Fever (Falling For A Rose Book 4)

by Stephanie Nicole Norris

“Yeah.”

  He rubbed his chin in thought.

  “What’s the problem?” I asked, curious with his sudden intrigue with Hunter Valentine.

  “He’s the type of guy that wants anything that doesn’t belong to him.”

  “You guys are rivals?”

  “He’d like to think that. But I ignore his efforts most of the time, except when my interference is warranted.”

  “Like now?”

  His compelling gaze washed over me with a slow dragging appraisal. It was like he wanted me to feel his dangerous observation reach out and touch me. He draped an arm across the back of the couch.

  “Especially now,” he confirmed.

  The muscles in his powerful frame teased me, and I wondered how long I’d be able to keep my emotions in check. Snap out of it, Santana. I smiled elatedly.

  “You put on a good show, you know that, Josiah?”

  His tongue pushed into the corner of his mouth.

  “Is that what you think I was doing?”

  I smirked. “Hmm, well, I don’t really belong to you, so yes. I do.”

  “What if I told you, you were wrong?”

  I laughed and attempted to climb off his lap, but his hands clasped my thighs and held me firm. My heart fluttered, and again I was knocked by emotions that threatened to rise.

  “You don’t have to continue back here,” I said. “No one can see us.”

  Josiah went to speak, but someone entered the room.

  “Mr. Rose, I hate to interrupt, but some fools at the door claim they’re a part of your party. Should I kick them out?”

  It was a different security guard. I took this time to climb off his lap and sink next to him, pulling down my pleated skirt.

  “Let them in,” Josiah said. “And have Ashley bring a round of drinks.”

  “Sure thing.”

  The stocky security guard left.

  “I should get going,” I said, rising to my feet.

  “You just got here,” he said.

  “No, you just got here, I’ve been here a while.”

  “Are you planning to head home?”

  “Not at this very moment. My girls and I will probably hang out for a bit more. We were sort of in the middle of ladies’ night when you pulled me away.”

  “Your girls can come back here. No need to go back to the table. I’ll send security to get them.”

  I twisted my lips. “Why, you don’t trust me out of your sight? Unlike you, I know how to turn down the advancement of the opposite sex.”

  It was a direct jab, and I wanted him to feel it more than I should’ve.

  A small smile caressed his lips.

  “I can’t tell,” he said.

  Astonished, I put my hands on my hips. “I wasn’t the one flirting relentlessly. You, on the other hand, just can’t help yourself.”

  “You’re referring to what exactly?”

  “Don’t play games with me, Josiah. I saw the women fawning over you as soon as you stepped through the door, and you seemed to enjoy it.”

  He watched me so long I thought he’d went off into a trance.

  “You’re right,” he said. “I was a shameless flirt in my past life.”

  “Your past life?”

  “Yeah, I’m a changed man now, Santana. I’ve been cuffed by an investigative journalist.”

  I giggled. “You’re stupid.”

  “Nah, but I can be funny sometimes.”

  “You know what I meant.”

  “Sure,” he said. Josiah grabbed my hand and pulled me down as I plopped practically in his lap. “I want you to stay.”

  I turned my face to him, my lips seconds from his jaw. “Why?”

  He met my gaze head on. “Because this is where you belong.”

  The heat from his mouth tickled my lips, and again I was being pulled into him with a force that was out of my control. We were kissing again. This time not so ravishing but more intimately delicate. Soft and slow. Invigorating and pronounced. Our tongues sliding past each other than mating in a heated exchange. Why are you kissing when there’s not an audience? I had nothing to blame for our passionate enrapture. It was all us. Me and him.

  “Damn, son, let her breathe,” came a voice in front of us.

  I snapped back, quickly pulling myself out of the stronghold that paralyzed me. I turned to his friend who held a goofy grin on his face. Unhurriedly, Josiah regarded his friend.

  “Mind your business… son,” he threw back.

