by Maree Green
I braced myself for her to say no, searching for a way to cool myself down when it came.
Liv’s hands tightened on my waist, her hands gripping the fabric of my shirt, pulling it taut. “Yes. Please, Josh.”
A growl vibrated in my throat. Before I could tell myself I was a total dick, I peeled her dress upward and off. As soon as it was on the floor, Liv was tugging my shirt the same way.
My hands ached to unclasp her bra—feel her naked chest against mine. Her breasts were amazing. So full and soft and tempting. Begging myself to behave, I ran my hands over her ass, bending at the knees until my height matched hers, wrapping my arms around her, and lifting her against me. Liv moaned with the movement, locking her arms around my shoulders and her legs around my hips.
“I promise I won’t take things too far, Liv,” I said, striding for the bed. “I just want to feel you against me. I promise,” I said again, more to drum it into myself than anything else.
As I laid her out on my bed, she sighed, her hands clenching in my hair, her lips brushing against my throat. “Don’t think, Josh,” she whispered. “Just feel.”
My cock twitched, my strength waning. She had no idea just how much pain her words caused me. “Don’t tempt me, Liv. I’m begging you. Please, don’t tempt me.”
“What if I wanted to be selfish too?” she breathed.
The answer was easy. Then I would come undone.
Chapter 33
Olivia
Moving down to the end of the hall, I knocked on the gray painted door and waited for an answer. A few seconds later, the door swung open, and Aunt Jenny appeared, the crease in her brow vanishing the instant she saw me.
“Good morning, precious,” she said, giving me a broad smile.
I gave her an apologetic one in return. This was the only time I was going to be able to catch her alone before she had to leave. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Surprise and confusion flashed in her eyes, but she was quick to disguise it. “Sure. Come in,” she said, stepping aside to let me in. “What’s up?”
As she closed the door, I drew in a deep breath. I’d been up all night tossing around whether I should confide in her or not. On one hand, I didn’t want to betray Josh and his secret, but on the other, I was confused and needed someone to talk to. I was pretty sure I could count on Aunt Jenny to keep quiet, but I was certain those had been someone else’s last words before too.
“I need to tell you something,” I said, still unsure if I could. “But I need you to promise you won’t tell anyone.”
Concern changed her features as she gazed at me. “Okay,” she said cautiously.
“It’s about Josh,” I said, taking the leap.
Her head cocked to the side a little. “The hot beach guy?”
I nodded. “Yeah.” My pulse picked up a little faster. “So . . . he’s Joshua Emerson.”
Aunt Jenny’s expression didn’t change as she processed my words. As each second ticked over, her eyes grew slightly wider, until she looked utterly incredulous. “No way.”
I lifted a shoulder and quirked one side of my mouth.
“Are you serious?” she said. “I mean, you’re not just trying to prank me or something, right?”
Dropping down on the edge of her bed, I let out a huff. “Oh, I’m definitely not pranking you, Aunt Jenny. He’s Joshua Emerson, all right.”
She sat down beside me, her gaze concerned. “Let me get this straight. You’ve actually been getting it on with Joshua Emerson? The Joshua Emerson?”
My expression withered. “So it seems.”
Her jaw went slack as she stared at me. “Holy shit, Liv. This is huge.”
“I know, right? I mean, to me he’s just this nice guy I met on the beach, and I love hanging out with him. I don’t really see him as anything else. It’s weird.”
She watched me for a minute, her gaze searching. “What has he told you? What does he want from you?”
I sighed, my mind automatically doing a quick recap of the night before. Every time we were together I seemed to lose myself in him. I never wanted him to stop. His ability to hold onto his control frustrated me, but I was also thankful.
“Nothing, really. We both know that when we leave here we won’t see each other again.”
Her gaze turned worrying. “Have you slept with him?”
My cheeks warmed a fraction. “No. Although I probably would’ve let him had he wanted to.” I didn’t think it was wise to mention I probably still would.
