You'll Say Yes Page 19

  And today, apparently it was not my lucky day. I caught up with my work so I was still in my office 'till lunch time. I just realized what time it was when I opened a text message from Joshua which reminding me to eat lunch. I groaned while taking off my glasses. I was stretching my legs and my arms and grabbed my purse when a husky voice greeted me.

  "Good day, Ms. Bennett."

  I froze and clutched my purse. I sneaked a glance to Camila's office.

  Empty.

  Where the hell was she?

  I turned around slowly and saw Ryan standing in my office.

  He grinned while I narrowed my eyes.

  "What are you doing in here?" I demanded

  He shrugged. "I was going to ask you if you wanted to have lunch with me."

  I raised my eyebrows. "Don't you want to go with Camila?"

  He chuckled and shook his head. "She's sick right now," He paused and let out another throaty laugh. "She was right. You are too absorbed with your work."

  I clenched my jaw. "So, you're asking me to lunch when she's sick? Well, it's very nice of you, but no, thanks."

  I grabbed my purse and begun to walk past him when suddenly he grabbed my elbow. I gasped and he turned me around.

  He was staring at me with his dark eyes. "I'm just being nice to you. Why are you so rude?"

  I jerked my arm away from his hold. "First, I am engaged. Second, this is my office, Mr. Adams. I suggest you don't do anything stupid," I hissed.

  He smirked and raised his hands, feigning defeat. "All right. But, let me just take you to lunch. That's all and I will never disturb you again."

  I sighed and walked out from my office; followed by the grinning Ryan.

  I walked into my favorite Italian restaurant. I was thinking of some precautions, of course. I was sure Ryan wouldn't do anything foolish inside a restaurant. I chose the table at the center of the room and Ryan sat across from me. A waitress approached our table and handed our menu. I ordered pasta and coke while Ryan repeated the same order as mine. I stared at him after the waitress left.

  He smiled and I huffed in my seat.

  "So, you're engaged?" He asked me.

  "Yes."

  He nodded thoughtfully. "He didn't force you with this engagement, did he?"

  I went rigid.

  Ryan smirked.

  Damn! My lack of lying ability was not good for this moment.

  He raised his eyebrows. "He really forced you?"

  I narrowed my eyes. "No, he didn't force me." Force was not the right term. It was more like justified, but I wouldn't talk about that.

  Ryan chuckled and shook his head. "I don't believe you, Abby. You had a lot of chance to be with a better guy, but instead you got stuck with him."

  I gave him a shaky laugh. "He's better than anyone I know," I said and narrowed my eyes. "Especially from you."

  He titled his head and grinned. "What did he tell you about me?"

  I took several deep breaths to calm myself. I've already faced lots of guys like him. This shouldn't be hard.

  "He told me everything what you did in your dorm."

  He caught me off guard when suddenly he laughed so hard. Several guests looked at us. I tried hard not to blush, but I failed miserably.

  Ryan shook his head again. "I can't believe this. He just told you that part? What about the good side of me?"

  Seriously?

  "You have a good side?" I asked him skeptically.

  Ryan looked surprise and put one of his hands to his chest, feigning hurt. "He didn't tell you?"

  I rolled my eyes. "Just spill it!"

  Our conversation was halted by the arrival of our lunch. Ryan sipped his drink after the waitress left while I was waiting patiently for his answer.

  "So?" I encouraged him.

  He smiled and playing with the glass in his hand. "I was graduated from Harvard in English Literature magna cum laude. I work for a publishing company in New York," He paused and raised his glass, "The same company as yours."

  My eyes widened and my body went colder than the coke I ordered. "What?"

  He grinned. "Actually, we're working in the same place, Ms. Bennett, although maybe in a different division. I came here to assist your bosses to select the candidate for our new offices."

  Suddenly everything made sense; our meeting at the coffee shop, our encounter on the bookstore and most of all, how often I've seen him in my office during lunch time. I shuddered internally. This was worse than the one in a million chances that Joshua was talking about.

  My face turned pale.

