hands into my back pocket.
“Dean did this?” Josh asks, his eyes narrowing as he shoots a look over his shoulder before returning his attention to me. “He probably thought I wouldn’t come. Your text said: Want to come to a romance party? Here’s the address.”
“Oh, boy.” I wince.
Josh shakes his head. “Dean seems strangely determined to test me at every turn.”
“He’s just looking out for me.”
“So you keep saying.” Josh’s eyes smolder into mine with curiosity. “I take it you didn’t want me to come?”
“I figured you had to work,” I reply with a casual shrug. “And this doesn’t seem like your scene.”
He cocks his head. “How would you know what my scene is?”
“You’re right, I don’t know. Yet another reason I shouldn’t move in with you.”
He rolls his eyes and takes another drink, his Adam’s apple sliding up his thick neck as he swallows. “You’re right, this isn’t my scene.”
“I knew it.”
“I prefer smaller groups.”
I nod. “I could have guessed that.”
“This is why you should move in with me.” He steps closer, his eyes dancing with mirth. “You know me better than you’re willing to admit.”
“So you say.” I press my hand to his stomach to stop him from invading my space anymore.
His spicy aftershave is intoxicating as my fingers flatten on the ridges of his abs. My body instantly wants to snake my arms inside his jacket and enjoy the heat of him against me, press our bodies together so he completely envelops me.
Fuck these fucking hormones.
And fuck the memories of that night we had sex months ago that still course through my mind like it was only yesterday.
He peeks at my hand. “Once upon a time, you liked what I said.”
“When was that?” I lift my eyes to him. “When you were telling me I was crazy? Or accusing me of feigning amnesia?”
He cocks his head and the corner of his mouth twitches into a smirk. “More like when you were spread out naked on my bed.”
My cheeks flush, and I have to squeeze my thighs together to quiet the need that swells in my core.
He watches me curiously. “Are you feeling hot, Jones?”
“Hot?” Am I hot? When did my hand move to his pec?
His eyes rove over my face. “Your cheeks are red.”
I swallow and turn away to fan myself, hating how much I love the way he says my last name. “There are a lot of people in here.”
He leans in, his whiskered cheek sliding against mine as his breath caresses my ear, “Which is why I won’t tell you what other parts of your body I love to see flushed red.”
My eyes close as goose bumps erupt over my entire body. My nipples pebble so hard beneath my cotton top that I could moan just from the friction.
“Oh, I have news for you,” Josh states in a crisp voice, pulling away from me and leaving me breathless.
My eyes flutter open. “News?”
He nods and takes another drink of his beer. “Should I tell you slowly or rip it off like a Band-Aid?”
“Um…Band-Aid, duh.” I snap, more than curious what news he could possibly have for me.
His brows lift before he replies, “I found you a job.”
My head twitches as I attempt to shake away my arousal. “You, what?”
“Remember that psychologist I forced you to go see with me?”
“Dr. Eve Gunthrie?”
He nods. “She called me today. She loves your plans for a children’s group therapy clinic and wants you to come work under her until the baby is born. She said it won’t pay much, but she’ll help you in any way she can because she thinks there’s a huge need for what you spoke of during our session. She said you can start Monday.”
“Shut up!” I exclaim, my mind reeling.
A real job? Working with one of the best psychologists in Boulder? Tears fill my eyes and fall down my cheeks at the overwhelming emotions rushing through me. Emotions that I’ve had zero control of lately.
Josh frowns. “What’s wrong? I thought this was what you wanted. She said you’d get to work specifically with all of her pediatric patients.”
A strange noise bubbles my throat, and I don’t know if it’s the hormones or just the sweet relief in my future not being as uncertain as it once was but the next thing I know, I stand on my toes and throw my arms around his neck. My lips collide with his as I kiss him with all the joy and lust and gratefulness I have coursing