Chapter Sixty-ThreeGrace
Chapter Sixty-Three
Grace
“ A ll packed?” Evan squeezed my hand as we drove through the familiar streets to the house, the radio playing softly.
“I think so.” I’d gone with Evan to the Center for another checkup to make sure my wrist and foot were healing right. That and to talk with the doctor about Evan’s heat, my nervousness, and what to expect if I ended up participating.
I’d gone away with reassurance, information, and a little treasure chest of things, including those green fizzies that made your squishy parts feel better.
Tomorrow, after Riley went to the airport, the pack would head up to Evan’s cabin.
“We’re going to have a great time. Jett’s got a hike planned. We’ll go out on the boat, and we’ll roast marshmallows. I’m sure Spencer has some things planned for you and him, and remember, you can join us anytime. If you do, you can leave at any time . If you don’t join us, it’s fine, ” he added.
That’s what I was most nervous about, because even after watching the modules on heat and a whole lot of heat porn this past week, I didn’t truly know what to expect.
But overall, I was pretty excited.
“Spence will give you all the sex, anyway.” Evan grinned at me and waggled his eyebrows.
I smacked his arm lightly. “Evan.”
“Sleep with him already, I know you want to.” He laughed.
Oh, I did. I planned on it. We hadn’t actually slept together yet. There had been lots of kissing and cuddling since he’d given me the motorcycle last week.
“I sort of like this whole proper gentleman old-fashioned taking-his-sweet-time thing he’s doing.” My head ducked as I grinned, wondering what it would be like to slide down on his knot.
“Stop with the lust. Or I’m going to toss you in the back seat.” Evan play-shoved me as he turned the corner.
“Sorry, not sorry.” I stuck out my tongue at him.
Evan, Wes, and I had been feeling each other more and more. It was reassuring, not intrusive. Teasing Evan with sexy feelings was half the fun.
We went into the house. In the kitchen, Jett, Riley, and Brennan were making dinner. Which was an adorable sight.
My family. This was my family.
And I couldn’t be happier.
“You’re all packed and set?” Evan put his arm around Riley’s waist. She was going off to the Pacific Northwest, where her oldest sister was dean of a school. Their other sister, who was in nursing school, was joining them and they had a lot of fun things planned.
“Yep. All packed.” She looked at her phone. “Wow. Look at Rose go. This is part of the dance team’s routine for the talent show.”
I watched the clip where Rose did a complex combination into an aerial flip, and another of a perfect arabesque.
“She’s so good. Is this something we can go to? We should support her.” Especially because she took the whole thing with her uncle trying to break into her school–and shoot Evan–hard. None of this was her fault, and I hoped it was all resolved soon.
“We can,” Evan told me. “The Finchley talent show is always a good time.”
“Evan, please set the table,” Jett asked as he went to the fridge.
“Grace, Kari Jaroff is going to be performing a night of Volkov for charity at the Performing Arts Center next month. Would you like to attend with me?” Brennan asked, giving my arm a light touch. “You know, so you can hear how it’s played properly.” He grinned.
“I’d love that. It sounds fun.” I had no idea who the performer was, but why not? It was nice of him to think of me.
I went upstairs. Before I could reach the third floor, arms wrapped around my waist, and I leaned into Spencer.
“Hi.” I tilted my head up, inhaling his leather goodness. Yeah, I was going to hit that sometime this week.
He planted a light kiss on my nose. “Deb is very impressed with you.”
“I’m so glad.” I’d been nervous about meeting with the head of special projects.
“I’m looking forward to this coming week.” He pressed me to him, and I melted into his arms.
“Me, too.” I leaned up to kiss him again. “I’m going to put my bag away.” And trade out the big, clunky removable walking cast for the smaller one I wore around the house.
In my room, I traded out the cast, then went over the list of what I needed for the week one last time. Evan and Wes had gotten me a couple of new things for the trip–and I’d gotten new clothes for my job. I couldn’t wait to use the math messenger bag Evan had gotten me for my birthday.
Wes stood in the doorway. “I’m so happy that you’re coming with us.”
Lots of love and reassurance came through the bond. I went over to him and threw myself into his arms, careful of my braced wrist.
“Wes, I’m nervous.” I closed my eyes and grounded myself in his heartbeat. “At the same time, I appreciate how far we’ve all come.”
I was also very curious and had let Evan tell me some of his fantasies.
The one where I was the filling between him and Jett seemed doable. Especially if we were all high on pheromones.
“If you end up deciding to wait until it’s almost done, that’s fine, too. Your entertaining Evan means I might be able to sneak away for a shower.” Wes kissed the top of my head.