  This was not good at all. I lowered my head and stared blankly at the table. How on earth will I tell Joshua about this? He would turn into his panic mode. Wait! Did Joshua already know about this too? From my peripheral vision, I could see Ryan playing his pasta with a fork.

  "I know you don't expect to become one of the candidates, but I must inform you, Mr. Smith is so pleased with your work. You're one of the candidates, Ms. Bennett," He told me.

  Suddenly, I didn't feel hungry anymore.

  I went home in a daze. It was a surprise that I didn't hit anything on my way home. I parked on the side of the parking lot and I was expecting to see Joshua's car. He told me that he'll come home early to spend the afternoon with me. I took deep breaths and closed my eyes. I promised to tell him about Ryan and I knew I that I would have to tell him sooner or later. It was better if he knew it from me rather than from anybody else.

  I walked slowly into my room and unlocked my door. I opened the door to see Joshua was sitting in the living room. He smiled when he saw me and rose from the couch. He wore a grey T-shirt and cotton pants. I smiled back to him. He kissed my forehead and took my bag. He furrowed his eyebrows when he saw my expression.

  "What's wrong, dear? Are you having a hard day at work?"

  Well, hard day was an understatement. I sighed and ran my hand through my hair; a habit I was learned from him. "I'll tell you later."

  He studied my face, but then nodded slowly. I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and walked to my room. I took a deep breath and sat on my bed. I replayed again half of the conversation at lunch with Ryan.

  *Flashback*

  I looked over at the restaurant table. I didn't touch my food while from the corner of my eyes, I could see Ryan was eating his lunch hungrily. I almost rolled my eyes. That guy was ridiculous.

  "Hungry?" I asked him, raising my eyebrows.

  He sipped his coke and nodded, continuing to eat his pasta. "The food is good." And then he stopped and realized I didn't eat at all. "Aren't you hungry?"

  Truthfully, watching him eat already made me full. I smiled grimly. "No, I'm not hungry anymore."

  Ryan titled his head and grinned.

  I frowned. "What?"

  "Joshua was right. You are lovely."

  I scoffed. "Thanks," I answered rudely.

  He tapped his chin and looked at me thoughtfully. "What do you think his reaction will be if I send you to New York?"

  My breath stopped and shivered ran through my body. My eyes widened.

  Ryan smirked when he saw my expression. He played with his fork. "I still can't believe he really loves you. He could have all the girls he wants, and yet he chooses you." His tone was firm and there was no trace of insult.

  Well, actually that was what I thought too.

  "But, I can see why you're different," He looked at me with his dark eyes. "You are special."

  I gulped and began to grab my purse. I pulled out some cash and slipped the money on the table. I stood from my chair, "Thank you, but I'm leaving."

  I walked out from the restaurant without looking back.

  *End of Flashback*

  Knock.

  Knock.

  Knock.

  "Abby? Dear? Are you all right?"

  A soft voice brought me back to reality. I blinked several times to bring me back from my trance and looked up to see Joshua pop his head from my door. He furrowed his eyebrows and
got in into my room. I followed his movements with my eyes until he sat next to me in my bed. He stroked my hair and looked at me worriedly.

  "What's wrong? You seem a little bit distracted."

  I didn't answer him.

  I just stared at him.

  His hazel eyes, his beautiful face, his strong cheekbones and jaw, his warm lips...What would happened if I left him here? Will we be able to see each other again? Will his love survive for the second time in our separation? Suddenly I felt a tug in my chest and my eyes welled with tears. I didn't want to lose him.

  "Abby!" He said in an alarmed tone.

  I still looked at him. I didn't care when I felt tears were leaking from my eyes and through my cheeks.

  "Abby, please, say something," He said frantically while wiping my tears away.

  In one swift movement, I hugged him tightly. He seemed startled, but he returned my hug. I sobbed on his shoulder. Joshua kissed my hair and rubbed my back soothingly.

  "Sweetheart, is there something wrong?" He asked again in smooth voice.

  "Just...hold me...please," I managed to say between my sobs.

