by Hope Ford
“You doing okay in here?” Josh asks.
I didn’t even hear him walk into the kitchen. I grab the knife and start slicing the cake. “Yeah, I got lost on my way here,” I tell him with a smirk.
Josh’s house is huge. I mean huge. And I’ve made a few jokes about getting lost while I’ve been here.
“Har, har. Funny. I always wanted a big house with a big family to fill it,” he says as he walks up behind me. I can feel his warmth at my back, and it’s either that or his talk of family that I can feel myself weakening as I lean back into him. His hands go to my shoulders, and damn it’s been this way all night. He’s constantly touching me. At first it was innocent pats on the back, or his hand would brush mine on the table. But as the night has gone on, it’s become more. His arm around the back of my chair while his hand played with my neck. His hand on my thigh giving me a squeeze every now and then to let me know he was thinking of me. At first I thought I should put a stop to it, but now it’s like I crave it.
As soon as I lean far enough back and our bodies touch, it’s like an electric current goes through me. I let go of the knife and turn in his arms. I’m looking up at him, and I know he can read the look in my eyes. I’m begging him to kiss me without even saying a word.
His nostrils flare, and he grunts as he lays his forehead on mine. “I would give anything to be alone with you right now.”
I blink because just him saying that fills my head with images of what I want to be doing with him.
He pulls away. “Fuck.” He has my hand in his, and he brings it to his chest and holds it there. His heart is beating rapidly under my palm. “After dinner, I need you to stay.”
I start to shake my head, but his hand goes around the base of my neck. His thumb is stroking over my pulse. “Please... I’m not asking you for anything more than you want to give. We can just talk. I just need to be around you, that’s it. You decide what happens.”
I nod my head, but he shakes his side to side. “Say it. I need to hear you say it. I won’t make it through the rest of this unless you tell me you will stay after dinner so we can talk.”
I take a deep breath. Run, you need to get out of here. That’s what my head’s telling me. I’m thinking about the pictures of him with other women that are online. I’m doing everything I can to make myself strong and not give in to what I want. But that’s just it. I want this. I want to stay and talk to him. I’m drawn to him like I’ve never been drawn to another man before. “I’ll stay after dinner so we can talk.”
He lets out a deep sigh as he pulls me in for a hug. It may not be the kiss I wanted, but being held in his arms is good too. “We need to get back out there. Thank you for this. I really appreciate you helping me.”
I pull from him and grab the cake. “Can you grab those plates? And you’re kidding me, right? This has been so good. I’ve loved meeting Trevor and Lacy. He’s a great kid, and I can only imagine what Lacy has been through. She’s a wonderful mother, and I know you’re doing this for Trevor, but look at how happy she is that her son’s dream is coming true. I’m just glad I get to be a part of it.”
He grabs the plates. “Me too. I’m glad you’re here, Violet.”
He’s searching my face, and I turn because I’m almost afraid of what he’ll see there. In just a few hours, I’ve already fallen for this hot football player that is probably going to break my heart.
“Cake is served,” I announce as we walk back into the dining room. “Trevor, Josh told me that you liked an apple cake that was served to you at the hospital. Well, I tried to recreate it so I hope you like it.”
He’s nodding his head looking at the cake, and his mom is just smiling all around.
I slice the cake as Josh holds out the plates for me to fill. Of course, Trevor gets the first piece. He cuts into it and takes a big bite. His moan literally makes my heart smile. “It’s soo good. It tastes just like it.”
I just smile back at him. “I’m glad you like it.” I don’t mention that it’s my restaurant that donates the cakes to the hospital for their monthly celebrations.
Once everyone has a slice, I turn to Lacy and talk to her while Josh gets some one-on-one time with Trevor.
Lacy points at her almost gone cake with her fork. “All right, what is that cinnamon taste? It’s so good.”
I lean in as if I’m giving her the details to a huge secret. “Blaze Whiskey.” Her eyes get big, and I hold my hands up. “Don’t worry, the alcohol burns off, but it leaves the most unique cinnamon taste I’ve ever eaten. I’ve tried using extracts, but it just doesn’t come close to the taste.”
She puts another bite in her mouth. “It’s so good.”
“Thank you,” I murmur to her.
At some point, Lacy and I just sit back, bellies full, sipping on coffee and watching Trevor and Josh interact.
“He’s a good man, ya know.”
Lacy’s words are soft next to me. I look over, not wanting her to get the wrong idea. “Yeah, I know. But I’m just here to cook, that’s it.”
But before I can finish, she’s already shaking her head. “That may be the reason he gave you, but the way he’s looking at you, it’s more than that.”
Right then, Josh looks over at us and smiles. He winks at me before turning back to Trevor, and I chance a look over at Lacy. She’s giving me an I told you so look, and we both bust out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Josh asks, and I just shrug my shoulders.
“Nothing.”
Josh
Trevor is an amazing young man. I am deeply honored that he wanted to spend time with me. That little kid has gone through more than any person should in a lifetime, and he’s still a great kid that laughs, has fun, and is amazingly protective of his mom.
