Hollywood & Vine (55 page)

Josie’s eyes widened. “I do remember hearing about that when I moved here. I was busy with school, though, and didn’t pay it much attention.”

Anders nodded in understanding. “After some digging, Nathan proved it was all lies. He cleared my name, but at that point I was already done. I didn’t want to waste another second on Eva, and there was nothing left to take from Levi. I decided then I’d never fucking trust another person as long as I lived. I’d treat the world as it had treated me. It worked for a long time. Until I met you. You fucking changed everything, and I hated you for it, but I couldn’t leave you alone. I couldn’t let you go, and I hated myself for that. Then one day you were gone, and I realized I didn’t know shit about pain. Losing Eva, my parents, my reputation, none of that shit came close to what I felt when you left. You made me see life through eyes that weren’t bitter and hateful. You made me want more, and you showed me what it feels like to really love someone. I’d rather relive my past a million times than go through another day without you. Because living without you, that’s real pain.”

Josie crawled over Anders’ thighs and straddled his hips. Pulling his hand between hers, she kissed him. “They never deserved you. I’m so sorry you had to go through all that. I’d never hurt you like that, Anders. I’m not that person. Thank you for trusting me. But, and please don’t think I’m being insensitive or hurtful, where does that leave us? What do you expect me to be for you?”

“Everything,” he answered, his face open and earnest.

“I don’t know what that means. Are you saying you want a real relationship with me? You want to let the world know we’re together and not hide anymore?”

“Yes. I want all of that. I want any of that. I just want you. I don’t give a fuck about the rest of the world. I don’t give a fuck about anyone or anything except you.”

Josie shook her head and dropped her gaze. She stared at the white cotton covering Anders’ chest with an unreadable expression on her face. Anders’ hands tightened around her hips, his throat and heart constricting.

“Ivy,” he rasped, his fingers flexing into her sides.

“I can’t…I can’t give you that. Not all at once.”

Anders’ stomach turned and his chest heaved. “Ivy, please. I know I fucked up. I know I did. But please...don’t give up on me. Please don’t take this away from me. I know that sounds selfish. I know I have no right to ask for things I don’t deserve, but I’m begging you. The way I feel about you is like nothing I’ve ever felt. Not for anyone. It scares the shit out of me, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Let me feel it for a little longer. Please.”

“Anders,” Josie choked. “I don’t want to take that away, you stupid man. You have no idea how it makes me feel to hear you say these things, to know you want me like I want you. I’m just not ready to put our relationship out there. I’m not ready for the world to come crashing into my life. I want to try with you, but I want to do it without an audience. I want privacy while I get to know the real you. Warts and all.”

Anders pulled her closer until their hips met. With his cheek resting against hers, he let his eyes fall shut as his shoulders sagged with relief. “I don’t have any warts,” he mumbled, his nose grazing the side of hers.

“Oh, I don’t know, every prince has his warts.”

“You think I’m a prince?”

“Well.” Josie grinned, her hands slipping under the hem of Anders’ shirt. “Only after the princess kissed you and changed you from a fly-eating frog.”

“And I suppose you’re the princess?” Anders chuckled.

“I damn well better be.”

“If you’re the princess, that means I get to kiss you.”

Josie hummed and leaned forward until their lips grazed. “Only if you’re worthy.”

Anders pulled back, the serious expression on his face caused Josie to frown. “I’m not worthy. I’m an asshole. I’m a frog. But Josie, for you, I want to be more. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”

“Whatever I want?” Josie asked, her brow lifting with curiosity.

Anders rolled his eyes. “Don’t get crazy. I know better than to agree to that. And don’t think just because I’m begging for your forgiveness and another chance that I’m going to act like a pussy and let you walk all over me. I’m still a man.”

“I’d be disappointed if you did.” Josie laughed, clutching the front of his shirt. “Never stop fighting with me. Never stop being you. It’s the part I love most. Now take me to bed because I’ve fucking missed you, asshole.”

Anders groaned and wrapped his arms around her back. Burying his face against her shoulder, he planted his feet and stood with her in his arms. Josie’s legs wrapped around his waist and her arms tightened around his neck.

“I’ve never been so happy to be called an asshole in my life.”

“‘Take me to bed or lose me forever,’” she sang, a cheeky smile on her face.

“Did you just quote
Top Gun
?”

“I did.”

“You’re fucking perfect, you know that?” A smile lit Anders’ face, not because of the cheesy line she quoted but because she got him. She was the perfect girl for him, and he had no intention of letting her go.

“That’s the rumor,” she whispered, touching her lips to his.

Anders rocked his hips. “I’ve missed you so fucking much.”

Josie ducked her head and kissed the side of his neck. “Show me,” she mumbled, her lips pulling across his skin.

Without a word, Anders turned and walked toward her bedroom. He clutched her body against his as she breathed soft kisses along his neck. Hot breath touched his ear as her hands threaded into his hair, anchoring them together.

Lips pressed against his heated skin as he lowered her onto the bed. His hands skimmed her waist, traveling over her hips, stomach, and breasts as he sought purchase of her mouth. “Kiss me, Ivy. I want to feel your lips.”

Josie jerked, her entire body constricting from the emotions welling inside her. Without hesitation, their lips connected. Flesh to flesh, tongue to tongue, they reconnected. Each stroke was a promise, an apology. Every touch a vow of what could be and what they promised to leave behind.

Hands drifted and clothes disappeared as they peeled back the layers obstructing them, both literally and metaphorically. Each shred of fabric removed an emotional barrier between them until eventually both were bare, unarmored and at the mercy of the other.

Anders crawled on the bed, hovering above Josie. “Please don’t break my heart.”

Josie tightened her grasp on his shoulder blades. With tears in her eyes, she pulled him flush against her. “I would never.”

