by M. Clarke
Josh swiped on his phone and handed it to me first. “This is her current picture, but if you scroll up, you’ll can see some of her pictures since she was born. I asked Shelly to forward them to me so I could have them.”
A smiling baby with a few teeth in front, eyes round and beautiful like Josh’s, and a cute button nose, filled the screen. “Awww. She’s absolutely beautiful, Josh.” I placed my hand over my heart as if I could hold onto the feeling I got every time I saw a baby. They were the most precious beings in the world. But she wasn’t just any baby. She was Josh’s. The man I loved. Love? Love was not the kind of word I took lightly or said to anyone. It hit me hard, and the truth settled on my heart. I loved Josh. I loved Josh. I really, truly loved him.
“Let us see, Isla, hurry.” Olivia tapped her fork on the plate.
“Hold on.” I smirked and handed her the phone after I took my time scrolling up to see Emma’s baby pictures. Nathan and Olivia had the same reaction, eyes twinkling, and expressions of love on their faces. I gasped and jerked a little. Josh’s hand on my knees under my dress crept higher. His dirty hand, but the hand I loved, began to massage my thigh.
Olivia rubbed her forehead and sighed. “I can’t believe you have an eleven-month-old baby. She’s turning one next month. Is Shelly planning to have a birthday party for her?”
“I haven’t spoken to her about that yet, but I’m going to assume so. Emma is going to need some friends soon, hint, hint.” Josh coughed for emphasis as his fingers slowly stroked my skin, making me tingle all over as my mind raced with dirty thoughts of what we would do after dinner. When I pushed his hand away, he gave me a wicked grin, filled with the promise of more.
“We need to get married first,” Olivia threw in, placing her wine glass down after taking a gulp.
“Have you set a date yet?” I asked as I cut my steak in pieces.
Nathan sprinkled some pepper on his filet mignon. “No, not yet. We’re waiting to see if the venue we want is available. There’s usually a one-year waiting list. But if you get lucky, there’s a cancellation. Not so lucky for the other groom and bride-to-be, though.”
Olivia forked her steamed carrot. “I just want something simple, but my mom wants something more elaborate.”
“You’re her only daughter,” I stressed. “I’m on your mom’s side.”
“Traitor.” She giggled.
“Always when it’s in the best interest for you, my dear Olie.”
“And same for you, Isla.” Olivia winked. “So Josh better watch it. He hurts you, and I’ll come after him.”
Josh squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry. We’ve crossed that line. There’s no turning back.”
“Are we sharing dessert?” Nathan said out of the blue. “I heard their ice cream selection is the best. You can have them with fruits or chocolate.”
Olivia smiled at Nathan. “Thinking of dessert already?”
“I’ve already had ice cream on Isla.” Josh’s lips curved to his ears, and his cheeks turned slightly pink, but mine burned. Had he not tasted ice cream on me, I might have laughed, but he had. Embarrassed, hoping they wouldn’t read into my expression, I couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. It was the second time I’d ever seen Josh blush. “I mean, I’ve already had ice cream with Isla, earlier, after the photo shoot,” he corrected.
Nathan perked his lips, trying to suppress a laugh, stopping his fork and knife from moving. “You mean after you went all caveman, tossed her over your shoulder, and dunked her in the ocean?”
Josh frowned, elbows on the table. “You make me sound like one of those alpha male book-boyfriend characters.”
Nathan challenged, his eyes squarely on Josh’s. “Did you or did you not whisk her away without her consent?”
Josh shrugged and pulled up his hands to surrender. “I only did what was necessary to ensure Isla didn’t slip away from me. And it’s not like she minded.”
I shrugged, throwing a nonchalant expression. Josh was right, though. I loved when he acted possessive. He wasn’t over the top or too obsessive. Overall, it was kind of sexy.
Nathan moved his hands again, cutting into his steak with his fork and knife. “I don’t blame you. I would’ve done the same.”
“Alpha male. Caveman. We’re all alike.” Josh chuckled.
