by Vi Keeland
Grant walked to the bed and sat down, pulling me onto his lap. “Mattress is brand new. It was delivered today.”
“Was something wrong with the old one?”
He looked into my eyes, and I felt the warmth of his gaze spread through my chest. “It had seven years of things I can’t take back on it.”
And those bricks just keep falling.
I cupped his cheek. “That was really thoughtful.”
“Figured we could pick up some new bedding this afternoon before we christen it.”
I smiled. “You better be careful, Mr. Lexington. Buying a new bed, taking me shopping—a girl could get used to all this sweetness.”
Grant looked at me in a way he hadn’t before. Something was different. And that something made my heart race. I had put off making a decision about the long term, hoping something would organically happen to make it for me. And I suddenly realized it had: I’d fallen for him.
“Get used to it, sweetheart. It’s what you deserve.”
Falling…falling…falling so deep.
I was basically a pile of mush inside, and my self-protection mechanism had me needing not to fall so far that I lost myself. So I changed gears and smirked. “While we’re picking up bedding, maybe we can pick up a few decorative things, too. The apartment is beautiful, but it’s kind of…sterile. It needs some warmth.”
“Whatever you want.”
I kissed him one last time and dragged us from the bedroom. Feeling emotional and sitting on a big bed with this man was dangerous territory on so many fronts. As we walked into the living room, I noticed a tag on the couch.
“Is that a brand new couch, too?”
Grant nodded.
“You needed a new one?”
He shook his head slowly.
Oh. Oh. My nose scrunched up at the thought of Grant screwing some woman on the couch. “Did you also get new countertops in the kitchen and a new desk?” I asked dryly.
Grant shook his head. “No, smartass.”
***
I got the feeling Grant didn’t do much shopping. He looked completely awkward in a home goods store. Every time I asked if he liked something, he shrugged and nodded. “Sure, if you like it.”
So I picked up the most hideous comforter set I’d ever seen. It looked like someone had taken the ugliest floral pattern in the world and laid it on top of a check print. Not only was it loud and made me a little dizzy, but the material was almost scratchy.
“How about this one?”
Grant barely looked at it. “Sure, if you like it.”
I shook my head. “It’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.”
His brows furrowed. “So why are you picking it out?”
“I’m not. I just wanted to see your reaction. You aren’t really being helpful. I don’t know what you like.”
He smirked. “You naked. Just pick something you like and will be soft on your back. And your hands and knees.”
Mmmm... That sounded good. Desire shot through me. Grant noticed the change in my face and leaned forward to whisper in my ear with a growl. “Hurry. Or I’ll be dragging you from this place and fucking you on a bare mattress soon.”
Oh my.
I attempted to ignore the growing need between my legs and moved on to a display toward the back of the store. It was simple, a navy blue-and-white striped spread by Nautica. I ran my hand along the fabric—luxurious and soft.
“I feel like this one fits you.”
It was the first time Grant gave me an actual answer. “I like it. Simple. Maybe a few of those, too.” He pointed to a display of throw pillows I hadn’t noticed to my left. They were navy with burlap patches on the front and would go perfectly—continuing a bit of a nautical theme.
“Perfect. Look at you. You’re a regular designer when you want to be.”
Grant looked over his shoulder and then to the left and right. I thought he was looking for other items to add to what we’d picked out. But I quickly realized he was seeing if the coast was clear. Before I could argue, he lifted me up and tossed me onto the bed. I landed on my back in the middle of the Nautica display. A wicked grin spread across his face as he nodded.
“It looks good together. Let’s get it and get the hell out of here.”
I was probably as ready to go as he was, but I so enjoyed screwing with him. I lifted up on my elbows on the bed. “But you said we could pick up some decorations. I figured we could check out the art store a few blocks away and then head over to that big lighting store on Fairway Blvd. I can spend hours in that place.”
Grant’s face dropped.
I couldn’t contain the smirk taking over my pout. He noticed and squinted. “You’re screwing with me.”
I smiled. “I figured it was only fair since you plan to screw me.”
Grant scooped me up off the bed, cradling me in his arms. He shifted my weight to one arm and grabbed the striped comforter set off the shelf. He walked to the throw pillow display and dipped forward.
“Grab a few.”
I laughed but grabbed two I liked. He marched down an aisle toward a register on the other side of the store.
“Ummm… You’re going to carry me to the line?”
“I am. Keeps you from stopping to look at shit and gets us to trying out the new bedding faster.”
I giggled. A few people stared at the handsome man carrying a woman and his purchases, but either Grant didn’t notice or didn’t give a shit. “You realize you look like a Neanderthal.”
“That’s the way you make me feel, sweetheart. Don’t worry. I’ll make up for my ungentlemanlike behavior when we get home.”
Home. He’ll make it up to me when we get home. I liked the sound of that for a lot of reasons.
Chapter 30
* * *
Ireland
The next week was absolute bliss. Grant and I stayed holed up in his condo for a day and a half—spending Sunday christening every surface we could. Then Monday morning he had to go to a meeting out of town, and a gigantic bouquet of flowers was delivered to the office. They took up half of my desk. Tuesday he met the plumbing contractor at my house so I could work late. Wednesday we ate lunch in his office and locked the door for a quickie. Thursday and Friday, we slept at my place.
