Fearless (5 page)

Marisa chuckled. “God, what a mess. I’m in love with a guy who doesn’t want to settle down with me and you’re in love with a guy who does. It would have made life so much easier if I could have fallen for Josh instead of Luc.”

Lexi knew Josh and Marisa had gone out on a few dates and it ate her up inside. She loved them both, wanted them both to be happy, but not together. She knew it was selfish, but she couldn’t pretend to be that magnanimous. “You and he both said there was no chemistry.”  Lexi felt the need to remind her friend why the relationship would never work, in case she still harboured ideas of trying again. 

“I know you’re right. Josh is gorgeous and sexy, but he’s like a brother to me, ya know?”

“I feel the same way about Luc. We’ve all been friends a long time, Marisa.”

“Yeah, so what are you gonna do about Josh?”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to lose him as a friend, but I think sex would only complicate things between us.”

“I guess you’re right,” Marisa said. “Hey, you wanna go to Jimmy’s bar tonight?”

“I can’t. I’m heading up to Josh’s cabin.”

Marisa laughed. “Are you serious? I thought you just said sex was off the table.”

“It is. We’re just gonna talk. His boys are up there with some friends. Trust me, nothing is gonna happen between Josh and me tonight.”

Marisa laughed. “Let me know how that works out for you, Lex.”  

Josh had just finished stashing the last of the groceries in the cupboards when he heard the crunch of gravel in the circular driveway. He looked out the kitchen window and saw Lexi’s Mercedes SUV pulling up to the door. He tried to slow his racing heart with a few deep breaths, reminding himself Lexi was here as his friend, not his lover. They wouldn’t behave any differently than normal.

He knew as soon as she stepped out of the car that was going to be impossible. She was wearing the shortest jean shorts he’d ever seen and a black cotton tank top that crossed over her black bra straps. This was going to be torture. Was he crazy to think he could be alone in the same room with this woman without wanting to pick up where they’d left off last night?

She waved when she saw him coming out of the cottage.

He moved to the rear of the vehicle, intent on helping her with her overnight bag. Instead, he stood watching her, dumbstruck. She reached deep into the trunk and treated him to an endless expanse of bronzed legs and the delectable curve of her behind. He heard his boys chuckling and clearing their throats behind him as they came up the path from the detached garage. He’d been caught red-handed ogling a woman he’d sworn he wasn’t interested in pursuing a sexual relationship with not more than an hour ago. He always tried to be honest with them, but how did a father explain to his sixteen-year-old sons that he was tempted to engage in no-holds-barred sex with a woman just because she was hot? He needed to start thinking with his other head if he wanted to set a good example for them.

“Hey, Lex, can we help you with anything?” Mike asked, coming up beside her.

Josh should have been the one to ask, but he’d been lost in his fantasies. At least Mike remembered his manners. He looked at Jay. Shit, like father, like son.

Lexi hugged Mike and he grinned from ear to ear. “Aren’t you just the sweetest thing? I’ve missed you guys; haven’t seen you in a while.” She stepped away from Mike and held her arms out to Jay. “Get over here, you.”

The color crept up Jay’s neck as his eyes traveled from her chest to her face. “Uh, hi, Lexi.” He stepped into her arms and stuck his tongue out at his brother behind her back as he squeezed her. Both boys were almost a head taller than Lexi, just an inch or two shorter than he was. They may look like men, but they still acted like kids, especially where Lexi was concerned.

“Okay, guys, why don’t you take Lexi’s things inside? Your friends should be here soon.”

They took her bags out of the car and made their way up the steps.

He waited until they’d closed the door before he opened his arms to her. “Do I get one of those?”

She smiled and stepped into his outstretched arms. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Her hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, leaving her neck bare and exposed. After last night, he knew exactly where to kiss her to reduce her to a quivering mass in his arms. He was sorely tempted until he heard a car turning into the driveway. He cursed silently, forcing himself to release her before the car came into sight.

Rich’s father smiled and waved at them. He cut the engine and stepped out of his BMW SUV. He slid his sunglasses into the front of his shirt as he walked toward them. Josh watched the man size Lexi up and his gut twisted. Was he always going to feel this way when another man looked at her, knowing he was powerless to stake his claim?