“I wouldn’t want you any other way,” I said to Josh so only he could hear.
“You can have me any way you like after dinner,” he whispered in my ear.
My whole body burned from head to toe.
Chapter 17
Isla
“Here you go. Enjoy,” the waitress said, setting our big bowl of dessert and four spoons on the table.
“Thank you.” I gawked at the humongous pile of strawberries on top of shaved snow.
Instead of ice cream, the waitress had recommended a dessert called shaved snow with fruits. By the looks of it, I’d be glad she had.
“Oh my God,” Olivia mumbled, taking the first bite. “It’s so good.”
I took a spoonful and melted. “It just dissolves on your tongue.” The shaved ice thawed on my tongue, so sweet and divine. Taking in another spoonful, I couldn’t stop eating.
“I’m going to have this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” Josh muttered through a mouthful.
“I’ll join you.” Nathan held up his spoon.
“I might join you too,” a sexy voice I knew well said.
“Mr. Knight.” Josh stood up. “Mrs. Knight.”
I got up at the same time Nathan and Olivia turned, as my heart jumped to my throat. Excitement filled me as I examined the Knight family one by one. Matthew’s and
Max’s beautiful families stood around us, wearing matching Hawaiian print outfits. Matthew’s wore a shade of blue, and Max’s family wore lavender. The Knight parents smiled and so did their gorgeous children.
“Please sit down. No need to get up,” Max said, his voice as sexy as Matthew’s. “Just in case you haven’t met, this is Jenna, my wife, and Becky, and our children.”
“You have a beautiful family,” I stated, my eyes darting from Max to Matthew, still standing since everyone else did.
“Thank you,” they both said.
Jenna held her youngest daughter’s hand. “Good to see you all again. We’ve met before.”
“We haven’t met, but I’ve heard wonderful things about you all,” Becky added.
Max looked behind the waitress waiting for them and held out a finger. “Sorry. Give us a second please.” Then he turned to us. “I heard the photo shoot went well. I’ve seen the pictures, and I’m very pleased with them.”
Josh stiffened, and so did I, recalling how Josh picked me up and told Tom we were done, and then he relaxed. “That’s awesome. Tom is great to work with.”
Max leaned in closer to Josh and me, the scent of his cologne electrifying. That perfect man, not as perfect as Josh I thought to myself guiltily, defined the word sexy. How did Jenna deal with women throwing themselves at her husband? In ways, I felt the same with Josh. Plenty of women tried to pick him up and asked for his phone number when we were friends. At times I got jealous, but it was different then. I wondered how I would react as his girlfriend.
“To tell you the truth, I think Tom is a bit quirky.” Max snorted. “He sounds angry, but he really isn’t. It makes me laugh.”
We all chuckled.
Josh rested his hand on the top of the chair. “I thought I was the only one who thought that. I thought I was doing something wrong.”
Matthew shook his head. “He’s like that with everyone. Even to us, and we pay him. I’m assuming you had dinner first?”
Nathan shifted on his feet, his hands rested in the front. “We all had steak.”
“Good choice,” Jenna murmured. “They’re known for their steaks. Anyway, please continue your dessert.”
“Matthew loves shaved ice,” Becky pointed out, eyeing our half-eaten dessert. Then she poked him on his rock-hard chest on the button of his shirt. �
��He’s drooling right now.”
Matthew shrugged and pouted. “We need to enjoy life. And don’t pick on me. Max and the kids love them too.”
It was an adorable sight to see a strong man act cute like a child.
“That’s true,” Jenna said.
“Come on. It was nice to meet you all.” Becky tugged Matthew, and the kids trailed behind them.
“Enjoy. See you around.” Max tipped his head. Jenna linked her arm to Max while the other hand held her daughter’s, and their two sons followed behind.
Though the ice had melted a bit, it tasted heavenly. After dinner, we went to the bar and hung out for an hour, and then we went our separate ways. Josh and I strode along the beach, the sand squishy underneath my feet and cool to touch. The romantic full moon and the stars, bigger and brighter than they seemed at home, soothed me. How small we were, compared to the grandness of the universe.
