Friendship on Fire (Love in Bloom: The Bradens, Book 3) Contemporary Romance

by Melissa Foster

  Chapter Fourteen

  JOSH SPENT THE afternoon dealing with buyers, meeting with his accountant, and taking phone calls. He watched the minutes tick by, the phone pressed to his ear.

  “There’s just one more thing I want to say,” Peter Stafford said.

  Josh had been on the phone with Peter for the past twenty minutes, and he was anxious to wrap up their conversation.

  “Josh, I’m sorry for appearing forward with Riley Banks. I wasn’t myself that evening,” Peter said. “And I’m afraid I embarrassed myself.”

  It had been Peter’s interference that had sprung Josh into action. He was glad for the push, but he wasn’t about to let Peter know that. Never let a business associate have the upper hand—another of Treat’s lessons.

  “I thought something was a bit…off,” Josh said.

  “You have my sincerest apologies, and if I made Riley uncomfortable, I am truly and deeply sorry. I will apologize to her when I see her at the meeting after the New Year.”

  Josh waited for Peter to elaborate on why he’d gone down that road with Riley, and when he didn’t, Josh let it drop. He accepted Peter’s apology, and by the time he came up for air, it was six forty-five.

  He went to the design studio and was surprised to find that Riley and most of the staff had already left for the evening. With fifteen unspoken-for minutes before his conference call, he headed back to his office and called Riley’s cell.

  “How’s my secret girlfriend?” Girlfriend. He liked that.

  “Tired and cranky,” she said.

  “Too tired to see me?”

  “No way. You can take my crankiness away,” she said.

  He loved her honesty. “Does your crankiness have something to do with Claudia’s pawing me this afternoon?”

  “God, I sound like a whiny, jealous girlfriend, don’t I? I’m really not. I swear. But there’s something about her that I just don’t trust,” she said.

  “That makes two of us,” Josh said. “Do you trust me?”

  Riley waited a beat too long to answer.

  “Ri?” Josh had been so young when his mother died, and he’d watched his father remain true to her year after year, both of which had driven him to be more careful with his emotions. He’d craved the same powerful love as he’d watched his father harbor, believing that if he did all the right things, then one day he’d have that same amount of love for a woman. Even as a teenager, he’d been able to control those urges, to analyze his feelings, and if he hadn’t felt something bigger than lust for a girl, he hadn’t taken her to bed. Josh knew he was different in that way, but he always imagined that when the right girl came around, she’d respect that about him and appreciate it. It was time for Riley to get to know him better and understand the man he’d always been.

  “I do trust you, Josh. But I don’t know much about your life in New York, so I have no idea what things were like before me.”

  Josh took a deep breath and sat on the leather couch facing a wall of windows behind his desk. He stretched his long legs out and leaned back, glancing at his watch. They had only minutes; it was not nearly enough time to say the things he wanted to say. Instead, he simply replied, “Don’t believe everything you think, Ri, okay?” He wished she were beside him, snuggled in beneath his arm so he could kiss the top of her head and explain his past.

  “How do you know what I think?” she asked.

  “I know what people think. Trust me, Ri. Tonight we’ll talk.” A knock on his door caught his attention. “I gotta run. I’ve got a call at seven, but I’ll be there at eight, okay?” The door opened slowly and Claudia came in.

  “Have a sec?” Claudia asked.

  Josh held up one finger. “Eight?” he said into the phone, feeling a bit like a bug caught in a spider’s web. Damn, he wanted to tell Claudia about him and Riley, just to remove the secrecy and tension. The knots in his shoulders were nothing compared to the wrath Claudia could unleash once she found out about them. Maybe I should have terminated her ages ago. His loyalty to Peter was like a noose around his neck that he’d never minded until Riley came back into his life.

  “Sure.” Riley’s voice was almost a whisper. Then the line went dead.

  Josh stood and ran his hand through his hair. Running on little sleep had left him fatigued, and he needed a hot shower—and time with Riley.

  “I’ve got a call in two minutes. Is it quick?” he asked.

