Burn (Breathless #3)(60)

She looked right past the two females sitting, because hello, she was female and how could she even see anything beyond the three alpha men gathered?

“Josie, I want you to meet my friends and business partners, Gabe Hamilton and Jace Crestwell.”

The one he called Gabe stepped forward, a broad smile carving his rock-hard face. He extended his hand, and she shivered when their skin made contact.

“Very happy to meet you, Josie,” Gabe said in a husky voice that just screamed sexy. “I’ve been looking forward to it.”

“It’s very nice to meet you too,” Josie murmured.

She turned to Jace and swallowed. The man was Ash’s polar opposite. Dark and brooding where Ash was lighter and seemingly less broody, but Josie knew that appearances were deceiving. Ash’s looks were in direct contrast with his true personality. He might seem laid-back and carefree, but he was utterly serious. At least with her he was.

Jace leaned in and kissed either cheek before retreating with a smile that made his dark brown eyes warm and inviting.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Josie. Glad Ash finally let you out of his apartment long enough to mingle with the rest of us.”

She laughed and relaxed and then turned her attention to the two women she was now insanely curious about. Anyone who managed to capture and captivate two men like Gabe and Jace had to be pretty damn special. And according to Ash, they were very much captivated. Completely and unapologetically in love.

She wanted that. Craved it. She wanted it with Ash. And if Ash’s words were anything to go by, they were on their way. It still baffled her that it had happened so fast, but then he’d explained that it had happened just as fast for his friends. In that context, perhaps it wasn’t so unbelievable that she and Ash would become serious in such a short time.

“Darling, I want you to meet two very special women, Mia and Bethany. Mia is the newlywed and I’m sure if Jace has his way, Bethany won’t be far behind on taking the marriage leap.”

“Damn right,” Jace growled.

“Hello, Josie,” Mia said, her smile open and friendly. She was Jace’s sister according to Ash and now Josie could see the resemblance.

“Hi,” Josie returned. “I’m very happy to meet you both.”

“Hello, Josie,” Bethany said, her smile no less friendly than Mia’s had been, but it was obvious she was shyer and more reserved than Mia.

Remembering everything Ash had told her about Bethany, Josie studied her, taking in the fact that the young woman sitting next to where Jace had retaken his seat had come a long way and had endured a very hard life.

And there was the fact that this woman had been to bed with Ash. Ash and Jace. Josie wasn’t sure whether to be jealous of the fact Bethany had had Ash’s hands on her or envious over the fact that Bethany had enjoyed a threesome with two unbelievably gorgeous alpha males.

She was teetering solidly in the direction of the latter.

“Hi, Bethany,” Josie returned warmly. “I’ve heard so much about you all. You’re all very important to Ash. His family as he calls you. I couldn’t wait to meet you all.”

Ash ushered her into her chair next to Gabe and across from Bethany and Mia.

“He is family,” Jace said in a firm voice. “And we’re his. Absolutely.”

“I think it’s wonderful he has such loyal friends,” Josie said softly.

“So Ash says you’re an artist, Josie,” Jace spoke up once they’d all settled into their seats. “And that you design jewelry too.”

Josie nodded, suddenly shy about having the attention focused on herself.

“She’s amazing,” Ash said. “Her work is beautiful.”

Josie turned to Ash, surprised. “But you haven’t seen it. Or not much of it. Not yet anyway.”

Ash looked briefly uncomfortable but then smiled. “I’ve seen what you’re working on now. It’s very good.”

Heat flushed into her cheeks and she knew she was blushing. What she was working on now was quite a bit more erotic than her previous works. But it was for Ash and Ash alone.

“Did you design the necklace you’re wearing now?” Mia asked, leaning forward, her gaze riveted to Josie’s collar. “It’s gorgeous!”

Now she was really blushing. She was convinced of it. Ash squeezed her hand underneath the table, and she controlled her awkwardness. This was important. It was what he wanted. For her not to ever be ashamed for people to know she was his.

“No,” she said in a husky voice. “Ash had it designed for me. It was his gift to me.”

Mia’s eyes widened with understanding, and to her credit she didn’t press further or try to cover the awkwardness by hastily saying more.

Josie’s gaze was drawn to the choker that Bethany wore. Her hand had automatically gone to it the minute Mia had commented on Josie’s. Evidently, it was a collar as well. One given to her by Jace. Did all of Ash’s friends share his sexual proclivities? She could certainly see Gabe and Jace in a dominant role. It was evident in the way they looked at Mia and Bethany. Evident in their body language. How protective they were even just sitting in a public restaurant.

Maybe others wouldn’t notice, but Josie did. She was in tune with that aspect because it was one she lived. It was a need in her, just like it appeared to be a need for Ash, Gabe and Jace.