Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(14)

He crosses his arms, but refuses to move. “Would it help if I said I liked what I saw? I even had a few peeks this morning when you were spread out beside me.”

“What?” I’m appalled. “Please say you’re joking.”

“I’m definitely not. You can’t let someone see you naked and then take it back.”

I shove the blanket down enough to pull my shirt on both of my arms. I’m buttoning it while pretending he’s not watching me. There was no sense trying to get my bra back on, because he did a good job ripping it with his teeth. He leans forward and picks up my thong, flinging it in my direction. “Don’t forget these.”

“You’re such a jerk,” I mumble.

He sits down beside me, his warm body like a beacon to mine. I take in his smell, something fresh resonating from his skin. “Does this mean you don’t want to go out tonight?”

“Go out? Are you serious?”

“Is it too soon? I mean, you did break up with your boyfriend yesterday.”

I correct him. “He broke up with me five days ago to prevent me from finding out he knocked up my roommate. I mentioned it last night.”

“What was he doing at the dealership?”

“Trying to convince me to forgive him I suppose.”

“Wow.” He stands and walks away, only to turn and face me as he continues. “So will you?”

“No.” I shake my head. “Absolutely not! I can’t look at him. Everything I felt for him is destroyed. I hate liars and cheaters.”

“Yeah, I don’t blame you.”

“About last night,” I say while putting on my underwear. “I don’t think…”

“Stop. It was sex, Tamsyn. We had fun. I’d like to see you again, but it’s probably a good idea that I give you some time to recover first, not from the sex, but the douchebag ex.”

“Yeah, I knew what you meant.” I feel like he’s suddenly changed his mind about me.

He saunters in my direction and lifts my chin until we’re peering into each other’s eyes.

“Hey, don’t do that. Don’t assume I won’t want to see you again. I already said I wanted to take you out. The timing sucks, even if it’s just for fun. You know where to find me.”

“Actually, I think dinner would be nice. Maybe it’s pathetic, but last night, from what I can remember, you were sweet.”

“Sweet? I’ve never been called that before.”

“Well it’s true. I appreciate it. I was in a bad place. Maybe we took it too far, but it happened regardless.”

“Yeah, it did,” he reminds me with that same determined stare.

“I’m afraid of you, Josh. I shouldn’t want to see you again. You’re trouble. You’re everything I need to stay away from.”

“But?”

“But when I woke up thinking you left me alone I realized how it felt when I was in your arms. You saved me.”

“You repaid me with interest, trust me.”

“Yeah,” I say with a smile. “I suppose I did.” I hold out my hand for him to shake it. “Friends?”

He obliges. “Yeah. I’m good with that.”





Chapter 7


Joshua


I drop Tamsyn off at her parent’s house, where she leaves me with another tantric kiss. For someone hell-bent on playing hard to get, she sure does have me wanting more.

I don’t usually stick around to be the support for an emotional woman, but the chick had no one else she could turn to. She’s embarrassed and afraid. Her life is a mess. She has to face people that betrayed her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she moved off campus to get away from it all.



By the time I make it back to the ranch I've decided to pursue my new friendship with Tamsyn to see where it can go. I enjoyed her company enough to be patient with her relationship situation. She needs time to sort out her feelings and be able to enjoy herself the way I'd like her to.

Halfway through the day I receive a text from Wes inviting me over for dinner. I don't usually visit my sister and her husband, especially since they've had their second child. It's not that I don't like kids. I love my family, but there's too damn many to keep track of. My cousin Jax is on number three, while his brother Jake has a son named after him that we call Jr. My sister Callie just found out she's expecting with her husband Cob. That's not even all of them. There's so many little ones running around I feel threatened. I'm no longer the baby. Instead, I'm the cool uncle that feels obligated to spoil them and buy them shit, all while my parents pray I'll have a family for myself one day once I have my life in order.

Since its been a while, I agree to make the forty minute trip to their house. I haven't seen the new baby Gabe, or my niece Madison in weeks. She's getting huge. At the age of two she's into everything. Last time they came over for a visit, she picked up a few curse words when all the guys were cutting up. My sister claims she ran around for days yelling bitch and ass. I thought it was funny, but them, not so much.

It's after six when I arrive at their house. The fall sun is beginning to make its descent into the horizon. I knock on the door and hear the sounds of little footsteps to greet me. Wes comes to the door with a newborn in his arms. He hands him to me. "It's about time."