Page 26 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
“Whatever it is, we can figure it out,” he assured her.
Riley sighed.“Do you really want to do this?”Why do I sound so scared? I hate that.
“This? You mean”—he pressed his body against hers and kissed her cheek—“orthisas in you and me in general?”
“This as in you and me in general.”Please tell me you do. No, please tell me you don’t. Ugh!
He pulled back and narrowed his eyes. “Forget what I want, Riley. What do you want? What will make you happiest? I don’tever want to thrust myself upon you. If you don’t want to explore what’s between us, I’ll understand, and your job will be safe.”
“No.” She reached for his arm and felt his muscles tense beneath her fingers. “Josh, there’s no doubt in my mind that I want you, and I don’t want to hide and scheme. But I don’t know if I can survive a gossip storm before I even have a chance to prove myself.”
Hepulled her close once again, holding the back of her head so her cheek rested against his chest, safe and warm.
“Oh, babe. This is not an easy thing to figure out.” He pulled back and smiled, then cupped her cheek and kissed her. “But I want to figure it out. Let’s talk about it.” He took her hand and led her to the couch.
“Where’d you go this morning?” she asked.
“Running; then I swung bymy place and grabbed clothes and toiletries.”
“You ran with your bags?” she asked.
“No. Jay brought them over. I didn’t want you to think I was taking off after last night, but I’m kind of neurotic about my daily run. Was it okay that I came back?”
“Yes, definitely. But why did you—instead of getting ready at your place, I mean?”
“Riley, I wanted to exercise, not be away from you. I want tospend time with you, and if you’re most comfortable that we do that in secret, then I’ll steal every secret second that I can get. Besides, what kind of heel doesn’t bring coffee the morning after a night like that?” He ran a hand through his hair. “I probably should have asked you first. I’m sorry. I didn’t even think that I might get in the way or throw off your mojo. Women have rituals in themornings.” He laughed. “I’m a big boy. I can get ready at my place, no sweat.” He stood.
Riley pulled him back down. “Josh, that’s not what I meant at all. I’ve never met anyone like you. Most guys would be out the door and thrilled with it. You surprised me, that’s all. Stay. Please stay.”
He caressed her cheek. “I’m not most guys.”
“Yeah, I know that. Most guys wouldn’t offer to talk througha concern, either.”
He raised his eyebrows. “It is a tough one. There aren’t many choices. We can go to work and act like nothing is going on and see where our relationship goes, or we can go to work and face the music and endure the rumor mill. There is no middle ground. I’m up for whatever you think is best.”
“You really are too good to be true. Aren’t you worried at all about dating an employee?A brand-new assistant? You’re not just my boss, Josh; you’re a fashion icon. You run JBD. No, youareJBD. Doesn’t it worry you to date someone from work, or…”
“Or what?”
Riley looked him in the eye and asked what had been nagging at her all morning. “Or have you dated people at work before? Are they used to it? You know, models come and go from JBD all the time.”
Before she could blink, Joshwas on top of her, holding her hands above her head and kissing her neck. Riley shrieked in surprise and delight.
“Really? Is that what you think I do? Find lonely assistants and models to sleep with?” He lifted her T-shirt and kissed her belly. “Because let me tell you something, missy, not only have I not dated anyone from work, but I’ve never dated anyone like you before.” He tickled her ribsuntil she was screeching with laughter.
“Okay. Okay,” she said through broken laughs.
He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her again.I could get used to this.
“I think we’re in trouble,” he said.
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.”
