Entice - By Ella Frank Page 0,109

A light breeze was teasing around them, and as it blew through her beautiful curls, Josh tried to remind himself that this was for the best.

“No, I’m running forward, Georgia. So, catch up to me, would you?”

She spun around on him with that comment, and this time moved up close to him, pointing a finger.

“You first tell me I’m not ready and that you don’t trust me.” She paused, chest heaving as she bit her bottom lip, and then she shrugged helplessly. “Yet, now, when I try to tell you how I feel you stop me at every turn,” she ended, sounding completely defeated.

Josh made the final step to her, reaching out to grip her shoulders. “Shelly, look at me.”

She tipped up her head, facing him with huge cerulean blue eyes that were filled with angst and tears.

He smiled sadly at her. “I don’t want a girlfriend.” He felt her stiffen and knew what conclusion she was jumping to. “I also don’t want a woman who only decides she cares after a hot round of sex.”

“That’s not what happened,” she whispered. “What would make you stay?”

Josh leaned in and kissed her forehead, knowing he was now doing it. This is it.

She would either want what he wanted, or she would never talk to him again.

After taking a deep breath, he whispered against her hair, “This.”

She didn’t try to move away from him. She just stood silently for a moment while he held her arms and kissed her hair. God, she smells amazing.

“What is this?” she asked softly.

Pulling back a little, he looked down at her and tipped up her chin so their eyes met.

“Everything that tonight represents.”

As the reality of what he was saying sank in, he watched her eyes widen, and he felt his nerves bubbling up inside of him.

Spit it out already, he thought to himself.

“The music, the friends, the ceremony, but most importantly, the love. I want all of it. I’m ready for all of it, Georgia. And, until you are too, nothing will make me stay.”

Dropping his hands from her shoulders, he watched her take a deep breath and waited for anything she was going to say. But nothing came.

She just stared up at him with eyes as big as he had ever seen them, and he felt like he was being punched over and over again.

Alright, man, he thought, time to leave.

Turning on his heel, he had made it three steps when he heard his name.

“Josh!”

Turning, he saw that she had moved, and she was now facing him with the lake as her backdrop. The breeze had picked up, and it was whipping around her hair and dress.

She looks absolutely breathtaking.

He stopped and waited.

“How will I know?” she called out.

Josh shook his head and shrugged. “I’m not sure, but one thing I do know is you won’t have to ask.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Chapter Twenty-Four

October

September had been dubbed the longest month of Shelly’s year.

After Josh had left the night of the wedding, Shelly had done something she had never done before. She went home and cried.

Never had she felt so helpless. She’d wanted to express the thoughts that had been running through her mind when Josh had been standing in front of her that night. But she couldn’t.

Thinking you’re in love with someone and just saying it seems so easy, Shelly thought as she lay in bed. However, the reality—a man telling you that he wants you to be everything that makes his world—is just completely terrifying.

What if I fail?

That was all Shelly had thought about for days—hell, weeks now. What if for some reason she was like her father? It wasn’t too far of a stretch. She obviously resembled him in many ways. Why not personality flaws as well?

Sighing, Shelly closed her eyes and pictured Josh as she had last seen him, standing in front of her with his heart on his sleeve, looking at her like she had just let him down.

And she had.

She knew it, and he did, too.

So, what if I do that after we’re committed?

Well, lying here isn’t getting me anywhere, she thought as she climbed out of bed. Booting up her computer, she went to her closet and pulled out a black satin robe. Pulling it on, she sighed as the material slid over her bare skin. When the computer was up and humming, she immediately went to her email, and there it was—the usual nightly letter he still sent her, sitting in her inbox. This one