Page 22 of Josh Dalton

Zoey: “Are you sure about this?”

Kim gives me one of her beautiful smiles. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Great,” Ryder says. “Now that that’s cleared up, Zoey can stop wanting to kill you.”

Ryder’s attempt at a joke breaks the tension. It’ll be a while before her friends trust me. But that’s okay. At least it’s a start. And things will get better between us when they realize Kim is mine and I plan on making her happy.

I can’t help but smile as Kim visits her friends. She has wormed her way into my life, and it turns out it’s not all that scary.

Ryder raises an eyebrow at me, letting me know he sees the change in me. I shrug, letting him know it’s unexpected, but at least I’m willing.

The night ends up going better than expected, and I take Kim back to my place. She’s exhausted from the long day. So, instead of sex, I hold her until she falls asleep. I’ll just wake her up in the morning with my head between her legs. She’s going to like that.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

KIM

My gown fits perfectly. It’s made of pink lace and shows off my figure. A slit reveals my legs. I wore this once, down the runway. It was nice of Versace to give it to me.

My mother has tried to take it several times, but I’ve always stopped her. I didn’t think I’d ever wear it out, but here’s my chance. I’ve been saving it for something special, and tonight is it.

Josh has to attend a charity event. I don’t know what it’s for, but his mother wants her sons to be there. It’s cute how four grown men can’t say no to their mother.

So tonight, I’m trying to pull off sophisticated. My hair is straight and glossy, my eyes smokey. But the rest of me is understated. Don’t want to outshine this dress.

Knuckles rap on the door. I grab my clutch and hurry toward it. My heels are tall, but they don’t bother me. Modeling has its benefits. I’m used to heels like this. That doesn’t mean, though, that my feet won’t be killing me by the end of the night.

I open the door, and Josh is standing there in his tux. Don’t know who’s more surprised, me or him. He’s lip-smacking handsome; I knew he’d look good in a tux. Every woman in the place will be checking him out.

He has yet to speak. That’s because he’s ogling me. I turn to show him just how low the back dips. I can feel the material brushing against the top of my ass.

For some reason, Josh isn’t thrilled.

“What’s the matter? Don’t you like it?”

He points at me and shakes his head. “You can’t wear that dress.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“The back. It shows too much. You need to find something else.”

It’s low, but I never thought he would have this kind of reaction.

“Josh, we don’t have time for me to change. Besides, I don’t have anything else that would work.” I walk out the door, and Josh is forced to follow. “Just stand behind me, and no one will ever be able to see my back. Problem solved.”

Things stay quiet as we go down the elevator and get into the car.

“I don’t like other men seeing so much of you,” he says.

I understand, but he can’t be telling me what to wear. And besides, if he weren’t with me, I wouldn’t have the nerve to wear a dress like this. I’m more fearless with him at my side.

When we pull up to the event, Josh unfolds from the backseat and helps me out. I make sure my dress is in place before he puts his hand on my naked back. He’s showing ownership… And I like it.

I ignore the photographers and reporters as we walk through the doors. Can’t wait to see what the other girls are wearing tonight.

The Daltons paid for a table, so Rachel and Beth will be here, too. I can’t wait.

I spot our little group not long after we enter. They aren’t very hard to find—the Dalton boys tower over the rest of the crowd.

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