I don’t understand the whole point of prom.
“That’s only because you didn't show up. You and Eric skipped prom and went fishing instead. I bet there were a lot of broken hearts that night. Sometimes I didn't know if you guys were the cool kids or the dorks, to be honest.”
“You went to prom. You wore that white and silver dress with those killer heels. I’ll never understand how you walk in those.”
“You remember?” I can hear the smile in her voice. “I thought you were annoyed with us with how you were stomping around the house before we left.”
“That dress is branded in my brain. You looked like a bride.”
“I actually love that dress. It’s the only one I took with me today.” Good. I want to put it back on her and give her the prom night we both really wanted.
“I was stomping around because I was jealous.”
“Jealous?” She sits up to look at me.
“Yep,” I drawl. I am way past hiding how I feel when it comes to her. I watch a slow smile spread across her lips as she sits back down.
“I kinda like that. Thinking about Josh Price getting jealous over me isn’t terrible.”
“Why do you say it like that?”
“Cause all the girls were in love with you.”
I laugh. “They were in love with the idea of me. They didn’t know the real me. They also thought because of my name they’d live out some rich fancy life.”
“You are rich,” she points out.
“But we don’t live that way. We still get our hands dirty and go to work every day.”
“Yeah, I love that about you guys.”
“Do you ever get jealous?” I steal a glance over at her.
“I wasn’t fond of always hearing the girls at school talking about you. You know some of them would try and suck up to your sister hoping she’d put in a good word for them with you.” I bark out a laugh. If that’s not the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard. I’m sure Daisy handled it just fine. “But there was never much talk about you dating in high school, and you never brought anyone home during college, so I didn’t really have a need to be jealous. Plus I didn't think of you like that.”
I pull over into the diner right outside the city. I want to feed her before we get there, but I also want more alone time with her.
“Are you thinking about me like that now?” I throw the truck into park.
She unsnaps her seat belt, turning to face me. “I think you know I am.” She licks her bottom lip, her eyes dropping to mine. “I didn't think of you like that back then because I wouldn't let myself. You were in
a whole other league, Josh Price.”
“You've lost your mind, princess.” I open the door, grabbing her hand to bring her out with me. “If anyone is in a whole other league, it’s you.” She gives me a funny look as she presses her glasses up her cute little nose. “You really have no idea how breathtaking you are. Do you?”
She runs her hand down her hair. “Not like this.”
“Especially like this.”
She sucks in a breath, peeking up at me through her eyelashes, and I know I just got through another one of her walls. Each one that comes down brings me closer to having her forever.
3
Noelle
“I think this is more than enough,” I tell Josh. He insisted we stop at the store and get a few things. I told him his mom already said she was coming by tomorrow with food.
“Mom is going to bring food. I want you to get the crap you bake with.” He starts grabbing all kinds of things and tossing them into the cart.
“Is this your way of getting me to make you my triple chocolate cake?”
“Maybe.” He winks. My heart does a little flutter that it shouldn’t be doing.
“Okay, okay. Let me get the stuff.” I pick up a few more things he missed. He already got some snacks to hold us over tonight and stuff for Daisy and me to have for breakfast tomorrow. We head toward the front of the store. “I forgot milk. You check us out and I’ll run and grab it.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
I turn to go, and he slaps my ass again. I glare at him. He just shrugs. I see two girls staring at him. I roll my eyes and keep walking. When I look back, Josh doesn't even seem to notice them. His eyes are still on my ass until I get to the end of the aisle and turn, ending right in the pharmacy. I glance around thinking this might be my chance.
I scan the shelves, finding what I’m looking for before I check out there.
“Anything else?” the pharmacist asks me.
“Nope.” I can feel my face getting hot. I’ve been telling myself for the past two weeks there is no way I could be pregnant. We had sex one time. Thing is, I haven't had a period since. I wouldn't have noticed if Daisy hadn't said something about being on hers last week. We are normally on the same cycle. “Thanks.” I take the test and shove it down into my purse before I speed walk to find the milk and make it back up to the front of the store. Josh’s groupies are still lingering.
“What the fuck are you looking at?” I jerk my head up in surprise that Josh dropped the F bomb in the middle of the store at someone. I thought he might be talking to the girls, not sure who else, but nope. He’s staring at the cashier, who mumbles an apology and doesn't look my way again.
“You’re growly and possessive.” I laugh when we get out to the truck. He grabs me, lifts me up by my ass, and kisses me. I love the way his mouth feels on mine.
“Doesn't this feel good? You and me doing everyday shit. Just being together.”
I nod because it does. He lets me slide down his body.
“You have groupies.” I nod to the girls coming out of the grocery store. He gives me a funny look like he doesn't know what I’m talking about. “They can’t stop staring at you.” I snort a laugh. Some things never change, but as much as girls are always looking at him, Josh has never had an inflated ego or come off as a manwhore. That said, I have no idea what his college years were like.
“I think I like the thrill of the chase.” He drops another kiss on my lips.
“What happens if you catch it then? Do you get bored? Look for something new?”
“No, princess. I keep you.” He squeezes my ass. “I’ll put the cart back. You get in the truck.” I get in, and it doesn't take us long to get to my place. Excitement fills me as I think about what this place really means for me. It will be the first time that I don’t have my mom looking over my shoulder. A sense of relief fills me knowing that.
