“That motherfucker.” Josh was practically snarling.
“Really? Little Rossi has a stalker?” Harper asked.
“Looks like it.” Jason’s brow furrowed. “Have him look everything over and do a full backup.”
“Got it.” Harper left the room without even acknowledging Caroline. Personally, she didn’t love Harper Poole. She was as gorgeous and smart as she was cold and calculating, but Jason’s business couldn’t run without her. Caroline knew there was a human being in there because Harper had jumped in and helped when Jason and Meg’s custody situation with Molly got ugly.
Caroline plopped into one of the two large leather chairs near Jason’s desk and Josh crouched down in front of her while Jason sat in the other chair. “You want to tell me what’s happening?” her brother-in-law asked.
“This is all crazy. This kind of stuff doesn’t happen to me, Jason. I’m not the type of girl who inspires mad passion and gets stalked.”
“Caroline? Come on. What’s happening?”
She launched into the story, telling him everything about work, Mark, the things he’d done, everything.
“Damn, the guy has a couple of screws loose.”
“You could say that.” Caroline spoke in a suffocated whisper. She’d never been so scared.
“And you’re in trouble... why?”
God, there was so much. Her crazy behavior, Mark, her desire to write, the guy thing... she really had to pick just one. “I don’t know why this is all happening, Jason, but he knows things about me that he shouldn’t. It scared the crap out of me. He was asking about my writing, if I used a pen name. If it was hot. The whole thing skeeved me out.”
“I want to kill him.” Josh was still squatting in front of Caroline, holding her hands.
Jason grinned. “I got that, but I have a better idea.”
“I just want to get away from here.” Caroline seriously felt like she was losing her grip.
“I bet.” Jason paused. “It’s going to take a while, but we’ll figure it out. It’s a good thing he tripped himself up. Otherwise who knows how long he would have grabbed your information.”
“Thank God I don’t have to go back to that place for long.”
Josh rose and perched on the arm of Caroline’s chair. “She just landed a great job with a new firm. She’s starting next month. But I don’t think you should go back at all,” he said to Caroline.
“That’s not a bad idea. I hate quitting like this, but... I wish I had more nerve.”
Jason smiled and reached out, laying a hand on her shoulder. “Caroline, you never cease to amaze me. The engineering has always boggled my mind, but the writing—that’s pretty cool. And as for having nerve, you have it in spades. Don’t let an ass like your boss define you.”
“It’s hard. People don’t take me seriously. Meg called writing my ‘little hobby’. My mother told me to focus on my career. You were there.” She drew a deep breath and continued. “Plus, I write romance. It used to be everyone thought it was just trashy writing, but now people equate what I do with porn.”
“So, you’ve kept it all under wraps at work?”
“No one knew at work. Mark made it sound so dirty, and now he’ll use it to cause problems for me.” Caroline trailed off, thinking about how she’d hidden what she loved from everyone, but mostly from the people who were most important to her. Except Josh. She turned her face toward her guy. “I hate it.”
“I know, baby. I know.”
Jason leaned back in the chair and stretched his arms over his head. “So, when were you going to tell us you guys were an item?”
“Jason,” Josh said, “don’t jerk her around.” He looked down at her. “He knows and Meg suspects.”
“I figured,” Caroline said. “I really wanted to go to dinner with Mom tonight, but now I just want to get out of the city.”
“Look,” Jason said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “Why don’t you take a few days off from work? I’m sure you have vacation days to burn before you quit, right? Go up to the cottage and decompress.”
The Cottage. That was a lovely code name for the five-bedroom house on Martha’s Vineyard that Jason bought for Meg when they were on their honeymoon. It was a beautiful and peaceful waterfront escape and Caroline was tempted, but not convinced. “What would I do there?”
“Sleep? Sightsee?
Write
?”
Caroline sprang to her feet. “On my laptop? Hell, no! He might find me.” She sucked in a breath.
Crap
. Reality struck like thunder. She was scared. Honestly scared. Tears welled up in Caroline’s eyes and she faced Josh. “Oh, my God.”
Caroline collapsed into his outstretched arms and felt a shiver go right through her. “What if he finds me? He was tracking me.”
“I agree with Jason that you need to get away, but maybe alone isn’t the best idea. I hate that I can’t leave for a few days until I get some projects settled.” He settled her back into the armchair and crouched in front of her, but looked up at his brother. “Maybe Meg can go with her?”
