Tonight, she''d gone all out. The ck dress hugged her in all the right ces, showing off every curve. With those red lips and that jet-ck dress, her skin looked impossibly pale-she was beautiful in a way that was almost dangerous.

    Joshua swallowed, ended his call, and gently took Allison''s wrist, pulling her into his arms.

    Allison didn''t resist she just slid onto hisp like she belonged there.

    He wrapped his arms around her, his voice a low rumble above her head. "Missed you."

    A smile tugged at her lips. "Missed you too."

    He raised an eyebrow. "If you missed me, why didn''t you call? Ore find me?"

    "I had ns today."

    "What ns?"

    "I went shopping with Olivia."

    He sounded a little hurt. "Oh, I see. Your best friend outranks me now."

    Allisonughed. "You''re jealous of Olivia? Seriously?"

    Joshua''s lips brushed her earlobe, his voice suddenly dark and teasing. "I could go shopping with you too, you know."

    "No way."

    That would be way too obvious. Not with her dad always around. If someone saw them and said something, it would only end in a fight. Maybe worse.

    Joshua''s breath was warm on her neck, making her shiver.

    His voice was gravelly, almost a whisper. "Am I that much of a secret? Hm?"

    She felt a jolt run through her, skin tingling.

    Allison tried to stand, her voice soft. "Come home with me. Not here."

    Joshua didn''t let go, pulling her back in.

    "When are you going to make it official?" he murmured, hugging her from behind, lips brushing her neck.

    Allison smoothed her tone, almost coaxing. "Be good. We''ll talk at home."

    He liked the sound of that-home.

    "Alright," he said, finally letting go. "Let''s go home."

    Allison brought Joshua over. The vi was new, bought just a few months ago. It was his first time here.

    She unlocked the door and waved him in.

    Joshua walked through the ce like he owned it, checking everything out. He poured himself some water from her mug, making himselfpletely at home.

    This was the house Javier had bought her after she and Joshua broke up. The décor was exactly her style.

    After looking around, Joshua stood there with her mug in hand, giving her a hopeful look. “So, we''re home. Now tell me when are we going public?"

    "You''re really in a hurry?" Allison grinned.

    "Of course Tam." Joshua''s face was serious "Carter keeps hanging around, Lucas has been after you forever, and now there''s Zack. How am I supposed to rx?"

    "You know about Eason?" Allison blinked. "How''d you find out?"

    He hadn''t even gone to that party.

    "Your dad and the Zackons are trying to set you up with him. A couple of my friends were at the g."

    So that was it.

    Allison exined, "Yeah, my dad

    wants me and Eason to get together, but neither of us is

    vel

    inted. He knows I''m with y

    Actually, he told me he likes Olivia."

    Joshua''s eyes softened. "He likes Olivia?"

    Allison nodded. "I know, right? I never would''ve guessed. I was shocked too."

    Joshua nodded back. "So he''s out of the running. But there are still two other guys staring at you like you''re thest slice of cake."

    Allisonughed, shaking her head. "Those two aren''t even a threat. Are you really worried?"

    He looked at her,pletely serious,

    a sh

    Pain in his eyes. "It''s not

    about confidence. I just don''t

    ''t want

    to lose you again. Once was

    enough."

    Her heart squeezed.

    She stepped up to him, rising on her toes and cupping his face. "Joshua, you''re

    the only one I want. You don''t have to-"

    But before she could finish, Joshua leaned down and kissed her, stealing the rest of her words.