Page 52 of Unraveling the Truth About Love
“But…if you’ve never had a woman here…”
He shrugged. “It’s you, Riley. My heart always wanted it to be you.”
“That’s a lot of pressure for a girl,” she said. She went to the mantel, which was decoratedwith family photos in mismatched, though expensive, wood frames. Pictures of each of his siblings, his father, and even one photograph of Max and Jade sitting side by side, smiled back at her.
“Your mom,” she said, pointing to the one of Adriana Braden. His mother had been stunning, with auburn hair and green eyes, just like Savannah. In the photograph, her eyes sparkled and her mouth was open,her head angled back, as if she had been caught laughing.
“She’s always around,” he said.
She crossed the living room to the balcony, upon which were two iron chairs. “Your favorite place,” she said, taking in Central Park below, the vast expanse of nature contrasted sharply against the concrete world around it. “No wonder you live here.”
She spun around and found Josh smiling with that lovinglook in his eyes again. Her heart warmed as she went to his side. “I love it,” she said. “This feels like you…only bigger.”
He smirked.
She swatted his chest. “Stop thinking about sex.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Wanna see the bedroom?”
She followed him down the hall and through a large sitting room with a magnificent fireplace. “Wow, this is incredible.” She noticed aMen’s Journalon the coffeetable and more family photographs on the mantel. They walked through double pocket doors to the master bedroom, which was almost as large as the sitting room. The king-sized bed was placed off center, flanked by mahogany bedside tables, each topped with a lamp. The lamp on the left was more masculine than the one on the right, with a slightly darker shade and a chunkier base. The hardwood floorwas partially covered with a deep white rug. In the corner of the room were two leather reading chairs with lights perched above and an oversized ottoman before them. Both of the chairs had soft-looking throws on them as well. In the center of the long dresser was a large framed family photo. Riley ran her finger over the children in the picture.
“Y’all were so young,” she said.
“That was takenin Wellfleet, Massachusetts, with my mom. We used to rent a little cottage there when we were young. Treat actually bought it a few years ago. That picture was taken the last time she was there.” He stared at the frame as he said it, as if memories were unraveling right before his eyes.
Riley went to the bed and sat, sinking into the thick comforter. “Who decorated?”
“You’re really asking methat? I did, of course.”
“Everything is made for a man and a woman, a very close couple, it seems.”
Josh smiled. “I guess I always hoped to find you,” he said, coming closer to her with a seductive look in his eye.
She patted the comforter. “This thing must be four inches thick.”
“Six.” He positioned himself above Riley, her feet between his, and leaned over her so she was forced to lie backon the bed.
“You are an overachiever,” she teased.
“So? Do you see me differently now, too?” He ran his hand beneath her shirt and kissed her cheek, planting a trail of kisses down her neck.
“I know you a little better now,” she said, lifting her head, baring more of her beautiful neck.
“You do, do you?”
“I always knew family was important to you, but being in your home and seeing your familyso alive in everything you own, it makes me feel like you’re the man I always thought you were.” Riley closed her eyes.
“And who is that man?”
“The man from Weston who puts family above all else. The man with a heart bigger than all of New York City,” she said in a breathy whisper.
Josh did a sexy striptease, then he teased and taunted Riley until she thought she’d lose her mind. And finally,he made sweet love to her.
After, as they lay together, he whispered, “I love you, Riley Banks.”
“I love you, too, but I really loved your little striptease.” She traced the line of his jaw with her finger, then kissed his chin. “How was the first woman in your bed?”
“Don’t you mean the first and last?” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “Perfect.”