“I’ll call her.” Then Jason turned to Caroline with his plan. “Here’s what we’ll do. We’ll get you a new laptop and I’ll have my IT department set it up for you. We’ll transfer all your files and lock down the access. Good?”
“Okay,” she whispered, nodding. “Okay.”
“Good. Let me make some calls and we’ll take care of it. Now, can you go home? Will you be okay?”
Caroline looked between Josh and Jason and wondered how they ended up so different from their parents. These guys were amazing, and she and her sister were very lucky women. “I’ll be okay.”
As she readied to leave, Caroline gave her brother-in-law a hug. “Thank you, Jason. Thank you so much.”
As she stepped back, Jason put his hand on her arm. “Caroline, you can tell your sister anything. I know she seems overpowering, but Meg loves you, and even if you tell her to back off, she’s still going to love you.”
“It’s hard sometimes.”
“She wants you to be happy. Everyone does. I know she wants to be at dinner tonight. We both do; would that be okay?”
Thinking for a second, she nodded. “Yes. It’s okay.” Caroline still wasn’t sure how her mom and sister were going to react to anything. She could only hope they were as open-minded as Jason and Josh.
“I’ll call you with details about the trip. Plan on leaving tomorrow, but until then focus on having a good time at dinner.”
Caroline nodded and watched as the brothers shook hands and then moved into an embrace. “Thanks, man,” Josh said.
Feeling Josh’s hand settle at the small of her back, Caroline felt herself calming down. If she knew nothing else, she was confident that Josh would stand by her. Her career might falter, her relationship with her family might be shaky, but he was her constant. Even if she had nothing else, she had that.
***
Caroline fidgeted in her seat at the very pretty Italian restaurant near Times Square. It looked like a Venetian garden, but the only thing keeping her from jumping out of her skin was the glass of pinot grigio she was gulping down. Josh tried to settle her, but he wasn’t having any luck. It wasn’t a good day for keeping Caroline calm.
“It’s going to be fine, you know.”
“I know. But I can’t help feeling nervous.”
He saw a black car pull up and stop in front of the restaurant and Mrs. Rossi and Meg emerged from the back, followed by Jason. He didn’t know how this was going to go, but over the past few days Josh was more sure than ever that he was in love with Caroline and he wanted to be with her. Forever.
A few seconds after they entered the restaurant, Meg and her mother spotted Josh and Caroline. Meg grinned and shook her head. Mrs. Rossi looked shocked at first, and then a smile bloomed.
It was good to see, but what made Josh’s heart warm was seeing his girl look at him with all the love in the world in her eyes. She’d seen her family’s reaction, and she knew it would be okay.
Meg stopped in front of her sister and shook her head once again. “I knew it. You kept trying to throw me off, but I knew it.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you both. I didn’t know how you’d feel about him and me.”
Her mother drew her into a hug and kissed her temple. “Honey, I just want you to be happy. But I’ll tell you, if I could have picked a man for you, it would have been Josh. I’m very happy to see you two found each other.”
Josh stepped back to let the Rossi women get the tears and apologies out of their systems, then Meg inched over to him and punched him in the shoulder. “You suck, you know that.”
He laughed. “I guess, from your point of view.”
“I’m glad she’s happy. Don’t screw up or I’m going to have to hurt you.”
“Got it. You all ready for the trip?”
“Yeah. Mom, Caroline, and I will be there by noon tomorrow. It will be good for us to get away together. We have some stuff to work out.”
“Okay, I’ll be there by the weekend.”
“You look different, Josh. Being in love must agree with you.”
He didn’t have a clue how she knew what he was feeling, but he’d stopped questioning what the women in this family could do. “It shows?”
“Every time you look at her.”
Chapter 14
“This has been an incredible day.” Caroline and Josh walked into her apartment after a wonderful dinner with her mother and sister, and now it was just them. She and the man who changed her life.
She went to the window and marveled at the moon. It was so big it looked almost close enough to touch. As she stood, looking at the way the light was reflected off the buildings, Josh took up his favorite position. He was behind her, arms looped around her waist and his head resting on the top of her head. He pulled her tight against him and Caroline reveled in the feel of his strong arms and the hard wall of his chest.
“I’m so relieved,” she said. “I was expecting a big blowup at dinner, and they were so great.”
