8. Grayson
grayson
. . .
EIGHT
This is a terrible idea.
Not only did I get my ass absolutely handed to me by a five-year-old, but now, I’m trapped in a tiny space with the one woman I’m supposed to be avoiding. And by tiny, I mean the woman is practically sitting in my goddam lap.
Nova wouldn’t let me drive until Mr. Sparkles Sugarplum Pinky Glitter Bum was strapped into the seat like a human.
Seeing as my pickup truck is old, with only a single bench for seating…
I soon realized it was a grave mistake, letting Maisie tag along to school drop off.
Normally, Nova would be strapped into her car seat, but her school is just down the road.
Nova insisted her stuffy needed its own seat, specifically the passenger door seat.
That left Maisie and Nova to squish in the center together.
Not to mention, she had to hold the paw of said pain in my ass stuffy, because, and I quote, “Mr. Sparkles Sugarplum Pinky Glitter Bum is afraid of the car,” which left Maisie pressed up against me.
We hit a pothole, and Maisie slides closer, her body heat seeping through my jeans. I’m painfully aware of every single millimeter where her body touches mine.
Five, to be exact.
The tip of her clearly new boot rubs against my dirty one, leaving behind a smudge of dirt, a physical depiction of the stain I’ll leave on this woman’s life if I continue to let her in.
Her knee continues to bounce off my own like a pinball machine with each bump we hit.
She bounces it, I assume from nerves. I would be too if I was the filling in a Nova and Grayson sandwich.
It’s taking everything in me to refrain from planting my palm on it so I don’t bruise the delicate thing with my bony knee.
The curve of her heavenly sculpted waist. She should need a permit to wear a pair of Wranglers.
The ones she’s wearing are painted on her in the most distracting way.
We hit another bump, and her ass grinds a little further into me.
Fuck the SATs—refraining from touching Maisie is the hardest test I’ve ever been faced with.
Four, those goddam strawberry locks. Nova demanded the windows be down just in case her stuffy gets car sick, even though it’s colder than penguin tits outside.
The breeze taunts me with Maisie’s cherry scent, but it also blows her long locks barely grazing across the tiny sliver of chest peeking out from my button up flannel.
Five, her fucking hands. She awkwardly shuffles them, unsure where to place them, since we are wedged in here like sardines. Hands should not be that sexy. I want to trace the dainty freckles dusting the tops of her knuckles.
A bump has her hand accidentally slipping onto my lap. I let out a hiss under my breath. She retracts her hand like she’s touched fire, gripping her thigh for dear life. I imagine those hands wrapping around something else just as tight…
Fuck, this girl is going to be trouble.
I keep my eyes trained on the road, taking the single turn that leads us to Nova’s school.
This town is so small, there’s only one school.
Everyone knows everyone's drama, and they trade it like currency. I didn’t grow up here, but I’ve lived here long enough to be considered a local.
I know the town moms are going to have a field day when they learn about Maisie’s arrival and what that might mean for their single sons.
My knuckles tighten on the wheel, and the leather groans. The thought of local cowboys flocking to her in town makes my chest uneasy.
She’s none of your concern, Gray. Stick to the rules.
I’m one more dip away from dragging her fully into my lap so at least it would give my burning body some reprieve.
She’s everywhere. Cherries in the air. Tempting freckled skin against mine.
And the worst offender, in my fucking head every time I close my eyes.
I’m so focused on the road, I come to in the middle of Nova and Maisie’s conversation, and my jaw about hits the floor.
“I’m so happy we’re friends. Are you and my uncle friends too?
I once heard Mommy say his right hand was his only friend.
He should take some lessons from me.” She looks down at Maisie’s lap, where she still has a death grip on her jeans.
I see her wheels start to turn. Before I can stop the trainwreck from crashing, she blurts, “Hey, you have nice hands.
Maybe they can be Uncle Gway's friend too! This is perfect,” she says, her innocent smile so big, her dimples pop out.
I choke on my tongue, trying to catch my breath and my dignity as we pull up to the school.
“Don’t you think she has nice hands?” Nova asks me, her head tilting to the side like a confused puppy.
