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Joseph

Joseph
Book Three of the Risking Love Series
Callie Carmen
Chapter One

Violet

I stood on the landing off to the side of the altar as a bridesmaid for my best friend Jaq. I looked over the wedding guests, searching for that one special person I’d desired for over a year. In the second row, behind Jaq’s parents, I saw my friend Bella. Did I dare look to Bella’s left to see if her date, Joseph, had attended the wedding with her? The man I longed to hold, to cherish, and to love from this day forward? Oh, wait, that was Jaq’s line—shame on me.
There were two problems with what I wanted. He didn’t know I was crazy about him, and he belonged to Bella. Well, at least until after the wedding. The other bridesmaid, my friend Carlie, had told me earlier that Bella was breaking up with Joseph after the reception. For a moment I worried about ruining my relationship with Bella, but then I realized I had to follow my heart. It might be my last chance to find out if he had any interest in me. After today I’d probably never see the man again. That thought shot a stabbing pain right to my chest.
If I found the courage to approach Joseph after Bella dumped him, what would my friends think of me? After all, Bella was their friend too.
If at first, they were mad at me, it would be worth it because, deep in my heart, I knew Joseph was my soul mate. I’d never been surer of anything in my life. He’d lost both of his parents too. He would surely understand the loneliness and longing that overwhelm me at times.
Why should I give up the possibility of true love after I’d already lost so much in my lifetime? Didn’t I deserve some happiness?
Shiznit. I hated self-pity—it never got anyone anywhere good.
I turned my gaze to Bella’s left, just as Jaq and Patrick were about to say their vows. My breath caught and time stopped as I looked into Joseph’s eyes and saw him staring back at me. Why was this handsome man looking at me during the most important part of the ceremony? I froze. I couldn’t look away. I watched as his gaze lowered to my lips. It caused an involuntary response— my mouth opened, and I glided my tongue over my upper lip.
He leaned forward and wrapped both hands tightly around the pew in front of him.
My heart began to skip. Every. Other. Beat.
His eyes wandered to my breasts, which were now heaving from the deep breaths I had to take after unconsciously holding my breath for so long. I shifted the flowers from my right hand and placed my hand over my heart. When I saw that his knuckles were turning white from the intense grip on the pew, I darn near forgot where I was and almost went to him.
A hot blush rushed up my body, over my breasts and up my neck, and the warmth of it didn’t stop until it reached the top of my head. I looked back into Joseph’s eyes and the heat there was so overwhelming that I had to look away.
I tried to focus on the beautiful vows that Patrick was saying to Jaq, but all I could do was question what was going on with Joseph. He wasn’t acting like the sexually repressed man who Bella had repeatedly made clear hadn’t even tried to get to third base with her, even though they’d been dating for a little over a year. He was acting like there was no one else in the church except us.
Was it possible that he’d been waiting for me to be free of the muscle man that I’d been dating up until a couple of months ago? I hadn’t seen him since I broke it off with the guy, so this would have been his first opportunity.
At the back of the church, I stood in the receiving line greeting all of the guests. “Violet, sei troppo bella.” I had to smile at Bella because she was always throwing out Italian hand gestures or words and we’d gotten pretty good at knowing what most of them meant, and in this case, she thought I looked beautiful. “At the reception, us girls would have to be sure to make time to hit the dance floor together.”
“Thank you, and as always, Bella, you look beautiful, too. I can’t wait to hit the dance floor with you and our other friends. Especially since I don’t have a date for this event.”
She leaned in and whispered, “Then you’ll probably have a lot more fun than me.” She slightly nodded her head to the right toward Joseph.
I grimaced. Clearly, she was over him. Thank goodness for that. Maybe if something happened between Joseph and me, I’d be able to salvage my relationship with Bella. God, I hoped so. It was important I talk with her about my feelings for Joseph as soon as possible. I wanted to be honest and upfront with her and let her know I wanted to be with him. Hopefully, she’d approve, but if she didn’t I had to follow my heart. She hugged me, then moved on to the next person in line.