  He tightened his hug and whispered in my ear, "Forever."

  I sobbed freely, letting out my frustration and my warm feelings for Joshua. I didn't know if he knew, but I realized something now.

  I fell in love with Joshua Walsh.

  ~O~

  Joshua let me take my shower after the little incident. He didn't ask me about it again; I was sure he knew that he couldn't make me talk if I didn't want to. I ate my dinner in silence, taking more portion of food than the normal. I was sure Joshua could see it, but again, he didn't say anything.

  "Do you want to sleep now?" He asked me after I finished washing the dishes.

  I stifled a yawn and looked over the clock. It's already 10 pm.

  "Come on. You need to sleep," He said to me and carried me bridal style to my room before I could protest.

  I slumped to his shoulder and he kissed my forehead briefly while carrying me to my room. I tightened my hold on his neck; somehow I felt I wanted to savor this moment with him. I wanted to spend my time in his room. I wanted to sleep in his arms and inhale his wonderful scent. He wouldn't refuse, would he?

  "Wait," I said weakly.

  He stopped in front of my bedroom door.

  "What is it, dear?"

  I gulped and I could my cheeks flushed.

  He raised his eyebrows. "You're blushing?"

  Oh, great!

  He chuckled. "You can tell me now, Abby."

  "Um..." I stuttered while playing with his shirt. "Can I...can I...sleep in your room?" I bit my lip.

  Joshua looked at me in shock and his eyes seemed unfocused. I really wished I could just disappear at the moment. I buried my face to his shoulder, to cover my embarrassment.

  "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you. Just take me back to my room," I muffled on his shoulder, and didn't dare to look to his face.

  I could feel him take a deep breath and begun to move. I felt the soft sheet under my body when Joshua laid me down on my...wait! My eyes widened when I saw the familiar interior of his room. I glanced over to him and I saw him smiling.

  "I can't deny you anything, Abby. You can sleep in my room," He said in husky tone. His warm breath was so close to my face.

  I just stared at him like an idiot. He grinned and I blinked several times. "Uh...yeah...okay," I mumbled.

  He chuckled and kissed my forehead. "Just make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back." He stood up and got out from the room.

  I looked around and studied his room. This is the first time I spent the night in his room after we were living together. Some of his stuff from his old apartment was here. A picture of me and Joshua when we were younger, the one I saw when I came to his apartment for the first time, now was framed and he put it on his desk. I smiled at the picture.

  I laid my body on his bed and snuggled on his pillow. Even his pillow smelled like him. I closed my eyes and smiled. I wish I could do this forever. My eyes snapped open.

  Wow! Hold on!

  That was too early. I was just beginning to learn how to love him. Forever was too soon for me. I heard footsteps down the hall and I looked at the door. Joshua got in and closed his door. My heart was beating so fast and my stomach clenched. I couldn't imagine what was like if we were married. I swallowed hard. He turned off the lights and slipped under the covers next to me. He turned on the bedside lamp and rolled his body so we were facing each other.

  We didn't speak. Joshua looked at me with love and adoration. He raised his hand and caressed my cheek.

  Warm.

  I leaned to his touch and I could feel he was moving closer to me. I didn't take my eyes off of him. They were intense and gleam under the dim light of his room. I could feel my body was getting warm.

  "Abby...you are so beautiful. Do you know that?" He said lovingly.

  I smiled. "Well, you've told me that a couple of times."

  He chuckled. "Hmm...I think I should have told you that you're beautiful more often."

  He still stroking my face, my cheeks, my eyebrows, my jaw, my lips, my hair...it was like he was memorizing everything about me. The tugging feeling and the knot in my stomach intensified. Without thinking, I raised my hand and he caught it.

  "Don't move," I whispered.

  He looked deeply into my eyes and released my hand. It was my turn to stroke his face then; and he leaned into my touch. He let out a soft sigh when I traced his lips with my fingers and my palm felt warm.

