“Nice try, Grayce.” James moved next to Mr. Walters. “Tom, I brought a bottle of Scotch since I know you’re a Scotch drinker. I wish I could report that Grayce has a full bar, but your choice is Champagne or Scotch.”
“Scotch it is.”
“Come into the house, and I’ll pour you ‘a wee-dram’.” James did his best imitation of Aunt Aideen’s sham Scottish brogue. “Davis’ aunt is making headways into the Scotch.” James put his arm around Christine’s shoulder. “Your shoes are divine. Are they Louboutin?”
“No they’re Sophia Webster. She’s a British Designer. Do you think they’re too young for me?”
“Never, Christine. The shoes are ageless, like you.”
Christine tittered, and Tom shrugged his shoulders at James’ exaggerated gallantry.
After everyone had moved inside, Davis stepped closer to Grayce, wanting to pull her into his arms. He restrained himself. He was feeling very shaky about all he had experienced in the last seventy-two hours. He didn’t know if he could live through another day like today.
Grayce took a sip from the glass. “James has the best taste in everything. Fabulous French champagne.” Her lips were moist, and all he could think about was licking the essence off her plump lips.
“Did you see my parent’s eyes? Pure relief. I feel badly that I’ve put them through another stress.”
“Honey.” He no longer cared about the guests. He wrapped his arms around Grayce, inhaling her sweet scent. “All I saw was two parents who love their daughter.”
He kissed the fine little hairs around her forehead. “They’re your parents. They don’t want you to protect them.”
“But when Cassie died, I felt like I was required to make them happy.”
“Your parents are happy. They’re grateful to have a daughter to love after losing one.”
Grayce leaned against him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled close to his chest.
James opened the screen door. “Grayce, everyone is waiting for the guest of honor and for a recounting of today’s adventure.”
Davis bent down and whispered. “We’ll talk later, honey. We’ll straighten all this out. I love you, Grayce.”
“Ditto, Davis.” Grayce giggled. “I like the sound of ‘Ditto, Davis’.” She tittered. “I don’t think I should be drinking champagne when I’m so tired.”
“If you don’t behave, I’m going to have to carry you.”
“You’re such a brute.” She melded her body against his and pressed her wet lips against his. “My brute.”
* * *
Grayce was ebullient. She was grateful to be surrounded by the people and animals she loved. She resolved on the spot that she’d be better about including them in her life.
Hollie rushed up before Grayce could get through the doorway. “Boss, it’s my fault. Nick and I should’ve stayed at the office.”
Nick walked over and put his arm around Hollie. He looked down at her with a sweet look of caring. Hollie was captured in his stare. Clearly, Grayce wasn’t the only one who had an interesting day.
“I’m sorry Dr. Walters, but I don’t think it would’ve made a difference if we had stayed at the office. Brandon Billow followed you to Mrs. Leary’s. When Hollie and I found the chat about the group meeting at Pier 69, we had to act.”
“You three stopped a bomb from exploding. The FBI agent told me how Talley uncovered the bomb that was in one of the protestor’s backpacks. Obviously, our heroine is tired from her adventures.”
Talley and Mitzi were sleeping side-by-side in the center of the room.
The champagne and exhaustion began to catch up with Grayce, who was already feeling giddy. Her hand wobbled when she raised her glass. “I want to make a toast to our heroes and heroines. Everybody raise your glass to thank them for preventing a disaster today.”
Nick’s cheeks colored a bright red. Hollie beamed up at him. Angie and Maddy raised their glasses to Grayce. Hunter Hines gave a slight nod.
Talley continued to soundly sleep, as did Mitzi. Perhaps dogs had better sense than the rest of us—p sleeping when exhausted and foregoing the champagne and parties.
Davis was talking to his aunt. He wasn’t pleased by whatever she had said. She probably was telling him about the prediction.
James raised his glass. “And to the person who started the whole adventure. Without her, Angie wouldn’t have been found, the plot to bomb the waterfront wouldn’t have been foiled, and Grayce wouldn’t have been abducted. Let’s raise our glasses to our dear friend…Emily Chow.”
Everyone said in unison. “JAAAAAMES.”
And then everyone started to laugh.
Grace looked around at the full circle of family and friends. It was right to share this moment with them.
“You’re up, Grayce.” James waggled his eyebrows. “We’ve heard about the bomb on Pier 69, but we don’t know the details of your day.”
