“Hello, Josie,” Mia said, her smile open and friendly. She was Jace’s sister according to Ash and now Josie could see the resemblance.
“Hi,” Josie returned. “I’m very happy to meet you both.”
“Hello, Josie,” Bethany said, her smile no less friendly than Mia’s had been, but it was obvious she was shyer and more reserved than Mia.
Remembering everything Ash had told her about Bethany, Josie studied her, taking in the fact that the young woman sitting next to where Jace had retaken his seat had come a long way and had endured a very hard life.
And there was the fact that this woman had been to bed with Ash. Ash and Jace. Josie wasn’t sure whether to be jealous of the fact Bethany had had Ash’s hands on her or envious over the fact that Bethany had enjoyed a threesome with two unbelievably gorgeous alpha males.
She was teetering solidly in the direction of the latter.
“Hi, Bethany,” Josie returned warmly. “I’ve heard so much about you all. You’re all very important to Ash. His family as he calls you. I couldn’t wait to meet you all.”
Ash ushered her into her chair next to Gabe and across from Bethany and Mia.
“He is family,” Jace said in a firm voice. “And we’re his. Absolutely.”
“I think it’s wonderful he has such loyal friends,” Josie said softly.
“So Ash says you’re an artist, Josie,” Jace spoke up once they’d all settled into their seats. “And that you design jewelry too.”
Josie nodded, suddenly shy about having the attention focused on herself.
“She’s amazing,” Ash said. “Her work is beautiful.”
Josie turned to Ash, surprised. “But you haven’t seen it. Or not much of it. Not yet anyway.”
Ash looked briefly uncomfortable but then smiled. “I’ve seen what you’re working on now. It’s very good.”
Heat flushed into her cheeks and she knew she was blushing. What she was working on now was quite a bit more erotic than her previous works. But it was for Ash and Ash alone.
“Did you design the necklace you’re wearing now?” Mia asked, leaning forward, her gaze riveted to Josie’s collar. “It’s gorgeous!”
Now she was really blushing. She was convinced of it. Ash squeezed her hand underneath the table, and she controlled her awkwardness. This was important. It was what he wanted. For her not to ever be ashamed for people to know she was his.
“No,” she said in a husky voice. “Ash had it designed for me. It was his gift to me.”
Mia’s eyes widened with understanding, and to her credit she didn’t press further or try to cover the awkwardness by hastily saying more.
Josie’s gaze was drawn to the choker that Bethany wore. Her hand had automatically gone to it the minute Mia had commented on Josie’s. Evidently, it was a collar as well. One given to her by Jace. Did all of Ash’s friends share his sexual proclivities? She could certainly see Gabe and Jace in a dominant role. It was evident in the way they looked at Mia and Bethany. Evident in their body language. How protective they were even just sitting in a public restaurant.
Maybe others wouldn’t notice, but Josie did. She was in tune with that aspect because it was one she lived. It was a need in her, just like it appeared to be a need for Ash, Gabe and Jace.
She had a million questions. Nosy questions that she’d love to be able to ask Mia and Bethany. But she held her tongue. She wouldn’t want them prying into her relationship with Ash, and she’d offer them that same consideration. But it didn’t assuage the burning curiosity she had. Perhaps in time, if they became friends, she’d feel more comfortable having those kinds of conversations with the other women. But still, she knew without a doubt she never wanted to get into a discussion with Bethany about the fact she’d had a threesome with Ash and Jace. There was only so much envy she could handle!