Anders flexed his hips and slid inside her. Harsh breaths and low whimpers echoed around the room as he made love to her for the first time. It was love and lust, apologies and acceptance. It was the past and possibilities coming together. It was hope for more. More of everything.

Anders squeezed his eyes shut as he gave every part of himself to Josie. He loved her. Oh, how he loved her. He didn’t understand how it had happened or where it would lead, but she’d changed everything in the most frightening and amazing way.

When her body started to shake and her nails bit into his skin, Anders swore under his breath. His muscles trembled and sweat dripped from his hair as he opened his eyes to see her face.

“Josie,” he pleaded.

“Almost.”

“Look at me.”

She opened her eyes, her breath leaving her lungs in a choked exhale when their eyes locked. Anders lowered his head until his mouth covered hers. Sliding his hands under her back, he hugged her to his chest while she fell apart in his arms. The tendons in his neck bunched and his muscles strained as his orgasm ripped through him, each pulse bringing a feeling of euphoria. Emotionally and physically spent, he collapsed on top of her. Soft touches and whispered promises carried them into the night until they both drifted to sleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

A
nders blinked against the soft morning light filtering through the window. His body was heavy, his mind groggy. With furrowed brows, he looked around the familiar room, stopping when his gaze landed on Josie. The previous night flooded over him and caused a slow smile to curve his lips. Leaning over her, he pressed his lips to her sleep-warm skin, chuckling when she swatted him away.

“Morning,” he whispered, his forehead resting against her temple.

Josie groaned and turned her head, her mind and body not ready to wake from what she was certain was a dream. Pressing one last kiss to her cheek, Anders slipped out of bed and pulled on his shorts. With a final glance at Josie, he walked into the kitchen. Digging inside the cabinets, he grabbed the coffee and started a pot when someone knocked on the front door. His eyes darted from the door to the hall leading to the bedroom. Not wanting to take a chance of being seen, he remained still. After several moments of silence he moved to the doorway, jumping when the pounding started again.

“Josie, get up. Oh my God, open the door. I have to talk to you!”

Anders exhaled and his shoulders sagged when he recognized Madison’s voice. Hesitating for a second, he walked to the front door.

“I’m going to break your door down if you don’t open up. You’re not going to believe what Anders Ellis has done...”

Anders smirked and swung the door open. Madison gaped at him, her eyes sweeping over his half-naked body.

“Well, fuck,” she exhaled. “I guess she already knows about your little stunt.”

“She does,” he answered, his voice still thick with sleep.

“And I’m assuming since you’re here”
―
she waved her hand toward him
―
“and dressed like you are that she’s forgiven you.”

“I sure as fuck hope so.” He chuckled and stepped to the side. “She’s asleep but do you want to come in?”

Madison shook her head. “No, I’m sure you guys have a lot of things to discuss. Just tell her I stopped by. I’ll call her later.”

“Of course.” Anders nodded, relieved to have Josie all to himself for a little longer.

Turning to leave, Madison stopped and looked back at Anders. “I’m not going to make any threats, but I just want you to know that’s my best friend in there,” she said, pointing down the hall. “She means the world to me. If she’s happy and you’re the reason for it, then I’m happy. But Anders, don’t hurt her again. She doesn’t deserve it.”

Anders wanted to tell her to mind her own business, but she was being civil, which was more than he expected, or deserved. She was also Josie’s best friend, and he didn’t need to piss her off by acting like a dick.

“I don’t want to hurt her.”

“Then don’t. It’s simple.”

“I won’t.”

“Good. I’d hate to have to sneak into your trailer and replace your shampoo with hair remover.”

Anders smirked and raised his brow. “What happened to not making threats?”

Madison shrugged, her face unapologetic. “I just needed time to think of something I could accomplish.”

“Duly noted.”

“Good. Later!” she called, throwing her hand in the air as she jogged down the stairs and out into the street.

With a heavy exhale, Anders closed the door and retreated to the kitchen. The beginnings of a headache crept over his temples as he thought about dealing with the people in Josie’s life. He was certain not everyone would react like Madison had. Like her brother, for example. The probability of Josie being okay with Anders telling him to go fuck himself was slim to none.

“What are you thinking about so hard?” Josie asked, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. She pressed her cheek against his back and inhaled, her body sinking into the comfort of relief as she confirmed that last night had not been a dream. Anders covered her arms with his hands and squeezed.

“I was just trying to figure out if I had enough time to snoop through your shit before you woke up. Looks like you ruined that plan.”

“You wouldn’t snoop through my shit,” Josie scoffed, tightening her arms.

Looking over his shoulder, he smirked. “The fuck I wouldn’t.”

“You’re such a dick.”

“This is not news.”

Josie tried to pull away, but Anders held her in place. Keeping her arms secured, he spun around and trapped her hands to his chest. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m going to burn all the shit I don’t want you to know about. Some things just aren’t meant for others to see.”

“Quit lying. You’re not going to burn anything. You’re going to move it and hope I buy your line of bullshit. Don’t play a playa.”

“You’re not gangsta. Stop. And are you going to let that coffee sit there all day, or are you going to drink it?”

“I don’t know if I should. How long has this coffee been in your pantry anyway?”

“The coffee is fine. It’s the food you should worry about.”

“Speaking of, I’m starving. Considering Madison just left, I can assume Holden isn’t at home whipping something up?”

Josie’s face paled. “Maddie was here? When? What did she want? What did you say to her?”

Anders didn’t miss the way her tone shifted from shock to suspicion. His back stiffened even as his jaw remained relaxed.

“I told her to fuck off.” Anders shrugged and shifted his eyes to the coffee pot. He jumped when the sound of Josie’s laughter exploded into the quiet room.