“Go on up. Eric and I got this.” I almost lean in for a kiss, forgetting for a moment that no one else knows about this thing between Josh and me. I step back, but not before Eric notices. His eyes bounce between the two of us.
“Thanks.” I give a stupid wave to them before I head up to our place. “Holy cow,” I say as I enter the room and see Daisy. “Someone has been working overtime.”
“Eric.” She informs me.
“How are things with Eric?”
She gives a small shrug. “Confusing. I thought he was going to kiss me.”
“Would you have let him?”
“I think so. Maybe things have changed? He sees me as a woman now?”
“Maybe.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to remind her that he told her he’d wait for her and that lasted a whole day when they were younger. But maybe things have changed or Daisy misheard him back then. I know Eric isn't a bad guy. The whole thing is still a little shocking to me. Everyone has always thought that Daisy and Eric would be together. It was a foregone conclusion.
We stop talking when the guys walk in, taking some of my boxes toward my bedroom.
“The ones labeled office can go in that center room.” I tell Josh.
“On it, princess.” I roll my eyes. “Call Mom. She said you’re not picking up your phone.”
Daisy looks around for her phone, finally finding it in the couch cushions. “Sorry, Mom. It was switched to silent.” Daisy wanders around telling her mom how everything is going. I pull my phone out. Not shocked that my parents haven’t checked in. “Yeah, she’s right here.” Daisy walks over, handing me the phone. “She wants to talk to you.”
“Hey, Bunny,” I answer.
“How was the drive, sweetheart? Was Josh a gentleman?”
“The drive was good.” I skip right over the gentleman comment. I’m finding I enjoy it more when Josh isn't a gentleman. I don’t want to lie to Bunny either. I respect her.
“That’s good. I’m glad everything is fine. I’m sorry to be pestering you. I just miss my girls already.”
A lump forms in my throat at her including me. I don’t know why I still get surprised when she treats me like I’m her daughter. “I miss you too.”
“I’m going to stop by tomorrow. If you need anything, let me know and I’ll grab it.”
“Thanks, Bunny.”
“You're welcome, sweetheart. I love you.”
“Love you too,” I say before ending the call. Josh is staring right at me leaning up against the wall with a smile on his face.
“All this shit is going to take time to put together. More than just tonight. I’m not driving back home and then out here again, so Eric and I are crashing here tonight.”
“You’re supposed to ask,” Daisy huffs at her brother.
“Wasn't really a question.”
She rolls her eyes, going into the kitchen to start unpacking some of the groceries. I think about pointing out that the drive isn't that long, but to be honest, I don’t want Josh to leave.
“I’ll take the sofa,” Eric volunteers.
“There is a daybed in the office. I think it still needs to be put together, but the mattress is there,” Daisy says.
“Then I’ll take that.” Josh’s eyes never leave mine. I have a feeling he has no intention of keeping his ass in the spare room.
4
Josh
I run my hand down my face, telling myself to wait. Everyone went to bed thirty minutes ago. We got a ton done for the girls. It felt good helping Noelle and her letting me do it. The way her face lit up when she was talking to my mom almost killed me. I’ll never understand how her parents don’t see what an incredible woman she is.
I stand up from the tiny-ass bed, going over to the door to listen. I don’t hear shit. My sister sleeps like the dead, so that part will be easy. Eric hears every fucking thing, but I know he’s not going to call me out on this. I still need to have a talk with him about him and my sister. It’s not going to end well when he finds out what I did all those years ago.
At the time I thought I’d been helping. I’d been so fuc
king wrong. It’s not Eric’s reaction that I’m worried about. He’ll probably punch me and then let it go. How Daisy is going to react is what scares me the most. I don’t do well with tears or the silent treatment that she’s probably going to give me.
Slowly I open the door, not hearing anything. I shut it behind me, heading straight for Noelle’s room. When I step inside I see her bed is empty, but the bathroom door is open with the light flooding into the room. I walk over to her bed, sitting down with my back against the headboard waiting for her. She had to have known that I was going to end up here. She didn't even try locking her door.
She steps out of the bathroom, and her eyes go wide when she sees me. She’s only in a long white shirt that hits her midthigh, making me wonder if she has panties on.
“Don’t act surprised.” She shakes her head as she walks to the other side of the bed pulling the covers back. She slips in beside me. I sit up, cupping her cheek. Something feels off. “You okay?”
She turns her head, kissing my palm. “I don’t know.” She releases a breath.
“Tell me and I’ll fix it.”
She gives me a soft smile, but it doesn't meet her eyes. “You can’t fix everything.”
“This about your parents? Because I can fix that, princess. With me comes my family, and we’ll love you so damn much you won’t know what to do with it. Hell, everyone already does love you.”
“You’ve always been so sweet.”
“I thought I was bossy and possessive?” I tease her.
“You’re that too lately.”
“So tell me what you want then, and I’ll fix it or get it for you.” The need to make her smile rides me hard. I hate that worried look in her eyes.
“I want you again.” She leans over closer. “I want to feel you inside of me.”
I groan, capturing her mouth with mine. How long have I been waiting to hear those words come from her lips? I slip my hand up her neck as I lean her back to lie on the bed, deepening the kiss. Her fingers slide into my hair.