AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I like you and I guess I thought we could leave the possibility open. See what happens.”
It seemed that every nerve ending fired up at the thought of being with him again.Stay cool, Caroline. Control yourself.“Leave it open? What changed your mind?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure, exactly. I felt shitty when you left the other day. Like I’d let you down. You deserved better from me. Even if it is just friends with benefits, you deserve better.”
Caroline was stunned and she knew she should say something, but she couldn’t.
“I mean,” he began, “if that’s what you still want.” They stopped outside a restaurant known for great burgers and faced each other.
“I’d like to be friends,” she said. His response was immediate. As soon as she answered, Josh’s face broke into a huge grin and Caroline almost collapsed at the sight of how handsome it made him look. “I’ll advise you on the project if you need me.” Her heart squeezed a bit, and she remembered how ridiculous her original proposition was. “Obviously, sleeping together doesn’t have to be attached to that.” Giving him an escape hatch was a good idea. This would hurt less if she lowered her expectations. But was he saying they could also have something more? It was nice to have a new friend, of course, especially since she didn’t know when this new relationship with her sister might head south, but still.
“Keeping the work and play separate is a generally a good idea. So let’s just see where this goes, okay?”
“I hope I’m not too boring for you,” she added.
He laughed, full and deep, and then leaned in to kiss her. It was soft, sexy and she melted. His kisses were perfect. Just perfect. “Sweetie, not a chance of that happening. You are a lot of things, but boring isn’t one of them. I don’t think you’d know how to be.”
“Oh, okay.” How could he think that? How could someone like Josh, who was used to beautiful, urbane women, think that abouther? If she broke into a happy dance, would that be too much?
“Don’t look so surprised.” He shook his head. “Man, we really need to work on that confidence issue of yours.”
* * *
Caroline was still wrappingher head around the Josh she was getting to know as opposed to the Josh she’d had in her head all these years. On one hand, he talked about possibilities and keeping their options open, and on the other, he still treated her like she was just a friend. The situation was making her head spin and her excitement was waning because his old life kept intruding on their lunch.
She picked at her French fries, distracted by her daydreams. A necessity, since Josh was holding court. The meal had been interrupted by his fan club. Their table was visited by several women he knew who had everything going for them. Looks, brains and beauty, and not one of them even acknowledged Caroline’s existence. Josh barely had the opportunity to introduce her because she was boxed out of most conversations. The small talk ranged from mutual acquaintances to events they’d gone to, or restaurants or clubs that were new and hot. For a moment, Caroline felt like the geek she was, wondered where she stood—but then forced herself to remember that he’d come for her. She didn’t chase after him; he came for her.
Caroline nibbled at her burger and tried not to stare at the latest gorgeous portfolio manager who’d stopped by. Lunch wouldn’t last forever. Next time she wanted to have a meal without the disruptions they’d have to stay in or go to cheap dives because lunch with Josh was like hanging out with a rock star. When the latest woman left, Caroline leaned back in the chair and examined Josh, who took a healthy bite of his, at best, lukewarm burger. Then he caught her gaze. He smiled and, wouldn’t you know, Caroline was his all over again. Her heart hammered and her girly parts sang and she realized that he couldn’t help it. And all the women? It was no wonder the women hovered; the man was prime breeding stock. He would make beautiful babies.
You could have his babies, her ovaries screamed. No questions asked, she absolutely would.
Josh took a sip of iced tea and then ran his finger up and down the glass, leaving a track in the condensation. All she could think about was his wet finger. She had vivid memories of those talented fingers. “You’re angry,” he said.
“Not angry.”I’m trying to figure out how to have your children, dammit.Oh, God. She had to stop. “I just feel kind of insignificant with all your friends stopping by the table.”Shut up, Caroline. “I think if we go out to eat again, we should hit McDonald’s.”
One side of his mouth turned up and he folded his arms, mimicking her posture. “You’re jealous.”
Caroline felt her lips pucker and she started paying attention to her own lunch. “Maybe a little.”
“I’m sorry.” His voice had softened. “I’ll try to be more aware.”
“I’m not being terribly sophisticated, am I?”
“Sophis... what the... you’re human.”
“But—”
He reached across the small table and put a finger on her lips. “Stop.” She started to say something and he shook his head. “Man, you are stubborn.”
Their eyes met and something passed between them. A feeling, an awareness of something that could be. Normally, Caroline would think it was her overactive imagination, but she could see the change on his face. Josh knew it too. This thing of theirs had the potential to be something. Unfortunately, it appeared, neither of them had the nerve to go after it.
“Sorry...”
“Shit.” That’s when he leaned in and kissed her. It wasn’t deep or dirty, but it was so sweet Caroline was glad she was sitting because if she wasn’t she would collapse right into him. She felt his fingers lightly brush her face. Her eyes drifted shut and she felt everything spin a little. When she opened her eyes, his face was just inches from hers, his fingers still rested on her cheek and his eyes were on hers. “Better?”
“Uh-huh,” she answered. “You shouldn’t do that, though. I thought we were starting slowly, as friends.”
“Oh, right. I guess I shouldn’t have, but it was nice.”
