Chapter 8: Hideaway

Beep! Beep! The alarm sounded rousing him from his sleep. Josh turned over to knock the clock onto the carpeted floor. It stopped immediately. He opened his eyes, his sleepy gaze settling on Mya’s hand resting on his torso. He raised her hand to his lips, absently noting the long, slender, brown fingers, and left a kiss on the tip of each one. Josh slowly sat up to look down at the woman sleeping peacefully in his arms and he could barely believe his eyes. Mya was not only in his arms, but also in his bed.

He tried not to disturb her sleep, but he couldn’t stop kissing her, couldn’t stop touching her. I could get use to this easily. Josh thought. He wasn’t looking for a commitment, but to have a girl like Mya at his side was not a bad thought.

His eyes drifted to her full lips, parted and waiting for his own to descend upon them.

Josh bent to kiss her mouth. Mya turned her head away before he had the chance.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to wake you,” he said as his eyes peered into hers, deep and intent.

“ What time is it?”

“I don’t know.” And it was true. He didn’t care what time it was. He only cared about staying in the bed with her all day long like they had done yesterday.

“Well where is the clock?” She pulled herself into a sitting position, but Josh hovered over her pinning her down to the bed.

“It’s on the floor somewhere. But forget about that.” He had other things in mind for the two of them.

“Stop.” She giggled, but the laughter soon subsided into soft sighs. She responded to his pleasurable touch, wrapping her arms around his neck to pull herself closer.

“Stop what baby?” A hand slithered its way between their bodies to caress the velvety softness of her thighs.

“Ah…” The sensual ministrations traveled the expanse of her waist to settle on the curve of her breasts. He was doing his best to make her succumb to the sweet torture and give in to the sexual urges as he had done.

“You want to do this?” Even as he asked, he rained kisses along the deep neckline that dipped into her cleavage as if he already knew her answer.

“No.” Mya struggled to say even as her body arched, disagreeing with her and her legs enclosed around his hips.

“No?” Had he heard her right?

Mya nodded her answer but Josh couldn’t decipher if she was saying yes or no to his question. He kissed her with a gentleness that surprised him, considering he wanted to pull the tank top from her body and feast on the lushness of her breasts. A trail of kisses brought him back to the V of tank. The rapid breaths and deep sighs coming from her caused his body to harden. He wanted to be inside her.

“Mya,” Josh said as his lips grazed the swell of her breast. “Should I stop?”

“Yes…ooh.” His touch was making it impossible for her to refuse him, but she had to, no matter how much she wanted him to continue.

Josh smiled leaning into her, slowly pressing his hard body against hers, giving into the heat that consumed him. He claimed her lips as he wanted to claim her body, sucking feverishly on her lower lip before tracing it with his tongue to relieve the pain he’d inflicted.

His tongue stroked hers, as his hips pressed against hers, molding their bodies as much as possible, forcing himself not to grind against like an animal. He laid his head against her chest, breathing heavily.

“You want me to stop don’t you?” He didn’t want to stop, but he would only take what she was willing to offer, considering she was still inexperienced. Josh didn’t wait for her answer. He lifted himself from her, rubbing a hand over his face. He hadn’t even considered that she may still be sore, after all they had engaged in sex more than once. As much as he wanted her again, he needed to take care of her. The best thing for her body right now was a soak in a tub of hot water.

“I’m sorry.” Mya moved behind him, pressing her front flush against his back and wrapping her arms around him.

“Don’t apologize.” He shouldn’t have tried coaxing her into sex in the first place. Josh lifted her hand to press a kiss to the inside of her palm and pulled her around his body and onto his lap. “You need to go soak in hot water.”

Mya shook her head agreeing with him, “I will, but…” She lowered her head then looked back up at him from beneath long lashes.

“But what? What’s wrong babe?” Josh moved her hair aside; he followed her gaze, which focused on the evidence of his desire for her. “Oh. Don’t worry about that.” A cold shower should take care of his issue.

“You’re too sweet. I didn’t know it was men outside of romance novels that could be as kind and understanding as you.” Mya left a chaste kiss on his lips, but Josh cradled her face in his hands to hold onto the kiss awhile longer than she had initially wanted. His hands slipped from her face to her hips to hold her steady against his arousal, and then he abruptly released her.  “Go.”

