UNDERCOVER {Competed} 😌

chapter 2(iii,)

Mercy
I stood nervously twisting the bands on my third finger,left hand. Both Joshua and I were standing in front of Joe's office waiting for the car to take us to the ranch. I looked down at the ring. This was the kind of ring I had imagined accepting from the man I was going to marry.
I wanted to deny it,but his last remark had stung,and as  he dropped my luggage down I gave him a resentful glance.
"Did you park your entire closet?" He asked,making a big show of the exhaustion I knew he didn't feel.
I normally insisted on carrying my own bags but I wanted to punish him for his nasty comments and the teasing. I had succumbed to my wicked urge and stormed out of the office, ordering him to bring the bags.
Unfortunately he didn't view this as a punishment even though it had taken him two trips.  He seemed so pleased to be providing this little service. "Let's make ourselves comfortable before the car arrives." As I moved towards the suitcases he pointed at a leather slug in my shoulder."here let me help you with that one too."
"No!" I shouted placing a protective hand on the strap..."my boss would-"
I clamped my lips shut, already searching for a response to Joshua's inevitable question.
"Boss?" Joshua frowned quizzically.
"Yeah,well,it means a lot to me."
I patted it with exaggerated fondness."That's it,yes. it was a going-away gift from my previous boss. I'd die if I lose it...that kind if thing."
Joshua shrugged then patted an empty space beside him. "There's room for you too."
I considered refusing,but could not find a good reason for it.  The space was tight and his knee blushed my thigh.
"An accident." He smiled knowingly.
"Hmm" I sat hands and head on my knees. And stated forward.
I could hear his breathing. No,not exactly hear, I could feel his breathing almost as if it was my breathing, as if it was my own chest moving in and out. And this reminded me of the subject at hand
"Lets reach the agreement about sleeping. There will probably be one bedroom and a living room so we can trade that off. You sleep on the living room for a night, I'll sleep there the next night."
"You think there will be so much space for us?"
"Of course. Jim has lots of cash," I replied to his question.
"I'd bet they spend it in hired help. We'll be lucky to find a queen sized bed," he stated dryly.
"Oh,Joshua." I gave him a scornful look. "Don't you know anything? These people live larger than life and so does their staff."
Joshua's laugh made me feel foolish."Admit it Joshua you don't know anything about this things"
"Maybe not. But don't be surprised if am right." He was looking past my shoulder  as he spoke. "Well there's only one way to find out. Here's the car." And he stood up.
I also stood. Joshua picked his bag and stated to move toward the car.
"The driver will get them," I said
"He is our co worker not some sort of servant,we are not going on a vacation," Joshua stated back.
The car pulled nearer and Joshua handed the bags to the driver.
Over Joshua's protests,I pitched in my luggage to the driver too.
I had no idea how long I will be on Jim's ranch. It was on may and the wedding could be as far late as December. How would I handle Joshua all this time? I was already feeling what...uncomfortable?
In just a few hours he had proven that he would be forever on my face. I almost blew my cover when he was about to pick up my bags. What's next.
I looked at Joe's office. Longing to go back and ask for another partner. But it was too late.

"Joshua!" I whirled,almost hitting the door of the car. "What are you doing?"I asked him
"Playing the role if a husband." He had kissed my chicks.
"Not in public Darling." Painfully aware of the driver's stare, I gave him a frozen smile.
"Newlyweds," the man who introduced himself as Chase commented amused.
I kept my smile in place until Joshua and I were comfortably sited and the driver wasn't looking.
"Don't ever do that again!"
He tried to look as if to agree but his devilish smile told otherwise.
I signed.."Joshua why are you always tormenting me?" His green eyes widened innocently. "Can't a man kiss and Pat his wife in public?"
"I'm not your wife! Don't even begin acting like I am."
"Okay,Mercy, I'll back off." He laughed softly,clearly feeling like he had worn a medal."But one thing. When we get to the ranch,if there's only a single bed,we are sleeping together."
"In your dreams, Joshua. In your dreams."