Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
MOLLY
Sam sits across from us by the pool, his expression carefully neutral as he takes a slow sip of his beer. Josh’s hand tightens on mine.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I mutter, lifting my own bottle. “You’re freaking me out.”
Sam’s lips quirk up. “Just processing. Though I can’t say I’m surprised.”
Josh leans forward. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Come on,” Sam chuckles, setting his beer down. “I’ve known about your thing for Molly since we were kids.
“Jesus, Sam.” Josh runs a hand through his hair.
“Look, it’s a shock but it’s not unexpected. Which means I can either get on board or make my concerns known. And I do have a few concerns.”
Sam’s gaze meets mine. “I need to know you’re serious about this. Molly’s my little sister. And you’re my friend and business partner. If this works out, it’s a fucking dream come true for me.”
“Because you get to spend every significant event with your bestie.” I roll my eyes. “I get it.”
“Yeah. But if this doesn’t work, then I potentially lose a best friend and colleague.”
My heart warms at my brother’s loyalty.
“I love her,” Josh says simply. The way he says it, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world, makes my chest squeeze.
Sam studies him for a long moment. “I know you do. That’s what worries me.”
“Why?”
“Cause if this goes bad, it’s gonna break you.”
I glance up at Josh to find him nodding. “It’s a legitimate fear. But what’s love if not courage?”
Sam hisses between his teeth. “That’s a good line.”
Josh’s lip quirk. “We could add it into—”
“Boys,” I call, drawing their attention back to the situation at hand. “Shop talk can wait.”
“Right. Just promise me one thing.” Sam lifts his beer. “When you get married, I better be the best man.”
Josh chokes on his drink while I laugh.
“Bold of you to assume I’d pick anyone else,” Josh says once he recovers.
Sam grins, reaching across to clink his bottle against ours. “To my two favorite people finally getting their shit together.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I say dryly.
“Hey, I’ve been shipping this since we were teenagers.” Sam winks. “Just don’t make me regret it.”
“Never,” Josh promises, and the way he looks at me makes my heart flutter.
Sam groans. “And that’s my cue to leave before you two get disgustingly naked again.”
“Yes, go,” I say, leaning over to press a kiss to Josh’s cheek. “I need space to ravish.”
“I hate you both,” Sam declares, but he’s smiling as he stands. He pauses by Josh’s chair, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “Take care of each other.”
As Sam leaves, Josh pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”
I laugh softly. “No, it wasn’t. Though I’m a little concerned about how many people knew about your feelings before I did.”
“In my defense,” Josh says, his eyes twinkling, “you were a bit oblivious.”
“Well,” I say, sliding onto his lap, “I’m not anymore.”
His hands settle on my hips as he smiles up at me. “No, you’re not.”
“I love you,” I whisper, because I can’t not say it when he’s looking at me like that.
“I love you too, Pahe. Always have.”
Josh’s hands slide under the hem of my shirt, his calloused fingertips leaving trails of heat against my skin. The rough texture of his palms contrasts with the gentleness of his touch as he traces the curve of my waist, pulling me closer until I’m pressed against the solid warmth of his chest.
“Pahe,” he whispers, his breath hot against my ear. The familiar endearment sends shivers down my spine. His hands continue their exploration, mapping every curve and hollow like he’s committing me to memory.
I arch into his touch, my fingers tangling in the soft curls at the nape of his neck.
The scent of him surrounds me – soap and sand with a touch of coffee and something uniquely Josh that makes my head spin.
His mouth finds that sensitive spot below my ear, and I gasp, tightening my grip in his hair.
“I’ve dreamed of this,” he murmurs against my skin, his voice rough with desire. His lips trail down my neck, alternating between kisses and gentle nips that make me tremble. “Of you. Of us.”
When he pulls back to look at me, the intensity in his dark eyes steals my breath.
Moonlight streams through the window, casting shadows across the planes of his face, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw.
His pupils are blown wide with desire, but there’s something deeper in his gaze – a tenderness that makes my heart ache.
My hands slide down to trace the muscles of his shoulders, feeling them flex beneath my fingertips. His skin is hot to the touch, like he’s burning from the inside out. When my nails scrape lightly down his back, he makes a sound low in his throat that sends heat pooling in my belly.
“Josh,” I breathe, and his name feels like a prayer on my lips.
He catches my mouth in a searing kiss that makes my toes curl.
His tongue traces the seam of my lips before delving deeper, tasting, exploring.
One hand tangles in my hair while the other slides down to the small of my back, pressing me closer until I can feel his heartbeat thundering against my chest.
Josh traces the constellation of freckles across my shoulder with reverent fingers. The touch is feather-light but sends shocks of pleasure through my oversensitized skin. His other hand rests possessively on my hip, thumb stroking idle patterns that make me shiver.
“What are you thinking?” I ask, watching the play of emotions across his face.
He smiles, soft and sincere, before pressing a kiss to each freckle he’s just mapped. “That I’m the luckiest man alive.” His lips brush against my skin.
His heart beats steady and strong under my palm. For the first time in my life, I feel completely, utterly safe. Like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
His lips brush against mine again, this time slower, sweeter. The afternoon and evening stretches out before us, full of promises and possibilities.
Our kisses grow heated, longer, filled with craving.
I can feel his hard length press against me, straining against the confines of his board shorts. I reach down, fumbling with the fly, rocking my hips as I free him.
Josh wraps an arm around me, holding me tight as he lifts up to pull a condom from his back pocket.
“Always be prepared,” he says, with a grin.
“What a good boy scout.”
He rips open the wrapper with his teeth and reaches between us to roll it on. With gentle hands, he helps me lift, positioning his cock then guides me down, filling me inch my delicious inch.
“Josh,” I murmur, my head falling back. “You feel so good.”
His mouth finds my neck, sucking my tender skin as his hands cup my breasts, thumbs running over my nipples.
“Ride me.”
The deck lounge beneath us creaks and groans as I move, rising and falling. There’s a twinge of pain and I grimace.
“Hey,” Josh holds me gently. “Pain?”
I nod. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologise.” He shifts until I have space to move. “Get comfortable. I’m not going anywhere.”
My lean forward, cupping his face. “You’re a good guy.”
He grins. “Show me how good.”
Chuckling, I shift positions until everything feels good, then find a rhythm that has me aching.
Josh’s hands drop from my breasts to grip my hips, guiding my movements. We move slowly together, gazes locked. There’s no rush here—this is about connection, love, intimacy.
It’s about trust.
He leans in, his lips capturing mine. Our kisses are slow, deep. Our bodies move together, with delicious friction.
His hand drops between us, teasing my clit, adding another delicious sensation.
My eyelids grow heavy as pleasure and tension builds. Our bodies become slick with sweat, our skin glistening in the late afternoon sunlight.
I pick up my pace, a low whimper sneaking out.
“Fuck.” Josh’s hands move to grip my hips, guiding my movements as he thrusts up to meet me. His fingers dug into my flesh, the small bite of pain tipping me over into my orgasm.
Josh growls as I clench around him, rocking my way through my climax, drawing out every slither of pleasure. Josh thrusts up, gasping my name as he follows me over the edge.
I collapse onto his chest, and he catches me, falling back onto the deck chair.
“Wow,” I murmur, kissing his chest.
He chuckles, brushing hair back from my face. “Wow, indeed.”
I tilt my head back, smiling up at him. “Thank you for waiting for me.”
“Pahe, I would have waited forever. You’re worth every second.”
I kiss him, grateful that we’ll spend every second of the rest of our lives loving each other.