That made me uneasy, though I wasn’t sure why.
The pie appeared in front of us and I picked up the clean fork the waiter had brought, grateful for a distraction. “This is the best gift you’ve ever given me,” I said, putting a bite into my mouth and closing my eyes. “Mm.” I opened my eyes again. “Though the vibrator was thoughtful, I have to admit, but since it wasn’t even your idea, it doesn’t count.”
Grant didn’t look at all that interested in the dessert. He hadn’t even picked up his fork. “Have you used that vibrator?” he asked, his voice low and rough.
I paused, his tone turning me on. I felt the force of his words all the way to my inner thighs and the memory flared up of me pleasuring myself, his name on my lips, maybe once or twice after we’d flirted on FaceTime. Okay, three times. “I can neither confirm nor deny.”
Grant sat back with a groan. “You’re killing me.”
“Let’s say the gesture didn’t go unappreciated,” I said with a smile.
“Are you done with that pie yet? Because we need to get home.”
I shook my head and slowly, painstakingly slid my fork through the pie. “Nope. Not even close.” I licked the very tip of the fork in as suggestive a way as I could manage.
“You clearly want my hand on your ass later, don’t you?”
Yep. Instant nipple hardening. “What did I do?” I asked, feigning innocence. “I’m just eating my pie.”
Grant smiled in a way that made me want to forget the dessert and go straight to the nearest mattress. Hell, the nearest wall. Or this table would do.
“Finish your dessert,” he said. “Then I’ll have mine.”
I ate two more bites like a squirrel pouching nuts. Shove, tuck, chew. “I think I’m full.”
I didn’t need the calories anyway.
What I did need was Grant.
Chapter 13
Not wanting to encounter any of my family, I brought Leah into the house through the garage and up the back stairs.
“I need a tour of this house tomorrow so I can get the lay of the land. I’m afraid I’m going to get lost.”
I put my finger to my lips as we moved down the hallway upstairs. “Shh. Don’t wake the crazy people.” Dinner had been endless, and then Leah and I had hung out. It was after eleven so I had high hopes everyone was fast asleep in anticipation of the next day’s party.
Leah gave a soft laugh.
Did she have any idea what that sound did to me? That for six months I’d been listening to that sound and slowly, steadily, growing addicted to it. That now, after two short weeks of spending time with her and talking to her, that laugh had me by the balls.
She was mine. The woman who had made me toss aside everything I’d ever thought about my future and go all in.
When we got to the north bedroom, I pulled her inside and locked the door behind us. I touched the switch on the wall that handled all the lights and turned just one lamp on low. I wanted to see Leah but without blinding either of us.
I kicked my shoes off and pulled her up against me. “Do you know that you came along and wrecked all of my plans?”
“That sounds like a country song.”
“It’s the truth. I’ve spent six months resisting you and then I just fell off a fucking cliff.” I brushed her hair back, stunned at how much I loved her. How much just being near her made me happy. How there was no fear or anger that it might all go to shit or wind up dysfunctional.
“For the man who told me he’s been accused of holding back emotionally, I have to say I don’t know what you’re talking about. You seem to know what you want.”
I nodded. “I do. I want you. Here, now. Tomorrow. The day after that. And the day after that.” For the rest of my life.
“This is crazy, Grant,” she murmured. “Isn’t this crazy?”
“This isn’t crazy. Crazy is my family. We’re not crazy.” I eased her sweater down off of her shoulders and removed it.