Chapter 19
Malachi
Gracie wanted to go on a date!
My mind was still reeling from having her in my arms last night to sharing my new home with her this morning.
She was sunshine and purity, kindness and hope, in a world filled with evil.
I’d shared my darkest truths with her, and she’d stayed.
Her gaze held a warmth that eased the ache in my chest, like the first rays of sun after a long, cold night.
There was a lot we hadn’t discussed, but the fact that we’d both admitted to being all in, and how seamlessly she fit in with my new family, gave me hope for the future we could build.
“Are you still hungry? Would you like anything else to eat?” Checking the time on my phone, I knew I needed to get back to work and put away all the leftovers, but Gracie came first.
“No, I’m fine, thanks. It’s been so long since I enjoyed breakfast.” She smiled up at me, and I couldn’t help but give in and press my lips to hers.
“I guess working till the early hours of the morning means you probably skip breakfast, huh?” I wondered whether she liked her job.
Was she doing it to make ends meet, or was it something that interested her?
When we’d been young, we talked about our hopes and dreams, but they were far-off ideas never based in reality. What did she want in life?
The soft cadence of her laugh warmed my soul. “I’m usually sleeping until lunch, so I rarely have breakfast these days. It’s both nice and bizarre to be awake this early.”
Gathering our plates, I placed them back on the tray and moved them to the side. “I hate it, but I have to get back to work.” Grasping her soft hands in mine, I rubbed the backs of them. “But I will plan the best date ever for us.”
Her smile grew as her cheeks blushed, and the galaxy of freckles over her nose darkened. She was so beautiful. “Good to know. I should get going, too. Kath has been blowing up my phone all morning. She’s itching for an update.”
A loud bark of laughter escaped me. “I’m not at all surprised.” I stood and grabbed the tray of plates and headed for the kitchen.
“Kai,” Gracie’s voice was barely a whisper as I turned to look over my shoulder, and I watched her collapse.
It was as if everything happened in slow motion. Gracie was standing, calling for me, and then wavered before her skin turned horribly pale, her eyes rolled back and she flopped like a rag-doll to the ground.
The tray slipped from my hands as I twisted, the loud crash of breaking dishes echoing around the room.
I slid to the floor in front of Gracie. My hands caressed her cheeks as I checked her breathing.
Moving her to lie on her side, I ensured her airways were clear.
I worked on autopilot, following my military training.
I shifted her legs that were bent at odd angles and ensured she would be as comfortable as possible on the floor.
She was so still and pale; it felt like my life was flashing before my eyes.
I reached for my phone, preparing to call 911 as my pulse raced in my ears and my world focused to a single point, as I watched Gracie’s chest rise and fall as I held her hand.
“Gracie, can you hear me?” My voice cracked as I begged her to wake up. It felt like an eternity before her eyelids flickered and her gold-green gaze met mine.
“You scared me,” I gasped as I dropped my phone with a clatter and clutched her hand for dear life.
“W-what happened…?” Her eyes moved around the room. “Why am I on the floor?”
“You fainted. Are you okay? Careful now.” I helped her move onto her back and raised her legs to rest on the chair I’d vacated.
“I think so.” Her voice sounded weak and breathy as she tried to shift her legs to get more comfortable.
“What happened? Did you feel dizzy, or clammy, or anything that told you that you were about to faint? Has this happened before?” My mind was racing. Why did she faint? Was she sick? How could I help her? Should I call a doctor? Would she be safe driving?
“Nothing then. I felt a little dizzy when I got out of my car when I first arrived, but I figured I was hungry. This has never happened before.” Color was returning to her cheeks as she squeezed my hand. “Can you please help me sit up? I don’t like being on the floor.”
“Are you sure?” I checked my watch again; she should be okay to sit up, but my heart was still racing and my body was still pumping adrenaline. I was on edge. “Take it slow, please.”
Slowly lowering her legs from the chair, I helped her sit up, then turned and leaned back against the table. “Come here, and we’ll rest like this for a bit before we try standing.”
Her body molded against mine, a comforting weight, and I tightened my hold, her familiar fragrance filling my lungs as a profound sense of relief washed over me.
“Sorry about the mess,” she mumbled, taking in the tray and broken plates and glass in front of us.
