Taylor was definitely right about one thing—both of those places in Faith had been neglected for far too long.
When she finally locked the gate, she glanced up and found himTying the tree to that shiny Range Rover. One so new it still carried the dealer’s plates. She huffed and shook her head. Filling those needs by allowing herself to be used by a rich, arrogant man was not going to help her in any way.
Except to get laid.
Maybe give her that momentary escape she craved.
Possibly distract her through this painful, lonely holiday.
While also giving her some much-needed companionship, male contact, long-denied pleasure…
Faith sighed as she retraced her steps to lock the interior doors and turn off the lights, then took the stairs to her apartment above the store, thinking about Grant Saber’s hot little smile. Those full lips. That tall, muscular body.
And a thread of apprehension snuck in as she reached the door to her apartment. “What the hell would I do with all that man?”
She let all the stresses of the day drain away as she wandered into her living room, hoping the alcohol would help her get a good night’s sleep for a change.
With her purse and her jacket on the loveseat, Faith paused at the windows and drew the blinds against the dark night, still sparkling with a light snow. When she glanced toward the street, she found Grant speaking with Dwayne Urich. Since the death of his wife, Dwayne would talk to anyone who would listen for as long as they would listen. Faith gave Grant five minutes before he cut Dwayne off. Someone that self-important wouldn’t waste his time with Dwayne’s lonely rambles.
But as she counted down the minutes, Faith realized Grant wasn’t just listening to Dwayne, he was laughing. He was engaging. The two were having a lively conversation. She had to admit, she hadn’t seen Dwayne as animated in a very long time.
After ten minutes, Grant was still leaning against his car, hands in his pockets, snow layering his hair and jacket. The sight reminded her of those last days with her father and how he’d taken such joy in the visits from his closest friends.
And her anger toward the stranger’s arrogant edge softened. “Maybe you’re not all bad, Grant Saber.”
Three
Grant’s gut hurt from laughing at the tales Dwayne spun of Holly’s current high school hockey team.
He leaned his parka-covered ass against his SUV so he could keep an eye on Faith in his peripheral vision. She was watching him from a window above the hardware store. He’d known all the buildings in town had spaces above, but most had been used for offices even when Grant had lived there.
As soon as she discovered who he was, she’d be calling. The thought spilled another burst of heat through his body. If he didn’t stop thinking about quieting her sassy mouth in creative ways, he was going to have to take off his jacket.
“And then...” Dwayne said, winding down his most recent story of an away game with the team. The roads home had been closed due to snow, and they had to stay in a motel overnight. “Even after eight other guys had failed, Healy decides he can reach the ground floor, with, get this—”
“Oh God, he didn’t—” Grant said with humor bubbling up from his belly.
Dwayne was already nodding. “The Saber sling.”
Grant doubled over laughing. Ten years later, kids were still reenacting his legendary antics in high school. When he ran out of breath, he straightened and asked, “Did he make it?”
“Nope.” Dwayne chuckled. “Kids now-a-days aren’t like your generation. They all spend their time on video games, not out on the farm or ranch. Most don’t even have chores around the house. None of them could tie a square knot to save their lives. Healy ended up ass-first in the snow.”
“How long did you leave him there?”
“Twenty minutes.”
Grant winced. “Ooo, harsh.”
Dwayne just chuckled, and Grant noticed the light in Faith’s apartment go out.
“So when do you want to get started?” Dwayne asked. “I’ve been holding back in case something came up and you couldn’t make it. Just told the boys there would be extra practice over the break. You should have heard the moans and groans. I miss the days when kids couldn’t wait to get out on the ice, and I’m hoping you can bring some of that back to us.”
“The sooner the better. Like I told you when we cooked this up, I’m ready.”
“Perfect. I’ll corral the boys. Plan on something tomorrow afternoon. Say around two?”
“I’ll be there.”