Tell Me Something (The "Something" Series Book 1) (25 page)

“Uh, I’m still out of town actually. No, I’ll be back day after tomorrow. Um, I’m not sure of her plans. I think she mentioned California.” He gave me a pained look, and I picked up my phone to call Catherine back. Time to come to the rescue.

“Yes I’ll hold.” He mouthed
thank you
to me.

“Catherine, hi…” That was all I got out before she started.

“He’s engaged. He’s engaged to that little actress. What is she, twenty-one or something? The divorce is barely final, and he’s engaged. She’s probably pregnant. God, I almost forgot I have Josh on the other line. Let me release him and come back. Can you hold a second?”

“Sure.” I watched as Josh hung up his phone. He then came over to kiss the top of my head in a gesture that told me he was very grateful.

“So tell me all of it from the beginning. Did he call you?”

This led to a long story of finding out from a friend of a friend and then a story about the twenty-one-year-old wannabe Broadway star, who evidently was dumber than a box of rocks.

I walked around the kitchen, watching Josh chop vegetables and enjoying the little touches as he kept reading my face to ensure I was okay with the conversation.

“All right, Catherine, I’m going to give it to you bluntly. You ready?” I tried to ignore Josh, who had turned around with his arms folded as if wondering what I was going to say. “Do you want him back? I mean is there any part of you that misses him and wishes you guys could be together right now?”

“No,” she admitted in a small voice.

“That’s what I thought. So now he is someone else’s problem. You need to flip your way of thinking. You think of it as losing him, but in fact you tossed him back, and the only woman who will have him now is one who is dumb enough to believe he’s a catch. Honestly, Catherine, if he had ended up with some foreign correspondent with a PhD and Nobel Prize, I would be just as upset as you are, wondering why the world is so unfair. But it kind of sounds to me like he got the only girl who would put up with him.”

“I know, but it still hurts,” she confessed.

I instantly felt sympathetic. “I know it does, and I’m sorry you’re going through this. You don’t deserve it.”

“And he’s coming to the same New Year’s Eve party that I go to every year with her. I really don’t want to see them.”

“Then don’t go. Why put yourself through that?”

Josh turned around to watch me again.

“Because I have my pride, and this has always been the party I go to. He’s only going to, as you said, hurt me. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction,” she sniffed.

I sighed wishing there was something more I could do. “I understand, but if it means you will end up putting on a brave face and going home to cry your eyes out, I say skip it. Go to a party where you will actually have a good time.”

“Maybe you’re right. Hey, how is California? I’ve been blubbering, and here you are spending your first holiday without your family. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, and thank you for asking. I’m doing all right. The day itself was rough, but I’m in a good place now.”

“Good. I’ll let you go, Haylee. Thank you for talking me down. I think I’m going to ask Josh to do me a favor and pretend we are more than friends for the party. I mean it’s only one night.”

“Uh, yeah, I don’t know about that.”

“I know talking about your boss makes you uncomfortable. Anyhow, I’ll call you once I’m back. I’d love to do dinner or something.”

Oh, she had no idea how much it did, especially at the moment. “Dinner sounds great.”

We finished our call, and I walked over to where Josh was seasoning the steaks.

“She all right?” he inquired.

I put my arms around him. “Yeah, I think she will be.”

***

We watched the sun set, enjoying our dinner on the beach. Josh took my hand and stared into my eyes.

I could feel my heart in my throat.

“If I’m being honest, I didn’t like that you and Catherine were becoming friends, and, aside from the fashion, I wasn’t sure that you two would have much in common. But now I realize you’re good for her. You don’t sugarcoat it, but you’re still very kind with your words. Maybe your logical female mind can help counter her illogical one. Not that she’s always like this. She hasn’t been thinking clearly since the divorce, and I’m not equipped to be as sympathetic as you seem to be. Anyhow, I wanted you to know that I appreciate you coming to my rescue, and I understand now why you two are friends.”

“It’s always easier to be logical when you’re not the one emotionally invested. I do feel somewhat guilty however.”

“For what?”

