Defying Gravity (Healing Hearts Book 2)

by Laura Farr

  Following him upstairs, we passed four or five closed doors before he stopped in front of one. “This is my room,” he told me, grabbing the handle and stepping aside so I could enter first. Like the rest of the house, his room was massive; you could probably drop my entire cottage into just that room. His double bed was against one wall with a nightstand on either side, and a long chest of drawers was placed across from the end of the bed. There was a large picture window on the other wall, which I could see looked out over the back garden. Two doors led off his room; I could see one was the bathroom since the door was open, and I was guessing the other was his closet. Snaking his arms around me, his chest pressing against my back, he kissed the back of my head. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.” I nodded, walking farther into the room as he disappeared into the bathroom.

  Looking around, I noticed some pictures on his nightstand. Moving to sit on the bed, I picked one up and gasped—it was a picture of me, and he had it right next to his bed. I was about 17 and we must have been at the lake. I was in the water, splashing Brody and laughing. I looked across to the other photos and there was one of the three of us—me, Josh, and Brody. The boys looked about eight, so I would have been about six. My dad had built me and Brody a tree house in one of the old oak trees on the ranch, and we were sitting side by side, our legs dangling off the edge. I was between the two boys and they both had their arm around me. I didn’t remember the photo being taken, but since we were all in it, I guessed my mom or dad must have taken it. I wondered how Josh had gotten a copy when I’d never seen it before.

  “Ready beautiful?” I heard Josh say from behind me as he came out of the bathroom. I turned around to look at him, his eyes dropping to the photos in my hand. I watched as his cheeks flushed pink and he gave me an embarrassed smile. “Shall we go?” he asked again, busying himself with his bag.

  “Josh,” I said, waiting for him to look at me. When he lifted his head, I smiled. “You have pictures of me on your nightstand? How long have you had these here?” I asked quietly.

  “Since they were taken,” he replied quietly.

  “Who took this one?” I asked, holding up the photo of the three of us sitting in the tree house.

  “Your dad.”

  “I’ve never seen it before.”

  “That’s probably because that’s the original,” he said quietly. “A few weeks after it was taken, I was around your house playing with Brody, and we found the pictures in the den. When Brody went to get a drink, I snuck it into my pocket.”

  My eyes widened in surprise. “And this one?” I asked, holding up the picture of Brody and me messing around in the lake. He smiled and took the picture out of my hand.

  “I think you were 17 here. I took it when you and Brode weren’t looking. I love this picture. You look so beautiful and happy. I knew then how I felt about you, but I also knew I couldn’t tell you.”

  “I wish you had,” I told him with a sad smile.

  “Me too baby,” he replied, placing the photo back on his nightstand.

  “I think it might be time for a new photo. Where’s your phone?” I held my hand out to him. Grinning, he dug in his pocket before handing it to me. Clicking on the camera icon, I stood up and pulled him toward me, my head touching his. Turning it around, I held it out in front of us. “Smile,” I said as we both looked at the camera and grinned. I clicked the button two or three times before turning my head and kissing him, clicking away as we kissed. Pulling away, I checked the pictures, turning the screen around so he could see. “The first of many, hopefully.”

  “Definitely. Thank you,” he said, smiling down at the images. “Let’s get going.” I nodded excitedly, watching as he walked across the room to open his closet. Pulling out a shirt on a hanger, he turned to face me. “Ready?”

  “Er, Josh…” I said nervously. “What do you need that for?” I asked, gesturing to his shirt.

  Looking down at it, he frowned. “The restaurant tonight, why? Don’t you like it?”

  “No, it’s a great shirt, I just didn’t pack anything fancy enough for a restaurant.” I looked down at the floor, heat flooding my cheeks.

  “That’s okay, we can swing back past your place on the way and pick up something for you to wear.”

  “I don’t have anything nice that fits me anymore,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around my stomach. “I haven’t had time to buy any new clothes yet.”

  “Then I’ll take you shopping, if that’s what you want—or we can get room service if you don’t want to go out.” He walked over to me, placing his bag and shirt on the bed. “I don’t care where we go or what we do, I just want to spend some time together.”

