Page 61 of Dreams
“She is.”
Taylor moved on to the wall where a number of signed photos of some of the greatest hockey players of all time hung. “Gretzky, Orr, Federov, Bobrovski, Crosby. This is quite the collection.”
“My pride and joy.”
She smirked at him over her shoulder, and only then realized he’d removed his shirt. He held a dry one in his hands, about to put it on. Catching his gaze, she gave her head a subtle shake before letting her eyes slide down his torso.
His breath caught as she stepped closer and gently put her hands on his shoulders, letting her fingers trail down his long arms. Arms that were strong and protective. Arms that she knew could hold her together or tear her apart.
Her touch moved to his collarbone and down over his hard muscles. She traced the ridges of his abs, amazed at her own forwardness.
She circled around him, running a palm up his back before placing a single kiss on his shoulder. He spun and grasped her by the hips before kissing her deeply. For a second she felt like she was floating as he lifted her off her feet before putting her back down.
She shimmied out of her sopping-wet dress as Josh kissed her again. His hands warmed her skin. Taylor suddenly felt a wave of pure happiness. As quickly as that thought came in, so did a host of images. The last time she’d felt like that had been different.
Back then, the feeling didn’t scare her, but now she knew it could be taken away. It wouldn’t last. She stumbled back away from a confused Josh, struggling to breathe. Putting a hand to her chest, she bent over and sucked air.
“Taylor,” Josh said. When she felt a hand on her bare back, she jumped away.
Danny was the only person who ever had all of her, and if she took that step with Josh, it was like she was taking something from the boy she’d loved. Something they’d shared.
“I can’t,” she wheezed, a tear coursing down her face. “I’m sorry.”
He stood still for a moment longer before stepping forward and gathering her in his arms. “You never have to be sorry,” he whispered against her hair. “I don’t want to make you forget him.”
“You don’t get it, Josh.” She looked up at him. “This girl - the one with the pretty dress, the contacts, and the made-up hair. I’m not her. I used to be. That was the girl Danny loved. I tried to be her for one night, thinking I could have part of him back. Thinking it was the kind of girl you…” She couldn’t finish that thought.
“You did this for me?” he asked. “What made you think… wait, you Googled me, didn’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“Taylor, I like you.” A dimple appeared in his cheek as he gave her a half-smile. “I more than like you, but the real you. Faded jeans. Glasses that can’t seem to stay on your nose. Hair that always looks slightly messy because, after all these months, you still haven’t figured out how to style short hair.” He ran a hand over the top of her head. “I know this is hard for you. I’ve watched you slowly put the pieces of your life back together, but it only makes sense that you aren’t the same person anymore. That girl - the one you were trying to be - can stay completely in love with Danny. But, the girl you are now - well, I really want her to give me a chance.”
Taylor tightened her hold on him, a smile breaking free. She nodded against his chest, feeling two fingers beneath her chin, tilting her face up to look at him.
“Please try to be over him,” he whispered. “That’s totally selfish of me and I know you’ll probably always love him, but…” He paused with an audible sigh as he tried to figure out what he wanted to say. “I hope that doesn’t stop you from loving me one day.”
Stretching up on her toes, she gave him a sweet kiss, cutting off any other words that would spill from his mouth. “I think I can do that, or at least I’m going to try. And, for the record, I like you too.”
He hid his grin in the dip of her neck. “Will you stay here tonight?”
She cocked her head, considering it.
“You can say no,” he went on quickly, a hint of nervousness entering his voice. “Just know that as much as it kills me, I’ll be a perfect gentleman.” His fingers traced the curve of her jaw down to the hollow of her throat. “I just want to sleep with you in my arms.”
She swallowed hard before nodding.
He released her and went to his closet in search of dry clothes before throwing her a pair of sweatpants and one of his t-shirts. To her dismay, his beautiful abs disappeared beneath a shirt as he motioned her to the bed and turned off the light.
As soon as he crawled in beside her, he pulled her into his arms, creating a cocoon with his body.
“Sleep, pretty girl.” His breath tickled her ear, and she sighed. “I’ve got you tonight.”
