Gray soon returned with a glass of water and a pill. He used his hand to support her head so that she wouldn’t have to jar her body again. Suzy murmured a quiet thank you and snuggled back into the couch cushions as best she could. Gray went to collect her luggage, and she was dimly aware of him calling Beth and telling her that they had made it home. When he came back into the room a few moments later, Suzy’s eyes were getting heavy and her thoughts were spinning.
With what she was certain was a dopey smile, she looked at Gray and said, “Thank you for everything. You’ve been so good during this mess, and I’ve never done anything to deserve your kindness.” As if by great effort, she whispered, “I do care about you, though, but you scare me Gray, you scare me so much.”
With those final words, Suzy slipped off to sleep. Gray stood beside the sofa looking down into the face of the woman he loved more than life itself. The words that Suzy had spoken were a great admission for her. She wasn’t likely to remember them when she woke again, but he would. He also knew what she’d said was true. He felt certain that Suzy more than cared for him, she loved him. Her heart, though, was damaged. She gave it years ago to her parents, and they treated it with nothing but criticism and indifference, and then she’d taken one more chance and given it to Jeff, and he shattered it. Repairing that heart and taking it as his own had been a long road, and it was far from over. He’d not have wished her harm in a million years, but the one positive to come from this accident was that Suzy’s running days were over. She was here with him now, and he intended to show her that they were each other’s forever after.
~~~
Suzy woke to a wonderful smell, and her nose twitched in appreciation. At first, disoriented from the unfamiliar surroundings, it took her several minutes to put the pieces together again. She was with Gray at his home. Apparently, he’d either left for take-out or had something delivered and whatever it was, it smelled delicious. Her stomach rumbled in appreciation.
Soon the object of various fantasies and a lot of denial came into view. “Oh good, the patient is awake. I thought you might be hungry by now. “
Suzy surveyed Gray’s casual attire and hadn’t thought it possible for her mouth to water any more than it already was…she was wrong. The man might look like a GQ model in a suite but in jeans, he was drop-dead gorgeous. He was wearing a Nike t-shirt and jeans that were faded from use and almost lovingly hugged his physique. Great, I look like a hag, smell even worse, and he looks as fresh as a daisy. Where is the justice in the world?
“Are you ready for something to eat? It’s just simple vegetable soup and grilled-cheese sandwiches. I thought we would have something light and then maybe a slice of lemon pound cake later this evening if you like.”
“Wow, I’m impressed. When did you go out to pick all that up?”
Gray looked at her and laughed. “I didn’t pick it up; I made it.”
Impressed despite herself, Suzy said, “Wow, now opening the soup can and making a sandwich I can see, but actually using a cake mix is more than most men I know could handle.”
Obviously amused by her statement, Gray said, “Prepare to be blown away then. I didn’t open a can, its homemade soup and I didn’t use a mix, I made the cake from scratch. Now while you tuck that bottom lip that’s hanging open back in, I’m going to go collect our trays.”
When Gray returned, he set two trays containing steaming bowls of soup, cornbread and ice tea on the coffee table. He grabbed another pillow, and positioned it behind her head as gently as possible. Then he picked up a tray and arranged it over her lap.
Suzy looked down at the tray on her lap in shock, “Holy shit, you have got to be kidding me! There is only one thing that I haven’t seen yet that could be wrong with you.”
A smile of supreme masculine confidence crossed Gray’s face as he leaned over her on the couch and put his lips to her ear. “Sweetheart, if you’re looking for a flaw, I promise you, it’s not that as you will soon find out.” Shivers ran down her spine as his warm lips paused to trace the contours of her ear and then dropped a brief kiss onto her lips before straightening up.
Her heart raced, and heat rushed through her body at the feel of his lips on hers. Good grief, girl, get it together. He barely touched you and you’re ready to roll your injured body off the couch and ride him like Sea Biscuit, geez. Suzy hoped the throw would hide the fact that her nipples were now standing at full attention. If a simple kiss could do this to her, she could only imagine how it would feel to have Gray inside of her. Stop before you experience your first thought-induced orgasm.
Suzy cleared her throat as she looked down at the tray that Gray had arranged on her lap. “I’m impressed, slick, I really am. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you actually cut up all these vegetables yourself.”
Gray sat in his own chair and tried to settle his tray over the throbbing bulge in his jeans. The feel of her lips still burned on his. To think that if not for the accident, he’d already know her body as well as he knew his own. Living with her and being unable to make love to her would be equal parts of heaven and hell.
Gray pointed to the large, flat-panel television that hung over the fireplace and said, “If you aren’t too tired, I thought we could watch a movie after dinner. I’m even willing to do a chick-flick for you. “
“Hey, it’s Thursday, right? What time is it?”
Gray quickly checked his watch, worried by the urgent tone in her voice. “It’s just after seven, did you have prior plans? I’ll grab my phone when we finish dinner if you need to make a call.” Surely, she didn’t have a date. Damned if he’d have her in his home making her apologies to another man.
