He was such a good actor.
Then his tongue pushed into her mouth, filling her with the taste of spice and coffee and something unique. She twined her tongue around his to taste him better, her hands coming up to sink into the silky hair at the back of his skull and hold him closer. She became acutely aware of her breasts pressed against his rock hard chest, her nipples tightening, and a steady throb starting between her thighs.
Oh my.
She had to resist the urge to rub up against him like a cat in need of stroking, and she had a flashback to his hands on her body last night, his long, clever fingers inside her.
The kiss slid from her lips, along her cheek, and he nibbled at her ear, his breath feathering against the sensitive skin. “If you don’t want to seriously embarrass me in front of your visitors, you might want to stop kissing me now.”
She didn’t want to stop. His hands slid down her back and pulled her tight against his hard body, and she could feel the growing length of him against her stomach. If that was supposed to persuade her to back away, it wasn’t working. God, he felt good.
She closed her eyes for a second, gathered her willpower, and stepped away.
Josh gave her a rueful smile and then moved and propped himself on the edge of her desk. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face the other two people in the room. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten they were here.
Daniel had a vaguely lascivious expression on his face, which made her a little queasy. Her grandmother had a pinched look, which she knew from experience did not bode well.
Wiping her hands down the sides of her jeans, she plastered a smile on her face. “Sorry,” she murmured, “but…” But what? She gave up and went around her desk, sat down, and rested her hands in her lap. “You said you needed to talk to me.”
Daniel cleared his throat as though about to speak, but her grandmother got in first. “This is family business, Alexia,” she said with a pointed glance at Josh.
“You can speak in front of me, Grandma,” Josh said, and Lexi almost choked. “After all, we are family. How is it Lexi and I can help you?”
He sat on the edge of her desk, one leg swinging, an almost amused expression on his face. She didn’t think anyone had ever found her grandmother funny before.
She waited for one of them to speak, though she was pretty sure what they were going to say.
“Daniel’s gallery has met with a few issues recently. We need a little cash injection and thought you would like to help.”
She opened her mouth to ask how much, because, really, what else was there to say, but Josh spoke first.
“What issues?”
Daniel looked startled at the question. “A couple of deals that didn’t work out. I need a little outside investment to see me through a difficult patch. I’m sure Lexi can spare the money.”
“What are the usual loan terms? I’m taking it this isn’t the first time you’ve borrowed money from my wife.”
Her grandmother pursed her lips. “Alexia is family. I’m sure you understand that, Joshua. We don’t speak of terms with family.”
“I don’t believe Daniel is a relative.”
“He’s her step-grandfather.”
Josh straightened his shoulders. “And I’m her husband. You’ll agree I have slightly more say in the matter. Up until now, Lexi has been overly generous. But money doesn’t last forever, and we need to check that the investment is solid. So if you could send us a written report, we’d be happy to consider it. Now, I’m sorry, but Lexi and I have a luncheon date.”
He stood up, strolled to the door, opened it, and stood waiting.
Lexi watched in silence. Finally, her grandmother rose to her feet, and Daniel followed her out. Neither looked happy, and Lexi had to bite back a grin. This wouldn’t be the end of the matter. No doubt she would hear more. But for now, the two of them had been silenced.
For a fake husband, Josh was a true protector. Which was so not helping her control those warm fuzzy feelings.
As the door closed behind them, she leaned back in her chair and let out a huge sigh.
“Do you usually give them money when they ask?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“It’s complicated. Anyway, I have a lot and they don’t.” Her grandmother had once pointed out that if Lexi had never been born, then the money would have all been hers. She’d been eight at the time. She suspected that her grandmother would have been happier if Lexi had died in the car crash with her parents.
“And they are my only family.” She didn’t know why she was trying to justify herself to Josh. It was her money. She could do what she liked with it. Hadn’t that been the whole point of marrying him in the first place? She didn’t need him to come along and tell her what she could and couldn’t do.