Page 13 of Fierce Family

“Let me see,” I lean back. His closeness makes me feel woozy and it’s difficult to think. “I haven’t slept with a man since my divorce,” I whisper. My openness seems totake him by surprise and, frankly, I’m not sure why I’ve told him that. Maybe I just want to see his reaction or maybe I just want to see if I can get what I need. Girl power and all.

“Which was when?” he asks cautiously.

“Nine years ago.” Nine years, that does sound like a pretty long time when I say it out loud. Josh’s eyes turn dark and he moves closer.

“Nine years no orgasms?” he asks. I might be imagining it, but his voice seems to have dropped.

“Who said anything about no orgasms?” I laugh. “I have two hands and a BOB.”

“B... O... B?” He looks confused.

I put my mouth right next to his ear and whisper, “Battery operated boyfriend.”

Josh swears under his breath and drops his napkin in his lap.

“Sheila, you’re killing me. You’ve pushed me away for months—”

“I have done no such thing.”

He cups my chin and makes me look at him, “Yes you have, and you know it. And then you share something like this over dinner. You’re an enigma. I can’t read you. I don’t know if you’re flirting or just toying with me.” He studies me carefully.

“Josh.” I place my hand on his arm which is still holding my chin. “I don’t play games. Fuck, yes, I find you attractive. Who wouldn’t? But I’m a single mum with two teenage sons and a busy fulltime job. I don’t have time for a relationship.”

He lets his arm drop, disappointed.

“But I’m not too busy for a friend with benefits,” I reply and wiggle my eyebrows.You go, girl, you take what you need!

“What if I want… more?”

No, no, this is not how a guy is supposed to react. He is supposed to jump at the idea of a casual shag.

“I can’t give you that, Josh,” I’m adamant. He leans back and seems to think about what I have just said.

Okay, this is why women aren’t the ones who normally make the first move. This is awful. We are in for a mighty uncomfortable ride home if he declines my… request.I just asked this guy to fuck me, no strings attached. Bloody hell!

“Okay,” he finally agrees. I release the breath I had been holding.

Shit, he just said yes. What now?

“I think we should seal the deal with a kiss,” I whisper.Oh wow, I think I’ve officially gone insane.Josh hesitates for a second before leaning forward, sliding an arm around my waist and pulling me closer. My body collides with his as much as it’s possible to when sitting around a table.

His free hand slides to the back of my neck and into my hair and he leans his forehead against mine.

“Do you want me to stop?” His words are only meant for me.Do I?

“No,” I reply with a moan. His lips are so close to mine I can almost taste them.

“Good.” He gently presses a kiss on the corner of my mouth. His lips slide over my mouth until he fuses us in a proper kiss. His tongue strokes over mine and ignites a fire in me that courses through my veins until it strikes the target between my legs.

My fingers look for something to anchor me to him and grab hold of his T-shirt. I kiss him back with all the need and passion he’s stoked in me until a deep growl erupts from his chest. We break apart, panting.

“Holy fuck,” I whisper.

“That,” Josh confirms and leans back, pulling me against his chest.

“Sorry to interrupt, but would you and yourfriendlike some dessert?” His sister-in-law has appeared out of nowhere with a shit-eating grin telling us that she saw everything.

“I... sure.” Dessert isn’t really what I want, but for now I just need some time to gather my thoughts.

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