“I’m sorry Joshy.” She threw him a soft smile over her shoulder and sauntered into the bathroom. When she closed the door behind her, she released a heavy sigh. It scared her how easily she succumbed to him. All it took was one touch to make her skin shiver in anticipation. The soreness between her legs reminded her of the past two nights where she spent most of her time locked in a sensual dance with him. He was so passionate when it came to sex, making sure she had participated just as equally and asking what she liked and didn’t like. It was a pleasurable learning experience.

Mya stepped underneath the warm spray allowing it to soothe her tense muscles. She smiled to herself as she massaged the soapy lather into her skin. The way she felt right now was a feeling- a feeling, she longed to have and hadn’t felt since her last moments with her grandmother, a feeling that said he cared. It was a like a dream that never had to end.

“Mya?” His husky voice floated through the steamy haze.

“Yes?” She turned off the faucet so she could hear him clearer.

“I have to step out for a moment. I’ll be back with some breakfast for the both of us. Anything in particular you want?”

“Uh…no not really.” She wasn’t even that hungry, but she would not tell him that.

“Okay can you feed Whiskey while I’m gone?” With that said, he left.

Fifteen minutes later, Mya emerged from the bathroom refreshed and feeling much better. Whiskey circled her feet immediately, swatting at her ankles anxiously. Mya bent to lift him in her arms.

“You missed me Whiskey, didn’t you?” She made silly kissing noises at the animal, stroked his fur and set him on the floor, he promptly ran off to the kitchen. She rummaged through the kitchen cabinets looking for his food.

~*~*~*~

“Shit.” Josh said as he looked at his watch. He had been gone longer than he had intended because his thoughts had distracted him, thoughts about Mya in particular. He hadn’t wanted to be there when she emerged from the bathroom, steam from her shower glistening on her silken skin. God, if he had been there to witness her, there was no doubt in his mind that he would have took her back to his room and finished what he had started earlier. He just might have to do so when he returned.

He stopped inside a women’s clothing store to buy some much-needed clothing for Mya. He figured a few shirts, skirts, and bottoms should take care of her. Bypassing a section of undergarments in the size he had memorized, he picked up some bras and panties that he preferred seeing her in. Lastly, he bought her a pair of shoes that he hoped she'd like.

Returning to the hotel room, he opened the door with a smile. “Mya-” He stopped mid-sentence when his eyes settled on her slim form, clad in one of his t-shirts. It stopped mid-thigh.

His gaze traveled the length of her long supple legs that led to the thickness of her thighs to remain on the rise of her backside, hidden underneath the shirt. He wished for his hands to follow the same journey. She reached for an item from the top shelf, causing the shirt to rise with her movements; a hint of the lush curves of her backside came into his view. His pants stretched in excitement.

Josh tipped toe into the kitchen slowly, a half-asleep Whiskey opened one eye to look at him, then returned to his deep slumber. Creeping up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her torso.

Mya released a terrified scream and fell back into his arm, he was happy to catch her. “You scared me.” She swatted his shoulder playfully and turned in his arms so she could wrap her legs around his middle.

“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t resist.” Burying his face in her neck, he inhaled the gentle scent of her perfume.

“Where’s the food?”

“I’m hungry for something else right now.” His words dripped with seduction as he mouthed them against her skin.

“But Joshy I’m starving.” She wiggled out of his embrace, sliding down the length of his body. It was more torturous than pleasurable.

Mya grasped his hand in hers and pulled him along behind her. His gaze focused on the sway of her hips as she led him into the dining room. She pushed him into the chair and followed later sitting on his lap.

“What did you get?” She reached for the bag of food examining its contents.

“This smells delicious. Ooh croissants and glazed donuts, my favorite.” Mya raised the donut to her lips and took a bite, flakes of glazed dribbled down her lips and onto her chin. Josh leaned over to lick the sweet residue from her chin.

“Uh unh…” Trying to move her head away from his seeking lips proved to be futile as he kissed away the remains of the donut on her lips.

“Can’t you keep your hands to yourself?”  Her laughter vibrated from her mouth onto his lips.

“I’m not using my hands, yet.” When he intended to lay another kiss on her lips, she stuffed a donut in his mouth.

“You need to eat breakfast.” She giggled at the excess powder on his face.  

“You think this is funny?” He kissed her, smearing the remainder of the sugary substance on her face.

“Eww.” Mya instinctively reached up to cover her face.  Josh attempted to pry her hands away as she began scrambling off his lap. Not letting her get away, he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m just going to move right there.” She pointed to the chair a short distance across from them. “So I can eat and you can too.” She explained, and unfortunately, it didn’t matter to Josh. He held her close when she tried once again to vacate his lap.