Many couples lay on the beach and stared out at the mesmerizing view, some swam in the pool, and others enjoyed themselves at the outdoor bar. The soft cool breeze tousled my hair. I savored that moment as Josh took my hand. Comfortable silence filled between us for a short distance until he spoke.
“When we go home, I’m going to want you to sleep in my bed, or me in yours. We already live together. Are you fine with that? Or do you prefer something different?”
I swung our arms as we continued to walk. “How about we switch beds? I don’t care either way.”
Josh started to lead us back to the hotel. “I know you want things slow, especially since our friendship is on the line, but I feel like I’ve known you all my life. It’s so easy to be around you. You make me happy, Isla.”
I halted by the elevator, causing him to stop abruptly. “You make me happy too, Josh.”
Josh gave me a mischievous grin and tilted his head toward the elevator, gesturing for me to get inside when it opened. As soon as the door closed, he cornered me and began to caress my shoulders.
“What are you doing, Josh?” I asked, my voice sultry.
His eyes darkened as his fingers slid down my arm. When they reached my hand, he pinned it up so fast I didn’t realize what he had done until a second later. My heart hammered from the excitement, and blood rushed through my body with lust and heat.
“Doing what I wanted to do during dinner. Eat my dessert first.” His words brushed against my ear as one hand held both of my wrists and the other moved under my dress.
Oh dear God. I had imagined Josh kissing me the way Christian Grey had Ana, but I had not prepared myself for it actually happening. It was too good to be true. And it felt so good and erotic.
“Josh,” I moaned. His licks and kisses on my neck drove me wild, and I moaned deeper when his tongue played with mine—slowly, deliberately, and with purpose, no doubt to push me off the edge. “What if … what if … the elevator stops and people … elevator … come in?” I had no idea what I said. His finger rubbing my sex unleashed something in me, and I leaned toward him, rocking against his finger. Josh lifted my leg, giving him more access. My breath came fast when his thumb rubbed against my clit. I wanted him to take me right there.
Josh pulled back and inhaled a deep breath, as if it would help him cool down, when the elevator chimed. I straightened my dress and took a quick glance at myself in the mirror back wall behind me. When the door opened, a couple with two little girls walked in. Josh and I exchanged glances and chuckled over the fact we almost got caught.
“Good evening,” the father greeted, and we said hello in turn.
When the door opened to our level, we said good night and dashed out. Josh and I had the giggles, and if we stayed in the elevator one second longer, we wouldn’t have been able to stop. I yelped when Josh picked me up, cradled me in his arms, and dashed to his door.
“We’re here. My place or your place?” He flashed a grin.
I didn’t care. I just wanted Josh. “Yours.”
Josh didn’t open the door. Instead, he lightly slammed me against it and seized my lips, hard and rough enough to leave them sore. Then he freed his hands, reached inside his pocket, and unlocked the door behind me, all while he continued to kiss me like there was no tomorrow. When we got inside, my searching hands started to unbutton his shirt, and I yanked his arms through the sleeves. We became two wild beings as we sometimes slammed against the wall, shifting and turning our bodies as we stripped each other almost naked.
Josh pulled away, panting, and stared at me lovingly as his chest rose and fell to the same beat as mine. His eyes roamed my body, taking every inch of me in, as my eyes did on his tattooed chest and arms. He was the ultimate sculptured body. A work of art.
“You’re beautiful, Isla.” Josh’s eyes held mine, teasing me.
I shyly dipped my head lower to see our clothes tossed about every which way as heat rushed up my body and to my face. Then I set my eyes on him, a pair of boxers blocking my view of the rest of that god-like body.
“I think we have too many clothes on,” I said, my tone soft and flirty.
“We should do something about that.” Josh took two long strides and kissed me.
