Bring Me Fire (10 page)

"
You don’t have to explain yourself to me," she said softly.

"
I’ve always trusted my instincts. Even when what my gut is telling me is pretty much the exact opposite of what the rest of the world is saying. So I knew I was making the right choice to get out of acting, even though everyone else said otherwise. And I knew that I was making the right choice hiring you, even though you’ve exhibited some degree of difficulty in following directions." He smiled. "I guess what I’m trying to say, in a very verbose way, is that I feel comfortable around you and it’s not a feeling I generally get with people. Honestly, if you’d been some other girl who I hired and had then gone snooping around like that, I would’ve told you to leave and never come back. But I realized, after you left, that I wanted you back. You ask if I’m lonely? Yes, I am but I’ve become used to it. You make me not want to be lonely. I am not quite sure what it is about you, but I feel like I can relax."

Sky’s heart thudded. She bit the inside of her lip, in part to feel the pain, and in part because she hoped the gesture would wake her up from whatever dream she was obviously having. Except there was no lurching up in bed, finding herself in her apartment. There was only the pressure of her teeth against her lip, and that sensation of energy between them. No one had ever spoken such words to her before. Really, it seemed like the kind of thing that would happen in the movies, and the fact that an ex-movie star was saying them to her made her giggle.

Josh’s gaze moved away from the painting and landed on her. "I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable," he said. "I’m really not. I know that’s probably some pretty heavy shit to put out there, and I apologize if it’s making you feel awkward. Not my intention." He shook his head. "Not my intention at all."

"
No, no, I was just..." Sky let her sentence trail off. She took a step closer. He had said all that stuff to her, she could take a chance. "I was just thinking about how I can like, feel this energy or something between us. I know that sounds crazy. But I can. Like this tingling, almost." She felt her face get hot.

"
I know," he said matter-of-factly. He brought his hand up and touched the base of her neck, his fingers resting on her collarbone. It was like she could feel a current of electricity running through her, all the way down her arms, her legs, into her fingers and toes. "Come here," he said, his eyes closing slightly. He had long, thick lashes, dark against his fair skin. She stepped into him, close enough to really smell his scent, the cologne, a hint of soap or shower gel, the detergent that had been used to wash his shirt. She brought her own hands to his shoulders and ran them down his upper arms, which were muscular without being bulky or ropy. He sighed against her ear, and then his other hand was cupping the side of her face, turning her chin up toward him.

"
I’m going to kiss you," he said, looking into her eyes. And then he did.

It was a long, slow kiss. For a moment, their mouths touched, lips parted, and they did not move. Then Sky felt the tip of his tongue gently tracing the contour of her lower lip, and she closed her mouth slightly, then opened it and put pressure on his lips with hers. The energy that had been coursing through her veins seemed to explode, like fireworks up and down her spine, in her brain. Her eyes shut and she could see colors behind her lids, colors that swirled and moved like a kaleidoscope and that seemed to dance in synchronicity with what they were doing. His hands went down her torso, settled easily at her waist, then her hips, one palm of his hand resting easily against her lower belly.

She was overcome with the urge to rip her clothes off, to do the same to him, to fuse herself to him. She wanted more of whatever it was she was feeling, she didn’t want it to end, she felt like the only way to get it was to be as close to him as possible. But she kept her hands on his arms, gripping him tightly as though if she were to loosen her grasp she’d be lifted by some invisible wind and blown away.

After a few minutes, though, he pulled back. She stared at him, her mouth still partway open, her breath coming hard and heavy, as though she’d just run up several flights of stairs.

"I want to do this slowly," he said. "Are you okay with that?"

She nodded, though she wasn’t exactly sure what
"this" was. Was he just talking about sex? Or was it something more than that? She’d witnessed more than one friend in college sleep with a guy who only wanted sex, and she saw the effect that could have, especially when you really happened to like the person. She didn’t want that to happen. She wanted to do this right, whatever this was.

"
I feel I’m not being a very good employee right now, actually," she said with a sheepish grin. What was all that she’d been telling herself about not screwing this up, especially now that she had a second chance?

"
I’d actually consider nominating you for employee of the month." He leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes.

"
That’s awfully sweet of you. But by doing this, I hope you realize I’m basically making all those rumors Ashley’s trying to spread about me true."

"
We don’t need to talk about her," he said. He leaned down and kissed her again.

Chapter 18

Sky and Julia were getting breakfast at
Turntable
when a girl came over to their table and handed them each a small rectangular flyer.

"
Hey Sky, hey Julia," the girl said. It was Rosie Bowen, one of the girls they had graduated with. "I’m having an art opening at
Studio C
tomorrow night. I doubt many people will show up, but it’d be great if you wanted to stop by."

