by Lexy Timms
I knew he desired me. Possibly as much as I desired him.
Even though things had sobered up very quickly the day before.
My mind ran off with my thoughts before my eyes fell back to my pad of paper. None of it mattered. Andy didn’t matter. Cecily didn’t matter. Grayson didn’t matter. Andy was a pile of shit, Cecily didn’t give a shit, and Grayson was leaving all this crap behind. Anton wasn’t alive to deal with any of it, so why was I considered staying behind and putting up with it? That made no sense. Everyone had left me in this damn town. Everyone had left me behind. Andy threw me out. Cecily probably didn’t give a damn where I was anyway. Anton was dead.
And Grayson would soon be lumped in with them as well—when he left and never looked back.
That meant I would only have myself to rely on again. Like it always had been. Just like growing up without a father, and living with a drug-addicted mother who sold my clothes and toys off for money to score for the weekend. Just like that, I’d be fending for myself again. No friends. No job. And no place to live.
I hated my life sometimes.
Memories of my childhood rushed to the front of my mind. Tears welled in my eyes and I brushed them away, desperate to gain some sort of a foothold again. I couldn’t let this city tear me down. I couldn’t let it suck the hope from my veins. Grayson had left to deal with those properties, then he would come back and pay me before leaving. Then that would be it and our brief but intense time together would be gone. Grayson would be gone, Anton would still be dead, and I would be alone once again.
Getting up from the edge of the bed, I walked out into the kitchen. I placed the tally of my hours and the total he owed me on the counter. I still didn’t feel right about it. That was way too much for the few days of work I did. But it would go a long way in helping me get my life back on solid footing.
Which was something I needed before my mind spiraled into an endless frenzy.
I shuffled back to my room and sighed. Now, all I had to do was sit and wait. I ran my hand through my hair and blinked my eyes rapidly, trying to keep my mind from running away from me anymore than it already had.
Then, I heard the front door bang open.
“Michelle!?”
I furrowed my brow at the sound of Grayson’s voice.
“Michelle, are you still here?”
There was an urgency in his voice. A spot of fear I hadn’t before heard in his words. I dashed out of my room and went to find him as he continued to call out my name. I raced down the hallway, wiping tears from my eyes and trying to clear the sadness from my voice.
“Michelle!”
“What is it?” I asked.
And when he whipped around, I saw his eyes fill with relief.
Chapter 19
Grayson
With each property I had stopped at that morning, I thought about Michelle. About how she could bring comfort to these people as they rejoiced in this newfound property Anton had gifted them with. They threw their arms around me and cried into my shoulder, and I dipped into a well of emotion I hadn’t touched in years. Michelle was better at that kind of shit than I was. She was better at empathizing with people than I was. And as each stop in the county rolled by, I looked over at the empty passenger seat and wished she was there.
In fact, I couldn’t stop thinking about her at all. Not for one damn minute. The closer I got to the last property, the more I didn’t want to leave. The closer I inched to flying home, the more I wanted to go back to that house, take Michelle in my arms.
My desire to leave Illinois without her was nonexistent, so after delivering the good news to Anton’s last piece of property he owned, I headed back to Stillsville.
“Mr. MacDonald! Why are you calling? Are you on a plane? Please tell me you’re on a plane,” Maria said.
“I’m going to give you a great big bonus for this,” I said.
“You’re not on a plane, are you?” she said.
“I am not. I’ll be staying in Stillsville longer than planned.”
“Has something happened with the estate?”
“There’s a certain aspect of it that hasn’t been settled to my satisfaction,” I said. “I’ll have to stay until at least the end of the week.”
“Well then, I need to get off here and make some calls. Though I can’t guarantee these men will be free. I might play phone tag with them for another two months.”
“You tell them that if they want their business forever changed by my product, that they’ll make the time. I’m Grayson MacDonald, and not only the support of the NFL comes with me, but the influence of my vineyard comes as well. They won’t be yanking your chain any longer, and if they don’t want to reschedule, then you tell them the deal is off.”
“Yes, sir. I can do that. Anything else?”
“Keep an eye out on things for me at the vineyard.”
“You know I always do. I’ll stop by and make sure things are running smoothly,” she said. “Now, what’s going on out there, Grayson?”
I drew in a deep breath as I sped down country backroads.
Maria had been my personal assistant for years. She was older. An immigrant. Taking care of two children after their father was killed trying to migrate into the country across the border. And in a lot of ways, she became my own mother. She replaced the mother that had abandoned me as a teenager and stepped in to bestow wisdom whenever she saw fit. Her youthful attitude always added wit to our bantering back and forth, but when she used my full name I knew she had switched gears.
I was no longer talking to my personal assistant.
I was talking to my godmother.
“There’s something out here that’s become very important to me, and it came into my life because of Anton. I have to make sure every part of his estate is settled, that piece included,” I said. “I still have things to do out here, Maria.”
“Where are you staying?” she asked.
“My old home. Anton’s home.”
