“Great, I—what?”
* * *
Grant let her mull that over. “I’m teasing.” He totally wasn’t. “So, are we supposed to pretend we’re not a couple around Jenna?”
“I think that might be best.” She blushed, and he found the sight of her naked and flushed entrancing. “I haven’t been with another guy around the family since Sam. It’s still raw for me, and it would be easier if my private life remained private.”
“No problem.”
“I’m not trying to hide you or anything,” she said hastily. “I mean, I am, but not because of you. Because of me.”
“Lame excuse, but okay.”
She frowned. “I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me anymore. I hate pity.”
“That I can understand.”
She relaxed. “It’s just that you’re a bigshot baseball player, and I’m a small-town real estate agent. I don’t want anyone to think I fell for you and you left me in the dust. It’s easier if we’re just friends.”
“With many, many, many benefits,” he teased. “And I understand, though I do think you’re selling yourself short. You’re beautiful, inside and out. You’re honest, loyal, and compassionate. And you have to sell me a house before I leave town. You have a lot to do this holiday season, woman.”
“You mean, in addition to falling in love with you,” she said wryly.
“Exactly.” He kissed her again, content that he held her in his arms, naked, in bed. This was one holiday giving him exactly what he’d wished for. “Is it okay if I fall in love with you?”
“Of course.” She smiled.
Already done. He sighed and stared at her with all the love he felt for her.
Her smile slowly faded.
“You know,” he began, “there’s something I think we should both think about. And it concerns the future.”
She tensed. “What’s that?”
Talk of marriage and her ex had scared her, so he wanted to add some levity. “The fact that if Jenna comes home and finds you naked and covered in, well, me, she might get the wrong idea.”
Piper paused to consider that, then darted from the bed and locked herself in the adjoined bathroom. Not a minute later, the toilet flushed and she emerged looking scattered.
He sat up in bed, doing nothing to cover his nudity, loving the fact she kept looking at him and lingering.
After dressing, she hurried to kiss him. “We keep this just between us.”
“Who am I going to tell?” He snorted. “Besides, I’m not that kind of guy.”
“Oh, shut up.” She chuckled. “We’re getting started early tomorrow. Eight o’clock sharp, so be ready.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted her.
“God, you are too much.” She looked him over, sighed, then closed the door behind her as she left him lying there.
Naked, in love, and puzzled.
She’d neatly boxed him into a FWB category. Now how did a guy opt out of that one and into a happily-ever-after starting with an “I do?”
Chapter 11
Wednesday morning, Grant expected Piper to be at least a little awkward, but apparently having sex had eased her enough that she was relaxed and not uncomfortable at all around him. Which he both appreciated and found amusing.