He tried to see the man through Lexi’s eyes. He was good-looking, successful, and divorced. Unlike Josh, he had no interest in tying the knot again. He was exactly the kind of man Lexi was looking for. Shit, putting these two together was just inviting disaster.

He gripped the other man’s outstretched hand. “Good to see you, Dave.”

“You too, buddy.” He turned his attention to Lexi. “We met at Josh’s pool party last summer, didn’t we?”

She smiled and accepted his outstretched hand. “That’s right. You’re the dentist, aren’t you?”

He grinned and raised a hand. “Guilty as charged. You won’t hold that against me, will you?”

She smiled back and let him continue to hold her hand. “Only if you promise not to lecture me about flossing tonight.”

He took a step closer, still smiling. “From what I can see, you have impeccable flossing habits.”

She dipped her head and looked at him over her lashes. “I believe in taking care of myself.”

He took another step closer, his eyes raking over her. “I can tell.”

Josh cleared his throat. When neither of them seemed to notice, he thought about the repercussions of laying his friend out on the gravel drive. His sons would be furious with him, but it may be worth it just to wipe that smug smile off his face. He’d always liked Dave, but the man suddenly had him seeing red.

“It was nice of you to bring the boys up, Dave,” Josh said. He waved to the kids as they retrieved their gear from the trunk. “I’m sure you need to get back to the city. Don’t let us keep you.”

Dave finally released Lexi’s hand, but maintained close proximity. “I’m in no hurry to get back, Josh.” 

Josh ground his teeth, something he knew Dave the dentist would frown upon. Etiquette dictated he had to at least invite the man in for a beer before he told him to hit the road. Their sons were best friends after all, and Dave had extended the offer to him dozens of times over the years. “Why don’t you come in for a cold one then?”

He slapped Josh on the back. “I thought you’d never ask, buddy.”

“Hey, thanks for letting us come up, Mr. C,” Rich shouted as the three boys ran past them.

“No problem, Rich,” Josh said. Except there would be a problem, a big problem, if Dave the dentist didn’t stop ogling Lexi.

Jay and Mike came out of the cottage. “We put your things in the guest room, Lexi. Dad, we’re gonna go out fishing for a while,” Jay said.

“Make sure there are enough life jackets on the boat,” Josh said.

“You got it,” Mike called over his shoulder as he and his friends headed down the flagstone path toward the dock.

“Guest room?” Dave asked, raising his eyebrows. “Does that mean you two aren’t...” He gestured between Josh and Lexi with his index finger.

Josh was about to tell him that his relationship with Lexi was none of his damned business when Lexi responded to the question.

She smiled up at Dave. “No, Josh and I are just friends.”

Suddenly the word sounded profane. He hated that she referred to him as her friend. He wanted to be her lover, not her friend. He was tired of this, tired of watching Lexi flirt with other men, hold him at arm’s length, claim she didn’t want a commitment. He wanted her, and no matter her terms, regardless of the consequences, he intended to have her in his bed tonight.

He led the way into the cottage and wasn’t surprised when Dave fell into step beside Lexi.

He reached into the fridge and retrieved a bottle of white wine and two beers. He busied himself with the corkscrew, trying not to notice Dave slip his arm around Lexi as they stood at the window admiring the expansive view of the lake. He leaned in to whisper something in Lexi’s ear and the two laughed.

“Did Trey and Sierra leave on their honeymoon as planned, Lex?” Josh asked, trying to break up their intimate conversation. She turned toward him and he noticed a flash of guilt or remorse in her eyes. He wondered whether she was still feeling remorseful about last night or guilty because she was flirting with another man right in front of him.

“Yeah, they did. She was so excited.”

“Your sister married Trey Turner, the country singer, right?”

Lexi nodded. “That’s right.”

“I’ve met him at Josh’s place a few times. He seems like a nice guy.”

Lexi smiled. “He’s the best. I’m glad he and my sister finally found their way back to each other.”

Dave laughed. “You’re a sucker for happily ever after, are you?”