I turned back to greet the next guest, and it was Joseph. He pulled me in for a hug, kissed my cheek, then whispered in my ear, “Sorry to hear that you don’t have a date. The single men will be lining up to dance with you.” His breath on my neck caused me to shiver, and I felt my nipples change into tight pebbled points. “Please save a slow dance for me.”
A nod was all I could muster to confirm that I would indeed save him a dance. When I looked down, I saw that my nipples looked like two missiles ready to launch. How embarrassing.
His eyes had followed mine to my breasts, and the sound of his elongated hiss shot through my body, ending at my clit. We lifted our gazes, and our eyes met. I saw that his were dilated and flashes of light were shooting through them like sparklers that would be lit later tonight at the Memorial Day weekend fireworks celebration.
Thank heavens, he kissed my cheek again and quickly moved on down the line. After that encounter, the rest of the guests who came through the line were a blur because my mind had moved on to fantasies of being wrapped in his arms on the dance floor. I felt like a character in one of the romance novels I like to read.
Wedding party pictures were finally finished, and everyone was having a blast at the reception. Jaq and Patrick were on the dance floor with friends and family members. We had all formed a large circle and were having fun taking turns in the center showing off our dance moves.
When it was my turn, I moved my hips in such a sexy way that all the men started to make wolf calls. One spin around had me catching the smiling eyes of all my friends and their men. Then I looked into Joseph’s darkened eyes. I instantly became embarrassed and had to end my turn. I reached over and grabbed his hand and pulled him to the center for his crack at it.
As I started for the spot he had vacated he reached out and grabbed my hand from behind. With my hand in his, he moved me back to the center.
At his touch, my heart sped up to the fast rhythm of the song that was playing. He spun me once around and I nervously laughed, then he whispered, “Can you Swing?”
It had been a while, but I had been in the Swing Club in high school, so the answer was yes, but all I could manage was a nod.
“Good, then let’s have some fun.”
I placed my right hand on his broad shoulder, and he put his hand on my shoulder blade. It set my body on fire, and I thought I might pass out from the heat. He started with the simple rock step, triple step, triple step. Our rhythm was quickly in sync, so he began to use the kick ball change step. He turned me and even did the change behind the back type moves. Everyone started to clap along to the beat, and Bella, Jaq, and a few others yelled out, “Go, Violet.” The fluid movement of his hips and the pressure on my back had me wishing we were alone. After that fun display, everyone joined in and began dancing together.
In my peripheral vision, I saw Bella head toward Joseph. She took his hand, said a few words to him, then they left the dance floor. I turned in their direction, so I could see what happened next. She led him toward the back exit, and they disappeared outside. She must have decided that it was late enough in the evening to give him her break up news.
Poor Bella and Joseph. Wait—poor Joseph and Bella; that meant he might get in his car and leave and I might never see him again. That felt like a stab to my gut. I knew now he had some interest in me. The scene that had played out during the ceremony and the look in his eyes while I danced were proof that he at least lusted after me. That was a start. I hoped I could build on that if I were given a chance.
Chapter Two

Violet

The wedding wasn’t the right place to have a conversation with Bella about my feelings, but it had to be soon. I didn’t know how long I could hold back how passionately I felt about Joseph. There was nothing I’d rather do than to make sensual love with him. Of course, whether that happened remained to be seen. After all, he hadn’t slept with Bella, and it wasn’t like she hadn’t been completely open to the idea. She had told us girls that she had wanted it to the point of exasperation. Perhaps he had been having doubts about his relationship with Bella and hadn’t wanted to disrespect her that way. Especially since he’d become extremely close to her father.
My hands shook at the thought of him getting into his car and leaving before I had the chance to tell him I was interested in seeing him. I didn’t dare go out the same exit; he might see me. I rushed to the side door to make sure that he was okay. When I stepped outside, I could hear the two of them talking.
“Joseph, I’ve been wanting to talk with you for some time about our relationship, but we’ve spent so little time alone together, when my family wasn’t around, that it never seemed to be the right time.”
“Look, Bella, we both know that things between us have been a little rocky for the past couple of months. Am I right?”
I couldn’t see them, but I wished I could have seen her reaction. She sighed. “Yes, it’s true. That’s the reason I brought you out here. To talk. I think we both have figured out that this thing between us is not going to work out. That you’re not into me in a physical way and never will be.”
