Going Home

Part 135

Later as they arrived home Josh locked the door and turning to Grace he asked “you okay? I’m sorry about tonight.”

Smiling Grace said “Josh what are you apologising for? It wasn’t your fault and you did nothing to make a bad situation worse, which you were perfectly entitled to do. So I’m fine about it, well at least as far as you’re concerned I am. The rest I don’t want to think about tonight.”

“Well I’m still sorry it happened on your birthday” Josh said with a frown.

Linking her hands around his neck Grace smiles up at him “thank you” then wanting to make him smile she teases “and as you were so well behaved I think you deserve a reward.”

With his hands on her hips Josh grinned and asked “reward hey? Sounds good to me.”

“But you don’t even know what it is yet” Grace replied pretending to be surprised.

“Maybe I’m a good guesser.”

“Is that right? Ok so why don’t you tell me then?” she laughed.

“Well does it start like this?” Josh asked, pulling her towards him and kissing her slowly.

After a few minute as Josh’s lips moved from her mouth leaving a trail of kisses across her jaw to her neck. Grace smiled and replied in a dreamy voice “mmm, possibly. But I was supposed to be rewarding you.” 

“Well it is your birthday” Josh said between kisses “so I guess you’re entitled to a reward too and besides this works for me.” Then moving forward with Grace still in his embrace Josh headed for their bedroom.

Going Home

Part 134

As he watched Connor, Josh’s hand was clenching and unclenching in a compulsive gesture and a muscle in his jaw was twitching as he worked to contain his anger. He was seething that Connor had intruded on Grace’s night, not to mention insulting her and he would dearly love to sort him out. But feeling Grace’s hand work its way into his he looked down into her troubled face. He knew what she was asking. She did not want a fight. So doing his best to keep his tone even Josh said “I think it’s time you left Connor.”

And before Connor could even reply Grace’s father agreed. Connor’s derogatory remark about Grace had already brought Hugh Reid to his feet and now moving around the table towards Connor he said in a firm voice “great to see you again Connor but it’s time to go.”

Hugh was shocked by what he saw. He used to like Connor and had a great deal of respect for him but he was sickened by what he had become. Positioning himself between Connor and the table he gestured towards the door giving Connor no option but to leave.

After one last scornful look at Josh, Connor staggered off.

As her ex-husband went Josh looked down at Grace and winked before moving over to Hugh. Watching Grace’s ex-husband negotiate his way out the door Josh said to her father “thanks.”

Turning to look at him Hugh shrugged “no worries Josh, I wasn’t going to let him stand there and talk about Gracie like that. Besides I could see if you were to do anything it would have got messy.”

Smiling Josh said “yeah probably.” And after a moment he added “he had it coming though.”

Nodding Hugh agreed “Absolutely, but Grace didn’t.”

And looking over at Grace Josh said in a quiet voice “I know.”

Patting Josh on the shoulder Hugh returned to his seat.