I sat in my office blankly staring at the screen in front of me. For the second day in a row, I couldn't stop thinking about my night with Jared. Our dinner date started off pretty rough, but took an unexpected turn when we ended up back at his house. Despite his need to always be in full control, he never fails to surprise me sometimes by mixing it up. And truth be told, as much as I love that dominant side of him, I have a real soft spot for the times he is extra gentle and tender with me. My lips curled into a smile just thinking about waking up in his arms.
Thoughts slowly shifted to my upcoming trip to Portland. Jared made it a point to tell me several times to enjoy my time with Shannon but I can't help but feel uneasy about the whole situation. I definitely miss him, but can I jump right back into a relationship with him? The more I allow myself to dwell on it, the more my leg begins to bounce nervously. I inhaled deeply. With lightning speed, images of the way Shannon pinned me to the brick wall just outside of my apartment complex filled my head. His smoldering eyes staring into mine with an intensity that made me shift in my seat. Recalling the way the corners of his lips turned upward just as he was about to kiss me warmed my heart. "Carrie!" Josh's voice startled me and I nearly spilled my coffee when I jumped.
"What, Josh?" I shrieked, nearly jumping out of my seat. Furiously, I began shuffling some papers in a pathetic attempt to show him how busy I am. I know I must look guilty as hell, but I'll never admit it to his snobbish ass.
"Christ, you didn't hear a word I said, did you?"
I spun around to face him, determined not to crack a smile. "I'm really sorry, Josh, but I have a lot on my mind right now. I've got an appointment with Sondra tomorrow morning for another expensive and completely unnecessary project. And you know how nervous I am about my trip to Portland with Colton. God, I'm so not looking forward to having to be around him again."
"First of all, who cares if Sondra wants to spend every last dime on redecorating her entire home for the thousandth time?"
"True."
"And second, you are going away with the sexy fireman? Be careful with that hose," he giggled. "Your boy toy is going to allow that?" Silly Josh has no clue how complicated my life really is at the moment.
"Yes, he's working," I said quietly, hoping he'd leave it there, but I know better. Josh has a habit of digging and usually won't let up until I end up telling him way more than I originally intended to.
He leaned all the way back in his chair and propped his feet up on his desk. "So let me get this shit straight. That beautiful, delightful man allows you to go to Portland with your ex, who just happens to be Mr. July? All alone? And he has no jealousy issues? Make that make sense Carrie." Raising his brow, he patiently waited for my response, knowing there had to be more to it.
I sucked in a deep breath and avoided making eye contact. Over the past few weeks, I've been slowly filling Josh in on the disaster that is my life, but there are still some things that need to be kept secret. "No. Jared insisted that his brother accompany me on the trip. Neither of them trust Colton. But for the record I will not be sharing a room with Colton regardless of his son being present. I still very much plan to keep my distance from him."
He almost choked to death with the last sip of Diet Coke. I watched him cough again and again while shoving the bottle away. "Ugh! Bitch, you are swimming in hot men. Life is so unfair. First of all, Jared has no business sending his big brother to handle his business. What's the brother's name anyway?"
"Shannon."
He picked up his phone undoubtedly googling Shannon. "Yeah. He looks yummy. I'll gladly hold his drum sticks any day," he snickered. "But Jared must be awfully confident in your relationship to let you go off with those two for a long weekend."
