Chapter 35
TJ
SHARING MY SNACKS
“You’re telling me she ran through the campground topless over a bag of skittles?” I quirk a brow at Grace sitting next to me at the kitchen island for breakfast.
She takes another sip of her tea and nods. “She doesn’t mess around when it comes to someone messing with her snacks. My family always thinks I’m the wild one, but Josie puts me to shame. You’ll get to see that next weekend when we go to Tahoe.”
“I don’t know if I want to find out,” I say, shaking my head before eating another spoonful of my yogurt and berries.
I’ve always been a morning person and enjoyed my peace and quiet to start the day.
These mornings I’ve spent with her the last few weeks have me glad that she’s an early riser too.
Getting up before the sunrise, seeing the fresh snow lit by the moon, and enjoying breakfast with her is how I’d start every day if I could.
We’ve talked about everything from music to the favorite places we’ve traveled and things in life we still want to do.
Each morning has felt like a date almost and I’ve loved it.
She hasn’t traveled nearly as much as she’s wanted to though and as much as she might object to frivolous use of my jet, I’m going to change that as soon as our schedules allow.
I look at her and she shrugs innocently.
“Too bad. You’re coming with us next week, whether you like it or not.
No changing your mind now.” She grabs my thighs, running her hands up my gym shorts, sending blood rushing to my cock.
Everything she does seems to make my body respond.
“Josie’s been blowing my phone up all week asking about Hot Daddy Boss. We can’t let her down now.”
“She knows I’m your boyfriend, right? Not hers?”
She rubs her thumbs over my inner thighs and from the look in her eyes, she knows exactly what she’s doing to me. Her gaze drops to my lap before she looks back into my eyes. “I don’t like sharing my snacks either.”
I lean forward, kissing her soft lips, breathing in her lavender scent that I can’t get enough of. I nip at her bottom lip, tugging on it before pulling away. I hear her little gasp before our eyes meet. “Same. Glad we got that out of the way.”
“Good.” She smiles softly and stands, taking her empty bowl over to the sink.
I prop my elbows up on the counter, leaning on my fists while I watch her.
She’s humming to herself, rocking her head side to side, swaying her hair.
Her sleep shorts hang just off her hips giving me a full view of her long legs.
I have to remind myself and my hard cock that I can’t just drag her back to bed.
It’s Thursday and she said she actually wants to get some work done this morning.
When she’s focused, she’s a force to be reckoned with and I know there’s no stopping her.
I know she says she’s happy with what she’s doing, but I still can’t shake the memory of how she looked when I said no to being more public about my charitable giving.
I want to make sure she’s happy, that she’s thriving, and not giving up anything that she wants, just to be with me.
I want her to feel like she’s living her best life and I’m not holding her back.
I’m about to ask her about her plans for the rest of the day when lights outside catch my attention.
I turn toward the windows and see headlights coming down the driveway toward the gate.
I recognize the headlights from the plow truck that Tanner drives.
She follows my line of sight and I see her posture sag and her smile fade.
I get up and walk to her side, draping an arm around her waist. “Go out and talk to him. I know you’re still mad at him—”
Her eyes flick to mine and she raises a brow.
“And rightfully so,” I clarify with a laugh. “Give him a chance. Maybe he’ll take the opportunity and apologize.”
She takes a deep breath and groans. “Fine.”
I swipe away her bangs and press a kiss to her forehead. Then she heads toward the door to the driveway, pulling on her snow boots and a long, puffy jacket.
“Good luck,” I call out, as she pulls the door shut.
I head to the other end of the kitchen to make myself an espresso, thinking about what I want to get done today since she’s planning to work. I load the grinder when I hear the door open and see Grace coming back inside. Shit. That was quick.
I stop making my coffee and walk over to her. She kicks off her boots and my heart sinks when I see her face. Instead of frustration or irritation, I see hurt and sadness.
“I take it that didn’t go well?” I ask, rubbing her shoulders.
She shakes her head and doesn’t meet my eyes. I reach up, tilting her chin to look at me. “I’m sorry he’s being difficult, but he’ll get there.”
She sighs. “I know. I just want to be able to share this with everyone. We’ve always been so close.”
I rub the pad of my thumb over her cheek. “Why don’t you try talking to the girls? I know they must be excited for you. Share it with them.”
That little spark in her eyes that I love returns. She pulls her phone out and starts typing away.
“Wait, I didn’t mean this second. It’s not even seven in the morning.”
She hums dismissively with mischief in her eyes. “Never too early to start shit.”