“Josh, she’d give anything to be here with you right now, and here I am, happy, and there she is, miserable.”

He shook his head. “She wouldn’t be happy; she only thinks she would be. And more importantly, I wouldn’t be happy, and you wouldn’t be happy. I get that you feel somewhat guilty. Hell, even I did when she asked if I knew where you were and here I was looking at you, but it is what it is.”

Why he didn’t get that he could avoid the whole guilt thing was beyond me. He could stop going out with Catherine on dates to start. Considering she was hoping to use him on New Year’s to try to make her ex-husband jealous, it was obvious she was still hoping for more. It nagged at me, but the reminder that this was only temporary kept me from opening my mouth. “What do you want to do tomorrow on our last day?” I questioned, wanting to change the subject.

He appeared relieved. “Lay around naked, enjoy the sun, take a walk on the beach, take a naked swim, lay around some more naked.”

“That’s a lot of naked time,” I laughed.

“Oh, I think it’s just right. Matter of fact, I think we should start with naked dessert eating and naked dish washing tonight.”

Pulling my sundress over my head, I revealed that was all it took to be naked.

“I’m loving this whole sundress no panties look.” And just like that, he was chasing me into the kitchen and making good use of our naked time together.

New Year’s Eve in New York was magical, but it was also crazy town. For example, the way people stood freezing outside in Times Square for the entire day. I had no interest in that and woke early to go for a very cold and crisp run. Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that the sidewalks were icy by taking a spill.

With my knees and hands scraped from trying to catch my fall, I ran gingerly the back to the building. When I hobbled out of the elevator, I was met with Josh’s concerned look.

“Where were you?”

“I was running, but I fell. It’s icy outside.” I held up my hands to expose the evidence of my tumble.

He walked over and took my palms, inspecting them. “I don’t want you running outside anymore. It’s winter, and there can be ice on the ground or falling from the buildings. Not to mention on New Year’s Eve all the crazies filter into the city.”

“Well, as much as I think you being worried about me is nice, try to be reasonable about such things. I need to run. I’ll simply be more careful next time.”

“You can use my treadmill.”

“What, where? In your apartment?”

“Yes, I have a gym that includes a treadmill, stair climber, and some free weights.”

“Uh, okay. Thanks.”

“Let’s get these cleaned up.”

I had expected him to take me into my place, but instead he led me into his.

“So this is obviously the living room, kitchen to the left, down here is the master bedroom and bath.” He led me through, giving me the abbreviated tour.

“What’s this door?” I asked, looking at the closed door across from the master bedroom.

“My office, which is locked.”

Uh, okay.

Back towards the kitchen, we went down a small hall. “Another bathroom and then this…” He opened the door. “…is the gym.”

It was nice, with a large flat screen on one wall and on the other a view of the city with a floor-to-ceiling window.

“Oh, and here is the laundry room.” He opened the door across from the gym to show me. “You can do your laundry here instead of going to the laundromat from now on.”

“Thanks, but Josh…”

He shook his head. “No buts. There is no reason for you to be out in the freezing cold to run or do your laundry. Come over here instead. Matter of fact...” He led me back to the kitchen and fished out a key from one of the drawers. “Here’s a key.”

Whoa.

“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” He took my hand and led me into the master bath where he had me sit on the edge of the huge sunken tub while he went into one of the drawers and brought back a small first aid kit.

“I appreciate the offer and the key, but I don’t want to intrude on your space. It seems kind of sudden.”

He met my eyes and frowned again. “It’s not sudden, it’s practical.”

As if it wasn’t bad enough that I was living in his guest apartment, now I was going to use his treadmill and washing machine too? Blowing out a breath, I tamped down on the uncomfortable thought of becoming more reliant on him. By his own admission, his intentions were
practical
, and considering just a few weeks ago I hadn’t been allowed to see the inside of his space, this was a big step for him when it came to trust. “Okay, thank you.”

He made quick work out of cleaning up my scrapes, even pulling off my pants to clean my knees.

“I feel like a little kid,” I giggled while he blew on the antiseptic to keep it from burning too much.

