The clouds darkening his eyes can be described as nothing but livid. My heart pounds a furious beat, enraged on his behalf. The reason escapes me because all my concentration is centered on him. No man has the right to look so fine in a basic T-shirt and jeans. His hair is wet, the dark blond strands sticking up in messy disarray. Thick stubble makes him look older and rugged. Flexing muscles ready to fend off any threat. Grady Bowen is a delicious package and I want to rip off every layer that keeps him hidden from view.
It’s been over a week since I saw him at my parents’ place. I was beginning to believe the entire ordeal was a figment of my imagination. But here he stands, ready to unleash the fury.
I try to swallow, but my throat is too dry. How does he still have this effect on me?
“Can I talk to you outside, Sutton?”
That voice. Dear Mother of all that’s holy. It’s a soothing balm and an abrasive scrape within the same few notes. I tamp down a moan as the words roll over me.
One of my ass cheeks is already off the stool. “Okay.”
But Lance blocks my path.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Bowen?” His tone is terse and accusing. I don’t care for it one bit.
Grady’s responding glare is vicious. “Is stepping foot on public property suddenly a crime?”
Lance grunts. “No.”
“Then mind your own damn business.” The growl booms off Grady’s chest.
“I was here first.” Lance resembles a petulant child, and the look is not sexy. The pout on his lips makes me cringe. When I glance over, Molly and Lacie have a similar reaction. Glad my redheaded friend came to her senses.
Grady prowls forward. “Doesn’t matter. Sutton is coming with me.”
When he puts it that way, I want to stay glued to my seat. Oh, who am I kidding. Having a moment alone with him is worth a little hit to my womanly pride.
I shove past Lance and follow Grady’s imposing form through the crowd. My brother is wearing a shit-eating smirk as we move by him. I fight the urge to flip him off. It’s abundantly clear he had everything to do with this intrusion.
Grady slams open the door into the alley. I trail close behind and prop myself up against the brick wall. The temperature has cooled off, the slight chill is blissful against my heated skin. He strides to the opposite side, ensuring the maximum amount of space is separating us. I ignore the burn that distance causes. What did I really expect?
His features are a steel mask of indifference. He’s not giving anything away without me asking. I’m not sure why he bothered bringing me out here. A cramp tightens painfully in my belly. Why is this so difficult? The strain grows heavy in the air, a living beast determined to keep us apart.
Our silence expands and overflows across the narrow gap. My throat tightens and I rub at the growing lump. I finally glance up at Grady from under my lashes. An exhale shutters off my lips when I catch him staring at me.
“Hey, Gray.” I repeat the greeting from last time we were caught in a similar standoff.
A tremor wracks his limbs. I wonder if he plans to ditch out again. But his feet remain planted on the concrete.
“Hey, Sutton.” The sound is low and deep and deceptively soft.
I want to tell him so many things. Highlights from the last four years pile up in my mind, jamming the gears and leaving me silent. One sentiment stands out the most. I’ve missed him. The words claw up my throat, bubbling out beyond my control.
“I’ve missed—”
Grady speaks up at that same moment, shutting my confession down. “Glad I could steal you away from all the fun.”
A furrow dents my forehead. “What do you mean?”
“I’m sure Lance was entertaining you with sordid tales. He’s a damn snake.”
“Did he really haul you in?”
He snorts. “Wasn’t the first time.”
I let my jaw go slack. “On what charges?”
“Bullshit. He didn’t have anything on me. Chief Wilson released me within an hour of arriving at the station.”
