It was probably her innaction after the night at the club and her honest smile that finally relaxed Joshua. He understood that even though it was clear she was interested in his body, she did not seem like those other rich people who tried to buy him without respect. She seemed to want more than that, even if he did not understand why with him?
Surely he knew that even if the dinner party and their second meeting seemed to be just two brief interludes, it was somehow strange that they met so unexpectedly, because who could have predicted that someone like him, who was nowhere near what Iris was, would have the opportunity to meet her again and again? If he wanted to be a little presumptuous, Joshua would think that maybe it was fate. But he was someone who did not believe in such things.
So after letting his guard down and flirting a bit, he felt like he could talk to her freely, so he slowly asked the question that had been on his mind since he saw her enter the café.
"Why are you here at this hour?" The two were neither friends nor relatives. They only exchanged glances, and even though they were clearly attracted to each other, he still could not understand why she had come to see him tonight.
"Isn't it obvious? I was looking for a good and sweet drink, so here I am," Iris replied, looking at Joshua with a faint smile.
Joshua was not stupid enough to believe her, because he couldn't imagine why on a winter night like this, when everyone was celebrating the end of the year with someone dear to them, she had come all this way just for a caramel macchiato? Besides, he remembered the sad look on her face when she walked in. Surely there was more at stake, but then again, he didn't want to get too involved with her. If she felt comfortable coming to him, then he was happy to accompany her.
Sitting there and having a warm drink felt good indeed. Besides, there was something good and sweet for him to see that night, but it was definitely not a macchiato.
Probably because she had met Joshua, Iris' heart relaxed a little and the feeling of loneliness that put her in a bad mood began to fade. Flirting with him was a little self demanding, she was not in the habit of getting involved with men like that, but she liked the way Joshua answered her and she liked the way her heart fluttered when he got close to her.
"And what about you? Why are you still here at this hour?" Iris asked as she caught the young man's gaze.
"Oh... We had a lot of customers today... And as I was about to close, I saw you and decided to wait for you..."
Iris giggled; she liked that he spoke his mind so honestly "You really had a lot of work"
"Yeah, kind of..."
Iris nodded, took off her coat, gave it back to its owner, and stood up, "You should go home quickly, I do not want to take up any more of your time, someone has to wait for you..." Iris would have liked to stay longer in the company of the young man, but she didn't want to impose. It was one of the last days of the year, she didn't want to interfere with his plans.
"Actually, there is no one, I am alone..." Joshua didn't even know why he had to let her know he was alone! It was the occasion to told her he had someone, so she would stopped giving him attention.
Iris, who was about to say goodbye, stopped on her way and looked at the young man. She could not help thinking that a lot of coincidences had happened to them. Maybe she should take her friends' advice seriously and consider this handsome man as her chosen one.
"How about we have dinner together? Since we are two loners with nothing to do tonight?" she suggested directly with an eager smile.
Joshua was a little surprised by the invitation. Of course, he wanted to say yes, who would not want to spend the end of the year with such a beautiful woman, but he had to wonder if it was wise to do so...
But before he could answer, he was stopped by Iris, who suddenly bent over him with a hand on her belly and let out a cry of pain.
She stumbled twice and was about to fall to her knees when she was lifted up and brought to a strong chest. "What's the matter with you? You look like you are in pain, do you want me to take you to the hospital?" His voice sounded a little forceful, obviously frightened by her appearance.
Iris shook her head, "I am fine, it's no big deal, I just need to take my medicine, in my bag, please -" Another pain assaulted Iris, making her suck in her breath and feel for the first time that her stomach pain was annoying and disturbing! She had just had the opportunity to go out with Joshua and now came her never ending stomach pain...
After swallowing two pills, she calmed down a little. Because of the pain, she had broken out in a cold sweat and the cold wind made her shiver a little. Joshua felt his hands shaking when he saw that she was in such pain and did not know what to do. He quickly put his coat back on her, "I will take you to your house!"
He helped her to her feet and held her by the waist. The touch of his hand on her slender waist felt great, he wanted to feel more, but he did not have time to dwell on it. He was at a bit of a loss, he didn't have a car and at this time of night, it should not be easy to get a cab.
Iris read the discomfort on Joshua's face. She wanted to go back alone, but her stomach ache was too strong at the moment. She knew she could not drive at the moment. She fished a set of keys out of her pocket and handed them to Joshua, "My car is over there, I'll bother you."
As Joshua helped Iris to the car, cold sweat ran from her forehead down her eyelashes and dripped onto her scarf. Joshua could read the pain on Iris' face as he helped her to the car. When he saw her pretty little face turn red with frowning, he could not let her walk and suddenly grabbed her by the waist.
The sudden weightlessness in the air made Iris unconsciously wrap her arms around Joshua's neck. The heavy jacket and layers of clothes prevented skin contact between them, but the atmosphere around them changed a little.
She was so close he could smell her delicious perfume, she smelled great, he didn't know what shampoo she use but her hair smelled really great. They were even closer than before and the way her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck made Joshua lose his composure. If she wasn't in such pain, he was sure he would have succumbed and kissed her.
Joshua's chest was broad and firm, Iris felt safe leaning against him, and his breath burned, meeting her forehead softly and restrained. His embrace was filled with the clean scent of soap that soothed and even comforted Iris. She crept closer and the scent filled her lungs. She doesn't know if it was the effect of the medicine she had just taken, but the cramps in her abdomen were no longer so unpleasant.
As she was placed in the passenger seat, Iris curled her fingers and gently grabbed his scarf to bring the young man's face dangerously close to her and whispered, "Are you sure you want to go home with me...?" Iris was about to tease Joshua again when she noticed the smirk on his mouth.
"Shouldn't you be the one afraid, to let a stranger drive you to your house? Who knows what I can do to you?"
She loosened the scarf a little, "Well, I'll be eager to know those things you can do to me..." She added smiling.
Joshua shook his head thinking, "Does she enjoy teasing me that much?"