Chapter Eighteen
“I’ve got to tell you, Jen. I never in a million years would have thought I’d see Grant head-over-heels for a woman.” Tessa’s face clouded with worry.
Jennifer tensed, and a feeling of unease swept through her.
“You make that sound like a bad thing, Tessa. What exactly don’t you like about him?”
Tessa twisted her wedding band for a moment before she looked back at Jennifer.
Tessa looked toward the bar and caught Grant’s gaze on them.
“It’s not that I don’t like him. Maybe it’s a trust issue because he’s so private, or maybe his arrogant attitude and massive size scare me a little.
But I worry about you. You’ve never had a relationship.
And to have your first one with someone as intense and large.
Jen, you’re so tiny, you only come up to his collarbone. ”
Jennifer’s mouth turned down. “The size difference shouldn’t matter to you if it doesn’t matter to us. As far as a relationship goes, I never had time for one, Tessa.” Jennifer kept her voice soft with understanding because she knew her friend cared and was just scared for her.
Tessa leaned forward earnestly. “Oh, God, I know that, Jen. It’s just that I’m concerned your first real relationship is with someone as intense as Grant.”
Jennifer’s gaze moved to where Grant stood at the bar. A happy bubble expanded in her chest when she found he was watching her even as he listened to something Devon said. She turned back to Tessa.
“I understand what you’re saying, but I’m asking you to give us a chance.”
“No matter what, I’ll stand behind you. Just keep in mind he’s a hard man, and I’ve caught glimpses of his ruthlessness.”
Jennifer reached across the small table and clasped Tessa’s hands.
“He’s not like that with me. He’s the gentlest, most protective, caring man I’ve ever met, and—” She held up a hand when Tessa tried to interrupt her.
“I know I don’t know a lot about men,” she went on, ignoring Tessa’s snort.
“But he makes me feel beautiful, good about myself.”
Tessa’s head dipped in agreement. “I see that. He’s different with you.”
Jennifer couldn’t stop herself from asking, “And that makes you nervous?”
“Yeah, a little. Just please be cautious. I don’t want to see you get hurt.” Tessa’s voice was rough with concern.
Jennifer smiled. “I will be okay. I want you to stop worrying.”
Tessa nodded. “I can’t help worrying about you. You’re my best—”
Both women were startled when a man sat down in the chair next to Jennifer and interrupted them. “Hey, ladies, how would one of you beautiful women like to dance with me?”
Jennifer stared wide-eyed at Tessa before she turned to look at the guy. “Um. I think you need to move. We’re both here with other people.”
“Oh, shit,” Tessa spat out. Her gaze followed something over Jennifer’s shoulder.
Before Jennifer could turn, the man was lifted off the chair and dropped on the floor on his ass. Jennifer heard Tessa say something to Devon frantically, but her eyes stayed on the expression on Grant’s face.
Jennifer stood and carefully put herself between Grant and the man in a heap at their feet. “Grant. Please don’t hurt him.” She ran her hands over his chest the whole time and tried to soothe him. “It would ruin our evening, and I hate seeing blood.”
Grant froze and stared blankly at Jennifer.
After a moment, he snorted and relaxed when her words bled through his violent anger.
He pulled her into his arms until she rested against his chest. “Okay, baby. I get it.” He pulled Jennifer to his side with an arm around her waist. “Hey,” he growled and waited for the man’s attention.
“This is mine, and that’s his. You so much as look at them, and you’ll be eating dirt. Got it?”
The man scrambled to his feet. “Yeah, man. I didn’t know they were taken.” The words faded as he moved away from their table.
Devon and Tessa were back in their seats, talking quietly to each other.
Grant picked up the chair that had been knocked down and seated Jennifer before he moved his chair up against hers.
He handed her a drink and proceeded to down half of his before he took a deep breath.
His arm pulled Jennifer in against his side and spoke quietly.
“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to embarrass you, but there was no way I was going to let that asshole touch what’s mine.”
Jennifer took a sip of her wine before giving him a quick glance.
“I’m not sure what to talk about first. The fact that you didn’t give me a chance to take care of it, you are not trusting me, or your temper.” Her eyes stayed on her hands that encircled her wineglass.
He didn’t move but let out a deep breath.
“Jennifer, look at me.” He nodded when she focused on him.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s them I don’t trust. I see the way guys look at you, baby.
You don’t. I know I can be jealous, but you must know I’d never hurt you in a million years, right?
” He relaxed when she nodded right away.
“But I can’t stand the idea of another guy touching you.
I promise not to hurt anyone, but I can’t promise not to mess them up if I feel they’re a threat to you. Can you handle that?”
Jennifer saw the nervousness and vulnerability he tried to hide, some emotions no one would think he could. Her hand slid down his arm before she gripped his hand.
“Yes, I can handle that, but maybe you could give me a chance to get rid of them next time.”
He started to shake his head before she finished.
“I’d rather you let me protect you. I know how men think.
Let me take care of you, Jennifer.” He pressed his forehead against hers and watched her expression closely to see if she would accept his request. “Please, baby. I will take really good care of you, I promise.”