  His friend opened his wide gap mouth and wailed. “Do you plan to save any of that for later?”

  Josiah smirked. “Like I said, mind your business.”

  “Shidddd, your business is my business when you put it on front street. So, who’s your friend?”

  “Santana, this is Desmond. Desmond, Santana. The guy walking up behind him is Kevin. We grew up in high school together before I went off to Harvard. When I came back, these two were around to pick up where we left off. I haven’t been able to get rid of them since.”

  Desmond twisted his lips. “Like you want to get rid of us. We yo’ boys, stop playing!”

  Desmond held his hand out for a shake, which I ignored.

  “Desmond,” I said, “how are the twins?”

  Desmond arched a brow. “Man, you told her about that?”

  Josiah chuckled. “You told her about it. When I tried relentlessly to tell you I’d call you back, but you wouldn’t listen. She heard the whole thing.”

  Desmond placed a hand over his heart. “Aww man, I’m sorry, I apologize. I had no idea Josiah had company. He could’ve done better at warning me though.”

  “Whatever,” Josiah growled.

  “I know that wasn’t the most pleasant conversation for you to hear. What can I do to make it up to you?”

  “I’ll tell you what you can do for me,” Josiah interrupted.

  “Naw, man, I’m talking to the lady.”

  “Go get her friends. The girls at the table she sat with. Tell them we need their company back here in the VIP room.”

  “I’m on it, Boss.”

  Josiah chuckled. “I thought you didn’t want to do me a favor?”

  “I changed my mind,” Desmond said, “besides, doing you this favor is doing Santana one.”

  Josiah turned to me and I to him.

  “Can he be on his best behavior?” I asked. “I’d hate for one of my girls to smack him for something offensive he says.”

  “That’s not what you should worry about.”

  “Then what is?”

  “If you get to your car and find you have an empty tank of gas, let me know.”

  I pulled back and gasped. “He wouldn’t.”

  Josiah shrugged. “Don’t worry. I’d beat him silly.”

  The waitress Josiah had spoken about earlier approached us with more beverages than mouths we had to drink out of. I quickly took one off her hand. I had a feeling we were in for a crazy night being around Josiah’s crew.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Nothing to tell us, huh?”

  I peeped over the rim of my glass at Selena.

  “You’ve been back here all of five minutes, and you just couldn’t wait to get that out, could you?”

  I took my glance over to Josiah who stood talking to another acquaintance that had entered the club. The new set of men, three of them, quickly glided to the VIP and shouted for Josiah to let them in.

  “Seriously, Santana,” Octavia said. “What’s the word?”

  I didn’t want to hold anything back from them, but I couldn’t tell them the truth. That we were pretending to be a couple so he could appease his father. First, it sounded conniving, and I didn’t want to think of it that way. Secondly, Josiah and I never talked about what we would tell others. Those closest to us. Should we reveal that this was the plan or make them think it was real so it would seem more genuine?

  “Look, when I know, I’ll let you girls know.”

  It was all I had to offer at the
time. I was planning to ask Josiah what he wanted to do: reveal our scheme or not.

  “You don’t know?” Carla said. “Girl, the way that man just hauled you off.” Carla ran a hand down her body and shuddered. “I wish a brother would steal me like that.”

  “Mmhmm,” Selena seconded. “Snatched you up real quick, too. If his intentions were to let Hunter know you were taken, I’d say he did a job well done.”

  “Sure did,” Octavia added. “We were all sitting there with our mouths on the floor. I don’t think Hunter appreciated it either.”

  I frowned. “Why do you say that?”

  “Girl, he didn’t say another word to us. He just walked off,” Selena said.

  “The frown on his face said it all.”

  “We are talking about Hunter Valentine. I don’t think competition has ever been a problem for him,” Carla said.

  “Then I guess he’s never met a Rose before,” I responded.

  “So, you’re admitting it then,” Selena said.

  “Admitting what?”

  “Hunter does have competition. You and Josiah are an item.”

