“Okay now, you’ve got to make this quick.”

Carla folded her arms as she readjusted herself in the passenger seat.

“What’s the rush. Your date isn’t for another few hours.”

“I’ll need that time to get ready.”

Carla looked me up and down. “What’s wrong with what you have on?”

“It’s what I wore to my interview.”

“It’s still hot. I like it,” she offered.

“Well, thanks. I think Mrs. Hathaway liked it, too.”

At Carla’s puzzled look, I explained. “The lady who hired me.”

“Oh, your new boss,” she popped with a little stank in her voice.

“Don’t be mad. Look at it this way. Once I get my foot in the door, I can check out what other positions they have available and get you on.”

Carla’s frown spread slowly into a reassuring smile. “Yeah you can!” she said.

I nodded. “See and you were getting ready to give me major attitude.”

“Not major.” She pierced her fingers together. “Just a little.”

“Mmhmm.”

“So, since you’re in a rush, I need a quick favor.”

My eyes rose in surprise. “I’m listening.”

“Can you introduce me to Jacob?”

I sat back in my seat. “Josiah’s brother?”

“Yeah…”

“How do you know him?”

“Duh, I’ve seen him on every major news channel just like all the others, and he is gorgeous.” She swooned.

I dropped my eyes to her. “What if he’s a dog?”

Carla pushed air out of her lips with a frown. “What is up with you?”

“What?”

“You know those brothers don’t dog women!”

“I don’t mean like that. But he has all the potential to be a heartbreaker just like the rest of them.”

“Well hell, maybe that’s a chance I’m willing to take. Just introduce me!” She pouted. “We’ll work out the specifics later.”

I smirked. “Girl, is that why you had me come all the way over here?”

“No. I wanted to get all in your business, but you tryna rush a sister.”

I pursed my lips, unsure if I believed her. “I’ll see what I can do, but I don’t know Jacob that well.”

“You can put a bug in Josiah’s ear. Like you said before, he never tells you no.” Carla winked, and I couldn’t be mad at her for using me.

“All right girl, I got your back. Now get out. I’ve got to get going.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m out.”

Carla climbed out of the car and traipsed to the sidewalk to check her mailbox.

“See you tomorrow,” I chimed, pulling off to go get ready for my date with Josiah.

 

When I opened my front door, Josiah stood there dapper in a Giorgio Armani suit that tailored his muscled physique with splendor. My nipples hardened immediately, and I found myself in awe with the way his sheer presence made me feel. Chills rose on my skin as my eyes traveled down his suave excellence to the sharp shoes that held a shine liked they’d been buffed to perfection. Besides his striking appearance, the way Josiah looked at me with a lethal perusal tightened my areolas to the point where I was certain they were now bulging through the lace top of my gown.

“Good evening,” I said. “You sure know how to clean up, don’t you?”

A lazy grin tugged at his lips. “Thank you,” he said. “And your beauty is beyond stunning.” He held his arm out. “Shall we?”

I roped my arm through his, and we left the house. Inside his car, a buzzing energy wafted around us, tantalizing and electric. I’d taken measures to make my appearance stand out, and already my panties were useless.

“Do you mind?” Josiah said, turning to a rhythm and blues station.

“Not at all. I could use a good tune.”

“Yeah?”

I smiled. “Yeah.”

Josiah elevated the volume and reached for my hand linking our fingers together. His warm touch sent shivers flying through me and my heart kicked with an erratic beat. The Infiniti cruised down the highway, and it wasn’t until we were twenty minutes down the road that I realized I was unaware where we were headed. But when we pulled into the Veranda, I knew I’d be in for a treat.

“I’ve never eaten here.”

Josiah gave me that sexy grin. “I was hoping you hadn’t.”

He pulled in front of the door and valet took over the driver’s seat while I placed my hand in Josiah’s pro-offered one. Arm and arm, we sailed into the restaurant and waited all of ten seconds before being seated.

“Wow, that was quick, and this place is crowded,” I said. “This is the type of restaurant where you had to make reservations months in advance to get a seat.”

“Six months,” Josiah corrected.

My eyes rose. “Are you serious?”

“Afraid so.”

Suddenly, my mind began to swirl. Six months ago, I didn’t know Josiah, so I had to wonder who he’d made these reservations for. The thoughts twisted my stomach. But I held off from asking. A man walked up to our table dressed down in a chef’s hat jacket and pants.

“Good evening, mademoiselle,” he greeted. The chef turned toward Josiah. “Monsieur Rose, I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to have you and your companion here at Veranda tonight. Your meal is on the house. The only thing I ask in return is a quick picture for our wall of fame.”