Jennifer reached up and touched his cheek gently before she curled her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
“I know you will, Grant. I’ve never felt safer than when I’m with you.”
Grant groaned and pulled her onto his lap before he took her mouth and drove his tongue between her full lips to taste as much of her as possible while his arms tightened around her.
They broke apart to pull in a much-needed breath.
“That’s good to hear, baby. You have no idea how good that makes me feel.” He took her mouth again, deeper and hungrier than ever before.
Jennifer gasped for breath as she pulled away. She lifted her fingers to touch her swollen lips before she touched his. Emotions swirled in Grant’s eyes as he grabbed her hand, turned it, and placed a kiss on her palm before he brought her hand against his face.
“You scare me.”
Coming from this man who was twice her size and strong enough to break her in two, his statement should have been funny, but she knew it wasn’t the physical pain he talked about. Her eyes clashed and held his.
“You scare me, too,” she said, barely above a whisper.
Grant took her mouth and fed on her until someone bumped against their table.
“Jesus, Jennifer. We need to stop this. I’m about ready to throw you over my shoulder and take you home with me.
” He picked her up off his lap and stood her beside him before standing himself.
“Come on, baby. Devon and Tessa are already out on the floor. Let’s dance so I can hold you without losing it.
” His smile flashed before he said, “Maybe.”
Jennifer chuckled and let him lead her to the floor before he took her in his arms.
Grant wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against his chest. Both relaxed and just enjoyed being together, unaware of those around them.
After several slow dances, Jennifer’s feet started to ache. She wasn’t used to wearing heels, even short ones.
“Can we sit down, Grant? My feet are getting tired.”
He led her back to the table and sat down close to her with his arm over the back of her chair.
Right away, the girls started talking about some of Tessa’s friends.
The men talked about business. Grant tried but couldn’t make out much of the girl’s conversation.
They had put their heads close together and talked in low tones.
Jennifer reached for Tessa’s hand, and a frown of concern crossed her face. “I don’t know why you put up with Madlyn. All she does is bring you grief and frustration.”
Tessa shrugged in dejection. “It’s getting to the point when I might have to just let her go. I’ve been trying for years now to help her. Frankly, I think it started in high school. It just keeps getting worse as time passes.”
“Tessa, you have tried to help her for so long. I seriously think she needs professional help and maybe even antidepressants.” Jennifer knew most of what Tessa had done for Madlyn over the years. She felt terrible about the disappointment Tessa was dealing with.
“If she could only find a good man who treats her right.”
Jennifer shook her head. “I don’t think a man is the answer. I think there’s something inside her she needs to fix. Maybe she’s just one of those sad people. She only seems happy when she’s making someone else miserable.”
Tessa glanced at Devon. “I’ve thought that, too. Devon can’t stand her anymore. He thinks she tried to drive a wedge between you and me, and he won’t have it.”
“I don’t blame him.” Jennifer couldn’t hide the anger in her voice.
“I know, me either. Maybe if I hadn’t known her most of my life, and our parents weren’t friends, I’d feel better about walking away from her.” Tessa shrugged and took a drink of her wine.
“I’m sorry, Tessa. I wish I could help, but she’s disliked me since she and I met in college. There is no way she’ll listen to me.”
Tessa shook her head. “I’ve never understood her attitude toward you. I know some is jealousy, but...”
“Well, don’t worry about that. It doesn’t matter to me whether she’s my friend or not. I have you,” Jennifer smirked.
Tessa snorted. “Not that I don’t love being your friend, but someday you’ll have to open yourself up and let more people in. We only became friends because I spent so much time in your dorm room with my friend, Nancy, when you guys lived together.”
“And you wouldn’t leave me alone no matter how much I tried to ignore you.” Jennifer laughed. “The only time I got a little peace was when I locked myself in the bathroom, which never lasted long before you knocked and asked if I was sick.”
Tessa chuckled. “What can I say? I felt bad for you. All you did was study and work. I didn’t think I'd seen you smile until our sophomore year, when we lived in the same dorm room. Which I was surprised you agreed to, by the way.” Both women laughed.
“I wasn’t unhappy. I was just determined. You know I had reason to be so serious. That was my one chance to break the cycle of poverty my family had been in for decades.”
Both stayed silent for a minute, each lost in their thoughts. “That’s enough depressing conversation, Jennifer. Come with me to the ladies’ room.” Tessa stood and waited for Jennifer.
“Whoa, baby, where are you going?” Grant held onto Jennifer’s arm.
“I’m going with Tessa to the restroom. I’ll be right back.” She stood and tried to pull away from him. She rolled her eyes when he wouldn’t release her.
“Why do you both have to go?”
Devon snorted. “They always go in pairs, dude.”
“I’ll go with you, ladies.”
Grant went to stand, but Jennifer put a hand on his shoulder. The look she gave him seemed to get through to him the most.
“No, Grant. We’ll be right back,” Jennifer said, her voice firm. She walked off with Tessa, not looking back.