  Claudia flashed an unusually warm smile, sending a chill of worry up his back.

  “I’ll come back. I have some work to do anyway.” She closed the door on her way out, and Josh breathed a sigh of relief—for the moment.

  Twenty minutes later, he was reaching for his coat and keys when there was a soft knock at the door and Claudia pushed it open.

  “I saw the line light go off. Have a minute?” She didn’t wait for an answer.

  Josh leaned against his desk and glanced at his watch. “Just one,” he said.

  She sat on the couch, her leather skirt hiked up to the top of her thighs. She swung her long legs out and crossed them at the ankle. “Riley’s making strides,” she said.

  Josh let out another relieved sigh. “That’s great.”

  “She’s got a long way to go, but I think she’s really working hard to find her way.”

  “She’s very talented. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

  Claudia leaned forward, her elbows on her knees. Her blouse bloomed open, revealing the mound of her breast and the edge of a lacy cream bra. Josh averted his eyes.

  “You’re making me nervous,” Claudia said. “Can you just sit for a minute? I don’t bite.”

  He half expected her to say, Unless you want me to. He didn’t budge. “What’s up, Claudia?”

  She pursed her lips. “I just thought we should catch up a bit. We haven’t really spoken about anything…special…you wanted me to do lately. You know, designs, or any special preps for the Bliss line. I just wanted to be sure I was prepared for whatever you might need.”

  Josh swallowed the bile that rose in his throat. Claudia was an attractive woman, and there was no denying her seductive ways, which might strike a powerful hold on a different sort of man. But Claudia’s blatant abuse of Josh’s loyalty to her uncle repulsed him, and as he watched her playing out her seductive ruse, he wondered if his loyalty to Peter was worth it.

  She dug around in her enormous Louis Vuitton bag. “I met someone the other day, an editor for Vogue. Someone new.”

  “Someone new? I haven’t heard of anyone new coming to Vogue.” Now he was interested. Surely his publicist would have the details before Claudia.

  “He’s not there yet. But he will be.” She looked up quickly, and the contents of her purse dumped over her legs and onto the floor. “Oh, shoot. I’m so sorry.”

  Josh bent forward to help her pick up her belongings. With a handful of lipstick containers, eyeliner, and her wallet, he lifted his eyes to return them and came up eye to eye with Claudia, her lips an inch from his.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. She ran her tongue slowly over her lower lip. “I really appreciate how highly you think of me, Josh, and if ever I can do anything for you…” She let the end of her sentence hang in the air between them.

  Josh pushed to his feet at the same time she did and they knocked heads. Claudia’s lips brushed his cheek, and she grabbed her forehead.

  “I’m sorry,” Josh said. “Are you okay?” This was the last thing he wanted to deal with. Goddamned Claudia. Did she have to pull this shit now?

  “Yeah,” she whispered. “Oh, gosh, I got lipstick on you.” She rubbed his cheek with a firm stroke of her thumb.

  Josh stepped back. “I can get it,” he snapped. He grabbed a tissue from the desk and swiped at his cheek. “Claudia, I know you’re willing to…go the extra mile to become a designer.”

  “Yes, I am,” she said with lust-filled eyes.

  “No one sleeps their way to the top at JBD. Skills will get you where
you want to be. Spend some time coming up with fresh ideas; no more new takes on old themes. Give me something I can grab hold of and run with.”

  She sidled up to him, pressing her hips against his. “Oh, I’ve got something you can grab hold of.”

  Josh made a disgusted tsk sound and pushed her away. “Claudia, you’re an attractive woman, but this”—he ran his hand back and forth in the space between them—“is never going to happen. Let your work stand for itself.”

  Her eyes caught fire. She threw her shoulders back. “You have no idea what you’re missing, Josh Braden. We could make a great team, and I don’t mean just in the design studio.”

  Josh ran his hand through his hair. He was tired of playing games with her. Hadn’t he made himself perfectly clear? Claudia had worked in the business long enough to have established relationships with media, buyers, and designers. She could work anywhere, and he was about ready to have a little talk with Peter and cut her loose. This take-me-now game had gone way past a girl trying to just sleep her way to the top, but a scandal devised at the hands of Claudia Raven would be painful and humiliating—though not unrecoverable.

