Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (books to get back into reading TXT) 📕

lightly biting his lower lip. I paused to gaze at him. He was having none of that, so he grabbed the back of my hair and pulled me to his lips, filling my mouth with his tongue. I took it eagerly, giving him mine in return, making him moan and pull me closer. He devoured me and I greedily devoured him. My blood rushing through my veins. He broke away to breathe. I placed my hands on his rough face, tracing his lips.

“Baby.” He looked at me, amused. “You have a little sweat on your nose. You weren’t kidding when you said I get you hot and bothered.” He laughed. “And you took your hair down.”

I touched my nose and then wiped it with my sleeve. “I think I’m just extra nervous,” I said, running my fingers through my hair.

“Because you’re here with me? Is it Summers?” His tone got dark when he asked about David.

“No, I’m not worried about him!” I closed my eyes and buried my face in his neck. “Ben knows I’m here with you and he warned me not to come. He said it would be bad for you if Conny found out. I believe him.”

“I knew you would end up telling Davis about us,” he said and kissed the back of my hand. “You’re just not the lying type.” He took my chin and moved my face so I was looking at him. “Baby, don’t worry about Conny and me.” He kissed my nose. “I’ll take my medicine like a big boy if need be. As long as I know you’re mine, nothing can bother me.”

I wasn’t convinced but I didn’t press the topic. I laid my head on his shoulder lightly, grazing my nose and lips on his neck. I was quiet, thinking about that morning with Josh on my sofa. He took my hand, kissed the palm and then spread my fingers so his fingers were in between mine. I wished we could stay like that forever. I wished we could go home together. I jerked my head up, realizing something.

“Josh, did you say you could go home today?” I was both concerned and excited. “Where will you go? Who’s going to pick you up? Who’s going to take care of you? You have no family here.”

He laughed a deep throaty laugh and said, “Baby, did all that hit you just now?”

“Yes, I suppose it did,” I declared.

“Well…” He thought about his answer. “I’ll go home to my apartment, of course, one of the other agents can probably take me home, and I’ll be the one taking care of myself.”

“Josh! I have a better idea! Let me take care of you. Let me and Samson go home with you. This way I won’t have to go to Dallas. They just want me in a safer place because of everything that’s happened. No one will ever think to look for me at your place. Please say yes,” I pleaded. “I couldn’t bear it if I had to leave you again.” I placed my forehead on his, stroking the back of his hair. He held me tight, his fingers gripping my back.

He didn’t speak for a long while, then, “Baby, that’s not a bad idea. It’s very tempting to have you with me day and night.” I was elated and began to kiss him all over his face. “Isabel, wait, I’m not finished,” he said, clasping my face. “It’s not a good idea either. The feeling of security wouldn’t last. Someone would eventually figure it out and come find you. I’m not up to par yet and wouldn’t be able to take care of you.”

“What’s the difference? They know where I work, they know what I do,” I said, irritated. “And now I have another strange man watching me and every move I make!” I instantly regretted blurting that out, covering my mouth.

“What did you just say?” His voice was low and even, almost chilling.

I didn’t answer him. I scrambled out of his lap and onto my feet, not really knowing where to go. “Isabel, explain,” he demanded, his eyes glaring at me.

“So,” I began, wringing my hands, “I did a consult with Ben in the ER but it was more of an investigation, for reasons I won’t go into right now, and the girl I was doing the consult on told me about a man that helped her escape. She thinks his name is Hong and it seems as though Hong has been watching me. He told her to ask for me when they got to this hospital, saying something to the effect that he trusts me and I can help them?”

His jaw clenched and he shut his eyes tight, balling his hands into fists. He was quiet for far too long, making me nervous. Was he angry with me?

“Josh?” My voice was a whisper.

“Son of…” he muttered in a low, menacing voice, almost a snarl. “I should be with you, Isabel. I should be taking care of you.” He stood up in front of me, taking me in his arms. “I promise I will get stronger for you, baby.”

“Josh, it actually didn’t sound bad. He helped the girl we talked to and a few others that were with her.” I peeked up at him as I continued, “It was a little unsettling to hear at first but if you think about it, it’s nothing ominous.”

He shook his head. “Baby, you have to go to Dallas. Staying with me is not going to help either of us. I need you safe.”

“Josh, no,” I begged. “Don’t you want me with you?”

“More than anything, baby. This will just be temporary,” he encouraged. “Next time we see each other, I’ll be my old self and I’ll be able to take care of you.” He was trying to reason with me. I knew he wanted