Joshua forced her clean body into Anthony’s arms for his cousin to dry, resisting the urge to ravish her. His cock was more than ready to enjoy her again, even after their incredible night. He couldn’t get enough of touching her and wondered if her need for the chemicals spilt over to them, increasing their ability to provide for her.
Clean clothes, toothbrushes and his abandoned things from downstairs were in the duffle bag Victoria had brought to the room, and he chuckled for a moment.
“Stop that,” Alexia complained. “It’s not funny, really, it’s not.”
Joshua turned to admire his lover. She wore a pair of pale blue slacks and was pulling on a matching blouse. He moved closer, unable to resist running a hand down her delicate skin, stopping to cup a lace-covered breast in his palm. He leaned close and kissed her before closing the buttons one at a time, his eyes staring into hers.
The realization she had chosen him over Michael sank in hard again, and his heart leapt. One more step toward reaching his desire of being with her permanently. She needed to understand it all. They needed a long, blunt talk, even though it was going to embarrass her even more.
“I’ll be nice and stop laughing. Let me know when you want to go downstairs,” Joshua brushed a final kiss to her lips, soft and tender.
By the time they were both ready, Anthony was out of the shower. “Go ahead, I’ll join you in a few minutes,” he encouraged them. Alexia watched him shyly from the corner of her eye as he dropped his towel to dress and Joshua grew still. Her continued interest in Anthony was clear, and he wasn’t sure what he thought about it. Hadn’t last night been enough?
Walking downstairs with Alexia on his arm, Joshua felt warmth pour through him. Being with her was so right, now she needed to come to terms with the facts. “Your grandmother is not going to be embarrassed or upset by what we did last night. I suggest you act however you would when you normally join her for breakfast.”
She clung to his arm tighter and spoke barely above a whisper. “That’s easy for you to say, but a lot harder for me to do. She may be your leader, but she’s my Gram. I’m feeling more than a little uncomfortable.”
“Did she think you were a virgin?” Joshua asked.
Alexia shook her head. “I doubt it, but the whole two-of-you, one-of-me thing, it’s not normal, Joshua.”
He stopped them at the foot of the stairs. “Alexia, that’s what I’m trying to tell you. Amongst the merfolk, it is normal, especially for the matriarch. While you might be uncomfortable, you don’t need to be embarrassed. Trust me.”
She nodded but there was still doubt written on her face.
The table was set for four, wonderful smells floating on the air from the kitchen. Gram blasted through the door carrying a plate of something steaming hot, and Joshua rushed to take it from her and place it on the table.
“What a nice young man you’ve turned out to be. Thank you, Joshua.” Gram grabbed a chair and patted it. “Come, Alexia, you sit here. I’ll get the drinks.” She disappeared in a whirl of motion.
“She’s supposed to be some kind of decrepit and lonely old lady who desperately needs my help. Bah, what a bunch of baloney.” Alexia glared after her grandmother.
“Old and decrepit?” Joshua kissed her cheek before heading to the kitchen to help bring in the rest of the food. “Not Victoria. Maybe you misunderstood.”
In the kitchen, Victoria had piled a tray high with tea, coffee and juice. He reached for it but before he could leave the room he found his way blocked.
“Did you do something to influence her decision?” Victoria asked, her lined face scowling up at him.
Joshua paused. He didn’t think making love to Alexia alone would have that effect, but perhaps it had. Still, he didn’t want to admit to anything, not to the woman who had been his matriarch for his entire life. Not before he’d talked to Alexia and explained the dream hadn’t been a dream. It was definitely time to change topics. “Do you think I’m not good enough for her?”
Victoria waved a hand at him. “Whether you are or not isn’t my concern, but hers. You’ve been such a mouse over the years, you’re the last one I expected to see with her.” She picked up the loaf of bread and shrugged. “You and Anthony are among the youngest of all the available men. I hope you’re aware you might have a fight on your hands to keep her interested in you.”
Joshua nodded slowly and followed her back to the table. A mouse? Is that how people had interpreted his patient waiting, his willingness to put aside his own desires? His stomach tensed. If only they had any idea of how much control it had taken to follow the rules all those years and not chase after Alexia on his own. Waiting until the time was ripe to step in and be there for her.
He placed the drinks on the table, briefly acknowledging Anthony’s presence as his cousin pulled out a seat for Victoria.
“Anthony, you’re on summer break right now, aren’t you?” Victoria asked as she served breakfast. “You teaching again in the fall?”
“I’ll be back at the high school in September,” Anthony passed the coffee tureen to Joshua.
Victoria nodded. “I hear positive reports about you. You manage to walk the fine line between making learning enjoyable and still insisting they accomplish their goals. Good for you.”
Anthony flushed and Joshua hid a smile. His cousin was far too tender hearted. It was amazing the older students didn’t eat him alive.
“And, Joshua, did you get the commission for the mosaic at the museum?” Victoria asked sweetly.
It was so like her, acting like she hadn’t just verbally chastised him. Fine, he could play the game too. “I finished last week and it will be installed by the end of the month.” Joshua was pleased with the results and could hardly wait to take Alexia to see his work. He knew she’d appreciate the intricate design he’d created.
Victoria eyes opened wide. “You finished it already? Well done!” She gave him an approving nod before turning her attention to her granddaughter.
“Now, Alexia,” she said. “Today I thought we could—”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Alexia interrupted.
Joshua and Anthony froze at the tone of her voice. She sat far back in her chair, arms crossed, her plate ignored. Her whole body screamed with tension, and it was difficult for Joshua to not take her in his arms and comfort her.
“Tell you what, Ally?” Victoria stirred her tea and blinked innocently at them.
Alexia lifted her hand and ran it through her hair, messing the scramble of curls even further. “Don’t play games with me. Not anymore. ‘I have something I want you to have, Ally. It’s been in the family for generations.’ Ha! Does that give you a clue? Or do you need me to show you this?” She grabbed the medallion and held it up, a blue light sparkling noticeably around the silver.
“Ohhhhh!” Victoria clapped her hands with delight before squeezing Anthony’s arm. “You boys must be the right ones for the job. The fire didn’t show for me until at least four days after I—”
“Gram!” Alexia slammed her hands on the table. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly before she turned to Joshua. Her dark eyes flashed with anger, and he placed a reassuring hand on her arm. The connection between them flared and Joshua’s heart leapt. Even furious she was beautiful.
“Perhaps this is a conversation I should have alone with my grandmother,” Alexia said.
“Nonsense.” Victoria snorted. “You slept with them, they can certainly listen to a little conversation about the merfolk. In fact they might be able to help me answer your questions.”
Alexia’s cheeks flushed red, but with embarrassment or anger Joshua couldn’t tell. “Fine, we’ll do it your way. Why did you not tell me about merfolk before now? You’ve had plenty of opportunities. That’s question one. Number two, why didn’t you at least tell me before you gave me the damn necklace what I was accepting instead of shanghaiing me into a position I might not want to take responsibility for?