“No, nothing like that, the Gamecocks are playing tonight on ESPN. Do you mind if we watch that instead? I have season tickets and I never miss a game if possible. If you don’t like football, maybe I could watch it in the bedroom.”
Gray couldn’t help it; he threw his head back and laughed. Here he was trying to earn points with her by watching a romantic movie without complaint, and she wanted to watch a college football game. If he didn’t already love her, this would do it for him. Every time he thought he knew her, he found another layer. What you saw with Suzy wasn’t even close to what you got. “I really had my heart set on Sleepless in Seattle, but for you, I’ll sacrifice. Meg Ryan will always be there tomorrow.”
“You’re messing with me, right?” Suzy took a bite of her soup while waiting for his answer and almost swooned in pleasure. “You know what? I don’t even care if you’re a little light in the loafers, this soup more than makes up for it. Where did you learn to cook like this?”
“Light in the loafers, now that’s something I’ve never been accused of.” Gray couldn’t remember laughing this much in an evening in years. The things that came out of that beautiful mouth were a constant source of amusement. She’d questioned his manhood at least twice this evening. That had to be some type of record. He’d so enjoy showing her that he was all the man she’d ever need.
“My mother believed that we should never be dependent on someone else to take care of us. Nick and I learned to cook at an early age. My parents, although financially secure, didn’t believe in having others take care of them. Nick and I planned, shopped for, and prepared dinner once a week for the family. Everything had to be made from scratch, and sandwiches were not allowed. My mother loved to cook, and I find I enjoy it as well. It’s a great stress reliever. Of course with my busy schedule, I don’t have time to cook every evening, but when I do, I much prefer it to dining out.”
Despite herself, Suzy was impressed. Gray was nothing like she’d imagined. She always pictured him as an uptight, rich guy, with an uptight, rich family. As she enjoyed the rest of her meal, she said, “Tell me more about your parents, what was it like growing up?”
A warm feeling spread through Gray at Suzy’s interest in his life. She’d always been so careful to maintain a distance between them. He knew she was trying to protect herself fr
om being hurt again, and he’d tried to give her the time that she needed. She’d knocked him on his ass the first time they’d met and time had done nothing to change that.
“My parents are wonderful. Nothing like you’d expect. You will love my mother. You never know what’s going to come out of her mouth. She’s outspoken, funny, and always finds a positive in something or someone. She’s very affectionate, but doesn’t mind busting our balls…Um giving us a piece of her mind when she feels we deserve it. She reminds me a lot of you actually, well, minus the leopard skin. My father is her opposite. He’s quiet and dotes on my mother like some poor sap. She in turn treats him like a king. Don’t get me wrong, my father can be ruthless in business and is very shrewd, but where my mother is concerned, he’s putty in her hands. Even after all of these years, you would swear they’re newlyweds.”
Suzy smiled at the love she could hear so plainly in Gray’s voice, and waited for him to continue. “My mother’s favorite quest of the moment is to see her boys, as she still calls us, settled down and happy. She feels that there may be hope for me, but has her work cut out for her with Nick. He’s the baby of the family, and even though he has a hard time keeping his pants zipped, she can’t stay mad at him. Nick’s charm makes him a favorite with all the ladies, even our mother.” Affection was apparent in his voice; there wasn’t a hint of jealously that Suzy could detect.
“It sounds like you have a wonderful family, Gray. You’re very lucky.” With a smile, she continued, “I don’t think anyone could ever accuse our parents of doting on each other or us. Displays of affection make them uncomfortable.” She paused to gather her thoughts and said, “They aren’t bad people. Work is their life, and I accepted that long ago. Like most kids, I rebelled as often as I could, but it doesn’t change anything. I think at one point, they seriously considered trying to get a grant to study me I so confused them. But after many years, we all adapted to each other and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Gray didn’t think it was as simple as Suzy made it out to be, but she clearly didn’t want to talk about her parents anymore, and he respected her wishes. “If you’re all done, I’ll clean up and find your football game on the television.”
Suzy let out a groan and said, “If you don’t help me to the bathroom Gray, I’m going to christen this couch for you in style. “
He grabbed her tray and set it back on the table. “I’m sorry, it’s been a while.”
“Maybe I could try to walk this time if you help me up?”
With a leer, Gray said, “I don’t think so. Give a guy a break. This is the only thrill I’m getting right now.”
Suzy couldn’t help herself—she laughed and then clutched her ribs as the pain pierced her. Ok, note to self, no fun of any kind until I’m well. She waved Gray off as concern filled his eyes. “It’s ok. Just try not to be so amusing. Now please carry me to the bathroom before I embarrass myself right here.”
Gray gently picked her up and Suzy finally got a glimpse of more of the house. Gray carried her down a long hallway with the same color scheme as the living area they had just left. The hallway appeared to only have one set of double doors at the end. Suzy was intrigued. Surely, the bathroom didn’t take up one entire end of the house. As they approached the doors, Suzy could see that the room was plainly a bedroom, and obviously, the master.
