Scandalous Engagement

See you at home tonight.

The message went before he realized how familial that sounded. He certainly wasn’t ready for all of that. Maybe someday, but not now. He was too slammed with work and the fact that his personal life from all angles had taken drastic turns.

Yet he couldn’t deny he liked knowing Josie would be at his house waiting on him. He’d already asked his chef to prepare Josie’s favorite meal and dessert. There was a bottle of her favorite wine chilling and he intended to make this very stressful situation as relaxing as possible for both of them.

Reese stepped from his car and into the hot summer sun that was already beating down. Every single day he came to Conrad’s when he was in town, but today he had the urge to blow off work and hit the beach like normal people. He wondered if Josie would ever consider doing something that spontaneous, that out of the ordinary, something that wasn’t already scheduled in her planner.

Reese stepped in through the back door, disarmed the alarm and headed for the office he kept on the top floor. The second floor was for VIP guests only and that lounge area was consistently booked. But Reese kept his office on the top floor away from the noise and confusion where he could really work and continually design new ways to grow the company.

As soon as he stepped off the elevator, he pulled up Josie’s text again and replied. Tomorrow was a special day and he didn’t want it marred by the black cloud of deceit hanging over their heads.

Take the rest of tomorrow off after the Q&A and photo shoot. I have a surprise.

He knew what her response would be. He knew exactly what she’d send back before he even glanced at his screen. So when the phone vibrated in his hand with a new message, he laughed.

I hate surprises. I need to plan what I’m doing. It’s like you don’t know me.

Oh, he knew her, which was exactly why he wanted to push her beyond her comfort zone, see her live a little. They were both stressed and a day off would do them good. No, he didn’t have the time to take off, but nothing was more important than Josie.

Besides, tomorrow was her birthday and he would surprise her with whatever the hell he wanted.

He didn’t respond to her message; he just decided to let her think about all the possibilities he might have in store. She’d mentioned working from home today, his home, not hers since there was a crew already at her place working on the damaged roof. He’d already told his chef, Frisco, to take extra special care of Josie and to make sure she was comfortable.

Having her at his house seemed strange, yet right. Reese couldn’t help but wonder how she felt being there after last night.

Reese planned on discussing that kiss with her again, finding out exactly how she felt...because he wanted more. More kisses, more touches...just more of Josie, and now that she was in his home, he had the opportunity...but should he take it?

Six

Josie finished her work, leaned back in the chair and stared at the screen. Something felt so off, but she just couldn’t put her finger on it. Having an empty wineglass wasn’t helping.

It grated that her entire work mode could be tilted off-balance because she’d kissed her best friend. No, he’d kissed her...she’d just enjoyed the hell out of it and still felt the tingling on her lips.

With a sigh, Josie came to her feet and closed her laptop. Thankfully, this piece on new summer cocktails wasn’t due for another week. She had all the makings for an amazing article. She even had inspiration photos from the art department with oversize martini glasses filled with pale pink drinks and floating flowers. The recipes shared from various coastal restaurants around the world were in, interviews with restaurant owners were done...but she couldn’t find that hook that made everything just come together in an article that didn’t sound like a rookie wrote it.

Josie picked up her empty wineglass and left the office. Reese had three designated spots in his home for work and all of them faced the ocean, but she’d chosen the smallest because she preferred to be cozy and quaint...a tough feat in a house of this magnitude.

The moment she hit the top of staircase, a delicious aroma wafted up from the first floor. The chef had only made his presence known once and that was to ask her what she wanted for her lunch. Josie was so used to making her own things or grabbing something from a seaside café that she might get spoiled if she hung around Reese’s house too long.

Whatever Frisco had made for dinner smelled like it was going to be divine. The hint of something with peaches hit her as well. There was no way Josie could ever be that masterful in the kitchen; her skills were relegated to her keyboard.

The second she reached the bottom of the steps, Reese walked in the front door. His eyes locked onto hers and Josie gripped the wineglass as she froze. She hadn’t seen him since last night, since she fled the room after he’d kissed her. Likely he wasn’t awake all night replaying t

hat moment; at least, he didn’t look haggard.

That bright blue button-up, folded up on his forearms, showed off not only his tanned skin, but also that excellent muscle tone she knew he worked hard to maintain.

Damn, that kiss had changed everything.

“Looks like you need a refill.” Reese broke the silence as he nodded to her glass. “And dinner smells amazing, so this is perfect timing.”

He closed the door and tossed his keys onto the accent table before crossing the foyer. Those cobalt-blue eyes locked onto hers and she would have sworn they were more intense than ever.

Yes, that kiss had changed everything.

She’d thought their dynamics had changed with his fake engagement, that first embrace at her door, but that was nothing compared to having his lips on hers. She couldn’t seem to put him back in the friends-only box.

Josie had always noticed Reese’s striking features and the beauty of his gaze, but she’d never felt it before. Josie couldn’t begin to share with him what he was doing to her, not when she couldn’t even explain all of this to herself.