  “You’re amazing, you know that?” I told him, standing on my tiptoes to kiss him. He stood a good foot taller than me and I loved how small I felt when I was wrapped in his arms.

  “I think you’re pretty amazing,” he said against my lips, and I smiled as I took his hand.

  “Come on, let’s get this date started.”

  Josh carried both of our bags and once outside, I looked around the driveway. “Josh, where’s your truck?” I asked, wondering how we were going to get to Austin if he didn’t want to take my car.

  “Still outside the bar in Marble Falls. I only intended to stay for one drink last night,” he said sheepishly, pulling me gently toward the garage.

  “We can take my car,” I offered, but he shook his head.

  “We’ll take my other car.” He gestured to the garage. Other car? I’d only ever seen him in his truck. He opened the door and I gasped. Inside was a silver Porsche with red leather seats. The top was down and I walked in, tracing my fingers along the shiny silver paintwork. I wasn’t a huge car fan, but I could appreciate a nice car when I saw one.

  “Wow!” I exclaimed. “This is your car?” He nodded. “Fancy! Why have I never seen you in it?”

  “I haven’t had it long.” He shrugged, as if having a new Porsche in the garage was no big deal. “I’ll probably sell it soon.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s a two-seater Sav—where are we going to put the baby?”

  I stared at him, open-mouthed. “You don’t have to sell your car Josh, I’ll just use mine.”

  “Your car isn’t big enough. It’s only a two-door—how will we fit a stroller in the trunk?”

  “I’ll manage somehow,” I told him. “I can’t ask you to sell your car—this baby is my responsibility.”

  “You’re not asking, I’m offering,” he said, a frown on his face. “I want us to be a family Savannah. I might not be the baby’s biological father, but I’m going to love him or her as if I were. I want it all—the sleepless nights, the dirty diapers, the middle of the night feeds. I want to be a daddy.” I wasn’t often lost for words, but this was one of those times. I stared up at him with wide eyes. “Is that…not what you want too?” he asked nervously.

  I nodded. “More than anything. Are you sure it’s not too soon?”

  He laughed as he wrapped me in his arms. “Too soon!” he exclaimed in amazement. “I’ve been waiting to be able to pull you into my arms and kiss you whenever I want for years. I never thought this would ever happen, and we’ve waited long enough, sweetheart.” My heart accelerated with his words. This was definitely a side of Josh I hadn’t seen before. If someone had asked me a few weeks ago if I thought Josh was ready to be a daddy, I’d have laughed in their face. He had totally taken me by surprise.

  “Okay,” I whispered as he kissed me.

  “Good,” he replied, reaching around me and opening the passenger door. “Now that that’s settled, climb in and let’s enjoy the Porsche before I trade it in for a sensible family car.” He laughed as he threw the overnight bags into what I was guessing was the tiny trunk. Pulling out of the garage, he clicked a button, and I heard the door close automatically behind us.

  I was thankful I’d tied my hair up after my shower that morning because the wind whipped around my face as we he
aded up the highway to Austin. I dropped my head back and enjoyed the air on my face. It was too noisy to talk with the roof down, so we traveled in a comfortable silence. Josh’s hand rested on my leg, and I kept sneaking looks at him as he drove. He was wearing aviator sunglasses and his short hair blew in the breeze. I couldn’t believe this gorgeous man was finally mine. He must have sensed me looking at him because he turned his head and smiled. “You okay?” he shouted over the noise of the rushing air.

  “I’m perfect,” I shouted back, and I watched as his face lit up with a smile and his hand squeezed my leg. I reached for his hand, entwining mine with his, and dropped my head back against the seat again. I yawned, still tired from the disturbed sleep the previous night, and despite the noise and the wind rushing around me, my eyes began to close. I felt Josh brushing his thumb over the back of my hand, and within minutes, I nodded off.

