Secrets and Lies

Chapter 15

Hello Readers,

I'm so sorry for the long wait. I've had some major writer's block and have been super busy with work. I hope this chapter will help make up for it. Let me know what you think.

~*~

The last days of warm summer weather were upon us so Courtney suggested we hang out at her house by the pool. Once school had ended for the day, that's where we headed.

"This was such a great idea," I told Courtney with my eyes still closed, soaking up the sun's rays.

"As much as I love fall, I hate giving up this warm weather," Courtney stated, lying on the lounger next to me. "Besides, we had to do something to celebrate your healed ankle."

I had gotten my brace off three days ago, but my ankle had still been pretty sore until today.

"Well I like this idea," I agreed with her. The only thing that was missing was Josh being here.

Josh had told me he had to go on patrol after school. He explained that there were always members of the pack circling the border to make sure rogues or other threats didn't make it inside their territory.

"And the best part is it's just us girls today," Courtney added sounding slightly annoyed. I had to wonder what Josh had done to make his sister mad at him.

"Uh-huh," was all I said, going back to relaxing.

"Well, what do we have here?" asked an all too familiar voice. I peeked an eye open to confirm who it was and found Josh standing before me.

"Hey," I called, inviting him closer. He complied at once, sitting on my lounger and placing a kiss on my lips.

"No, no, and no," Courtney objected, sitting up. "You were supposed to be on patrol all evening. What are you doing home?"

"Someone offered to cover me," he said with a shrug. Thank you to whoever that was. I was more than happy to have him here instead.

"More like you bribed someone," Courtney muttered under her breath, but I still heard it and I'm sure Josh did too. "Well, you can't stay here. We're having girl time."

"Okay. I get it. You two do your thing. I'm just going to take a quick dip before I go," Josh said while stand up.

In one swift motion, he discarded his shirt and I found myself staring at his perfectly scalped body. My pulse quickened as my eyes shamefully roamed over the muscles of his arms and shoulders and of course down his six-pack abs. I realized I had never actually seen all that was under his clothes, but I always knew he was very fit.

Josh smiled mischievously when he caught me gawking. I quickly shut my eyes trying to act like I hadn't just been eyeing him, but I knew he saw me.

The next thing I knew I was being lifted out of my chair. "Josh put me down," I yelled at him.

"Oh I intend to," he replied, running while still effortlessly carrying me in his arms.

I soon realized he was headed straight for the pool and it didn't take long to put two and two together. I screamed, "don't you dare."

It was too late. Josh jumped into the pool still holding onto me and we both took the plunge. When I resurfaced I was wet, freezing, and fuming.

"I'm going to kill you," I said fuming.

"I'm sorry, but I needed to cool down and it looked like you did too," he teased, referring to me staring.

I decided not to deny it and instead grabbed his head and pushed him under the water. I then proceed to get out of the pool and return to my chair.