“Fuck,” he huffed.
“Hey, Prez, can I get you two something?”
I looked up at Keys. “What the fuck are you doing? Sit your ass down.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” Grace said. “You just came home.” She stood up and grabbed Keys’ arm. She walked him toward the hallway, chastising him as she went.
“That’s the first glimpse of the real Grace we’ve seen,” Cash whispered.
“Yeah,” I agreed. It was all I could say as I watched Grace give the prospect a talking-to. He hung his head and walked down the hallway. She waited until he went downstairs and then turned and walked back to the table. She sat down, her eyes darting between Cash and me.
“I’m sorry.”
“Do not fucking apologize,” I said with a smile. I leaned over and whispered, “As my old lady, these are your men too. You are their queen.”
She smiled shyly and looked down. We sat and talked with Cash and Kytten. Grace didn’t talk much, but every once in a while, she would add in a thought or two.
Dinner came and went. Colleen had come by to cook. When I offered to order some food, she scoffed. She was so much like Maureen.
I knew I wouldn’t hear from Stocks and the others until the morning, most likely. So when Grace started to yawn, I said goodnight and took her upstairs. Giving Cash orders to handle shit on his own unless there was an emergency.
When we stood in front of her door, I stopped her.
“I would really like to sleep in my own bed tonight.” I kept my tone light and said the words with a smile.
“Okay,” she said, her voice sad. She turned to go inside, and I stopped her.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head and opened her mouth.
“If the words‘I’m fine’come out of your mouth right now, I’m gonna spank your ass.”
Her eyes went wide, and her lips parted.
“Fuck. I’m sorry, Grace.” I took her hand in mine and put it on my chest. It seemed to be the only way she would open up to me. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I like having you next to me while I sleep.” She bit her lip and looked at the door. “It makes me feel safe.”
“I like lying next to you while you sleep. I want to sleep next to you for the rest of my life, Grace.”
“But you said—”
I place a finger over her lips. “I said I’d like to sleep in my own bed. With you, Grace. I want you to sleep upstairs with me.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
“Can we try?” I asked. If she really didn’t want to, then I would suffer another night in hers. Hell, I’d sleep every fucking night in her bed if I had to. I just wanted her to try.
She took a deep breath and looked at her door again, then glanced down the hall at the stairs. She closed her eyes, and I could almost hear her arguing with herself. I held my breath as I waited for her to make a decision.
“Okay.”
“Thank you.”
She packed a bag, and I led her upstairs. I held the door open for her and waited for her to choose again. She stepped inside hesitantly. I didn’t hurry her; I let her move around the space as I took off my cut and hung it on the wall by the door.
