Chapter 12
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Using the small mirroron the wall by Brynnon’s front door, Grant checked to make sure his bow tie was straight. It was the fifth time he’d done so in as many minutes.
He didn’t know why the hell he felt so nervous. This charity ball wasn’t any different than the other ones he’d worked when assigned to her father. Of course, his having spent last night cuddled up to the man’s daughter may be why he felt so different this time.
It’s different because you’re going with her. Everything’s different with her.
His subconscious was right. Pacing the condo’s small living room, Grant thought about last night. It was all he’d thought about the entire fucking day.
Once they’d gotten settled, Brynnon had fallen asleep quickly. He, however, had not.
Instead, he’d laid there, watching her sleep as he relished in how right it felt to hold her in his arms. To press his body against hers for the sole purpose of helping her feel safe. Protected.
It was the first time in years he’d gone to bed with a woman for reasons other than a quick one-off. Yet, even just lying next to Brynnon—fully dressed and all—Grant had found himself content. Something he hadn’t been in a long fucking time.
And it was all thanks to her.
Grant was never much of a talker or one to share his feelings and all that shit. Except with his mom. He always felt safe with her, because he knew she would never judge him. Once she was gone, he just...shut down.
After joining the Navy, he stayed focused on what he needed to do to get the job done. Since then, he’d kept everything close to the vest. Never talked with anyone about his thoughts or feelings in regard to surviving his time overseas when so many others hadn’t. Not his fellow SEALS. Not even Jake or the other members of R.I.S.C.’s Alpha Team.
So why he’d opened up the way he had last night, Grant had no fucking idea. When she first came downstairs, he could tell she was worried about something. But rather than asking him for support and guidance, she’d given it to him instead.
Talking to Brynnon had been so damn effortless, too. She just sat there quietly, listening as he told her what he was feeling. And the words she’d said to him once he was finished had been running through his mind the whole damn day.
Like it or not, there are people in this world who need you. I just happen to be one of them.
Hearing her say she needed him triggered something somewhere deep inside. Grant began to break open as Brynnon’s comforting words brought him more peace and solace than he’d felt since his mom’s untimely death.
Even though she’d been talking about his ability to protect her, Grant still couldn’t shake the feeling that Brynnon meant so much more. And damn, if he wasn’t starting to think he needed her, too.
Lying beside her last night, holding her against him while she slept had been both heaven and pure fucking torture wrapped into one. He’d spent the entire night hard as a goddamn rock...in jeans. The second dawn snuck in through the curtains, he carefully slipped out of bed and came back down here, heading straight for the shower.
Before Brynnon, that had always worked to take the edge off for a while. But even after jerking off this morning to thoughts of her, he’d still walked around all damn day, half-hard and needing more.
You need her.
Shaking those thoughts away, Grant checked his watch and walked back over to the mirror. He’d just started messing with his tie again when the reflection of something red caught his eye.
His lungs suddenly ceased to work, and Grant froze where he stood, having spotted the most beautiful vision he’d ever seen. Still staring at her through the mirror, he watched as Brynnon slowly began making her way down the staircase. She was halfway to the bottom when he turned, taking in the full view.
Her hair was pulled up into a mound of soft curls, a few wisps of hair framing her face. Rather than caking on her makeup like so many of the women he’d seen at similar events, she’d applied just enough to highlight her natural beauty. Simple diamond studs and a matching bracelet added a little sparkle.
She had some sort of matching wrap hanging over one of her forearms, that same hand carrying a small purse in the same color. But the dress...Holy fuck.
It literally left him breathless.
The bright red was a magnificent compliment to her creamy skin tone and auburn hair. Its low-cut halter top was sexy as sin, showcasing her perky breasts but still what he would consider acceptable.
The body of the dress hugged her ribcage and small waist with perfection, and the long, ball gown-style skirt flared out from her narrow hips, falling gracefully to the floor. Even Brynnon’s delicate, bare shoulders caught his attention. And since when had a woman’s shoulders ever caused his dick to stand up and take notice?
The answer was they hadn’t. Only this woman had ever affected him this way. In torn jeans and a t-shirt, Brynnon Cantrell was more than just attractive as hell. Wearing this dress? The woman was a sinful temptation.
One Grant knew he wouldn’t be able to resist much longer.
By the time she sauntered over to where he stood, Grant was finally able to put his tongue back into his mouth. Still, even after swallowing twice and clearing his throat, all he managed to say was, “Wow.”
