“Great. You can be my wingman, Bear.” Her lips turned up in the corners. “And I think I’m going to find me a cowboy, someone who knows his way around more than a horse.”
For fuck’s sake. She was being ridiculous.
But I kind of loved it.
Even if a little part of me hated the idea of her meeting someone.
Gracie was a relationship girl. She’d always been in one. And clearly they weren’t very good, so picking partners wasn’t her strength.
“You know you could be single for a little while.”
“That’s what the plan is. I’m studying at the school of Cutler ‘Bear’ Heart.” She winked at me. “I’m not looking for a husband. I’m looking for—a good time.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s a big stretch from what you’re used to.”
“That’s the whole point. Fresh start. New me. So bring your dancing boots, because we’re going to have some fun.” She stumbled a little bit, and I caught her by the shoulders.
“Okay, pace yourself, player,” I said, my voice teasing. “Let’s get you a water and get you to bed.”
I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her down the hallway to her bedroom.
“I’m tired,” she said, pointing to the bed for me to sit, while she grabbed her jammies and walked into her bathroom. She didn’t close the door, but I knew she was changing even though I couldn’t see her. She walked out wearing little boy shorts and a white tank top, and I tried not to stare. “Thanks for the lesson and for giving me a job and a place to live. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out. C and G for life, right?” I stood up and pulled back the comforter, motioning for her to climb in. I had the sudden urge to touch her again. I loved the way she’d reacted to my lips on her neck.
The way she’d tasted.
I wanted more.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
This was Gracie.
My Gracie.
She climbed under the comforter and smiled up at me. “C and G for life.”
“Get some sleep, Jeege.” I flipped off her light and started to move through the doorway.
“You know you’d be the perfect guy for this temporary gig, right?” she teased. “And there’d be no risk of anyone getting hurt, because we’re already best friends. And it would save me the time of finding a suitable short-term lover.”
Her laughter filled the room, and I was so stunned by her words that I was grateful she couldn’t see my face.
Also, I was now ridiculously turned on at the suggestion.
I adjusted myself slyly, because holy shit.
What the hell was she asking?
“You’ve clearly had too much to drink. These are verbal lessons.” I cleared my throat, but she was still chuckling at the idea.
I was not laughing.
I’d just lived out this scenario in the shower earlier.
This was a dangerous game, and I needed to keep my head on straight.
“Well, you did do the whole tongue and lips thing on my neck,” she said with a chuckle, like this was a big joke. “But you’re right. That would be too messy. But it would make life a lot easier on me. Because now I’ve got to find me a man.”
