The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

“Come on, Rose, all I’m asking for is a day, I won’t distract you. I will keep my hands to myself. I have to leave again soon.”

“Fine,” I said, forking a bite of

omelet. “You made me breakfast so I’ll give you one day. Then you’ll leave.” I met his eyes and saw another hint of sadness as I picked up a piece of toast.

“You would think you would be in a better mood with all the good stuff I just gave you.”

I grinned at my plate then at him. “I’m exhausted. I’ve never had this much sex.”

“And you never will again with anyone else. Eat before it gets cold. I’m going to grab a shower, if that’s okay.” I nodded my head and waved off his kiss, still a little frustrated.

Focus, Rose.

Now get up and go get into the shower with him.

Damn it!

I’m not the kind of woman who throws out years of hard work for a man and never would be. I knew I was treading a fine line. Although I was ahead in my curriculum—because that was where I felt secure and comfortable—Grant put me at risk of losing that safety. I could easily get lost in him sexually. I already had. The whole situation made no sense. But why did it have to? I was having fun. I’d earned it.

No more debate. Just go with it.

However, I refused to just go with it. I had worked too damn hard. I drummed up some strict rules as I sat there eating my breakfast, baffled at how take charge he had really been since that first night. I had given him way too much leeway and now it seemed I was paying for it. I would have my fun but I would have to make a few things clear today.

Resolute and satisfied, I dressed in shorts and a simple white tee then laughed when he exited the bathroom in the same outfit.

“Great minds,” he muttered.

“Yeah, great minds. Let’s go, Grant. Daylight is wasting.” He leaned in to kiss me and I put my entire hand over his mouth.

“Just a break is all I’m asking.”

He nodded and turned my hips, holding them while walking behind me in the hall. “You do know that people have the weekends off for a reason.” I shivered at his breath on my neck.

“If this is the way we are starting this day, I’m not going.”

He pulled the front door open as I grabbed my purse and keys then turned to him.

“I can see how important this is to you. I won’t say another word about it.” He seemed sincere and I nodded as I walked past him.

He lifted me into the passenger side of his monstrous black truck and kissed my hand before he shut the door. I found myself looking for him in the rearview mirror as he made his way to the driver’s side. It was hot, sweltering. I looked at the thermostat as he cranked the car and saw it was nearing one hundred and six degrees. That was Texas in August for you. Grant scanned me as he started the truck and saw I was melting in my seat. I felt the air come on and tilted my head back, exposing my neck in anticipation of the relief that was coming, but to my horror, I felt the heater on full blast.

“Grant, what in the hell are you doing!” I heard him chuckle as the heat began to blow on my face and was instantly drenched in sweat. The blood in my head began to boil as he turned on the radio, ignoring my fervent pleas to turn on the air. I leaned in to change the air myself and he swatted my hand away with a scolding “No!”

After another minute of melting into his leather seat, I look at him incredulously.

“What?” He was laughing hysterically at my reaction until I started to open my door at a stop light. He reached over and pulled the door closed, still smiling as he consoled me. “Okay, baby...now it gets wonderful.”

He turned on the air conditioner and the ice-cold air hit me and took away my itch to escape the truck. He turned onto the highway, hitting the gas hard and cracked his windows, allowing the heat to make its way out the window.

“Ahhh.” I sank in my seat enjoying the comfort of the air. Still a bit furious with his bullshit stunt I looked over at him as he continued to laugh silently.

“You’re a mean bastard,” I said with a grudging smile.

He turned to me with what I knew now was his signature wink. “You’re it for me, Rose.”

“Back to this again, huh? Stop being such a moron.”

“I’ll prove it.”