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I snagged two plates out of the cabinet and loaded thes The rhythmic scrape, scrape, scrape toldthe driveway and was now shoveling out the walk Of course, when I’d woken up alone, I figured the guy had made the mad dash out of here because I’d atteht That hat everyone raved about when they whispered about sex Now I got it I’d alanted to have sex I wasn’t a prude, but Riley had assured me we’d have plenty once ere married Why not save it for then? Keep the first years of ourRiley was fun, he was good at it, but kissing Josh was like a freaking fire caught me and scorched until I burst into fla the eggs I slid them onto the plates just as the toast popped up A little butter and ere ready to rock Right on cue, Josh opened the front door and quickly shut it once he was inside

I avoided his gaze as he slid off his boots on the entry rug and hung his coat on the peg I pulled the sugar and powdered crea Hey, I’d been lucky we’d had eggs here since Moo "Coffee?" I asked without looking at hi on tiptoes and still unable to reach the cups

"Perfect, thanks," he responded, sliding behind me to take the cups down I leaned away fro silverware under the after," but I assu was What was he thinking? Was he angry about last night? Had he wanted more? Had he wanted less?

I kepton the pattern of the hardwood floor until I got to where Josh had already poured the coffee Sugar, yes Cream, ar

"Eainst the counter as I accidentally dropped it Big breath "Turn around," he ordered softly

I had done big girl things last night, and now I had to be a big girl today I turned, keeping my eyes locked on the way his hoodie settled around his really nice hips He stepped forward, fitting us together, and ently lifted ht I was lost The sun streaolden flakes in his eyes, a stark contrast to the jet black of his skull cap "Good ," he whispered

I gave a nervous s , tense ive "Yeah," he whispered, like he was answering his own question

He took possession ofue to the saht I went lirin, then kissed me softly Once Twice "This is not aard unless you let it be" His raised eyebrows and s to let it be aard I want you toowithnew "Josh--"

"No, no excuses I want you, and you’re not ready for " He tucked back a strand of hair that had escaped ht, I don’t knohat happened I just neededI needed"

"To feel alive"

My gaze jerked back to his He nailed it right on the head "Yes, and I guessI used you" Guilt swah what had been the fog of hed "Come on You don’t think I knew that?"

"N-n-no" This was not how I’d seen this weekend going

He leaned back against the opposite counter, and I immediately missed his waret that It’s a pretty common reaction, really" His hands rubbed over his face like he aking hiht, I wasn’t surprised that you needed to feel desired, too"

"So you let me just" My eyes narrowed "Why?"

"Because you neededcare of everyone else, you can’t see that someone needs to take care of you So tell me what you need, and I’ll be that for you"

Speechless Somehow the resident bad boy had turned into thishi to saveout, but there was nothing I could find "I don’t even knohat I need"

"That’s okay with me The minute you realize that it’s okay with you, too, you can start digging out of what’s been thrown at you There’s no pressure"

A feeeks ago I’d never have pegged Josh Walker as soed to Dad, to Riley I ducked my head and concentrated on ed as unsaid It was a combination I wasn’t used to

"Vanderbilt, huh?" He nodded to the letters plastered across my chest on my favorite, worn-out hoodie