This kid will be the death of me. Maisie looks like she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, unsure if she should avoid my or Nova's face. I groan, the truck suddenly a million degrees, even with the damn windows down.
I manage a clipped, “Yep, they are very nice hands.” I spot Nova’s teacher waiting to greet her. “Oh look, we’re here!” I rush out, putting the truck in park before flinging my door open and sprinting out of the truck.
I round the truck, hoping the cool breeze helps wash away the blush burning me.
Nova has her stuffy unbuckled when I open the passenger door, yelling “catch” when she chucks it at my face.
I stuff it under my arm to help her out, strapping her giant backpack to her. It practically topples her backwards.
She reaches for her unicorn, but I hold it firm. “Not today, Novey. You know the rules. I’ll keep him safe while you’re at school.”
Her face morphs into the most adorable pout. It takes everything in me to stick to my ground. “It can be our little secret. Please?” she pouts.
I squat and squish her little cheeks. “How about I have a bowl of ice cream waiting for you when you’re done with school this afternoon? You can eat it with him and fill him in on your day.”
“Really?” Her face lights up, and that one look alone has healing properties. My heart swells at the innocence I see reflected in her eyes after everything she’s been through. This little girl is tougher than most of the men I work with.
“Really,” I reply, giving her a smooch on the forehead. “Have a good day at school, sweet girl.”
She spots one of her classmates and vibrates on the spot with excitement. “BYE, WAISIE,” she yells, blowing out my eardrums.
That girl wouldn’t know fear if it stared her down straight in the face. She’s a wild child, unapologetically herself. Sometimes, I have to remind myself if a five-year-old can be this brave, so can I. I’ve lost count how many times her bravery has saved me.
I about jump out of my boots when I spot Maisie staring at me as I return to my truck. She gives me a hesitant smile while I put the car in drive.
Her throat clears. “Do you, uh…drop Nova off at school every morning?”
I keep my eyes trained on the road, my voice even. “No, not usually, but my sister just got cleared to go back to work part time. I’ve been helping her out where I can.”
She nods. I can tell she wants to ask more, but she’s holding back. She’s pressed against the door now, as far as possible from me.
Good—it’s for the best, I tell myself, even though it stings a little bit, having her so far away.
Her hands fiddle in her lap. I've noticed she does that when she’s nervous. Her voice comes out soft. “And Nova’s dad?”
My molars grind at the thought of that piece of shit. “He’s not in the picture. It’s not my story to tell, but I assure you, it’s not a fun one.”
She lets out a breath. “I see. Well, it looks like Nova’s well loved, so that’s all that really matters. She’s a special little girl.”
“She is,” I reply without hesitation. “She and her mom are my whole world. I don’t know what I would do without them.” I’m not sure why I say it. I’m not usually one to open up, but Maisie has a way of breaking through all my barriers.
I risk peeking over at her, and she looks lost in her own head.
There’s a faint smile to her lips, though.
I trace the curve of her cheek with my eyes, down to the delicate dip of her throat that bobs once when she spots me studying her.
I quickly train my eyes back on the road, approaching the ranch.
I’m not sure why she does it, but she decides to share a little piece of herself back. “Lan—Oakland is that for me. My whole universe, really. It's us two against the world, always.”
Lan, the man she mentioned at dinner. Is he her lover? A friend, maybe? It pains me how much I need to know the answer.
Maisie notices my rigid jaw and lets out a small, breathy laugh. “Lan has been the only consistent love in my life. He gets me like no one else ever has or ever will.” My jaw ticks again, my teeth gnashing together at the thought. “He’s my b—”
“Boyfriend,” I finish for her before she can drop the bomb herself.
Her eyes blow wide, the most glorious laugh fanning through her puffy lips. “Brother,” she corrects me.
“Brother?” I mumble under my breath, feeling like an idiot. It shouldn’t matter to me, but that doesn’t stop the ugly, jealous monster in my head from settling at the news.
“The one and only. He’s my Laine and Nova, and I would do anything for him. I’m trying to get him to come visit the ranch soon, but he’s…well, let’s just say he’s a very busy man.”