The chef pointed to the wall that ran around the elegant restaurant with pictures of celebrities from James Brown, Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, Gladys Knight, and others.

Josiah dipped his head. “Of course, as long as my lady doesn’t mind it.” He brought those sexy eyes to me that I’d dreamed about countless times since his departure a few days ago.

“Oh no, I don’t.” I smiled.

“Parfait!” the chef said delightedly. “Tell me what you would like to eat, and I’ll make it personally and bring it out to you.”

Josiah grinned. “I was wondering if you could put on a show for my lady as you cook your masterpiece.”

The chef’s eyes rose with elation, and I looked on quizzically.

“If you’ll follow me, I have the perfect seats for you to enjoy this rendition of a meal.”

Josiah stood to his feet and helped me to mine. We followed the chef through the restaurant, and I could feel the heat from Josiah’s hand sitting at the small of my back. Curious eyes stared at us as we made our way through. This upscale restaurant was no stranger to famous faces, but still, I caught a few pictures snap at us as we moseyed through. The chef pulled up to an open grill much like the one I’d seen in Montego Bay and sat us at a table attached to the lining of it.

I looked at Josiah. “So, this is where they hide the jewels of the city,” I said.

Josiah gave me a devilish grin, “Not all jewels,” he responded, pulling my seat out. I sat and got comfortable while Josiah took his place. The chef stood in front of us and with a sprinkle of oil, the grill flamed and a fire held with an orange glow. I smiled and crossed my legs. Josiah pulled me close and my back settled into the firmness of his chest. We lounged and watched the chef cook up a meal with a spirited performance.

“I never knew watching someone cook could be so entertaining,” I said.

“You like?”

“I do.”

I cocked my head to the side and peered up at him. His lips were divine, smooth and inviting. They hovered slightly above my cheek, and a blush warmed me over. A second passed, and Josiah leaned into me, placing a warm kiss on my face. My eyes closed and I exhaled and shivered at the warmth trickling over my skin.

“I missed you,” I said, surprising myself.

Josiah pulled his arm forward and threaded our fingers together as he kept the other arm leisurely laying across my shoulders.

“I missed you, too.” His lips touched my face with a brush, and his nose nudged against my skin. The vibrations around us were so strong that sitting next to him felt like riding a rollercoaster. An exhilarating thrill. As the fire rose from the grill, I turned completely to face him, and with no more words spoken between us, we kissed. Slow and elaborate. Then fierce and urgent. For what felt like minutes we kissed, re-exploring each other’s mouths before I had a notion to tear my mouth away from his. With heavy lids, Josiah gazed at me then licked his lips as if getting the remainder of my kiss in his mouth. I tried with ease to calm my labored breaths and inched away from him, resting a hand on his chest.

“I think we forgot we were in public,” I said, attempting to make a joke.

“We’re secluded back here.”

I glanced around at other couples, some within possible earshot and quirked an eyebrow up at him. “Secluded?”

He smiled. “Somewhat.” His stare went to my mouth, and it was doing crazy things to my body. I was as hot as the fire in front of us, and I wished I had one of those church fans to pull out for a quick rush of wind.

The chef put the last touches on our dish and sat them around us in a grand presentation. “That was beautiful,” I said complimenting the chef for his production.

“Thank you, mademoiselle. Do you have everything you need?”

I glanced at Josiah, and he grinned and looked to the Chef, “We do. Thank you, sir.” The men shook hands.

“I’ll be back to check on you two in a minute.”

“Take your time,” Josiah said.

Josiah slipped his hand in mine. “Shall we pray?”

I smiled. “Of course.”

We bowed our heads, and Josiah gave thanks over our food. Hearing him talk to the Lord even in a simple prayer warmed my heart. I wondered if he talked to his mom this way, and I realized I wanted to know more about where he went when he was inside his head.

“Amen,” we said together. As our heads lifted, we stared at each other, and I let out a soft giggle.

“I want to propose a toast,” Josiah said, raising a glass of champagne. I reached for my glass and held it up. “To you, Santana. You’re beautiful, intelligent, and the most down to earth woman I’ve ever known. You should get an award for being you. Congratulations on getting a position at the Chicago Chronicle. You deserve it, and I’m proud to call you my love.”