  “Claudia—”

  She held her hand up and stopped him from speaking. “It’s okay, Josh. I get it. I’m a great assistant, but I need to be a better designer. That doesn’t change the fact that I’m attracted to you and have been since the day I set eyes on you.”

  “Claudia, you’re attracted to what I stand for, not who I am.” He had to stop this train wreck before it got any more out of hand. “I’m involved with someone.” There, he’d said it without mentioning Riley. Chew on that for a while.

  The anger in her eyes faded, replaced with a shadow of hurt. The harsh line of her mouth softened. “Please, don’t play me for a fool. You’re not attracted to me. I get that. There’s no need to make up a fictitious girlfriend. Attraction isn’t everything,” she said, moving closer to him.

  “Stop, Claudia. Whatever made-up game you have in your head is not going to happen.” He took a deep breath. “If you value your job, then please stop these antics.”

  Claudia gritted her teeth. “Well, then, fine.” She picked up her purse and headed for the door.

  “And, Claudia?”

  She turned to face him with watery eyes. He almost felt bad for her. “Let’s not make anyone’s life hell because of this, okay? We’re all professionals. I don’t need you stomping around or making things uncomfortable. I expect a professional workplace with no ulterior motives.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said, and stormed out the door.

  Chapter Fifteen

  NOT PRETTY, NOT designer. Scruffy. Riley stood before her dresser, wondering just what scruffy looked like. She was used to trying to look good, not bad. Scruffy? Josh would be there in ten minutes, and she was stuck. She hadn’t been able to concentrate on the line sheets after hearing Claudia’s voice in the background when they were on the phone, and no matter how she’d tried to quell her jealousy, the prickling at the back of her neck would not go away. Even though she knew Josh would never go for someone like Claudia, her mind began to wander. Would he tell her if he slept with her just once? What if he had and he’d left Claudia wanting more? Could that be the driving force behind Claudia’s bitchiness?

  There was a knock at the door. Shit. Still in her work clothes, minus the heels, she hurried to the door and pulled it open. A very sweaty Josh stood before her, wearing sweatpants and a wrinkled T-shirt. A Mets baseball cap was pulled down low over his eyes, and there was a glowing smile on his lips.

  “Ah, scruffy.” Riley smiled. Still drop-dead gorgeous.

  He closed the door behind him and took her in his arms, kissing her like they hadn’t seen each other for weeks, leaving her heart soaring.

  “I’ve waited all day to do that,” he said. “God, you smell good.”

  Riley crinkled her nose. “Yeah? Um.” She looked at his sweaty T-shirt.

  “Sorry, I ran over. I was late getting out of the office, so I headed home, showered, changed, then ran over.” He looked at his sweaty chest. “I guess I could have waited to shower. Nasty habit…shower after work, shower before working out.” Josh smiled. “I guess there are worse things to be than an over-showerer. In any case, I respect your desire to keep things secret, even if I hate it, and if that means I get a few extra runs in, then so be it.”

  Riley pulled him close and kissed him again. “Now I feel bad. I have no idea where you live. Was it far?”

  “Not bad, a dozen blocks or so. I’d say no sweat, but…” He waved at his sweaty shirt. “I’m sorry about that, but there’s a price for anonymity.”

  “I happen to find sweat very sexy.” Riley ran her finger down his chest.

  “You’re not sidetracking me tonight. At least not yet.” He looked at her outfit. “Did you get my note?”

  “Yes, and it was really sweet, but kinda risky, don’t you think?”

  “You’re a clever girl. I knew you’d keep things under wraps.” He took her hand. “Come on. Let’s find you some scruffy clothes.”

  They went to the bedroom and rifled through her drawers.

  “Jeans, jeans, and more jeans. Yup, you’re from Weston all right,” he teased.

  “I have sweatpants,” she offered. “Where are we going, anyway?”