My fingers relax around the steering wheel as I park my truck up at The Den. I’m out of the truck in two seconds flat, running around to open Maisie’s door before she’s even got her seatbelt unbuckled.
Her brows pinch. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m opening the door for you. You act as if no one has ever done that for you before.” She looks confused. “Hold on. You’re not telling me you’ve never had your door opened for you? I knew to do that for a woman by age ten, even without my mama teaching me.”
Her cheeks heat, and now, I feel like a total dick.
“Of course, someone has opened my door for me,” she scoffs, grabbing her purse to sling it over her shoulder.
She jumps out of my truck, ignoring my outstretched hand.
Ever Miss Independent. I’m starting to wonder if she’s so used to doing everything on her own, she doesn’t know how to accept help, even when it’s thrown in her face.
Finding her lost in the forest last night was indication enough.
She couldn’t even bring herself to ask me outright if she was going in the right direction.
Newsflash: she wasn’t—not that she would admit it.
I’m not sure this day could get any worse. I’m definitely in need of a second cup of coffee, so I head inside.
Maisie breezes past me, skipping up the steps, I’m sure off to find Roxy again.
I follow closely behind her, only because I really wasn’t lying about needing a second cup of coffee before heading out for the day.
I’m already behind schedule from dropping Nova off at school, so the extra caffeine is much needed.
I fill a steaming thermos of coffee, grabbing a second one to fill for Maisie without thought. Just as I’m tipping the coffee pot, the woman herself breezes back in, an energy drink in hand.
“What’s that?” I point at the metal tin in her hand.
She looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. “Caffeine?”
I look back at the mug in my hand, feeling stupid now. “We have coffee if, uh, you wanted some.” I slide the extra mug back, hoping she doesn’t see it from her angle.
She wiggles her drink in my face, a small twitch to her lip.
“Not a coffee drinker. I’m more of a chemical guzzler myself.
Scored this bad boy from the back of the beer fridge.
Pretty sure Ches hid it there, because his name is written on it in Sharpie, followed by do not touch.
” She makes a zipping motion over her lips. “You saw nothing, got it?”
“Yes, ma’am. You don’t have to tell me twice. I’m a good listener.”
Her eyebrow quirks up at that. “Good listener, huh? Does that apply everywhere, or just in reference to keeping my dirty secrets?”
My dick twitches, the little traitor. Two can play this game.
I step closer, our chests almost touching.
She inhales when I reach around her, grabbing the sugar shaker off the counter.
“Not only am I a great listener, but I’m a quick learner too, honey,” I whisper into her ear before withdrawing to dump a hefty amount of sugar into my cup.
“Oh…” she squeaks.
My attention is drawn down to Maisie’s clenched thighs. I avert my gaze to her face to find her lip sucked between her teeth. I’m surprised she hasn’t drawn blood yet. I need to get my ass out of here right now.
I clear my throat, attempting to break the tension. “We’ve established you don’t like coffee. Anything else I should know? This determines if we can be friends or not.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, Maisie flinches like I’ve struck her.
I’m not even sure she knows she did it. She recovers just as quick, slapping on a forced smile.
“You can add certified chocolate hater to your list while you’re at it, friend.
” She lays the last word on thick, an even thicker smile to follow.
I didn’t mean for the word friend to slip—God knows the things I want to do to this woman are anything but friendly.
This is good, though, setting clear boundaries so she knows this can’t go anywhere.
Not that I even know if she wants them to, or if she’s even single, but I cannot get involved with this woman under any circumstances.
Not happening.
“Perfect. More for me then,” I say, letting out an awkward laugh.
She gives me a fake smile, crossing her arms over her chest. “So, are we going to do any cowboy shit, or do I get the displeasure of watching you drink that liquid sugar all day?”
I peek down at my coffee, sugar still floating around on top.
I can’t help but let out a deep chuckle.
It sounds anything but nice, though; it's raw and full of barely there restraint from thoughts of tying her up on my bed all day and teaching her a lesson instead of working. This woman’s mouth is going to get us both into trouble.
I gesture towards the front door. “Lead the way, honey. It’s time you learn how hard cowboys can play.”