Page 60 of Dream (Fighting Fate)

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.

“You should come for a surf with me,” he said, his gaze raking over my body.

I wondered if it would be inappropriate for me to ask him to lie on top of me. “I will later. I’m being lazy this morning.” Eyeing the board, I smiled. “Are you heading back out?”

“Not if you’re not coming out.”

Cocking my head to the side a little, I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t be silly. The waves are awesome today. I don’t mind hanging out here.”

He carefully dropped his board onto the sand. “Nah, I’m good. I’m starting to get hungry anyway. Come up to the house with me. I’ll make you some lunch.”

As if on cue, my belly rumbled. “That’s an offer I can’t refuse, apparently.”

Chuckling, he helped me to my feet before pulling me into his arms and kissing me. His cool body pressed against my hot one, the difference in temperature sending shivers through my insides.

When he pulled back, he glanced down at my body. “No more sun for you today. You’re starting to get a little pink, and if I can’t touch you later, I won’t be happy.”

A smirk crept onto the corner of my mouth. “Is that right?”

Taking my hand, he turned us around and started walking us up the beach. “Damned straight, girl.”

Walking into his house through the wet room, we washed ourselves off and made our way up to the kitchen. Corey, Cain, and Lance were all still out surfing, and Daniel and Amy were obviously doing their own thing, because they were nowhere to be seen, so it was just the two of us for a change. It was nice.

As Josh went through the refrigerator, I sat down on the stool at the counter and watched him. It was my favorite pastime these days.

“So, how’s your aunt been?” he asked as he dumped a heap of ingredients on the counter.

I’d told him that I’d confided in Aunt Jenny about who he was, and even though I had assured him she was cool, I could tell he was still nervous about it. “Fine,” I said, making sure I gave him a reassuring smile. “I promise she won’t tell anyone. She’s too worried it would impact me badly if the public found out.”

I’d only meant to let him know she wouldn’t be a problem, but the worried crease on his brow instantly made me regret my words. “She’s right, you know,” he said, his gaze intent. “The pap would be relentless with you if they found out.”

His mood was fast becoming serious. I needed to lighten it up. “Is that a warning?” I said, grinning at him.

“No, Liv,” he said, leaning on the counter across from me. “I just need you to understand exactly what could happen if it were to somehow get out that you’ve been spending time with me. Call it full disclosure if you will. I’m terrified that you’re going to get hurt, and if you do, it will be my fault.”

Reaching across, I placed my hand on his. “Josh, I might not be able to understand from experience, but I get it.”

He pulled his hand out and took a step backward. “I don’t think you do, Liv. They’re fucking vultures. They will find every means to get to you. They’ll follow you. They’ll get in your face. They’ll touch you. They’ll do anything to get you to react—to talk to them. They’ll take pictures of you and make up shit to go with it just to sell stories. They’ll find your cell phone number and they’ll call you non-stop. Then they’ll find your parents’ numbers and your aunt’s, and they’ll call them. They’ll find your old friends from when you were twelve, and they’ll get all the information they can on you, just so they can print a fucking tell-all exclusive that doesn’t exist.”

My eyes widened as I listened to him. Not because of what he was saying—because I’d already thought about that—but because of how worked up he was getting. “Is that how they are with you?” I asked, trying to show him I wasn’t scared by his words.

“They used to be,” he said, a little quieter now. “They still try to, but I’m used to it now, and know how to react. But, Liv, this was the life I chose. It’s the life I’d hoped for. I couldn’t have the success I wanted with my career without the pap. It goes hand in hand. I just don’t want to see you get caught in the crossfire. I’m not sure I could live with myself if they got their hooks into you.”

Standing, I made my way around the counter until I was directly in front of him, then I placed my hands on his hips. “Josh, I may have been living in a different world for the last six years, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how things work. I know you don’t think I understand, and I guess in a way you’re right. I will never fully understand until I’ve experienced it. But I want you to know that I have thought about it. I understand as much as I’m able to, and I’m still willing to take the chance. So, please stop worrying, and let me just enjoy this time with you before it’s over.”

I watched him inhale deeply before sighing, long and slow. Then he took my face in his hands and let his gaze search my eyes. “You’re too good for me, Liv.”

Relaxing into his touch, I smiled. “Shut up and kiss me.”

As his lips covered mine, my eyes fell closed and I melted against his body, trying to push away the little voice that told me I was getting in way too deep. I knew he was worried about me getting hurt, but what he didn’t realize was that it was inevitable. Just not in the way he was worried about.

Breaking away, I tried to brush the sinking feeling away with a smile. “Now feed me. I’m hungry.”

Josh smirked and let me go. “My pleasure.”

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