On Saturday morning, he went into the office while I waited at my apartment for Mia to come over. She’d come back from her honeymoon earlier in the week and officially moved into Christian’s place, but she still had a ton of boxes at our apartment. We were going to take them over to Goodwill today after getting some lunch.
I practically sprinted to her when she walked in. It was probably the longest I’d gone without seeing her since we were kids.
“Honey, I’m home!” she yelled.
We embraced for the longest time, and when I pulled back, I shook my head. “Look at you. You’re so tan and relaxed. And you look so…married.” I smiled.
“I missed you. Kauai was amazing. But it would have been better if you were there, too. You would’ve loved the helicopter ride. Christian lost his lunch in a barf bag during the tour.”
I laughed. “I’m sure that would have gone over well with your new husband. I’m taking two pieces of luggage and Ireland with me.”
“We need to go back—a couples’ vacation. Maybe Maui next time.”
“That sounds great. Last weekend I asked Grant when the last time he went on vacation was, and he said eight years ago.”
“Really? Why?”
I shrugged. “He’s a workaholic, and he didn’t have anyone in his life to force the issue, I guess.”
Mia went into the refrigerator, pulled out the orange juice, and looked at the container. “Pulp? Is this mine from weeks ago and expired? You don’t like pulp.”
“Grant likes pulp.”
She smiled. “So I take it you two have been spending a lot of time together while I was gone, if you’re stocking the fridge for him.”
I sat down at the kitchen table. “Yeah
. We have been. It’s been pretty great, actually.”
“The last time I saw you two together, at brunch the day after my wedding, I wasn’t sure I’d come back to a happy couple, him not wanting kids and all.”
Mia took two glasses out of the cabinet and filled them with juice before going to where we kept the liquor and grabbing a bottle of vodka. She poured a shot into each glass and stuck her finger in to stir before sliding one across the table to me. “You can suffer through pulp for me.”
I preferred no pulp, but I’d drink it if that was the only choice available. Though that wasn’t the issue. I slid the glass back toward her. “You drink both. I’ll drive.”
“Neither of us is driving. Christian dropped me off on his way to the gym. He’s going to come back when he’s done and load the boxes into his car.” She smiled. “He told me to enjoy my day with you, and he’d take care of the donations and go food shopping.”
I shook my head. “I have no idea how you fooled that nice man into marrying you. But you done good, lady.”
Since neither of us had to drive, why not indulge? I lifted the glass of orange juice and held it up to clink with my friend. “To good guys for a change.”
Mia downed half the glass and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “So give me all the dirt. How did things go after brunch? I take it you convinced him having children was not the end of the world?”
I frowned. “Actually, I didn’t. He hasn’t changed his position. I’m not sure he ever will. And, honestly, he has reasons for not wanting children that I understand…well, mostly.”
“So what happens if you two get serious? You just give up your dream of having a family?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I’m not ready to make the decision to stop seeing him. But I’m also not ready to make the decision to not have a family. So I’ve decided to put off the decision—hoping something will happen organically.”
Mia’s lips pressed together in a straight line. “I see only three things that could happen organically.” She held up her hand and counted them off, first with her pointer. “One, you split up and there is no decision to make.” She added her middle finger. “Two, he changes his mind.” She raised her ring finger. “Three, you accept not having children.” She shook her head. “You just said you don’t think he’ll ever change his mind. So that leaves splitting up or you accepting a very different life than you want. I don’t think banking on splitting up is a healthy way to be in a relationship, and the last choice is an awfully big concession. Are you sure you would want that life?”
My shoulders slumped. Mia was one hundred percent right, but avoidance was the only way to stay happy, and it had been a long time since I wanted someone in my life so badly.
I sighed. “I know burying my head in the sand is probably only going to make things worse in the future. But…I’m crazy about him, Mia. I don’t want to give him up.”
Mia stared at me for a long time and then abruptly stood. “January first.”
“What about it?”
“That’s the day you make the decision. It gives you a few months to enjoy the man and give it thought. But January first, we’ll sit down at this table and not get up until you’ve made a decision you can live with.”
I forced a smile. “That’s a good plan.” Though, in my heart, I knew it was stupid. Chances were four more months would only make me fall harder for Grant Lexington, especially the side of him he’d been showing me the last few weeks. But my head was pretty damn good at convincing my heart it was in control. So I went with the plan.
“Come on. No more talk about this subject,” I told Mia. “Let’s go finish sorting your stuff so your hubby can drop the donations off. I want to throw some things in from my closet, too.”
“Okay. What do you say we double-date tonight? Have dinner at that new Italian place downtown?”
“I’ll text Grant. He’s working today, but he planned to come over later. I’m sure he’d be up for it.”
I stood to get started, and Mia reached out and squeezed my arm. “One more thing and then no more talking on the subject, I promise.”
“Okay…”
“Take it slow. I know you care about him, but go slow. Don’t give your heart so fully away that you won’t be able to take it back.”