A surge of heat, thick and glazed, coasted over my skin. Our glasses clinked as I tried to comprehend his words. I sipped slowly while I thoughtfully engaged in a battle in my mind. Was he serious or was he putting on a show? After taking a drink, Josiah sat his glass down and reached for a shrimp kabob and fed me. I ate unhurriedly, and our table grew quiet as we sought nourishment. My appetite had gone past needing the physical sustenance but now more than anything; I wanted him in every way there was to have a person.

As my mind wandered, I found myself watching him eat, paying attention to every bite, lick, and stretch of his masculine jaw. I was paralyzed. Absorbed in the provocative way he enjoyed his meal while wishing it was me instead. It turned me on, every time the thick fringe of his lashes lifted to find me staring. How he deliberately coated his lips with his tongue only to pull another bite to his mouth for a taste. His capturing stare stroked me with a current of heat that made my hands rush to my shirt and pop open a button only to find that I was indeed wearing a dress. My skin roasted as his eyes swept over me and his pupils darkened when they made it to my breasts. When he spoke, I only saw his lips move.

“Full?”

I couldn’t find my voice. Had no idea where it went. I reached for a glass of water and took a needy sip then cleared my throat.

“My goodness,” I said, “I think I’m going to need something stronger than that.” My laugh was thin, but it ended in a dense chortle. “I’m not full, but I’m good,” I said. Needing to switch gears quickly, I changed the subject. “I’m surprised Mrs. Hathaway hired me on the spot. She seemed more intrigued with our relationship than anything.”

Josiah frowned. “How do you mean?”

“She asked questions about how we met, how long we’ve known each other, and if we were in a relationship.”

Josiah studied my face. “And what did you tell her?”

“Well, I think she could tell I was uncomfortable with answering such personal questions, so she promptly told me I didn’t have to answer them if I didn’t want to, she was just curious. So, I changed the conversation back to my resume.” I took my eyes around the restaurant then back to him. “I hope you don’t mind me asking but are you two involved?”

Josiah dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin then sat it down. “I’m involved with you. How can I be involved with her?”

We watched each other for a long moment. “I mean, we’re not really together,” I practically whispered, “so I just thought…” My words evaded me, and I tried not to squirm under his intense gaze.

 “No, Mrs. Hathaway was a friend of my mother when she was alive. We don’t see her much anymore because I guess coming around us reminded her of her best friend. However, from time to time, she’ll reach out and tell us if there’s anything we need to contact her. I decided now was the time to take her up on that offer. She’s just being parental in a way with the questions she asked. I apologize on her behalf. I’m sure she’ll call me in a day or so to do the same thing.”

Why did I feel so relieved yet so foolish at the same time?

“Oh,” was all I could manage.

We ate the rest of our meal with minor conversation, and I could tell his thoughts were away from here. It seemed the topic of his mother made him withdraw, and several times I wanted to reach out. Every time I went to do so, Josiah would come back, and I thought maybe he was okay. But by the time we arrived at my townhome, I could sense that his mind was gone again.

“Hey,” I said, caressing his firm chin with my hand. “Why don’t you talk to me about it?”

Josiah regarded me. “I’m cool. Every now and then when I’m thinking about my mom, I wish I had more time with her. Doesn’t happen very often but when it does, I tend to keep to myself.” Josiah smiled up at me. “It’s nothing against you, babygirl.”

I smiled. “Whenever you want to talk about her, I’m here.”

“But only while we’re pretending, right?”

My eyes fluttered as I processed his question, and I felt a slight tightness in his response. “No, of course not. Whenever you need me.” I shifted in my seat to get a better look at him. “Was it something I said?”

Josiah smirked. “It seems that you feel the need to remind me that our relationship is not real every chance you get. Tell me why.”

My eyes darted out the window, and Josiah called out to me.

“Santana...”

I took my eyes back to him, and he waited for an answer.

“I didn’t realize I said it so much. But our relationship isn’t real, Josiah.”

This time Josiah turned to the window, but his focus didn’t stay there. When we reconnected, he spoke, “I’ve never had a serious relationship, Santana. One where loving someone was the center of my devotion. If I’m honest, it scares the hell out of me. Love gets into your blood and cords with the strings of your heart, magically becoming a part of its rhythm. But I fear the loss of a loved one more, so much that I keep away from it like I’ll get burned if I find myself in its path.”

Josiah inched closer to me and reached out and grabbed my face, smoothly pulling me over to meet him.

“And you know what, Santana, even I can see that our relationship is more authentic than anything I’ve experienced in my entire existence. I can’t explain it, but I sure as hell know it. So, you’re telling me, that you don’t know it? What I feel is for me alone?”

My heart thundered, and I said the only thing there was to say.

