by Lyssa Layne
With a confused look, I turn to see where he’s looking. Two steps away from the bar and I stop in my tracks. I’ve never seen him so dressed up before. He looks amazingly sexy in his black Armani suit, red tie, and spiked-up hair. To top it off, he’s giving me one of his smiles that he reserves for something special. My heart beats so quickly I’m afraid I might pass out.
Grant closes the gap between us and holds out his hand. I grasp it and he spins me around to take in my dress in its entirety. He lets out a wolf whistle and nods. “You look beautiful, Colie.”
With my free hand, I smooth out imaginary wrinkles on his jacket, mainly as an excuse to touch his taut muscles. I straighten his tie, although it doesn’t need it, and nod. “And you, dapper as always,” I say, taking a sip of my wine.
He reaches out and he takes a curl of my hair in his hand. I shiver as his fingers rub over the long strands, brushing my arm. “I like your hair down like this, and the headband… ” As if he couldn’t look any sexier, he raises that scarred left eyebrow.
I laugh and say it for him, “Makes me look like a hippie?”
He joins my laughter as he runs his finger over the accessory Meg made us all wear around our head. His index finger drops down my cheek quickly as Everything I Do comes on.
He smiles and takes my hand. “It seems appropriate that we dance.”
Setting down my glass of wine, I follow him to the dance floor. One strong, calloused hand rests on my waist, the other holds mine. My body reacts to his closeness although I’m still mad at him—I think. I close my eyes and lean my head against his chest. His grip on my waist gets tighter. I take in his musky, masculine scent, the one I woke up to every day at spring training. Mmm, I’ve missed it.
I look up at him knowing I should say something but I’m not sure what. I start to open my mouth as the song ends and The Duck Dance starts. I laugh and grab his hand, pulling him into the circle.
Normally, Grant Adamson would have balked at this, but tonight he grins and dances along with me. After The Duck Dance, YMCA, and the Cha-Cha Slide, my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. Grant gets us both a glass of water and we walk outside to the patio overlooking the lights of New York.
I lean against the railing, my back to the city so I can look up at him. He’s shed his jacket on the chair behind him and loosened his tie. Both our faces are red from dancing as we drink our water.
Nudging his arm, I say, “I didn’t know you were such a good dancer.”
He laughs and sets his glass down. “Yeah, I really know how to spell letters with my arms.”
I giggle and he moves in front of me, his body against mine, hands on my hips. I watch his face closely before I whisper, “What are you doing here?”
He takes a step away from me and grabs his drink. Before he can answer, Meg opens the door and yells, “Colie?”
I look away from Grant and let her know I’m out here. She walks over to us and sees who I’m with. “Grant! Thanks for coming! I need to borrow your date for a little bathroom break if you don’t mind.”
His date? My sister set me up! I’m seething as Grant nods and says, “Of course.” She gives him a kiss on the cheek and grabs my hand, dragging me to the bathroom.
Inside the handicapped stall, I squat beneath my sister, holding her heavy wedding gown up so she doesn’t pee on it. I can tell she’s had at least three glasses of wine, as chatty as she is. Interrupting her rant on how Mark’s aunt ate all the wedding cake, I snip, “Why the hell did you invite Grant?”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh Colie, like it’s a big deal? You’re having a great time with him. Grandma’s asked me three times if he’s the one you’re always photographed with.”
I clench my jaw as I wonder what the rest of my family and our friends think about me being with Grant tonight. I hand her toilet paper to wipe and she stands up. I wait until she’s away from the toilet and drop her gown, fluffing it out for her.
We both wash our hands and she turns to me. “Look, little sister, it’s my wedding night and I don’t want any Debby Downers. So go have fun with Grant and get your panties out of a wad. Maybe even lose them, okay?” she says with a grin.
I’m still mad, but seeing the make-up is wearing off to reveal my sister’s black eye, I decide I owe her one so I don’t say anything. Making my way back to my seat, I check my phone and see Jace sent a text.
