Chapter Twenty-Three
Grant grimaced. “I’m going to clean up,” he said as he lifted her off his lap and set her beside him on the sofa. He chuckled at her confusion. “It seems I have no control when it comes to you.”
“I don’t understand.” She craned her neck to look up at him.
He indicated the wet spot on the front of his pants.
Jennifer’s eyes widened. “You...” A fiery blush stole over her features.
He chuckled at her embarrassment. “I orgasmed the same time you did. I haven’t done that since I was a teenager.”
Jennifer’s mouth fell open in shock, then closed to bite her lip as the color on her face deepened. “I was wondering how I was going to help you.” She pointed at his pants. “You know, with your...”
“You already did.” He laughed as he walked away. He turned and stopped in the hallway. “By the way, where is Lucky? I’ve meant to ask.”
Jennifer smiled even as a shadow of sadness swept across her eyes.
“He was adopted last week. He’s doing great and loves his new family. The family sent me a picture of him. He looks so good and even has his cast off.”
Grant watched as she tried to hide her sadness. “I’m sorry, baby.”
Jennifer stood, blinked back her tears, and smoothed down her nightgown. “Don’t be. This is what I wanted for him.”
“I know. But I also know you cared for him.”
Jennifer shrugged. “Yes. There are just some animals you connect with on a deeper level than others.”
Grant walked back and wrapped his arms around her before lowering his head and kissing her lips. “You still have me. I’m not as hairy, but I growl.”
Jennifer snorted. “You’re right about that.”
Grant chuckled as he walked down the hallway to the bathroom.
Jennifer walked to her bedroom and put on a pair of jeans, a bra, and a shirt. She sat on her bed, pulling on socks, when she caught sight of Grant.
He leaned against her bedroom doorjamb as his gaze roamed around her room, taking in the scents and calming feminine colors.
Light blues and greens were posted all over in the paintings, the drapes, and the pillows scattered on her bed.
A fluffy lace blanket spread across her queen-sized bed with only one edge disturbed from her sleep.
She had painted the walls a light yellow.
Besides the queen-sized bed, there was only enough room for a dresser and a small chair in the corner he wouldn’t even attempt to sit in.
He tried to imagine her thoughts when she finally saw the inside of his bedroom.
While hers was bright, relaxing, and small, his bedroom at his house was large with dark earth tones in the bedspread and drapes, and the furniture was immense and made of dark walnut wood.
He didn’t know anything about decorating, and most of the time didn’t care what his house and condo looked like.
He would have to get Jennifer to help change some things and put her stamp on his places, so she’d feel comfortable and want to stay.
“Grant, are you okay?” she asked worriedly.
He hadn’t realized he’d been staring into space as she stood in front of him with her small hand on his forearm. “Yes, sweetheart. I’m just thinking about some changes I need to make at the house and condo, and I’m hoping you’ll help me with them.”
Jennifer’s brows furrowed, and her teeth chewed on her lower lip. “What kind of changes?”
Grant smiled at her and shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t know yet. I want you to see both places and help me with ideas.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Why?”
Grant lifted a hand and combed his fingers through her wild hair. “I haven’t done anything to them since I’ve moved in. I like how peaceful your apartment is. I want to see if you can bring some of that to my place.”
Jennifer was shocked. She was shocked that he asked for her help, and the fact that he liked her apartment enough to want his to look like hers astounded her.
“I can do that. Why haven’t you let anyone else help you before?” The thought of another woman in his home twisted something in her stomach, even though she knew it was unreasonable.
“I haven’t cared enough to ask.” Grant noticed her expression and cupped her face.
“Jennifer, I’m not going to tell you I’ve never had relationships, but I can tell you I’ve never cared for anyone as I do for you.
You’re turning into the biggest part of my life.
You’re already the best. I want you in my homes, and eventually, I want you to be able to call them yours as well. ”
****
Jennifer
Jennifer gripped his wrist and was speechless. She was afraid things were going too fast, and it would somehow jeopardize their relationship.
“Relax, Jen. I’m not saying tomorrow, but I hope it will happen eventually.”
Jennifer didn’t know if she was comfortable with him reading her so well. She slid her hands over his chest. “It’s not that I don’t like the idea of living with you. I’m just afraid we’ll ruin this thing between us if we move too fast.”
Grant pulled her into his arms and placed his chin on her head. “I would never do anything that would take you away from me. I’ll go as slow or as fast as you want. As long as we’re together, I’m happy.”
Her arms tightened around him. They stood silently for a few moments and just enjoyed holding each other.
He tipped her away from him so he could see her face clearly. “Jennifer, I need to get back to the office, but can we have dinner tonight when you’re done at the shelter?”
She tilted her head back and smiled. “I’d like that.”
“Good. I’ll call you later so we can make plans.” He helped her pick up the remainder of their breakfast and put it in the fridge. Grant turned from the front door. “Jen, where’s your car?”
“Oh, darn, I forgot. I left it at the shelter. Kari and I decided it was too dangerous for me to drive as tired as I was, so we called a cab.” She walked toward the table by the door and pulled her phone out of her purse.
