“I…” The words almost slipped out. Two words lodged in his throat, but he couldn’t say them. Not over the phone. Not the first time.
“I miss you too, Marc,” she softly told him, misunderstanding his hesitation.
“Wish you were here,” he admitted, and it was true. He wanted her in his space. Though, with his brothers here, he doubted he’d have her in his bed anytime soon.
“I know, but in a couple of days, we will have one-on-one time. In the meantime, we have to be patient.”
“I know.”
“See you tomorrow for dinner?” she asked, and he smiled, knowing he would probably try to finish all the shit he had to do by lunch so he could get to her place as soon as possible.
“Of course. Should I bring anything?”
“No. I got it, but thanks for offering, baby.” Her voice went soft, and fuck, he missed her. His hands ached to touch her; his eyes wanted to look at her. “Okay. Go… get all movie star hot.” She laughed, and he smiled.
“Okay, babe. Don’t stay up too late,” he told her and heard her huff.
“I’m catching up.”
“I know, but you need to rest too.”
“Hmm…” she mumbled, and he knew she was going to be working late.
“Sweet dreams, Gracie.”
“Don’t let the bed bugs bite you, pretty boy,” she whispered sexily before ending the call, leaving him looking at his phone. When he looked up at the reflection of himself on the mirror across his room, he realized he was smiling like an idiot.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Grace
The last couple of days flew by in a blur of cameras following Lexi and I around doing the most uninteresting things.
At moments, if we hadn’t had Baker standing guard and driving us, it would have been scary. Thankfully, we had him there every step of the way. Baker surprisingly got along great with Lexi, and I even heard him chuckle out loud with her here and there.
The one he didn’t get along with was Gloria. Yet she stopped by more often than before, if that was even possible, and when Baker didn’t think anyone was watching, he would look at her with a look I could only describe as longing. But I wasn’t going to play matchmaker. Gloria was a tough nut to crack, and if he wanted to get in there, he was definitely going to have to work for it.
Thinking about the week and how silly the tabloids really were, I smiled and sighed as I leaned my head on Marcus’ strong shoulder.
“You okay?” he asked me. I smiled.
“Great,” I murmured, squeezing his hand.
“Good. We’ll be there soon.”
“I’m okay.”
We had landed about an hour before at a small private airport where a huge black truck that had seen better days was waiting for us. It had Wright Ranch painted on the sides of the doors and was huge and worn in, and so damn comfortable.
The best part was how Marcus had introduced me to his ‘Montana baby.’ A sparkle of joy shone in his eyes as he looked at the old truck with adoration. I liked that side of him. He’d told me this had been his first vehicle, and he had never been able to get rid of it.
I felt him kiss the top of my head and looked up, away from the beautiful scenery in front of me.
“Thank you for coming here with me.” I grinned happily. His eyes were covered by darkened aviators and his jaw was past scruffy; he was now sporting a light beard that looked delectable on him.
I liked this more casual look on him than I was used to. He had on a grey tee shirt that stretched wonderfully over his chest and arms. His jeans were faded and worn in and probably as old as his truck, but they did amazing things for his great ass and thick thighs. His hair had been growing along with his beard, and little dark curls popped out here and there around his neck and ears from under a worn, red baseball cap.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
“We’ll bring Lexi next time.” He glanced over at me. If it weren’t so sunny, I’d take his sunglasses off, because I loved his eyes that much.
“Yeah.” I smiled at the thought of Lexi being on a ranch. “She’d love that.” He gifted me with a grin. Our hands connected then rested on my jean-clad thighs.
I took in the majestic, long, empty road ahead of us. There were beautiful grass green fields on either side of us. I was surprised when he pulled over and took his sunglasses off.
“What’s the matter?” I asked, wondering if we somehow got a flat and I had missed it. Wouldn’t the truck have jolted if we had a flat?
“Shh.” His eyes were intense on me as his fingers landed on my lips. I could feel his gaze like a touch heating my lips, making them tingle.
