He forced his shoulders to remain relaxed and smiled as he worked on the salad. He’d tell her the truth. But not all of it. “Just when I’d make friends as a kid, they’d get adopted, or transferred somewhere else, so I’ve never been the type to need many. And you know how much I was working back then. I sort of drifted apart from the few friends I had. But the last thing I wanted to do was spend what little free time we had with my co-workers. I spent way too much time with them as it was.”
“So it wasn’t because you were embarrassed by me . . . or something?”
“No! I just preferred you to myself.” He lifted a crouton to her lips. When she opened her mouth, he popped it in. “What brought all this on?”
She waved a hand. “Just something Ryan said. Never mind.”
The suspicious sheriff who clearly didn’t trust him. The FBI had doctored Sam Coulter’s data, but no one except Megan and his handler knew Josh’s real name. He’d have to ask Watts about that.
But first he needed to wipe the worried frown off Megan’s face.
He moved between her legs and leaned close. “Congratulations on your loan. I’m happy for you.” He laid his mouth on hers, taking his time, savoring her soft lips, teasing and nibbling until she moaned.
He leaned back and whispered, “That was nice, but I want more. I want what you promised me the other night in the bar.”
Her eyes tilted Haley’s way before she whispered, “I had too much to drink that night, so no fair holding me to any promises I might have made. And the jury’s still out on whether I’m going to sleep with you.”
He pulled her into a tight hug so she couldn’t belt him. “I’m glad you’re considering sleeping with me, but I was talking about your promise to hand over your old car. I need a part from it for another job. Then we’ll shoot it up for fun.”
“Why didn’t you just say that? You are the sneakiest son of a—” He cut her off with another deep kiss.
Her whole body melted into his. If not for Haley, he would have thrown Meg over his shoulder and taken her to bed. Instead, he had to settle for ending their kiss and staring into her pretty blue eyes.
She stared right back. “I hate when you do that. Kiss me stupid, then trick me into saying stuff. But you’d never lie to me, would you, Josh? It’s the one thing I can’t abide.”
He held her steady, searching gaze, hating the FBI, and himself even more, for every single lie he’d ever told her. “I’d rather cut my heart out than lie to you, Meg.”
After their fantastic dinner—any dinner was fantastic if Meg didn’t have to cook it—she turned back the bedspread and fluffed the pillows on Josh’s bed. The mattress was old and sagged a little, but it’d be replaced soon with the same ones they used at the hotel. She’d have to talk to Casey about going in on a larger order so they’d get better pricing.
She turned to go check on Haley and ran into Josh’s hard chest. He backed her up until the mattress hit her legs. The next thing she knew she was on her back, pinned to the bed by his big, hard body.
He swiped away a piece of fallen hair from her forehead. “I’m here to convince the jury to vote in favor of forgiving me and giving me another chance.”
All his weight should have made it hard to breathe, but it just felt good. Too good. She needed to keep her defenses up. “Where’s Haley?”
“She asked if my phone could play movies like yours. We pulled up some Disney thing.”
“She’s sneaky, like you. Haley would watch movies twenty-four seven if I let her. She’s only allowed a few hours a week.”
“Okay. Now back to us?”
“It’s complicated, Josh.”
“I’m honestly sorry, Meg. For everything. Mostly for not being there for you and Haley. You’re a great mom, but Haley needs a father too. And I plan to be a good one.”
“Kids grow up with one parent all the time and turn out just fine. I did.” She stared into his eyes. “Saying you’re sorry doesn’t make the pain magically disappear and make everything all better. How can I be sure you won’t hurt us again?”
He cringed. “I know trust doesn’t come easily for you. I didn’t help by leaving like that. You and Haley are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I swear I’ll never leave you guys again.”
She closed her eyes. The sadness in his gaze pierced her heart. She hated how much she missed his touch, missed sharing simple meals, and just . . . being with him. She’d never had such an easy relationship with anyone else. But she couldn’t bear it if he left again. Couldn’t bear it if he hurt Haley. “So I should just take you at your word, Josh? Just hand over my and Haley’s hearts so you can crush them again?”