Page 48 of Fate In Fiction

“For the greater good!” I exaggerate and watch her assess her messy, cookie dough covered hand with an idea forming.

Before I can register what she’s up to, she wipes dough on my nose. I feel my mouth drop open with the audacity and reach down to pick up a piece of dough. She reads my mind and takes off down the hall. And like a puppy, I chase after her.

Her joyful laugh has me joining in, and with every pounding step, she laughs harder. Wrapping my arm around her waist as she enters her room, a damn slipper trips us both up. I stumble with her in my arms, but save us as my hand braces the chair. Tight against my body, she’s curled forward with her hand holding on to my forearm for dear life. I hit my knees behind her and hover above. A compromising position, but she’s still laughing. When her laughter dies out, I feel her ribcage draw in with a sharp breath. It’s then, a small flashing light catches my attention behind the nightstand. I reach over Josie’s back, but she flips around, now pinned beneath me.

No fucking way.

I pause as Josie notices my stare, and her face becomes as red as the flashing light.

“It’s not what you–” Her eyes go wide with fear.

“It’s not what I think?” I finish her sentence and reach to unplug the toy. “I take it you only use the little flashing light on your sex toy as mood lighting?” There is a small handle and a head at the top with a deep hole. “I haven’t seen one of these before.” Honestly, most women I hook up with don’t carry toys with them to a party or out and about. “So, this part probably goes inside you?” Doesn’t seem that pleasurable until I hold down the button. “Oh, this top part brings life to your clit and latches on.”

“My goodness, please let this be a dream.” Her lips roll inward, but her eyes fall to my lips.

“Yeah?” I hood my eyes and shoot her smirk, turning on my charm. “What would happen next in your dream?”

“I’d wake up and be thankful it wasn’t real.” Her voice holds a breathy undertone, and I make no movement to back away.

“Well, Josephine, it has been a while since I have had the pleasure of sucking on a clit.” Her mouth parts as her breath draws in. “If you get bored of this, I’m happy to help.” I lean back and push up to stand, handing the toy back.

“Right, I have a lot of faith in a guy who didn’t even know what the popular sex toy I have did.” She finds her sass with the sudden distance.

My gaze darkens as I place my hand on the chair and lean back in, closer this time. “Don’t challenge me, little darlin’, if you’re not up to play.” I watch her swallow roughly.

“Again, no faith,” she states with an eye roll.

“I’m not threatened by toys; I’ve just never needed one to help get the job done.” My whisper causes her bare shoulder to break out into goosebumps.

“I’ll have an award made up for you, then.” Her hand lifts, pushing me backward, and she stands. “Who cares if I have toys? At least they’re a guarantee to get me off every time.” She tosses the toy onto her bed and walks out of the room.

“Don’t get annoyed with me because of shitty men. I’ll wear earplugs tonight if that makes you feel more comfortable,” I call out before heading to the bathroom.

It’s probably a good thing she doesn’t answer back. Every day, this woman takes me by surprise as another layer surfaces. The way she gets under my skin without even touching it, it’s unnerving.

The cool water from my showerhead trickles over me, but it doesn’t put the throbbing of my cock at ease as I look over at the bathtub and imagine Josie in there with the toy I just held. I bang my skull against the shower wall, knowing if we were an actual couple, it would be effortless with our goofing off and emotional vulnerability and, yeah, I am more than confident I’d leave her body shaking. Every. Damn Time. It’s just coming to terms with never getting a true taste of what I thought I never wanted.

JOSIE

“You and Emmett should spend this weekend with us in San Diego.” Stella picks at her salad, but hasn’t taken a single bite. “It’ll be fun. My dad is wrapping up the movie, and we can attend the cast party.”

“Yeah, Josie,” Emery chimes in. “Even I managed to get time off work to join.” As a chef, time off for her is limited.

“That’s really public, girls.” I look out the window of Emmett’s hotel restaurant as crowds of tourists walk by. “I don’t think we are ready for that, this soon.”

“Some cast members know him. Could be a little reunion.” Stella’s condescending tone and smirk clenches my stomach with annoyance. “One of the supporting actresses says she spent last summer at a yacht party with him in Europe.” Her sly jealousy arises, and I debate calling her out.

“Dammit, Stella!” Emery nudges our friend as her giant blue eyes grow even larger. “Josie doesn’t care to hear about Emmett’s past yachties.”

“Please, it shouldn’t bug her. She’s already living with this man. I’m sure that says how different she is from the rest.”

“I’m secure with our relationship. I just don’t need a million questions thrown at us at the party.” Emmett has already made a gossip headline about being off the market. “Let’s eat; I need to get ready for a tour. A group of young guys booked me to lead a hike.”

“That sounds suspicious. You’re staying in public, right?” Emery’s parental side enters.

“Yes, I’m leading them up a mountain, and they want the full scoop on the best Aspen entertainment. They’re a part of some Sips and Trips bro group.” I shrug like it’s no big deal. “I checked out their social media page. Just a bunch of bros who live to burn through daddy’s money, it seems.”

“I’ll join you to be extra safe.” Emery smiles, finishing her burger.