Hey babe, hope you’re on your best behavior. XXX
That’s an odd thing to say since he knows I’m at my sister’s wedding. I send a text back. Probably being as good as you ;-)
He responds. Uh-oh then we’re both in trouble.
Any other man and I wouldn’t be concerned, but this is Jace Richards. Ladies’ man with a sketchy excuse for not to coming to the wedding tonight. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. He loves me, right? He wouldn’t do anything…
A familiar hand touches my charm bracelet. I look up startled. Grant’s eyes are soft as he apologizes. I set my phone down.
“I’m glad you found this.”
I nod and blink back tears. “It’s from my father. Meg has one too. We both have a heart, a cross, and a sister charm, but the rest are all different. He gave them to us when he left for the Gulf War. Mine has a soccer ball. Even in kindergarten I played. And this one,” I point to a bicycle charm and continue, “is the one I picked out for my dad. He had just taught me to ride my bike before he left.”
Grant nods, listening to every word. He touches each charm as I talk about them, and then runs his fingers over the two he gave me. “Your dad sounds like he was pretty amazing,” he comments without looking up at me.
I bite my lip then randomly ask, “Do you want kids?”
He looks at me surprised but then nods. “I do. I want lots of them, a whole houseful.”
I don’t hide my surprise at his answer and he looks at me with a grin.
“Okay, maybe not a whole house full but two or three. What about you?”
Nodding, I answer, “Definitely. Not sure how many, I guess it depends on where I’m at in my life.” I pause then ask, “So I take it you want to get married again?”
Grant nods and replies, “To the right woman, yes.”
I bite my lip trying to figure out how to respond when I’ll Be comes on and he takes my hand, guiding me to the dance floor. This time, I slide both arms around his neck and he holds me close. I can hear him humming in my ear as my head rests against his chest. The song ends but he doesn’t let me go. He pulls back enough to look down at me.
“Colie, I didn’t demand or even request you to go to spring training. At the end of last season, George asked me what I thought about you. I told him you were the only trainer who ever had me pitching pain free. That was in October.”
I look down, embarrassed at what I’d implied and how I’d treated him. He places his finger under my chin, lifting it up so he can look me in the eyes. “Nicole, I’d never hurt you—professionally or personally. I hope you know that.”
Moving my head up and down, I pull him against me, giving him a tight hug. Of course I know that, and I was an idiot to think otherwise.
***
Laughing, I watch a multimillionaire baseball player placing empty plates and cups into a trash bag. Barefoot, I walk over to the table he’s clearing and touch his arm. “Grant, you don’t have to do this.”
He laughs and shrugs. “It’s no problem. Plus, the sooner we clean up, the sooner we can get out of here.”
Out of here? What’s he mean by that? I hope he didn’t get the wrong idea about tonight. I mean I had a great time dancing and hanging out with him but I’m still with Jace.
Grant grabs my hand. “Colie, relax. I’m just giving you a ride home to make sure you get there safely.”
I let out the breath I was holding and roll my eyes. He laughs and talks before I can.
“I know, I know. You can get home fine by yourself, right?”
I start to object but he’s taken the words right
out of my mouth.
“Just let me drive you home and you can thank me later.”
He tosses a couple beer bottles into the trash bag. I head to another table to clear it off. Meg walks over to me with a big grin. “If you get lucky with Grant, you have to tell me if he’s got any piercings.”
My eyes grow wide from disbelief. I can’t believe my sister just said that. What kind of hussy does she think I am? She laughs at me and pats my arm. “Relax, Colie. I’m teasing. You’re dating Jace, right? The guy who’s not here tonight to make sure you get home okay.”
I narrow my eyes at her but she throws her arms around my neck and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for everything, little sister. I’ll call you when we get back from our honeymoon.”
I see Grant and Mark shaking hands as Meg approaches them and leaves with her husband. Grant walks over to me, taking my trash bag. “That’s the last of it. You ready to go?”
I nod and we walk out to the hallway. I duck into a changing room and come out carrying three different bags. Grant shakes his head. “Geez, all that for one day?”
“It takes a lot of work to look this good,” I tease.
