Page 40 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
“No, that’s not it.” She closed her eyes and let Jade in on her secret fears. “The problem is, I like him way more than I thought I did, and it’s scary. I think of him all the time. When he calls, my pulse races. When he kisses me… Oh, Jade, it’s so muchmore than toe-curling sex. We’re so comfortable when we’re together, even with the sneaking around. It’s like we’ve been together forever. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I’m so confused. And hiding it all at work just totally sucks.”
“It’s all good, except thehiding itthing. I wish you weren’t stuck with that. That’s really stressful.”
“I could quit and then there would be no issue.”Riley heard the regret in her own voice again, as she had the night before.
“You’re insane. He’d never want you to do that. This will work out. These things always do. Besides, he set Cruella straight. Maybe she’ll quit.”
“I don’t want her to quit. I just want her to be nice. Besides, it’s not just her. Everyone will think I slept my way to the top. Cruella’s just the most vicious of them all.”Riley paced the hallway. The conversation was making her nervous. She didn’t want to think about Claudia finding out about her and Josh. “Enough about me. How are you? What’s going on?” she asked.
“I’m great. You’re coming home for Christmas, right?” Jade asked.
“I promised you an outfit; of course I’ll come home. Did you get the pic I faxed?”
“Yes, and I loved it. You’re so talented,” Jadesaid. “How do you find the time?”
“I don’t eat,” Riley joked.
“Oh no. You cannot become one of those girls.”
“I never would,” Riley assured her. “I gotta get ready to go to the office. Love you,” she said.
“You too, Ri. Call me tomorrow. Let me know how things went with the family.”
“You’re a fool. They’re your family, not mine.” Riley laughed.
“They’re not mine officially yet. We’re noteven engaged.”
“Close enough. Gotta run.”
Riley felt better after talking to Jade. She unlocked the front door for Josh and went into the bathroom to shower, then caught sight of the mirror and raised her eyebrows. As she debated taking a quick rinse before he arrived, the front door opened, and a minute later, Josh was leaning against the doorframe, glistening with sweat and looking at herwith a hungry stare.
“I was just thinking about you,” she said. He looked so sexy all revved up from his run.And here I am in nothing but a T-shirt.Under his heated stare, she felt bold. Her hands were drawn to his waist. She lifted his T-shirt and ran her hands up his sweaty chest, then kissed the center of his salty, rippled abs. Her body responded to the taste of him.
“I missed you,” shesaid.
He lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her so tenderly her knees weakened.
“Riley, let me love you,” he whispered against her lips.
Riley’s breath caught in her throat as he slipped out of his clothes, his chest and leg muscles strained against his glistening skin. He held her gaze as he turned on the shower, then lifted her shirt off of her trembling body and led her beneath the warmspray of water. The bathroom filled with steam, but in response to Josh’s tender touch, goose bumps rose on Riley’s skin. He lathered a washcloth and gently washed her from shoulder to fingertips, lifting her arms above her head and doing the same to the sensitive skin beneath, sending another shiver right through her. With a soft touch, he gently ran the washcloth over her skin.
“I realizedsomething when I was running this morning,” he said in a breathy voice.
Riley closed her eyes as he moved to her other side and repeated the same sensuous caresses; then he moved behind her and placed his cheek against hers.
“I want you to feel how much I care for you,” he whispered. He gathered her hair and placed it over her right shoulder. “Not just sexually.” He continued as he washed herback. “You’re an intelligent, kindhearted woman, Riley, and the more I get to know you, the more I want to cherish you.”
Riley opened her eyes as he came around to her front and touched her cheek with his wet palm. She leaned in to the warmth of his hand.Yes! Cherish me, she wanted to say, but her heart had swollen, her throat tightened, and when she opened her mouth to speak, he kissed her.She felt his heat against her belly, hard and ready.
She reached for him and he touched her arm.
“We have all the time in the world. Let me love you. Sex can wait.”
Every inch of Riley called out for Josh. Her heart was so full, and his words touched her deeper than any part of his body ever could. She closed her eyes, and she knew at that moment that she didn’t want to hide what she felt.Not for her career, not to escape the wrath of Claudia. Not for anything.