He went to move, but I wrapped my arms around him. Ever since my fall, I had wanted to be held. All the time.
“I’ve got you.” Wes held me tight, sending out reassurance through the bond.
“Okay.” I snuggled into him.
“We all have you. Even though I’ll be upstairs during his heat, I’ve still got you. If you need me, find me. It will end with you being fucked, but you’re probably finding me for that, anyway.” He gave me a heated look.
Yeah, I’d been needing that, too.
“Do you need a little something now?” he whispered.
“I think I do.”
Wes closed the door and picked me up like a princess and laid me down on the daybed. Slowly, he took off the clothes I’d just put on.
Stripping off his clothes, he jumped on top of me. Giggles escaped my lips as he covered my naked body with kisses, getting all my ticklish spots.
He licked my pussy and growled a little. “Sorry, I’m famished.”
With a grin, he pushed my legs open further and feasted on me, getting all the right spots with his tongue.
“Wes.” I tangled my hands in his hair.
Two fingers slid inside me and pumped as he continued to tease me with his tongue.
“I’m going to come,” I breathed. He flicked my clit with his tongue and my body exploded.
Wes cuddled me to him. “Mmmm, I love that–and I love you, Peaches.”
“I love you, too. Do we have time to make love before dinner?” I rubbed my legs together.
“No, you do not.” Evan stood in the doorway between my room and his, well, our, bathroom. “Fuck her after dinner. It’s time to eat.”
“O-kay.” I kissed Wes again and put my clothes back on.
“Maybe I’ll join you.” Evan kissed me.
Wes took my hand, and we went downstairs and all sat around the table together. Tonight’s dinner was some sort of saucy chicken dish, mashed potatoes, and roast vegetables.
Riley bubbled over, excited about seeing her sisters and all the fun things they had planned for their spring break trip.
“Guess what? The estate is mine. Renovations are going to start soon.” Brennan took a sip of his drink.
“I can’t wait to see it.” Evan leaned over and kissed him. “Summer vacation is booked.”
“I’m excited to learn to scuba.” Riley took a bite of potatoes.
“Me, too,” I agreed. It was something that always sounded interesting, but I’d never had the opportunity to learn.
“Also…” Brennan got an intense look on his face. “Once we talked about a pack last name. I was wondering if that was something we still wanted to consider. Obviously, no one would have to take it, but I…”
A huge grin spread across Jett’s face. “Honey, I’m so proud of you. You’re ready to do this and tell your mom to screw it?”
“This would be a pack decision, since there might be fallout. We won’t vote yet, but I want everyone to think about it. Also, we could have a pack name or a last name without going nuclear on my mother–and vice versa,” Brennan said as he took another bite of chicken.
“Can our last name have fuck in it?” Riley stuffed an entire roll in her mouth.
Brennan’s eyebrows rose. “Probably not, but I’m open to suggestions.”
“I think it’s time,” Spencer agreed, taking a sip of wine.
“I’m all for it,” Wes said as Evan gave Brennan a kiss.
A knock on the front door made Brennan frown.
“Three guesses that it’s Mrs. Beekman coming for a surprise inspection before we leave.” Jett rolled his eyes.
“Mrs. Beekman’s just doing her job. Well and thoroughly,” Evan replied.
I took my phone out of my pocket to see if there’d been a message, but there was nothing other than a note to enjoy my week away and that we’d meet again when I got back. Huh. I put it back in my pocket.
“I’ll get it.” Spencer stood and left the dining room.
“Make sure everything gets on the family calendar,” Brennan directed. “Grace, that includes anything for your work. Riley, that includes all of your summer plans.”
“Grace.” Spencer stood in the doorway, distress on his face. His voice broke. “Grace.”
My heart fell at his expression. “What’s wrong?”
Spencer’s arms wrapped around me as he buried his face in my hair. “Grace.”
“Who are you and why are you in my house?” Brennan growled as an unfamiliar scent entered the room.
“Do you have to take her? I promise, she did nothing wrong.” Spencer’s voice was panicked.
My belly dropped. No. No. No. Not now. There’s only one thing it could be. Tears pricked my eyes as I clung to Spencer.
“Dr. Ellington, it’s time to go,” the male voice said.
They found me. I really had done something wrong, and the temporal police had come for me. Fear sliced through me.
“What do you mean you have to take her?” Riley’s voice rose. “She didn’t do anything wrong, you moron.”
I kissed Spencer. Pulled myself away, I kissed Wes, savoring the feel of his tongue, the taste of his lips, blood roaring in my ears.
While I knew this was a possibility, I hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. Or at all.
“Grace, what’s happening?” Wes frowned, worry coming through the bond.