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“It doesn’t matter. I’m just glad you’re okay.” The relief in his voice sent warmth through me. He used his grip on my waist to turn me to face him.
I started to protest, but when our gazes met, I froze. I was unable to move, speak, or do anything but take in the concern and desire in his eyes. No one had ever looked at me like that.
I told myself to move, to look away, but my body wouldn’t obey my brain.
Grant raised his hand and brushed his thumb over my lips. I didn’t breathe as I studied him, seeing desire in his eyes mixed with confusion.
I wanted to move closer, to take hold of his wrist and trap his hand there, to lick his thumb, suck it, bite it. But I did nothing. I might as well have been a statue.
A burning smell made me remember how to move. I turned to the stove to see smoke rising from the griddle, the blackened edges of the pancakes were beginning to curl up.
I stared at the mess, angry at myself, at Grant, at the whole fucking situation. Tears stung the back of my eyes, and I dug my fingernails into my palms to stop them. I already looked desperate and like a fucking klutz. I was going to have to clean up the stove and the pan before I could finish breakfast. I was abso-fucking-lutely not going to cry in front of Grant on top of that. If I did, I really would have to run away and take my chances.
Take the chance of being shot in the woods? Of being captured by Trey? What would he do to me? Did he know about Grant’s connections? If so, would he torture me for information, kill me to make a statement? Dammit. I really was stuck.
Grant laid his hands on my shoulders and squeezed firmly. “Look at me.”
I immediately opened my eyes. How the hell did he do that? All he had to do was use that commanding tone, and I obeyed instantly.
The lust in his eyes made me shudder. I longed for him to push me down to my knees and order me to suck his cock. That would be so much better than dealing with the way I’d fucked up the morning so far.
Grant’s eyes were filled with concern and something else. Hunger. For me, not for pancakes. I couldn’t take it. If he wanted me, he needed to fucking act on it.
I pulled back, and he dropped his hands. “I’ll get this cleaned up.”
“Jacob.”
His voice was strained, but I didn’t look at him. I took the pan off the stove and dumped the ruined pancakes into the trash. When I didn’t respond, Grant poured himself some coffee and took it out on the porch.
I was thankful Rhys, Rogue, and even TJ joined us for breakfast. I got to officially meet Evan. He was nervous as a chihuahua and hardly said a word, but I was thankful for any distraction.
Grant didn’t say much during the meal. He made sure everyone understood their assignments for the day, ate quickly, and took off as soon as his plate was empty.
Once he left, the knot in my stomach slowly loosened as I listened to the banter between Rogue and TJ. Rogue really did have the ability to get along with anyone. Considering his former role in the military, I assumed Grant could do that too, when necessary, but his natural inclination was to distance himself. He clearly preferred to stand back and supervise. He needed to make sure everything was running smoothly and everyone under his care felt safe.
I didn’t see much of Grant for the rest of the day, and thankfully, we were never alone. The next morning, he left for Houston before dawn to deal with some business, so breakfast was much more relaxed. After we finished eating, Rhys offered to give me a riding lesson.
“Don’t you have more important stuff to do?”
“More important stuff than making sure every employee here knows his way around a horse?”
“But if I’m not going to be working with the horses…”
“You still need to be comfortable around them.
“Did Grant ask you to do this?”
Rhys shook his head. “I want to do this for you. I don’t need permission from Grant.”
Rogue snorted. “You know you always listen to him.”
“And you made it your mission not to.”
Something passed between them. Something serious I didn’t want to touch.
“I would love a riding lesson if you truly have time.”
“Grant didn’t tell Rhys to give you a riding lesson,” Rogue said. “But he did tell him to watch over you. I guess he didn’t trust me to do it, even though I’m the one who’s been watching over you up until now.”