I nodded. Except I was pretty sure I already had.
***
I hadn’t laughed so hard in a long time. Mia kept all of us amused with stories about the odd things that happened at her spa.
“Another woman came in and asked if her husband could watch her Brazilian wax. Aside from the fact that treatment rooms are small, we don’t generally allow people to watch while we do procedures with someone’s legs wide open on a table when they’re naked. So I asked if he wanted to watch because he was interested in getting waxed himself and offered to do a sample strip on his back or leg. The woman, with a complete straight face, said he wanted to watch because he was a masochist, and it gets him aroused to see her in pain. Uh…no thanks. I think I’ll pass on helping you get your husband’s rocks off today.”
Grant was definitely the most shocked of the group. Not only was he not used to Mia’s dark humor, he had no idea what half the services she offered were for.
“The beauty of owning my own spa is that now I never have to see an ass that looks like a rainforest propped up on a waxing table again.” Mia looked at Grant with a straight face and said. “Do you wax your balls or shave?”
He looked like a deer caught in the headlights, which was amusing as hell since he rarely looked rattled. He actually started to answer her, and I had to let him off the hook.
“She’s teasing you.” Mia and I laughed so hard tears streamed down my face.
The waiter came over to offer more wine, and everyone but Mia declined because the rest of us were driving. Grant had gotten stuck at the office late and met me at the restaurant, so we had two cars. One small glass of wine at the start of a two-hour dinner was my limit.
“So…” Mia picked up her glass and brought it to her lips. She looked across at Grant. “What would you think about going to Maui for the week between Christmas and New Year’s? The four of us. I mean, not me and you—I’m a married woman now.”
Grant chuckled and looked at me. He reached for my hand under the table and squeezed it. “What do you think? A week in Hawaii?”
My heart raced. Making long-term plans warmed my heart. Lord knew giving most of my exes a dry cleaning ticket to pick up two days later would have freaked them out.
I smiled. “I’d love that.”
After we got up from the table, the four of us stood around talking out front for another half hour. I overheard Christian invite Grant to a baseball game, and Mia winked at me with a huge grin. We never got to do things together as couples, and it felt so good to enjoy time with them together.
When it started to mist, it was time to finally go. I hugged Mia and Christian goodbye, and Grant walked me to my car. “It’s late. You want to just leave your car here, and we can swing back tomorrow and pick it up?”
“No, I’m fine. I’m actually going to stop back at my apartment and pick up some work I need to do in the morning. I meant to bring it, but I forgot it on the kitchen table. So I’ll just meet you at the boat.”
“You feel like having wine? I’m out, but I can stop and pick it up on the way.”
I pushed up on my toes and planted a soft kiss on his lips. “That sounds great. I’ll see you in a little while.”
“Be careful driving. It’s getting foggy, and the mist will make the road slick.”
“My aunt would love you. For all the years I lived with her, not an evening went by that she didn’t warn me to drive carefully or tell me about the weather.”
Grant opened my car door and held onto the top before shutting it. “Go, smartass. I don’t want you to get caught in dense fog. It rolls in fast down by the marina sometimes.”
After I stopped home and got back on the roa
d, it actually was getting pretty foggy. I’d teased Grant for warning me to be careful, but it was becoming harder and harder to see. The roads leading down to the marina were winding, and I put on my high beams to get a better look up ahead. But after a few seconds, the headlights of an oncoming car flashed, so I turned my low beams back on. After the car passed, I hit the high beams again, but again an upcoming car approached, so I had to flick them back down. I gripped the steering wheel a little harder during the moments the low beams were on and relaxed when I could switch again. The fourth time an oncoming car passed, I was relieved to be able to return to my brights. But when I did, I was met with two big eyes.
Shit!
A huge deer with giant antlers stood in the middle of the damn road. He’d seemed to come out of nowhere. Suddenly there he was, only a hundred feet in front of me. We stared at each other, frozen in shock, until I thankfully jerked the steering wheel to the right.
Everything after that came in slow motion.
I missed the deer.
But the mist on the road made the blacktop slick, and I started to spin. I pulled the steering wheel in the other direction in an attempt to counter the motion, but it did no good.
My car went off the road and into the dirt.
I pushed all of my weight onto the brakes, and the car slid sideways down the side of the road.
With no lights shining anymore in the direction I was going, I got confused as to whether I was still on the side of the road or had gone back onto the pavement.
I held my breath as the car slowed.
Headlights from the other direction illuminated the street.
Thankfully, I wasn’t on the road anymore.
But there was a tree up ahead.
I braced.
And everything became eerily quiet.
Until impact…
Chapter 31
* * *
Grant
I wasn’t a worrier.
Or a nervous person, in general. But I checked my watch for the tenth time in an hour and stood on the back deck of Leilani, watching the dock ramp for any sign of Ireland. Actually, the fog had settled in so thick, I couldn’t even see the entrance ramp to get on the dock anymore, or the parking lot. I’d called Ireland’s cell fifteen minutes ago and left a message. But I didn’t want to distract her by sending a text. When another half hour went by with still no sign of her, I began to pace and called again. Only to get her voicemail a second time.