AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She narrowed her eyes. “You’ve got to take care of yourself, Nate Braddock. Nothing is allowed to happen to you.”
When she said things like that, she felt like my best friend again, even if things were beginning to change between us.
I pulled her into my embrace and hugged the crap out of her. “Nothing is going to happen to me,” I murmured in her ear. “Just like nothing is going to happen to you. You hear me?”
“Yeah.” The word was shaky.
“Whoever is trying to cause trouble, they’re not going to get away with it.” I closed my eyes, wallowing in the sensation of how perfect she felt in my arms. Holding her like this, I knew in my gut that I wanted more than friendship with her. I could no longer be happy with what we’ve shared all these years. Seeing her in a new light, as a woman who had secrets and a life separate from mine, made me realize just how much I wanted to intertwine our lives and know everything there was to know about her. I wanted all our truths—ugly and beautiful—out in the open, and I wanted her to turn to me when she needed help.
Not Ryan. Not Kennedy. Not even Desdemona.
Me.
Being Grace’s friend was great, but I wanted more.
She disentangled herself from the hug and swiped at the moisture glistening on her eyelashes. “Thanks. I feel a bit silly. It’s just a nasty note and a couple of missing things. It might not be anything serious, but I’m really scared.”
Whoever was behind this, they’d pay for that.
“I’ll keep you safe,” I promised. “Between me and my brothers, the police force, Kennedy, Alice, and Desdemona, we’re not letting this guy anywhere near you.”
She held my gaze. “I hate not knowing what’s going on. With Darrel, I didn’t realize he’d been watching me until the police found evidence of it afterward. It just seemed like a blitz attack out of nowhere, and then it was done. This is different. I can sense this malicious presence, but I can’t tell where it’s coming from, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
“We’ll figure it out together.” I took her hand, a gesture that I’d made hundreds of times, but this time it carried more weight. Because this time, I finally understood how much Grace meant to me. I was completely, stupidly in love with her. It was just as Maddy had said. Whether I’d been aware of it or not, Grace had always had my heart, and I wasn’t going to lose her just as I’d finally wised up to the fact.
36
GRACE
Even though ithad been an awful day, holding hands with Nate comforted me. I sensed in my soul that I was meant to be here with him. Perhaps it wasn’t the best time or the most romantic setting, but the universe had brought us here for a reason. Nate was everything I’d ever wanted. Protective. Reliable. Kind-hearted. Sure, he was gruff on the outside, but on the inside, he was gooey as a marshmallow. He would never let me down. If he said he’d keep me safe, I believed him.
As if drawn magnetically, I moved closer and laid my head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around me. It felt wonderful. His body was strong and steady against mine. His heart thumped a reassuring beat. I softened into him, mentally letting go and allowing myself—for just a few seconds—to imagine this man belonged to me in every way. A smile curved my lips. He smelled faintly of lemon, as if he’d been sucking the lemon drops he kept hidden in his desk drawer at work and in the glove compartment of his car.
His breath hitched, but I didn’t let it pull me from the fantasy. I imagined I could feel his body responding to my nearness. His breathing becoming irregular. His muscles tensing. But it must be in my head, right? It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.
“Gracie.” His voice was husky.
“Yeah?” I couldn’t seem to bring myself to let him go. Hopefully he’d put it down to the emotion of the day.
“We need to set some things straight.”
His words were like a splash of cold water to my face. I jerked backward, putting space between us. His jaw was tight, his eyes blazing. Shit. I’d overstepped and he was going to call me on it.
“Let me just—”
“No.” He grasped my wrist and held firm. “No running away this time.”
My pulse thundered in my ears. “Okay, but let’s sit down.”
I’d need to be seated for whatever horror show was about to come.
He led me by the wrist to the living room and guided me onto the couch. We sat side by side. Duke watched us intently, perhaps sensing my unease. He growled, but Nate released me and offered his hand to the dog to sniff. Apparently satisfied, Duke curled up at our feet.
Nate angled his body toward mine. “We’re overdue for a conversation.”
“About?” I squeaked. Of all the days for us to finally have this confrontation, why did it have to be today?
“Us.” He drew in a slow breath. “I’ve come to realize over the past few weeks that I care for you more deeply than I ever would have guessed.” His deep blue eyes seared into mine, warming me to my toes. “You didn’t seem interested when I tried to bring it up the other day, but I have to say this or I’ll always regret it. I want to date you. Gracie, I want everything with you.”
