“I said I was sorry. I didn't mean it the way it sounded. You don't understand. I'm not the same as everyone else,” he said.
Becky and Gavin sat at the table and watched the two of them.
“I know, you have had things happen in your life. I have too. I don't believe any relationship will last. I have told you that already. Since you opened my phone and saw that, you are reading the whole thing with me. I had not heard from him since he left here. I don't know what he said to you, but I know it wasn't nice. I text you and went to sleep. You woke me up. Now read the damn text with me. I am not going to have you think we were talking behind your back. You have been there for me since the fire. He has visited three times for an hour each time. I would not do that to you.”
Lisa stood above him, so he couldn't get up and walk away. She opened her phone and showed him that there were no texts before that one. Lisa opened the text in front of him. When they read it, she looked into his eyes. They were darker than usual, and she could see the anger in them.
“See, I told you,” he said, as he stood up, picked her up, moved her to the side, and walked toward the door. “I'll be back in a few minutes. I need some air.”
Josh shut the door behind him and Lisa slumped down into the seat and put her head on the table. She could feel Becky and Gavin looking at her. She looked up at them.
“I text him last night, because I knew he was upset about something Heath said. We talked for a few minutes. I fell asleep. Josh came in and woke me up. He was pissed that my phone was on the bed and picked it up. He joked around about going through it and turned on the screen to see the words Heath and I love you. I had not talked to Heath since he left. I just opened the text in front of him, so he knew I wasn't hiding anything. Here is the text,” she said, as she handed the phone to Becky and Gavin to read it.
“I love you. If he is the one you want, then you can have him. When he treats you like shit and breaks your heart, don't come crying to me. It will never work. That's not who he is. I don't give a shit. Do what you want. I don't care.”
Becky let out a gasp.
“If I knew it said that, I wouldn't have shown him. Heath is supposed to be his friend. I can't believe he said that about him. What an ass,” Lisa said.
Gavin got up and went outside.
“He just said that because he likes you,” Becky said.
“It doesn't matter, Josh is his friend,” Lisa said.
She took the phone and typed back a message to Heath.
“Go fuck yourself. I can't believe you said that about him. What a friend. It makes me wonder if you say shit like that about me, behind my back. Josh is a better man than you'll ever be.”
Lisa went to pack her stuff. Josh walked in a minute later. He seemed a little better. She was so upset with Heath. Lisa was shoving her clothes in bags. He walked up to her and took her hands in his.
“I'm sorry I got mad and walked out. I shouldn't have turned your phone on. I was just playing. I hope you know that. I would never go into your things. I'm sorry. I was just shocked when I saw it. I already knew he liked you. I do have to admit, I am pissed about what he wrote. I know I don't deserve love, and I know I am a piece of shit when it comes to women. I just can't believe my friend said that stuff about me. He is right, though. He just doesn't want you to get hurt. I think you should go and stay with him.”
“Really, you think I should stay with someone that said those things about you to me? You think I should stay with someone that told me they don't care what happens to me? I don't think so. I'm staying with you or I'm staying here, your choice. Do you want me to stay here?”
“No,” he answered.
“Then help me pack. Besides, I sent him a response. I don't think he will be talking to me anytime soon. You're stuck with me.”
“He's your friend. Don't ruin that. He cares about you, that's all.”
“You would never have said that about him, would you?” she asked.
“No, but we are two different people. He thinks I am going to take advantage of you.”
“Little does he know,” she laughed. “I couldn't get you touch me if I begged you. Maybe he should be worried about me taking advantage of you.”
Lisa kissed him on the cheek, grinned, and turned to pack. She threw a bag at him and told him to get to work. He opened the top drawer of her dresser and laughed as he pulled out a pair of pink panties.
“Not that drawer. Put those back.”
She tried to pull them out of his hands and close the drawer, but he held her back with his arm. He pulled out one pair after the next.
“I think I am going to like having you around for a week,” he winked. “Maybe I will forget all of the rest of the bags except this one.”
“Very funny,” she snapped. “Give me my panties.”
“You told me to help you pack, and that is what I am doing.”
“Josh, it's not funny. Give me them right now.”
Lisa reached for his arm that was holding her back and started to tickle him. He dropped the panties back into the drawer and turned to her.
“You did not just tickle me,” he laughed.
“Yes, yes I did.”
He grabbed her gently, pushed her crutches down, laid her back on the bed, hovered over her, and started to tickle her. She laughed and squirmed to get free. He straddled her on the bed so she could not get away. She reached up and tickled him under his arms. He tickled her sides, grabbed her hands, held them above her head, and tickled under her arms and down her sides. She wiggled around, but could not budge him. He was leaning down over her, holding her hands above her head. She was going to get him off of her one way or another. His body was leaning over her with his tight t-shirt and sexy chest in her face. She could see his nipple pointing out, leaned up, and bit him lightly. He laughed and leaned his face down close to hers. She could feel his warm breath on her face, and a tingle ran straight to her most intimate area. Lisa felt herself clinch her legs together. He looked into her eyes.