“Feed me.”

“Hmm?” Mya mumbled over the piece of donut she was currently savoring.

“You want me to eat, right?” She nodded in response. “So feed me.”

“Um, I don’t think so-Aah!” Mya shrieked as Josh quickly hoisted her from his lap and onto the table as if she weighed nothing at all. When he reclaimed his seat, his face was leveled with her abdomen.  

“You were saying?” Smiling, he peered up at her while he unconsciously teased the space behind her kneecaps with feather light caresses.

“I-um-what I was saying?” Suddenly flustered, Mya stumbled over her words.

“Yes. You were about to oppose my suggestion.” Josh relayed all the while continuing the touches though they were affecting Mya’s speech.

“Oh yeah.” She paused to extract her legs from his grasp. She folded them Indian style before her. “If I feed you, my fingers might become breakfast instead.”

Josh laughed heartily. He knew she was referring to the duck sauce incident when he had wrapped his lips around her fingers rather than his egg roll.

“That’s the best part.”

“Sure it was.” She smiled half-heartedly. “Look where we ended up.” Josh sighed. He had noticed a shift in her demeanor even before she had spoken the words.

“You’re not regretting these past two days, are you?”

“How could I? By certain standards I’m officially a woman now.” She raised her hands, mockingly forming quote symbols as she uttered the word woman.

“You were always a woman to me. Hell, until it gotten down to moment, I would have never figured you for a virgin.”

“What does that mean?”

Josh rested his forearms upon her thighs as he prepared to explain himself. “It was all in the way you handled yourself and us. You didn’t act like a virgin.”

“I’m sorry, but when did virginity become a personality trait?” She scooted back, slightly put off by his reply.

Josh rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean. You didn’t back out at the last second and you participated.”

“Hell, if I wasn’t going to participate what would’ve been the point? I could’ve saved my virginity for a couple more years if that was the case.” Despite her sarcastic comments, Josh wished the other women he had fooled around with thought like her. They were always concerned with what he could do to and for them. He didn’t matter and they didn’t matter. Mya, however, though in the same circumstance as those other women, mattered to him. How ironic.

“I don’t know what I’m saying anymore. I’m sure I sounded like a jackass about the whole thing.”

“You did. But you’re forgiven for only speaking your mind. I wish I could be as honest.”

“Say what you feel.” Josh encouraged.

Mya hesitated. I don’t know what I’m feeling, she sighed, fully oblivious to Josh watching the frustrated emotions play across her face while she attempted a coherent response.

It shouldn’t have been so difficult, but she was beginning to question her previous decisions. All of her choices involving him seemed to go against her better judgment. Therefore, she opted for a simple reply.

“I’m scared.”

“Scared of what? Me?”

Mya wavered, choosing her words carefully as to not offend him. “…sort of, yes. I don’t like not knowing what my future entails once I leave the safety of this hotel room.”

“You don’t have to leave.” Josh held onto her hand that had begun shaking nervously once expressed her thoughts to him.

“Joshy.” She huffed, using his nickname. “I can’t live in a hotel, with you. I don’t know you.”

“Oh you know me.” He grinned. “I know you too, very well might I add.” Josh wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Mya sucked her teeth, shoving his shoulder playfully. “We know each other’s bodies.”

“I know what brought you here.” He added discreetly, choosing not to mention her deceased grandmother.

“Yeah…and I know about your friend, but that’s it, all sad stuff.”

“What is your favorite color?”

“What are you doing?” Mya inquired curiously.

“I’m trying to learn more about you. Between all the sex we kind of skipped that part.” She blushed slightly, yet Josh didn’t give her the chance to be embarrassed about it. He repeated his question.

“What is your favorite color?”

“Um, mandarin.” Not simply orange.

“Your last name?” Harrison. “Middle name?”

“Marie. God you sound like a damn private investigator.” More than you know.

“When is your birthday?”

“Why? I told you I was over age.”

“When is you birthday.” Josh repeated firmly.

“October 10.”

“Year?”

“79. Are you making a profile of me?”

“Yeah, I wanna make sure I’m not getting involved with a serial killer.” Josh joked easily. He wanted to deter away from her suspicions of him being an investigator. He wasn’t ready to share that fact with her yet.

“Ha ha, continue?”

“What do you do for fun?”

Mya folded her arms across her chest. “Am I’m going to be able to thoroughly interview you like this?”