  “Savannah,” I heard Josh say. “Wake up baby, we’re nearly there.” My eyes fluttered open and I squinted against the bright sun. Looking around, I saw that we were in the center of Austin. It was bustling, and people filled the sidewalks. I looked over to Josh and smiled.

  “Sorry I fell asleep, I didn’t mean to.”

  “It’s fine sweetheart, you’re allowed to sleep. After all, you are growing a little person in there,” he said, moving his hand from my knee and placing it on my stomach.

  I smiled and placed my hand over his. “So, where are you taking me?” I asked, looking around. Going to school there, I knew Austin pretty well, and I was trying to figure out which hotels were nearby.

  “I booked us a room at the Four Seasons,” he answered, and I squealed, bouncing up and down in my seat. Josh laughed at my response. “I take it you’re happy about that?”

  I nodded. “I am! I’ve heard great things about the lakeside restaurant there,” I gushed.

  “Good, because that’s where I made our reservation, but I’m still happy to do room service if you’d rather stay in. I’m sure we can find something to do in the room,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

  “As good as that sounds, I want to try the restaurant. I’ll just have to find something to wear.”

  “I’ll take you shopping baby, let’s check in first,” he said as we pulled up outside the hotel. He stopped the car in front of large glass doors that led into the lobby. Stepping out, he made his way around to my side and opened the door for me. I climbed out and waited while he retrieved the bags from the truck. Out of nowhere, a valet appeared, and Josh tossed him the keys. Walking over to me, he smiled. “Ready?” he asked, and I nodded as I took his hand as we walked through the glass doors into the impressive lobby.

  A hotel porter took our luggage as I looked around in awe. Sofas and chairs were dotted around the large lobby area, and people were sitting throughout, drinking and chatting, their conversations vibrating around the vast room. A huge chandelier hung from the ceiling and bouquets of flowers adorned every surface. Along the back wall stood the check-in desks, and Josh steered me toward them, the porter following with our bags.

  “Welcome to the Four Seasons sir, do you have a reservation?” the receptionist asked.

  “I do. I called a couple of hours ago. It’s under the name Miller, Josh Miller.”

  She nodded and began tapping away on the computer in front of her. “Ah, yes sir, you’ve booked a lake-view suite.” I gasped and she smiled. Josh turned to me, kissing me on the forehead. “I can see that you paid in full when you booked, so I’ll just get your key,” she said before disappearing into the back.

  “Josh, you didn’t need to book us a suite—that must have cost you a fortune!” I exclaimed. “A normal room would have been fine.”

  “No, it wouldn’t,” he replied, turning to face me. “This is our first date and I want it to be perfect. You’re never going to have another first date, so it has to be one you’ll always remember.”

  “Have you always been this incredible?” I asked him, amazed that he was going to so much trouble.

  “What can I say? I’ve had a long time to figure out what our first date would be. I’ll let you decide in a few years whether you still think I’m incredible,” he joked, bending down and brushing his lips against mine. Someone cleared their throat, and we looked up to see the receptionist smiling at us.

  “Your key sir, room 401, on the fourth floor. The elevator is to your left. If there is anything you need, please let us know,” she said, still smiling.

  “Thank you,” Josh responded, taking my hand and guiding me toward the elevator. I was beyond excited. The hotel was beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to see what the room was like. I squeezed Josh’s hand as we waited for the elevator to arrive. He looked down at me and smiled. “Happy?” he asked.

  I nodded. “You have no idea how happy I am.”

  “I think I do Sav, I think I do.” He bent his head and captured my lips with his, and I melted into him as he wound his arms around my waist, kissing me until I was breathless. My stomach fluttered as if there were a million butterflies in there, and my heart pounded in my chest. Pulling away, he rested his forehead on mine. “I still can’t believe I get to kiss you like that whenever I want.”

  “Don’t ever stop,” I whispered. “Promise me you’ll always kiss me like that.”

