Chapter Twenty-Eight
After breakfast and cleaning up the kitchen, Grant took her back to the master suite, undressed both, and pulled her into his large, gray-tiled shower.
He washed every inch of her body and long, thick hair before standing still when she washed him, laughing at the tide of red that crept up her neck to cover her face.
After putting on a clean pair of shorts, he put her back in his shirt because he liked how it looked on her tiny frame.
He helped her squeeze as much water out of her hair and used a towel to soak up more.
She wouldn’t let him use a blow-dryer unless he wanted her to have crazy, frizzy hair.
After their shower, Grant gave her a tour of the house.
He liked seeing his place through her eyes.
On the main floor, beside the kitchen and laundry room, there was also a living room with a large stone fireplace.
The walls were painted a soft gray, bringing out the fireplace’s grey tones.
There was also an office/media room, two bathrooms, and another empty room.
The top floor had the master bedroom and bath, five other empty bedrooms, and three more bathrooms.
He could tell it was instant love when she stepped out of the back.
It had a large, kidney-bean-shaped swimming pool and a shed—close to the size of her apartment—that stored the pool equipment.
A hot tub and several groupings of wicker-style furniture were spaced around the pool.
The backyard even had a kitchen with a large grill and sink.
The abundance of plants, shrubs, and flowers made the yard a colorful, peaceful sanctuary.
“How do you make it look like this?” Everywhere she looked was beautiful.
“The vegetation, yard, and pool are cared for by a company, so I don’t have to worry about it.
I also have a cleaning service once a month for the house, but with just me here and being gone so much, there is very little to do.
” He noticed her shiver caused by the cool morning air and pulled her back into the house.
They spent the rest of the day watching movies and napping on a huge white leather sectional in his large home office.
Every once in a while, Grant turned her and kissed her lips.
He couldn’t seem to stop touching her, but he always pulled back when it started to get heated.
It would be another day before he could even think about taking her again if he didn’t want to hurt her.
The late-afternoon sun cast shadows across the room, and with the TV off, it was very peaceful, but he knew it was time to return to the real world. He hated the thought of her leaving.
Jennifer raised her head from his shoulder. “I have to get home,” she said reluctantly.
He kept his eyes closed as his fingers combed through her long hair. “No, you don’t.” His voice was low and tranquil.
She levered her arm upon his chest and rested her chin on the palm of her hand.
“Grant, I have to work tomorrow, and I assume you do, too.” She frowned when he just grunted. “I’m not kidding, Grant.”
He squinted open one eye and tightened his arms around her when she tried to stand. His first over-the-top reaction was to tie her to his bed, but he didn’t think she’d appreciate that, and he didn’t want her pissed.
Jennifer growled. “Grant.”
“Jennifer,” he mimicked, only to have her narrow her eyes at him. Damn, she was sweet. He wanted to laugh but knew he’d regret it.
“I’ve got an idea, love.”
“Oh, shit,” Jennifer said sarcastically, sincerely worried.
“Watch it, baby.” He growled and frowned at her.
She rolled her eyes. “Okay, what?”
“You move in here...”
A loud screech sounded as she tried to push against him to sit up. “What! Wait. We just started dating. It’s way too early to be talking about moving in together. What if we break up?”
He almost laughed out loud. It was cute that she thought she’d ever get away from him. “That’s not going to happen.”
She twisted around so she could see his face, convinced he was messing with her. “You don’t know that, Grant.”
He watched her intently. He knew she cared about him deeply, maybe even loved him.
She would know their relationship would never end if she knew how much he already loved her.
He was just smart enough to hold back because he knew it was too early in the relationship for her to feel comfortable with that depth of emotion.
Hell, if she knew how obsessed he was with her, she’d run, so he needed to pull his ass back and shut the hell up.
“All right, love. You win this one. We’ll wait to move in together.” He hid his disappointment. He bit his tongue to keep from laughing when she looked at him suspiciously, her brows puckered.
Jennifer let out a breath and nodded. “Okay, good. Now we need to talk about me going home this afternoo—”
Grant shook his head. “No.”
“Listen, Grant,” she gritted out between her teeth. “We’re at the beginning of a friendship, right? We should keep it casual...” She gasped out a laugh when he maneuvered her until her back rested against the sofa cushions and his weight pressed her down farther.
“Who put that crazy-assed shit into your pretty head?” he gritted out.
One hand was on her cheek, the other rested over her head on the sofa.
“Because it’s bullshit. Hear me, Jennifer.
We are not casual. We are in a committed relationship.
Neither of us dates anyone else.” He paused to swallow the rage that surged within him at the thought of someone else touching her.
“You understand what I’m saying?” The desperation inside him loosened, making it easier to breathe when she nodded, and her little hands circled his chest soothingly.
“I do understand.”
“Okay, good.” His lips settled on hers. She groaned when he pushed his tongue past her lips, trying to imprint himself on her. The heat of desire quickly raced out of control.
She clung to his shoulders and gave herself over to him and his need for dominance and assurance.
Grant tore his mouth from hers, pressed it against her neck, and breathed in her scent. “I’m sorry if I scared you. The thought of losing you does crazy things to me.”
Jennifer snorted out a laugh and placed her hand on his cheek to get his attention. “You didn’t scare me, Grant. You never have. Even last night, I felt no fear, just nerves. I trust you explicitly and have never felt safer in my life.”
He bent and pressed his face into her neck, kissing and sucking, tasting as much as he could reach. “I’ll take you home if you promise I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jennifer wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “Absolutely, Grant. I’d like that.”
He held her against him for a moment, then reluctantly stood and pulled her up. “Let’s go get dressed, and we’ll head out.”
He lifted her over his shoulder in a fireman hold and swatted her behind, making her squeal, which made him chuckle as he walked them into the bedroom.