“Marc—”
“Shh.” I nipped his finger, and he playfully frowned at me. “Be good, Grace,” he warned. My eyes opened wide at the sexy tone in his voice. His hand moved to my cheek, sliding smoothly to the back of my neck. “I’ve had you too close to me for too long. I need a taste, babe.”
“Oh.” And without giving me a chance to say anything else, he tilted my head the way he wanted.
His lips landed on mine, and my body braced for him to kiss me hard and fast, but he didn’t. He nipped and kissed slowly, taking his time, fueling the fire into a slow burn that made me curl my toes into the canvas flats I was wearing. It was slow, and sweet, and so damn good that when he pulled away, I was breathless and my hands were clenching his tee shirt.
“Love your mouth, baby,” he almost growled against my lips, which turned me on so much I pulled him closer to me.
Thankfully, he let me, and we made out again. This time, it was hungrier and more urgent. His hands traveled all over me, while mine did the same to him. I wasn’t sure how long it was until we pulled away from one another. His hands held my wrists. His forehead rested against mine.
“We have to get to the ranch, Grace.”
“But—” I started to whine, but his lips pressed hard against mine.
“I promise that when we get there and into that cabin, I will take care of you.”
“But we’re here—” I whined as I rubbed my body against his and heard him groan.
“I know. And this trip, baby, I’m going to have you so many different ways and places.” Places? A shiver ran through me at the possibilities of what he had in mind. “But we gotta get to the ranch before Donnie sends a search party for us. I promise I’m going to make love to you. I need you so bad.” He looked at me, and I was looking at him, trying to process what he’d just said. Make love to you.
Pressing my lips together, I heard his words on repeat in my head, while his free hand caressed my face. “Okay, Grace?” He snapped me out of my haze. He was going to make love to me. Wow. My entire body shivered before I pouted playfully.
“Fine, but I’m going to hold you to it!”
“I promise, Gracie, I can guarantee I won’t need reminding.” And just like that he turned me back on.
We adjusted our clothes, and I wiped away what was left of my lip gloss on his lips before we started back onto the road.
Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the front gates of Wright Ranch. I sat up, slightly breathless as I took in all of its majestic beauty. I hadn’t expected anything, but the building we were closing in on was even grander than anything my imagination could come up with. When the truck came to a complete stop, I felt his eyes on me, but I couldn’t seem to look away from the building in front of me.
“Is this a hotel?” I stupidly asked, and he laughed.
“No, baby. This is the main house.”
“Wow.” I sat back and ran my fingers through my hair, eyes still glued to the building.
Southern California had beautiful architecture, but the main house was unlike anything I had ever laid eyes on in real life. It looked like something out of a movie or a picture I would set a scene around in one of my books. A massive two-story, tall log cabin-mansion with what looked like a wraparound porch around the whole thing stood proudly.
“Come on.“
“But…” I was suddenly overwhelmed.
I knew he had money. I wasn’t stupid. I had seen his house and knew what the California real estate market was like. I also knew that actors made a pretty penny. Especially very well established A-listers. But this was on a whole new level, and I was suddenly not feeling very up to par. He opened my door. I looked at him. “This is yours?”
“Babe, come on.”
“Marc…”
“What is it?” He frowned. I opened my mouth then closed it.
“Hey, guys!” We both turned to look at Donnie waving, coming down the steps toward us.
“Does he ever wear jeans?” I wondered out loud, and Marc laughed then, leaned in and kissing me. His laughter was contagious.
“Let’s go. I need to feed my girl before I ravish her,” he whispered. I shook my head and jumped out of the truck, swinging a backpack over my shoulder.
“Hey! How was your flight?”
“Good,” I said as he quickly hugged me.
“We are grilling out in the back. Leave your bags and we’ll get someone to take them to the cabin.”
“Cabin?”
“Oh, I thought the cabin would be better for us instead of the main house,” Marc shared sheepishly.
