Aint too proud to beg sfdg-1 (9 page)

Eventually, Josie slowed down and slapped her hands to her thighs in frustration. Im going to wring your freakin neck, you damn doodle brain!

Rick laughed some more.

Dont just sit theredo something! Josie screamed, taking off again.

He didnt have to be asked twice. As soon as Genghis approached his next loop past the coffee table, Rick dived for him, grabbing him around his middle. He rolled to the floor with the dog cradled in his arms, a tackle so smooth that Teeny would have been proud. Josie tried to stop in time but she crashed into both of them, landing with a thump next to Rick on the rug. Maybe he was laughing too hard to concentrate, but Genghis wiggled from his grip, taking the dildo with him. Josie let her face flop down into the rug with a loud groan of defeat.

Ive never been so mortified in my life, she mumbled into the carpet.

Ricks hand found the small of her back. He placed his palm there, still laughing, as the realization washed over himhe was happy. Being with Josie made him happy. /This must be what it feels like to be happy./ She rolled her head slightly to the side, and one of her eyes peered out from behind a curtain of curls. A tiny tear began to take a crooked path from the corner of her eye across her freckled nose.

Oh, Josie, hey, its no big deal.

She nodded, then sniffed. Sure. Whatever. You should probably go now.

Rick leaned in, putting his face less than an inch from hers. He could smell her sweet breath. He pushed the curls away from her cheek, and when that little tear fell off the tip of her nose, he caught it in his lips.

Please dont be embarrassed, he said.

She sniffed again. Right. This happens all the time, Im sure. Just your basic get-to-know-you kind of date. Nothing to be embarrassed about.

Ricks hand returned to the small of her back. He felt her arch into his touch. He felt the heat of her skin through her flimsy pink top. Without weighing the pros and cons of a single damn thing, he slipped his hand up under her blouse so that he could feel her skin on his. She let go with one of her little moans. He shoved his hand lower, into the waistband of her jeans, and laid his palm against her ass.

Rick?

He flipped her over. He got on top of her. She was opening her arms and opening her thighs to welcome him. He put his mouth on hers and she opened for him there, as well. God, hed never felt a woman so ripe in his life. Hed never felt this kind of hot rush of desirewith all the trimmings. He liked her. He cared about her. He didnt want to hurt her.

He dragged his lips from hers. Josie, oh, shit, Im trying to be decent.

I really am.

In response, one of her hands slapped down on his ass and her calves imprisoned his hips. If youre any kind of gentleman, youll keep kissing me. Then she grabbed his hair and yanked him back down again.

He got lost in itthe hot smell of her skin and the silky slide of her tongue and the way his body was being swallowed by the need to connect with her. He slipped his arms under her shoulders and rolled with her until he was on his back. She moved with him effortlessly.

A peculiar sound penetrated the sexual fog in his brain. Josie obviously heard it, too, because she went still in his arms. She took her mouth off his and straightened up, the shift in her weight causing her pelvis to grind into his. There was no way on earth Josie wouldnt notice the huge erection thrusting into her.

Oh, this is just great, she said, putting her hands on her hips as she looked past Ricks head. The sound continued, a muffled, squeaky, back-and-forth sawing kind of noise. /Err-eee-err-ee, grerr-eee-grerr-ee. Eng, eng, eng./ Genghis is chewing on my vibrator, she said, looking down at Rick.

Ah, so you prefer the more polite name for it.

Josie cocked her head thoughtfully. What would you call it?

Rick laughed. Its a big-ass dildo, sweetie.

Josie bit her lip. Well, whatever it is, its the only one I have and it cost over twenty-five dollars.

Rick felt his erection pulse. Josie obviously felt it, too, because she squirmed a little.

I wouldnt worry about it too much, he said.

Oh, yeah? Whys that?

Because youre not going to need it anymore.

Josie beamed. I was so hoping youd say that.

I
havent done this in a while, Rick said, stroking the tops of Josies thighs as she straddled him.

She laughed, wondering how long of a hiatus the handsome Rick Rousseau was admitting tothree days? A week? Two weeks? She was almost ashamed to tell him it had been three months for her.