She shook her head furiously, her ponytail swinging back and forth. “Oh no, not me. I mean, I’m glad my sister found hers, but that’s not what I’m looking for.”

They both accepted the drinks Josh offered. “You sound like a battle-weary veteran of divorce, Lexi,” Dave said, smiling down at her.

“No, I’ve never been married. That’s one mistake I don’t intend to make.”

Josh’s frustration was consuming him. Lexi and Dave had more in common than either of them realized and it wasn’t going to be long before they figured it out.

Dave tipped his bottle against her glass. “You’re a woman after my own heart, Lexi. Here’s to enjoying the single life.”

Lexi laughed. “I’ll drink to that.” She tipped the glass to her lips and glanced at Josh.

“If you two will excuse me, I’m gonna go split some firewood. The boys are probably gonna want a bonfire tonight.”

“Sure, no problem, Josh.” Dave winked at him. “That will give Lexi and me a chance to get better acquainted.”

Josh had to get out of here now or he was going to do something that would land him in jail. He crossed the hardwood floor and threw the door open with such force it almost smashed the panel of glass. He didn’t give a damn about the glass, the door, or the wall he was about to put his fist through.

“Josh, wait,” Lexi said, running up behind him.

He headed in the direction of the woodshed. Maybe wielding an axe would give him as much satisfaction as putting his fist through a wall.

She grabbed his arm and tried to turn him around to face her. “Josh, what the hell is your problem?”

He wanted to grab her, shake her, get in her face, but after last night, he knew he had to keep his hands to himself or risk driving her away. “Are you serious? That sonofabitch is all over you and you’re eating it up.” She actually had the nerve to smile in the face of his rage.

“It sounds like you’re jealous, Josh.”

He turned away from the woodshed. He couldn’t trust himself with an axe right now. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing...”

She grabbed his shirtsleeve to try and stop him from walking away. “You’re right; I’m sorry. I guess I wanted to feel something for him.”

He hated Dave, hated her, and hated himself for what he was feeling for her. “I don’t want to hear this. Just go back inside.”

“Josh, you need to hear this.” She reached up to grab his shoulders. “I didn’t proposition you on a whim last night because I’d had a few too many cocktails.”

“Why did you do it then? You know me. You know what I want, so why are you messing with my head this way?”

She tugged on the front of his shirt, drawing him closer. “Because you’re messing with mine. You have been for a long time.”

He let her draw him into her space, but he refused to touch her. If he did, his restraint would snap like a dry twig. “What are you talking about?”

“I’ve had a lot of dates this past year, but...”

He didn’t want to hear about all the men in her life right now. As it was, he could barely contain his temper; hearing that would push him over the edge. “I don’t give a shit about that.”

“You should, because you’re ruining my sex life.”

He heard her utter the word sex while he was visualizing her with other men and he almost snapped until her words began to sink in. “What the hell does that mean?”

“It means that I can’t even think about having sex with anyone else. Whenever I try, I think about you and I can’t go through with it.”

He finally released the breath he’d been holding as his head fell forward. He chuckled. “Thank God you said that. I was just about to lose it, Lex.”

She pulled him into her arms. “It’s you I want, Josh.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and was about to indulge in the kiss he’d been aching for since he saw her jump out of the car, but pulled back when he saw Dave making his way toward them.

“Thanks for the beer, Josh. I’m gonna hit the road now.”

“Are you sure?” Josh asked. “We were just heading back inside.”

Dave looked at them and smiled. “It looks like you two have some things you need to work out. I’m gonna leave you to it.”

Josh reluctantly released Lexi, taking her hand as they walked up the path. “Thanks for dropping the kids off, Dave. I’ll bring them home tomorrow afternoon.” They stopped in front of the BMW.

Dave clapped him on the back. “Mind if I give you a bit of advice, Josh?”

“Depends what it is.”

Dave laughed and inclined his head toward Lexi. “Don’t let this one get away.”

Josh slipped his arm around Lexi’s waist and drew her against his side. “That’s good advice, my friend.”

Chapter Five

Lexi sat down at the long table, opposite Josh. She listened as five teenage boys engaged in discussions about everything from fishing to girls to video games.