Our lips fit like two puzzle pieces matching perfectly as one while our hands explored each other’s bodies. Everywhere he touched burned with the need for more of him. Lust and love filled the space between and around us, and all the pent-up desire broke free. The room spun as Josh’s kisses trailed down my neck, shoulder, and lower to my breast. I moaned when he sucked my nipples and yanked off my bra.
Dizzy and delirious, I hadn’t realized my back touched the wall. Pinning my hands to my sides, he slowly kissed and licked downward. “I’m going to take my time pleasuring you,” he murmured, the warmth of his lips shot hot electrifying tingles through every vein and muscle. I whimpered and cried out softly when he pulled my panties aside and rocked his tongue against my clit.
“Oh God,” I yelped, my knees buckling from the intensity of pleasure.
When Josh released my hands, I pushed my fingers through his hair loosely and moved to the rhythm of his tongue. Fuck! I wanted him. I need him inside me.
“Josh.” I panted even faster when he pushed a finger inside me. Getting up from his knees, he took my lips again while one hand massaged my breast and the other hand fucked me.
“Oh. God. Josh. I can’t. I need,” I breathed, tossing my head from side to side, my hips moving with his finger. Just when I was about to come, Josh pulled back.
“I’ll be right back.” He went to the bathroom and came out with a condom. “Want to put it on me?” His heated eyes dared me.
I took a step to him, and I took my time the way he had done with me. Ever so slowly, I pulled down his briefs while one hand felt the length of him. Then I lowered myself at the same time his boxers pooled around his feet. Just as I imagined so many nights in my bed alone, Josh was beautiful.
Josh growled and groaned when my mouth encased his dick. When his hands gripped my hair and tugged a little harder, I sucked in air as another level of arousal seeped through me. I gagged a little when I took in the full length of him, especially when he began to rock his hard ass toward me. He tasted so delicious; I couldn’t get enough.
“You have to stop,” Josh hissed, pulling me up. “Fuck, Isla. I was about to come inside your mouth. We have to slow down. I’ve imagined being inside you for so long, I’m about to explode.” Then he began to kiss me. His naked body seared mine as we pressed against each other.
Tossing the blankets aside, Josh gently laid me on the bed. I watched as he slid the condom on his dick, and it was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen. I could watch him do that a thousand times. After he finished, his eyes held mine, taunting me, and then hovered over me.
His body heat unraveled me. I had never felt so nervous in my life. That was Josh. My best friend. The one I’d dreamt about making love with countless times. It was really happening. Josh smiled, caressing my hair, and said, “I can’t believe you’re mine.” Then he crushed his l
ips to mine.
Josh took his time kissing, licking, and sucking all over my body. We explored each other’s bodies like a real loving couple. It was nothing like sex with other guys. What Josh and I had was real. We weren’t just fucking. We were making love to each other.
“Ready, Isla?” Josh asked sweetly.
“I’m more than ready. I’m an ocean down there.” I let out a soft laugh but gasped when he thrust inside me.
“Oh. God.” I closed my eyes at first from the pleasure exploding inside me. Josh too closed his eyes and bit his lips as if he needed time to take it all in, and then he opened his eyes again to lock on mine and started pounding faster.
Blood rushed to my head, and my back arched. As euphoric fireworks shot through my body, my fingernails dug into his back.
“Isla, you feel so good,” he breathed, his body pressed to mine as he continued to thrust.
“Josh,” I panted. “Oh, God.” I could no longer handle how much he offered. My toes curled, my fingers tangled in the bed sheets, and my body felt so good and too much at the same time.
Josh slowed his pace, matching his eyes to mine with a smile, lighting up the room, and then he gave me all of him. People say when you have sex with the person you love, it is the most incredible feeling in the world. I had never known what that felt like because I had never loved a man before. I’ve had short-term boyfriends, but I never loved them the way I loved Josh.
Although our relationship had just begun, our friendship jumped our dating time forward a year. Being around him had always made me happy. At that moment, I understood happiness to the depth of my soul.
“Josh,” I cried out his name as I climaxed.
“Isla.” Josh closed his eyes and then opened them. His heated eyes told me he was close to being undone.
