She made me wait like the cute little tease she was. Then she said the two words that made me feel like I had won the lottery.

“Team Joslyn.”

THERE WAS NO WAY I could be hearing this. Austin had to be drunk, because he was spilling craziness all over the place. After reluctantly leaving Josh’s house the night before, I came home and barely slept a wink. All I wanted to do was call him and crawl into his bed, but he gave me space when I needed it, so I needed to give him the same.

After having an early dinner with Eden, I came home to Austin’s call. When I answered, I went into shock.

“Why did I receive a phone call from Josh asking what kind of time he’d do if he was to knock the fuck out of your ex-boyfriend?” he asked with an amused tone.

I froze just inside my living room, and tried to grasp what my brother had just said.

“What did you just say?” I asked in a stutter.

“You heard me. Josh filled me in on a few things that you should have told me, but that’s another story. I told him ways to get around it, and wished him good luck.”

“Austin Hart, you are a man of the law. You do not tell a person how to harm someone and get away with it,” I shrieked at my brother absurdness.

“Yes, I am a man of the law, but you are my sister. You take priority.”

“What did you tell him?” I asked quietly as I took a seat on the edge of the couch. My brain was rattled. This wasn’t good. This was bad, so fucking bad.

“Nothing for you to worry about. I like him, Ash. I like him a fucking lot. It’s good to know someone is protecting you over there. I approve.”

“Good to hear my big brother approves,” I said softly.

“So, are you fucking him?”

“Austin Joseph Hart, you do not ask your virginal little sister if she is having sex.”

“Virginal my ass. So, are you?”

I knew he wouldn’t let up. “We have enjoyed each other’s company.”

“So that is a yes to fucking him. What’s holding you back?”

“Are we seriously having this conversation?” I groaned, knowing full well that he wouldn’t hang up until I told him everything.

“Start talking.”

I took a deep breath. “I’ve always put Josh on such a pedestal. Throughout everything, he was always that guy . . . he is that guy. He makes me giggle, makes my stomach flutter, treats me like a queen, and the thought of growing old with him has crossed my mind plenty of times. We’ve spent a lot of time together lately, and he is—no he has, reignited a fire inside me. But, Austin, I know I’d never survive if I lost him. My heart would never recover, and that is what’s been holding me back from completely dropping my guard. So, I got scared, and I kind of suggested Friends with Benefits, and he freaked out.”

His deep laughter was not what I expected. What had I said that was so funny? “Why are you laughing? I’m opening up to you here.”

“You suggested friends with benefits to Josh Crawford?”

“And your point being?”

“Firstly, you don’t do casual. You never have. Secondly, there is nothing casual about his feelings for you. I can completely understand why he was insulted that you suggested it.”

“When the hell did you and Josh Crawford become besties?” I sighed in frustration, but my intrigue was firing on all cylinders.

“Since he called and asked me for my advice, and told me his intentions in protecting you. Don’t give him too much agony, Ducky. Listen to your heart, and tell your head to fuck off. Go to him, be happy, and let him be what you have always wanted.”

“We went on a date a couple of days ago,” I admitted with a smile at the memories.

“Keep going on dates. Open your heart to him. Be all romantic and shit.”

“I love you,” I said softly.

“Love you too, Ducky. Now get your ass off the couch and go to him.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the nickname he had given me all those years ago, even though it came about when he called me an ugly duckling. I shoved my phone back into my clutch and tried to digest everything Austin said. The one thing that resounded to me was “listen to your heart.”

The moment Josh rushed out of his bedroom to grab a candle the night he took my virginity, my heart was his. That was my first experience with a Josh Crawford kind of romance; a romance that was spontaneous, heart stuttering, and so beautifully unique that no other man had a chance. My heart liked it. A lot. The thought alone brought a smile to my face. The fears I now lived with weren’t devastating, and they weren’t brutal. They were life changing and beautifully unique. It was then that I realized I wanted to love and be loved by one man. A man that wanted to offer me the world. It was when I knew that I needed him completely in my life, like I needed air to breathe.

There was a sense of purpose in every step I took to his apartment. These were the days I was thankful for living on the same floor. I knocked loudly on the closed door and waited. I had no clue what I was going to say. For the first time in a long time, I had absolutely nothing planned, and it felt phenomenal.

The door opened slowly, and Josh appeared.

Shirtless.

In sweatpants.

With stubble and stupidly-perfect hair.

“Ashy, are you okay? What are you doing he—”

I placed my open palms on his chest and pushed him back into his apartment. Before I could stop myself, and like I was a woman possessed, my lips slammed to his and he stumbled backward. With my foot, I kicked the door shut, while never tearing my mouth away from his. Four days without kissing him was too long. My tongue traced the seam of his lips, and he immediately granted me access. My tongue darted into his mouth and caressed his with the passion of 1000 first kisses. If I couldn’t give him my words, I’d show him with my actions. His arms wrapped around my waist, and I was lifted from my feet. Then my legs wrap circled his hips as we moved through his apartment. My gasp echoed through the heated air as my back slammed against the wall.

“You and me, Ashy,” he said with a growl against my neck as his teeth nipped at my skin.

“You called Austin,” I mumbled as his hands slid up my skirt until it was bunched around my waist.

“Yep.”

“We need to talk about that, but first I need you to either fuck me here or put me down so I can go back to my apartment to find my vibrator, because hearing that about you and then coming here and seeing you with your shirt off and fuckable hair has made me desperate. Tonight you claim me, Josh. You claim me so no other man gets me.”

He pulled his face away from the confines of my neck and stared at me in wonderment. “What are you saying?”

“Make me yours.”

I hadn’t even finished talking before his hand slipped into my panties. My head slammed back while his remaining hand held me in place. I could hear how wet I was with every intense stroke of his finger, and that sound alone caused my body to shake with excitement. My lips came back to his and I let him devour me. When Josh took control, I knew he would take me to a place of no return.

“Always so wet.” With one swift movement, Josh thrust his cock deep inside of me, and I cried out his name as fireworks were set off within my body. “You’re mine, Ashy. Always have been, and always will be.”

We were frantic. He pumped into me like his life depended on it, and my body met every one of his movements. Our lips hovered near one another, his breath becoming mine, and my pants becoming his. This was pure lustful fucking. There was no romance, no gentleness, and no sweetness to this. This kind of fucking would leave me aching for days. My skin would be peppered with bite marks, and my lips would be bruised. I could not wait to spend the next few days reliving this moment. My core clenched around his cock and the animal-like growl that fired up his throat encouraged the lioness within me.