"
Of course," Sky said, taking the flyer. She had always liked Rosie; she was talented without being pretentious and was friendly to everyone. Sky looked down at the flyer. It was simple, printed on stockboard, with one of Rosie’s landscape watercolors in the background, her name printed in a simple black font in the foreground, with the date of the art opening and
Studio C
listed below.

"
We’ll totally check this out," Julia said. "It's a great gallery. That’s really exciting, Rosie."

Rosie smiled shyly.
"Thanks. It’s been pretty nerve-wracking, actually. I’m afraid no one will come. And then if people do come, that no one will buy anything. And then if they buy something, they’ll get it home and realize they don’t like it."

"
Hey," Sky said. "Your stuff is good, Rosie. It always has been. Anyone who buys something of yours is going to love it, I promise."

"
Thanks, Sky. I appreciate it, even if I don’t totally believe you. But I hope you guys can at least stop by tomorrow night."

Both girls nodded.
"We definitely can," Sky said.

After breakfast, Julia and Sky parted ways. Sky waited outside her apartment building for Conner to pick her up. He’d had a dentist appointment, which was why they were heading over to Josh’s a little later than usual.

"
How’d the appointment go?" Sky asked as she slid into the passenger side seat.

Conner winced.
"Girl, make sure you floss. Daily. Apparently, the older you get, the more important it is. I swear that dental hygienist I just saw is a straight up sadist. She
enjoyed
ripping my mouth to shreds, all in the name of a good teeth cleaning. It was terrible. But lesson learned. I will be flossing from now on."

"
Good to know," Sky said. "I could probably be better in my flossing habits." She pulled the flyer she got from Rosie out of her purse and showed it to Conner. "Look. One of the girls I graduated with is having an art opening."

"
Nice. You going?"

"
Yeah. I think I’m going to ask Josh if he wants to go, too."

Conner laughed.
"Good luck with that one, sweetie."

"
What, you don’t think he’ll go?"

"
In case you haven’t noticed, cupcake, Josh is not really the most social person. At least not around here. I’d be very surprised if you were able to get him to go with you to a college student’s art opening."

"
You say it like I’m asking him to contract bubonic plague or something. He likes art, and this girl happens to be a really good artist. He might even find something he likes there."

Conner gave her a sly look.
"I’d say he already found it."

Sky spent the morning entering data into the computer. A little before lunch, she got up from the desk, stretching. Her back cracked in several places when she twisted and she decided that she’d had enough of the office work for the day. She went into the kitchen to get a glass of water. Josh was standing at the counter, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"
Hi there," he said when he saw her.

"
Hey. I’m pleased to say I spent all morning getting stuff entered into the computer, and I think all the art in the front part of the house has been accounted for."

"
I’m very happy to hear that." He stepped over and put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing lightly. "I’m very pleased with your performance thus far," he said. "Perhaps some sort of bonus is in order."

"
I know what a good bonus would be," Sky said, pivoting around so she was facing him.

He looked at her, eyebrows raised.
"I’m open to suggestions." He lowered his head and kissed her neck. "Maybe something along these lines..."

"
Actually," Sky brought her hands up and cupped the sides of his face, felt the sandpaper scratch of stubble against her palms. "This girl I graduated with is having an opening tomorrow night at
Studio C
. I’m going to go. Want to come with me? It’ll be a lot of fun."

Josh grinned.
"That sounds decidedly
un
-fun, actually. I know what post grad art openings are like. It’s going to be a shit show."

"
Aw, you should give it a chance. Her name’s Rosie Bowen."

"
And what kind of art does she specialize in?"

"
Her paintings are amazing. They’re... whimsical, I guess is the best word to describe them. Not in a cheesy way, though. Just the sort of thing you look at and can’t help but smile at and feel better about things."

"
Sounds very quaint," Josh said. He rubbed his palms together and looked up at the ceiling, then back at Sky. "I feel better when I look at you. Isn’t that enough?"

"
It’d be fun if we went out. I bet you’d be surprised how much fun you’d have."

"
Well I’ll make you a deal. I’ll go with you to Rosie’s art opening if you’ll go with me to something."

"
Of course!" Sky said. "What is it?"

"
A surprise. But I think you’ll quite enjoy yourself. It’s the day after tomorrow, actually."

"
Are you going to be able to handle going out with me two nights in a row?" Sky asked jokingly.

"
I think you might be surprised at the things I can handle," Josh said.

Sky grinned.
"Good thing I like surprises."

Chapter 19

Sky was pleased to see there was a decent-sized crowd at
Studio C
when they arrived for Rosie’s opening. She chatted with a few people she had gone to school with and then walked around with Josh to look at the art. She introduced him to Rosie, and then left the two of them to talk while she went to use the bathroom.

She was about to come out of the bathroom stall when the people standing at the sink started talking.

"I know her," one of the girls was saying. "Her name’s Sky something or other. She graduated a year ahead of me."

