This intense attraction between them couldn’t lead to anything long term. Forcing himself to face reality, Grady reluctantly lifted his head, ending their kiss.
For a long moment, Lauren gazed up at him with a dreamy expression. Then she seemed to realize where they were and glanced around guiltily.
The guy, Ethan whomever, had veered away, heading straight for the bar. From the way the guy tossed back his drink, he’d accepted their engagement at face value and was about to drown his sorrows in booze.
Leaving Grady to wonder just what Ethan might do when he’d left Lauren and Lucy behind to head back to Cody, Wyoming.
* * *
Inwardly reelingfrom the dizzying impact of Grady’s kiss, it took all of Lauren’s willpower not to throw herself into Grady’s arms again.
His kiss was more potent than anything she’d experienced before. Obviously, Grady’s impulsive embrace had been intended to put on a show for Ethan Whitman. To seal the news of their engagement in an announcement for the entire room.
Not because he’d wanted to kiss her.
Her heart thumped erratically against her sternum as she struggled to maintain control. Thankfully, Ethan had gotten the message loud and clear. He was at the bar, drinking heavily the way Nelson used to do.
Obviously, she never should have married Nelson. Her ex-husband’s kisses hadn’t been nearly as amazing as Grady’s. If she’d met Grady first, she’d never have settled for Nelson. But with all the praying she’d done over the past day and a half, she had to admit that God had sent Nelson to her for a reason. One, to realize what she didn’t want in a man. More importantly, though, her union with Nelson had produced Lucy.
And her daughter was the most important person in the world.
Too bad, she wouldn’t have more children. Unless, of course, she was blessed enough to meet another man like Grady, who could make her blush with a simple smile and a wink.
Yeah, that probably wasn’t going to happen.
A waiter came by with a tray of shrimp. To give herself a moment, Lauren accepted the appetizer and popped the shrimp into her mouth.
“I don’t think he’ll be bothering you again,” Grady drawled near her ear.
She almost choked on the shrimp. Hastily swallowing, she managed a smile. “Thanks. Ethan has been incredibly persistent. No matter how many times I’ve told him I’m not ready to date again.”
Grady frowned, glancing again at Ethan who had another drink in his hand. The way Ethan kept his back to them made her think of a little boy fuming in the corner of the classroom. “Do you think he could do something as crazy as hiring someone to kidnap your daughter?”
She stared up at him in exasperation. “Agent Braun has arrested Curtis Handover for the kidnapping and shooting incidents. Besides, that’s not Ethan’s style. He thinks I should be interested in him because he’s handsome and comes from wealth too.” She’d been shocked when Ethan had bad-mouthed Nelson for marrying her for her money. She hadn’t realized that the entire social circle had known what she’d failed to discern on her own.
“Doesn’t mean he wouldn’t stoop to playing dirty,” Grady muttered. “He looks like a sore loser if you ask me.”
That made her smile. “You’d be right about that.”
“Is there anyone else I need to know about?” Grady looked as if he wouldn’t mind pulling his weapon to show her overzealous admirers who’s in charge.
“Ethan Whitman is the worst of the bunch. Alex Tillman is a close second.” She scanned the patrons clustered around the bar. “I see Alex. He’s chatting with the mayor.” With a sigh, she forced a smile. One of the reasons she’d wanted Grady to pretend to be her fiancé was because she wanted these guys to leave her alone. The best way to do that was to show Grady off. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
“Can’t wait,” Grady drawled. When he slipped his arm around her waist, she felt the heat of his touch through her sequined dress.
“Mayor Thompson, it’s good to see you again.” Lauren addressed the mayor first, then turned to Alex. “Alex, I’d like you and the mayor to meet my fiancé, Grady McFarland. Grady, this is Alex Tillman and Mayor Bart Thompson.”
“A pleasure to meet you both.” Grady released her to offer his hand to the mayor first, then Alex. Alex masked his annoyance, but she could tell he wasn’t happy about the news of their engagement.
“McFarland?” Alex echoed with a snooty look at Grady. “I don’t remember hearing your name before. You must be new around here.”
“I am,” Grady admitted cheerfully. Then he put his arm around her shoulders, and added, “Lauren is amazing, isn’t she?”
“Yeah.” Alex tossed back the rest of his drink. “Excuse me.”
Lauren watched him go with a sense of relief. It was depressing to know that in a few weeks or so, she’d have to acknowledge that she and Grady had broken things off to go their separate ways. Having Grady at her side, keeping the leeches like Ethan and Alex away, was a temporary arrangement.
And really, it was a sad state of affairs that she had been put in this position of asking Grady to do this favor in the first place. A flash of anger hit hard. Why should she have to put up with their boorish behavior anyway? There was no reason for either of these men to keep hounding her. As if their persistence alone would change her mind.