“Well, I don’t feel like a parent right now as I can smell your pussy, and all I want to do is shove my face in it.”

Holy shit.

His hand cupped my sex through my panties. “Ah, you’re soaking, baby.” When he dragged them down, I protested.

“Josh, I was running and am sweaty—”

“I know, and I love it.” He practically dove in, causing me to just about buck off the tub. “I feel like I know your scent now. That beautiful, sexy scent for me. It makes me crazy for you.”

That admission made me hotter. His mouth suckled my clit gently and then harder with his tongue circling it, ensuring I wouldn’t last long. I climaxed quickly.

He stood up and stripped me swiftly, then turned on the water, grinning. “It’s not a steam shower, but it does have a nice built in shelf that I’m going to fuck you on.”

The shower was glorious with water coming from both sides at all levels, but I only had a moment to appreciate it. Then I was being lifted up and impaled on that shelf. I enjoyed the overriding sensations and the fact that I had a great angle to grab his glorious backside and hang on. I loved the fact that he couldn’t seem to get enough of me since the feeling was quite mutual. Calling his name, I felt my core tighten followed by a release that sent pleasure coursing clear down to my toes.

“I always figured that this shower would be good for this someday,” he murmured in my ear.

Kissing him deeply, I suckled on his bottom lip and caressed his face. “Are you telling me we christened your shower?”

“That we did, and the edge of that bathtub for that matter.”

Well, now, that was a surprise. “I thought maybe you lived here when you were married or brought girls back here at some point.”

“I bought the place after the divorce and I like my privacy. You’re the first woman I’ve had any physical relationship with in this place. I can tell from your big old grin that pleases you.”

“Matter of fact, it does.”

“We can plan on christening the bed later this evening if that sounds good?”

“Mm, it really does, but unfortunately I won’t be back until late tonight. New Year’s Eve party, remember.”

He looked disappointed but then helped me down and soaped me up. “Right. You’re going out with Will while I’m out with Catherine.” He sounded frustrated as he worked a lather between my thighs.

I had called Will yesterday when we arrived home since I was not going to sit at home on New Year’s waiting for Josh to get back from his evening with Catherine. We may have reached a new intimacy in our relationship, but that didn’t mean I had changed my resolve against acting pathetic.

I caught my breath. “Jesus, you make me want you again just by washing me,” I admitted, liking the fact that he was now smiling again.

“Are you sore?”

He rubbed gently, and I found myself getting all worked up for another round. “A little, but not bad. Are you?”

He grinned and kept the rhythm, taking me over the edge for a third time this morning. “Carpal tunnel maybe,” he teased.

“You know what isn’t sore on me which make me feel like maybe it isn’t being used enough?”

He seemed intrigued. “What’s that?”

“My mouth.” I dropped to my knees and took his crown between my lips, enjoying the feel of his cock going from semi to rock hard again with a couple of licks. The sound of him groaning my name and his hands plunging through my hair ignited my arousal all over again. I worked his thick erection with my tongue and then suckled at his balls enjoying the primal sounds he was making when my lips traveled even further down. His thighs tensed and his length swelled in my hands.

“Christ, I’m going to…” A groan cut off what he was about to say. I put him to the back of my throat as deep as I could and then swallowed the hot evidence of his orgasm.

“You know we’re going to kill each other. Death by sex,” he smirked.

“It’s a little out of control, isn’t it?”

He laughed. “I can think of worse things, but unfortunately we are going to have to rein it in and get back to a daily routine at some point. But then we have sex marathon weekends to look forward to.”

Ooh, I liked the idea of that and giggled. “That sounds intriguing for sure.”

***

Josh was in a foul mood while watching me get ready for my New Year’s Eve date with Will. Standing there in his tux, he could hardly say much about it considering he was going out with Catherine.

“Whose party is it?” he inquired for the second time tonight.

My answer didn’t changed. “I’m not sure. Will said it had something to do with a modeling gig he did. All I know is it’s black tie and uptown.”

He frowned. I knew his party was downtown and a much higher profile deal. “I think that Catherine could use the moral support if you were to come to the party we’re going to.”

