Page 67 of Grant’s Blaze

See the tall man in the industrial kitchen, ladies and gentlemen. What will he do next?

“Grant?” Rio said my name in the most vulnerable-sounding voice I’d heard from her in some time.

“Yeah, baby?” I answered in nearly a whisper because I didn’t trust my own voice to sound confident right then. Not in the slightest.

“Can you hold me? Just for a little while?”

She didn’t have to say another word. With my long gait, it only took one purposeful stride to reach her side. I bent over to hug her and lifted her so her feet left the floor. Instantly, she wrapped her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. I didn’t bother to look at what was in the way. I just sat on the edge of the counter with my face nuzzled into the crook of her neck and shoulder. It was my favorite spot on her body to press my nose and lips while we were wearing clothing. Her natural scent was so potent right there, I could not get enough of her.

“I want to put you in my pocket and take you everywhere I go all day.”

I could feel her cheeks get tight with her smile at my suggestion.

“I think I would like to be in your pocket all day. Can you imagine the fun I could have in there?”

“That’s a dangerous fantasy to have right now. Especially with you rubbing on my cock the way you are.”

“Mmmm. Is that what’s going on beneath me here?” She sat up taller and ground her pussy into my lap.

“Goddammit, you’re a troublemaker.” I pinched her ass cheek, and she yipped. “You and I need to have a serious conversation. And as much as I would love to do that with my dick buried inside you, I don’t think either one of us would be able to pay attention for very long.”

“Can we just sit like this a little longer? I’m so tired of serious conversations. This day sucked. These arms feel so good wrapped around me.”

“Of course we can. And these arms are here for you anytime you need them, Blaze. Anytime. In fact, consider these arms your arms now.”

She hummed against my neck and then said, “I like that. I could be really productive with four arms. Plus, with those arms, I could finally reach things on top shelves without getting a ladder or chair to stand on.”

“You’re funny. Do you know that?”

“Yes, but you love me. You said you do, and there are no take backs.”

“You couldn’t make me take those words back if you tried.”

Eventually, Rio dropped her arms down from around my neck, scooted out of my arms, and led me over to her desk. I repositioned myself, parking my ass against the thing, while she scooted close once more with her cheek on my chest. I leaned back on her desk with stiff arms. My torso created an inclined plane for my girl to rest on, and it was oddly intimate without being sexual.

I had a feeling life with Rio would be like this. So many new discoveries, all with one incredible woman.

Before, I thought I needed to have a different woman in my bed all the time to experience fresh and exciting things, but somehow life had gotten to be duller and more predictable than ever. Turned out, the answer wasn’t rotating the faces that came in and out of my bedroom. The answer was finding the right face and keeping her. Period.

Now, I stared down at that very right face and stroked her cute little bangs to the side of her forehead. She smiled but didn’t open her eyes because this had become one of the little things I did to show affection for her.

Quietly, I told her something I hadn’t told her before. “Do you remember the night I was taken from the yacht?” Then I sort of chuckled and choked at the same time, because of course she remembered. It was a night neither of us would ever forget.

She sighed. “Yes, of course.”

“I know, that was a dumb question. But we had showered after that mind-blowing fuck on the deck, remember? You were so sleepy.”

She smiled the sweetest smile, still keeping her eyes closed. Maybe if she stayed like that, this would be easier to talk about. “That may have been the best sex of my entire life. You were a maniac.”

“I used your shampoo when we showered just to be quicker because you were so tired. So for the first two days, if I closed my eyes, I could smell you. I could escape the nightmare I was in because your smell was right on my body with me. Who would’ve known?”

Rio finally looked up and put her palms on my face. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” She rushed the words out over and over while tears streamed down her cheeks.

I took her hands in mine and held them. “Blaze. I didn’t tell you that so you’d feel bad. It was something good I had, in the middle of that shit storm. You helped me get through those days. You weren’t there, but you were. You know?”

“I was so scared. I thought they’d taken you from me and I’d never see you again. I didn’t know how I’d survive.” She dashed the wetness from her face in angry swipes. “I want you to tell me what happened though, when you’re ready.”

“Have I ever told you the story about my mother’s death?” I watched her face twist a little with confusion, probably wondering why I’d bring that up when we were just talking about the abduction at sea.