“Yeah, thoroughly, sure. We’ll take that one to the bedroom. Answer my question please.”

“I like to paint. I work at a community center teaching kids how to paint as well.” Her face lit up as she shared this bit about herself. Josh decided it was time to conclude the interview.

“You wanna go out? There’s this art gallery going on at the park. Maybe we could check it out.” He hadn’t even finished telling her about his idea before she jumped into his arms.

“Oh my God I would love to get some fresh air for a change and see some artwork too.” She gushed, jumping down from the table. “I’m going to get ready.”

“Oh take this.” He handed her the bag of clothes. “I brought you a few things to wear.”

Mya smiled widely. “You are too good to me.” On instinct, she kissed him lightly on the lips before rushing off to the bedroom; Whiskey hot on her trail.

~*~*~*~*~

The afternoon sun shone brightly on the trees and everything else worthy of its presence. Mya observed the beauty of her surroundings with great appreciation. Being confined to a hotel room for the past few days, she had almost forgotten the luxury of being outdoors.

Sure, she had enjoyed her time spent with Josh, but the scenery of a natural environment always fascinated her. It had been an inspiration for several of her artistic paintings.

Stopping in mid-stroll, she studied an artist stroke for stroke as he completed a landscape painting. The realistic qualities of the atmosphere were mesmerizing.

 “Beautiful, isn’t it?” The artist spoke confidently of his work. Mya only nodded. The artist began to scrutinize her expressions.

“Mind if I paint you when I finish this one up? There is something in your eyes that I must capture on canvas.”

Not wanting her conflicting thoughts to come to light in a beautiful work of art, Mya smiled politely, and prepared to refuse his offer. However, Josh beat her to it. He embraced her loosely around the waist, pulling her body snug against his front.

“If she wants you to paint her, she’ll ask you.” Mya grinned. She had sensed his jealousy toward the charming artist before he had spoken those words.

She was flattered that he felt he had to stake his claim on her, though it wasn’t necessary. Sorting out her feelings for Josh was hard enough, so being interested in other men wasn’t an option.

“Thanks though.” Mya replied thoughtfully while Josh dragged her along behind him. She gently tugged her hand from his and stooped low to retrieve Whiskey from the ground. The exhausted puppy, whose little legs couldn’t lead him any further, snuggled into her arms gratefully.

“I have the urge to paint something, anything.” Mya began nostalgically. She hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in two weeks, but it felt like forever.

“I’d let you paint me.”

Mya considered his offer with a contemplative smirk. “Really?”

“Of course, you need the equipment? We can pick up some stuff around here.” Rather than verbally answering his suggestion, overwhelmed by Josh’s selflessness, Mya buried her face in Whiskey’s silky fur.

Her groan vibrated against the puppy’s coat. She found herself falling hard, but at the worst possible time in her life when tragedy struck making her vulnerable yet doubting of all thoughts and feelings. Only if she had met Josh months prior to her grandmother’s murder, maybe then she could accept what was happening between them. Yet, until she could make that connection and in spite of previous occurrences, they were still strangers.

“Mya, baby what’s wrong? Have you changed your mind about the painting?”

“Hmm?” She lifted her head and adjusted to the bright sun while stroking Whiskey gently. “Oh no. I was just think…ing.” Her words drifted away as well as her attention. She focused on a lone figure of an older woman positioned restfully on a wooden bench as she enjoyed the gentle breeze passing through. The familiarity of this woman’s features shook her to the core of her being.

Bright gray strands of hair at the crown, lines of wrinkles gracing a round plump sandy-brown face, and wide doe-like eyes; all features resembled her deceased grandmother.

Clearly thinking she was going out of her mind, Mya diverted her gaze. She attempted to detain the sobs that were threatening to escape.

Watching Mya anxiously clutch onto the little body of Whiskey, Josh heard the puppy whimper. “Mya, sweetie?” He slowly extracted the poor puppy from her tight hold.

“Are you okay?”

“Hmm? Yeah, I think I had enough sun for today.” She offered for a reply, but he noticed the tears forming in her gaze. He latched onto her hand and pulled her close to him. As he wrapped one arm around her shoulder, she instinctively leaned into the comfort his body.

“Let’s get you back to the hotel so you can rest.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

“I’m going to take Whiskey out to do his business. Will you be okay until I come back?” Mya nodded her reply while making her way to the bedroom.

“You sure?”

