Page 23 of Theirs to Treasure

“You’re right, it’s not.” He agreed. “But Josie, you knew I wanted you, I thought you wanted to give me a chance too? Was I wrong about that?” He wasn’t playing. Chance let her see the hurt in his eyes.

“Oh, Chance, I was really considering that before you left. Then Sam and I…” Her voice trailed away. “Dinner would just complicate things. I’m not made out for anything complicated.”

“I have just one question. Just one. Okay?” Here it was, all the marbles.

“Ask,” she said softly.

“Do you trust me?”

“I hardly know you now, but deep down, I do.” She nodded.

“Neither Sam nor I would ever. Not ever. Do anything to hurt you. On our honor, Josie, you mean too much to both of us.”

She reached out and rearranged the flowers in the tiny vase. “How do you know what Sam thinks?”

“He’s my brother,” Chance said simply. “I know his heart.”

“But I don’t want to come between you.”

“Not even if we ask nicely?”

Her head shot up to see blue eyes full of laughter. “You are so full of it, Chance Reynolds.”

He laughed out loud. “Please come to dinner tonight.”

“I don’t know, I don’t know if I can.” Chance saw such confusion on her face, but he also saw her temptation.

“Take some time today to think about this, Zee. Sam and I both care about you, we both want you. Come over to our house this afternoon and let’s see where things lead us.” Chance reached for her hand and brought it to his lips for a quick kiss, sensing anything more would be too much for her. He got up and waved good-bye to Elise, happy he had left Boston early. Now it was time to go have a heart-to-heart talk with his best friend.

Chapter 10

By the time Sam came to pick her up, Josie had already made up her mind twenty times not to go. However, each time she’d reached for the phone, images of both men tumbled through her mind—Sam’s intense green gaze when he looked at her nude body, and Chance’s devilish grin when he issued his invitation this morning.

Josie didn’t even wait for Sam’s knock. As soon as she heard his footsteps, she opened her door and stepped out on the porch. He looked up at her. “You look beautiful, Baby.”

Josie had put on one of her few dresses and taken time to use the flat-iron on her hair, so it now fell midway down her back. She knew she was twisting her hands in the straps of her purse, but she couldn’t help it. She was so nervous. Chance had made it clear what he intended for this evening, and the fact that she was on this porch meant she was considering it. What did that make her? Maybe Sam was here to tell her that he was opposed and offended. Oh God, she hadn’t considered that. She whirled around and reached for the doorknob.

“Whoa, girl,” Sam stood behind her, his arms encompassing her waist. “Josie, what’s wrong?”

She pulled to get away from him. She couldn’t stand the thought of what he must be thinking of her. Just last night, she’d had the most wonderful experience of her life in his arms and now she was thinking of betraying him!

Just because Chance said that Sam wanted to make it a threesome and that this was the way Fate Harbor worked didn’t mean Sam was actually onboard. He probably thought she was awful. She had to get away, she just had to. She grabbed the doorknob and tried to wrench herself out of his arms.

He gently but firmly kept hold, just moving with her. She could tell that he wasn’t allowing her to injure herself. That was when she finally gave up. She just collapsed in his arms, waiting to see what he would have to say.

“Are you mad at me?” She sobbed out the question. Oh God, he must hate her.

She fought against him again, and again he held her until she quieted. She clung to his strong arms, sheltered, her back resting against his chest. His chin rested on the top of her head.

“Baby, I don’t understand, why would I be mad at you?”

Josie was relieved that she didn’t have to look at him. The night was warm for Washington, and Sam wore a short-sleeved black T-shirt. She rubbed her fingers up and down his muscled forearms, enjoying the warm texture, the soft dark hair.

“I’m betraying you.” She felt a soft exhalation of breath at her ear.

“Is that why you’re running? You’re worried about what I think?”

Josie could only nod.