Game on.
“Interested in watching another movie?” Josh asked.
“I’m knackered,” Nelson said. “I’ll do a walk around the property and retire for the night.”
“Yeah, I’m heading to bed too,” Gerry said. “My spidey senses are tingling.”
Josh understood. Getting Ashley to and from her meetings was becoming logistically complicated. Not only did they have to watch for the bad guy, but the reporters reminded him of a pack of marauding dogs, and the public wanted their piece of her too. Her popularity caused difficulties.
The two men left, and Josh turned off the television. Sighing, he stood and switched off the light. Hopefully, his plan had worked. Frog’s fist lay in his future. His fault. He’d crossed a line. He should’ve kept his hands off Ashley.
Josh padded along the passage and opened the bedroom door. It squeaked, and he winced. He paused a beat before entering.
“Josh.”
Oh-oh.The note in her voice reminded him strongly of his mother. It was the tone he’d heard whenever he’d misbehaved or stepped into trouble.
He strove for apologetic. “Sorry. Did I wake you?”
“No, I’ve been waiting for you. Part of me is surprised you didn’t sleep on the couch.” Ashley sat up and switched on the bedside lamp.
A glow suffused the room, and his gaze jumped to her loose hair. The yellow, orange, and different shades of red shimmered with sunset vibrancy. His fingers itched to touch and test the strands. His gaze lifted to her features. Her frown.
“I contemplated it, but I didn’t want Nelson or Gerry to speculate.”
She snorted. “As if they and every New Zealander aren’t poking their nose into our business. Matt included. Sit. I have something to say, and it’s difficult to concentrate when you’re hovering. You look as if you intend a swift retreat.”
“Considering it,” he said with total honesty.
“I thought you were a big, brave military man.” She crooked her finger and beckoned him closer. “I promise not to bite.Much.”
Josh felt his eyes widen. Her expression gave him nothing. Her words, however… He edged nearer and perched on the corner of the bed.
“I’m going with gut honesty here.” Ashley straightened her shoulders. “I like you, Josh. A lot. Making love with you, sharing my life with you—I’d love our arrangement to become real. Not the engagement part because we’re still getting to know one another, but I have feelings for you. Could we give what we have between us a chance—if you’re agreeable? If you’re not on the same page, I understand and ask you to please keep the pretense until the election is done.”
Josh stared at Ashley, frozen, and scarcely breathing. Frog had spoken to her too, and instead of listening to her brother, she wanted him. She was willing to fight for him. His chest went rigid, his throat tighter.
He’d thought Frog…
“Josh? Do you intend to say something? Anything?”
Josh swallowed hard, the emotions in him tangling to do a number on his language skills.
Ashley sighed, pulled a face. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, but I thought you’d prefer honesty instead of guessing. My life is too busy for games. I’ll back off and try not to make the situation too awkward. After the election, I’ll announce the pressure on our relationship—”
“No!” At long last, his brain kicked into gear. He jumped to his feet and prowled toward Ashley. He hauled her from the bed and wrapped her in an embrace. “I…” He swallowed to lubricate his throat. His brain wasn’t functioning right. The words to make this right weren’t at the tip of his tongue as usual. “Please.” He stared into her brown eyes, every single piece of experience deserting him.
A furrow formed between her brows. Damn, he was losing it, losing her.
“I want the same thing,” he growled, desperation helping him to get out the words.
The tiny frown didn’t shift, and he did the only thing he could. He kissed her, pouring every emotion into it. Hopefully, he’d manage the words once the fear of losing her wasn’t paralyzing him. After Frog had reamed him out and lectured Ashley, he’d figured any chance they’d had of something real had detonated.
Her arms came around his shoulders, gripping him in a possessive manner. Her action penetrated the tension in his gut, his chest, his mind, and he drew back, parting their mouths.
“You’re certain?” he croaked.
“One hundred percent.”