“Yeah Josh I’ll be fine, go.” She insisted, crawling under the covers. Though not satisfied with her responses or her attitude, Josh exited the hotel room, the door softly clicking shut behind him.

Immediately taking advantage of her time alone, Mya finally succumbed to the tears. She had managed to tuck away the pain for a couple of days because being with Josh brought so much pleasure. However, the image of that woman, hit her full force and everything resurfaced. Wanting to do nothing but curl up into a ball, crying harder, she did just that.

Lost in the overwhelming degree of pain she was experiencing, Mya was oblivious to the fact that Josh had returned to the room until Whiskey hopped on the bed moaning questionably at her. He nudged persistently at the arm that was covering her watery gaze.

Mya quickly and roughly wiped at her eyes. Too late, she decided that she didn’t want Josh to see her in such a state.

“Oh Mya, I knew something was up with you. What’s going on?” He rushed over to the edge of the bed.  He placed a comforting hand on her back. Aware of his tender strokes, Mya tensed. “I noticed something change about you right before we left the park. What happened?” Josh encouraged her again still she offered a low sob but no explanation. He figured another method of coaxing was needed.

He clasped onto the right forearm that was shielding her gaze from him. He pulled on it as if to free her face and bring her closer to him. Now she was sitting in his lap, however, still hugging her face to her arm, her eyes remained hidden from his scrutiny.

“Baby, I’m worried.”

Mya suddenly lifted her head. Josh used the moment to take in her red eyes, swollen lids, and tear-stained cheeks. Her lips trembled as she offered an apology for her behavior.

“No, it’s okay. I’m just confused that’s all.” Josh enveloped her in warm hug.

“That woman today…” A choked sob halted her explanation. “She looked just like my grandmother. And for a moment, I thought it was her, until I remembered seeing her lifeless body on the floor.”

“Oh baby, I’m sorry.” Josh hugged her tighter. He had no idea that’s what caused her pain.

“She’s dead! She’s really gone and why I don-don’t know.” She hiccupped into the space that joined his shoulder and neck. Josh stroked the mass of waves on her head gently as she found solace in his arms.

As her sobs reached new heights, he offered whatever help he could. Whispering tender words seemed to do the trick. Her cries subsided and she finally met his gaze again.

“Thank you. I needed that moment. I hadn’t allowed myself to let go since that night.”

“No problem. There was nowhere I’d rather be anyway.” His hands rested low on her back.

Mya smiled weakly. “You aren’t like anybody I’ve ever known. You’re so unselfish.”

“Well, you needed me.”

“I did.” Mya murmured. Resting her forehead against his, she touched her lips to his lightly. She exhaled a deep breath upon his parted lips, before sucking his bottom lip between her perfectly shaped teeth.

Josh realized this as the moment her emotions shifted from pain to pleasure. She was seeking an underlying type of relief that only passion could bring forth. She was looking to treat two aches at once. And with every muscle in his body tightening from anticipation, he was willing to provide said treatment. Yet, by her terms only.

Mya nipped at his plump lips as she began to explore the depths of his mouth. She fastened her hands to his cheeks as her tongue snuck out to join the festivities.

The moment her tongue found its desired location in his mouth, he wanted to take over the kiss; however, he managed to control himself, continuing to let her lead. Besides it didn’t seem as if she needed coaxing, she seemed into it enough.

Mya shifted positions in his lap so that her thighs were straddling him. She had never taken the role of the aggressor before in any relationship. The experience was overwhelming and Josh’s immediate response to her was thrilling. Cradling him between the heat of her thighs, she began a rocking motion in his lap.

“God Mya!” Josh breathed against her mouth. No bit of control in the world could stop him from grasping onto her hips and initiating a grind of his own to relieve the pressure in his pelvis.

Unexpectedly, Mya slipped off his lap and for a second he wondered if she was coming to her senses. But, she removed her jeans and was back in his arms before he could question her about it. The experience of the rocking intensified now that he was close to the source of heat.

“Baby you sure about this? You’ve had a rough day.”

She nodded. “I’m sure.”

“Really?” Josh stilled her hips with his hands.

“Yes.” She confirmed ahead of seizing a fistful of hair to pull him to her just before her tongue found his again. He offered up no further resistance, he would let her have her way. And she had no qualms about taking full advantage of the role.

While maintaining her hold on his mouth and the back and forth sway of her hips against his, Mya tugged on the tail of his shirt and lifted it above his head. Josh aided her in tossing the offensive piece of clothing clear across the large bed, where it landed on top of a contentedly sleeping Whiskey. Whimpering, the puppy scrambled out of the room.

