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The kids run and play while Grayson and I sit back and watch. “You know, I really want to hold your hand right now.”
“Yeah?” I keep my eyes on the kids. “What’s stopping you?” It’s a challenge.
“My daughters.” It’s as if ice is thrown on our easy conversation, and my shoulders stiffen.
He moves closer. “That’s not what I mean, Laken. I want to talk to them. I’ve never brought a woman into their lives, and fuck, I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing. We’ve been dating for a month, and you’re all I can think about. I just don’t want to bring them into this, into whatever this is with us unless I know it’s the real deal.”
“It’s fine, Grayson. I understand. I told you. Those girls come first. I understand, and I accept that.”
“Then why the stiff shoulders?” As if he needs to confirm it, his hand rests on my shoulder. He massages for a few seconds before dropping his hand back to his lap.
“Nothing. It just sounded like that would never happen, you telling the girls.”
“Oh, it’s going to happen. I just want us to have a little more time together. I know they’re going to need to know about us. That sneaking around after bedtime and on weekends they stay with their grandparents isn’t what relationships are made of. I just want a little more time.”
“You have all the time you need, Grayson. I told you. I’m here when you’re ready.” I know this is a big deal for him, bringing me into the girls’ lives as someone other than the lady who owns the bookstore.
“That’s the problem. I feel like I’m ready. My heart and my body are telling me to jump into this thing with you and hope you catch me on the way down. My head, well, it’s telling me I need to take a little more time, not for me, but for them.”
I turn to look at him. “Then that’s what we’ll do.” I can give him time. As long as I know that he wants this to move forward, I can be patient so that the girls are eased into this transition.
“I really want to kiss you right now.”
“You can’t tease me like that,” I counter. The thought of just a simple kiss from this man has heat pooling between my thighs.
“Tonight.”
“Tonight,” I echo.
The kids play a little longer, and after they messily eat ice cream cones, we head back to the store to get our cars. Trace and I send the Davis clan on their way before heading up to my apartment to call my sister.
“Have fun?” she asks.
“We did. Trace is tuckered out. We got lucky both Hattie and Hazel were nowhere to be seen at Twisted Sisters. I was sure they would be there.”
“I’m on my way. Oh, and you might want to look at the MC Scoop.” She chuckles as the line goes dead.
Grabbing my phone, I pull up the app to see what Tate had to say this time.
More than just ice cream
Here’s the scoop. Our fire chief and bookstore owner were spotted out with the littles
in their lives. Ice cream and fun at the park. It looks like the relationship is blossoming.
Stay tuned for more growing details.
Tate is giving Hazel and Hattie a run for their money lately. Hell, for all I know the three of them are working together. It wouldn’t surprise me the way word travels in this small town.
Chapter 16
Grayson
After spending the afternoon playing with Trace at the park, the girls were exhausted. We managed to have dinner and get baths, and they were asleep almost before their head hit their pillows. That gave me time to rush and clean up the house. I loaded and unloaded the dishwasher, started laundry and folded the load that I left in the dryer, picked up the toys in the living room, and managed to look at the clock at least fifty times, maybe more.
It’s been a long damn time since I’ve been this excited about something. The past week of talking to her on the phone each night has been great. However, when I saw her today, I knew that would never be enough. I can’t just talk to her on the phone, not when I know what it feels like to have her snuggled up in my arms. Not when I know the feel of her lips pressed to mine.
I’m straightening the pillows on the couch when my phone vibrates from its spot on the coffee table. Grabbing it, I see her name, and my heart drops. Please don’t let her be canceling. She’s supposed to be here any minute, and I can’t come to her with the girls already in bed. Maybe I could have Ryder come and sit with them?
I’m getting ahead of myself, but I really want to see her. Opening up the message, I smile when I read it.