  I held my hands up. “Whoa, I didn’t say any of that. And first of all, I don’t know Hunter. This was the first time I’ve seen him in person.”

  “Honey, I’ve got the feeling those two have been rivals long before Santana entered the picture the way they glared at each other,” Octavia said.

  We all agreed.

  “Why didn’t one of you try and get with him? I know y’all heffas wanted to.”

  “Sure did,” Carla spoke up, “but he didn’t want any of us. That was evident by the way he marched off after Josiah swept you away.”

  “Damn that was sexy,” Selena stated.

  “I’ll tell you this much,” Octavia added, “if Jonathon ever sweeps me away like that, there’s no denying we’d have something going on.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You’re just saying that because it hasn’t happened. But trust me, there will still be some reservations if and when it happens.”

  “Reservations like what?” Octavia asked.

  I cast a glanced over at Josiah to find him watching me. For what felt like minutes but was probably seconds, we gazed at one another. Then he winked and took a sip of his liquor and continued to engage in the conversation he held.

  “Mmhmm,” Selena said. “You ain’t fooling nobody, honey. Not even yourself.”

  “You didn’t have to drop me off. Carla would’ve been okay taking me home.”

  Josiah cut the engine and turned to me. “I know that, but I wanted it to be me that made sure you got home safely.”

  I nodded. “I get it. Appearances and all that jazz.” I turned my eyes toward my front door.

  “Santana.”

  Looking back, I arched my brows. “Yes, Josiah.”

  “Everything isn’t about appearances.”

  “Okay…”

  “I enjoy your company. I’m cocky enough to think if we didn’t have this arrangement going, we’d still hang out.”

  I chuckled. “At least you admit you’re cocky.”

  He offered me an easy grin. “Am I wrong?”

  “About being cocky?”

  His hands covered mine. “No. Am I wrong about us being around each other in the event that this agreement is cut short.”

  For some odd reason, I felt a pain of sadness at the thought of it. But I quickly relinquished it to give Josiah a reasonable answer.

  “I don’t see why not. We’re good together.”

  His hand lifted and cruised up to my neck, face, then chin. His touch was wielding an undisguised caress against my skin. I swallowed thickly and attempted to ban the thoughts of love that permeated my mind.

  “Yes, we are,” he responded.

  The glow of his cell phone illuminated our space as it rang. Josiah lifted it from the dashboard and silenced it. I sat back, away from his contact and cleared my throat.

  “Well, I guess I better get going.”

  “I’ll walk you to the door.”

  As I stepped out of his Infiniti, I took in a gulp of air. The night was still and quiet, and street lamps lit up the sidewalk. No cars were on the road, and that was to be expected. It was past three a.m. The alcohol I’d consumed throughout the night left me with a slight stir. I strolled around the car and met Josiah on the curb. He reached for my hand, and I gave it to him. A soft albeit demanding tug from him had me in his arms in seconds, and again I found myself holding on to him to steady my footing.

  “You know I’ve had one too many drinks for that type of abruptness,” I said.

  “I wouldn’t let you fall, trust me.”

  I peered up at his smile, and the energy around us swirled. Clearing my throat again, I linked my arm into his and stood by his side as we walked to my front porch.

  “I thought I left that porch light on?” I said, staring at the dark bulb.

  “It’s humming,” Josiah said, “You need a new one.”

  “Hmm, that’s something I’ll have to fix tomorrow.”

  “If you have an extra light, I can take care of it for you now.”

  “Oh, don’t bother. It’s late.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  We eyed each other for a moment.

  “All right, have it your way.”

  I turned to open the door, and we strolled inside. The aroma from the strawberry shortcake I’d baked that morning still lingered in the air. I dropped my purse in a chair by the entry and disappeared into the hall closet to look for a bulb.

  “Ah, got it,” I said, trailing back out with the new bulb in my hand.

  “This is a nice place you have here,” Josiah said.

