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Jace chuckled a bit. "You seem smitten with her."
His stomach twisted around at the thought of being smitten. It had been years. Honestly years.
"I am. It's sudden. Unexpected. But, welcome."
"Good. You deserve someone good in your life. She seems good. I've been asking around about her. The folks I've spoken to have said she's solid."
"Thanks for asking around. I won't say anything."
Jace laughed. "I have to look out for my bud."
"Thanks, Jace."
"Are you going to be alright?"
"It seems like they don't know we're here, they're focusing on her place."
"That's what I was thinking, but you both are welcome to stay at my place. It isn't far and I have security."
"Thank you for the invitation. Grace is taking a shower right now. I'll ask her when she comes out and let you know. I do appreciate the offer."
"Anytime, bud."
The call ended, and the water turned off in the shower. He sat on the sofa and waited for Grace to come out of the bathroom.
16
Oh, the shower felt so good. She'd worked hard today and the dust stuck to the sweat on her skin. She was slightly embarrassed to have met Sid's friends looking as she did. But, things happened kind of fast and her new outlook on life was to go with the flow. So, if they didn't like her because she worked hard, sweated, and got dirty, they just weren't her people.
She squeezed the water from her hair and wrapped a towel around it. With a second towel, she dried off and slipped Sid's t-shirt over her body. It hung nearly to her knees, which was good. She scrunched her face a bit at the thought of putting on her dirty underwear, but she had no choice. It simply was not in her DNA to go without. No matter that she was the new Grace. New Grace, just like old Grace, was not slutty.
She hurried and shimmied them up without thinking too hard about it. Then she brushed her teeth and exited the bathroom. It was cooler in the hall, she must have really steamed up the bathroom. But that hot water felt so darned good. When she entered the living room, Sid sat on the sofa petting Chiefy. Her heart swelled watching them together. She quietly watched them for a few moments to make sure he wasn't dealing with an attack. But, he turned his eyes to hers and his lips creased in the most magnificent smile she'd seen on him. It was nearly breathtaking.
"Hi. Your girl and I are just having a moment of quiet here."
"Thank you for helping her settle in. Tonight will be unusual for her and she's likely a bit out of sorts just now. But, she'll be good. She doesn't have accidents."
He chuckled. "I didn't think she did, and I was not at all worried about her. It's natural for her to feel that something is off. It is. We'll help her through it."
Oh man! He was simply the most fantastic man she'd ever met in her life. Her heartbeat raced and a shiver scooted up her spine.
But, his lips then turned down slightly. "There are now two bikers outside watching your place. Jace called, he's watching too. He said we're welcome to come to his place. I'm fine with whatever you want to do though."
She entered the room and sat on the end of the sofa. Chiefy moved to her for some attention. "I'm okay here as long as they don't find us. But, the issue is, Chiefy will need to go outside before bed. What if they see us?"
Sid nodded slightly but his eyes didn't leave hers. "We can stay close to the house here and make it quick. If they see us and make noise, we can go to Jace's then."
She let out a breath. One more move tonight wasn't something she was interested in. "I had wondered if I should call the police back and at least go inside my place to get some things while they keep the bikers occupied. Chiefy will need food in the morning and I'll need clothes for tomorrow. Maybe a brush for my hair."
Sid leaned over and slowly pulled the towel off her hair. "Your hair is beautiful." His fingers slid through her wet locks.
Her cheeks heated as did her chest. She swallowed to wet her throat as she stared into his eyes. She knew when she accepted his offer to stay the night it might lead to them actually being together. She liked him so much. It had been so very long since she'd felt feminine and pretty and valuable. It had been years since a man held her interest for more than a minute. She usually walked away as soon as a man spoke to her when she was at a birthday party or wedding of one of her friends back home. She just couldn't go there. Not ever again. Panic welled up inside her so fast she thought she'd actually throw up. But...not with Sid. Maybe because he was damaged too. Maybe because he was vulnerable too.
The back of Sid's fingers brushed her cheek then slid into her hair. "You're beautiful, Grace. Simply beautiful."
Her eyes welled with tears. When was the last time she'd heard that? "Thank you."
She blinked to dry her eyes. She leaned closer to Sid and kissed his lips. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her closer. Her right hand cupped the side of his face, her thumb swept along his cheekbone. His skin was rougher in texture, whiskers and sun did that, but his eyes were sincere and steady when he looked at her. The deep brown was such a pretty color to look at. Their lips met again, this time his tongue licked along her lips. Her tongue met his and they danced together until his tongue swept inside her mouth and slid along her tongue. His lips covered hers. A sizzle erupted up her spine, goose bumps formed on her arms and in her chest, her heartbeat increased. At the same time excitement welled up and created a whole new sensation in her body that she'd never felt before. She felt like an electric current had run through her and her breathing came in spurts.
