by Kimi Flores
Josh moved in close behind, wrapping her body in his arms. He hoped she felt his cocoon of protection and concern now that she’d shared her fears. He’d never felt such a desire to make someone feel a connection to him like he did now with Bri.
Resting his chin on her shoulder, he knew this was his chance to tell her how he felt, but wasn’t sure she was ready to hear him. And was it the right time, with everything she had going on? Maybe it would help, he rationalized.
“Bri, you’re so beautiful. But that’s not everything you are. That’s not what’s important. You have the most forgiving heart. I would know, right?” He cleared his throat, hoping he was on the right track. “I’ve watched you with Leah’s kids, how you listen and encourage them. You value these children, and believe in their abilities. The same kids that society calls handicapped, you don’t see any limits in, Bri. That’s special.” He smiled down at her, as she stared up at him with humility in her eyes. His face filled with pride at how loving she was despite how she was raised.
At her silence and the confusion etched in her expression, he continued. “You wouldn’t be doing it if you weren’t willing to step up and help Leah. And you’re so protective when you talk about Dani, which I think you learned from your big brother. But it’s who you are. It’s what you do. You protect the ones you love, the ones you’re willing to fight for. I wish you could see how remarkable you are. How the rest of us see you.” He pleaded with her through his words and eyes to believe him.
He ran his fingers through her hair, gently pulling her face to meet his lips as he peppered her small nose with kisses. Resting his forehead against hers, he looked into her bewildered eyes. “You’ve taught me so much about forgiveness. I still can’t believe you’ve given me a second chance. I sure as hell don’t deserve it.” He paused, gulping hard. “Bri, you do belong. You’re important to all of us. You don’t even realize how much we all need you. And someday soon,” his heart was about to leap out of his chest, “I hope you’ll believe that you belong with me. Because I already feel like I belong with you.”
He tried to show her the emotions in his heart through his eyes, begging her to understand.
Please don’t shut me out.
A few tears started to slowly roll down her face. “I want to believe you, Josh.” It was clear that she’d become overwhelmed with their intense conversation.
Dolefully, she swiped under her eyes. He sensed that she needed time to process her feelings. A slow, smile crept up her face. “I can’t help but wonder. Do you only need me to prove that you’re the air hockey champion so you can collect your reward?”
There’s the Bri I know, changing the subject to evade her emotions.
He chuckled softly, running his thumb over her wet cheek. She was being cute, but he could tell she was shying away from his words. Maybe she needed to take a break from this conversation, but he hoped what he said would slowly sink in and become a reality for her. He was willing to wait.
“Does that mean I get my kiss?” He grinned, letting the seriousness of their conversation evaporate into the salty air. He moved his attention to her lips, unable to think of anything else.
He took a deep breath, snaking his arms around her waist. His fingers skimmed the warm skin of her lower back, sending electric shocks up his arm. The sound of the crashing waves was no match for the pounding of his heart as he pulled her closer.
The intense look in her eyes said that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Her lips parted as her lids closed, breathing in, trusting him.
The closer they got, the louder his pulse throbbed in his ears. Centimeters away from touching her mouth with his own, he stopped, savoring the moment. Their chests met, heaving in and out in unison.
This girl is amazing.
Finally, they made contact, but he wasn’t ready to dive in yet. Josh slowly ran his mouth across Bri’s, darting his tongue out and licking her bottom lip. Her breath hit his skin with each and every pant, driving him wild with passion.
He couldn’t take it anymore.
Cradling her face in his hands while softly kissing her, he guided her back against the cool grains of sand. Gently caressing her lips with his tongue, he was surprised when she opened them and allowed him yet another step past the walls that she'd built.
I won’t mess up this time, her trust and heart, will always been my first focus from this moment on.
His entire mouth covered hers as he kissed and nipped at her lips. Moaning, she ran her fingers through his hair, tugging ever so slightly, sending him into full-on lust mode. As he lay on top of her, he deepened their kiss again, hoping she was still willing to let him past her barriers.
After a minute, his body relaxed, feeling her melt below him. This was the place he’d longed and dreamed to be since finding her again. While the heat and emotion was beginning to take over his brain, he felt her tense up a bit, and suddenly wondered if he was moving too fast.
Begrudgingly pulling away, he ran his hand softly through her hair. “You are so beautiful, Bri.” It was all he could say to keep from asking why she’d tensed up. And he needed to get out of this heat, this bubble they’d created on the beach.
Really, I need a cold shower.
Hopping up, he reached a hand down to her, lifting her out of the sand. “Let’s get you back to your room. We have a big day tomorrow.”
Nodding, she brushed the sand off of her behind. Without thinking, Josh took her trembling hand in his. It was something that had become so natural these last couple of days.
