Jennifer couldn’t determine the emotion that rolled through his eyes, but the stiffness of his body told her how strongly he felt.She had never had someone care like this about her, ever, except Tessa.She encircled his trim waist and held him tightly.
She cleared her throat.“I promise, Grant, and I’m sorry I upset you.”She held her breath until, finally, his arms came around her and pulled her tighter against him.
He didn’t say anything for a long moment, just held her and rubbed his chin against her head.“I think you should greet me again.The first time, I was too angry to enjoy it.”
She snorted and pulled back before she stood on her tiptoes.This time, he lowered his head, and between one breath and the next, he took control, and the kiss deepened.
She couldn’t do anything but hold on and try to get a breath into her lungs.She shivered when his hands started to roam over her back and hips.She gasped when one slid farther down to cup one side of her butt.
****
Grant
Grant lifted his head to stare down at her and watched her reaction to his hand there.When she stood mutely, he moved his hand, and his fingertips grazed the crease between.The old jeans she wore made it impossible to go further.He clenched his jaw in frustration.As much as he wanted to strip her and lay her on the nearest flat surface, he knew it was too early for them to take that step.He removed his hand slowly before he straightened.
“I think we’d better go, sweetheart, before this gets out of hand again.”
Jennifer nodded and stared wide-eyed at him before she moved back.She turned toward the door and picked up her jacket and purse.In the hallway, she turned to lock the door, but Grant gently took the keys from her shaky hands and locked the door himself.Then they stood and looked at each other.He waited for her argument.When she stood silently, he nodded in approval and returned her keys before he took her hand to lead her to his car.
After she snapped her seat belt, she drew in a deep breath.“Your car smells good.”She leaned back into the softest car seat she’d ever known.
He glanced at her quickly and shook his head before he turned his attention back to the traffic.
“Thanks.”He chuckled.
Chapter Nine
Grant inspected thebuilding as they pulled up to it.The thing was much larger than he’d thought it would be.Flowers were planted and potted around the entrance to add color and a sense of welcome to the drab, one-level gray building.
“How many animals can this place house?”
Jennifer got out of the car and found the right key before she looked at him.“We can house one hundred dogs and about one hundred and twenty cats if we double them up in cages.We also have a few smaller rooms for the other domesticated animals we receive.Right now, I’m happy to say we’re only at twenty percent occupancy.”
She relocked the first door before unlocking the next.After he was through the door, she locked that one too.
“Hey,sexy lady,” a disjointed voice said from off to the side.