  “You think so?” I twirled around on my heels, taking a quick eye over the place as if I was seeing it for the first time.

  “Yeah, modern and chic,” Josiah commented.

  A delighted smile graced my face. “What do you know about modern and chic, Mr. Rose?” I asked, easing into his personal space.

  Josiah gave me a charming smile. “I know a little something, something,” he repeated.

  He retrieved the bulb and stepped back outside. I eased out behind him and leaned against the door with my hands resting on my thighs. Josiah didn’t need assistance to reach the hanging fixture. His height was stretching enough. As he reached, I couldn’t help but get an eyeful of the powerful masterpiece that was his chest. A wall of stone in pecs sitting across a beautiful presentation of all male flesh. His belly button reminded me of a Hersey’s kiss.

  Before I could stop myself, I reached out and touched his navel. Josiah cast a curious eye down at me just as the bulb flickered and sent a ray of light down over us.

  “Ah, thanks,” I said, pulling my arms back to my sides. “You’re belly button is so cute.”

  He grinned and glanced down.

  “I’m sure you hear that all the time,” I continued.

  Josiah handed me the busted bulb.

  “No, I don’t. That’s the first.”

  I gave off a light chuckle. “I doubt that.”

  “It’s the truth.”

  He reached out and pulled me close.

  “I had a good time with you tonight, Santana. Frankly, I’ve had more fun with you in the last few months than I have ever.”

  “Even over your party buddies, Desmond and Kevin?”

  “Especially over them.”

  We chuckled lightly.

  “I feel the same way,” I said. “Imagine how much fun we could’ve had if we’d known each other longer.”

  Josiah pulled his lips in and slowly release them. “Imagine how much fun we’ll have the longer we’re together is more like it.”

  My smile widened, and I nodded. “As long as you don’t cheat on me, we’ll be good,” I joked, giving a light giggle.

  “I should be the one worried about you getting into situations with my adversaries.”

  I pushed against his chest. “Trust me, I’m not the one to wo
rry about here.”

  “Ditto,” he said.

  His phone rang again. Josiah removed it from his pocket and silenced it.

  “Well, I won’t hold you, I guess I’ll see you sometime this week?”

  “I was thinking. This weekend my family is getting together for our annual barbeque, and I would love for you to be there.”

  “Annual barbeque?”

  “Yes.”

  “So wait, you guys only barbeque once a year?”

  “We’re a pretty busy bunch.”

  “Yeah, I guess so with empires to run and such.”

  We laughed again then he pulled me in. “So, what do you say, Santana? I need you.”

  His proclamation shouldn’t have made my heart beat so erratically. And for a moment, I wondered if it was I that was blurring the lines.

  “I’ll be there. Just say what time.”

  His eyes twinkled, and a gorgeous smile trudged across his face.

  “I’ll pick you up at three.”

  “It’s a date,” I said.

  Josiah leaned into me and kissed my lips. My eyes closed as I basked in the feel of his soft mouth and the tang of his wet tongue. I was falling. These emotions were tearing me apart, and heat poured over my skin. Suddenly, I pulled away, breaking our erotic kiss. A second passed, and I shook my head.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “You’ve got to stop kissing me like that.” I touched the corner of my mouth. “I mean, we’ve got to stop kissing like that.” I let go of a heavy breath.

  “I like kissing you like that, Santana.”

  I smiled. “Ditto.”

  His arms stretched over me, locking me into the corner of the door.

  “Then why do we have to stop?”

  “We’ve already done a little too much, don’t you think?”

  I was referring to the way he tongued down my pussy on Tuesday. I could tell he caught my grasp when that sexy smile trotted back across his lips.

  “Yeah, so what’s to stop us now?”

  I placed my hands on his chest.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep things clear between us.”

  “Clear?”

  “Yes.”

  Josiah went to speak again.

  “Don’t make any promises,” I spoke quickly.

  He arched a brow.

  “I just, don’t want to get things confused is all.”