Road to Grace Read online

  “Tested?”

  “STD’s and shit.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Were you worried?”

  “No, but I figured you’d want some assurances.”

  “Honestly? I trust you, but I’m sure women have said that about men in the past and regretted it.”

  He chuckled. “Probably.”

  “Do you do that every time you sleep with someone?”

  “No.”

  “How come?”

  “Never gone ungloved, Grace. Never needed to before.”

  “I’m the first person you’ve gotten tested for?”

  “Yeah, baby.” He smiled. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in this for the long haul.”

  “Am I going to have to get tested?”

  “You were a virgin, so, no.”

  “No, I mean, next time.”

  “Next time?” His body stiffened. “Are you fuckin’ serious?”

  “Wait.” I frowned. “Sorry. That didn’t come out right.”

  “How are you gonna make it come out better?”

  I sighed. “I guess I just assume that one day this will all peter out.”

  “Why the fuck would you assume something like that?” he growled.

  “Why are you so mad?”

  “Figure it out, Grace.” He climbed out of bed and headed to the bathroom.

  I let out a frustrated groan and followed him. “Seriously, I have no idea why you’re so mad.”

  He ran his hands through his hair and shook his head. “We’ve slept together twice, Grace. Twice. And you’re already talkin’ about the next guy you’re gonna fuck?”

  Oh! Well, shit. I’m an idiot.

  “In my defense, I’m tired and you just gave me a really big orgasm, I’m obviously not thinking clearly.”

  “Don’t throw that out there as an excuse, Grace. You’re awake enough to know what you’re sayin’.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry.” I sighed. “I just don’t really know how relationships work. My parents’ didn’t, Merrick fucks everything that moves, and Poppy’s been in love with the same man since we were twelve. I would love to think this was going to last forever, but I’m still in that stage of waiting for you to figure out that you’ve made a mistake and get out.”

  “Goddammit, Grace, I’m not lookin’ for a way out. I’m trying to figure out how to make this more permanent.”

  “You are?”

  “Yes! Fuck me, what do you need from me to recognize that?”

  I bit my lip. “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t want you to be sorry, Grace. I want you to say you hear me and promise not to pull any of this bullshit again.”

  “Me being insecure is pulling bullshit?” I challenged.

  “Yeah, baby, it is. Because you have nothing to be insecure about. You’re beautiful and sweet, and fuckin’ funny, and you make me hard.”

  I snorted. “I have nothing to be insecure about because I make you hard?”

  “You think just anyone can make me hard, Grace?”

  I shrugged. “Since it’s mostly a physical reaction, I would assume yes.”

  “I’m not talkin’ about mornin’ wood, or when I’ve had one too many beers at the bar and the men’s room line’s too long, I’m talkin’ about when you walk through the room, the second I see you, a lightnin’ bolt shoots straight to my dick and I get hard as a rock. Not just once or twice, Grace, every fuckin’ time.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes,” he hissed. “Of course. I’ll always be honest with you, even when it’s not convenient. As a matter of fact, nothin’ about bein’ with you has been convenient for me, but from the moment I kissed you, I knew I only wanted to be with you. So you’ll have to forgive me if I’m a little pissed off that right after makin’ love to you, you’re already thinkin’ about the next guy you’re gonna fuck.”

  I realized pretty quickly that he wasn’t pissed, he was hurt. “For the record, I’m not thinking about anyone else,” I said, closing the distance between us. “I think I’m falling in love with you and trying to figure out how to stop it.”

  He slid his hand to my neck. “Why are you tryin’ to stop it?”

  “Because it’s pretty silly to fall in love with the guy who pops your cherry.”

  His mouth twitched up in a slight smile. “Why’s it silly?”

  “Because it’s just so… so typical.”

  “And you don’t wanna be typical?”

  “Do you?”

  “If it means the prettiest girl I’ve ever met falls in love with me, then, yeah.”

  “Ohmigod, Flea. All the feels.” I dropped my head to his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist.