Its been almost seven years, Josie, he whispered.

She went still. She held her breath. She stared down at those deep green eyes curtained by long lashes. He had to be joking.

Its the truth, he said.

Josie pushed herself off Ricks body and stood up. She reached a hand down for him and he pulled himself to a stand with an audible groan.

Suddenly, it all made sense to herRick had suffered such a serious injury in the motorcycle crash that he wasnt able to have sex! That could be the only explanation. But if that were the case, then what was that giant erection doing in his pants? Maybe it was more of a musculoskeletal issue than a blood-flow issue? She couldnt help itshe reevaluated his below-the-belt situation to be sure she hadnt been imagining things.

Everything still works, if thats what youre wondering.

Uh, no, I mean, thats really great news. Josie was helpless to prevent the red from flaming across her cheeks again.

You look delicious when you blush, Rick said, eliminating whatever space had developed between their bodies. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again. It was brief, but it was hot and slick and Josie felt the bottom of her belly drop.

Mmmmm, she hummed.

It was my choice to be celibate, he said.

Josie nodded as the kiss ended, pretending to understand, though she didnt. And youre choosing to decelibate yourself? With me? Now?

A crooked smile pushed up the left corner of Ricks lips, and she stared at those lips, blinking in wonder. Oh, boy. She was doing it againfalling in love. She was falling for Rick Rousseau. And this wasnt some kind of accidental slide, eitherthe way it had been with Lloyd or Spike or any of the rest of them, whose names she could no longer remember. This time she was going down hard and fast and with such abandon that she swore she could hear a loud thump. Maybe it was just the sound of her heart banging in her chest.

Thats my plan, if youre okay with it, he said.

Why me? She raised her eyes to his, and found him looking at her thoughtfully through those glorious eyelashes.

Because you are wonderful, Josie. Beautiful and sweet and smart and I feel happy when Im with you. You make me laugh. You make me want to try.

She shook her head, confused. Try?

To be the decent man you imagine me to be.

Josie slipped her hands around Ricks waist and rubbed his muscular back.

Where were you hurt, can I ask? She let her hands roam, eventually bringing them to his firm butt.

My ass is fine, he said with a grin.

No kidding, Josie said, giggling. She moved her hands to his narrow hips.

The left hip is man-made, he said.

She let her hands slide down along the back of his thighs, then around to the front, feeling nothing but solid muscle beneath her fingers.

My left femur is held together with a titanium rod. My left knee is a testament to modern plastics.

Her stomach fluttered. She was frightened by what he was telling her.

She squatted down and placed her hands gently on his calves, then his shins, waiting for anything else he had to say.

Ricks hand caressed her hair. The right tibia broke in four places. My right ankle was crushedtrust me when I tell you that you dont want to go through airport security with me.

Josie remained in her squat, staring down at the wood floor of her apartment, suddenly overwhelmed. She knew her fingers trembled where they touched him. Eventually she rose to a stand, spreading her palms flat against Ricks shirt, feeling the rise and fall of his solid abdomen, eventually moving her hands along his ribs and chest.

Three broken ribs. A lacerated spleen. A bruised heart. A punctured lung.

Josie felt the sorrow well up in her. How could one person go through so much and still be walking around?

You can stop now, Josie. Its all ancient history.

She shook her head, not looking at his face. She placed her hands on his shoulders, biceps, forearms, and hands. She needed to know everything.

Rick sighed softly. Pretty much the same thing as my legsa little bit of plastic or metal here and there.

With that, Josie placed her hands on his head and raked her fingers through his hair. The look on her face must have been horror, because Rick immediately comforted her.

I was wearing a helmet. I had a minor concussion. Nothing more.

She nodded, not knowing what to say, and not sure she wanted to be the woman to put all the pins and plates to the test.

He tipped up her chin with his fingers and looked her in the eye. Im healthy now, Josie. Its been a long time and Im healed. I run. I lift weights. I do yoga. I get stiff sometimes, but Im good to go.