Aunt Jenny stood and walked over by the window, her hand rubbing over her collarbone. “This isn’t good, Liv. I don’t think you should get any more involved with him.”
I had sought out her opinion, but this wasn’t what I wanted to hear. “Why?”
“Why?” she asked, coming back to sit on the stool in front of me. “Because it can’t end well, honey.”
“I don’t understand,” I said, frustrated beyond hell. “What difference does it make? Before you knew who he was, you were telling me to go have fun.”
She groaned and rubbed her temples. “I don’t know. This is why I don’t have kids,” she mumbled under her breath. “It’s just different. I don’t know how to explain it.”
I huffed. “Well, you need to try, because I don’t see how it’s different.”
Dropping her hands into her lap, she stared at me, her mind visibly ticking over. “I’ve never met him, Liv, but I know people who have,” she said carefully. “And from what they tell me, he’s a nice guy. Like, seriously nice. I’ve heard his parents kept him pretty grounded growing up, so he hasn’t let the fame go to his head. Apparently, he’s kept the same group of friends he’s had since elementary school, and now they work for him as his personal security team.”
I frowned. Why was she saying this like it was a bad thing? I didn’t see how this backed up her argument at all. To me, it only confirmed my own findings. He was amazing.
“I know what you’re thinking,” she said, her mouth curving upward, although the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “My point is, you have this guy—this amazing guy—who would be completely enamored by every part of you. There’s no way he couldn’t be, Liv. You’re too unique. Too different to what he’s used to.” She shook her head. “You have Joshua Emerson’s undivided attention. A month and a half of that would make even the most hardened of girls fall head over heels. It could ruin you, Liv. I mean, he’s going to be your benchmark for every guy who comes after him. How is any guy supposed to measure up to that?”
I hadn’t thought about it like that. I could see her point, but was setting my benchmark high such a bad thing? I certainly didn’t want to settle for something less than what was chaotically perfect for me.
Aunt Jenny sighed. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt, precious. Love can be a real bitch sometimes.”
I tried to see the wisdom in her words. I knew she spoke from experience, and I wanted to take from her what I could, but I also knew that sometimes understanding could only come from your own experience. As much as I wanted to take her advice, I knew within myself that if I were to end whatever was happening with Josh today, I would regret it for the rest of my life. I needed to see it to the end. No matter how much pain that goodbye brought me when it came.
“Would you be disappointed in me if I said I think I need to see it to the end?” I asked.
She gave me a sad smile. “Of course not, precious. Just . . . guard your heart, okay?”
Reaching out, I gave her a warm hug. “I’ll try. I’m not sure how successful I’ll be, but I’ll try.”
She laughed as I released her. “I’d tell you to prepare yourself for the hurt, but I think you already know that, don’t you?”
I smirked. “It’s becoming clearer every day.”
Sitting back, she gave me an odd look. “Just how did you find out who he was, anyway?”
“Ashley and Sarah,” I said, rolling my eyes. “They were horrified with my lack of cele
brity knowledge, so they made me watch a gazillion movies—a lot of them being Josh’s.”
Her eyes rounded. “You didn’t tell them he was staying next door, did you?”
“No way.”
“Oh, thank God!” she said, releasing her breath. “That would’ve been the last thing I needed today.”
I bit my lip. “You won’t tell anyone, will you?”
Her eyes turned soft as she exhaled. “You have my word, honey.”
As I made my way back to my room, I knew I’d made the right decision for me. As Aunt Jenny said, it was most likely going to end up hurting like a bitch, but it was something I was willing to take if it meant I got the next three weeks in Josh’s arms.
I just hoped the memories of it would be enough to get me through what would come after.
Chapter 34
Josh
Kicking back on the couch in the games room, I threw my hands in the air with victory. “Burn, fucker! Burn!” I yelled, laughing at Corey’s sour face.
“That’s bullshit, man!” he said, tossing his Wii controller on the table. “Three red shells! So not cool!”
