But it has to be done.“We’re down, angel. You can open your eyes,” I say.
Slowly, I lower Grace to the ground, prepared for her to step away immediately. To my surprise, her arms remained wrapped tightly around my waist, her legs too shaky to keep her body upright.
“Thank you.” She presses her face into my back. “I… don’t know if I could have done that alone.”
“You never have to worry when I’m around, Grace,” I say, turning to face her. I grab her chin, tilting her face up to mine. “I’ll keep you safe, no matter what.”
I lean down, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss, and thousands of heated sparks race through my bloodstream, warming my skin and muddying my mind until all I am isher.
“Let’s get you home, yeah?” I rub my thumb gently over her cheek.
She nods shyly, allowing me to put my arm over her shoulder and lead her to the parking garage. In the commotion, we’re able to slip into the garage without anyone noticing, and I’m rewarded with another bruising kiss once we arrive at the car.
Like the perfect gentleman I am, I open her passenger door for her, taking a long look at her ass as she climbs inside.
“What’s your plan for today?” I ask, sliding into the driver’s seat and locking the doors.
She gives me a funny look. “Well, Iwasgoing to go into work after a shower and a wardrobe change.”
I wave her off. “Don’t bother. Your monthlies are done, and there’s nothing else for you to do right now. Let's have a day off.”
“Really?”
“Really.” I grin. “I’ll take you home so you can take a nice shower and change, and then I’ll pick you up for breakfast. How's that sound?”
She blushes as her stomach rumbles. “Really good, actually.”
“Good.” I reach over, placing my hand on her thigh as I start the car. We drive in comfortable silence back to her apartment, and when I walk her to her door, she gives me a goodbye kiss that doesn’t last nearly long enough.
“I’ll pick you up in an hour,” I say.
“Okay. See you in an hour.” Grace gives me another kiss, then slips inside her apartment, closing the door softly behind her.
I stand there for a few minutes, relishing the taste of her still clinging to my tongue. When it’s not enough, I go to the apartment next door so I can get my fix.
It’ll be fun to see what Grace picks out to wear for our date.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
GRACE
“Hey, babe.”
“Grace!” Saffron’s chipper voice rings through the speakers. “I’m glad you called. I havesomuch to tell you!”
“Ditto,” I say, sitting down on my bed. “Does yours have something to do with a certain handsome doctor?”
I can practically hear her grin through the phone. “Itis.He’s been over three times since I was discharged to bring me food and see how I’m healing.” Her voice lowers to a whisper. “I really like him, Grace.”
“Is there a reason we’re whispering about it? He sounds really sweet!”
“I know… but I don’t want to jinx it. Also, I’m still pretty freaked out after… you know. It’ll be a while before I trust someone romantically again.”
“That’s completely understandable.” My heart aches for her. “You take all the time you need. If he’s a decent man, he’ll wait for you to be ready.”
“I hope so,” she says. “I think he’s one of the really good ones, Grace.”
“You deserve one of them. God knows you’ve been through enough shit.”