“I’m glad it went well. But I’m not surprised. They love you, Caroline. Ultimately, that trumps everything.”
“Thank you, for... for everything.”
It was the middle of the night, and she hated that she was leaving him tomorrow. Jason had arranged everything. The cottage would be set up. There would be security so she, Meg, and Mom wouldn’t have to worry about being there alone, and she had a brand-new, shiny laptop in her bag.
Caroline had resigned from work, effective immediately. By now Mark probably knew the laptop was being monitored, and he’d be watching his back.
She and Josh felt so right, and Caroline was absolutely where she was supposed to be. All her years growing up, she never understood how right she’d been about him. He wasn’t hard or unfeeling like he’d been painted, but warm, and kind. And he was hers.
He held her for the longest time, knowing that more than likely the good face she put on at the restaurant was just a front. He knew these things about her, sensed them, and that alone made Caroline a little bit happier. Josh knew her well. He knew what she liked and didn’t, sensed when she wasn’t happy, was tuned into her, but still hadn’t told her he loved her. Caroline wondered how long they could keep the relationship going like this. She wanted to tell him what she was feeling, she wanted Josh to know he had her heart, her whole heart, and no one else would ever be able to claim it.
Caroline turned and faced him, letting her hand caress the stubble on his cheek. Their eyes locked, and for a moment it seemed she and Josh felt the same thing. As his hand stroked her hair away from her face, it seemed he wanted to say something—something that would change both of their lives.
But he didn’t say anything; instead, Josh leaned in and kissed her. His arms cradled her body as his lips—soft, warm and hypnotic—moved over hers. Caroline found herself floating in his arms, feeling weightless as each touch, each kiss moved her to a place less grounded in the real world and more in the fantasy of the perfect romance. His hand traveled the length of her and warmth exploded from Caroline’s core. She pulled back and steadied herself because she had a surprise for him, and if they didn’t stop now, everything would spiral out of control.
“Are you all right?” His question was breathy, tense.
“Mmmhmm,” she whispered. “I just want to freshen up a little.”
Josh nodded, his eyes closed, his body taut. The backs of his fingers trailed over Caroline’s cheek, down her neck and across the swells of her breasts. It made her shudder and suck in a breath, and Josh smiled with satisfaction because he loved having that effect on her.
Pulling away and going to a dresser drawer, Caroline retreated to the bathroom. She wondered what she could do to blow Josh’s mind.
***
Josh had some preparing to do as well. He went to the living room to get something that he was amazed he’d been able to hide from her. He also grabbed the bottle of champagne and two flutes he’d stashed in the kitchen.
He heard the bathroom door open, and when he turned, Josh’s breathing caught in his chest. She was a vision. Her silk negligee was a champagne color except for the wisps of cream-colored lace that covered her breasts. The lace didn’t cover much, but just enough. Every one of Caroline’s curves, every beautiful inch of her, was draped in the shimmery fabric, and Josh’s body responded immediately.
“My God, Caroline. You’re beautiful.” She came to him on the love seat and looped her arms around his neck. He caught a whiff of her perfume, saw that she’d freshened her makeup and arranged soft curls in her hair.
“You’ve been busy,” she said.
Josh handed her a glass of champagne. “I didn’t forget that your birthday is Saturday. Your twenty-eighth birthday.”
Caroline grinned. “You’ll be with me at the cottage by then.”
“I know, but I figured we could celebrate here too.”
Caroline bit her lip and looked at him. Her face, her expression, were so sweet and so seductive that Josh was experiencing a slow meltdown. He was in way over his head. He was feeling things he’d never felt and accepted that he had to stop fighting this.
“You know,” she said, as she ran her finger down his chest, “that makes it sound a little bit dirty.”
He grinned and slid his finger under the skinny strap of her nightgown. “Oh, honey, it will be plenty dirty.”
Caroline tossed her head back and laughed. Then she held him so tightly Josh could feel her heart beating against his own. “Okay,” he said when she finally released him, “what do you want for your birthday?”
“Nothing. Well, nothing you could give me.” Her expression was perfect — a little bit curious, a little bit nervous.
“You doubt me?” he asked.
She took a deep breath and as Josh watched her eyes light up, he wondered what he’d done to finally feel like this, to know that he’d found the person to spend the rest of his life with. Something about Caroline seemed to split his heart open and feelings he never imagined came flooding out. She was the light in his life. Everything he saw down the road had her there. Things he never imagined for himself, like children, were in the picture now.
