Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
GEORGIA
“Oh God, that feels so good.”
“Even better than earlier?” Grant quirks a brow at me.
His knuckles are digging into the soles of my feet and I swear, nothing has ever felt so good. Is this why people are in relationships? For foot rubs?
“Debatable. But I am enjoying the view.”
The TV flickers in the background. Grant is shirtless—I stole it while he cooked dinner. In nothing but his boxers, his muscles are in plain view for me to drool over.
“I see. That’s all I’m good for?”
“Dinner, foot rubs, and muscles? Yes.” I laugh.
Grant drops my foot and crawls over me, resting his weight on his elbows as best he can.
“See if I keep cooking for you then.” He steals a kiss.
His brown eyes are alight with amusement. He tries to pull away, but I wrap my legs around him to keep him close.
“I mean, I have my ways to tempt you.”
“You do?”
I nod, biting down on my lip. “I think I’m pretty good at some things.”
He kisses the corner of my mouth. “You were pretty good at blowing my mind earlier.”
“So you cook and then we both get off. Is this the exchange we’re going for? Because I’m definitely getting the better end of this deal.”
Grant bursts out laughing and butterflies swarm my belly. It’s crazy to me how easily this man can make me feel all sorts of things. Safe. Happy. Sexy.
“I don’t know about that. I think I’m getting a pretty good deal here.” He sits back up and pulls me into his lap. “I like being here with you.”
I settle in closer to his side, shoving my feet under his thigh. “Yeah, I like having you here too.”
Grant turns back to the game that’s been playing in the background. I still don’t get much about baseball, but Grant explains everything to me.
I could listen to him talk for hours. The way he gets excited when his team does well, or how annoyed he gets at a bad play. The smooth timbre vibrates through me. It calms me in a way I never knew I needed.
I never thought having someone with me like this would be a source of calm and reassurance. For once, I don’t feel like I constantly have to be doing something. I don’t have to be planning for my next session with my students. Or figuring out what my next step in life is.
I’m with Grant. That’s all I need.
“The baby is really kicking up a storm,” I say, rubbing a hand over my stomach.
“I think he knows when it’s me.” Grant settles his hand over my belly. He keeps kicking. “Maybe he likes watching baseball with me.”
“Can you imagine how cute our kid is going to be in a little baseball onesie?”
Tears well in Grant’s eyes. “Not as cute as they’ll be in a little cowboy hat.”
I press a kiss to his forehead. I never pictured this family for my future, and I didn’t take risks in my life on trusting people.
I guess Serena’s cards had a different plan for me. One that I can’t say I mind.
Because Grant is here. His calloused hand is stretched out over my belly as he stares down at it.
“I’m glad it’s you that I’m doing this with,” I whisper, resting my hand on top of Grant’s.
I don’t know how long we stay like this. Our index fingers link together as his thumb smooths over my skin.
“Are you scared?” he asks, breaking the silence.
“Honestly? I’m terrified most days, but I know I can do it.”
“Why’s that?” He looks up at me.
“Because I have you.”
Grant sits up and pulls me over onto his lap, brushing the hair out of my face.
“I love you, Georgia. You don’t have to say it back, but I want you to know how I feel about you.”
“You do?” Emotions clog my voice.
He nods. “Yeah, I do, Cowgirl. You are one of the kindest, most patient people I’ve ever met.”
“Are you including the first time we met?” I laugh.
“Even then.” Grant smiles. “Every day I get to spend with you is one of the best days because you care about the people around you. You’re always more worried about everyone else than yourself, and I want to be the one to take care of you.
To make you slow down and enjoy life. To see that people can love you and show up for you. Because that’s what true love is.”
I brush my thumbs over the apples of his cheeks. “You’re one of the few people who does what he says and I love you for it.”
“You don’t have to say it back.”
“I don’t care. I love you too, Grant. It’s only because I do that I can say it. You make me feel safe, and I’ve never really had that before in my life, outside of my girlfriends. But with you, I feel like I can breathe because I’m not waiting for the worst to happen.”
“And if it were to happen, we can figure it out together.”
“Which is why I love you, Grant.”
A smile brighter than the sun stretches across his face. “Say it again, Cowgirl.”
I shake my head at him. “I love you, Grant.”
“I love you too, Cowgirl.”
The rest of the night passes in a blur of lovemaking and laughing. This is what it feels like when you’ve found the right person. The person who makes you feel loved and safe.
Falling together with Grant is the best feeling in the world. With him?
I know we can handle anything that comes our way.