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BEN
“It’s delicious,” Josie responds from across the table. A smile is on her face, and it’s directed my way, which would be a good thing, except her eyes never really meet mine. She’s civil, mechanical, and agreeable. But she’s not looking at me. She’d avoided me for the most part while we practiced tomorrow’s run-through with the wedding coordinator. But she’s been unable to since we’ve all taken a seat at the table for the rehearsal dinner.
I watch her, not caring who sees me, as she resumes her meal and chats with Lance, the dude seated beside her. There’re just friends. At least, they’re supposed to be just friends. Best man and maid of honor, spending some extra time together for their wedding duties. And I still don’t like it. I’ve sat by and watched her for way too long, thinking I was letting her be happy, but I need her as much as she needs me. We belong together, and I’ll prove it to her if she’ll allow me the opportunity.
I hear a throat clearing and look over to meet my sister’s judgy glare. You’d think her brother and best friend getting along and smiling at each other would make the bride-to-be happy, but the more Josie and I get along, the more furious Sarah is with me. The shrug of my shoulder causes her to roll her eyes and dismiss me, so I look back to Josie. I’m trying to fix it, laid out my intentions and feelings quite clearly, but Josie won’t budge. And it has nothing to do with making anyone happy but Josie.
The smile she has on her face now reaches her eyes, but it’s directed at Lance. I need it directed at me.
“Hey, Josie. Mary said there’s an amazing view down by the dock at night. Do you want to take a walk down there and go check it out?”
A laugh bubbles out of her lips as she says, “No, thanks.” And her attention is back on Lance. He keeps the conversation with her going, but his attention shifts to me every so often. Pansy. If I had her attention, I sure as fuck wouldn’t be worried about the dude across the table. Although, he has good reason to be, because I’m not gonna just fix our shit, I’m gonna have her forever.
“Are you sure?” I ask as she gives me a quickyesbut never looks my way. I let out a snicker and lean back in my chair. This is either gonna fix everything or have the opposite effect. Hopefully, it’s not the latter because there’s more than a few curious eyes paying attention as I say, “That’s right, I forget. You can’t go down by the lake. Scary dark water and all.”
That got her attention. And it’s going as anticipated because her furious eyes are locked with mine. “It’s not that. I just don’t want to go down there.”
Leaning forward, I give her an encouraging smile. “Come on. I’ll protect you if Nessie or some other creature emerges from the depths. Cross my heart.” I do the X gesture over my heart, where I’m sure she’d like to aim a dagger at right about now.
“It has nothing to do with the dark water and everything to do with the unappealing company. So drop it.”
Perfect. She’s pissed. That shouldn’t make me happy, but it’s the most she’s insulted me since we arrived. Who’d have thought I’d miss hearing how much of a jackass I am from the gorgeous vixen? “Have it your way. But we all have to face our fears eventually.”
The table has quieted a bit, as most are focused on Josie and me, and she doesn’t seem to mind. When a smirk spreads across her face, I know what’s coming. My feisty woman is ready to battle. And I will gladly take every jab she throws my way.
Her smile remains intact as she says, “Like facing your fear of clowns? Or do I need to hold your hand while we walk through the carnival again? Just in case.”
Damn. Well, maybe not that jab. Sarah cackles at my expense, but it’s a small price to pay to have Josie engrossed in our sparring and completely unconcerned with anyone else around us. “I need you with me. But at least I can admit it.”
The hostility wavers a little as her eyes drop to my lips. A slight blush rises on her cheeks. She’s thinking about last night. I know she’s scared. But I know she wants me as much as I want her. Fuck. At least I hope that’s the case, because my dick is responding to the thought of exploring her luxurious curves.
My vision of our escapades takes a detour when I note her leaning forward. My gaze drops to the low-cut V of her dress before I meet her eyes again. “The only thing I need,” she says, “is a stronger drink to deal with your trifling ass.” She tips the tumbler my way in a cheeky cheers and downs what’s remaining of her whiskey sour. She keeps her fingers wrapped around the glass as she eyes me, and I feel every bit of her grip around my neck.
Fuck. Even when I win, I lose. Because if, by the slight chance she allows me to taste her, it’ll never be enough. I’ll always crave more, and that thought terrifies me the most. Josie may very well never let me in. If she gives me a morsel, a tiny little sample that lets me scratch the surface of what we could be, it’ll be harder to let her go.
I throw back the remaining whiskey in my glass and concede. “You’re right. I am a selfish bastard.” Because I don’t want part of her. I don’t want a piece. I want it all. All of her. And Josie Oswald has no intention of allowing anyone in. Least of all, me.