  He chuckled, sliding his hands into my hair. “You done bein’ a girl?”

  I giggled. “Yes.”

  He raised my chin and kissed me gently. “I’m in. You in?”

  “I’m so in.”

  “Good. Let’s go back to bed.”

  I nodded and followed him out of the bathroom. We climbed under the covers and he pulled me over his chest, kissing me one more time.

  Grace

  A ROUGH TONGUE on my cheek awakened me and I pushed the furry face away and forced my eyes open. “Ugh, Killer, what are you doing?”

  “Meow.”

  I sat up and glanced to my left. Flea wasn’t in bed, so I snuggled the cat for a few minutes, then climbed out of bed and stepped into the little bathroom attached to the bedroom. I had no idea what time it was, but I’d had the best night’s sleep in forever. After freshening up, I pulled on some clothes and went to find my man.

  “Flea?”

  “Kitchen,” he called.

  I made my way into the kitchen and found Flea at the stove flipping pancakes. “You made breakfast?”

  “Correction; I’m making breakfast. Hash browns and bacon are in the oven.”

  “You made bacon?”

  He grinned, holding his arm out to me. “Yeah, I made bacon.”

  I closed the distance between us, standing on my tiptoes to kiss him. “You’re my favorite person on earth.”

  “Back atya.”

  “I’ll make coffee.”

  “That’d be good,” he said, and I stepped into the pantry for the beans.

  “What time’s your grandmother being released?”

  “I’m not sure,” I said, setting up the coffee maker and grinding the beans. “My dad’s going to text me when they’re on their way.”

  I’d gotten a text to say that Grams didn’t have to stay the extra day, after all, so Dad was bringing her home as soon as they released her.

  “I’ll make myself scarce then, yeah?”

  I wrinkled my nose. “I guess.”

  “Your grandmother’s not going to want a stranger here while she’s recovering.”

  “No, I know. I just don’t know how I’m going to sleep without you now that I’ve figured out how much I like it.”

  He grinned. “Ditto, baby.”

  “I’m really sorry about last night… or, more accurately, this morning.”

  “Come here,” he said, holding his hand out to me.

  I pressed myself against his strong body and wrapped my arms around him.

  “Baby, you apologized last night. It was done then.”

  “Then why do I still feel guilty?”

  “Because you’re you.” He kissed the top of my head. “And, for the record, I really like you.”

  I smiled, giving him a squeeze. “I really like you, too.”

  “Need to flip the pancakes,” he said, and I released him just as my phone rang.

  I grabbed it off the counter. “Hi, Mer.”

  “Hey. Grams should be home in two hours. Dad wanted me to let you know.”

  “Okay, thanks. Are you coming too?”

  “Yeah, sis. I’ll be there.”

  “See you later.”

  “Okay.”

  He hung up and I glanced at Flea. “We’ve got two hours.”
<
br />   “You okay?”

  I shook my head. “Not really, no. I mean, I am because I want to take care of her, but I’m going to miss you.”

  He frowned. “You plannin’ on missin’ work tomorrow?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know. It depends on my dad.” I set my phone back on the counter. “If he can’t come and stay with her, I might have to. I told Hatch it might happen, and he’s cool with it.”

  Flea nodded. “Yeah, he won’t care. Family’s more important.”

  I chuckled. “That’s what he said, verbatim.”

  “After breakfast, I’ll change that shower head and set up the stool.”

  “That’s okay, I think Dad was going to grab some tools to take care of it.”

  “I already grabbed shit from the compound,” he said, piling food onto a plate and handing it to me.

  “You did?”

  “Yeah.”

  Oh my god, he was the best human on the planet. “We don’t have time to get naked, do we?”

  He laughed. “We can make time… depends on how quickly we can eat.”

  “Challenge accepted.”

  We ate quickly and left the dishes to soak while he took me to my room and I showed him my gratitude for everything he’d done. After redressing, he went about doing the home improvement things while I finished the dishes, then it was time for him to leave and I seriously thought I’d lose my mind.

