Page 50 of Grant’s Blaze

“I’ll clear that place out in less than a minute and have you beneath me on any number of flat surfaces in your establishment, Ms. Gibson.”

“I don’t think so.”

“And as I recall,” he continued as if I never spoke a word, “all those countertops you have there are just about hip height for me. Or did you forget that part too?”

“I think you’re the one with memory loss here. I realize your heart has to pump blood all the way up to that thick skull of yours—like twelve feet off the ground—but we aren’t having sex in my kitchen, where food is prepared for public consumption. Ever. I could lose my business license.”

“Only if we’re caught.”

“Oh my God, you’re crazy.”

“About you, yes. But I will go categorically insane if I don’t see you the minute I get off work. Where are we sleeping tonight? Or fucking and then sleeping, I should say.”

“Jesus Christ, is this what happens after one day of not having sex? You’re a basket case.”

“You love me just the way I am. Admit it.”

And although he was teasing, I wondered if he was inwardly wanting me to say those magic words to him. Were we getting to that point or already at that point? Or was it too soon? Our relationship had always been on some strange accelerated path. It was my understanding that was as victims of circumstance more than anything else. I guessed if I analyzed the what and when of our history, everything about us was.

One thing was certain, though. When I did say those three words to this incredible man, it wouldn’t be over the phone. Hell no. I’d be lost in the magic of his ocean-blue eyes and enveloped in the safety and comfort of his strong, capable embrace. Then I would have the courage to bare myself to him emotionally.

Because even though he’d already told me he loved me once before, the circumstances weren’t ideal for him either. A man was going to blurt desperate declarations while being led away to God knows where by God knows who. If he had never come back to me after that midnight raid, I would have had that memory to cherish, at least. It had been a going-away gift of sorts. Thinking like that now made me chuckle, and I heard Grant stir on the other end of the phone line.

Oh shit.

“Have you heard a word I said?” my easygoing tree asked not at all impatiently.

“No,” I laughed lightly. “I’m sorry, though. I really am. I was daydreaming. But you know what? I was thinking about you.” Hopefully that would throw him off my scent.

“Maybe you should go home, baby? That kitchen can be dangerous if you’re not all-in.”

“No,” I said at once. “I’m so tired of being at home. Once I get in the swing of things here, I’ll be fine. Maybe I’ll scoot to the store on the corner and grab a Monster.”

“Rio.”

“Graa-ant,” I whimpered his name in two distinct syllables. “Dude, why that voice? You know what that does to my lady parts. Plus, why are you on my ass right now?”

Now he was the affected one, judging by the growl that rippled into my ear and straight to my core. This new sound came in hot on the heels of the voice he just worked down there moments before. I was going to need a fresh pair of panties soon.

“Oh, Blaze, I’m not in your ass. But that situation can be rearranged.”

Yeah…definitely both affected now. But the dirty flirting had to stop. I still had to go back inside and get work done, including dreadful bookkeeping. That stuff was difficult to concentrate on during normal workday conditions. What would it be like trying to concentrate with this fresh on the brain?

Grant must have taken my silence as a hint to keep going. “Because you shouldn’t be drinking that garbage as a substitute for rest.”

“Okay, Daddy,” I mumbled under my breath.

“Woman, why do you want to call me that? You know what that does to me. Especially after twelve nights without sex.”

I burst out laughing. “It’s been one night”—I dropped my voice to a sultry whisper just to antagonize him before we had to hang up—“Daddy.”

He groaned so low I could feel the vibrations in my pussy.

“You’re going to pay for that, Blaze.”

“Mmm, can’t wait. Let me know where I’m seeing you later, okay? Because I have to get back to work.”

“I’m thinking the Naples place. How does that sound?”