The Lost and Found (13 page)

Josiah slowly inhaled, the sound whispering in my ear, causing delicious shivers up and down my spine. My breath caught a little in my throat, and I tried to calm myself down. It was a useless endeavor because his hands were slowly sliding up and down my thighs. His mouth lingered at my shoulder where he’d lowered the collar of my shirt, leaving it bare. He seemed to love that spot and I loved what he did there.

It was just after 8:00 in the evening on Wednesday. The boys had already gone in for the night and Josiah had texted me and told me to come over. He met me on the back patio of the ranch house and we’d walked over, hand in hand. I’d never been to his room above the barn. Had never been out back here with him before either.

Yesterday he’d surprised me with roses — red roses. I’d never had a boy do romantic things like that before. Especially without the expectation of some sort of payment. A touch. A kiss. Josiah wasn’t like that. Even now, with me on his lap, his hands travelling my thighs, my back; his mouth on my neck, my shoulders, my lips, he’d never once attempted to grope me. He was careful to skirt those areas, those private areas. He never made it obvious that was his intention, or even his goal. It was more like he respected my body and he wasn’t going to trespass. I appreciated that. There was no pressure in his touch. Just pleasure.

He turned me, pulled me back against his chest, my back toward him. His arms wrapped around me. He threaded his hands with mine, lifted them up together, watching the way the firelight played on our skin. We sat quietly for a while. Every now and then he’d kiss my neck or graze me with his teeth. I was content to sit this way, except my bladder, which had been mildly complaining about the amount of coffee I’d consumed earlier, was now screaming madly. I tried shifting my position, but nothing helped and I could no longer ignore it.

“I’m going to have to get going,” I told him reluctantly.

“It’s early still, barely after nine. Stay for a while. At least until ten.”

“Um, well, at least let me run back to the house for a minute.”

“For what?”

I blew out my breath and said, “Bathroom.”

Josiah laughed quietly and said, “I don’t use the bushes out back, ya know. You can use mine.”

“Oh. Um, sure. I just… you’ve never… I’ve never been up to your loft before.”

“Come on,” he said as he stood up, me still in his arms.

He set me on my feet, took my hand, and led me inside. I asked him about the fire.

“We won’t be inside that long. Too risky.”

I blushed at the heat in his voice, the spark in his eye.

Josiah’s loft was open and spacious. There was a small corner kitchenette area, with a short bar and two bar stools that served as a table. He had a couch covered in some kind of Navajo print and a coffee table with several books scattered on it. In one corner stood a TV and DVD player. On the opposite side of the room stood his bed. A large, uncovered window was situated between the bed and the couch. I could see the moon as it rose above the trees. I tried not to stare at his bed, but I couldn’t help the way my eyes kept being drawn back to it.

“The bathroom is right through that door.”

Josiah had to say my name to get me to notice where he was pointing, what he was saying. My eyes had been glued to his bed and I just hadn’t heard him. To the right of the bed was the door where he was pointing. I blushed, shook my head, and quickly walked toward his bathroom.

When I came out, Josiah was standing in the kitchen area, his back to the sink, his eyes on me. He held a glass of water, then after a moment, his eyes still glued to mine, he downed the rest of the water and set it down on the counter beside him. He grinned a little and I shivered at the animal-like quality of it.

“I figured it was safer over here. We should get back outside. Quickly.”

I swallowed and moved toward him. I looked down and my eyes strayed to the coffee table and something on it caught my eye. Sticking out from under one of the books was the bottom portion of a photo. I recognized it. It was a picture of me, taken about a year ago. I’d been standing in my front yard, goofing off for the camera. Dad had taken the picture. I was in a body builder pose, my arms curled up, flexing to show my biceps. I was laughing.

I held it in my hands for a minute, felt the tears prick my eyes. I looked to Josiah. How had he gotten it?

“I asked Billy if I could have it. I never thought I’d actually meet you,” he said. “I have another one, too. You’re at the beach. Billy gave them to me — last year.”

“But, why? Why do you have it?” I was confused. My emotions were confusing me. His possible reasons were confusing me.

“Your smile. You had so much life in that simple smile. Looking at it made me happy, peaceful. I just wanted a little of it, to keep and hold that happiness here. It made me feel a little less lonely.”

I stared at him. Josiah was never weak. He was never needful. He was so strong, so self-contained, self-assured. I was having a hard time picturing him needing something as simple as a picture to make him feel better. He approached me, gently grasped my hand, threaded his fingers with mine, our palms rubbing enticingly together. The abrasiveness of his skin against the softness of mine.

“Yes, Crimson. I needed that sunshine.
Needed
it. I still need it.” He pulled me against him, rested my head against his chest, ran his hands over my hair, kissed the top of my head. I heard the way his heartbeat picked up, the way it throbbed in his chest, echoing mine.

“We need to go back outside,” he growled softly, yet firmly in my ear. “Now.”

I set the picture down and let him lead me downstairs. The fire had burned low by the time we returned.