I laughed louder. I was king of Mario Kart. “Don’t tell me you wouldn’t have done the same. I fucking know you!”
Flopping back against the couch, he smirked. “Maybe.”
Aiming the remote, I flicked the flat-screen off and shook my head. “Maybe my ass. I beat you fair and square.”
Not bothering to argue, he threw a cushion at me instead. “Where’s Liv anyway?” he asked in an obvious attempt at changing the subject.
We’d had a group discussion first thing this morning to talk about Liv and where things sat now. I knew it shouldn’t have, but their questions had pissed me off. In their eyes, it was clear-cut. Black and white. Right and wrong. I couldn’t make them understand that it wasn’t that simple. Yes, I understood the logistics of it. I was a public figure, and I had responsibilities to think of and sacrifices to make. At the end of the day, it was my task to make sure people like Liv didn’t get burned by the world I lived in. It was my burden, and mine alone. I got that. But ‘doing’ wasn’t as easy as ‘knowing.’ Not when ‘doing’ meant it would hurt me too.
Glancing at the clock, I pursed my lips. “She’ll be here in a minute.”
“Do you really trust that she won’t do a tell-all interview?”
I eyed him carefully. I knew he wasn’t pushing. He wasn’t like that. He just wanted to know what I thought. “I do. And I know that it doesn’t always work out like that. I know people can change—circumstances can take people to places they never thought they’d be—but if I never gave anyone a chance—never gave her a chance—how much would I miss out on, man? How much of my life would I let this career take from me?”
He nodded as he considered my words. “That’s fair, man. She’s a nice chick. I like her.” His shoulders tensed a little. “But you know Lance had a point. If she’s really never been involved with anyone before, this could crush her.”
Guilt gnawed at me. It always came back to the same thing. I’d told Liv just as much. I was a selfish asshole. I knew it, but it obviously didn’t change me enough to make me stay away from her. “Don’t think I haven’t thought about it. Every time I’m with her I give her the option to run, but if it’s going to happen, it has to be her, because I can’t do it. I’m weak as fuck when it comes to her.”
He raised his eyebrows with sympathy. “So it seems.”
A knock sounded on the door a second before it opened and Liv’s face appeared. “Am I interrupting anything?”
“Yes,” I said, grinning at her. “Corey losing at Mario Kart yet again.”
Another cushion flew my way. “Fuck off. You cheat.”
“If that helps you not feel like such a loser,” I said, sending the cushion back.
Liv stepped into the room and shook her head. “You’re both pathetic. I could beat both of you with ease.”
Corey and I blinked at her, momentarily stunned into silence, then Corey grinned. “Oh-ho! All right! Game on, sista!”
Snatching up another controller, I flicked the screen on again. “Bring it!”
I patted the couch beside me, but Liv just narrowed her eyes and shook her head. “No way, dude. You’ll only try to distract me. I’m sitting all the way over here on my own.”
Corey chuckled and wriggled his way to the edge of his seat. “This is going to be epic. Please beat him, Liv.”
Her gaze was fixed on the screen, intent. “Oh, I plan to,” she said. “I plan on beating the both of you.”
Scrolling through the set-up, I went about choosing my player, subtly watching Liv as I did. “Toadette? Really?”
A tiny grin appeared on the corner of her mouth, but she remained silent.
“All right. You’re the guest here, Liv. What cup?”
Her gaze roamed the screen, searching. “Tri-Force.”
Corey hooted. “Aww yeah!”
Lance appeared in the doorway. “What the hell are you up to?”
I grinned at Liv, her game face well and truly in place. She really was fucking adorable. I wondered if I should go easy on her.
“Liv here,” Corey said with an unmistakable smirk, “is apparently going to kick Josh’s ass at Mario Kart.”
Amusement shone from Lance’s eyes. “This, I need to see,” he said, moving into the room and sitting down. Two seconds later, Cain joined him. I was either going to have an epic win with a cranky girl on my hands, or I was going to be shamed in front of everyone. Glancing over at Liv and seeing the determination on her face, I didn’t think I’d mind.