He cleared his throat.
“I think we can both agree that we would be better friends than we are lovers. After all, it’s not like we slept together, so it won’t get weird when we run into each other while out with someone else, right?”
“Right. You’re wonderful, so loyal to your family and friends. Especially Tessa last year when people were putting her down for having sex with one man after the next. You knew she was going through a hard time with her dad and with the loss of her mom. You stuck by her, telling everyone that would listen how hardworking, smart, and sweet she was. You’re a passionate person, with a generous heart, and you have an amazing family. I’d love to remain your friend, as well as your father’s friend, if you’d let me. I think you know how close I’ve grown to your dad over the past year. He helped fill some of the void I’ve had in my life since my father died.”
I covered my heart and wished I could hold him. I knew the ache of loss he was feeling so well. I loved this man. He was sensitive, kind and loving.
“I would completely understand if you or your family felt uncomfortable having me around.”
There was silence for a few seconds, and my heart broke for Joseph. I knew how it felt to long for that familial connection. At the same time, I understood why Bella might not want him around her loved ones. Who needed a reminder of a relationship that hadn’t worked out? I sighed.
“I’ll leave that decision up to you and my father. I wouldn’t have a problem with it. You were a big help to my family, especially Dad. Helping him build the shed, digging those awful piers under our cottage, and carrying all those shingles up the ladder to put on the new roof. Dad isn’t as strong as he used to be, so you were a godsend. Thank you.”
I wanted to hug Bella; she was beautiful inside and out.
“Would you like to stay and enjoy the rest of the celebration, or do you want to take off?”
“Thank you. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to stay a little bit longer. I’m going to clear my head a bit before going back inside.”
My heart fluttered at that announcement. He wasn’t leaving. I let out a long breath that I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. I took a quick look around the corner of the building and could see them.
He pulled her in for a bear hug and kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll miss you, and I hope we’re both lucky enough to find what Patrick and Jaq have. You deserve that and more.”
“I’ll miss you, too. You deserve that kind of love just as much as me.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips, then headed back inside.
No matter how I felt about Joseph, it was hard to see my friend shed tears. Even though I loved him with all my soul, I wanted my friend to be happy. I was relieved that the break up hadn’t ended with harsh words.
I rolled my shoulders then massaged my neck. Now that I knew he was okay and was staying, I decided to go back inside and approach him a bit later. I turned and headed back toward the side door, only to be stopped when someone grabbed my hand.
Joseph’s deep voice was unmistakable. “Hey, you, were you doing a little spying?”
“No. Not really.” Oh, shiznit! I’d been caught. How had he known?
“Violet, I could smell your perfume as soon as you arrived. So you might want to come clean.” He chuckled.
“Okay. Carlie told me earlier today that Bella planned to break it off with you after the wedding.” I stepped back and forth a few times. “When I saw you leave with her, I figured that she was giving you the bad news.”
He gave me a smirk.
“I came out to make sure that you were okay.” I bit my bottom lip.
“So you were worried about me?” He brushed a strand of my hair behind my ear.
“Yes. No.” I looked down and kicked a pebble and watched it roll away. “Maybe.”
He took my chin in his hand and lifted my head, so our eyes met. “I’d like to talk with you. Will you take a walk with me?”
He must be feeling low about what had just happened. I wanted to give him the comfort I knew he must be needing right now. But, on the other hand, it might get back to Bella if someone saw me walking off into the moonlight with him. Would she think I’d betrayed her? Would it hurt her so much I’d lose her as my friend? Would my two closest friends, Jaq and Carlie, side with Bella if I said the heck with it; I love him, and I’m going to comfort him?
Darn—looking into the puppy dog eyes of the man I loved, knowing he needed me, was making me feel sick inside and joyful at the same time. My poor stomach felt like I’d been on a roller coaster. I decided I needed to be vulnerable for his sake and help him through this.
My gaze lowered to his hand. I took it in mine and instantly felt a spark between us. God, this friend walk was going to kill me.