While Lacy and Violet are talking, I ask Trevor, “So you’re feeling better? That’s good. I bet you were sick of being in the hospital.”
He looks over at his mom and back to me. “I was. But I was more worried about my mom than anything. I could tell it killed her seeing me that way. She hasn’t laughed in a long time, so even though this visit was for me, I’m glad to see my mom smiling and laughing again.”
His mom giggles again—something that Violet said has them both holding their sides as their laughter fill the room. Their happiness is contagious, and Trevor and I smile at each other.
We spent hours with Trevor and Lacy, and when they are about to leave, I give the season ticket package to Trevor, inviting him to all the home games. His mom gives me an emotion-filled hug, and both Violet and I are speechless when they leave. We’re sitting on the couch still trying to process it all.
“You’re a good man, Josh Chambers.”
I turn sideways on the couch to look at her. She’s close enough I can reach out and touch her, but I hold myself back. I’ve given her small touches every now and then, but now that we’re alone I don’t trust myself to hold back. “You sound surprised.”
Her lips lift in an almost sad smile. “I didn’t mean it like that. And, well, I don’t know any way to be except honest. You’re a famous football player, you have a different girl on your arm every week, you—well, I just figured you were doing this for the publicity. But there weren’t any reporters around, and when I saw you with Trevor, you were genuine.”
The fact she assumed I wasn’t a good person bothers me a little. I don’t know why. I usually don’t care what people think about me, but it does with Violet. I rest my elbows on my knees and lean forward. “I’m guessing you googled me. First of all, this will probably be in the paper or magazine at some point. Only because when it does get publicized, they get even more donations and funding. But yeah, I care about these kids. They mean something to me. And well, I take a lot of pictures with women—I always have, but I’ll stop.”
I hadn’t thought about taking pictures with women either. Any time I’ve been asked, I just put my arm around them and let someone take the picture. Just another instance where I’ve never wo
rried about what people think. Violet shakes her head in confusion, no doubt wondering what I mean by saying I’ll stop. But it’s true. It would bother me to see Violet in someone else’s arms in a photograph, so I owe her the same courtesy. The fact that we just met earlier today doesn’t seem to matter to me. I know what I want, and it’s her.
I wait for her to ask me about the women, but she doesn’t. Instead she asks me, “Well, how did you choose this charity?”
I cross my arms over my chest. I hate to talk about it. I never do, but even though it’s tough, I want to talk to her about it. “My brother. He had cancer.”
She shakes her head and holds her hand up before reaching over and squeezing my arm. “Oh Josh, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
I blow out a breath. “It was a long time ago. I was thirteen and my little brother was ten. It wasn’t like it is now. He didn’t make it. Didn’t really have a chance. That’s why I chose this charity.”
She holds her hands over her mouth. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I insinuated you did it for the publicity.” She’s holding her head down, and I can’t resist reaching over and cupping her cheek, pulling her face up to look at me.
Tears are welled up in her eyes, and with one blink, a lone one slides down her cheek. “Fuck. Don’t cry. It’s okay. You’re not the first person to think I’m some kind of selfish bastard. I’m sure you won’t be the last.”
“It’s so messed up. I’m sorry. I know you should never judge a person before you get to know them.” She lifts her shoulders in a big sigh. “I’m so sorry.”
I laugh and pull her in for a hug and then don’t let her go. Somehow, even with the size difference, she fits perfectly snugly against me. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”
I expect her to pull from my arms, but she surprises me when she burrows even deeper. “I...”
I can’t get the sentence out before my phone rings. I recognize the ring tone, and I know if I don’t answer my agent, he’ll come over here. “I have to answer that.”
She starts to move, but I hold her tighter. “Oh no, stay right there. It will be quick.” I pick up the phone on the end table. “Hey Nick. What is it? I’m kind of busy.”
“You got it!” he screams into the phone. “You got the shoe contract. I’m going to send it over for you to sign.”
“That’s great, Nick. I’ll sign it tomorrow.” I know I should be more excited. He’s worked on this deal for a while now. Yesterday, I would have been ready to celebrate. Now, I just want to get off the phone and talk some more to Violet.
He stutters. “You don’t sound excited.”
“I am excited, but I’m busy right now,” I tell him. “I promise. I’ll sign it tomorrow.”
“But...” he starts, but I don’t let him finish. “I have to go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I click the end button, and this time when Violet pulls away, I let her, but only at arm’s length. “You got a shoe contract?”
I blush. Obviously, she heard Nick screaming in the phone. “Yeah, it’s with the largest athletic shoe supplier in the US.”
She puts her hand on my knee. “That’s great, Josh. How exciting. I’m going to finish cleaning up and then get out of here. I’m sure you’re going to want to go and celebrate.”
“No,” I say, holding on to her. I realize that my voice sounds forceful. “I mean, of course you can leave if you want, but I want you to stay.”