Grant takes the bags from me, his fingers brushing mine and my heart flip-flops. “Colie, it doesn’t take any work at all for you,” he says softly.
He places his hand on the small of my back and guides me outside to his Escalade. I climb inside and he starts the engine, changing the radio to a nineties station. On the drive to Jace’s loft, we sing along together to One Week and Every Morning.
Grant pulls into the parking garage and turns off the car. Wiping away tears from laughter, I feel his hand on my leg. I look at him and our eyes meet.
“Colie…I had a great time tonight,” he says in a deep, husky voice.
“Me too,” I manage to squeak out.
His hand on my thigh is about to set my panties on fire. His other hand goes to my cheek and he leans toward me. In a low whisper, he says, “I want to kiss you so bad right now.”
His fingers run over my neck and across my collarbone. I instantly react as sparks of electricity shoot to every nerve ending in my body. His eyelids close and I swallow hard. His finger glides back and forth across my collarbone while his other hand squeezes my thigh tightly. He opens his eyes and sighs. “But I can’t. You’re in a relationship and I won’t do that.”
My heart races as he leans back, taking his hands with him. I have to fight every urge in my body to not grab him and put them back where they belong, or at least devour his lips with mine. Instead, I nod and open the door getting out. He also exits and walks around the SUV to help me. My dress slides up as I scoot out of the car. His touch is even more electrifying than before. He reaches for my bags, but I grab them from him.
“‘G’night, Grant,” I say, quickly turning toward the building but he catches my arm spinning me around.
“Colie…”
He looks down at me and I can’t help but lick my lips. He grins and shakes his head. “That’s not fair,” he says, almost in a growl.
I stick my bottom lip out pouting. “It’s not fair to tease me and say you’re going to kiss me and then not follow through.”
He raises that damned sexy eyebrow. “So you’re saying you want me to kiss you?”
Crap, he caught me!
He brushes my hair back over my shoulder and runs his hand over my skin, down my arm until he’s holding my hand. “Let me know when you’re ready for that kiss, Colie,” he says and plants his lips on my cheek. Then he pushes me toward my building. I open the door and as I step inside, I hear him drive off.
I struggle to carry all my bags to the penthouse loft, wondering what’s wrong with me. I’m dating Jace Richards. He’s practically proposed to me. So why am I all turned on by Grant Adamson? I sigh. Turned on isn’t the word. My heart is beating out of my chest and it’s not just the almost kiss that has my heart racing, it’s the whole night. The laughter, the singing, the simple touches. I glance over at a picture of Jace hanging on the wall. Get it together, Colie.
In the bedroom, I slip out of my dress and crawl into bed, too exhausted to put anything else on. For the next hour, I toss and turn as my thoughts race back and forth between Jace and Grant. Finally, I drift off to sleep, but my dreams aren’t with the man they should be.
CHAPTER 21
The morning after and my fantasies from the night before feel so real. I moan at the feel of firm hands on my breasts and thighs. I picture Grant holding me against him as he pushes my legs apart. I should be feeling the tickle of his chest hair brushing my arm, but instead I feel a solid, smooth chest against me. I open my eyes and blink twice to focus.
“Miss me?” Jace asks with a grin as he hovers over me in the buff.
My cheeks burn as I sit up but he pushes me down. His mouth captures my breast and his teeth skim my nipples. His athletic hands easily part my legs and he inserts a finger deep inside me. I close my eyes to enjoy the sensations he’s creating and I’m quickly greeted by visions of Grant. Being that I’m already turned on, it takes no time at all for me to explode as he twists, turns, and teases me with his hand. Jace grins at me as he pulls his fingers out and rolls on top of me. “Good girl,” he mumbles as he leans down and kisses me.
I run my fingers through his hair as we kiss then pull away and ask, “What are you doing here? I thought you were working.”
“Nikki, you know I always make time for you,” Jace replies as he moves his mouth to my neck and sucks lightly.