“I’d love to.” I tugged him towards a path that Nicolas had mentioned was off to the side of the hotel. He had scoped it out in hopes of a morning run. It was lit with the occasional solar lantern and the moonlight. It felt so romantic, but I knew this wasn’t going to be that kind of stroll.
We talked about everything under the beautiful stars, including the taboo subjects of politics and religion, and I loved it. As we were about to start a second mile-loop around the circular path, the subject of Bella finally came up.
He explained how Bella had asked him to Jaq and Patrick’s wedding months ago as her plus one. At the time, he’d already started to worry that the spark he’d kept hoping for in his relationship with her was never going to come. When the wedding was just a couple of weeks away, Joseph had become sure of it. He cared about her a great deal, but more like a sister than a lover, so he hadn’t wanted to ruin her plans by backing out of being her date for the event.
He’d made plans to break off the relationship with her when they got back to town after the wedding. So, for the past few months, he and Bella had been on the same page and hadn’t known it.
I sighed. The break up had been inevitable as they’d been on different paths from the beginning. My heart ached for her, because she had put so much effort into a doomed relationship. It had been like she was waiting for a train at the airport. He was never going to change into what she’d hoped for. She probably felt like there was no Mr. Right for her, but I knew someone as beautiful and passionate as her would eventually meet her soul mate. And Joseph may have found a family to love, to fill some of the pain he had over the loss of his best friend and dad, but he’d most likely lose that in the end too. I prayed that he’d let me into his life enough to help heal his lonely heart.
Chapter Three

Violet

As we got to the spot that I had admired the first time around the mile-long path, there was a big explosion. I jumped at the sound. Joseph pulled me close, and we looked up and saw the breathtaking display of fireworks. We both laughed.
We took a few steps off the path to the open-walled gazebo and sat on the wooden floor watching the breathtaking fireworks display. One particularly beautiful one went off. I turned to look up at him to see what he thought, and my hand brushed against his. Instantly sparks shot through my body. My eyes locked on his darkened, heated gaze. Neither one of us moved.
My heart began to beat faster than the rapid fire of the firework finale going off above us. I opened my mouth a little to exhale the deep breath I had taken, and his eyes moved to my lips. I prayed that he’d kiss me.
He leaned in close to my mouth. His soft breaths tickled my lips.
I arched and filled the small space, our lips joined, and my heart melted into a pool of happiness.
Joseph started with a slow, soft kiss until I moaned. Then his kiss became passionate hungry. He tasted of the sweet wine I had seen him drinking earlier, mixed with the natural flavor of Joseph. The combination was intoxicating.
Our tongues tangled in a dance far sexier than our Swing dance an hour ago. We broke our kiss long enough to take much-needed breaths. He plunged back into my warmth and deepened the kiss. I knew that Joseph would be an amazing lover by the way he kissed. I burned with need to have more of him. Not just now, but forever.
He chose that moment to reach around to my almost bare back and slid his hand under the waist of my dress. He squeezed my naked bottom, and his eyes grew wide.
“Holy smokes, woman, are you trying to kill me? You’re not wearing panties. I’ve wanted to taste and hold you for weeks.”
A quiver ran through me, and I wanted to tell him that I’d been desperate to have him since the first time our eyes had met. But that would sound like crazy talk to him.
“I can’t believe I finally have you in my arms. I was so happy when I heard that you’d broken it off with that bodybuilder. I’ve been dying to see you again to find out if you wanted me as much as I needed you. I couldn’t wait to get to Patrick’s wedding so I could get my answer.”
I was panting so hard that my head was spinning. I wasn’t sure that I was hearing him right. Needed? What did that mean? Needed me for sex? Yes, that must be it. Okay, I’d already decided that I could work with that. It would allow me to spend time with him. Time for him to know me better. My heart fluttered with the possibilities.
He didn’t know me as well as I knew him. He hadn’t had the advantage of hearing Bella’s stories of his kindness and how family-oriented he was.
The thing that drove Bella crazy was what I longed for. It seemed he wanted everything I’d been missing, and he’d be able to give some of the family stability and love I’d lost back to me.
He whispered between kisses. “Here you are, kissing me back. If this isn’t heaven, I don’t know what is.”
