“I will.”
“He’ll try to at least, but he gets on my nerves sometimes,” Josh commented.
I glared at him. “You mean you get on my nerves.”
Stoke grinned and told Josh again, “Call your mum. I’m gonna have to bring the tribe here, you know that?”
“Shit,” Josh groaned.
I elbowed him. “They’re more than welcome.”
“Babe,” Josh said quickly, covering my mouth with a hand. “You have no idea what you’re sayin’. Mum will dote, Nary will question, and Rayne will think now I’m into a guy, that we can do nails and make-up.”
Unable to resist, I pulled his hand away and started laughing. Wiping my eyes, I said, “Again, you are all more than welcome.”
Along with Stoke’s smile, he sent me a chin lift, and with another pat to Josh’s arm, he made his way to the door where Ryo stood waiting.
“I have cancelled everything for the day,” Ryo announced. “If something comes up, I’ll deal with it,” he added and bowed before he closed the door after Stoke and himself.
Josh faced me, smiling. He tipped his chin up. I noticed it was something the Hawks men did a lot in communication. The gesture was cute. Josh said, “Hey.”
Shaking my head, I laughed. “Hi.”
“Hope you didn’t care about me interruptin’ the meetin’. I wasn’t gonna let another uncle of yours fuck with you.”
“How did you know— Ryo,” I bit out.
“He’s just lookin’ out for you, and I was already gonna head back here today anyway. I’d made the wrong move by leavin’. I know you were stressed and worried, but I should have fought, and I hate that I didn’t.” He stepped closer to place his hands on my waist. I let out a gasp when he lifted me and planted my arse on the table. He nudged his way between my legs. “This is new between us, but I wanna see where it can go, Taro.”
I thumped my forehead against his chest. “I want to as well. So much.”
“Good. Now, I need you to know I won’t be leavin’ again when shit gets hard.” His hands slid to my back, one rubbing up to cup the back of my neck. “You sure you’re cool with me stayin’?”
Lifting my head, I tilted it back to have his eyes. “I’m more than okay having you here with me. Like you said, this is new, but… I hated not having you in my bed last night. I hated I pushed you away. I won’t do it again, Josh. I want you to be mine, for however long it’ll last. Besides, you haven’t even fucked me yet.”
His eyes darkened before he dipped in to claim my mouth. I gripped him to me, locking my legs around his thighs, and deepened the kiss. My heart thumped hard in my chest. One day I would accept how lucky I was for Josh taking a chance on me, but until then, I would enjoy the ride we had together.
Josh threaded his fingers through my hair and tugged my head back, kissing down my neck. I shoved my hands up under his tee and vest, wanting, no, needing, to touch his warm skin.
He nipped at my chest, just above my shirt, and before I could do anything, he’d gripped it and ripped my shirt open, baring my body to him.
“Josh,” I uttered as he kissed down to suck a nipple into his mouth. “Bedroom, now,” I demanded.
He grunted against my flesh and licked around the other nipple before he took it between his teeth and bit down. I groaned, and with my hands, I forced his hips against me, feeling his erection caress mine.
I slapped his arse and growled, “Bedroom.” I did not want anyone to see how Josh made me come undone or him lost in desire. That was for only me to see.
Josh grumbled but moved back and lifted me off the table easily. His muscles bunched and moved. I couldn’t wait to see them shift when he took me for the first time.
Panting, I pulled my shirt closed, but as soon as I dropped my hands, the sides parted. I glared up at him. “This was a favourite shirt.”
His grin was cocky. “I’d say I’d buy you another, but it probably cost a few hundred.” He kissed my nose, and I melted at the adorable move.
“I’m going to have to walk through the house like this.”
“The fuck you will.” Lifting his hands, he patted down my hair and brushed the strands from my face. He grabbed my shirt and pulled it closed. It opened right back up. “Shit.” Josh glanced around. What for, I didn’t have a clue, but he obviously didn’t find anything when he scowled back down at my shirt.
“You should have stopped me,” he snapped.
I snorted. “So this is my fault?”
His lips thinned. “Well, no.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “You’ll just have to walk behind me, holding your shirt closed so no one will see you.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes,” he hissed. “Or do you want me to punch everyone who looks at you?”
I didn’t think that would go down well with my employees. “No,” I admitted.
“Good. Let’s go.” He took my hand in his, and I used my free one to hold my shirt closed. At the door, Josh opened it and peeked his head out. He glanced over his shoulder as he dropped his hand. “Stay close.”
A laugh fell from my mouth. It was like we were on a mission. I winked, saying “Yes, pet.”
He grinned, kissed me once, and moved out the door. I stayed close behind him and nearly collided into his back when he stopped suddenly. It was then I heard voices.
Botan and a few other men rounded the end of the hallway. Josh crossed his arms over his chest, and I looked to see him glaring. Rolling my eyes, I pushed at his back.
Botan stopped. “Taro-sama, is everything all right?”
“It’s fine,” Josh answered.
Botan glared at him. “I wasn’t speaking to you.”
“Too bad,” Josh retorted.
I pushed at his back again. Holding my shirt closed tighter since I had a feeling, from the hostility Josh was emanating, that he would punch someone if they caught sight of my chest. I thinned my lips, desperate to laugh since I had never had anyone act possessive of me before. Strange how it had made me happy.
“We’re fine, Botan,” I told him and gave another shove to Josh’s back. He started forward again.
“I don’t like that guy. He’s always had a problem with me,” Josh said.
Oh….
“Um, it could have something to do with you being in my bed. Botan was once a lover.”
Josh halted immediately, only that time he turned and started off after Botan. Laughing, I grabbed his arm. “Stop.” Smiling, I said, “He never meant anything, just someone to pass the time with, and it was a long time ago.”
“Fucker,” Josh snarled. “No wonder he was a dick to me the whole time. He saw somethin’ between us.” He glared down the hall, and I glanced over to see the other men had moved on, but Botan stood scowling at Josh.
I ran my hand up Josh’s chest. “Forget about it.”
“He’d better not try anythin’ with you, or I’ll kick his arse.” That I believed. Josh’s hands slid to my arse cheeks and gripped. He pulled me close, our groins rubbed, and I sucked in a breath, wrapping my arms around his neck. I heard a noise down the hall but ignored it because Josh kissed me. It wasn’t soft, but hard—a declaration to the other man that I was his.