Chapter 356
That night, Joshua packed their luggage while Shermaine sat at the desk, her gray sweatpants-clad legs curled beneath her. A messy bun crowned her head. Her fingers flew across the black keyboard as she searched for any trace of the masked, black-robed assailants, but found nothing. Closing the laptop, she took a sip of water and turned to Joshua.
He was folding her crossbody bag on the bed, dressed in a knit sweater and black trousers. In his hands was the handkerchief Bruce had returned. Joshua asked, “Sheary, you used to carry handkerchiefs?”
Shermaine nodded. “I did.” But she had stopped after losing this one.
Joshua said, “But not anymore?”
“Pretty much.” She explained it had been a gift from a respected mentor; it held sentimental value.
Joshua smiled. “To prevent another loss, I’ll keep this one for you. Or better yet, give it to me. I could use a handkerchief.” It was impeccably preserved, almost new, proof of Bruce’s meticulous care.
Shermaine made a playful grab for it. Joshua dodged, tucking it into his pocket.
“I’ll buy you a new one,” she offered.
“I want this one,” Joshua insisted.
Shermaine laughed in exasperation. “What if I refuse?”
Joshua wrapped his arms around her waist, looking up with a low, coaxing murmur. “Sheary, you’re too kind to say no.”
“I’m feeling mean today. Try again.” Her hand dipped into his pocket. She didn’t mind gifting it, but Joshua’s jealousy over Bruce’s return was ridiculous. And, unless she was imagining it, his wariness of Bruce seemed excessive.
Joshua fell back onto the bed. Shermaine followed, planting one knee beside him, her waist still locked in his grip. Her hand slipped into his pocket, only to be trapped there.
“Sheary,” Joshua’s voice was rough with amusement. “Where exactly are you groping?”
Shermaine didn’t bat an eye. “Not like I haven’t touched you there before.” Besides, through layers of fabric, she wasn’t getting any sensation from it anyway.
Joshua swallowed. “Keep this up, and we’ll miss our flight tomorrow.”
“Give the handkerchief back, and I’ll stop.”
“What if I don’t?”
“Then you’re done for.”
Joshua’s grin was pure challenge. “Guess I’m done for, then.”
Shermaine decided she had been far too lenient with him lately. It was time for a lesson. Her eyes narrowed as she rolled off him, yanked open the bedside drawer’s lowest compartment, and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. In one fluid motion, she snapped one cuff around Joshua’s wrist and secured it to the headboard, then used his tie to bind the other.
Joshua blinked at his immobilized arms, momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected the hotel room to contain handcuffs, nor had he expected Shermaine to use them on him. Still, he kept his tone low, coaxing, “Baby, don’t be like this.”
Their earlier scuffle had already left his black shirt disheveled. Now, with his tie roughly undone, his shirt gaped open at the collar. Propped against the headboard, his hair was slightly messed up. His glasses glinted under the light. The usually composed man looked surprisingly sexy.
Shermaine smirked. “Mr. York, you’ve been very naughty.”