  “Call me tonight when you have a minute,” he said, kissing me on the front porch.

  “I will.”

  “Baby, it’s one night. We’ll survive.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Speak for yourself.”

  “Gotta admit, I’m liking your obsession with me.”

  “Which makes you weird,” I retorted.

  He laughed, leaning down to kiss me again. “If you don’t come into work tomorrow, I’ll bring dinner up… if your grandmother feels comfortable, that is.”

  “I’ll make sure she’s comfortable.”

  “Okay, baby, you do that.” He stroked my cheek. “Lock up.”

  “Yes, dear.”

  He gave me one more kiss, then climbed into the loaner car and drove away. My grandmother arrived thirty minutes later, and she looked wrecked.

  “She’s had a rough day,” Dad said.

  “This fucking hurts!” Grams snapped.

  “Then you need to take the Oxy.”

  She scoffed at him from her place in the recliner and Dad rolled his eyes. “She’s convinced she’ll like the drugs too much, so she’s trying to wait six hours in between.”

  “That’s insane.”

  “Yeah, Gracie, it is. You’re the only one who can get her to do anything most of the time, so I’m deferring to you.”

  “You’re her favorite son… I’m not sure I can do anything.”

  “I’m her only son, but nice try.”

  I grabbed one of her pain pills and her antibiotics and walked into the family room. “Here.”

  “What’s this?” she asked.

  “Antibiotics.”

  “And the other?”

  “Grams, please don’t be a pain in the butt. I plan to make sure you don’t over take your meds. I have everything written down and logged. But if you give me grief, I’ll go home and leave you with Dad.”

  She gasped. “You wouldn’t.”

  “I heard that,” Dad called.

  I raised an eyebrow toward my grandmother. “I would.”

  “Impertinent little brat.”

  “Take the pills, Grams.”

  She scowled, but took the pills without further argument. Ten minutes later, she was all sunshine and light.

  “I’m sorry I called you an impertinent brat,” she said. “You know I love you best.”

  I smiled. “I know, Grams. It’s okay. I’m going to walk Dad out, then you and I are going to watch a sappy movie.”

  “Okay, sweetpea.”

  Dad kissed his mother, then we walked to the front door. “I’ll be here at seven,” he said.

  “So early?”

  “Figured I’d bring you breakfast so you’d have time to get ready for work.”

  Well, that was sweet. I internally sighed. I didn’t want him to be sweet. “Okay, sounds good.”

  He smiled, and I could tell he wanted to say more… or, God forbid, hug me… but instead, he walked out the front door and climbed into his car.

  I locked up and headed back to the family room to find my grandmother snoring, so I grabbed a blanket and settled it over her, then grabbed my phone and headed to my room.

  Flea answered on the first ring. “Hey, baby, how’s your grandmother?”

  “She’s drugged up nicely and snoring in the family room.”

  “Your dad still there?”

  “No. But he’s going to be back early tomorrow, so I can come to work.”

  “Want me to pick you up?”

  “If you want to.”

  “Yeah. I want to.”

  “That’d be awesome.” I smiled. “Especially, if we can find a minute for a quickie.”

  “Fuck, Grace, you really puttin’ that image in my head when I can’t do anything about it?”

  I bit my lip. “I’ll wear a skirt.”

  He hissed, and I could stop a smile. I like that I could affect him this way.

  “I’ll stop,” I said, and he groaned.

  “You’re gonna pay for that,” he warned.

  “Will I like it?”

  “Fuck me, Grace,” he growled. “Swear to Christ, I’m about to come up there and show you if you’ll like it.”

  “Grams is a really deep sleeper…”

  “You serious?”

  “No.” I sighed. “I mean, yes, but it’s probably not a good idea. I love that you’re willing to drive all the way up here, though.”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Yes, tomorrow. I would appreciate that very much.”

  “If you have a nightmare tonight, you call me.”

