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That is certainly one way of putting it. I can’t wrap my head around words, so I just sit silently.
Grace continues speaking, “I’m sorry Marion meddled in your life. I can imagine you’re feeling like you’ve been set up right now, and I’m honestly just as surprised as you. I swear I had no idea.”
My jaw clenches as I try to stay calm. “I was on the phone. I’m aware you didn’t plan this.”
“Well, you seem angry, and I’m just saying I understand your anger. Obviously, this isn’t the relationship you needed, and Marion should have known that. If she hadn’t meddled, you wouldn’t be sitting here dealing with all of this. Maybe you’d actually be happy”—she pauses, motioning to me—“rather than whatever this is.”
My skin heats as I glare at her. “I’m angry at you. I’m upset with you. Not because you were thrust into a scenario that you had no control over, not because you were married to an asshole who is dragging you through the mud, and certainly not because you’re the person Marion set me up with. I’m angry at you because rather than realizing that what we have is special, you choose instead to focus on the negatives. I am trying to understand, Grace, but there comes a point when I’m at a loss as to what to do.”
Grace slumps as if she’s been hit. “I’m only worried about you. And my company. God, do you have any idea how bad this is? I don’t know what Marion was thinking. She should have waited until I was divorced. She should have been honest.”
I lash out, “Like you’ve been all along. Maybe if you’d told her the truth about your marriage you could have had an honest conversation from the start. It seems a little hypocritical to suddenly expect honesty from everyone when you’ve been the one walking around with half-truths.”
Grace stands and paces the room. I expect her to yell, but she doesn’t. “You’re right. I created this mess, and I’ll figure my way out of it.”
I slam my hand down on the bed. “Dammit, Grace, no. That isn’t what I want. You aren’t listening to me. This”—I motion between us—“isn’t a mess.”
Feeling restless, I stand and walk to her, caging her against the wall with both my arms on either side of her shoulders. Grace raises her eyes to meet mine and holds her breath. “I’m in love with you. Don’t you see that? I’m in love with you and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
My heart hammers in my chest as I wait for her to respond.
Grace tilts her head as her violet eyes meet mine and they open wider. She lifts her hand and brings it to my hair, running her fingers through it as I breathe heavily.
Say something, Grace—tell me you feel it too. Love me…too.
She moves her hand behind my neck and pulls me down to her mouth, opening for me. My arms move around her waist as I groan in relief and tilt her backwards only slightly. Our tongues dance together, and my hands explore her body, owning every inch that I can find.
Grace pulls away, but she continues to hold my face in her hands, her mouth less than a breath from mine. “I love you too, Whiskey. I love you so much that it scares me because everyone that I’ve ever loved has broken my heart, and giving you the pieces left just leaves me more vulnerable. And even worse than that, I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. You have the ability to destroy me.”
My face softens as all my anger dissipates. “I could never, and I will never. You’ve got me.I’m not going anywhere. And Gracie, not everyone has disappeared. You have Marion and Tessa, two people that seem fiercely loyal to you. I know it’s not the same as having your own family, and I can’t imagine what it must be like to have your own mother turn on you the way that she did, but I won’t do that. Angel, loving me isn’t a risk because me not loving you is an impossibility.”
I tip my forehead to hers, and we both stand there resting against one another.
“I’m so sorry for being difficult, Cash. I know you aren’t like them.”
“I’m not. And you aren’t who they make you out to be either. So don’t let their ideas of you alter the truth of who you are because I won’t stand for anyone, including you, talking bad about the woman that I love.”
Grace smiles and her eyes flutter open and closed.
“What?” I ask, biting back a smile.
“I’m just getting used to hearing you say that,” she says coyly.
“What?” I tease.
“That you love me.”
I smile. “Yeah, it feels pretty great to say it, but I wouldn’t mind hearing it again too.”
Grace leans up and moves her head close to my ear, whispering softly, “I love you, Mr. James.” The blood rushes through me, and I lengthen against her. “Oh, you like that, Mr. James?”
Fuck, she’s a tease.
I lift her up and drag her to the bed. “Where are we going, Cash?” she screeches.
“Well, first I’m going to fuck you because you’re being a little shit, and then, because I can, I’m going to make love to you.”
Chapter 39
