Goody Two Shoes (Invertary 2)

“Get out of my bed. I didn’t ask you into it.”

He pulled the duvet over them. “Actually, you did. You accepted my proposal.”

“I told you I don’t want to do any touching before we get married.”

“Yeah, you tell me lots of things. But actions speak louder than words, and your body is saying that touching is good. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s flashing a big old neon sign that’s begging for more touching.” He trailed his fingers over her silky pyjamas to the curve of her hip.

Caroline tensed. “Your father is in the house.”

“And I can hear everything,” his father’s voice came up to them.

Caroline froze in place. This was humiliating.

“We’re only going to sleep,” Josh said. “That’s it. You think you can handle that?”

She smacked his chest. His wide, bare, warm chest. Get a grip, she ordered herself.

“I don’t trust you,” she said. “You kiss me every time you want me to agree with you.”

She saw Josh’s teeth flash in the dim light, and it made her shiver. “Yeah, and it works great. But we’re just going to sleep. In a bed that fits me. That’s it. We can hardly fool around when there’s no door on the room and my dad is listening.”

“Too bloody right,” came the voice from downstairs.

Caroline glared at Josh as the absurdity of the situation hit her. Her anger fled. She started to shake. The laughter bubbled up inside of her, beginning in her stomach and working its way out until it exploded from her mouth.

“That’s right, enjoy it while you can,” Josh muttered.

Caroline gasped for air. This was too much. “You shot yourself in the foot taking off the door.” She barely squeezed the words out between laughing.

“Yeah, it cracks me up too.”

Caroline wiped her eyes and hiccupped. She was still grinning and trying not to giggle when Josh rolled her over and tucked her back into his front. He slid an arm under her neck and wrapped it tight around her shoulders. His other hand rested on her stomach. She was locked in tight. So tight she was surprised he didn’t throw a leg over hers to keep them in place too.

“Sleep,” he ordered.

“How am I supposed to do that? I’m not used to sharing a bed with anyone.”

Josh stilled behind her. “You’ve never even shared a bed with anyone? Never slept beside anyone?”

Caroline felt her stomach clench. They were having that talk. The one she’d been trying to avoid. “No. I’ve never slept beside anyone.” She swallowed hard. “Or with anyone.”

The muscles in his arms tightened. “Are you telling me you’re a virgin?”

She blinked hard into the darkness. Oh how she hated that word.

“I wanted to wait until I was married to be intimate. Obviously I’ve never been married. So I’m still waiting. I had planned on getting to know my future husband quite well before we, uh, became intimate. There was a boy in college—we were serious; I thought we’d get married. But then I came back here, to help out with my sister. And, well, since then, I haven’t dated very much. There hasn’t been time. Or the interest.” She stared into the darkness. “From men, I mean. They aren’t that interested in me. So time just went on. And here I am. Still waiting until I get married.” He was tense behind her, and Caroline felt tears well in her eyes. She shouldn’t have told him.

Josh’s arms wrapped firmly around her. “Well, guess what. You’re getting married now.” His fingers brushed her breast.

She smacked his hand away. “Not today, I’m not!” Caroline chewed her lip. She had expected more of a reaction. Didn’t guys think this sort of thing was a big deal? “Doesn’t this bother you?”

“No. It doesn’t bother me. Why would it bother me? It means I get you all to myself.”

“I don’t have any experience.” She closed her eyes. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I need you to be patient with me.”

“Or”—she felt Josh grin against her temple—“we can throw caution to the wind and I’ll teach you every dirty thing I know. That way you’ll be a sexpert by the wedding.”

He sounded so wicked it spiked Caroline’s curiosity. She wriggled against him, knowing she shouldn’t ask. She did anyway. “What kind of experience do you have, exactly?”