Chapter 35
Maya
"Oh no, I forgot my hat," I exclaim, feigning distress as I look at Sophia, who is already buckled in the car. "I can't fly without it."
"But you packed the other one," she scrutinizes me suspiciously.
I quickly shake my head. "It won't take long. I'll be right back."
I signal Tamika to keep an eye on Sophia and hurriedly make my way back to the house.
To where Josh is. Breathless, I enter the foyer and spot him coming down the stairs with his suitcases. He looks irresistible in his casual jeans and white T-shirt. Without averting my gaze from him, I nibble on my lower lip. He looks around, searching, and when he realizes no one is here, he grins at me secretly.
I rush toward him. We meet on the landing, where he immediately sets down his suitcases and pulls me into his arms.
"Hello, beautiful," he murmurs, and our lips find each other.
I surrender to his kiss, savoring the warmth and security of his presence. Everything in me turns soft. Inevitably, I let out a sigh. I never want this moment to end. This is where I want to be forever. I press closer to him, unable to get enough of him and his kisses .
"You should stop that," he whispers to me in a brief pause, his breath warm against my skin. "Or else we'll miss our flight."
Does it really matter? Isn't everything inconsequential as long as we're together? "Just one more." I sigh deeply and kiss him again.
With a lopsided grin, he gently moves away from me. He captures my gaze and holds it. "We should tell the others. It would make things easier."
Even though it would mean I could kiss him whenever I want. And even though this secrecy fuels my longing to the point of pain. It's not possible. "Sophia has only just recovered from your divorce. If something so significant changes in her life again, it could set her back. You know that," I explain.
He tenderly tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "Yes," he only says wistfully because he realizes we must not rush anything.
"No matter how much we want to shout it to the world, now is not the right time," I say, rising on my tiptoes to kiss him again. To avoid discussing the other reasons. Because the truth is, our love would be a sensation for the press so close to the music award ceremony. And once they shine their spotlight on me, it could diminish Josh's chances. My past is far from presentable. Perhaps it's best if they never find out about me at all.
His hands roam over my body. Before he can reply, his cell phone in his pocket rings.
"It's my mother," he says, glancing at the display, and I can practically see the smile fade from his face. He stares at the phone for a few seconds, then dismisses the call .
I try to read his emotions from his expression, but his mood shifts so quickly that I can't discern what's going on inside him.
With a smirk, he turns back to me. "So we're still like lovesick teenagers secretly meeting up," he says, tilting his head and looking at me with that irresistible gaze.
I raise an eyebrow. "That does have its charm, doesn't it?" I ask, gazing deeply into his moss-green eyes, instantly getting lost in them.
A magical connection spreads between us, making me forget everything. And him too.
"Mm-hmm." His hot breath brushes against my lips.
I close my eyes and lean toward him.
But before we can kiss again, a car horn blares.
With a blissful smile on his face, he caresses my cheek. "We have to go. Sophia and Tamika are waiting," he whispers hoarsely, then releases himself from me with a smile, grabs his suitcases, and strides toward the front door.
Filled with happiness, I watch him go. He’s barely out of my sight, and I already miss his presence.