Meanwhile, Mya took on the new task of exploring Josh’s upper body. Her eager palms instantly attached themselves to the ripples and ridges of his abdomen and chest. Josh moaned raggedly against her mouth. Such a desirable response urged her to journey further up, where her fingertips gently skimmed his earlobes and tapped into more of his sensitive spots.

Tearing his lips away from hers, Josh gritted his teeth as a soft moan escaped his throat. Her touch was electrifying. His body felt like lit firecracker. Still, he was hoping she would relinquish her role as the leader some time soon. And though, she felt it was necessary that she obtain whatever consolation she could from this passionate encounter, fantasy even, before the reality of life snuck in, ruined it, and the pain of it all emerged, he wanted her to surrender to the passion in his arms rather than continue to wreak havoc on his senses.

“Giving up already?” Josh suddenly asked of Mya’s relaxed body perfectly fitted to his and her face buried in his neck where she exhaled deep breaths of air.

“Mmm.” She sighed. “No.”  A desperate ache remained that needed attention.

Josh chuckled. “You would say that. You like the experience of being in control too much to give it up, don’t you?”

“It’s not so much that I like it. I need to be in control for my sake. I can’t get too comfortable before it’s all snatched from underneath me. When my sense of control slips, terrible things happen.”

Josh frowned, kneading the muscles of her back. “Not all the time.”

“Yeah right.”

“I’ll prove it.”

“Sure-” Mya prepared to disagree with him again, but Josh claimed her mouth, thoroughly swallowing all future words. Releasing a gasp of surprise, she fought him with stubborn defiance until he reached up to massage the tension away.

He plunged his hands deep into her locks, combing them with his fingers. He tossed and tousled the silky strands until they were situated wildly atop her head. Their disordered appearance imitated the way he felt every time he was near her. He was out of control, yet, contradictory to what Mya believed, it was an exhilarating experience rather than a horrible one. His main goal was to prove that to her.

He began by continuing his sensuous massage. Lowering his hands, they encased the length of her beautiful neck. His thumbs tenderly stroked the susceptible spots. “Losing control, yet?” The only audible response heard was a featherlike sigh. Her head fell helplessly to his shoulder under his ministrations.

“Hmm?” He applied more pressure as if to encourage her.

“No.” Mya replied adamantly, never lifting her face from the comfort of his neck.

“Really?” Josh chuckled. He was starting to notice how stubborn she could be. Obviously, she wasn’t going to give up her opinions without a fight. Hence, more persuasion was necessary.

His right-hand moved slowly under her shirt to gently caress her stomach. “Now?”

“I said no.” Mya hissed, yet she unconsciously arched into him. “I know what you’re trying to do.” Her hot breath fanned his neck.

“What am I trying to do baby?”

 “Make me lose control so I’ll forget about all the pain.” Mya sat upright, moving slightly away from his warm body.

“Isn’t that what you want? To let go of the pain?”

“Let go of the pain, yes. Let go of my control, no. I have to keep reminding myself that one day I’m going to have to leave here. That’s just the reality. So I can’t allow myself to get too wrapped up in you.” She couldn’t continue down the path that she was going.

Ultimately, that path led to falling in love with him, a stranger aside from their physical relationship. She would rather walk away from the pleasure of it all than to remember that she had met the man of dreams when she was supposed to be grieving for her dead grandmother.

Josh was experiencing a similar conflict within himself. However, his thoughts were more concerned with how he managed to get so emotionally attached to her. Being physically connected was one thing; but being able to sense her mood changes and know exactly when she was running scared from what was developing between them was something entirely different. If he was honest with himself, he was frightened a little too.

“So what are you asking of me?” He needed a clear understanding of what she meant. After all, someone’s heart was on the line here. Whether it was his or hers, he didn’t know.

“Only now, tonight. Nothing else. Can you give me that?” Josh remained silent. If it was up to him, he would give her that and more. Those possessive thoughts scared him the most.

“Huh? Can you?” She wanted the passion in place of the pain. “Josh? Please.” Her voice cracked, expressing a desperate plea. She clutched his hands tightly.

“Mya-”

“Please. I know you want more from me, but…” So she had noticed, Josh thought. “I can’t—I-I just need tonight.” She whispered and he allowed her to pull him toward her.

Once again, Josh gave her what she wanted. Tonight, with no worries about tomorrow.