Chapter 15
Sid sucked in a couple of breaths. He wasn”t going to let those assholes break him. They couldn”t force him to work on their bikes. Not at all. All they were doing was making him realize there”s no way in hell he”d ever work with them. What”s the worst they could do? At this point, he didn”t care much about himself, but they were focusing on Grace. That was how they thought they”d get to him. And, truth be told, it did make him waver, but he wasn”t going to cave in. It was stupid of them to think he”d want to work with them now.
”Okay. Let me get you a t-shirt to sleep in.” He took a step toward the bedroom, then stopped. ”Wait, I”ll get Chiefy water.” Maneuvering through the kitchen, he pulled an older bowl from the cupboard and filled it with water. ”Does she like ice in it?”
Grace chuckled. ”You don”t need to add ice. She just plays with the cubes, pulls them out of the water, and scoots them around the floor.”
He chuckled.
Setting the bowl on the floor he whistled and Chiefy trotted into the kitchen. ”Here you go, girl.”
She sniffed the water, looked up at him. ”Go ahead.” She sniffed again then dipped her tongue in it. It must have been fine, because she lapped at it a couple of times then went into the living room and sat by Grace.
He swooped down the hall to the bedroom and pulled a clean t-shirt from his drawer. He scooted toward the living room then stopped in the bathroom and pulled out the wrapped toothbrush that had been waiting here for him when he arrived. He set it on the counter, then pulled the little tube of toothpaste from the shelf in the medicine cabinet and laid it next to the toothbrush.
When he entered the living room, Grace sat on the sofa, petting Chiefy and speaking softly to her.
He watched them for a moment. His heart swelled when he saw her gentle nature soothing the confused Chiefy.
She turned her head to look into his eyes. ”I a...” He cleared his throat. ”I have this t-shirt for you to sleep in. There was a toothbrush and toothpaste tube here when I arrived, but I have my own, so I set those out for you in the bathroom. I”m not sure what else you might need.”
She smiled. ”I”m a bit dusty, would it be alright if I took a shower?”
”Of course.” He hurried to the bathroom and dug the shampoo and conditioner left for him out of the top drawer. He sped back into the living room with a huff. ”I have pulled the shampoo and conditioner out for you too.”
She kissed the top of Chiefy”s head, then walked toward him slowly. She stopped a breath away from him. They stood toe to toe. ”Thank you.”
Her hair was dark but he saw some auburn or red streaks in it as the final rays of sun streamed in through the window. ”You”re welcome. I”m sorry I”m not better prepared. I haven”t had a guest here at all since I”ve been here, so if you need anything, please ask.”
Her lips formed a soft smile. Her eyes were soft as they stared back at him. She was everything he loved in a woman. She was smart, independent, but gentle and sweet. His throat dried as he stared at her. She stood up on her toes and touched her lips to his. It was brief. Far too brief, and he wanted more. But, she backed away a step, then brushed passed him. ”I”ll be out shortly.”
She disappeared into the bathroom. The door closed and he heard the lock click. He grinned, then he heard a motorcycle drive by on the road behind his place and in front of Grace”s.
He moved to the kitchen and looked out the window. There was another bike sitting with the first one. He sat in a chair in the kitchen, practicing his deep breathing. Chiefy approached and laid her head on his lap. He instantly put his hand on her head and watched her solemn brown eyes as they stared ahead. She was patiently waiting to see if he needed more or not. He shook his head. ”You”re something, pretty girl.” Her tail swished on the floor a couple of times and he pet her head and back, feeling much better. He”d keep his phone near him tonight, and if anything happened, he”d call the police immediately.
The water in the shower turned on and he stood, patting Chiefy once more. Moving to the refrigerator, he looked inside and noticed he only had a couple of bottles of beer. They”d just eaten so he wasn”t hungry, but he could offer popcorn if Grace wanted something.
Moving to the living room his phone rang and he saw Jace”s picture on his screen. ”Hey, Jace. What”s up?”
I just saw the bikers behind your bungalow, looking at Grace”s place.”
”Yeah. We”re aware. Grace is here and staying tonight.”
Jace chuckled a bit. ”You seem smitten with her.”
His stomach twisted around at the thought of being smitten. It had been years. Honestly years.
”I am. It”s sudden. Unexpected. But, welcome.”
”Good. You deserve someone good in your life. She seems good. I”ve been asking around about her. The folks I”ve spoken to have said she”s solid.”
”Thanks for asking around. I won”t say anything.”
Jace laughed. ”I have to look out for my bud.”
”Thanks, Jace.”
”Are you going to be alright?”
”It seems like they don”t know we”re here, they”re focusing on her place.”
”That”s what I was thinking, but you both are welcome to stay at my place. It isn”t far and I have security.”
”Thank you for the invitation. Grace is taking a shower right now. I”ll ask her when she comes out and let you know. I do appreciate the offer.”
”Anytime, bud.”
The call ended, and the water turned off in the shower. He sat on the sofa and waited for Grace to come out of the bathroom.