I feel him dancing between my legs and realize it’s going to be awhile before we get out of bed and he’s not going to answer my question. Three hours later and my suspicions have proven true. My stomach growls and Jace leans down, licking from my hip bone to my belly button. I shudder as he tongues my navel but my stomach lets out another grumble.
“Guess that means it’s time for a break?”
Reluctantly climbing out of bed, I pull on his t-shirt and walk to the kitchen. I get out a skillet and a carton of eggs. As I whip them in a bowl, I turn to him where he is sitting at the table in his boxer briefs. I lick my lips at the sight of this delicious man who’s all mine. Good, all thoughts about Grant are now gone. A few minutes later, I set a plate of eggs in front of him and he pulls me on his lap.
“Did you think any more about my proposal?” he asks as his hands slide up my back.
I nod although I really haven’t.
He grins and slaps my butt. “Good. After we eat, let’s get dressed and go to Tiffany’s.”
I scoot off his lap and slowly eat my breakfast. Did I just accept his marriage proposal? I push the food around on my plate, unable to swallow any of it. Obviously, Jace doesn’t notice as he finishes, leaving his plate at the table and heading to the shower. I start to text Meg but remember she’s probably en route to Costa Rica by now. Cleaning up the dishes, I wonder what I’ve done.
Less than an hour later and we’re standing in the middle of the Tiffany’s showroom on Northern Boulevard. Jace has managed for us to have a private showing. He flirts with the female jeweler as I begin to sweat. He makes no notice of it as he pushes me to the showcase.
“This first one is inspired by flower buds as you can see with pave diamonds set around the round center stone which is approximately a carat and a half,” she says holding up a ring I’m sure cost more than I make in a year.
“This one here is an open curved diamond band that accentuates the center stone. It’s a little bit bigger than the first at almost two carats.”
The towhead jeweler gives me a sickeningly sweet smile and nods toward the rings. “Do you see something else that you like?”
When I don’t respond, she grabs my trembling hand and shoves a ring on it. The weight of the jewelry feels like I could drop it through the glass case. She laughs at my reaction and Jace joins her briefly. Finally, he notices how nervous I am. He gives her a look and she steps away.
“Nicole, I thought this is what you want
ed.”
He squeezes my hand with the massive rock on it. I swallow hard, sweat rolling into my eye.
“I… I…do, but this… you…took me by surprise.”
He kisses my hand. “Isn’t that how a proposal works?”
My breath picks up and I suddenly feel like I might hyperventilate. He rubs my back and pulls me to him. In a softer tone, he says in my ear, “We’re just looking today, don’t let this scare you. I won’t ask again until you tell me you’re ready.”
Throwing my arms around him, I let out a huge sigh of relief. He laughs as I do and I mutter thank you. Slowly, he slides the ring off my finger and sets it back on the counter. Taking my hand, he walks us out of the showroom. Before we walk outside, he fingers my charm bracelet I’m still wearing from the night before.
He frowns and says, “I thought you were getting rid of this.”
I spin it around so that the clasp is in back and answer, “It’s from my dad, Jace. You know that.”
Not only did I explain that to him when he gave me the diamond bracelet but we discussed it back in college. College…when things were simple and inexpensive.
He unclasps the bracelet and drops it in my purse. Waving the jeweler over, he points to the necklace and earrings that match my bracelet. Without saying a word, he pulls me to him and puts the jewelry on me. He fingers the round diamonds on the necklace and kisses me below my ear.
“Keep your dad’s bracelet, but please, baby, wear my jewelry.” And these days, it’s also Grant’s, I think to myself.
He brushes his lips against mine as the jeweler returns with his receipt. Walking outside hand in hand, we’re ambushed by photographers. Instead of the protective stance he took when we were in D.C. last, he grins and parades us to the waiting car. The reporters shouting questions about us being engaged. My stomach sinks when I hear one reporter yell, “Colie, what does Grant Adamson think about your engagement?”
CHAPTER 22
Sprinting through Central Park, my lungs burn from the cool morning air. It feels amazing. I love the good hurt my body feels from exercising. Grant chases behind me and bends over when I stop.