“Did you bite my nipple?” he questioned, with a cute grin on his face.
“Get off me,” she laughed.
“You have to do better than that,” he said.
She stayed still as he continued to send shivers through her body, just by breathing an inch away from her. Lisa slowly slid her arm down by her side and over her stomach. It was time to get away. She would do better than bite him. Lisa leaned her face closer as she slowly moved her hand. Quickly, she pulled his bottom lip with her teeth and grabbed his dick through his pants. He moved to pull away, but she held tight to his lip while she stroked through the fabric below. She could feel him harden in her hand. Lisa sucked his lip, licked her tongue across it, and grabbed one last grip on his pants before she released him. He sat still looking into her eyes. She pushed him off of her and sat up. He reached over, put his hand behind her head, and cover her mouth with his as he slid his tongue between her lips with passion and force. Her eyes widened as his hand slid beneath her shorts and over her panties until he felt her warmth. He slid his fingers between her legs, and he massaged her pussy. His kiss deepened as he rubbed her. Josh pulled his lips from hers as she gasped to catch her breath. He removed his hand from her shorts and leaned in toward her ear.
“It's good to know you play dirty,” he whispered, as his breath crossed her ear.
He stood up and smoothed down his pants and t-shirt. Josh turned and walked out of the room, leaving her on the bed to think about what had just happened.
She got up and continued packing her things. He walked back in after a few minutes and took the bags she had already packed. When he went to leave the room, she said something he couldn't hear.
“What was that?” he asked.
“That's not fair,” she said.
“Now we both feel the same. You thought it was pretty fair to leave me feeling that way.”
“There's a difference,” she said.
“What's that?” he asked.
&nb
sp; “I am more than willing to finish what I started,” she said. “Are you?”
Lisa put the last of her stuff in a bag and zipped it.
“That's everything,” she said. “I'm ready to go.”
She went past him to the front door. He grabbed all of her bags, walked through the door, and went to put her stuff in his car. She was at his car, before he could go back to get her. He shook his head and opened the door for her. She got in and he slid her crutches into his back seat. They drove in silence to his apartment.
She was surprised when they got inside. His apartment was very nice and didn't look all manly. It had a nice homey feel. She immediately felt safe and secure. He took her to her room and put her bags on her dresser. There was a big bed, television, dressers, and a huge window that looked out over a nicely kept yard.
“Your apartment is beautiful. It feels so comfortable,” she said.
“There's a third bedroom, but I use it as an office. I do a lot of my work at home. I went grocery shopping last night. If you want something and it's not there, just let me know. I can pick up whatever you want. If you need to go shopping or anything, I will take you. I want you to make yourself at home. You are welcome to anything here,” he said.
“Anything?” she asked, with a huge smile.
Josh shook his head and laughed.
“I'll give you time to settle in while I make dinner,” he said.
Lisa knew she needed to stay in her room as much as possible. Josh was nice enough to let her stay there. She needed to let him have his space. He made it clear that nothing was going to happen between them, and she was fine with that. She enjoyed the vision she had of him as her dream guy and wanted to keep it that way. She stayed in her room until he went to tell her dinner was ready.
He had their plates on the table when she got there. They sat together and ate. He was a very good cook. She wondered how the bachelor learned his cooking skills.
“Where did you learn to cook like this?” she asked.
“My mother likes to cook. That was something we did together when I was growing up. She would teach me how to make good food, so when I was on my own, I wouldn't starve. It was important to her that I ate healthy once I moved out. She still loves to cook. Sometimes I will go over and cook with her, or she will come here and make sure I still remember what she taught me. Can you cook?” he asked.
“A few things, but not very much,” she answered. “My mom and dad split when I was young. He was history right after they split, and she couldn't be bothered with cooking or teaching us anything. I'm out of town a lot for work, so I just eat on the run.”
“Do you have any siblings?” he asked.
“I have a younger sister. She went with my mom when she moved. I'm not sure where they are. I remember you had an older brother, right?”
“I have an older brother and a younger sister. He lives about a half hour away and she lives with my mom. We see each other every Sunday for lunch.”
Lisa got up to take her plate to the kitchen. Josh hurried to grab it from her. When Josh went to the kitchen, she went back to her room. Lisa wanted to make sure Josh had his place to himself as much as she could. He had already done so much for her. It was only for a week. She could do that.
Chapter 14
Josh could tell Lisa was avoiding him, but he wasn't sure why. Maybe she wanted to be alone. She was in a new place. He did everything he could to make her feel comfortable. If she needed space, he would give it to her.
They ate their meals together. One of them would start a conversation, and they would end talking about their lives or their past. He offered to pick her up things from the store and to take her out, but she told him she was fine. He tried to get her to watch a movie with him, but she just stayed in her room.