“What all has been done with his estate so far?”
“I’ve been dividing it up and giving it away to the people he’s willed it to. Property. Gifts. Things stowed away in the attic.”
Flashes of Michelle crashed into my mind as I turned down the main road that led into Stillsville.
“Grayson, you’re hiding something from me. Come on. Tell me what’s going on,” Maria said.
I chuckled as I weaved through town, passing by the local gift shop. It wasn’t an actual gift shop, but everyone in town called it that. The place had all sorts of things, from antique jewelry to fresh flowers to those waxy, disgusting chocolates. I pulled into a free parking space and parked my car, then shut off the engine as I drew in a deep breath.
“You’re my assistant, not my mother. Remember?” I asked.
“And as your assistant, I need to be kept up to date on any developments involving you that alter the way I do my job.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t pull the age card.”
“I haven’t tossed it out the window yet.”
“I’ve always enjoyed that fire in you, Maria. It’s inspiring.”
“Compliments won’t get you out of answering the question,” she said.
I leaned back into my seat and closed my eyes, preparing myself for the story.
“You know Anton’s my godfather,” I said.
“I do.”
“Well, when I got into town, I found out that he had employed someone to keep up his property. She continued after he found himself in the nursing home. A young woman by the name of Michelle.”
“And what does this young woman have to do with anything?” she asked.
“Everything,” I said with a sigh. “She’s incredible, Maria. Level-headed. Down to earth. Grieving Anton the same way I am. In a lot of ways, Anton took her in when she needed it the most. Like he did me. And there’s this draw I can’t shake. This pull towards her I can’t rid myself of. But she’s not in a good place right now. She has no job n
ow that Anton’s passed, and I get the distinct feeling that she’s homeless.”
“Oh my gosh, Grayson.”
“She meant something to Anton, and he meant something to her. And she means something to me, I just don’t know what yet. But I can’t leave her like this. It feels—wrong.”
“Then you have to pursue it,” Maria said. “Whatever becomes of it, you have to at least make sure she’s okay before you come home.”
“But I don’t even really know her, Maria. What’s going on with me?”
“It’s Anton,” she said. “You had a kindred spirit with him, and he had one with her. So, by association, you also have a kindred spirit with her.”
I finally got out of my car and started into the shop.
“You’ve always gone with your gut, Grayson. And it’s never led you astray. Don’t change that now simply because you don’t understand all the things in play right now,” Maria said. “If your gut is telling her she’s the one, then go for it.”
“Wait, what? I never said that,” I said. “We’ve only gotten to know one another a tiny bit over the past few days.”
It was Maria’s turn to laugh as I started up and down the aisles of the dusty old shop.
“If I know you, Grayson MacDonald, I know you know her in a biblical sense at this point. So if the pull is that strong and you’re actually talking about staying longer, then I think you should pursue it.”
“All right. Enough with this conversation,” I said. “Get the meeting rescheduled, check up on the vineyard, and I’ll talk to you later.”
She laughed through the phone as I hung up on her. I bit down onto the inside of my cheek as I walked around the shop. My eyes swept across a box of sweets that didn’t look as if they would suck royally. Not the waxy chocolate, but not the kind I would usually bring a woman either. But it would have to do in this decrepit town. I picked up the chocolate and paid for it, then headed back to my car.
I sped all the way back to Anton’s before I barged in through the front door.
“Michelle!”
I shut the door behind me as the darkness of the house settled onto my body.
“Michelle, are you still here?”
Panic wafted through my veins as the house stood still. At the very least, I still needed to pay her for her time. Had she already packed up and left?
“Michelle!”
“What is it?”
My head whipped over to where the voice came from and I saw her emerge from the darkness. Relief flooded my veins as I grinned at her, watching her tired eyes come into view. I swept my gaze over her body. She looked exhausted. Haggard even. Like she could slump against a wall and fall asleep at any second. Her eyes looked down at the chocolates in my hand as I walked towards her, my hand rising to cup her cheek.
“Want some cocoa?” I asked.
She furrowed her brow, but allowed me the opportunity to lead her into the kitchen. I set the box of chocolates in front of her at the kitchen table, then started pulling out ingredients to make us both a mug. I stirred the milk and added the condensed milk, then dumped the cocoa in and stirred. I stole a glance over my shoulder every once in a while, and every single time I found her eyeing me with curiosity.
“Are you all packed and ready to leave?” Michelle asked.
I placed a mug of cocoa in front of her before I sat down beside her, taking a sip of the decadent drink.
“When does your flight leave?” she asked.
I waved my hand in the air, discarding the question as I studied her beautiful green eyes.
“Have you booked a ticket yet?” she asked.
“I’m playing it by ear for now,” I said.
“I don’t understand.”
“Drink up. And yes, those chocolates are for you. I figured you might enjoy them.”
“Chocolate with chocolate. Did you do something wrong I haven’t figured out yet?” she asked.
