Chapter Sixteen
Grant held back a smilewhen Jennifer opened the door, a little disgruntled.He didn’t care if she was mad.She had followed his instructions, even going so far as kissing him right away before the door was closed behind them.
Grant grasped her arms when she tried to move back.“Do you know how happy you just made me?”
Jennifer bit her lip, shook her head, and kept her eyes on him.
Grant bent his head and took her mouth in a quick, hot kiss.He lifted his head and stood at his full height, dwarfing her.
“You made me very, very happy.Now, I won’t worry so much about your safety.”He knew in his heart that that wasn’t true, but it made him happy she was doing as he asked.
If he could, he would have her moved in with him and wrapped in Bubble Wrap to keep her safe, but he knew the first wouldn’t happen for a while.It was ridiculous to think that way after only knowing her a few days.And the Bubble Wrap, he knew she’d never let happen.But it is good to have dreams, he thought sarcastically.As crazy as it seemed to him that this little slip of a woman had suddenly turned his life upside down, he wouldn’t change anything.His bachelor days were over.His dreams at night were all of her.She was on his lap, in his home, and under him.
They had to get moving before he reached for her again.“Let’s get going, baby, or we’ll miss our reservations.”
Jennifer looked down at herself.Before meeting Grant, she hadn’t cared what she wore and didn’t like to spend money on clothes.As she stood in black pants and a light-blue short-sleeved shirt, she felt embarrassed.
“I think I should change clothes, Grant.You look so nice in your suit pants and white button-down shirt, and I look frumpy.”
Grant’s gaze slid from her thick hair down around her shoulders, set the way he liked to the rosy perfection of her skin and the brightness of her beautiful eyes, and snorted.
“That’s not possible.You’re gorgeous no matter what you wear.Now let’s go, I’m hungry.”
Grant could tell she was still uncomfortable when they sat down at the restaurant.He reached across the table to catch her hand.“Jennifer, I want you to stop worrying about your clothes.”
Jennifer raised her stricken eyes to his.“Grant,” she said as her gaze roamed over the restaurant, where everybody looked wonderful.Even the waitresses were better dressed.“I know I’m self-conscious about this, but—”
“There are no buts, Jen.”Grant waved the waitress away.“I want you to feel good about being with me.”He raised his hand when she started to interrupt, then reached across and captured her hand.“We can go somewhere else if this is too uncomfortable.I don’t want you to be embarrassed about anything.I think you’re beautiful, but you must feel beautiful to relax, right?”
Jennifer shrugged one shoulder and kept her eyes on his hand that cupped hers on top of the table.“It’s never bothered me before...”
“And I don’t want it to now,” he said as he raised his hand for the waitress.
“Grant, what are you doing?”Her tone was imploring, and her eyes were wide.
“I’m getting our drink check so we can go.”
Jennifer felt guilty about ruining the night and tugged on his hand.“No, Grant.I want to stay here.I’ll deal with my insecurities later, but I want a nice dinner with you right now.”
His eyes narrowed on her.“Baby, are you sure?”
She nodded.
He wasn’t convinced but let it go for now.“Do you know what you’re hungry for?”
“I’ll have whatever you have.I like just about everything.”Jennifer watched Grant as he ordered the food.She wished she had his self-assurance.Maybe if he weren’t so handsome, it wouldn’t bother her as much.Jennifer even noticed the waitress who eyed him as he ordered.
“What are you thinking?”
Jennifer jerked to attention, and a dark flush crept up her face when she noticed the waitress was gone, and Grant had been watching her stare at him.
Grant laughed.“God, I love the way you blush.”
Jennifer snorted.“I’m sure you do.It’s probably been years since you blushed.”
Grant tensed, and his smile fell slightly.“No, I can honestly say I have never blushed in my life.”
