The kids had gone up to their rooms once they’d taken the photos and sent them off to the grandparents for judging. Well, they’d sent off Grant’s and the kids’, Ashlyn had insisted that hers not be in the running to win, saying she was happy enough to just be included. Which was absolutely true.
“Mmm.” Grant nuzzled her neck, the arm that was draped over her shoulders pulling her closer against him. “I don’t want to let you go yet.”
“Don’t want to go either,” she told him, tilting her head to the side to give him better access to her neck. Hopefully, one day they could share moments like this every night, but that felt so far away, almost like it was forever moving further into the distance.
“Then stay.”
Jerking her head up in surprise, Ashlyn met Grant’s gaze, half expecting to find he was just joking.
Only he didn't look like he was joking.
In fact, he looked like he was deadly serious.
“I … c-can't,” she stammered.
“Why?”
“Your kids. Well daughter. Lindsay would freak if she found out I spent the night, and I don’t want to have to sneak out of here before dawn like some dirty little secret.” While she wanted to be respectful to Grant’s daughter and his relationship with his child, she didn't want to lose respect for herself in the process. And sneaking out of the house would definitely make her feel that way.
A growl rumbled through Grant, and his brows snapped together to form a V as he dragged her into his lap. “Never suggested you should sneak out, honey.”
“If I don’t, then Lindsay will know I slept over.”
“Then she’ll know.”
“She hates me.”
“It’s been seven months since we started dating. I've given her time to get used to the idea. I want to spend the night with you in my arms. Stay. Please.”
Searching his dark eyes to confirm he was telling her the truth, when she saw nothing in them but honesty, Ashlyn slowlynodded. This was probably going to be a bad idea, but if Grant was sure, then she would stay.
“Okay,” she agreed.
His face broke out into one of those panty-melting, heart-shattering smiles, and Ashlyn looped her arms around his neck and squeaked when he scooped her up and darted toward the stairs. Giggling as he carried her up, she did her best not to grind against him, something which was pretty difficult since the bulge in his pants was currently pressed snugly against her center, because she didn't want one of the kids to come out of their rooms and catch them.
“Relax, they’re asleep,” Grant murmured in her ear. Then his lips found the pulse point on her neck and sucked hard enough to make her moan.
Inside his bedroom, Grant set her on her feet. As he went about undressing her, pausing to touch soft kisses and gentle caresses to her skin, staring at her with such tender affection, Ashlyn felt her heart swell in her chest, and the words came bursting out of her.
“I love you.” As she said them, she froze. While they were true, she hadn't really meant to say them yet. She was almost positive Grant loved her back, but his first loyalty was to his kids, and she was pretty sure that she and Lindsay were never going to manage a relationship. “Sorry,” she quickly added, not wanting him to feel like she was pressuring him for more than he was able to give her right now.
Another growl rumbled through his chest. “Did you mean it?”
Ashlyn nodded. She wouldn't lie about something like that.
“Are you taking it back?”
“Yes. No. I'm not … I don’t know,” she finished lamely.
“Don’t take it back,” he whispered, his lips now millimeters from hers. “Please. I love you too, honey, so much. I was afraidthat because of Lindsay’s attitude, you wouldn't be able to fall in love with me.”
“No.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she all but jumped into his arms. “I would never hold that against you. Ever. I get she’s upset because she lost her mom, and she feels like I'm trying to take her place, and I don’t know if she’ll ever get over that, but nothing could stop me from loving you. Nothing.”
“Need inside you, honey. Now.”
“You're the one with too many clothes still on,” she teased, as he shot her a lopsided grin, then balanced her weight with one arm while he unzipped himself with his other hand.
Grabbing her hips, Grant lined himself up and then slammed home in one smooth stroke. Ashlyn cried out as he buried himself deep inside her, but it wasn't from pain, it was because having him inside her like this was perfect. It was everything she’d ever wanted, and even better than she had imagined sex could be with the man you loved.