  “I’m not waking―”

  “Baby. Don’t argue with me. It won’t go well for you. Just call me if you have a nightmare.”

  “So, so bossy.”

  “Haven’t even scratched that surface, Grace.”

  I grinned. “I have a feeling it’ll be like a scratch-off lottery ticket.”

  “As long as it’s not a scratch-off smelly thing.”

  I giggled. “I don’t know, you smell good to me, and you taste like heaven.”

  “I’m gonna hang up if you keep sayin’ shit like that.”

  “Grace!” Grams called.

  “I should go. Grams needs me.”

  “Okay, baby, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “See you then.”

  I hung up and spent the rest of the evening tending to my grandmother.

  * * *

  The next morning, dad arrived with breakfast and I let him watch Grams while I took a shower. Flea had texted me to say he was running a little late, so I had a few extra precious moments.

  Even though I worked in a garage, the idea of wearing a skirt for Flea excited me. I’d brought a long, chocolate-colored corduroy skirt with me, so I pulled that on with my brown boots and a black long-sleeved T-shirt. I might be slightly overdressed, but if it meant I could have a quickie with Flea in the parts room, it would be worth it.

  Granted no one else was in the shop, of course. I didn’t think I was quite ready to deal with the fear of being caught.

  I grabbed my purse and headed to the kitchen where I found Flea and my dad chatting it up. I frowned, but Flea’s smile put me at ease. “Mornin’.”

  “Hi,” I said. “I thought you were running late.”

  “So did I,” he said. “No traffic.”

  “I haven’t eaten yet.”

  “So, eat,” he retorted.

  I rolled my eyes and poured a cup of coffee. I wanted a kiss. He didn’t offer one, so I went about making breakfast while he yucked it up with my dad. Grams was happy and pain free, having
taken a pill before I headed into the shower, and she decided flirting with my man was her number one priority.

  I dropped my dishes in the dishwasher and grabbed my bag. “Ready?”

  Flea gave me a cheeky smile and raised an eyebrow. “We’re not late, Grace.”

  “Well, you know what the traffic’s like. It could change on a dime. Don’t wanna get caught.”

  He didn’t argue, setting his cup in the sink and holding his hand out. “I’ll drive.”

  “Where’s your bike?”

  “In the driveway. Figured we’d take your car so we can ride together.”

  “Oh, okay. Cool.” I handed him my keys and then kissed my grandmother who appeared to be struggling to stay awake.

  “Have a good day,” Dad said.

  “Thanks.” I led Flea out the front door and found myself pushed up against my car and kissed rather thoroughly.

  “Hi,” he whispered, kissing me again.

  “Hi,” I said.

  “I didn’t get a phone call in the middle of the night. Was that because you didn’t have a nightmare?”

  “Yes. It was a dream free night,” I said. “Did you enjoy flirting with my dad and Grams?”

  He chuckled. “Had a feelin’ that pissed you off a little.”

  “It’s fine,” I lied.

  “Your Grams is the shit, by the way.”

  “Oh, I know,” I said. “She’s my favorite person on earth.”

  “I thought I was.”

  “Oh, you were, until you cozied up to my dad.” I was only partially joking.

  He dropped his head back and laughed. “You’re fuckin’ cute, you know that?”

  “Good you think so. I’m not wearing panties. Shall we go?”

  His quiet hiss indicated my little bomb had hit its target and I grinned as I climbed into my car.

  “You really not wearin’ panties?” he asked as we headed toward the freeway.

  “No. I mean, I’m wearing them, because, gross. But I’d like you to take them off. Soon.”

  “Gonna take care of that,” he promised.

  I squirmed in my seat. “That’d be good.”

  Flea cleared his throat and focused back on the road. We pulled up to the shop twenty minutes early and Flea dragged me through the customer service area, locking the door behind us, and leading me back to the parts room.

  Once inside, Flea covered my mouth with his, his hand to my face, guiding me backwards toward a row of parts tables lined up against the back wall.