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Josh wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly to him. My face was so closely pressed to his chest that I could smell the lavender oil used during his hour long massage. Before I could slip my arms around him he pulled away.
“Now what was that for?” I stuttered, flustered by his obvious display of affection.
“That was awesome!” He took in a deep breath. “Fantastic way to end a stressful day!” I smiled proudly.
“You liked that, eh?” I said pulling my keys out of my purse and heading for the car. Josh yanked the keys out of my hand.
“I’m driving now.” He said walking backwards and dangling the keys in front of me.
“Oh no you’re not, that’s my car!” I stalked forward reaching for them but he pulled them back out of my reach.
“Now it’s my car!” As I lunged forward he burst into a sprint.
“Dammit! Give me my keys.” I heard his laughter as he clicked the unlock button. I caught up with him just as he was attempting to open the driver’s side door. He pulled up on the handle just as I tripped on the sidewalk and ploughed into his backside slamming him into the car with an audible “ooofff.” “Oh shit!” I said grabbling onto his shirt to keep myself from falling. He turned quickly and helped me up by my arms. “Josh, are you okay?” I said, worried that I’d injured him in some way. He laughed.
“I’m fine, are you okay?” He said between giggles. I reached up and smoothed his hair from his face checking for red marks, injuries, or bruises. He peered down at me with his copious puppy brown eyes. They seemed to soften as he stopped his chuckling and let me examine him. I let out a big sigh of relief as I found him perfect.
“Thank God, I thought for sure I’d broken your nose or something!” I said as I stepped back from him. He smiled.
“Yeah, that’s all this nose would have needed was to be broken and have a huge hump.” He pulled open the door and slid into the driver’s seat. “But I’m still driving.” He retorted as he slammed the door and started the engine.
Josh couldn’t wait to get back to the office to tell everyone that I’d nearly broken his face. He thought it was funny. Cassie, on the other hand did not. I was lectured for most of an hour on the proper treatment of the clients not to mention someone as valuable to the agency as Josh was and had I injured his face, of all things, I would have been fired instantly. I knew that. I felt bad about it already and she was making me feel worse. My mind drifted back to the scene where I lightly touched his face in various places to make sure he wasn’t hurt, the look he gave me, his delicate gaze, his soft curls. My breathing came in short spasms and my legs trembled. What was it about this young man that made me react in such a way? He suddenly burst into the room as if he knew I was thinking about him and stopped abruptly when he surveyed the scene and the severity of it all.
“Josh, can you wait outside a minute?” Cassie asked. He cleared his throat and glanced over at me standing there biting on my thumb nail.
“You know I would but I need Teddy right now. Hey, Cassie, I just want you to know that it was all in fun. I started it and had I been hurt not only would I have deserved it but it wouldn’t have been her fault. She’s a great assistant.” Cassie folded her fingers together purposefully and eyed me. I gave no reaction.
“She knows what her duties are and banging up your face isn’t one of them.” Seeing the stern look on her face Josh made his way over to her and sliding his arm around her shoulder he kissed her lightly on the top of her head.
“I know, you know, she knows. It’s over. Won’t happen again, I swear I’ll be a good boy.” He straightened, approached me and grabbed my hand. “I’ll have her home by midnight mom and you can yell at her some more.” He said pulling me out the door and letting it close behind us. He dragged me down the hall and into the elevator. Once the door closed he released my hand and leaned back against the wall. “Whew, that was close.” He said as we drifted downward. I could feel my cheeks glowing red. It was getting extremely warm in that closed space. He eyed me and grinned. “I feel bad for getting you into trouble after you were so nice to me today.” I shrugged.
“Nothing I haven’t experienced before, Joshie. Remember who I used to work for … He got me into plenty of trouble and I came away from it unscathed. I’ll just be more careful next time.” We stood in silence a few minutes and then I asked, “So where are we going?”
“No where. I just wanted to get you out of there. She can be a beast when she wants to be. I’ve got to get over to the studio. Go home. Take the rest of the day off.” My mouth dropped open and I gaped at him in disbelief. The elevator door opened and he lifted my chin with his finger closing my mouth as he passed me and walked out of the building into the setting sun.
