22. JOSH
JOSH
Christ, it didn’t matter what April did, her sister seemed annoyed.
I caught every one of the eyerolls and the doubt etched across May’s face.
I wanted to wipe it off, desperately. But I was balancing being respectful in front of her mother and grandfather, and wanting to tear her clothes off and show her sister that I wasn’t messing around.
I had to be patient and wait for the right moment, though.
The kids were running around the yard or hanging in the water, and the guys were tossing whatever ball around they could.
None of them seemed to be the athletic type.
They couldn’t throw worth a damn and I had a sneaking suspicion that they were just trying to impress me. April was nowhere to be seen.
Worry began to sneak in. I crossed through the crowd of people still mulling around the yard in their groups.
The aunts and elders were huddled around the deck near her Papi.
As I approached the side of the house, the sound of hushed voices came out from the kitchen window.
Her sister’s friend’s nasally voice caught my ear.
“There’s no chance they’re actually together.”
“No way.” Someone else agreed.
“He’s not her type.”
“Her type is anything that gives her attention. Remember in high school, the new guy was nice and sat next to her. She was obsessed with him for like six months.”
“It’s more like she’s not his type. Have you seen his trail of exes? There’s no way she’s his type.”
A murmur of agreement grumbled through them. Damn, these ladies were the epitome of mean girls. Was this how they treated her all the time? They were all chummy out front, but then behind her back, they talked shit.
“Besides, did you see how awkward he was, having to be next to her?” Someone sneered.
“She doesn’t make it easy.” One of the other women, I think it was her cousin who snorted.
“He must be doing her a favor.”
“Or lost a bet.” Her sister cackled.
There was a gasp, “Could you imagine?”
“I mean. She wouldn’t?” It was certainly posed as a question, but came out more like it was a statement.
“Her? Sure, she would, all she did was brag about this guy she was dating. The thing is, she never mentioned who. If she was with him, she would have been gloating and rubbing it in my face,” May remarked snidely.
My blood boiled. How was this her sister?
So many pieces were coming together now.
I understood why she was always so forward in the beginning, she’s had to fend for herself in this family of wolves.
It was clear that April didn’t quite fit in with her bitchy sister or her mom who seemed to live in the clouds.
I had half a mind to march in there and give them shit.
But then, the best revenge was showing them something they could talk about it. It was time for some much needed PDA.
“Maybe they have to hide it?” Someone else said softer, as if she was defending April. Instantly, I liked whoever that was. “They look cute together.”
There was a scoff that I imagined came from her sister.
That was it for me. Pact or no pact, April didn’t deserve this shit.
I cleared my throat to get some attention, before waltzing into their little circle.
The chatter stopped immediately as I watched three women with wide eyes watch me come around the corner.
Her sister was putting candles on the cake and stopped abruptly when she spotted me.
“Sorry, I was looking for the waters that were supposed to be on the counter.” I smiled politer than necessary given the circumstances.
“Oh, I put them back in the fridge, didn’t want them to warm up.” One of them answered quickly.
“No worries.” I went and pulled out two bottles of water, making sure their eyes were trained on me as I spotted April with the kids. Once I reached her, I slung my arm over her shoulders and kissed the small nape of her neck, whispering, “We have an audience.”
Her head fell back against my shoulder. I handed her the water and despite not wanting to, I released her from my grasp and jumped into the jump ropes making the girls squeal with laughter.
April and I played with the kids for a few more minutes, making sure to latch onto everyone’s attention, and then I grabbed onto April’s hand and pulled her into me.
“Let’s go for a walk,” I growled at her, nodding towards a path off to the side of the house, but keeping in view of the window May was craning her neck to see out of.
“Now?”
“Yup.” I smirked, not giving her a chance to change her mind.
“But the cake…” She trailed off as I pulled her around the side of the house, tucked between it and the shrubbery, and nudged her back until she was pressed against the siding. “All day, I’ve been waiting for this.”
“Josh, what are you–”
The crush of my lips against hers silenced her.
Our mouths moved in rhythm together, parting slightly to further explore.
My tongue clashed against hers and my dick was already at half-mast. She tasted of the dark-red wine she’d had with dinner and I wanted more.
My hands wove into her hair, her hands clutched at my shirt, her body rocked against mine, and I was losing it.
I pushed her against the side of the house.
She moaned softly into my mouth and my hands fell toward her chest pressed up against me.
They traced along the bare skin of her waistline and skimmed her curves. Curves I wanted to feel more of. I growled into her. “Fucking sexy.”
Someone cleared their throat. At first I didn’t move, nor did my eyes from April’s flushed cheeks, which I could stare at all damn day.
“Cake time.” Her sister glared at us, before turning on her heel.
My lips landed on her forehead. April let out a nervous giggle. I snuck my hand out from under her shirt and let out a long breath. “There, that should shut them up…” I trailed off, my eyes caught on April’s heaving chest. “If even for a minute.”
“Maybe,” she barely whispered.
“Then we’ll try harder.” I wiggled my brows at her playfully. She shook her head and chuckled.
As I adjusted myself, so that my cock wasn’t attempting to break through my pants, all I could think about was how eager I was to do that again.
With or without the audience. Wow, what?
This was for show. Don’t read into it. You’re her fake boyfriend.
I reminded myself. But the way she melted into me, had me wondering just how good of an actress she was?
Because it sure didn’t feel like acting, that’s for damn sure.
If her sister didn’t interrupt us, I was fairly certain I was making it to second base.