Joshua turned to Bella and asked professionally, “Do you want to install grills over your windows, Bella?”
She shook her head. “I don't think that will be necessary.”
Damien raised a brow at Joshua as he twirled the hammer expertly like a baton. “Well, she's the boss. We always respect the client's wishes, don't we, Josh?” he taunted.
Joshua didn't answer. Instead, he slammed the lid of his toolbox shut and walked out.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Bella finished brushing her teeth and flicked off the toilet light. She stood at the foot of her bed and glanced up at the ceiling. The water stain was getting bigger, and bits of plaster and old paint littered the floor.
She planted her hands on her hips and huffed. Joshua had told her, no, ordered her not to sleep in her bedroom. Yes, ordered, in that stern, demanding, authoritative voice of his.
She had a mind to just flop onto her bed and sleep here, in her bedroom—just to defy him. But that would be plain silly and childish. It was like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Growling, she grabbed her pillow and covers and stormed to the living room. She made herself comfortable on the couch and stared at the new, shiny handle and lock on her front door.
Those guys had done a good job. She did feel safer now. She was just lucky that no one had tried to break into her house these past few nights.
Well, there was nothing valuable in her house, except…
Bella gulped. Her grandmother's ring. It was her family heirloom, and she kept it hidden in her suitcase. It was the only ring she ever owned and she treasured it dearly.
What if someone broke into her house and stole that precious ring? Joshua was right, she acknowledged grudgingly. But he didn't have to be so domineering and pushy. What did he have to get so angry for? This wasn't even his house!
But even as she stewed, she knew that Joshua was angry because he cared. He took charge and took care of her safety without even being asked. He was the complete opposite of her ex-husband, Harlan. Harlan expected her to take care of him, take care of everything. He asserted himself only when he wanted something from her. He would never do what Joshua did.
Do something good for her, quietly, firmly, stubbornly. Joshua didn't care if he pissed her off. He wasn't out to impress her or charm her. He didn't even flatter her or try to win the job for his company. He just barged in and fixed what he saw needed to be fixed. He was brusque, brash and bossy.
He didn't care if he pissed her off. But he cared...for her.
No one had ever done that for her.
Bella tossed heavily on her side. Joshua was so different from her ex, yet she kept on comparing him to that loser just because of his age. She wasn't being fair, but she didn't want to risk being burned again.
The attraction was there. It was undeniable. Bella cursed loudly and pulled the covers over her head. What was she doing? She was getting blinded again. She had to keep her eyes open—and her heart closed.
She had sworn off men and yet here she was, barely a week into her new life and falling in...lust with a younger guy.
Lust. It had to be lust.
She was a sucker for tall, handsome men who were no good for her.
Bella flung the covers back down and stared at the patchy, peeling ceiling.
Nick had written down his mobile and home numbers on that piece of paper before he left. And he had suggested having dinner together one weekend.
Nick was a nice guy, an older, responsible, reliable guy. If she was going to dip into that treacherous dating pool, she should go with Nick.
But…
“I want Josh.”
There. She'd said it.
She had hoped that when uttered out loud, the words would sound completely frivolous and ridiculous, and she would finally come to her senses.
Instead, the said words had the opposite effect. It confirmed and solidified her heart's desire.
She did want Josh.
She shouldn't want him, but try telling that to her traitorous, defiant heart and body.
Jolting up, she flung the covers aside in frustration. This wasn't working. She was supposed to not think of him.
Pulling the curtains aside, she looked out the window and started.
No. Surely she was hallucinating.
That couldn't be his car across the street, could it? What was Joshua doing here in front of her house in the middle of the night?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Joshua reclined the driver's seat and adjusted his broad body in the confined space of his car. It was a sturdy SUV, but sitting for hours in the car with little space to stretch his long legs wasn't too comfortable.
He should be sleeping in his bed. Snug, comfy—and alone.
He was all too aware that he was the only unmated bear in the house. His two brothers were all mated and loved up, and he was genuinely happy for them. They deserved every bit of their happiness.
The three of them hadn't had an easy start to life. Circumstances had thrown them together and they had become a family.
Joshua smiled at the memory of Marcus trying his best to be a parent to Jax and him. Marcus tried to be strict with them, but his efforts always backfired. They would pull all sorts of pranks of their hapless big brother, goading him and teasing him. It wasn't easy to raise two battered, angry bear cubs, but Marcus did it.
Marcus was the best big brother anyone could ask for. He and Staci made a wonderful couple. And now, even Jax was happily married. His baby brother was now a dutiful, devoted husband and father.
Joshua had laughed at his two brothers and teased them about losing their freedom, but it seemed the laugh's on him. Marcus and Jax were blissfully enjoying their mates while he was stuck out here aching and pining under the moon.
He kept telling himself to drive home and get back to his own bed, but every time he reached for the ignition, he pulled back.
He couldn't drive away and leave her.
He had to watch over her. Make sure she was safe.
It was all that bastard Damien's fault. Why did he have to mention her blasted windows?