He didn't really push her to spend time with him, because he wanted to keep his distance. Josh didn't want to give her the wrong impression. He didn't want to get close to her. The week he had not seen her seemed to take forever. It made him feel better to know she was there, and he could make sure she was safe. He just wanted to know she was okay.
Wednesday morning, when he got home from a call, he walked into her bedroom. She was in bed asleep, and his breath caught in his throat. Josh wanted to turn and walk away, but his feet were planted firmly on the floor. Her long brown hair fanned out across her pillow, and she looked so calm and relaxed. The sheet was wrapped around her long, sexy leg and she had a pillow tucked beneath her arm. Just as he turned to walk out of room, she called his name and he froze. He looked back at her, and she had a cute smile on her lips. She said his name again and laughed. Josh stood with a smirk on his face. She moved in the sheet, and he hurried out of the room.
He took a shower, got dressed, and made breakfast. When it was on the table, he knocked on her bedroom door and told her breakfast was ready. She made her way to the table and put her crutches against the chair next to her. Josh laughed and she looked up at him.
“What's so funny?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he answered, as he thought about her calling his name.
She shook her head and smirked.
“You seem to be in a good mood. Did you just get up?” she asked.
“Not all of us can sleep all day. I have already been out on a run and back.”
“I must have been tired. I never even heard you leave,” she said.
“Must have been. Maybe you were dreaming about me.”
“No, I wasn't dreaming about you. Why would you say that?” she snapped, with a huge smile on her face.
Busted, Josh thought as he laughed. What was she dreaming about? He wanted to know so badly. He thought about why he had been in her room in the first place, and his smile faded.
“While I was at the station this morning, the chief talked to me. They are done with everything and want to start working on your apartment. Do you want to go and see if you can save anything, or do you want to just let it all go?”
Josh didn't want to tell her, but he stopped by the apartment on his way home. It was bad, and there was nothing she could save. He wanted to tell her, but didn't want her to think he was invading her privacy. Josh was worried about her seeing it. When he saw it, he felt his heart melt for her. How would she react, if she saw it? He knew it would make it even more real to her. She would know just how bad the situation really was. He wanted her to say she didn't want to go.
“I want to go and see if there is anything I can save. I need to see it.”
“I heard it's really bad. I want you to know that. I'm not sure you should go,” he said quietly.
“I need to go,” she answered. “Will you drive me over there today?”
They had avoided each other for two days. He knew she wasn't going to want him to go with her inside, but there was no way she was going in alone.
“Sure,” he answered.
He sat in his office doing some work, while she got ready. Josh jumped when he looked up and saw her in the doorway. She laughed at him.
“Shit, say something next time you walk up,” he said.
“It's more fun this way,” she answered.
He shook his head and got up. They got ready and left. He felt his stomach clench as they pulled up outside of her apartment building. She pushed the car door open to get out. He was around the car in a second, already knowing what she was going to do.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He looked into her beautiful green eyes. Her eyes changed from green to brown depending on her mood. Josh learned to watch her eyes for clues. He knew she was nervous.
“We are going to look at your apartment,” he said, knowing she was trying to push him away.
“You can stay here. I'm going in by myself.”
He knew what it was like to walk into a place that had been on fire. It was emotional. She had already had a hard time with the thought of not having a home. He knew, when she realized how much damage had been done, she was going to go back to that ni
ght in her mind. She was not doing it alone. He had to come up with an excuse to go with her.
“I don't feel confident that everything is completely safe. There could be stuff on the ground. I'm going with you. That way I know you will be safe,” he said.
“You can't always be there to protect everyone,” she said, as she reached up to rub the stubble on his chin.
“I can right now,” he answered, as he walked ahead and pulled open the door to the complex.
She shook her head.
“I don't know what it looks like. I really don't want you to see me when I find out.”
“That's what friends do. They are there when their friends need them,” he said, as he motioned for her to get moving.
She let out an aggravated sigh and went through the door. They stopped at her apartment door. She looked over at him and nodded. He opened the door and she let out a breath of relief. Everything was black, but the living room didn't look so bad. He knew the bedroom would be different.
“Can I save any of this?”
“No, not really. With the water and smoke damage, even if you could get the black off, it would smell horrible.”
She shook her head and moved on to the bedroom. Lisa got just inside the door and froze. He could see her legs wobble and put his hands on her hips to steady her. She looked straight ahead, into the room. He knew she was fighting her emotions and could feel her body shake. The room was black, and the wall opposite where they were standing was ripped in half. There was wood and stuff all over the floor. Her bed was half melted, and the dresser against the wall was burnt and half missing.
Josh felt her body start to slide down his hands. He wrapped his arms around her from the back and pulled her body against his. His arms were the only things holding her up. Her body shook against his chest, and his heart broke for her. He held her there with his chin on the top of her head.
“This is where you found me. You told me it was bad, but I guess I didn't realize how bad,” she whispered. “What if you wouldn't have come? If you hadn't have risked your life for a stranger?”
Hot for Love (Bachelor Billionaire #2) Page 8