Chapter 14 Grace
GRACE
Idrop to the ground in the garden outside the window, squishing a tuft of ornamental grass under my shoe.
“Can’t you use a door like a normal person?”
I stand up quicky at the familiar voice. Calvin’s standing on the path with his arms folded and an amused expression on his face.
“I, um, I didn’t want to see my dad.”
He shakes his head, and I look for traces of anger in his expression. But there’s only amusement.
“And where are you headed that you have to sneak out?”
My heart hammers in my chest as I dust off my hands and step onto the path to face him.
“I was coming to find you.”
He steps forward into the shadow of a pillar, throwing his face into darkness and making his expression unreadable.
“You weren’t going to hitch, I hope.”
I hold up my car keys. “I came prepared this time.”
He takes another step toward me, and I suck in a breath. This close our chests are almost touching, and his familiar alpine scent makes my knees weak and my head swim.
“I was coming to find you, too.”
His hand touches my cheek and I let out a sigh at the contact, my body flooding with relief at his tenderness.
“I’m sorry for what I said, Grace.”
I shake my head. “I’m the one who needs to apologize. You’re right. I’m reckless and spontaneous, and it’s selfish.”
He captures my wrist in his hand, and my pulse thumps under his touch.
“It terrifies me, Grace, the way I feel for you. It’s so sudden and so strong.” His eyes are dark and wide, and he looks vulnerable. “I lost someone I was close to once, and it terrifies me that I could lose you too.”
His thumb rubs against my wrist. I get it. Calvin’s a natural protector, and I’m running around with a death wish. Well, not anymore.
“You won’t. I’ll wear the helmet; I’ll pull the chute. I want to live, Calvin. I want to live if it’s with you.”
He lets out a sigh of relief.
“None of us know what will happen tomorrow, Grace, but however many tomorrows I have left, I want to spend them with you.”
His lips crash into mine, and the heat from him warms my entire body. Our hips bump together and his arm embraces me, curling me into him and molding us together, our bodies colliding as if they’re meant to be. It’s warm in his arms, warm and safe.
He leans back, keeping me locked in his arms. “I know this is crazy. I’ve only known you for a little over twenty-four hours, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Grace. I want to marry you and have children with you.”
The admission takes the air out of my lungs. “I thought you didn’t believe in love at first sight. Or is it because you want to . . . what was the word you used? Procreate?”
He laughs at me, and his entire face lights up.
“I know this is crazy, but I know it in my bones. You’re the woman I’m meant to be with. I knew it the moment I saw you walking on the side of the road in your damn bare feet.”
He kisses me and its persistent, his tongue claiming my mouth, his hips digging into mine. I step back and hold his head in my hands.
“Whoa. Slow down. I feel all those things too, Calvin, but I might give my dad a heart attack if I tell him I’m getting married again.”
His eyes narrow. “You’ve got a month, then I’m making you mine.”
“A month?” I squeak. “Since when did you get so spontaneous?”
His eyes flash. “Since a curvy dark-haired woman with a huge attitude reminded me how to let go.”
I grin up at him. If he can loosen up a little, and I can straighten up a little, this crazy thing might just work.
“A year,” I tell him, surprising myself with my own reasonableness. His eyes narrow, but I push on. “My sister will have had the baby, and she’ll look good in a bridesmaid’s dress.”
“I’m not doing this to please your sister. But fine. Six months.”
I open my mouth to protest, and he holds up a hand. “Better make it five months, in case the baby comes early.”
I love this newfound spontaneity. And why not? This is real this time. This is love.
“Five months. Deal.”
I hold out my hand, and we shake on it. As I go to pull my hand away, he pulls me toward him, and his arms wrap around my waist. I yelp as he throws me over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry.
“Hey!” I yell as he starts up the path. “Where are you taking me?”
“Home. I’m not waiting five months to claim you as my woman.”
My core heats at his words. “My place is closer.”
“Show me,” he grunts.
My nipples harden in anticipation of what we’re about to do to each other. I direct him to my staff cabin, and Calvin practically bursts the door open until I convince him to put me down so I can use the key.
He’s gone cave man on me, and I like it. I like it even more when he throws me on the bed and captures my ankles in his fists and drags me toward him.
“It’s time to make you mine.”