His mouth kicked up to the side.“Oh, it took me off guard, too.But always remember, I do have control, and no matter how hard it would be if you weren’t ready, just tell me, baby.Just say stop.Okay?”
Jennifer felt the need right below the surface, and she didn’t know if she had the control to even say no to him.
“Maybe it would be a good idea to call it a night,” she said.
“I agree with you.Because if I stay this close to you, I’m going to want to taste you again.”He stood, grabbed his jacket, pulled her beside him, and tugged her behind him until they reached the door.He turned and pulled her into his arms.
“Will you give me a good-night kiss?”he asked, already bending his head.
Jennifer stood on tiptoe and met him halfway.Standing against him showed the difference in their heights.Maybe it should make her insecure that he was twice her size, but all she felt was dainty and feminine.Grant, with his boots, and she in her socks, didn’t help the contrast.
Grant made sure to keep this kiss slow and short.He lifted his head and looked at her upturned face.God, she was so damn beautiful.He just wanted to sink into her and stay there.
“Jennifer,” he said to get her attention.He tipped her chin up with his hand.“From now on, I’m going to want you to kiss me whenever we meet and let it be the last thing you do before we part.Can you do that for me?”
“Really.Anywhere?What if...”Her eyes widened, and a red tinge covered her cheeks.
Grant nodded.“I don’t care who’s there, Jennifer.”A smile tugged at his lips.“What are you doing tomorrow and Sunday?”
Jennifer ran her hands up and down the roped muscles in his arms.She was amazed at how much larger he was than his clothes showed.
“I’ll be busy all day tomorrow.A few board members are coming in to help me fill out grants for funding the shelter, and that takes all day.Then we usually go out to eat.Sunday, I have to run to the shelter in the morning to feed and water the animals, but I don’t have anything after that.”
“I’ll go with you Sunday and help, then take you to lunch.”
Jennifer smiled, and her head tilted to the side.
“Was that a question?Or demand?And are you sure you want to help me on a Sunday, probably your only day off?”
Grant kissed the tip of her nose.
“Both.And I hardly ever take a day off.In fact, I can’t remembertakinga day off.Now, what time should I be here to pick you up?”
“I can mee—”
He interrupted her, his face hardened, and his voice deepened.“Jennifer?”
Jennifer rolled her eyes, which made his face darken further.“Oh, for God’s sake.Pick me up at nine.”
He nodded curtly and kissed her hard and quickly one more time before he opened the door.“No answering the door without asking, and no men.Got it?”
Jennifer nodded and bit the inside of her cheek.She guessed he wouldn’t appreciate her amusement right then.He nodded once and walked out the door.
Jennifer leaned heavily against the door, placed a hand over her galloping heart, and tried to catch her breath.The sight of him ...large and strong and so handsome.His musky, masculine scent and the low timbre of his gruff voice, all or alone, made it hard to breathe deeply or have a normal heartbeat.
A stern voice came through the wood.“Jennifer.Lock that door.”
She gasped, and a nervous laugh bubbled up her throat.She immediately turned and latched the locks.
“Good girl.Night, baby.”
Jennifer leaned her forehead and hands against the cold wood.“Good night,” she said quietly.