My heart was no longer melting; it was filling up quickly with so much bliss that I was sure it would burst.
He kissed his way to my neck, then sucked and nipped his way to my shoulder. I tilted my head to the side so he’d have plenty of room to work his magic.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in the shower thinking of you and having my dick throb so hard that I’ve had to take matters into my own hands.”
Sparks shot through my body like the fireworks going on around us. Oh my God; I’d known he’d be hot-blooded from the first time I’d seen him at the Rush Club. I had watched that night as his eyes had taken me in from my toes to my head. And when our eyes had met, my heart had stopped beating for a moment.
If only I hadn’t gone to the restroom with Jaq right then, he would have been mine instead of Bella’s a year ago. He must have thought I wasn’t interested, so when Bella had made her move, he’d ended up settling for her. I hadn’t stopped wishing that he was mine the entire time they’d been together. This was what I had dreamed of.
“Joseph, I’ve wanted this since you helped my friends move into their dorm rooms last semester. I was drawn to you, but I couldn’t have you. I’ve been aching to touch you for so long.” He put his forehead on mine, and I closed my eyes. “I can’t believe you want me just as much.” I didn’t dare tell him that I’d wanted him from the beginning. He’d think that was weird.
He stood and took me into his arms.
I reached around his backside with both hands. My high heels didn’t give me enough height, so I stood on my tiptoes, grabbed his bottom, and held it tight. I pressed his groin against my aching clit. I rubbed it up and down his shaft while quietly moaning.
Finally, I had the man I loved in my arms. All I wanted was his naked body lying over mine, close to my heart. Even if he left me after we made love, I’d always have that beautiful memory of us together.
He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “Is it too much to ask for you to come up to my hotel room so that we can be alone together.”
“God no, but what about Bella?”
He shook his head. “We’re over, Violet. Do you think I’d be touching you if we weren’t? I told you I kept waiting for a spark to happen between us because I cared about her and her family a great deal, but it never came. Then I met you. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I knew you’d be here tonight. I needed to see you again.”
I gasped.
“I had to find out if the spark between us the last time we were together was as strong as I believed it to be.”
I felt tingles all over my body. This man I loved had been as anxious to see me as I had been to see him. But he’d used the word “spark” between us. In my romance novels, that usually referred to a sexual attraction rather than an emotional one. Sigh.
“Okay, let me say goodnight to Jaq and Patrick. We can meet in the lobby.” He gave me one last kiss, squeezed my behind, then walked me to the side door before he headed to the back entrance. I headed right to the happy couple, gave them hugs, and said goodnight to a couple of friends. As quickly as possible, I grabbed my purse and shot out the door that led to the hotel lobby.
Joseph was pacing in the lobby, looking up at the giant clock on the wall each time he turned.
“Impatient much?” I teased.
“You have no idea. I was afraid you might have changed your mind.”
That comment felt like a volcano erupting inside my body. This was going to be the most perfect night of my life.
I didn’t dare touch him as we walked to the elevator. I was afraid someone might spot us and tell Bella. This way it just looked like we were both calling it a night and heading to our hotel rooms. I was desperate to be alone with Joseph, but not at the expense of Bella’s feelings. I didn’t want to hurt her.
When the door to the elevator closed, we started up again with crazy, passionate kisses. I had both hands in his soft, dark hair, holding him tight against my hungry mouth. We heard the elevator ding just before it opened, giving us a moment to compose ourselves in case there was anyone in the hallway. Thank goodness no one was there, because Joseph was sporting a giant-sized erection.

Joseph

When we reached the room, I ushered Violet in ahead of me. I closed and locked the door behind us with trembling hands. I’d tossed and turned last night from worrying that I might not have a chance to speak with her at the reception. I hadn’t dreamed that she’d end up in my hotel room. This was my chance to make the woman I’d fantasized about mine. My heart pounded so hard against my chest that I felt dizzy.
The sight of her naked back had my fingertips tingling. The fabric of her dress started just above the crack of her bare cheeks. Sparks had shot through my body when I had felt her soft naked flesh instead of panties. It made my groin ache for more. Before she took another step, I grabbed her from behind, brushed my fingers over her lovely neck and undid the clasp at the top of the bridesmaid halter dress.
