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“What exactly is the issue?”
“The issue is how we’re going to know when we really love each other. I believe it can happen, if we both work at it. But you know... It might not happen to both of us at the same time. So how are we going to know?”
His sigh was heavy as he dropped his hand. “We could just tell each other.”
“No, that could make the other person feel pressured to say it if it wasn’t true.”
“Why does it matter so much?”
“Well... I don’t think we should... Even after we’re married... We shouldn’t sleep together until we’re in love.”
His face contorted like he had a splitting headache. “We’ve got three weeks. Don’t you think we can be in love by then? I don’t want to waste a honeymoon.”
“Josh, you can’t make yourself love someone. These things take time... months... years even.”
“Years?” his voice squeaked. “Charlie, I don’t think I can wait years to make love to you.”
“It won’t be making love unless we’re both in love.”
“Charlie... I love you already.”
“Right.” She laughed. “Of course you do, since sex is on the line.”
“No really, I do.”
“Forget it, Josh. I’m not buying it. You were in love with Olivia two weeks ago. You’re not in love with me now.”
“Charlie,” he ground out. “I’ve discovered another of your faults.”
“Oh really? What?”
“You talk too much.”
He crushed his mouth against hers, devouring her with his lips. His hand slipped behind her head and tangled in her hair as he pulled her head toward his. Her right hand rose up to settle on his chest, and she could feel his heart pounding even through his sweater. The crisp cool air and the light earthy smell of his cologne wafted in through her nose as she gasped for air. His mouth moved around, feathering small light kisses around her lips before he slanted his lips across hers, forcefully. Her lips parted as his tongue teased across and moved inside to dance with hers. A warm buzzing sensation vibrated from her neck all the way down to her toes. She was squirming in the seat, unable to sit still under the assault to her senses.
When he moaned, she heard it and felt it in her mouth, which was now on fire with sensations. She moved her lips against his, answering his attack with her own, deepening their kiss. He pulled her lower lip into his mouth and stroked it with his tongue, eliciting a whimper from her throat. She tried to pull herself closer to him, unconsciously reaching with her left arm.
“Ahhh!” she cried.
“What’s wrong?” He pulled away like he’d been burned.
“Aunt Charlie? Are you okay? What happened?” Jace craned to look behind him.
“I’m fine, Jace. I kind of forgot my arm was hurt. But I’m okay.”
“Sorry, baby,” Josh whispered.
“You don’t look sorry.”
“I’m only sorry you got hurt. I’m definitely not sorry I kissed you,” he murmured into her ear, opening his coat and pulling her inside to lean back against his chest. And there she stayed for the rest of the sleigh ride, cozy and comfortable, snuggled inside Josh’s coat under the blanket, soaking in his heat, and wondering how on earth she would know when Josh really loved her. She’d been wrong about the physical attraction—it was obviously still there. But she already knew Josh had slept with women he didn’t love in his past, so physical attraction couldn’t be the gauge of love for their relationship.
As the sleigh rounded back to the house and its next awaiting passengers, Josh leaned in close and spoke, his voice so soft she had to strain her ears to hear. “I really do love you, Charlie.”
Charlie twisted her head to look into his eyes. “I know you think you do, Josh. But you don’t.”
His brows scrunched over his eyes. “What do you mean?”
Brad’s voice, calling from below, interrupted before she could answer. “Hey, lovebirds! It’s our turn!”