But why is she shaking?
Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, he asked, as they walked back to the hotel, “Are you cold?”
She shook her head. “It’s not that. To be honest Josh, I’m scared at how fast I’m feeling this close to you again.” Outside the lobby doors, she stopped and tugged on his arm. “Josh, thank you,” she said, with a hint that she was holding in her emotions.
He frowned. “For what?” He’d thought he’d scared her, and now she was thanking him?
Looking down at his chest, she placed both hands on his shoulders and glanced up at him. He could tell it was taking every ounce of courage to say what she needed to.
“For caring about me, and for…believing in me. For seeing the good in me.” A single tear rolled down her face, falling onto his shirt sleeve.
He nodded, lost for words. His heart was breaking as he watched her. How could someone have so little faith in themselves? He didn’t know how, but was damn sure he was going to help Bri find that faith and put those pieces back together again.
Bri tossed and turned all night after Josh dropped her off. By the time they’d gotten back to her door, she’d all but given him the green light to come in. She was ready to take their make out session to the next level, but he gave her a final peck on the lips and said he’d see her in the morning.
She reasoned it away by reminding herself of his promise to her, that he’d let her make that first move. But he’s a guy. He’s supposed to make that move. Only whores make the first move like that.
She was so confused as she laid in bed, staring at the ocean through the large hotel room window. Suddenly, something hit her like a ton of bricks.
Wait. Those are my mother’s words. I need to trust what he’s telling me, not the poison she’s fed me.
In desperate need of clearing her mind from this negativity, she decided to go for a quick swim. She stepped over the mess on the floor and dug through her suitcase until she found her new black, tangerine and pink sports bikini. When she’d seen the bathing suit online, she immediately ordered it for this trip. It was perfect to go swimming in but because of the extra straps that ran over the hip area and across her ribs, she didn’t plan on soaking in the sun wearing it. Nobody wants weird tan lines like that.
After getting dressed and putting her hair in a long pony tail, she threw on her cover-up, flip flops, and grabbed a towel on her way out.
Hey, where’s my phone? She
stood at her open doorway, trying to remember the last time she’d seen it. Oh right, she hadn’t brought it. And, now that she thought about it, she hadn’t missed it either. The incessant beeping, her mother’s calls—all things she could do without.
With a lighter step, she headed for the pool. She couldn’t wait to get a couple of laps in this morning. Hopefully there would be no kids this early.
She rounded the corner and peered into the large space. The pool was huge, and she could see someone doing laps but no splashers, thank goodness. The other swimmer looked like they meant business too, which worked for her. She set her towel on a lounge chair, and slipped off her cover up. Feeling eyes on her, she glanced behind her, and…Josh?
Apparently, he was the other swimmer.
She had to suppress a giggle when she saw his eyes bugging out of his head. There was no way to hide her blush.
How could I ever doubt that he wants me?
“Hey.” He swam up to meet her as she stepped in the cool water. “Didn’t think I’d be seeing you for a couple of hours.”
She undid her ponytail, wincing as she accidentally yanked a few strands of hair out. “I try to swim every morning. Helps to start my day off right.” Threading her fingers through her hair, she twisted her locks into a bun, securing it with the rubber band.
He squinted one eye, closing his other to avoid falling droplets. “You any good?”
She laughed internally. “Yeah, state champion.”
He nodded in understanding and snickered.
Little does he know I’m not kidding.
Caleb, Stefen, and Bri were trained swimmers and were, in fact, each all state champions at different times growing up.
Her mom had a shit fit when a scout had offered Bri a swim scholarship for college. She’d thought Bri had applied for it and was out to embarrass the family by making it seem as though she needed money for college. That was Bri’s last meet.
Man, I have some screwed up memories.
Josh must’ve been able to tell she was thinking about something negative because a flash of concern crossed his face momentarily before he grinned, pulling her in. “Wanna race?”
She gave him a small challenging smile. She was here to swim, not think. They both got out, stood at the pool’s edge, and dove in at the same time. He kept up her pace for a while, then she stepped it up, swimming laps around him before getting out.
Water dripped off her body as she moved over to a lounge chair, pulling her hair out of the band once again. She was drying herself off when he finally made it out of the pool.
He bent forward, catching his breath. “So…state champion. You weren’t kidding, were you?”
She chuckled, pleased with herself as she wrapped the towel around her hair. “Nope. I wasn’t kidding.”
He looked more than impressed. “Well, you definitely left me behind.” He picked up his own towel and started to dry his hair. Snaking his arms around her bare waist, he pulled her closer. “Mind if I kiss you?”
Goosebumps broke out under the droplets of water on her skin. “Not at all,” she murmured, already anticipating it. His lips touched hers just as softly as they had the night before. And at the gardens. Once again, it felt magical, but…
Why is he being so gentle? Does he think I’m going to break?