Josiah still held my hand. I moved aside to allow him to close the barn door and suddenly found myself pressed against the side of the barn. His mouth moved over mine, his hips held me in place. His hands were in my hair then moved down and around my back, squeezing gently, tightly. Josiah’s mouth left mine to travel down my neck, to focus on his favorite spot, that sensitive juncture where my neck and shoulder connected. He kissed then lightly bit me, holding on for a moment causing a thrill to rock through me before letting me go. He pressed his lips against my forehead then pulled back after a moment. “I’d wondered how dangerous it would be, having you in my place.”

“And?” I gulped.

He kissed my jaw, my neck, my mouth again. “Very dangerous. Too dangerous. We should probably forego the remainder of the fire. I’m hot enough as it is and I don’t want to forget my limits.”

I grinned at that, liked that I could affect him like that. That I wasn’t the only one having a hard time with this attraction.

He kissed me again and this time nipped at my lip. “Good lord, you need to go back to the house… I’d walk you back, but we may not make it.” Josiah gently pushed me away from him, toward the house.

I nodded and whispered, “Goodnight.”

“Text me when you get to your room.” His dark gaze smoldered at me.

I quickly walked across the open field, past the pond and a small grouping of Birch and Aspen. I’d nearly reached the patio when I heard a sound behind me. I thought Josiah had changed his mind and chuckled as I turned around. “I thought you said it was too dangerous?”

My heart lodged in my throat as Rob stepped up to me out of the shadows.

“Oh, it’s dangerous all right. He left you all primed and ready. Guess I’ll have to take care of business for him, seeing as he’s not man enough.”

I barely had a chance to respond before he reached for me, and then suddenly he was gone and I stumbled backward, landing on my butt. I heard a deep
thud
and Rob cursed loudly.

Josiah stood over him, his fists tight, shaking. “Touch her again and I’ll kill you,” he growled furiously.

Rob got slowly to his feet, wiped the blood from his lip, and looked at Josiah with hard, hateful eyes. “Yeah? What’s she to you?”

“Get your sorry butt in the house, and up to your room, or I’ll be waking Billy. You’re already breaking protocol just being outside.”

“I didn’t even touch her. And you hit me. I can file charges against you.”

“Go ahead. Let’s call Billy now, and you can file a formal complaint.”

“I got time. I’m going. When you get tired of him, you come and see me,” Rob told me, letting his eyes travel down my body, hesitating on my chest.

Josiah growled again and stepped toward him, but Rob beat a hasty retreat. He tossed another grin over his shoulder as he entered the house, closing the door behind him. Josiah quickly turned around and helped me to my feet. I was shaking. Trembling. He wrapped his arms around me.

“Are you all right? I should’ve killed him. Answer me, Crimson. If he hurt you I will kill him.” Josiah’s voice was harsh with emotion, and I felt the tears spill over my cheeks.

“I’m… I’m not hurt.” I tried to draw a deep breath, but couldn’t seem to get it past the lump in my throat.

Josiah lifted me, cradling me against his chest and began walking back toward the barn. “You’re staying with me tonight. I don’t trust that bastard. Billy’s going to hear about this. I want him gone. You’ll be safer with me. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

Josiah

JOSIAH WATCHED HER SLEEP
. Crimson lay on her side, knees curled toward her stomach, her tiny hands fisted. Her hair was splayed out over his pillow. One foot peeked out from under his blanket. Her breathing was slow, settled, and deep. He could smell her. Lemon and sunshine and vanilla.

He hadn’t been able to sleep. First he’d lain awake, intensely aware of her just a few feet away from him. As the moments passed, each one seeming to stretch like hours, he fought an internal battle with himself. He wanted her and as he watched her sleep his desire continued to build. He knew he had to rein it in, bring his raging desire under control. To distract himself he thought back to earlier when Rob had made his move.

Fury twisted his gut, tightened his jaw; anger throbbed in his veins. Silently he’d stood up, moved away from the couch and into his little kitchen. After getting a quick drink of water he lowered himself to the floor and did several sets of pushups, hoping to work away some of that fury. When that didn’t work, he silently slipped from his loft and made his way down to the barn where he had a weight bench and barbells.

For two hours he worked out, sweated away his anger and frustration. Periodically he’d step to the barn door and look out toward the house. His eyes would connect with the second story window that housed Rob, and the fury would rock through him again.

Finally he returned to his apartment, locked the door behind him, and headed for the shower. He emerged from the bathroom wrapped in his towel, his skin still damp. His blue eyes travelled over Crimson’s slim form, where she was curled in his bed. Thoughtfully, he dried himself off and then headed back to the couch.

He doubted he’d sleep much tonight. Regardless of the workout he’d had, he was still a live wire. Crimson was just feet away from him and his body fully recognized that. He wanted her. Bad. But Josiah wasn’t a selfish jerk. She wasn’t ready. Especially after what had happened tonight. He’d have to wait and just be patient.

First thing in the morning he planned to discuss what happened to Crimson with Billy. The old man needed to know what Rob had done. Josiah settled back into the corner of the couch. His blue eyes stayed on Crimson. He’d watch over her. He’d keep her safe. Josiah inhaled and her lemony scent assailed him again. His mouth watered. It was going to be a long night.