Now his eyes kept scanning her windows and the shadows around her house, trying to make sure no one was creeping up to an unsecured window and sneaking into the house.
Joshua rolled his shoulders and turned his head. His eyes widened when he caught a movement behind the faded curtains.
The curtains parted and Bella stood at the window.
She stared straight at him, and froze.
Joshua didn't move a muscle. What was she going to do? Scream? Wake the neighbors? Call the police?
He wasn't a stalker. Really. He wasn't.
He put up a hand slowly in surrender. To his disbelief and astonishment, she waved at him.
He blinked. Bella waved at him again and disappeared from the window. A second later, her front door opened.
She stood huddled at her door and beckoned to him. She was asking him into the house.
Joshua got out of his car and stood in the middle of the silent street for a full minute. He saw her smile and mouth, Come in!
He pinched himself hard and stifled a yelp. Nope. He wasn't dreaming. The woman of his dreams was really standing in front of him, inviting him into her house.
Joshua crossed the road and walked gingerly up her wobbly front steps. “Hi.”
“Hi.” When he opened his mouth, she pressed a finger to his lips and laughed softly. “No, you don't have to explain. And no, I don't think you're a stalker and I'm not scared of you.”
Joshua stared at her as she closed the door behind them. “How did you know what I was going to say?”
She shrugged. “Intuition. Maybe.”
Joshua watched her walk to the kitchen. She was wearing a big t-shirt that skirted the top of her thighs. He saw a hint of her pink cotton panties as she moved, and his cock jerked in appreciation.
Bella poured him a
glass of water and handed him the drink. “Thanks for looking out for me, Joshua,” she said. “I shouldn't have lost my temper at you this afternoon. I know you meant well.”
He shook his head. “I was a dick.” He held his breath at his unfortunate choice of words. He hoped he hadn't drawn her attention to the bulge in the front of his pants.
Luckily for him, she turned and went back to the kitchen.
After she glugged down a glass of cold water, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and said, “Can I ask you something, Joshua?”
“Sure.”
“How old are you?”
His eyes rounded. Of all the questions he expected her to ask, this was not it.
“I'll be twenty-six soon.”
She let out a strange laugh. “And I'll be thirty-six soon.”
Joshua frowned and shrugged. So?
She whipped round to face him. “I'm ten years older than you,” she said, sounding angry. “Ten years. That's a whole decade! I'll be forty in a few years' time, and you—you'll still be...”
“I'll grow older too,” he said reasonably.
“You're a really nice guy, Joshua,” she mumbled, turning away. “Why do you have to be so young?”
“Bella.” He went to her and held her shoulders.
“Age doesn't bother me. At all. Why should it bother you? I am not a boy, Bella,” he growled. “I am a man. And you are a woman. A woman who is perfect for me.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Bella pushed at the wall of his solid chest but he just kept coming closer. His arms snaked around her waist and held her to him.
“Tell me you don't want this,” Joshua growled. “Look into my eyes, and tell me you don't want me.”
Bella's eyelids fluttered but she held his burning gaze. Her lips parted as she tried to choke the words out. But she couldn't lie to him, to herself.
Slowly, she shook her head. “Josh...” she whispered. “I c-can't...”
His eyes narrowed as he leaned in. “What can't you do, Bella?”
Bella swallowed painfully and whispered, “I can't fall in love with you.”
Joshua crooked a finger under her chin and turned her face to him. “Why are you fighting this?” he murmured. “I know we've only just met, but I can't stop thinking about you, Bella. I know there are a lot of eligible males in town—they're better groomed, better looking, richer, hotter...”
“I think you're hot! I...” She clamped her mouth shut suddenly and stepped back, looking completely mortified. “I didn't just say that, did I?” she muttered under her breath. “Of course I did.”
Joshua's lips curved. “You totally did say that. And you can't take it back.” He leaned in and whispered, “I think you're hot too, Bella. In fact, I think you're perfect.”
“You...” she stuttered. “You're making fun of me.”
“I'm not. I'm serious...”
She shook her head at him. “Don't tell me you don't care about the huge difference in our ages,” she said, narrowing her eyes.
“I don't,” he replied honestly. “And the difference is not that huge.”
“You say that now...” she muttered, but she couldn't hide the hurt and resignation in her voice.
“And I'll say the same thing a hundred, a thousand, a million years from now,” Joshua said fervently. “Give me a chance, Bella. Please, give us a chance.”
“No.” Squeezing her eyes shut for a moment, she took a steadying breath and said, “I know how this will end. I've been there, done that. It won't end well, for either of us. I...I don't want to have my heart broken again. And I don't want to hurt you, Josh. You'll meet someone, someone your own age...”
Joshua's brows shot up. “My own age? What are you talking about? You talk like you're the same age as my grandmother or something! Why are you so hung up about my age? What has it got to do with us? I know I'm younger than you, but...”
“I won't be with a younger man. Ever again.” She made a frustrated sound and tried to shove him aside.
“Your ex-husband was younger than you, wasn't he?” Joshua said, tightening his grip on her.