I grinned at her and took another sip of my drink as she unwrapped the box and plucked a chocolate from its cradle. The silence that hung between us was thick, and I used the time to rake my eyes along her beautiful edges. It felt right, being next to her. It felt good, being encompassed by her heat. Her eyes looked over at me from time to time as she sipped on her cocoa, moaning with every touch the liquid made to her lips.
Fuck. I really enjoyed those sounds of hers.
“Look, about what happened yesterday,” Michelle said.
“What happened was wonderful, and I don’t regret a thing,” I said.
Her eyes whipped over to me as they widened with shock. It made me sick to think that I could have given her the impression that I did.
“You don’t?” she asked.
“I don’t. In fact, I wouldn’t mind doing it again.”
“But aren’t you leaving?”
I set my mug down and settled my hand onto her bare knee. The contact alone was enough to flush her cheeks, and I watched her cheeks stain with that beautiful color as my thumb stroked her skin.
“I’ve postponed my trip,” I said. “So I’m not leaving tonight. And before you ask, if you want to stay you’re more than welcome to.”
Her jaw stopped chewing and I watched her throat bob as she swallowed. Her eyes danced along my face as she turned towards me, her beautiful curves cocked in my direction. I slid my knees between hers, feeling her body cradle my etched lines within her pliable curves. I smoothed both of my hands along her bare knees, rubbing my thumbs along her soft, sensitive skin.
And I knew by the way excitement washed over my body that I had made the right choice.
Chapter 20
Michelle
“You’re what?” I asked.
I watched a mischievous grin slide across his lips as his thumb continued their seductive ministrations.
“I’m not leaving tonight,” Gray said.
“Wh-what? What changed your mind?” I asked.
“You did.”
“What?”
“We did.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Yesterday did,” he said.
“Yesterday.”
“Yes. You know, in the attic? Feeling you against me. I haven’t experienced that kind of passion in—well, ever.”
I watched him draw in a deep breath before his eyes fell to my lips.
“I can’t leave yet after what happened yesterday,” Gray said.
My heart flared with hope. I wanted to throw my arms around him and crash my lips against his. But I settled for allowing my hands to fall on top of his. I stroked his skin while he stroked mine, watching his gaze as it danced around my face.
“Will you stick around with me for a little while so we can get to know one another a little better?” Gray asked.
And as much as I wanted to say shout out my consent, the rational voice in my head struck up.
I wanted to give in. I wanted to say yes. I bit down onto my bottom lip to keep myself from answering too soon. What I had experienced with Gray had been nothing short of bombastic. Incredible. Unlike anything I’d ever had with a man. But if he was only going to leave next week, what was the point? What was the point of getting hooked on him even more only to have to part ways eventually? His home wasn’t here. He made it very clear he had no intentions of staying. And with the plans I’d drawn up that morning, technically, I wasn’t staying either. I was going to be town-hopping, trying to find a job.
Did he expect me to put that on hold and just sail along on his dime?
Because I wasn’t that kind of woman, and that wasn’t going to happen.
If he left tonight, maybe I could let go. It would hurt, but I’d be able to forget him soon enough. At the very least, it would give me time to shake him from my system. But if he stayed another week? If we had some torrid love affair before he left me behind anyway, could I shake that kind of attachment? I could excuse one night. But two nights? Three nights?
Every night?
I’d be too far gone. Too
attached to a man who already had one foot out the door. It would be beyond difficult to let him go, and there was a chance it could break me. Change the kind of woman I was forever when it came to men.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I asked.
My eyes danced along his face as his features melted. I didn’t want to deflate his optimism. But there were too many things in play. I was grieving. He was grieving. Whatever he did for work was obviously being put on the backburner. Moving on with my life, away from Andy and this place, was being put on hold. All of it came to a standstill if we did this.
He sensed my hesitation, and I felt him pull me up from my chair and wrap me into his arms.
I melted into his embrace. Into his warmth. Into the strength of his muscles and the protection his body afforded me. I wrapped my arms around his body as his lips fell to my head, showering it with kisses that weakened my knees.
“I promise to go slow,” Gray said.
“That’s not the problem,” I said.
“Then talk to me about the problem over dinner.”
I furrowed my brow as I leaned my head up to look at him.
“What was that?” I asked.
“Talk to me about the problem over a proper date. Have dinner with me, Michelle. Just a normal date between a guy and a girl wanting to get to know one another. I’ll cook you dinner and we can eat out on the patio while the sun sets. Nothing extravagant. Nothing over-the-top. Just dinner and conversation. Possibly with my leg pressed against yours.”
I giggled as a smile spread across my cheeks.
“Just dinner?” I asked.
“Just dinner,” he said.
“Okay,” I said. “Just dinner it is.”
He held me close and I gave into what my body wanted. My mind screamed at me to push him away, but I couldn’t. I wanted to get closer to him. I wanted to know him more. To know him better. Even if it was dangerous and even if the consequences outweighed what I might get out of it.