He looked around, then asked in a low tone, “Can I walk you back to your room?”
She frowned. What’s up with him?
She wrapped her hands a little tighter around his neck. “I think I can find it on my own,” she said lightly. “How about I meet you at the restaurant with everyone for breakfast?”
He hesitated, leaning in to rub his nose on hers. It was an intimate gesture and had her heart racing all over again.
“I was kinda hoping we could do something different this morning. Just the two of us.”
She gave him a shy smile. “Really?”
Hopeful, Josh’s smile reached his eyes. “Yeah. I was thinking we could spend the morning together before we have to go our separate ways for the guy and girls’ activities before the wedding.” His hungry eyes roamed her body. Yes, the bathing suit was a good choice for this weekend.
“What did you have in mind?”
He looked around and grunted, while she slipped on her flip flops, wondering what was bugging him. Draping her cover up over her arm, she waited for him to reply. When he lowered his eyes at the guy that passed by, she had a sneaking suspicion about what was irking him. Of course she usually noticed when guys looked at her. She chose not to respond to it.
He cleared his throat. “Well, we have all morning before you have to join the girls at the spa, so I thought we could have breakfast, just the two of us, and maybe go jet skiing or something.”
A group of guys just entered the pool area, and Josh’s gaze darted to them, watching them with an intense gleam in his eye. Bri tried not to roll her eyes, but he grabbed her cover up from her hands and sloppily tied it around her waist.
“Um…” she started, but he pulled her out of the humid place before she had a chance to finish that thought. So he doesn’t like me prancing around in public, half naked. Oh, here we go. Though, it annoyed her, it was also kind of sweet.
Smoothing down her clothes, she understood where he was coming from. She wasn’t looking forward to other girls drooling over him.
When she remembered what he’d just said, she realized they were going to be separated for most of today. “I still don’t understand why you guys get to go to the Grand Prix dirt bike races, and I have to go to the spa. I go to the spa all the time.” It sounded like a funny thing coming from a girl’s mouth, but Bri wasn’t a regular girl.
In the elevator, he held onto her hand and leaned back against the wall, pulling her between his separated legs. “You could always join us.” His thumb traced small circles on the top of her hand while he looked at her with hope in his eyes.
As much as she’d like to, it wouldn’t be fair to Alison. She let out a frustrated sigh, then said, defeated, “I’m supposed to be here for Alison. I haven’t really spent much time with her.”
They stepped out of the elevator, and it wasn’t lost on her that they were still holding hands. It was beginning to feel so natural.
“Yeah. I guess you’re right,” he grumped, scrunching up the corner of his mouth.
Turning, she walked sideways as she asked, “Where’s your room anyway?”
He pointed his finger over his shoulder. “Up two floors, on the other side of the hotel, room four-thirty-two.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “It actually has a balcony with the same ocean view as your room. You could always switch with me, if you like.”
She opened her door, glanced over her shoulder then stood in the hall for another moment. “Yeah. Probably better if I just stay put.” She giggled knowing what he was about to see.
His eyes widened as he peered past her, into the room. “Holy shit, it’s worse than it was last night. You sure know how to make a place look lived in.”
She smacked his chest. “Hey. I am a girl. Mostly,” she chuckled.
He leaned in and kissed her. “Yeah, you look like a girl but you’re messier than any guy I know.”
“My mom was right about one thing. I’m a slob.” Bri actually thought it was funny, admitting that something so trivial was true.
“Nah. It’s not that bad,” he said with a face, clearly lying. “Okay, get ready, and I’ll be back in, say, thirty minutes?”
She smiled. She could be ready in thirty minutes. If she rushed. “Sure.”
As she shut herself in the room, a sly grin came over her face.
But I think I’ll pick you up this time.
Josh ended his call with Stefen and, as he suspected, things were coming to a head with Bri’s mother. She was on a warpath and wasn’t holding anything back. Stefen sounded like he was about to lose his shit after his mom phoned his house and called Leah a money grubbing whore.
Honestly Josh was surprised
Stefen even told him that. He was so pissed off.
Josh was starting to get anxious and really concerned about what Bri was going to walk in to when she got back to Santa Barbara. No one should ever have to deal with this shit all their life. He could only imagine what it’d been like for Stefen.
As he finished zipping up his shorts, a knock sounded. Pulling the door open, he blinked at Bri standing there, wearing a black ribbed tank top and little white shorts that ended just above her black lacy garter belt tattoo.
Swallowing hard, he was glad the bottom half of his body had been underwater when he saw it this morning. That bikini left nothing to the imagination. But it wouldn’t have mattered what she wore. His body reacted to her, no matter what.