  “I promise,” he said, tugging me into the empty elevator and pressing me against the back wall. His eyes were hooded as he looked at me, and after a few seconds, he broke eye contact to reach across and hit the button for the fourth floor. The doors closed behind us and his lips crashed against mine, his kiss urgent and intense. I kissed him back, my hands resting on his hard chest. His heart was racing under my fingers and I grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer against me. Snaking my tongue into his mouth, I felt him moan against my lips. Suddenly the elevator chimed, signaling that the doors were about to open. Josh quickly stepped away from me and we stood side by side, both breathing erratically. If anyone was waiting to enter the elevator, they would know exactly what we had been doing by the state we were in. Thankfully, as the doors opened, we were faced with an empty hallway, and we both looked at each other and laughed.

  “Come on, let’s find our room,” Josh said, winking at me. We walked hand in hand until we reached 401. He released my hand, and I stood behind him as I watched him enter the key card into the lock. The light flashed green and he pushed on the door, holding it open for me.

  I walked past him into the room and gasped. Spinning around, I stared at him. “Did you arrange all of this?” I asked in amazement. He nodded and I turned back to look at the room, which was filled with orchids. “How did you…” I trailed off, lost for words at how much trouble he’d gone to. Shaking my head, I turned to face him. “How did you do it? You only booked the room a few hours ago.”

  “I have my ways. Do you like them?” he asked, looking unsure.

  “Josh, I love them. How did you know they are my favorite flowers?”

  “I’ve known you my whole life Sav, I know what your favorite flower is.”

  “How?” I exclaimed.

  “The same way I know about your chili cheeseburger obsession—I pay attention baby.”

  I smiled before throwing my arms around him. “Where have you been all my life?” I whispered into his neck, and he chuckled before moving back so he could see my face.

  “I’ve been here sweetheart, I’ve always been here.” I brushed my lips against the stubble on his cheek before turning to look at the room. Even without the hundreds of beautiful flowers that covered every surface, it would have been incredible. The door from the hall opened into a large sitting room, where there was a sofa and chair positioned around a small glass coffee table. A TV was mounted on the wall across from the sofa, and there was a huge floor-to-ceiling window that looked out over Town Lake.

  Rushing to the window, I gasped again. “Josh, this view is amazing,” I gushed, pushing my nose against the glass. The enormous lake was surrounded by lush green trees, and the river w
as dotted with boats. “Look, there are people on boats! Do you think we could go on a boat?” I asked him, bouncing up and down with excitement. I heard him laugh behind me and his arms slipped around my waist as he gently pulled me backward onto his hard chest.

  “We can do whatever you want,” he said, kissing my neck. I turned in his arms, kissing him quickly on the lips.

  “What’s through there?” I asked, gesturing to the double doors.

  Chuckling, he released me from his arms. “Why don’t you take a look?” Walking over, I pushed on the doors, and they opened into the bedroom. A huge bed sat against the opposite wall, and sliding glass doors opened out onto a balcony. To the right there was a door to what I assumed was the bathroom, and I noticed more orchids in this room, the scent of them invading my senses. Walking through, I opened the bathroom door and squealed.

  “It’s huge in here! There’s a massive walk-in shower, and a freestanding jacuzzi bath. I can’t wait to soak in there later!” I exclaimed, spinning around to see Josh standing in the doorway.

  “Do you think you might need someone to wash your back?” he asked, a smirk on his face.

  “Nah, I think I can manage,” I replied, giggling, and he grabbed me, tickling my waist. “Josh! Stop!” I laughed, squirming in his arms.

  “Are you sure I can’t wash your back?” he asked, laughing as he watched me squirm. Squealing as he tickled me under my ribs, I tried to reach for him to tickle him back.

  “Okay, okay, if you stop tickling me, I promise you can wash my back,” I said breathlessly, my words finally making him stop. Breathing heavily, I swatted him on his chest, and he laughed as he led me out of the bathroom.

  “Let’s go find you something to wear to dinner,” he said, and I nodded, following him back into the bedroom.

  “Thank you for making our first date so amazing Josh. I’m overwhelmed by everything.”

  “It’s me who should be thanking you. You could so easily have ended up hating me with how I’ve behaved over the years. I know how lucky I am to finally have you, and I’m never going to forget it.”