Imperfect Perfection

Chapter 8

The warm arms around me shifted and I opened my eyes. Joshua looked at me with a lazy smile on his lips.

"Good Morning."

His voice with husky and laced with sleep. Even with his tousled hair and sheet lines on his face, he was breath-takingly sexy. A strange emotion clouded his features before he spoke again.

"I kinda need to pee so I'm gonna take the bathroom first."

I chuckled and nodded while he untangled our bodies and walked over to the bathroom. I rolled over onto by back and thought about last night. I was glad that Joshua had opened up to me, it helped me to understand him better. I worried if he would expect me to do the same.

I didn't like to share my feelings. I yearned for everyone's approval and I liked for people to think that I was perfect. I would always know my heart, but I preferred if it remained myself.

Yet still, Joshua was prying his way into me, he was making his way closer to my locked up heart. I was scared. I couldn't help but think that he wouldn't see me the same way.

I couldn't get him out of my head, all the moments we shared together. All the time he wiped away my tears. Every time he wrapped his arms around me and told me everything would be fine.

I sighed deeply and shook my head, forcing myself to pause my thoughts for a bit. I tried to convinve myself that our relationship was purely platonic. I couldn't deny that there was a part of me that wished it was something more, despite my reluctance to form relationships.

I shook the lasts of my thoughts and walked over to the bathroom. Just as I was about to knock, the door swung open and Joshua's firm abs greeted me. He must have noticed my apprehension to say anything because he reached out and tipped my head up. He stared into my eyes for a long time before raising his hand and touching my cheek lightly.

"You don't have to be afraid of saying what you feel when you're with me because you think I'll be offended. With you, all those insecurities fade."

I nodded, not breaking eye contact. The chemistry in the air had changed suddenly. I swallowed deeply, feeling a bit nervous as his had still limgered on my face. I found myself leaning into his palm, although I tried to keep myself tense.

He eyed me carefully, probably wondering if I was comfortable with our proximity. I wanted to pull away and end our moment but his soft smile and gentle eyes drew me closer. My body finally gave in and my eyes fluttered shut, my hand coming up to hold his against my cheek. He snaked his other arm around and pulled me to him, burying his nose in my hair and inhaling my argan oil scent. I smiled to myself and rested my forehead gently between his pectorals. I sighed softly in content. He moved his hand to play with my hair and I curled my arms on his hips.

I longed to move my face up and meet his lips but I held enough restraint to keep my face tucked safely in his chest. All too soon we broke apart and he trotted over to the closet where he packed away our stuff. I saw him take out a pair of beach pants. My mood perked up at this revelation.

"Are we going to the beach?"

Eagerness and excitement were clear in my tone.

Joshua laughed at the stupid grin on my face. I hadn't gone to the beach in years. It brought back many happy memories of my past. I used to visit with my parents in their friend's beach house every summer for the six short years I spent with them. I never shared with anyone the connection I made with beaches, and I'd never gotten any opportunity to go to one since my parent's death.

"We're in Florida. It'd be wrong of us if we didn't go to a beach."

Still bubbling with glee, I skipped over to the suitcases. I grabbed my favourite monokini and entered the bathroom to change.