Page 34 of Cupcake of the Month
Josh took the saucepan off the heat and turned off the burner. He crossed the kitchen to lean against the island across from her. He locked eyes with her, and her skin tingled at the intensity of his gaze.
“You can talk to me, you know.” His voice was a caress.
She closed her eyes and inhaled his soapy scent, letting it wrap around her. “Works both ways,” she murmured.
His body stiffened, and he moved to the stove. He opened a cabinet and took out a large bowl. “I’m sorry,” he said, his back to her. He braced his hands on the counter. “For what I did to you. I didn’t mean for things to happen like that. But so you know, if I hadn’t left when I did, you would have left me soon after.”
His words hit her like a line drive, and she inhaled a quick breath. Now? He chose now to apologize? After eight years of carrying around the ghost from That Night? “Why are you telling me this?”
“In case you were still dwelling in the past.”
Ego much? “Like in case I’ve spent the past eight years crying into my pillow at night, wallowing in self pity because Iwasn’t good enough or pretty enough or another female thing that relies on a man to validate me?”
He let out a snort. “No, that’s never been you.”
“Damn straight. Geez, Josh. We were friends. I wasn’t some random bar pickup.” The attraction between them so long ago had been instant, but they had taken the time to get to know each other, letting the fire between them burn until it consumed them.
He dipped his head once in acknowledgement. “I can’t change what I did, Jordan.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
The defensive posture sent a surge of weariness through her. “No. You can’t.” She leaned against the island, her thoughts jumbled. Her heart yearned to trust him, but her head prevailed. “I didn’t mean to get into this. You had your reasons. And I’m sure they had nothing to do with me.”
He gave a slow, singular nod.
“But if you want to hash it out...”
“I’m good.” He turned back to his prep work and cracked a few eggs into a bowl. And scrambled them with a frenzied vigor. After a moment, his scrambling slowed. “So tell me about the job.”
Fear at losing her business flared within her. She fought to keep her voice level, but something caught in her throat as she spoke. “Taking on this new job is a great opportunity.”
Josh washed up, then lifted her hand into his strong, warm palm. His thumb stroked small circles on her skin. The steady movement mesmerized her.
“There’s more to it, isn’t there?” he said. “Let me be here for you now, Jay. Talk to me.”
She lifted her eyes to his, the warm blue inviting and coaxing. Her resolve to solve her own problem melted.
“I’m scared.” Her voice was a whisper and she cleared her throat. She blurted out every last detail about being sued. “Icould lose everything. The lawyer’s fee is getting so high, but I need someone guiding me through this. I know my brothers would help, but I built this business on my own. I need to fight for it on my own.” A burning sensation filled her eyes, along with a growing mortification of having spilled her guts.
She tugged to free her hand. Instead, Josh pressed a kiss to the back of it and covered it with his other hand, sending a surge of warmth through her.
What a strange sensation, to feel safe, protected. It wasn’t like Josh could do anything about her problems. But it felt right to be this close to him again, to be touching him.
Kissing him.
His gaze dropped to her lips and he inhaled a deep breath.
Aw, hell. What was one morning almost a decade ago in light of how she felt right now?
The ache in her stomach lurched in opposition to her lingering desire, her brain demanding to have a say in the matter.
Stupid brain. She shifted away from the contact and Josh released her hand.
“What’s happening with your business now?” Josh asked.
“I’m finishing up work for my current clients and my assistant Mark is letting me know when someone calls about hiring us, but I can’t take any new jobs. Not until this is settled and I can give my clients my complete attention.”
“There’s more.” He moved back to the stove and continued prepping breakfast service. “What is it?”
“Wendy and Brandi know most of it, but not...” she trailed off.