She closed her eyes and nodded.
“So you think I'm like your ex,” he ground out.
“You're nothing like my ex. You couldn't be more different from him!”
“So why...”
“It won't work. I know...”
“You don't know shit,” Joshua snapped, smashing his fist into the wall above her head.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
When Bella gasped and flinched, Joshua grimaced as though he were in physical pain and said, “I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Bella. I...I just don't know why you're putting up all these barriers and walls between us. This age issue...isn't even an issue at all! You're...making unfair and wild assumptions and I will not go along with these—these goddamn ridiculous, stupid notions that you seem to have about younger men! You think just because I'm young, and I'm not that young by the way—I'm not a fucking teenager!”
Joshua ground his teeth and sucked in a breath to compose himself. “You think that just because I haven't hit my thirties, I'm foolish, frivolous, untrustworthy and unstable. No, don't even try to deny it. You do think that. In fact, you believe that. You think the worst of me without even trying to get to know me. Why, Bella? You refuse to give me a chance, so I think I deserve to know why I am being condemned! I've done nothing wrong. Wanting you isn't wrong.”
His chest was rising and falling with his heavy breathing. His hot breath fell on Bella's cheek and his muscles were taut and throbbing. Caging her in with his powerful arms, Joshua kept his intense, piercing gaze locked on her, allowing her to see the storm of emotions swirling in the depths of his glowing, dark eyes.
The electricity between them crackled as he pressed closer to her. The veins were bulging from his neck and his jaw was tightly clenched. She was trembling slightly but her eyes never left his. They stared deeply, searchingly, hauntingly into each other's eyes, looking right into each other's heart and soul.
“Josh...” she whispered, struggling to breathe.
She looked up at his stark, handsome face and read the raw hunger, pain and anger in every line of his face and body. He didn't hide his emotions from her and he didn't mince and sugarcoat his words. He thought she was a fucking coward, and he told her so. Not in those exact words, but well, she got the message.
Bella pressed her back against the wall and clenched her fists. “My ex...” she began in a quavering voice. “He was irresponsible and immature. He lied to me, cheated me...and he hurt me.”
Joshua didn't move but his gaze softened as he listened to her. As she told him all about herself and her past, he stroked her arm soothingly, encouragingly. He was glad to see no shame and sadness in her eyes as she opened up to him. Instead, she seemed relieved to have unburdened herself to him.
Joshua remained silent for a long while after she finished. Finally, his huge hands cupped her face and he pressed his forehead to hers.
“I think you know this already, but I'll just say it again. I. Am. Not. Your. Ex.”
Bella exhaled a sigh. “Yes. I know.”
“Good. Just checking.”
The corners of his lips curved but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
He didn't release her. He stared into her eyes and for a moment, it seemed no one even breathed.
Joshua waited for a few pounding heartbeats, but when she made no move to push him away, he pressed his mouth to hers in a hungry, passionate kiss.
Bella moaned softly and reached up to cling to his strong shoulders. Joshua ran his tongue over her lips, coaxing her to open up for him.
Once he felt her melting against him, his kiss softened and became slow and sensuous. His tongue tangled with hers and he took his time to taste her thoroughly.
She warmed to his kiss and returned his ardor and passion. Spearing her fingers through his hair, she pressed herself to his ha
rd, powerful body. Time seemed to stand still and the world narrowed to just the two of them.
With a ragged breath, Joshua finally pulled away. “You...are amazing, Bella,” he said hoarsely.
Before he could change his mind, Joshua stalked to the front door and opened it. “I'll stay in my car,” he said in a low growl. “I'll make sure you're safe.”
She looked confused and hurt as she started after him. Did she think he was rejecting her?
“I want you, Bella,” he said. “Never doubt that. But I won't push you. I am sure about you, Bella. But I want you to be sure about us.”
With that, he stepped out and pulled the door firmly shut behind him.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Bella walked out of the library and squinted against the late afternoon sun. She worked the morning shift, so there was still plenty of sunlight when she got off work. She made her way home briskly and stopped momentarily when her little house came into view.
Along with the view of her house came the jaw-dropping, tantalizing view of three hunky shirtless men doing various repairs to her house.
Once she had given Beck's Builders the green light, the guys had started work straight away on her house. They seemed anxious to get the job done quickly. She had no doubt that there were many other projects in the pipeline for them. Compared to their other projects, this was just a simple, small-scale job. They would be done in less than a week, Nick had told her.
Bella glanced over at Celia's neat little house that was right next to hers. She hoped she wasn't causing too much disturbance to her lovely neighbor. Celia was a retired teacher and she was thoughtful and caring. Bella instinctively trusted her. She had taken the small box that held her grandmother's ring over to Celia's house just before the guys started work on her house and asked Celia to take care of her ring for her. She knew the guys wouldn't touch her things, but anyone could walk in and out of her house while they were working at the back. If she lost the ring, who could she blame? Herself. No one but herself.
Brash Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (BRIDES fur BEARS Book 3) Page 4