"
Is that really
Josh Davis
that she’s here with?" the other person asked.

"
I think it is. And even if it’s not, who cares? Whoever that guy is, he’s seriously the best looking man I’ve ever seen. How do you think someone like
her
landed
him
?"

"
Well, you know what I heard? I heard that she sleeps around. So she probably slept with him."

"
But that doesn’t make any sense. Someone like him could have anyone he wants."

Sky cringed. Who were these people? Did she even know either of these girls? Apparently they knew her, or at least thought they did.

"She’s not hideous," one of the girls said. "I mean, we’re both way hotter than she is, but he could do worse, I guess."

"
She must be really good in bed or something."

"
Do you think...?"

Sky turned the lock on the stall door, pushed it open, and stepped out. Both girls looked up at the same time and caught her eye in the mirror. Their mouths dropped open and their eyes widened, but neither said anything.

"I give a phenomenal blow job," Sky said without batting an eyelash.

"
Um." The girl with short brown hair gave Sky a weak smile. "We were just..."

"
It’s quite all right; you don’t have to explain yourself," Sky said. She didn’t recognize either girl. "Do we even know each other?"

"
I graduated the year after you," the girl with blond hair said. "My name’s Molly."

Sky gave her a level stare.
"I don’t remember you at all," she said.

"
We never actually had any classes together."

"
Oh, I see. So then, I’m a little confused as to why you’re standing out here talking shit about me when we don’t even know each other."

"
Is that really Josh Davis that you’re here with?" the other girl asked.

"
Yes, it really is." Sky turned. "And I can tell you, if there’s one thing he despises, it’s pointless gossip. So maybe you should watch your mouths and not say things about people if you have no idea whether or not they’re actually true."

She walked out of the bathroom, the heels of her shoes clicking against the tiles. Her heart thudded in her chest and she felt like running down the hall, arms spread. It felt good not to just
stand in the bathroom stall and wait for them to leave. It felt good to confront it. Sky wondered how much better it would feel to confront Ashley. Sure, Ashley could pretend all she wanted that she had no idea what Sky was talking about, but they would both know it wasn’t true.

She found Josh near the back of the gallery, looking at a collection of
oceanscape paintings.

"
Thought I lost you," he said, putting an arm around her waist.

"
No, I didn’t get lost. I just had to correct a couple of girls in the bathroom who seem to be absolutely certain that the only way I could get a job with you was if we slept together. Of course, it was after they wondered how on earth someone like you would be here with someone like me."

A faint smile touched the corners of his mouth.
"Their logic doesn’t quite add up."

"
So I had to tell them off."

"
Yeah? Good for you."

"
But I think I’m ready to go now. I mean, if you want to stay longer, that’s fine, but I’m down for heading out whenever you are."

The exhilaration she’d been feeling from confronting the girls was starting to ebb. Did the whole world think that the only reason she’d gotten anywhere in life was because she’d slept around? She was aware suddenly of the way people looked at her, standing there next to Josh, his arm around her waist. If anything, her relationship with Josh was just going to make it look like what Ashley was saying was true.

Sky slipped out from Josh’s grasp. "Were you going to buy anything?"
"I’ve seen a few pieces I liked, but no, I don’t think I’m going to be making any purchases tonight. Did you see anything you liked?"

"
A few things."

"
Will you let me buy one for you?"
Sky shook her head. "No, that’s okay. I think I’m just ready to go."

"
All right. Let’s go, then."

Sky was quiet as they walked out toward the parking garage.
"I think I’m just going to walk home," she said. "I could use the fresh air."

"
May I walk with you?"

"
Sure," she said after a minute. "That’s fine."

They walked in silence for a block. As they stopped at the intersection and waited for the light to change, Josh slipped an arm around Sky’s shoulders. She was aware of the looks he was getting from the people they passed, girls and guys alike. It seemed everyone rubber
-necked him as they passed, and she couldn’t help but wonder what it must be like to be that good looking that people were constantly checking you out whenever you went out in public.

I think I understand why he tries to be so reclusive,
Sky thought.

"
You seem tense," Josh murmured, his grip tightening around her shoulders. "Did you not enjoy yourself tonight?"

"
It was fine."

"
You say everything is fine, but I’m starting not to believe you. I had a good time. Your friend is quite talented, and I think at some point I will make a purchase. Maybe you can help me decide. Would you do that?"

A tiny smile crossed Sky’s face. It was sweet that he was trying to make her feel better.
"Of course. Really, everything is all right. I’m glad you had a good time. Thanks for coming out with me. I guess I just feel a little bummed out about those girls in the bathroom."

"
They sound like fools. You can’t really worry about what other people are going to say about you, especially when they don’t even know you."

