Chapter 4
Kelly
Iwanted to keep my head buried under my covers.
I wanted to ignore today, and the fact that both Josh and I were off.
I wanted to actually ignore him, hoping that last night didn’t happen, and yet still praying that it wasn’t a dream. Because it was both the greatest night, and the worst.
I didn’t want to ruin my friendship with my best friend, but I was worried that I might have. I mean, I was loud, and most men didn’t like that. I had no cares in the world, and again, most men didn’t like that.
I went after what I wanted, and men absolutely hated that.
But rather than push me away or stop me, Josh went with it. And I know he held back the first time, but I felt how wet and sticky he was the second time. He came, even though no one was touching him, and I hate to admit it, I want to feel it again.
Instead, this time, I want it in me.
Or on me.
“Shit,” I muttered, pulling the covers up over me again. “I’m not facing today,” I told myself.
Of course, I should have known that it was short lived because Josh flung open my bedroom door and pounced on my bed, making quick work of my covers and pulling them down.
“Get out of bed, I got plans.”
“Josh,” I whined, but he shook his head.
“Do not let last night ruin anything. We enjoyed it, we had fun, we could do it again, or not. But it doesn’t change us. I don’t regret it, you said you didn’t, is that still true?”
I looked at him, watched as he pushed those damn sexy glasses up on his nose, and grinned.
“It’s still true.”
“Then don’t think about it, Kelly. Now, get up because I made us pancakes, and have a wonderful day planned.”
With that, he slapped my thigh as he got out of bed. I had no choice but to roll my eyes and get up, because I knew just what he would do if I didn’t.
Three hours later, after a shower, and some good breakfast, and even better coffee, we headed out of our town house.
“So, where are we going?” I asked, taking a sip of the coffee he had made for me to go.
Josh was a barista at one of the local coffee shops, and he was amazing. Plus, he did a little IT work on the side. I told him he was a lot smarter than people gave him credit for.
“Why can’t you ever let anything be a surprise?”
“Because I don’t like them. Why do you ask me every time you plan something? It’s like you don’t even know me and that hurts.”
I pretended like a knife had been stabbed in my heart, and he busted out laughing. We walked down the street, his hand grabbing mine. And though it wasn’t unusual, this time it felt right.
I still didn’t know what we were, or what to make of it, but I wouldn’t question it. Not right now.
I wanted to trust that Josh knew me well enough that I didn’t want to fall alone, and that he’d always catch me if I did.
“I wanted to do something that we haven’t done since we were kids. We’re both off today and it’s the opening day, so it’s perfect.”
“Oh my gosh, we’re going ice skating?”
“Yes!”
I beamed at him, so grateful for him.
“You’re the best, Josh.”
“Oh, can I get you to record that for future you who refuses to acknowledge that?”
I slapped his arm as he steered us to the front counter, paying for both of us. If I didn’t know better, I would say this almost felt like a date.
“To be young and in love again,” an older lady said, walking behind us. “You two lovebirds have fun,” she told us, waving as she walked away with her husband. I wanted to shout that we weren’t lovebirds, but she was already gone. Josh glanced at me, giving me a shrug, and I could only agree.
It wasn’t the first time someone had said something to us like that, but just like the hand holding, this felt right. Even though I wanted to spill the truth.
“Are you ready to show me what those legs can really do?”
I lifted a brow as I looked at him. Did we flirt? Not really. But it seems that side has now opened up with him, and I didn’t mind.
“Excuse me, but I do believe you already have seen what they can do,” I teased. He grabbed my waist, stopping me from walking away.
“I have seen. Can’t wait to see it again. Even better yet, I can’t wait to feel them wrapped around my head,” he whispered, making shivers race down my spine.
And all of a sudden, I couldn’t wait to do all of that with him either.
I stumbled onto the ice once I had my skates on. Not because I didn’t know how to skate; I did. I lived in cold places all my life. But his words had me off balance, and I didn’t know what to make of it.
Not that it was a bad thing, because it wasn’t.
“Did I mention that those leggings make your ass look squeezable.”
I paused in my skating and stared at him.
“Are you in a teasing mode now, or something, Josh?”
“Not teasing, just flirting. Getting you all riled up is rather fun to watch though. Your cheeks get flushed and your lips get pouty. Has no one flirted with you?”
I pushed past him, making a lap around the rink while I thought over his question. And the answer was no, no one ever had. And I think I was missing out.
The follow-up thought to that was that the ladies were missing out. Because not only could Josh kiss, but he also flirted and lavished like no one else. He was a man many wanted, but few actually claimed.
That had always broken my heart of course, because Josh was amazing, who wouldn’t want him? I nearly fell thinking about the fact that I wanted him. Not just as a best friend, but more, but I didn’t know what that road looked like.
His arms slipped around me, and I stared at him, a smile on my lips.
“Hey pretty lady,” he teased.
“You saved me,” I threw back, making him laugh.
“Don’t you know, Kelly, no matter what, I’ll always be here if you fall?”
I did know. But would the statement remain true if I decided to fall in love as well?