Chapter 381

Stephen’s face showed a flash of nervousness, which was rare for him.

Shermaine noticed it too. This was probably the only real emotion he’d shown in days.

Shermaine acted like it was nothing and brushed it off casually. She walked over to him, and Joshua leaned down to kiss her forehead. He didn’t ask any questions, just said, “I’m going upstairs to change.”

Roy had called them as soon as he got back to the country. Joshua was dressed way too formally for tonight since Roy wanted to meet up for barbecue.

“I’ll come with you.” Shermaine turned and gave Stephen a little smile.

Stephen thought to himself that this woman was way too smart and observant for his own good.

Shermaine and Joshua held hands going upstairs. Once they got to the bedroom, Joshua automatically pulled Shermaine in for a kiss.

He kept kissing her all the way to the walk-in closet, but since they had to leave soon, he forced himself to let go before things went too far.

Shermaine’s lips were flushed from his kisses, like red plum blossoms blooming in December. With Joshua’s constant attention, she’d become this stunning rose that radiated pure temptation. Every look and smile could steal a man’s soul.

“Sheary, help me pick out something to wear.” Joshua’s voice was soft and affectionate.

Shermaine opened the closet. Most of his clothes were pretty serious and mature since he was thirty now, but the fall and winter stuff from this year had more variety to it.

Joshua kept plenty of clothes at the York residence too. She picked out a charcoal gray t-shirt and a black bomber jacket.

Joshua slipped off his suit jacket and wrapped his arm around Shermaine’s waist. His eyes sparkled with amusement. “Help me out, Sheary.”

Shermaine reached up to loosen his tie and put it back in the drawer where he kept them. Then, she started unbuttoning his shirt.

As she worked her way down, his chest came into view. The vivid tattoo across his skin looked striking under the lights, giving the refined man a wild, dangerous edge.

During their intimate moments, Shermaine loved tracing the tattoo with her fingers. When things got more heated, she’d even kiss it softly.

Shermaine touched it briefly. “You can handle the rest yourself.”

Joshua felt his desire stirring as she looked at him. His eyes darkened with want. If she kept touching him like that, they’d never make it out the door. He stopped teasing her and focused on getting dressed.

The quiet room was interrupted by his phone ringing from his suit pocket. Shermaine pulled it out and saw Roy’s name on the screen.

“Joshua, have you and Shermaine left yet?” Roy asked.

“Almost,” Shermaine said.

“Hey, Shermaine, we’re just waiting for you two.”

“Okay.”

After Shermaine hung up, she glanced casually at Joshua. He had his back to her as he pulled on his shirt.

Just as the fabric settled over his skin, she thought she saw something on his lower back. It looked like some kind of mark that seemed to shift between dark and light.

Shermaine froze for a moment, then reached over to lift up Joshua’s shirt. But when she looked underneath, there was nothing there.

“What’s wrong?” Joshua turned around and asked.

Shermaine shook her head and said it was nothing. “My eyes were playing tricks on me. I thought there was a bug on you.”

Joshua didn’t suspect anything and put his jacket back on.

Joshua was the kind of guy who could wear a garbage bag and still look like he stepped off a runway. No matter what he wore, it couldn’t hide that aristocratic air he had about him.

Joshua put on his shoes, grabbed his car keys, and said goodbye to Owen before heading out with Shermaine.

The whole way there, Shermaine’s mind kept wandering back to Joshua. Halfway through the drive, she asked again, “Have you been feeling sick anywhere lately?”