As the race began, I tried to focus, but the trash talk and hoots of happiness coming from Liv really did make it hard. When I dropped back to fifth place, I conceded I might be in trouble.
Cain laughed beside me. “Man, you’re getting owned.”
“Kick his ass, Liv,” Lance said, amusement more than obvious in his voice.
Drifting through a box, I waited to see what item I would end up with. Sounds of pain echoed through the room the second the blue spiny shell appeared. Knowing she was close to the finish line, I released it.
“Oh no,” Cain moaned. “You’re an asshole.”
Liv collected a box and drifted around the corner. I could see her on my screen as I moved into second place, not far from her. She was so close to the finish line it wasn’t funny. I was sure I’d be able to pass her once she was hit.
The blue shell loomed over her just before all hell broke loose. The guys started yelling, jumping up and cheering, and Liv sailed across the finish line, taking first place.
“Holy shit!” Corey yelled. “That was the most epic finish ever! I can’t believe you pulled out a fucking super horn.”
The smile on Liv’s face was the biggest I’d ever seen. She stood, arms above her head, slowly turning victory lap style.
“Yeah, okay,” I said, smirking at her show. “You’ve still got another two races to go yet, hot shot. Don’t go celebrating too early.”
Arching an eyebrow at me, she sat back down. “Well, let’s do it, Mr. Movie Star.”
The guys all laughed, obviously enjoying themselves at my expense. Starting the next race, I forced myself into game mode. I needed to level the score or I’d never hear the end of it.
But luck wasn’t on my side. Even though the races were close, Liv seemed to pull out every trick she knew, winning all three races. The mocking was relentless.
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, shaking my head. “You can all fuck off now. I have an ego that needs soothing.”
Liv grinned at me as they all filed out of the room, closing the door behind them. Locking my gaze with hers, I narrowed my eyes with mock scorn, but that seemed to only make her laugh and throw herself back on the couch.
Looming over the top of her, I pressed my lips together, trying to conceal my smile, but as she placed her hands on my chest, her eyes shining with happiness, my desire to play with her faded. So many
things about her amazed me. It mystified me how she was so oblivious to her uniqueness. She really had no idea. But maybe that was a part of the reason she was so captivating.
Pausing crouched over her, I took the time to search her features. “I know you said you’re good with everything, but I need to make sure you know what you’re doing, Liv. It’s important to me that this not end badly. Not because of my career, but because I care about you and don’t want to see you hurt. If you’re unsure about anything, you need to tell me now.”
Her gaze searched mine, a seriousness coming over her that stirred worry in my stomach. Emotions flashed in her eyes so fast I had no chance of catching them. But then she smiled and playfully pushed against my chest. “Stop being so melodramatic. Whatever happens, happens. It’s the summer. Let’s just have fun and do what makes us happy. And when it’s time to leave, we pick up what needs to be picked up, and we continue on with life.”
Her words, while they made sense, didn’t leave me feeling clear of conscience, but I would take them. There was nothing I could do about it anyway. Because, as I’d established many times over, I was an asshole.
Chapter 35
Olivia
Eyes closed, I exhaled and allowed my senses to take in everything around me. Under my feet, the sand was warm, a mixture of course and soft, dry and slippery. The sun tingled against my skin, intense, fierce and hot. Inhaling, I felt a light breeze pick up in the air. As it kissed my skin, I smiled, feeling it rouse my hair and soothe the heaviness of the heat. Waves crashed on the shore, the gentle rhythm of the push and pull lulling me into a deeper place of relaxation.
Light footfalls squeaked in the sand, a cool shadow falling over the top of me before I felt tiny drops of water on my skin. With my eyes still closed, I grinned.
“Hi, beautiful.”
I breathed in the sound of Josh’s voice and sighed before opening my eyes. He was standing beside me, surfboard tucked under his arm and droplets of water running down his bronzed, sculpted chest. It was a sight I knew I’d never get tired of.