She looks as if she may be interested, but she shakes her head. “Josh, this, I mean you and me, well, it’s not going to work. I’m a small-town girl and you’re famous. I”—she blows a breath out—“just don’t want to get hurt.”
I shake my head. “I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to get to know you. I don’t care where you’re from. This”—I grab her hand and hold it to my chest—“just feels right.”
She wrinkles her nose. “I’m older than you. Too old for you.”
She tries to stand up, but when she does, I grab her around the waist and pull her onto my lap. “You’re not too old for me.”
Her hands go to my shoulders. “Yes, I am. I’m six years older than you, actually. Way too old, and I definitely know better.”
I clasp my hands behind her back, bringing her closer to me. Her face is only inches from mine, and I know I’m going to kiss her. I have to. “You’re not too old for me. I’m twenty-four so that makes you thirty. That’s nothing.”
She laughs as her hands circle around my neck. “You might think so but trust me, life at twenty-four and life at thirty is very different.”
“I can’t do anything about how old I am just like I can’t do anything about how much I want you.” I bring my hand up to cup her jaw. “But the fact remains, Violet. I do want you.”
I thought I would have to coax her into it, but instead she lowers her head and presses her lips to mine. The kiss is everything I imagined. Her breasts are pressed against my chest, her fingers are threading through the hair at the nape of my neck, and I’m forcing myself to keep control. The need to flip her on this couch, pull down her pants, and thrust into her while telling her she’s mine over and over is almost impossible to control.
I’ve never experienced anything like this, and I don’t want to think about it right now. All I want to do is feel. That’s it.
She angles her head to the side, and I deepen our kiss. Her tongue slides between my lips, and I about die right then. I lean back in the cushions and take my time with her, my tongue dueling with hers in perfect harmony.
She pulls back suddenly, and my arms tighten around her. I’m afraid the chemistry between us has scared her, and I’m worried she’ll run. But she surprises me. “We should celebrate.”
I don’t even question her. I murmur, “Yes.” The fact she’s not bolting for the door right now means I’ll agree to anything she wants.
Her eyes are dilated, her lips are glistening from our kiss, and she smiles. “Celebrate your contract, silly.”
“Yeah, let’s celebrate.”
4
Violet
The sun is peeking through the curtains, and I lift my head and instantly let it drop with a groan. My hand goes to my head, and I pry my eyes open even though it’s painful. I look around the room and sit up quickly. Oh my God! I realize I’m not in my bed—heck, I’m not even in my hotel room. There’s a grunt next to me, and my head whips around to see Josh lying next to me, naked.
I look down at myself and I don’t have a stitch of clothing on. I scoot to the edge of the bed, my head still in my hands. What did I do?
I lift my head and look around the room. There’s an empty bottle of Blaze Cinnamon Whiskey. I used ½ cup for the cake I made for Trevor, and Josh and I drank it last night in celebration. We must have emptied the bottle.
I start to get up, but my legs are shaky, and I wince as I get out of bed. I put one hand on the wall and wait for the room to stop spinning. With my eyes clenched tight, it all starts to come back to me. The shot after shot of whiskey. The truths and dares, the out of this world sex. I look back toward him, and I can’t help but stare at his naked manhood. Even flacid, he’s impressive. I remember climbing up into his lap and riding him like there was no tomorrow. My face heats. I have to get out of here. What was I thinking?
I start grabbing my clothes and putting them on quickly. When I’m finally dressed, I race around the room looking for my purse and keys. I take one last look at Josh, trying to commit him to memory before I bolt out of the bedroom and go downstairs. Finally, I find my purse in the entryway on the floor, and I open it to start digging for my keys. The folded papers fall out, and I notice them at the same time I notice the ring on my finger. This time, I can’t hold it in. “Oh my God!”
I drop my purse and sit down right there on the floor. I’m staring open-mouthed at the huge rock on my finger, and I turn it side to side. It’s huge. There’s no way it’s real, I tell myself, but at the same time I get a sick feeling in my stomach because I know it�
�s real. I unfold the papers from my purse and cover my mouth with both hands. It’s either that or scream. In front of me is a marriage certificate for Josh and me. I lean down and try to tuck my head between my legs and take deep breaths before I pass out. I’m married. I’m married to Josh Chambers, star running back for the Jasper Eagles, and as far as I know, biggest playboy of the year.
I lean back with my head on the wall and stare up at the ceiling. It’s all playing out. We celebrated his contract. We drank way too much. Oh my, and we had sex. I came on to him. I lift my head and let it fall back again. What was I thinking? And then after we had sex, he told me he didn’t want to let me go. He had a driver pick us up and take us to a drive-thru wedding chapel. We thought that was so funny, but surely it wasn’t the real deal. I pick up the papers again and run my fingers over the raised seal. It’s been signed and stamped. It feels real enough.
What do I do? Do I stay? Do I leave? What if it was all a drunk mistake? If I stick around it’s just going to be humiliating. I stumble to my feet and shove the papers into my purse. I take a deep breath and pray I’m making the right decision. I open the front door and don’t look back.
Josh
