Grace (The Family Simon 5)

Grace accepted the water with a grin and shrugged. “Sorry. I can’t seem to help myself.”

Betty took a long swig of water, her eyes on Matt. “He does look good without a shirt.”

“Amen to that,” Grace murmured, cheeks turning pink at the look in Matt’s eyes. She couldn’t wait to get him alone. He’d left the Barker’s not long after dinner was over the night before, and she’d been forced to sleep in Betty’s old bed. Not exactly the evening she’d envisioned, however she had tonight and no one was getting between her and Matt. Not her brothers, or the blonde who’d been flirting outrageously with him all afternoon. And definitely not her parents.

Matt tugged on his T-shirt and stepped around the blonde who couldn’t seem to get that he wasn’t interested. He strode across the court and Grace thought that if she died tomorrow, the image of his long legs, muscular build, and smoking-hot smile, was one she was would take to the grave.

“Good game,” she said when he reached her and Betty.

“Not good enough,” he replied, a slow grin lighting up his face. He was standing so close to her that she could feel the heat from his body.

“Sorry. My volleyball skills are mad.”

“I saw that and you’re not sorry.”

“Guys,” Betty interjected, grabbing her bag and tossing a towel over her shoulder. “I’m heading out. Need to shower before the dance. What are you doing for dinner? We could order in at Gramps?”

“Oh, I…” Grace glanced at Matt. Was it unfair of her to want him all to herself? Away from the probing eyes of her family? “I was hoping to see Rosie and the puppies.” She paused. “If that’s all right.”

Matt didn’t answer right away. In fact, an awkward silence fell between them. So awkward that Betty Jo made a show out of looking in her bag for something, and Grace just knew that her cheeks were as red as an apple.

Great. She was about to bolt when he put his hand at the small of her back and leaned close. Shivers exploded down her body and she jumped.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” he murmured into her ear.

“I have no idea if it is or not.” It was an honest answer. “But I need to be alone with you. That’s what I know.”

He had that look on his face, the one she couldn’t read, and as silence fell between them again, she had to wonder just what in hell it was that they had.

The doubt bunnies were back and they’d pretty much tripled in number and weighed her down. He had left the night before. Left without even a kiss. Or an attempt at a kiss. Had she gotten this all wrong?

She was just about to turn tail and flee when he spoke.

“Let’s go.”

She hesitated, maybe would have run off if not for his hand sliding over hers. He said a quick goodbye to Betty (who was looking at Matt as if he’d suddenly grown two heads), and then led her out of the back of the building to where his truck was parked. They climbed inside and he asked Grace if she needed anything.

“I’ve got my bag. I’m good.”

And that was it. Neither one of them spoke on the drive out to his place. And the closer they got, the more insecure Grace became. By the time they pulled up to his house, she was in a state, biting her lower lip so hard that she tasted blood.

Matt cut the engine and for a few moments they sat in the truck, staring up at his house.

“We should talk,” Matt said, breaking the silence.

She glanced over to him. “Do you really want me here or were you just being polite because I forced the issue in front of Betty?”

He looked at her, those intense eyes of his not letting go. “If I didn’t want you here, I wouldn’t have brought you back.” He paused and his words sank in. “I’ve never wanted a woman the way that I want you. That’s something new for me. Something I’ve got to wrap my head around. So I might screw up now and again because I don’t know how to do this. But I want to try.”

Her heart was pounding so hard that it was hard for her to hear him and she exhaled a long, shaky breath.

He opened his door. “So let’s do this. Let’s get to know each other.”

“Okay,” she breathed and followed him inside. After doffing her winter coat and boots, Grace and Matt headed to the back of the house where she immediately scooped up the smallest puppy and nuzzled him while Matt helped Rosie outside. The dog was still in casts and the poor thing was totally dependent on human help.

“Why don’t you shower and I’ll throw some dinner together.” Matt leaned against the counter. “Towels are in the cabinet in the hall.”

Grace grabbed her bag and headed up to his room. She had a long, hot shower and took her time getting ready. As anxious as she was to see him, the nerves had a way of making everything so much harder. Dammit, she was no better than an infatuated teenager.