Page 44 of An Inconvenient Plan
“I didn’t say you were exciting just that he’s boring.”
He barked out a laugh, startling Rose, who stalked off his lap, jumped off the sofa, and walked over to Hailey’s doggie purse. “That’s honest. Looks like Rose is ready to go home.”
She stood, knowing a hint when she heard one. “Then we’ll go.” She grabbed her regular purse and tucked Rose into her doggie purse. “Thank you for dinner. Goodnight.”
One corner of his mouth lifted in a classic Josh smirk. She tensed, irritated beyond belief. Like he knew how much she wanted him and was teasing her by not doing anything about it.
“Night,” he said all casual-like.
She turned on her heel and headed for the door, trying not to show her irritation. She should focus on the positive—he’d cooked her dinner, watched a romantic movie not of his choosing, and treated her fur baby well.
He followed behind her, saying, “I’ll get the door for you.”
She let out a small sigh of disappointment, reached the door, and turned to him. Her goodnight kiss would likely be a peck, if he even gave her that much.
“Why’re you looking so disappointed?” he asked in a teasing voice as his warm hand slid under her hair and cupped the back of her neck.
“I’m not,” she lied.
He leaned down and nipped her neck. She jolted, letting out a small squeak of surprise.
He squeezed the nape of her neck. “I told you not to fake with me. Why’re you disappointed? You didn’t like dinner? Didn’t like the movie? Or is it because we never haddessert?” Clear innuendo. Obviously he was teasing her.
She clamped her mouth shut.
He kept his hold on her neck and lifted his other hand, his thumb tracing her lips. A soft brush across the top lip that made her lips part, another soft brush across the bottom before he pressed on it. Her lips tingled as he slowly leaned down and touched his lips to hers, a gentle kiss that left her longing for more.
He dropped his hold on her. They stared at each other for one tense moment. She was about to spontaneously combust with all the pent-up lust.
“Hailey.”
The words tumbled out. “I’m disappointed because I wanted dessert and you didn’t give it to me.”Please pick up on this metaphor of sexual longing. I simply cannot put myself out there for another rejection.
“I offered.”
“I wasn’t hungry then. I am now.”Metaphor, you dolt!
He cocked his head. “So if I feed you dessert, then you’ll call this a satisfying romantic date? The kind that sweeps you off your feet?”
“My feet are firmly on the ground.” She lifted her chin in challenge. “I have yet to be swept off my feet.”
A small smile played over his lips, his dark eyes gleaming. She held her breath as he lifted her purses from her shoulders and set them on the ground. She glanced down at Rose, who popped her head up and then settled back in her cozy dog purse.
Josh took her hand, pulling her away from the door, and finally swept her off her feet, literally, cradling her in his arms.
13
Excitement rippled through her as he carried her into his bedroom.
He set her on her feet, shutting the bedroom door behind her, his gaze dark and heated. “You trust me?”
“Uh…” She hadn’t expected the question. Trust was complicated by their history.
“You feel safe with me?”
“Yes.” She knew him as a protector for all of his younger siblings and more recently her, though she hadn’t asked him to.
He entwined their hands together, raising her arms overhead and pressing their joined hands against the door. “Good.” He spoke near her ear, his voice gravelly. “I need to be in control. No sudden moves on your part; never grab me from behind. I don’t want to hurt you, understand? Those are my triggers. Are you good with those conditions?”