But I… I dont want to hurt you accidentally, she whispered, trying with all her might not to blush or tear up. Im not a tiny woman. I could crush something. I could snap one of your rods or chip one of your plates.

He chuckled again. Gently, he took her into his arms, squeezed her, and whispered into her hair. Youre the woman I want, Josie. Just say the word when youre ready.

Josie melted into his hug, knowing that no mans embrace had ever felt this perfect, this complete. Ricks arms were strong but they cradled her gently. She could hear his heart beat in his chest. She could hear the patience in his voice. Sure, Rick Rousseau might have a few synthetic parts, but he was more of the real thing than any man shed ever encountered.

Josie decided to skip the words. Instead, she took his hand and led him through the living room toward the bedroom. Genghis stopped chewing and looked up at them with curiosity, giving Josie the two seconds she needed to swoop down and grab the now disfigured vibrator. She tossed it in the bathroom trash can on the way down the hall.

Josies home phone began to ring. Whoeverand whateverit was would have to wait.

Bea snapped her cell phone closed and turned to Roxie and Ginger. Well, shes not answering. Now Im sure somethings going on.

Good Lord, Bea! Roxie said, laughing. Josie is a grown woman. She can choose not to answer her phone if she wantsthats the beauty of living in a democracy.

Ginger leaned forward on one elbow, whispering as if spies were lurking at the outdoor bistro. As much as it pains me to say this, Bea may be right. Think about itits more than the usual scatterbrain stuff with Josie lately. She may be avoiding us.

As if shocked by the accusation, HeatherLynn poked her head out from the cocoon of Gingers jacket, little black button eyes popping from her white pompom head.

You guys are nuts, Roxanne said.

She didnt show up for our walk yesterday, Bea reminded Roxie, lowering her hand to stroke the top of her own dogs head. As usual, Martina slept peacefully by her owners side, content and well behaved. And now she cant meet us for a drink tonight? So I ask, since when does she have so many scheduling conflicts?

Maybe shes babysitting for her sisters kids, Ginger offered.

See? Im sure thats what it is, Roxie said. You know how Beths always dumping her kids on her at the last minute.

Of course Im right.

Youre wrong, Bea told Ginger with finality.

Ginger sighed. She took a soothing sip of her lemongrass Mojito.

Whatever you say, Bea.

So you agree theres something going on with Josie?

Ginger laughed. Not necessarily, but Ill say anything to get you to drop the subject.

Not gonna happen, Bea said.

For the next few minutes, the three women sat quietly at the small wrought-iron table. Lilith tugged at her muzzle and growled at a man strolling down the sidewalk. HeatherLynn retreated back into her hideaway. Martina slept.

Roxie took a long drink from her margarita and sighed. Have you ever noticed that we get on each others nerves more when Josies not with us?

Bea nodded, taking a swig of her Michelob Ultra. All the more reason to find out whats going on with her, and get her back on track.

Roxie shrugged.

Hey, Ginger, Bea continued. Remember that woman who came to the paper to see Josie the other day? When we were heading out to grab some of Paulie Patrakiss last baklava?

Roxies mouth fell open. You got some of his last baklava? You went /without/ me?

We tried to reach you but you were covering that double-murder thingy.

Ginger frowned when she said that, then groaned in exasperation and smoothed out her brow. What about the old lady, Bea?

You think Josie has something going on with an old /lady/? Roxies face froze in shock.

Oh, for Gods sake, Bea said, dropping her head into her hand.

Not everyone is turned on by senior citizens, Rox, Ginger said.

What/ever/. Roxie rolled her eyes. So whos this old woman and what does she have to do with Josie avoiding us?

Bea settled back in her bistro chair and looked around at the hip city crowd, pondering the question. Josie was in a very serious conversation with the woman. It looked important.

I think she was the widow of one of Josies obits, Ginger said, pursing her lips. As usual, Bea, youre looking for intrigue where there is nonemaybe you should buy a spy novel or something.

I can sense these things, Bea said, her conviction growing. Josie has something going on in her life that shes not telling us about, and Im sure its a man.

When Ginger gasped and stiffened in surprise, HeatherLynn popped out of her owners jacket again.