  I propped myself in one elbow and leaned closer to him. Joshua instinctively rolled over, so I was hovering above him. Under the dim light, I could see his eyes turned darker. My fingers traveled to his chest and his breath hitched. I put my hands back to his cheek; I didn't want to push him tonight.

  I smiled and traced one finger to his lips. He was still looking at me lovingly. "Why are you choosing me, Joshua?" I asked him. Ryan's words replayed in my mind; 'He could have all the girls he wants and yet he chooses you.'

  He blinked several times. "Pardon?"

  I almost chuckled. He seemed in daze. Was it because of me? "I was asking you why you are choosing me."

  He stayed silent and then sighed. He raised his hand to stroke my hair. "Because you're everything to me, Abby. I'm nothing without you."

  "Do you...really...mean that?"

  He narrowed his eyes. "What brought this on?"

  Crap! I was never good in the lying business. I blushed and rolled over onto my back. "Nothing," I said shortly and looked over the ceiling.

  Suddenly, my view was blocked by his face. I gasped when I realized Joshua was hovering above me. He trapped me under his body. I could feel his warmth and my body started tingling.

  "I've told you before, Abby," He said in husky and playful tone. "You are a terrible liar."

  I blinked several times; trying to process his words with our closeness.

  He smiled and leaned down to give me a chaste kiss.

  I smiled on his lips and played with the hair on the nape of his neck. "Do you know we can't do things like this in the 16th century?"

  He arched his back a little and smirked. "Really?" He asked in disbelief.

  "Uh-huh," I said to him, trying to remember one of romance stories which I edited months ago. "A man who has intention to court a lady will meet the lady's family to get to know each other. If the man told the lady's father his intention, he is allowed to spend the night in the lady's room. But, they were separated by a bundling board and the lady's ankles will be tied up with a fabric rope so they couldn't do anything inappropriate."

  He raised his eyebrows. "How do you know all of this?"

  I grinned. "I'm an editor, remember?"

  He chuckled and looked over at the bed. He turned his head to me and smirked. "Well, I don't see any bundling board here so I assume we could do this." In one swift movement, he leaned down and captured my lips with his in a deep kiss.
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  His amazing scent engulfed me and made me dizzy. Our lips moved together. My heart was beating erratically, my mind was clouded. I pulled him down, desperate to get closer to him. Joshua sensed my eagerness and he leaned closer to my body. We didn't break the kiss until I was gasping for air. His lips didn't leave my skin and he was started to kiss my jaw, my neck and my collarbone. It felt so good and I could feel my blood rush in my veins.

  Suddenly he pulled me up into sitting position. I wrapped my hands around his neck while his hand started to roam onto my back. I gulped and with shaking hands I sneaked my hand under his T-shirt. He hissed when my hand made contact to his skin. He's so warm and I could feel his muscles under my fingertips. I looked at him and his eyes turned dark again.

  "Abby," He murmured. He was kissing my neck again. "So beautiful..."

  I swallowed hard. Did I really want this to happen? Yes, I needed him...but, no, not yet! I was trying to stop him, but it was getting difficult when his kisses drugged me. I mustered all of my strength and said, "Joshua, stop!"

  He didn't stop, but still continue to kiss me.

  "Joshua, please," I begged him.

  His kisses were getting frantic and I knew if I didn't stop him, we both won't be able to stop. I raised my hands and grabbed his face to look at my eyes. He was breathing so hard and his eyes were wild. My stomach clenched seeing the longing and passion in his eyes.

  "Abby...I need you," He whispered desperately.

  I shook my head to gain my focus. I clutched his face. "Listen to your heartbeat. Will you regret this later?"

  I asked him softly.

  His eyes searched mine and slowly it turned to his normal green while his face softened. He exhaled and fell onto the bed on his back. He looked at the ceiling. I fell on the bed on my back too.

  "I'm sorry," We said in union and burst out laughing.

  Joshua looked at me and smiled. "I'm really sorry, Abby."

  I smiled grimly. "It's okay, really."

  He nodded and turned his body to face me. "Will you please tell me what's bothering you?"