Page 16 of Harbinger of Destiny

She made a motion to get up, but Joshua put a hand on her forearm.

“Why don’t you just take a break for a minute? Rest. I’ll drive you home later.”

“I can take the bus.”

“And risk those two bastards following you again and attacking you? Not gonna happen.”

“But I can take care of myself...” Her voice trailed off.

Joshua looked into her eyes, and saw a wet sheen developing. Amy was on the verge of tears again. What the hell had he done now?

“Amy, I’m sorry,” he whispered.

Not knowing what else to do, he pulled her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her in a hug gentle enough so she could withdraw if she wanted to.

“Please let me help you.”

10

LET’S GET IT ON

Amy felt Joshua’s arms around her, his warmth engulfing her like a protective cocoon. He was the first man who was treating her like a real person with feelings. He was treating her as if she didn’t have disfiguring scars, as if she was like any other young woman. She allowed herself to lower the shield she’d built around herself, one that hurtful words and deeds couldn’t penetrate.

“Everything will be okay,” he murmured into her hair, while he gently stroked her back to comfort her.

To her surprise, she suddenly felt him press a kiss on top of her head. To know that he wasn’t disgusted by her gave her strength. She lifted her head from his chest, bringing her face within inches of his.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Nobody’s ever been kind to me like you…”

He didn’t pull back, nor did he answer. There was something in his gaze that drew her to him. She didn’t know how it happened, whether she made the first move, or whether he did. But their lips met, tentative at first, but neither she nor Joshua pulled back. The touch turned firmer, and she found herself nibbling on his upper lip and licking her tongue over it to taste him. Joshua pulled in a breath of air, and his hand on her back shifted. All of a sudden, one cupped the back of her head, while he tilted his head to one side and captured her lips fully.

Without hesitation, she put her arms around him, one hand on his nape to pull him to her so he wouldn’t stop. He tasted good, so male, so wild. She didn’t hold back. She loved kissing, but the drunken guys she slept with on occasion were rarely in the mood for kissing. Nor had she ever kissed a man who was sober enough to notice her scarred face, not until now. Joshua’s skillful kiss awakened a yearning in her. She wanted to know what it would feel like to make love, not just to fuck in the dark where the guy would barely remember the next day that he’d slept with her.

With parted lips she explored Joshua the way he explored her mouth, while she pressed her breasts against his chest and felt how her nipples hardened in anticipation. The shock from earlier was forgotten, as was the pain in her hip. She wanted… she needed to feel Joshua.

Joshua ripped his lips from hers, his hands gripping her shoulders to hold her away from him.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to… we shouldn’t have… You are…”

His words hit her like an ice-cold shower. Joshua was already regretting having kissed her. She shook off his hands and shrank back. She tightened her jaw. She knew all too well what he was thinking.

“I’m ugly,” she said and turned her face so he was forced to see her scarred side.

“That’s not what I said,” he protested.

She shot up to stand, and he did the same.

“But it’s true”, she said. “For what it’s worth, I got carried away too. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

“You didn’t. I kissed you.”

“What does it matter now? You’re disgusted with me. So I’ll get out of your hair.” She attempted to turn away, but Joshua snatched her arm and stopped her.

“I’m not disgusted.”

She glared at him. Her shield was back up. She needed to protect herself from getting hurt. “You don’t have to lie to me. No man can stand looking at me.” She pointed to her scars, turning her bad side toward him once more. “What man can like this?”

“Your scars have nothing to do with whether you’re likeable or desirable,” he claimed.