“Baby, I’ll take you.” He frowned when she shook her head. “It’s not that far out of my way. Come on, let’s go.”
Uncertainty crossed her features, but she gave in and grabbed her purse and jacket.
****
Grant
Later that morning, Grant held the phone to his ear and slid the fingers of his other hand through his hair in frustration before he slammed his fist down on his desk. “What the fuck do you mean, the contract might fall through?”
“They have things they want to check before signing, but they want to show you in person. They want to meet you, Grant. They’re concerned you will tear their family business apart when you buy it. It’s been in the family for close to a century. This is personal to them.”
Grant sat back in his chair, frustration heavy in his veins.
“Okay, Justin. Shit. I’m going to need a day to move some things around. Tell them I’ll fly down tomorrow.”
“You got it, boss. See you then.”
Grant ran an agitated hand through his short, thick hair. He didn’t want to be away from Jennifer for a minute, much less a day. He didn’t know what he was so insecure about. He hated this feeling of uncertainty. He hadn’t felt like this since his childhood.
He knew she cared for him. Maybe he should have already taken their relationship to the next level.
He wanted to claim her in the worst way but held back.
He knew part of it was because he was afraid he would scare her because he wasn’t sure she was ready.
He was also worried that he wanted her so desperately.
He was afraid he’d lose what little control he had over himself around her, and the thought of hurting her destroyed him.
He thought if they got to know each other and were given a little time, his overwhelming need to dominate and take her would lessen, but unfortunately, it only became stronger.
Grant called her later that afternoon. “Baby, I’ve got some bad news. I can’t see you tonight. I must be out of town very early tomorrow morning, and I have a lot to do before I leave.”
Her hand tightened on her phone. “Okay. When do you think you’ll be back?” She heard papers shuffle around and someone talking in the background.
“I should be back by Thursday or Friday. I’ll call you every night.”
“I’d like that, Grant.”
“I’ll miss you, baby.”
“I’ll miss you, too, Grant. Be safe.”
“You, too.”
****
Jennifer
Jennifer hung up her phone. She was surprised at how miserable she was, knowing she wouldn’t see him for a few days. Maybe it was that they hadn’t been able to spend time together because of the animal hoarding case, and this morning, they had limited time because of work.
She straightened. There was nothing she could do but keep busy and hope that it would help and tire her out enough to sleep at night.
Thursday and Friday passed with only phone calls. As hard as he tried, the business that brought him out of town took longer than expected. She could hear the frustration in his voice get more profound every time he called, and she tried to reassure him it would be okay.
They decided that if he didn't get back in time, Devon and Tessa would take her to the benefit, and he would meet her there and then drive her home.
Tessa called early Saturday morning. “Hey, Jen. How about we go to a salon, pamper ourselves, and then shop for a new outfit for tonight?”
“Oh, wow, Tessa. You have no idea how good that sounds.” She ignored Tessa’s surprising outburst. “All I have is that black dress I wore last time, and I haven’t had my hair cut in months.”
They decided to meet at a salon Tessa got them into that morning.
It was many hours later when they finally left.
“God, Jennifer. Grant is going to fall all over you when he sees you tonight.”
Jennifer could still hear some concern in her friend’s voice but was pleased she was trying.
She held her hands out to admire the nail polish she had picked.
She couldn’t remember ever painting her nails.
“I think we went a little overboard, Tessa. I understood the haircut was a must, but then we decided on highlights for my hair, then manicures and pedicures, waxing, facials, and makeup. Do you know how much I just spent?”
Tessa laughed. “When’s the last time you’ve spent money on yourself? You deserve it, Jen. You never think of yourself. Now stop whining, and let’s go shopping.” She laughed at Jennifer’s pained groan.
An hour later, Jennifer turned abruptly in the dressing room when the curtain was pushed aside.
“Oh, damn, girl, that’s the one.”
Jennifer couldn’t take her gaze off her image in the mirror.
She felt truly beautiful for the first time in her life.
The deep-red dress was fitted at the top, cupping her breasts, but flowed gently down her body, just skimming her hips and stopping just above her knees.
Tessa had found black high heels that weren’t too high but still looked sexy as hell.
With her hair, makeup, and now the outfit, she didn’t know if Grant would recognize her or even like it.
“Jen, quit worrying. Grant’s going to love this.”
Jennifer’s eyes met Tessa’s in the mirror. “Do you think so? I look so different.”
Tessa snorted. “Actually, you don’t. Everything you’ve done today has only enhanced your beauty.”
It was Jennifer’s turn to snort. “You have to say that, you love me.”
“Have I ever lied to you?” Tessa turned serious.
Jennifer knew Tessa meant business when she crossed her arms, and her chin jutted out. She coughed to hide her smile. “No, you haven’t.”
“All right then. Shut up, and let’s get out of here. I’m starving.”
Jennifer looked at her friend up and down. She looked gorgeous in a tight black dress that stopped an inch above her knees, and she paired the outfit with four-inch black high heels.
“Tessa, if I’m half as pretty as you are, I’ll be thrilled.”
Tessa rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. As long as Devon finds me attractive, I’m good.”