Reaching behind him, he grabbed a small blue bag and held it out to her. He knew she would object to the gift, and that she would say it was unnecessary, but for Josh it was very necessary. He watched her face change when she looked into the bag and pulled out the little blue box from Tiffany’s.
“Josh, what did you do?”
“Open it.”
When she did, there was a gasp. “Oh, Josh, oh.” Caroline pressed three fingers to her lips and stared at the diamond pendant necklace. “It’s stunning, but you didn’t have to—”
He stopped her with a kiss. “Yes, I did. I wanted to get you something special.” He took the box from her and removed the necklace. He repositioned himself and looped it around her neck. When he’d set the clasp, he looked at her. She looked perfect—elegant, glamorous, sexy—and all Josh could think was that she was his.
Caroline kissed him, soft and sweet, as her hand stroked the hair at his temple. “Thank you, Josh. It’s beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful.” And when Josh kissed her it wasn’t sweet; it was hot, deep, and he heard Caroline sigh as she gave into it. He maneuvered her onto his lap and her eyes flashed with awareness as his erection pressed into her bottom. Then she watched as he slid the flimsy straps from her shoulders, exposing her breasts. Caroline’s eyes went dark and misty; her hands inched up Josh’s bare back. Josh lowered his mouth and took her sweet nipple, pulling on it, kissing it, and loving how Caroline felt as she moved in his arms. The teasing was delicious and she tasted so good. He was teetering on the edge of reason as he pushed the nightgown up her leg, slid his hand over her thigh and let his fingers play between her legs.
She was crazed from the sensations. His mouth and tongue continued to play over her breasts while his hands tortured her. His erection was torture; all he wanted to do was plunge into her, make her scream, but he held back, making this more about her than his own gratification—but then she nearly broke him.
“Josh, please, please—” she begged. “Please don’t make me wait.”
How does a man resist that? He wanted her to wait, though. He wanted her writhing, calling his name. He wanted her in such a state that she couldn’t think straight. Helping her stand up, Josh stayed seated on the loveseat as he reached up and slid the nightgown down her body.
Caroline stepped out of the gold silk and let it pool at her feet and Josh’s hands continued to worship her. She stood before him completely naked, wearing only the diamonds he had given her. Her body was soft, curvy, and she tasted like warm sugar. Grabbing her hips, Josh pressed his mouth to her wet center and took her to a brand new place. Caroline’s hands grasped Josh’s head and held it as his tongue drove into her. He had to hold her still as he worked, feeling her body tense and shudder. She cried out and arched, and Josh pulled away and watched how her whole body reacted as she came in one great explosion.
Josh stood and let Caroline collapse against his chest. “Happy Birthday,” he said.
“Oh, oh, God...” Her breathing was heavy, but Caroline wanted more. She grabbed the elastic of his underwear and pushed his pants and boxers down in one movement, releasing him. Josh grabbed Caroline around her bottom and lifted her, with the intention of taking her to bed. As he carried her, the smile that crossed her face could only be described as wicked.
“You’re a naughty girl, Rossi.”
She chuckled as she nipped at his ear lobe, grinding her hips just enough to keep it interesting. “You love it,” she said quietly.
He looked at the bed and wondered how they were going to do this. Caroline, of course, came up with a solution.
“Sit down, Josh. I’ve been doing some... well... research.”
That got him. “Excuse me? What do you mean, research? Who did you do your research on?”
Caroline blushed. “Oh, God. No one. Nobody. I ahh ... I read something.”
Josh discovered that if he bit his tongue hard enough he wouldn’t laugh. He really wanted to but he didn’t, because the fact that she wanted to please him in bed was so, well, adorable, that he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. And if she wanted to take the lead, he’d listen. She was the birthday girl, after all.
As soon as Josh planted his ass on the mattress, Caroline started to move.
She moved down his body and gently kissed the tip of his erection. He watched as her tongue swirled around the tip, and then she licked the shaft. Every once in a while she looked at him and pushed her hair back so he could see. Holy Mother of God. He was going to be her slave. That was it. He was done. When Caroline’s mouth closed around the head and the gentle pressure and pulling started, it almost made him go unconscious. She was very good at this, and suddenly Josh was a big fan of research.