Weekend Wife (Sassy in the City 1)

Really? And how was that exactly?

“We’re going swimming,” I said. “We’ll see you all later at dinner.” Or maybe we would skip dinner. I took Grant’s hand and tugged him, moving backward.

When we got to the stairs, I just ran up them, no clue as to my destination. Grant grabbed a suitcase and followed suit. At the top of the stairs he turned left and opened the first door. He shoved it open so hard it bounced off the wall and hit him on the arm. He shoved it again and rolled the suitcase into the room.

“Fucking unbelievable,” he said. “Can I disown all of them? They’re insane.”

I followed him into the room. “They’re not great,” I agreed. “I’m sorry.” It was hard to stay mad at him when I pictured him as a small child being raised in a pack of jackals. It was a miracle he was even remotely normal.

He slammed the door shut and locked in. “No. I’m sorry for putting you in their line of fire.” He reached out and brushed my hair off of my face. “I didn’t think they would be amazing, but I didn’t think they would be so insulting. This isn’t fair to you. We can leave in the morning before the party. Hell, we can leave now if you want.”

“I can handle it,” I told him sincerely. “Eight years in the city has made me tougher than I look. We can do whatever you want. This is your position in the company at stake.”

“But you’re mad at me,” he said flatly. “This was all a mistake.”

He looked so agitated I sighed. “You’re too cute to stay mad at. Besides, I can see why you wanted to rattle your mother. She’s a sniper with those insults. I’m still angry, but at your mother, not at you. She’s elitist as hell.”

Grant was pacing. “This is the worst guest room, by the way. It’s a dig at me.”

I thought the room was just about the size of a small nation, but what did I know? In the Caldwell world, posh furnishings and an en-suite bathroom with a copper tub were just bullshit they had to endure. It must be damn hard to be rich. Not.

“So don’t let it get to you. Let’s just stay and do whatever we want. Say whatever we want. They clearly do. Your grandmother is smoking a Virginia Slim inside and calling relatives sluts. I mean, I think that gives us a free pass to behave however we want.”

Grant laughed. “Wait until the rest of the family gets here tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait,” I said dryly. “But if we’re staying, I’m serious about going swimming. You owe me a Dirty Dancing moment.”

He eyed me, his shoulders relaxing, a smile turning up the corner of his mouth. “I can’t possibly deny you that.”

“Besides, if we stay and talk about our wedding the entire time, it will make your mother lose her mind. That could be fun.”

Grant’s gaze dropped to my lips. “I’ll make it up to you,” he said. “Whatever you want, you can have.”

Oh, the possibilities. “I wouldn’t offer me carte blanche if I were you. I have a lot of needs.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed all that Prada up against his hard chest and thighs. “Most of them involving food or being in bed with you.”

Grant brushed his lips over mine. “Like I said. Whatever you want. I owe you at least a hundred orgasms and a private island for doing this.”

“Can I have the hundred orgasms on the private island?” That wouldn’t be the worst thing to ever happen to me.

“Of course. We can take a private jet and have a butler bring us meals in between orgasms.”

If only he were serious. “Perfect. I didn’t bring a swimsuit, by the way.”

“Check the smallest bag. I ordered one for you. I find you easy to predict.”

I found him easy to fall in love with. “I’m doing a terrible job of punishing you for springing the fake engagement on me.”

“Agreed. You only play the femme fatale.” He eased my jacket off my shoulders. “But I have no complaints. Now let me help you get changed.”

“This feels like a trap.”

“It’s absolutely a trap. One in which I try to convince you that there is no reason we can’t have sex right now.”

“I can think of a reason,” I said, even as he teased over my sweater with his thumbs, finding my nipples.

“What’s that?”

I stepped back. “I’m not wearing my slippers.” I gave Grant a saucy grin. “Now find me that swimsuit.”