It wasn’t the first time he had hinted. I was, in fact, tempted, if for no other reason than to be able to see him tonight. But the thought of watching him kiss her at midnight was not something I was going to put myself through. Catherine might not want to follow my advice to avoid unnecessary drama, but I was definitely going to.

“I don’t think so,” I said, spritzing on my perfume.

“Give me one good reason. It will be a better party than the one you’re going to, and I’m sure Will could use the exposure in the fashion industry. It’s practically a who’s who.”

Considering Will had just been signed by Calvin Klein, he didn’t need any favors, but more importantly, Josh wasn’t getting it. My glance conveyed my annoyance. “Okay, I’ll give you two reasons. One, I don’t want to watch you kiss Catherine at midnight, and two, I don’t think you want to watch Will kiss me.”

That earned me an instantly annoyed look. “So you are going to kiss him?” he asked.

And we were back to that again. “Josh, everyone kisses everyone at midnight. It will be brief. With any luck, I’ll just play his wingman to help find him someone else at the party.”

“I quite like that idea. Yes, let’s find Will a girlfriend.”

So much for never wanting to play matchmaker.

***

I eased out of bed, since Josh was still sound asleep, and padded back to my room in order to don my workout gear.

The party had been a lot of fun the night before. Will and I had enjoyed dancing and then counting down to midnight. I had arrived home shortly after one o’clock in the morning and was happy to see that Josh had beat me there. I’d curled up into his arms and enjoyed the slow, sleepy sex until we both fell into slumber.

What better timing than now to make use of his treadmill. I was sure Josh would be sleeping off a hangover this morning. Donning my headphones and turning on my music, I was five miles in before I noticed him watching me sleepily from the doorway. I slowed down to a walking speed and tossed him a smile.

“I hope I didn’t wake you.”

He shook his head. “No. I was simply enjoying the view. You know, I had this vision of you jogging all cute and burning a couple calories, but now I see what Brian was talking about. You truly run, don’t you?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah him making that comment in front of everyone in Charlotte annoyed me. It made it sound like I was slow-mo Baywatch running or something.”

He chuckled. “Watching you run is much more real. I guess I get his initial infatuation now.”

I pressed the stop button and wiped my face with my towel. “Does that mean you’re infatuated?” I moved in front of him, and he took my mouth in a searing kiss.

“Something like that.”

“Happy New Year.”

“Mm, Happy New Year. Did you have a nice time last night?”

“I did, actually. Will is a great dancer, and we spent a lot of time doing just that.”

“Better him than me. I don’t dance.”

I smiled, remembering that tidbit written in all capital letters on his personal dislikes sheet. “How was your time with Catherine? Any drama with the ex?”

“No, luckily he was a no-show. All that work up, and he doesn’t even come. It was fine, but I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.” I returned.

“Catherine said she called you about coming in the day after tomorrow for the photo reveal?” he inquired, taking my hand.

“She did. I’m anxious to find out how they turned out.”

“I’m sure they will be great. Now then, let’s get to your post workout routine.”

His arms lifted me up, and I giggled, looking forward to it.

***

Nerves were getting to me about how the photos had turned out when I made my way, together with Sasha and Brian, to a conference room on Catherine’s floor. Will was there and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Sasha was humming with excitement, and I noticed that she and Brian appeared to be uncharacteristically quiet around one another. We all took our seats around the long rectangular table facing towards the screen setup at the end of the room.

Catherine came in all smiles with her assistant and looked like she was holding back a secret. “Okay, please sit. Dim the lights, Erin,” she directed her assistant, and there I was up on the big screen. “Here are the final shots we decided to go with for each look,” she said, scrolling through them.

It was hard to believe that striking woman in the photographs was me, and I was so engrossed in taking in all of the details that I barely noticed Josh come in. We went through each of the dresses and scenes. I blushed when we got to the one with Will and me in my lingerie. It made us look like a couple as it was intimate and beautifully done with us lying on the bed looking at one another while he caressed my face. I silently applauded Bart for making the pictures look amazing and tasteful.