“I’ll pick up food. Sound better?”
Charlie’s expression turned teasing, and she nodded once as we walked to the door. “It does, but for Grey’s benefit. Because I really do have to go.”
After hugging Grey, Charlie skipped over to me and threw her arms around my neck.
“If Mom’s leaving, you could always bring Keith over here if you didn’t want to stay there alone.”
“Or you could always just come see us?” she countered, and kissed my cheek.
“All right, I’ll think about it.”
With a little wave, Charlie ran through the rain to her car and got in as quickly as possible. As soon as she drove away, and Grey and I were back in the warehouse with the door shut, Grey turned on me.
“Why did you react that way about me talking to your mom?”
I wanted to tell her, but at the same time I didn’t. We’d just gone over my keeping things from her, but I’d told her then that I would continue to do whatever I had to in order to protect her. And letting her know about Mom would only worry her and make her ask too many questions. If Charlie could stay in the dark on this, then Grey could too. They needed to. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Grey made a face. “Yes you do. You went from fine to freaking out in half a second. Talk to me.”
“I’m sorry if that’s how I came across, but I’m fine.”
She continued to watch me closely with those honey-gold eyes until I ran my hands over her arms and then pulled her into my chest.
“How about we get ready and go out on the lake?”
Grey laughed until she realized I was serious, and then pointed to the door behind her. “It’s pouring outside.”
“Then how about we order in some food, and spend the rest of the day in bed?”
She smiled against my kiss and pushed me back enough to look at me. “You really want to do that after your sister just walked in on us? Kinda killed the mood for me.”
My face fell and I dropped my arms as I took a step away from her. “Thanks for killing it again.” Turning away, I walked quickly toward the stairs and up to the loft.
“Where are you going?”
“To get ready,” I called back. “We’re leaving and spending time in public until I can stop thinking about my sister walking in on us.”
I heard her soft laugh from below, and the sound made me feel worse than I already did. I’d wanted to get her mind off my mom, knowing that this wasn’t something she needed to worry about, and knowing she’d continue bringing up the subject until I told her what she wanted to hear. And while I was glad she had dropped it for now, I hated that I’d forced the change in
conversation for my benefit.
Instead of protecting her like I’d promised I always would, I felt like I’d tricked her.
Chapter 14
Jagger
August 29, 2014
PLACING A HAND on either side of Grey, I leaned down and pressed my lips to first her throat, then her jaw and cheek, and finally her mouth. She smiled against the kiss, and the tips of her fingers traced along my jaw before I moved back.
“Morning,” she mumbled sleepily.
“Good morning, sweetheart.”
Her eyes finally opened, and her brow furrowed when she got a good look at me. “Why are you dressed?”
“I’m gonna go pick up something for breakfast. Unless you want me to cook . . .” I trailed off, and laughed at her horrified expression.