“No. You’re not alone. I—”

Josiah’s lips pierced my soul when they crushed into mine. Liquid lava ran down my skin, and before I knew it, I’d been pulled over the seat to straddle him. Hungrily, we kissed and touched with a passionate burst so inhibited I nearly came in his lap.

“Oh…” My lips parted as moans fled my soul from the uncontrolled yet dangerous desire I felt. Josiah’s lips pushed against my hot skin, sending shivers down my neck. His big hands cruised up against my thighs, leading a trail of chills against my skin. His fingers slipped inside my panties and invaded my lips below. My head fell forward, and I moaned. Biting down on my lip, my hips gyrated with the rhythm of his fingers. A persistent pulsing between my thighs made me grow hotter, and a rushing orgasm threatened to spill from me.

“Why do I want you so bad, Santana… why… why… why…”

My head rolled back, and I moaned as a storm of heat surrounded us. I reached down and unbuckled his belt, pants and unfastened his zipper. I pulled out his monster cock and yelped at its instant probing.

“Maybe for the same reasons I want you, Josiah,” I purred resting my arms on top of his shoulders. My lips trailed down his face as I placed soft kisses against his eyes, nose, upper lip then mouth. He grabbed my waist and rubbed the head of his penis between my wetness. A searing heat waved through me, and when he took me in, we melted into one another. I had never wanted to live in one moment before in my life, but this was heaven like I’d never known.

Josiah rocked into me with a possessive paralyzing thrust. I was high-strung as my nerves shot to the roof and a pleasurable wave of nostalgia formed a shield around us in a surge of raw desire. I whimpered and mindlessly purred, “I want you to come inside.”

Josiah smiled up at me with a naughty peer of his eyes. “You want me to come… inside?” He reprocessed slowly.

“Yes…” I panted as his shaft eased in and out of me with vigor. “I want all of you. Right now.”

“Don’t fucking tell me that,” his deep voice ground out.

“Josiah…” I bounced up and down, connecting with the base of his dick with a slamming force.

“Fuuuu-ck!” He spat.

Josiah’s hands gripped my derriere, firmly thrusting to meet my demand. My interior walls clenched, and a wail tore from my throat as I coated his penis with a riptide of my love. “Oh my God,” I sang as my ears stung and contractions tore through my spine. Josiah’s hand flew to the back of my head, and our mouths met for an undulating open mouth kiss. When he came, we held on tight as his temperature rose, and his heart knocked against my chest. I was drunk in love and completely undone as our feverish skin blended into one.

The heat index in the car was alarmingly torrid, and our lips continued to mesh as our bodies hummed from our reckless mating. When our mouths slowed, we both stared at each other, breathing against our lips as our hearts continued to knock. Josiah nibbled my bottom lip then whispered into my mouth as our eyes stayed with one another.

“I want you to be my girlfriend,” his voice thundered.

I didn’t think my body could get hotter than it was right now, but it did, practically incinerating me.

“And I want to be your girlfriend,” I said with a growing smile.

A rumble fled from him, and his lips landed on my chin and lips.

“So you can quit calling our relationship fake then.”

I smirked. “If that’s all you wanted, all you had to do was ask.”

“I did, now we’re official.”

“You only forced me, begging and screaming,” I said jokingly with an eye roll. The husky sound that ran from his vocals settled around my heart. His smile was gorgeous, and I could see it every day for a lifetime and not tire of it.

“Come in the house with me.”

“Are you sure?” he teased.

I answered swiftly, almost begging, “Yes, please, come.”

Josiah pulled his eyes away from me long enough to take a look around. He opened the door, and I crawled off his lap to stand on the street, quickly tugging my dress down. I turned and held out a hand to help him out, but when he stood strong arms pulled me in and lifted me from the ground.

“Oh my God!” I shrieked as he tossed me over his shoulder and closed the door. “Ah!” I yelled, and he laughed as he strolled to the front door with me bouncing, holding on for dear life.

Swiftly, he sat me down to my feet, giving me a rush of wooziness.

“You’ll always be safe in my arms, girl. Don’t you know that by now?”

I held him to keep my balance, and his hands rested on my waist. Josiah bent down and kissed my cheek.

“Keys,” he said, holding out his hands.

I offered them up quickly, making no pause to drop them in his hands. He clutched me to his side and opened the door.

“You’re spending the night,” I said as we entered.

Josiah wrapped me up, putting his lips to my ear. “Are you telling me or asking me?”

I turned my face to his, “I’m telling you,” I said, and this time I was the one who sunk my lips into his mouth.