On the way out the apartment door, her mother leaned into Josies ear.
Hes wonderful!
Beth grabbed her sleeve and whispered, Dont mess this up, whatever you do.
A few hours later, around a large round table and stuffed to the gills with pasta and a prearranged chocolate birthday cake, the Sheehans began pulling out gifts and cards for Josies dad. Josie hadnt had time to get him anything, which her dad must have seen in her panicked expression.
Dont even worry about it, he told her, patting her hand. To see my girl happy is the greatest gift a father could ask for.
Josies dad raised his wine goblet and said, Heres to another year of lifes unexpected adventures. Everyone joined in the toast, Rick with his water glass and a wide smile that was all for Josie.
I know youre exhausted. Rick opened Josies apartment door and shielded her from the spastic dog. You relax and Ill take him for a walk.
Are you sure? Josie looked surprised.
Of course.
What about Teeny? Shouldnt he know youre walking around at night?
Rick laughed. Hes right outside, Josie. Didnt you see him a few tables away at the restaurant?
Josies mouth opened. For a man that big, he can sure keep a low profile.
Ill pass along the compliment. He kissed Josies cheek and retrieved Genghiss leash and a plastic bag from the coat closet. Anyway, who needs Teeny? I have a Mongol warlord for protection.
Josie glanced at the panting Labradoodle and sighed. Im pretty sure he likes you better than me now.
Teeny got out of the car and joined Rick. They laughed and talked as Genghis sniffed and did his business, Teeny going on and on about how nice the Sheehans seemed. Theyd completed one leisurely lap around the block when the hairs on the back of Ricks neck began to stand on end.
He peered around in the darkness, seeing nothing unusual. A car door slammed a few buildings down. Jazz floated down from an open apartment balcony door. But something wasnt right.
We need to go back, now.
Whats wrong? Teeny abruptly stopped walking, his hand going to his waistband.
I dont know. But its something.
Lets go.
Teeny jogged with them back to the apartment building and up the stairs.
They found Josies door unlocked, and Rick berated himself for not only leaving her alone for too long but for not locking the door when he left. /What was I thinking?/ Teeny went in first, sweeping the room with his gun drawn.
Josie? Rick called out. He strained his ears, relieved to hear the shower running in the bathroom. Im sure everythings okay, he said to Teeny, heading toward the bedroom.
Ill stay here for a couple more minutes.
Rick opened the bathroom door a crack. Josie? Did you fall asleep in there?
No answer.
Josie?
He flung open the door, fearing the worst/Bennett Cummings has taken the only thing that ever mattered to me./ He threw open the shower curtain.
Josie was curled on her side, legs drawn up, head on a little plastic bath pillow, sound asleep. He reached down and touched her warm throat and felt her heart beating strong and slow.
He turned off the water and grabbed a towel from a hook on the back of the door.
Josie, baby. Time for bed.
I told you, Lloyd, she muttered, slapping his hand away. I dont wanna have lunch with you ever again.
Rick chuckled, loving that she dissed old boyfriends in her dreams. He gazed down on her, shaking his head. He had no idea he could love anything or anyone as much as he loved the woman curled up in the bathtub. She looked so soft and pink and vulnerable. An image flew into his brainhis baby, suckling at one of those perfect round breasts.
Rick drew in a breath, overcome with the power of that image. He wanted babies with Josie. He wanted a family. He wanted to try. And Josie was at the center of all that longing, all the dreams hed barely admitted to himself.
With a kind of deadweight clarity, right down in his gut, he knew the only problem with loving someone was fearing youd lose them.
Rick gently tucked the towel around her, pondering the physics of his challenge. He didnt think he could lift her up from that angle. Hed have to get her to her feet first.
Stand up, Josie. Ill tuck you in.
She didnt stir.
Everything okay in there? Teeny called from the living room. Rick stuck his head out the bathroom door. She fell asleep in the tub. Want to help me lift her out so I can carry her to bed?
Teeny shoved his gun back in his waistband, laughing softly. You dont pay me enough, Rousseau.
By the time Teeny had entered the bathroom, Rick had completely wrapped Josie in the towel, snugly overlapping the corners at her chest.
Ill get her upper body, Teeny said, slipping a big arm under her back.
You get her legs.
The two of them gently lifted Josie from the tub, Teeny transferring her full weight to Ricks arms the instant he could turn her. /Thank you,/ Rick mouthed to his friend, heading for the doorway and turning sideways to get through.
You sure got your hands full with this one, Teeny whispered. Good thing Ive been kicking your ass in the barn.
Rick smiled at him.
Page me in the A.M.
He nodded good night to Teeny and carried Josie to the bed. He laid her down and grabbed another towel from the hall closet. Carefully, he tried to dry her curly hair, so thick and heavy that his effort seemed pointless. So he just wrapped the towel around her head as snugly as possible, and removed the damp towel from her body. He tucked the sheets and comforter under her chin.
He kissed her on the mouth.
Suddenly, her arms were around his neck and she was kissing him back. I want you, Josie whispered, taking her lips away long enough to speak the words. I want you so bad.
Rick began taking off his clothes, hoping Josie hadnt just invited Lloyd into her bed.
I love you, Rick, she said, her eyes now open. I think I fell asleep in the shower.
You did, but I got you now.
She yanked the towel from her hair and pulled back the covers. Yes, you do.
Rick dove into her. She was warm and damp and eager. He let himself disappear in her heat and her moans, rolling with her, laughing, kissing, sucking and licking her soft body. At some point, he found himself with a handful of her wet curls in his hand as he took her from behind, wild with his need, his hand cupping her belly.
He drove himself to an orgasm, feeling Josie pulse and tug on him from inside her body. This was heaven. She was his heaven, and his love. He would never let anything happen to her, ever.
Gwen refused to come to the office, and instead asked Rick to meet her for a cup of coffee. Teeny drove him to the Market District cafй and, after checking the inside of the restaurant, took up residence on the bench out front.
Do you ever get tired of being followed? Gwen asked, nodding her head toward the windows.
Someday it wont be necessary, but right now, it is.
Gwen nodded, looking down into her espresso. I probably owe you an explanation.
Id rather you just retract your resignation.
She smiled slightly and shook her head. I need to move on. Its time.
There was something different about Gwen today. She was more relaxed than hed ever seen her. Her edges were softer. He studied her face, and saw an openness there hed never noticed. This isnt about the financial losses, is it?
No, though I truly believe I failed you on that count. She took a sip from her tiny cup. Its about me, Rick. You cant be oblivious to the fact thatsince I laid eyes on youIve wanted you to want /me/.
Rick was surprised. After five years of innuendo, he wasnt prepared for a direct hit like that. Yes, Im aware of that.
But you never did want me, did you? She asked it without anger and waited patiently for him to answer.