“Wow, now this is impressive.” The room was huge and contained a full seating area with a leather couch, matching chair and ottoman and built-in bookcases. A king-size bed dominated the center of the room, with a wall of windows to the right. The room was painted a taupe color with white trim and a tray ceiling. A wrought iron chandelier was suspended from the ceiling in the middle of the room with what appeared to be matching bedside lamps. The room was cozy, yet elegant. You would feel comfortable kicking off your shoes and cuddling up on one of the couches with a good book, but still be proud to show this room off. A fireplace of similar design to the one in the living room stood on the wall at the foot of the bed. Another huge, flat-panel television dominated the space above the mantel. You gotta love people that know how to enjoy television.
Gray had paused to let her look around for a few moments, and continued on to the master bath. “You do know that I’m going to have to um…help you here, right?”
Suzy wanted to laugh again; Gray was actually almost stuttering. Had the man never seen a woman in panties before? He did it at the hospital, but she’d made him leave the light off until he left the bathroom. She was also wearing a gown then and didn’t need his help pulling her pants back up. Oh shit, no wonder he was stuttering, this was going to get bad.
“How about I get your night-gown from your bag? We might as well get you changed while we are in here.”
As he started to leave, Suzy stopped him. “Hey, I’m all for changing, but I have to use the bathroom now; I can’t wait. We can figure the clothes thing out next. Put me next to the wall, and I can lean against it on my good ankle while you pull my pants down. Then maybe you could help me sit.” Did I actually say that with a straight face? I just asked Gray to pull my pants down, and put me on the toilet; I’m officially in hell.
Gray moved towards the wall closest to the toilet and put Suzy on her feet. He could feel her wince as the move jarred her body. He squared his shoulders, and tried to stop the shaking in his hands. He’d helped her at the hospital, but that was different. Being in this house alone with her was much more intimate. This was like opening the Christmas present you had always wanted, and then being told not to play with it. Get a grip man; you don’t lust after someone who is hurt. Think like a doctor, you aren’t affected by a pair of panties. Please let them be granny panties, please.
He avoided eye contact as he leaned down and grasped the edge of her jogging-pants, easing them along her legs. Holy mother, a thong! Gray could feel sweat starting to break out on his forehead. The thought of hooking his fingers under the edge of her lacy, black panties was almost more than he could bear. Averting his gaze, Gray pulled her panties down, helped her onto the toilet and then fled the bathroom like the hounds of hell were after him.
He stopped outside the bathroom door, panting like he’d just run a marathon. This wasn’t the way he’d envisioned removing Suzy’s clothing. He kept telling himself that she was hurt, and he shouldn’t be standing outside the bathroom door with a hard-on so painful, the zipper of his jeans was almost cutting him in two. As much as he loved having her here, there was going to be more than one person suffering while she recovered.
~~~
Wow, Suzy had never seen a man run from a half-naked woman so fast. After being used to Gray taking every opportunity to touch her, this was a little surprising. If she had to, she’d crawl to the shower tomorrow. Skip bathing, brushing your hair, and throw in sweat pants, and the man ran like hell. Was she really such a turn-off right now? Glancing down at herself, she knew the answer was yes. There was no way she’d want to do her if she were a guy.
So ok, she had a broken ankle, and her body felt like it had been run over by a tanker truck, but was that any reason to let herself go? Where did these sweats even come from? She had a strict policy against pants with elastic. She’d make an exception for a pair of skin tight leggings, but come on; there was nothing sexy about what she was wearing now. Surely, Beth packed some of her better clothing.
Suzy was determined to stand, and pull up her own pants before Gray returned. She managed to hold onto the wall and pull herself up. With a lot of pain, and even more cursing, Suzy finally had her pants up. She gave a shout of victory and was in the middle of a fist pump when Gray burst through the door with her nightgown clutched in his hand. She was probably a bad person, but she couldn’t help it, she started laughing at the absurdity of the situation. She was standing in the bathroom with the man who had haunted her dreams for months. He looked hot enough to make her one good ankle buckle, and she’d picked better looking things than her off the bottom of her shoes. God, she’d never been
happier. She hurt in places she didn’t know existed, but she just wanted to feel his mouth on hers, right here in this bathroom.
Gray looked into her eyes, and couldn’t miss the heat there. He had been terrified when he heard her shout as he was walking back to the bathroom with her gown. He fully expected to see her sprawled on the floor, further injured. When he threw the door open and saw the triumph on her face, and her fist waving in the air, he was captivated. His throat had swelled, emotion taking over. She’d never looked more beautiful to him than at that moment. He could see the answering desire in her eyes as her laughter faded, and her gaze locked on his. He walked slowly towards her, reaching up to caress her cheek. “Baby, I’m going to kiss you, and I really don’t want our first real kiss to be in the bathroom.” His voice going husky, Gray continued, “Let’s get you changed and whatever else you need to do in here, and then I’m going to tuck you into bed.”
Not Planning on You (Danver's Book 2) Page 6