“Oh.” I smiled politely, not really knowing why he wouldn’t want us in the main house.
“Come on. Let’s have you meet the idiots that are my brothers.”
“So, umm, before you two go in there, umm… I have to tell you…” Donnie nervously ran his hand through his hair.
“What?”
“Your parents and Nicola are in there,” Donnie said quickly, and I took a step back. His parents? And who was Nicola?
“Don,” Marcus groaned.
“I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t know until I got here.”
“You know everything.”
“This is true, but not this. I guess Nicola wanted to surprise you.” Donnie said, and I heard Marc curse before he rested his head on my shoulders.
“Save. me. Grace.”
“I…” I opened and closed my mouth, not knowing what to say about having to not only meet his parents and brothers, but also a woman named Nicola. I just started to giggle, making them both look at me.
“This is pretty funny.” I shrugged. “I look like a mess and have to meet your mom, dad, brothers, and…”
“My grandmother. We call her Nicola.”
“Your grandmother, Marc?” I looked at him and had to smile. He looked too devastated not to. “Suck it up, pretty boy. They’re in there.” He groaned and kissed me chastely.
“I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“For whatever they do or say,” he said, clearly worried, and I beamed at him.
“You have dealt with Gloria. A little payback was due my way,” I told him honestly.
“That was already here in the form of my detective little brother and my grumpy older one,” he muttered. I held his handsome face with both hands.
“It will be okay,” I reassured him. “Parents usually love me.” He frowned.
“That’s not what I’m worried about.”
“Marc, it will be okay.”
“I wanted to be alone with you,” he mumbled, his face in a pout, and I couldn’t help but lean in and kiss him.
“You will be… later. I’m hungry. Come on, you have to feed me.”
“Marcus! That poor child is hungry, so get your grumpy ass up here and say hello to an old withering-soon-to-be-dead woman,” a slightly raspy, feminine voice said, and we both turned around to see a beautiful older woman on the porch. She had long, white hair, done up in a braid, and was dressed in a very colorful bohemian dress with a cane in hand.
His hand took mine, and we walked toward her. “Hi, Grandma,” he said, momentarily letting go of my hand and hugging her.
“There is my beautiful boy!” She smiled happily at him before smacking him on the head. “Why haven’t you called me?”
“I’m sorry.”
“You owe me flowers. A big arrangement, maybe two,” she said seriously, and he frowned.
“It wasn’t your birthday. What did I miss?”
“I brought you to her,” she pointed at me, now smiling brightly at me. “It is a huge pleasure meeting you, Grace.”
“Oh, thank you. It’s a pleasure meeting you too.”
“We hug here, so scooch over. Don’t make me move.” I liked her immediately. Marc stepped to the side so I could hug her, and when I pulled away, she was still holding on.
“You are beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I blushed.
“My grandson is a lucky kid. If I were thirty years younger and swung that way…”
“Damn it, Nicola,” Donnie grumbled, and Marc groaned.
“My boys are such prudes. Grace, back in my day, a woman was liberated sexually. We fought hard for that right, burned bras and everything! Anyhow, what was I saying?”
“You were hitting on my girlfriend,” Marcus huffed, taking me back into his arms.
“Girlfriend.” Her bright blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “I think you are the first girlfriend of his I’ve met. Well, the first real one. Those celebrity ones were as fake as a three-dollar bill and just as charming. Come. We have a full setup in the back.” She grabbed my arm and led me away from Marcus. “Did Marc and Donnie tell you it was me who showed them Beyond the Stars?”
“Oh … umm, I’m not sure…”
“I did. I read it. I have read all your books, but there was something special about Beyond the Stars.”
“Thank you.” Heat still hit my cheeks.
“I’d heard these two talking about the movie they wanted to make, and when I had a chance, I talked to Don.”
“Why Don?” I asked curiously.
“Because I’m the smart one,” Don chimed in. I giggled.
“Whatever,” Marcus scoffed.