“Don’t you worry about that.” Worry gnawed at my insides as I kissed her hair, breathing in her sunshine and strawberry scent. “When was the last time you saw a doctor? Have you ever fainted before?”
“I saw Doc just before I met you again, to get the all clear to attend your class. He said everything was fine. Before that, I saw someone the day I escaped. She ensured all my tests were fine.” Her voice was back to normal now, even if it shook at the end.
“No, I’ve never fainted before, but I feel fine now.
My body’s probably not used to getting up this early.
” She tried to laugh it off, but it fell flat.
“I think you should see a doctor again. Fainting is not normal.” I emphasized every word.
“Kai, I’m fine. I feel fine.” She insisted as she moved away from me to stand up. I hurried to follow her. “Didn’t you say you had to get back to work?”
Why was she avoiding the topic? Wasn’t she worried? Couldn’t she see how worried I was? “Gracie, I can’t go back to work when I’m worried about you.” I gripped her hands, needing her skin against mine.
“I’m really fine. I promise. It was probably a freak occurrence. But if it happens again, I’ll see a doctor. How’s that sound?” Her eyes pleaded with me as she held my gaze.
With an exasperated sigh, I spoke. “Okay, fine. But if you feel weak or dizzy or lightheaded, you book a doctor’s appointment. I don’t want you to wait until you faint again to make the appointment. Your health is important.”
“Deal.” She kissed my lips and moved to clean up the shattered remnants of our breakfast.
I caught her hand in mine. “Nu uh. You sit and have some water. I’ll clean that up.” Pulling her to me, I helped her sit. Quickly grabbing a fresh glass, I filled it and brought it to her before getting the broom and sweeping up the mess.
Gracie’s gaze assessed me while I worked.
“What?” I asked, a little bashful at the warm smile on her face.
“Nothing. You just grew up good.” Her smile grew as she watched me.
Now it was my turn to blush. “So did you.” I winked at her and relished her returning color.
Moving to dispose of the glass in the bin, I made quick work of packing up the leftovers. It would only be a few hours before everything would be laid out for lunch, anyway.
Once I’d finished, I came over and sat next to Gracie again. I placed a hand on her cheek, brushing her soft skin, as I gazed into her eyes, “Are you sure you’re okay?” I pleaded. She needed to be okay.
She held my hand against her cheek and nodded. “I feel fine, I promise. You need to get back to work, and I have to get home.”
“Okay,” I spoke hesitantly, still rattled from the whole experience. “Please be careful and text me when you get home.”
After this, I would text her often.
“I will.” She promised as she pulled me to her for a kiss before we both stood and made our way to the front door. I walked her to her car, her skin had its normal glow, and she was back to her usual self, like nothing had happened.
When we reached her car, I crowded her against the driver’s side. “Don’t forget to text me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I won’t. Now kiss me goodbye and get back to work.”
And I did just that. Bringing my lips down to hers, I reveled in the soft brush before licking into her welcoming mouth.
Our tongues dueled and fought for dominance, and I loved that she gave as good as she got.
We matched, like two halves of a whole, and I would give her the world if I could.
My hands took on a mind of their own as I caressed her body and gripped her perky ass cheeks through her dress, needing more of her against me.
I was sure she could feel how much I wanted her as my cock throbbed against my fly.
The things she did to me, just by breathing.
I wanted her, needed her. I was completely gone for this girl.
It took a herculean effort to pull away from her, but we were both adults and had responsibilities, and as much as I would have loved to devour her all day, I couldn’t.
Gazing down at her, she was a sight to behold. Kiss-swollen cherry lips, eyes swirled with passion, and her sweet blush coloring her cheeks, all blended together to create a tantalizing image I would never forget.
After giving her one more affectionate kiss on her lips and on the tip of her cute button nose, I opened her car door for her.
She blinked slowly up at me, not moving.
“You should get going,” I prompted.
Coming out of her stupor, she bit her lower lip, making me groan. “That was a hell of a goodbye kiss.” Her voice, breathy with desire, echoed in my heart as she sat in the driver’s seat.
“Remember to text me.”
“I promise. Talk later?” she asked.
“Any time you want.” I closed her door and tapped on the roof before stepping back so she could drive off. I watched as she reversed and disappeared over the crest, taking part of my soul with her.
Today was going to be a long day, I thought as I turned and headed back to work.