Page 24 of Unexpectedly Yours


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“I didn’t hear you come in. God, it could have been anyone.”

“It wasn’t, though. It was me.” He’d started to rub the tension out of her shoulders. His fingers brushed the soft skin at her neck, and a wisp of her hair got caught in them. He should step back. Take away his hands. But he couldn’t. What the hell was his problem?

“What are you doing here, anyway?”

“I’m playing golf with Jason in the morning, so I decided to stay out here rather than drive back into the city. “

She let out a deep breath. “Where’s your date?”

“She caught a ride home with friends.” Why hadn’t he stepped back yet? Why hadn’t he let go? “Are you okay?”

“You scared me to death.”

“I’m sorry.” Now his hands, his fingers, were kneading her neck.

Her face was so perfect. Soft skin, a light blush on her lips and lashes that almost brushed her cheeks. Josh watched as Caroline relaxed into his hands and her eyes drifted shut. When she opened them, she saw how close they were. The only thing separating them was her laptop, and if he moved his face just a little, their lips would touch. It took everything Josh had not to do it.

“I... I should go to bed,” she said. Maybe reluctantly?

“Yeah. Of course. Me too.”

His thumb brushed one of her cheeks and Caroline sucked in a breath before looking up. “You really shouldn’t touch me like that, Josh.”

It took him a second to step back and drop his hands. She was right. He shouldn’t.

“Sleep well, Caroline.”

“Thank you.”

He watched her pack her things into a tote bag and just as she got to the room’s doorway he felt the need to tell her what he thought. “Caroline?”

She stopped.

“For what it’s worth, what I read over your shoulder was good. Hot.”

“Thanks.” She put her head down. Wouldn’t make eye contact with him.Shit.

“You should be proud of it.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Sometimes you have to fight for what you want.” His words sent a shock right through him and an inkling of self-awareness sparked inside. Was he talking to Caroline, or himself?

6

“You seem upset about something,” Meg said.

“No. I’m just distracted. Work.”

Liar, liar, pants on fire!Caroline wondered if she should just have gone home when she got up that morning. She heard Jason and Josh leave for an early tee time, and she had the perfect opportunity to escape. But she didn’t. She slept late, dreaming that a big dark haired warrior was making all her problems go away with his touch. That was her distraction right there.

Now the men were out at Molly’s soccer game and once again, instead of leaving, she stayed.

“Right.” Meg dropped the tomatoes into the large salad bowl. “Can you look for another job if you’re that unhappy?”

“I don’t know what would change at a new place. I’m still going to be a woman, but yes. I am looking. I guess one can hope.”

“Is that really the problem?” Meg asked. Being in a female-dominated profession, her sister couldn’t understand how much gender still played a role in some fields. Caroline would never say teachers had it easy, Meg worked harder than anyone, but women in teaching didn’t suffer career setbacks for being women. “Is it the guy?”

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