“I heard you. However, I’m thinking it can’t be that urgent we leave, otherwise you wouldn’t be standing in my kitchen talking foolishness.” Leaning back against the counter, Lux waited to hear what he had to say to her logic.
He ignored her comment. “I know you don’t believe that your brother loves you, but he does. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent me for you. He believes you could be in some kind of danger.”
“The only reason I'd be at risk is because of his lifestyle,” Lux flashed back at him. “I don’t want anything to do with him, or you! Just so there’s no misunderstanding, I’m not going anywhere with you. My life is here, without you, and I intend to keep it that way.”
Josh didn’t acknowledge her remarks, so, Lux finished her tea. Then she took her time washing and drying the cup. When she was finished, she finally turned back to a silent Josh.
“Do you know why I love it here so much?” Lux asked the too quiet interloper in her little house. “I love it because every day when I wake up, I know that you and my brother are out of my life. All I need is for you to understand one thing, I don’t want you here and you’re the last person on earth I would go anywhere with.” When she finally drew to a close, Lux held her breath for his explosion.
“Okay,” Josh agreed with a shrug.
The snort that ran through her mind wasn’t voiced. Yes, she’d changed. She was all grown up and no doubt so was he; but there was no way in hell he’d changed that much. He must think her a fool. If he wanted to play mind games, she was up for it.
“Good, I’m glad that’s settled. Give my regards to your family when you get home. Goodbye Josh, I don’t think we’ll meet again.” Not waiting for a response, Lux brushed past him on her way out of the kitchen.
Chapter 3
Josh really wanted to allow her to sweep past him so she could have her grand withdrawal. That was his intention, but there was something within him that prevented him from letting her have her way.
At the last possible moment, all that was needed was a slight shift of his body to ensure she ran into him. “That was some exit line,” he teased. “I suppose I should be thankful that I at least got that much, this time around.”
“Boy, you better move out of my way!” Lux warned.
Josh would allow her to voice as many reasons as she considered necessary for never seeing him again; but they both knew being in each other’s company again was inevitable. They fit; they had always fit. On the flight over he’d reached a decision. He was done giving her the space she thought she needed.
Looking down at his Lux, he was assailed by his feelings for her that were never far from the surface. Knowing he had to tread carefully, he adopted his most guileless smile. It wasn’t enough, she still took a step back.
“I came straight here from the airport. It’s late and I don’t have anywhere to stay. May I at least sleep on your sofa?” Batting his long black lashes at her, Josh hoped he looked pitiful enough for her to agree to his suggestion.
“Boy, don’t get on my nerves. With the amount of money you have, you could go into town and buy a damn hotel to sleep in!”
He should have known better. “Luxandria!” Josh said in exasperation at her comeback and the way she rolled her eyes at him.
“Oh, stop your noise. You can stay, but by the time I get up, the only memory I want of you is the lingering scent of that cologne you must have bathed in!”
Josh wanted to laugh. Lux always spoke her mind and it seemed nothing had changed. What pleased him was that he didn’t have on any cologne. That meant she was still attracted to his natural scent. It was the first tell-tale sign that no matter what she said, her senses still recognized him as her man.
“Why are you grinning like that?”
“No reason,” Josh said attempting to hold in his pleasure at seeing her again after so long. “You look good Lux,” he couldn’t help but say.
“Not interested, Joshua,” she frowned at him. “I already said you can sleep here. I don’t need to hear anything else from you. I know I look good, and do you want to know why?” Lux paused, but not long enough for him to respond. “I look this good because I don’t have to worry about you and Samuel!”
“Hell, Lux, way to give a man an inadequacy complex,” Josh mocked with false indignation.
“You know what, I don’t even what to speak to you for the rest of the night. You make my head hurt.”
Jabbing him in the stomach, she attempted to pass by his big body. Josh expelled a gush of air giving the impression she’d done some damage with her poke. When she elbowed him in the stomach, he allowed her to pass. As she continued on her way, his gaze followed her. She was everything he’d ever wanted, and he’d told and shown her that. Even, after all these years, that she’d been able to walk away from him when he’d bared his soul to her, still hurt like nothing he’d ever experienced.