  “Sweatpants. Perfect. Throw them on with a sweatshirt. Do you have a hat?”

  “Sorry, left my cowgirl hat back in Colorado.”

  “I’ve got a baseball cap in my gym bag. Come on, babe. I’ll give you privacy and wait for you in the living room.” He left her alone, and Riley found herself getting excited about whatever scruffy thing they might be doing. For the life of her, she couldn’t imagine anything scruffy in New York City, especially something that Josh might do. She slipped into the shower quickly, then threw on her sweats.

  In the living room, she found Josh wearing a Mets sweatshirt, stretched out on the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table.

  “You, my dear, look spectacular,” he said, coming to his feet and kissing her cheek.

  “By the way, thank you for helping me conquer my fear of the subway. That was one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me, and it makes getting to work much easer. Thank you,” she said.

  “I couldn’t have my secret girlfriend being scared of getting around town, now, could I?” He kissed her again. “Mind if I rinse off?” He grabbed his gym bag and headed for the bathroom. Ten minutes later, he met her in the living room with a Mets hat in his hand. He placed it on her head and tugged it down low. “Now it’s perfect.”

  “Nothing like having hat hair,” Riley said. She never minded wearing hats. It was the aftereffect that wasn’t very appealing. But she was game for anything with Josh.

  “Hey, don’t knock hat hair. Some men find it wildly attractive. Have you eaten?” he asked.

  “No, you?”

  He shook his head. “Come on. I’m dying to go be normal for a while. I’ve had a wicked night.” He grabbed her keys and pulled her out the door.

  “Already? Gee, and I was hoping to get wicked later.” Did I say that out loud? Riley was surprised to find how relaxed she was with Josh. Even the jealousy she’d felt about Claudia had fallen by the wayside.

  “I like the sound of that.” He planted a kiss on her cheek.

  Her hand fit perfectly into his as they hurried down the stairs and onto the busy street. The cool night air chilled her cheeks as they walked block after illuminated block. Riley was mesmerized by the way everyone moved with quick, purposeful strides. The lights of the city sparkled from every window. Riley could see why people fell in love with New York, but her mind didn’t linger for long on the city. It was too consumed with, and distracted by, Josh. To Riley, New York was no match for Josh Braden.

  “So, is this our disguise?” she asked, pointing to their sweatpants.

  “Yup.”

  “Cool. We’re incognito. I love it.”

  Josh slowed his
pace as they passed Lenny’s. “Dinner. I almost forgot.” He backtracked, and they entered the deli. Josh swung his arm around Riley’s shoulder as they waited their turn.

  “This is what New York is all about. Lenny’s on a cold night.” He kissed her cheek.

  Who cares about Lenny’s? This is what New York’s about. She snuggled into his side.

  Josh ordered turkey subs and Diet Cokes, and with the full bag in hand, they headed back into the night.

  “What if I hate turkey?” she asked.

  “I’m sorry. Do you?” Josh asked.

  “No, and I loved that you ordered for me. I’ve just always wondered what a guy would do if they ordered something that a woman didn’t like.”

  “Most of the women I’m set up with don’t eat, so it’s not usually a problem.”

  Riley flinched and stopped walking. “Josh, I’m not those girls, and if you’re hoping to make me one, this isn’t going to work. I eat. I like to eat, and I’ll never be model thin.”

  Josh spun around and began dragging her back the way they’d come.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “I’m taking you back to the apartment. Hell, if you’re not going to stop eating for me, what’s the use of pretending?” He drew his eyebrows together and pursed his lips, pulling her alongside him.

  Riley laughed as he swung her into his arms.

  “See how silly of an idea that is?” Josh asked.

  It felt so good to have his body against hers again. She’d thought about him all afternoon, and the emotions she’d been holding in now wrapped themselves around her heart like pythons, tightening with every breath.

  “Babe, I meant what I said last night. You are the most beautiful woman I have set eyes on in a very long time.” He kissed her deeply, then set her back on her feet. He reached down and lifted her chin, another Joshism that stole her heart every time he did it.