"
I know, but I still do, apparently. I don’t want to, but it bothers me that these people are out there thinking things about me that aren’t even true. And I don’t know if you’re aware, but everyone we have walked by is totally checking you out, then looking at me as though they can’t quite believe you’re next to me, or that you’ve got your arm around me. Or they’re wondering how much I must’ve paid you for you to be doing this. Or thinking that I must have a terminal illness and you’re being charitable by making my biggest dream come true."
Although if I were my sister, that would be true,
Sky thought. She laughed a little. Her sister would give anything to be in her place right now, would wish nothing more than to be walking down the street with Josh Davis’s arm around her shoulders.

"
Forget about them," he said. "You’ll have a great time tomorrow night."

"
What
is
tomorrow night, anyway? A party?"

"
Sort of. It’ll probably be like nothing you’ve ever gone to before. Or maybe you have."

"
As long as there aren’t any girls in the bathroom talking shit about me."

"
I highly doubt that. We’ll have a great time."

"
I still don’t know what I’m going to wear."

"
You’ll look great in whatever you decide." He gave her an appreciative look. "Really. I mean that."

Sky knew she should feel buoyed by his comment, should feel confident and sure of herself, but she didn’t. She hated that she was letting what other people thought affect her, but it did, no matter what Josh said
.

"
You’re not looking convinced."

He stopped walking and pulled his arm off her shoulders. She faced him, and tried to smile, but it came out more like a frown.

"It sounds like a complete cliché, but I think you’ll be very surprised when you realize how liberating it is once you don’t care what people think about you."

"
It sounds tantalizing. Apparently I’m not quite there yet."

"
And that’s okay. But there’s no need to let it ruin your night. In fact, why don’t you come back to my place, and let me try to make you feel better. I would like to do that for you."

He touched the side of her face and looked at her,
an intensity in his eyes that sent shivers down her spine. She forgot all about whatever it was those girls had been saying.

"
Okay," she said. "I will let you do that for me."

When they got back to his house, he led her upstairs, to his bedroom. "Don’t get any funny ideas about rummaging through my wardrobe," he said, winking, when she glanced over at him. She hadn’t been in his bedroom before, only passed by on her way down the hallway. It was a large room, with minimal embellishments. The walls were painted slate gray, with the only burst of color in the room coming from a large Paul Klee painting that hung over the fireplace in the corner of the room. The bed was set on a platform, draped in a luxurious looking comforter and many pillows.

"
Make yourself comfortable; I’ll be right back."

He disappeared, through a different door than the one they’d just come through. He closed the door behind him. There were two black leather armchairs near the fireplace that she could go sit on, but she suddenly got the idea in her head that she would surprise him. She wasn’t exactly sure what he was doing, but she figured she had enough time to shimmy out of her dress and arrange herself seductively on his bed. It was the sort of thing she’d seen in the movies countless times and had always thought it would be fun to actually do in person.

She tripped, though, as she was trying to get out of her shoes and knocked her shin against the corner of the platform bed.

"
Ouch!" she yelled, the pain reverberating down to her toes. "Jesus."

"
You okay?" The door stayed closed, making his voice sound muffled.

"
Um, yes!"

"
Good. Be out in a minute."

She looked toward the door. What was he doing in there? It was the bathroom, she was pretty sure. Was he brushing his teeth?
Shaving? Taking a dump? She giggled and tried to reach around and unzip the back of her dress, bending her elbow at an impossible angle. She managed to get it off and was climbing onto the bed, ass in the air, when she heard the door open behind her.

She sprawled onto the bed, attempting to strike a seductive pose. She sank into the pillows. He looked at her and burst out laughing.

"That’s not exactly the response I was going for," she said, struggling to sit up against all the goose down. "I was going for enchanting seductress."

He walked over to the bed and extended his hand.
"I find you plenty enchanting." She grasped his hand and he pulled her up. "But come with me."

She followed him into the bathroom, which was awash in the gentle glow of several candles.

"Take the rest of your clothing off," he said, his mouth right against her ear.

She reached around and unhooked her bra, then stepped out of her underwear. He took her hand and led her over to the cedar Japanese soaking tub, which he’d filled with hot water and bubbles.

"Wow," she said. "I’ve never seen a tub like this before."

"
There is nothing like it," he said.

She climbed in, immediately feeling her muscles relaxed as they were submerged in the water.

"The best thing about this tub," he said, "is that no matter how bad of a day I’ve had, I know that I can come sit in here and feel a thousand times better when I get out." He positioned himself at the end of the tub where she was leaning her head back and started to massage her shoulders.

Sky groaned.
"Wow, that feels amazing."

"
I was a massage therapist in a previous life."

"
I believe it."

He massaged her for a while, his hands moving from her shoulders down her arms, then back up and down her chest. He came close to but didn’t touch her breasts; as his hands worked their way back toward her collarbones, she turned so she was facing him.