Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (book club recommendations txt) 📗

“It’s the comforter. That is exactly what the sales lady said to me it would feel like. So, I bought it and it never disappoints.” The laptop was having trouble connecting to the Wi-Fi. We sat in silence for a few seconds staring at the screen. My cashmere robe fell off my shoulder. Josh sat up and moved my hair off my shoulder. I could hear my heart pound a little louder and my pulse start to race.

“I never noticed your hair is wavy,” he said in his sultry bedroom voice.

“Yup, it gets wavier when I cut it short.” I was frozen where I sat, afraid to move or even look at him. He leaned in and kissed my shoulder. I held my breath and turned my head slightly to gaze at his beautiful face. He cupped my face with his hand and kissed me gently on the lips. My lips parted, inviting his tongue, his breath, his heat. He pulled away to breathe and gaze at me; I couldn’t resist him, it was almost impossible. I untied my robe and let it fall off my body onto the bed. He reclined me onto the pillows and began to kiss me from my jaw line down to my neck. I heard him groan loud, almost a growl and then he abruptly stopped kissing me. He sat me up and pulled my robe back on.

“Josh, what’s the matter?” I ask confused. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, never!” he whispered. The space between his eyes was creased as he was looking down. “I can’t do this to you again, Isabel. You’ve already told me it’s hard for you to say no to me so I have to be the strong one for both of us. I want you in the worst way but I also want it to be your decision.” His voice was strained, yet caring. “You drive me crazy, Isabel! I think about you all the time! I always catch myself looking at you when I should be focusing on the task at hand.” He was now pacing the floor and talking with his hands. “I don’t like how other men look at you, especially David Summers! I can’t stand the thought of someone out there just waiting for the right opportunity to kill you. And at the same time, I don’t want this assignment to end because I can’t bear the thought of leaving you,” he revealed with a pained expression.

“Josh, what are you saying?”

He exhaled loudly, “I’m saying, I don’t want this to be a pseudo-relationship.” He stopped pacing and got on his knees in front of me. “I’m saying, I don’t want to be your pseudo-boyfriend. I’m saying I want to be yours and yours only and you mine and mine only and I want the entire world to know. I want you to take a chance on me, Isabel. I want to show you I can be patient. I want to show you that you’re worth waiting for.” He was gazing at me, waiting for a response.

How could I say no? There was a magnetic pull he had on me. And he was right, I was having the worst kind of trouble saying no to him. Every time I even looked at him, I got wet and my breasts ached for his touch. I cupped his face in between my hands and kissed him gently. He was holding me close, embracing me tighter, burying his face in my breasts; I kissed the top of his head.

“You don’t have to go anywhere, Joshua. I like being with you too, so yes, I’ll be yours and only yours and you mine,” I declared. “By the way,” I asked casually, “who are these other men you speak of? I’d like to meet them.” I giggled in his ear.

“You’re not funny, Isabel,” he said sternly.

“I think I am,” I replied through my giggles.

8

Samson started barking and we could hear someone trying to get in through the back door. Josh was half dressed and weaponless in my bedroom. All of his communication devices were in the spare bedroom. I reacted without thinking and grabbed my gun from my nightstand. It was a Glock 22 full-size semi-automatic pistol. I put a magazine in and handed it to Josh. He looked at me, stunned.

“What? It was my birthday present from last year. Just take it!” I hissed.

“Isabel, you are the most prepared woman I know,” he said and kissed me one last time. “I want you and Samson to stay put and not say a word. Do not come out, no matter what you hear. Do you understand me?” He was in FBI mode, his voice having that ring of authority again.

“Josh, I…” I was at a loss for words.

“Don’t worry about me, baby. The other team has my back and nothing will happen to you, I promise,” he reassured me and then left me alone.

I could still hear the person trying to get in. He or she sure was loud about it. Not exactly trying to hide they were here to murder me. In fact, I thought I heard cursing. Hm, this didn’t add up. All of a sudden, I heard a sea of deep voices hollering and what sounded like my kitchen chairs getting knocked over. Then a girly scream rose above all the noise. That’s a familiar-sounding scream, I told myself. Suddenly a man’s voice yelled, “Samson, go!” Sammy darted out of my room and straight for the voice. I gasped, covering my mouth. I ran out to the kitchen, turned on the lights and saw about five agents, including Josh, with their weapons drawn, all aiming them at my brother, who they had on the floor face down.

“Charles Andrew!” I chided. “What in god’s name are you doing here and scaring us half