“Come on, Mom, leave the boys alone and bring her over so that I can finally meet her!” Another woman stood at the end of the living room we’d just stepped into.
Her dark hair was styled and cut in a cute, short bob. She was wearing jeans and a coral pink tee. “Hi, honey.” She walked straight over to me and hugged me. I had no choice but to hug her back.
“Oh, hello.”
“Mom…” Marc groaned as he stood behind me. The moment she let me go, he quickly hugged her then brought me right back to his side.
“See what I meant?” he told me, and my cheeks heated.
“Oh, hush. Whatever he said is a lie.” I nervously giggled at the scene and the way they all got along. They might have been teasing one another, but it was done in love and good fun.
“Mom, this is my girlfriend, Grace Rivera. Grace, this is my mom, Jenn Wright.”
“Oh my God.” His mom put a hand over her chest, her eyes going shiny. “He finally has a girlfriend.” Don coughed, trying to stifle his laughter.
“Fuck.” Marc shook his head. I could tell he was trying not to get angry.
“Don’t cuss in front of your mom!” Nicola once again smacked him over the head.
“Shit. Grandma!”
“He’s thirty-six, and I never thought this day would come,” she announced dramatically. I cleared my throat while I pressed my lips together and looked at the ground. I could hear Don had stopped trying to stifle his own laughter and was now doing it out loud.
“Mom.”
“His dad and I thought he might be gay, but he never came out. No matter how many times we told him it was okay if he was. We even tried to set him up one time.” No longer able to hold it in, I giggled. Donnie was now straight out laughing.
“He’s not gay, like at all,” I shared without thinking, and my face warmed at what I had insinuated, my own laughter dying down.
Donnie’s laughter was now mixed with Nicola’s, and it generously filled the space. I felt Marc’s arms wrap around me, his soft beard skimming my cheek.
“My girl d
efending me?”
“I just meant…”
“It’s okay, honey. I’m glad you’re here. We are all looking forward to getting to know you,” Jenn clarified. I nodded, speechless.
“Great,” Marcus mumbled into my ear, his arms still wrapped around me as we followed them out to the backyard.
Three men stood next to amazing lawn furniture when we reached the BBQ. Three very handsome men, who with one look I could tell were obviously related to Marcus. An older gentleman, who no doubt was Marc’s dad, and his two brothers.
“Grace. I’m so happy to meet you.” Marc’s dad walked over, his hand extended. I took it, even though Marc didn’t take his arms off of my shoulders.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Dad, this is my girl, Grace. Grace this is my dad, Connor Wright.”
“Girl, huh?” His lips twitched. “I’m happy to meet you,” he sincerely said, and I nodded. “The big grumpy log is Garrett, and the younger one is Bryan.” They waved at me as they studied me with assessing eyes. I smiled shyly at them.
“Want to let the poor girl go, so that she could, I don’t know, breathe, and maybe you could give your old man a hug?” I heard Marc sigh before he kissed the top of my head. A second later, he let me go to give his dad a man hug, complete with a pat on the back. He came back to me, his arm around my shoulder, so that my only choice was to wrap mine around his waist.
They all talked, while I mostly listened, answering questions here and there. It was nice to watch them interact. They all chatted as Garrett and Bryan finished up grilling. Bryan had talked to me for a little bit, and I took in the family resemblance of the three brothers. All three were tall, obviously built, with dark hair. Each with different-colored eyes. Bryan’s were a slate blue, and Garrett’s were what looked to be a shade of brown. Not that I got to see much of him. He was the only one who hadn’t spoken to me.
“I can’t believe we are all together!” Nicola clapped happily as she walked over to me. Two steps away, Donnie stepped in and took her arm.
“Let’s sit down and eat. Shall we, Grams?”
“I know what you’re doing, kid. There is nothing wrong with wanting to get to know my future granddaughter-in-law.” I was just about to take a sip of the glass of lemonade and coughed.
LIE (Right Men Book 1) Page 23