No way, Roxie said, her voice louder now. Josie would have told me if there was someone in her life.

Oh, really? Bea arched her eyebrows. You dont think Josie would be the tiniest bit embarrassed about a new boyfriend considering that little no-man-no-way vow we all just took?

Nobody had a response for that.

Bea turned to Ginger. Do you really think shed be anxious to tell us about her latest selection from the primordial slime pit of men when all we do is talk about the joys of living in a testosterone-free zone?

Gingers lips parted, but she stayed silent.

Bea raised her bottle toward Roxie. And Roxie, do you really think shed be running to the proprietor of the infamous

[http://i-vomit-on-all-men.com] i-vomit-on-all-men.com Web site to brag about the wonderful new guy whos stolen her heart?

Well, if you put it that way…

Ginger interrupted them both. You know, I took that vow seriously. Ive completely changed my way of thinking. I will never again worry about pleasing a man. From here on out its all about pleasuring myself!

When she got two silent stares, Ginger amended her comment. Waitthat didnt come out right.

Roxie turned to Bea. I dont get itwhat would the old lady have to do with Josies new man?

Beas eyes narrowed. She drummed her short fingernails on the bistro tabletop, not answering right away. After a few moments of contemplation, she looked up with a smile. Whats the one thing we all have in common? she asked, sounding pleased with herself.

Dogs, of course, Ginger said with a sigh. Plus, none of us are having any sex, and, lets face it, the more time that goes by the less likely I am to ever have it again, because in a few years Ill probably have a dried-up hoo-hah and more chin hair than the Unabomber, and then where will I be?

Roxie choked on a mouthful of margarita.

Actually, Bea said, rolling her eyes, I was alluding to the fact that were all experienced journalists. Bea folded her hands in front of her on the table. We are trained to track down information. We know how to put together facts to reveal an accurate and balanced snapshot of the truth.

I write about trends in bathroom design, Ginger pointed out.

Reporting is reporting, Bea snapped.

Just then, a shiny black Lexus cruised by. The equally black man behind the wheel slowed the car, then nodded at the women before he drove on.

Lilith growled.

Do you know him? Ginger asked.

Nope. Just a friendly guy, I guess, Roxie said.

Anyone who drives that slow is on the prowl, Bea said.

I swear Ive seen him before, Ginger said.

So let me get this straight, Bea. Roxie crossed her arms across her chest. Youre suggesting we /spy/ on our friend? You want us to go undercover on Josie, start asking questions of her neighbors? Family?

Sources? How about we sit outside her apartment and watch who comes and goes? Maybe root through her garbage?

Theres no need to get carried away, Bea said.

Youre the one whos been carried away! Roxie was clearly upset. Josie is my friend. I would never do that to her.

It is pretty smarmy, Ginger said. I wouldnt want you guys doing that to me, not that youd find anything. I say we just ask Josie. If she wants us to know, shell tell us.

Roxie nodded. Of course. Well just ask her whats going on. Well remind her that were her friends and she can tell us anything.

Bea shrugged. Fine. Ask her, then. Go on.

Roxie pulled out her cell phone. She dialed Josies home number. No answer. She called Josies cell. No answer. She tried both again. No answer.

Here, let me, Ginger said, rooting through her oversized pink leather bag to find her cell. She placed the phone on the tabletop and put it on speaker. The three women waited patiently through four rings.

See? Bea said. Shes not going to pick The phone sparked to life. The call had gone through but the only sound was of shuffling and mumbling, followed by a high-pitched yelp and a deep-voiced laugh. Then there was the sound of something smacking the receiver a few times, with a little more laughing thrown in. Then the line went dead.

Ginger tossed the phone back into her purse and, without comment, drained the rest of her mojito.

Bea bowed her head humbly, as if acknowledging the roars of an imaginary crowd. My work here is done, she said.

I dont freakin believe this! Ginger waved her hands around. HeatherLynn panicked and popped back inside the jacket. Josie took a vow! She was the one who told us to go out and lead full and happy lives in the company of our dogs! No one forced her to say that! She came up with that all on her own!