She shivered.
Over her shoulder, I watched as the front of the dress swept across erect nipples and fell to her waist. The sight of her perfect pink tips made my fingers prickle. I reached around and cupped her full-sized mounds. When I tweaked the peaks, she went up on her toes and squealed. She was so responsive to me, and I felt a twitch in my gut. I hadn’t felt that feeling with Bella or any other woman. I gently brushed her hair to one side, breathed in her scent let my lips graze against her neck before I kissed and lightly nipped it.
She leaned her head back, melted into my chest and poured out one word that was music to my ears. “Joseph!”
It felt like she was singing to my heart, that one word telling me that I was irreplaceable. I needed to be closer to her; it was time to get this dress off. I slid a hand back to her bottom, pulled the zipper to release her ample cheeks, and the dress floated to the floor.
I growled, and in a husky voice that I didn’t recognize, said, “Baby, you’re more exquisite than I ever imagined.” Fiery sparks of bliss ran through my body; this breathtaking woman was going to be mine.
She spun around with a broad grin and said, “My turn!”
Slowly she undid my silk tie and used it to pull my head down, so my ear met her swollen lips. She nipped my lobe and whispered, “I’m so going to enjoy this.”
I gave her a cocky smile, and she exhaled noisily.
She unbuttoned my dress shirt, button by slow button, which drove me crazy. I began to step in place and even ran my hand over my face. I wanted to rip the thing off. She was taking so damn long that I went for one of the buttons and had my hand slapped away. “You are killing me.”
“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” she laughed.
Goose, gander—she was sexy and cute.
The little five foot two minx slid the shirt off my shoulders, and it lay with her dress which was quite an erotic sight. I put a stop to her slow tease, lifted her into my arms, and carried her to the king size bed. It had me thinking of how incredible it would be to carry her over the threshold after we were married. My heart swelled but quickly deflated. What the heck? It was too soon for that; I needed to knock it off. I lay her on her back and stood there taking in how amazing every inch of her was.
“Baby, you’re beautiful.”
Her darkened eyes stared back, and she quivered.
Damn, even my words affected her. How the heck had I gotten so lucky to have the woman that I was nuts about be so into me?
I crawled up her body to her breasts, then kissed, licked, and nipped all around her nipple. It drove her so wild that she squirmed trying to get the tip into my mouth. I chuckled.
“Please, Joseph, please.”
I wrapped my mouth around the peak and sucked it deep into my ravenous mouth. She released an exquisite, drawn-out moan that made my shaft throb.
“Pleassse. I need you in me. Now.”
I freed her breast. “Not yet, baby. I need to taste you first.” At that, she lifted her pelvis off the bed. It was so hot that my cock pressed hard against my pants and ached. I ignored her plea, taking her other nipple between my fingers and twisting it. I kissed and nipped a trail down her body to her bud, and she trembled. She pressed hard against my tongue, but I pulled back a bit. Her moan was so elongated that it sounded like she was humming a tune.
“Violet, you taste sweet as honey. I could die a happy man right now.”
I wanted to cover her with my words like a much-needed warm blanket on a cold winter night.
“I need more of you.” I lifted her leg to my shoulder and spread her knees far apart. I didn’t hesitate for a second as I clasped onto her clit, sucking it between my lips and nibbling it with my teeth.
Her groans were becoming so loud that I was sure the guests in the next room must have been able to hear her. I needed to get out of my suit pants before I died from too much pressure on my shaft. But first I needed her to come. She latched onto my hair and pulled me tighter to her swollen nub.
She was everything I’d dreamed she’d be in bed and more. She had all my nerve endings on alert. I wanted to bury myself deep in her wet pussy and not stop until the sun rose.
I spread her folds and entered her heat with two fingers as I continued to rub harder with my tongue. A gush of wetness surrounded my fingers as I massaged the inner wall of her pelvis.
“Joseph,” she screamed between pants and whimpers, exploding into climax. Her heat clenched my fingers repeatedly, while her legs vibrated out of control. She was stunning.

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