Grayce took a gulp of champagne. Sharing her experience with the people she loved would be a challenge.
“You have to understand…” She looked at her parents and Davis. “All I ever wanted to do was help Mrs. Hines. Then events got tangled and convoluted. I don’t expect that I’ll understand the whole chain of events for quite a while. I thought Hunter was behind the plot.” Hunter Hines smiled at Grayce. The first time she had seen him smile. Everyone chuckled as if it were a joke, then waited expectantly for her to continue.
“It was all a fluke that Brandon Billow observed me at the house on 65thand then again on Beacon Hill. He was part of the ecoterrorist group and planned the real bomb. Although he planned to kill the Port Commissioners, he never planned to hurt me. What Agent Andersen explained to me in my debriefing was that Brandon became obsessed with me. I somehow represented his mother, and he wanted me to witness his crowning achievement. He apparently wanted to impress me and never had plans to harm me. I was never in any real danger.”
James rolled his eyes, knowing exactly how she was avoiding stressing her parents. Davis’ warm eyes and crooked smile showed his support. He understood and accepted her need to protect the people she loved.
Aunt Aideen stepped forward, a glass of Scotch in her hand. “Grayce, you didn’t start the story at the beginning. The adventure all began with a prediction.”
All eyes turned toward Aunt Aideen. Grayce began to worry, uncertain what Aunt Aideen would share.
“I read Grayce’s tarot cards and predicted she would go on a dangerous adventure, and, in the end, she and Davis would protect each other, and strengthen their relationship. The cards never lie. Am I not right?” She looked directly at Grayce.
Grayce shared a moment of harmony with Aunt Aideen. She and Davis had come through danger and hurt and were stronger by the journey.
“I’d like to make another prediction,” Aunt Aideen said.
Davis and Grayce shouted simultaneously. “NO!”
The large woman gave a belly laugh. She raised her glass of Scotch. “All I was going to say is ‘A h-uile là sona dhuibh’s gun là idir dona dhuib which means ‘long life will come to all in the room’.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Davis was agitated, impatient. The party dragged on, taking way too long to break up. The obvious attraction between Hollie and Nick made him envious. He wanted to be alone with Grayce. It was time for the guests to take the hint and leave.
James acted as host. Somehow, he had organized amazing food and drinks for the party with essentially no notice. He even had party napkins that said, “People say ‘High Maintenance’ like it’s a bad thing.”
Didn’t anyone else notice that Grayce was exhausted? Her color was wan, and she had dark circles under her eyes.
Grayce was running on fumes, but she took time to connect with each person. Everyone had to retell his part in the dangerous adventure. Although James didn’t play an active role in the rescue, he didn’t shy away from center stage in his dramatic description of casing the condemned house on 65
th and doing reconnaissance with Angie on Beacon Hill, discovering two vital clues—the map of Jack Block Park and the kitty litter.
His aunt and Grayce sat huddled together on the couch, talking in whispers. Aunt Aideen held Grayce’s hand and patted it lovingly. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it was emotional for both of them.
After an excruciating two hours, everyone finally left. Grayce stood on the porch waving to her parents. Davis wasn’t sure if they grasped the danger their daughter had endured, but they seemed to understand that Grayce needed their reassurance.
Davis came from behind and pulled Grayce securely against him. “Honey, let me run a hot bath for you.” Her soft curves pressed against him, sending a wave of heat through his body.
He’d need all of his self-control to act like a gentleman toward Grayce tonight. She needed gentle, nurturing care after the shock she’d sustained; he needed to take them both on a wild, rough ride. He held himself in check, but his need to express his feelings in the most primitive, male way was intensifying.
She turned in his arms and looked up at him. “You and James were right. I need to let people take care of me, too.”
She sighed and ran her hand along his jaw. “You need a shave, but I love your scruffy look.”
“Because I remind you of your canine patients.” Her touch and scent were doing crazy things to his heart rate. His breathing deepened to violent rushes.
“I’m impressed with your restraint tonight.”
“My restraint?” Did she already know that he was seconds away from ripping her clothes off?
“You’re dying to read me the riot act.”
“Kind of…”
He never wanted to feel as helpless as he did today. Never wanted her to be in danger’s way.
She laughed. The joy in her laughter went down his spine into his bones. Her lightness made the darkness of the day disappear.
“It can wait.” He wasn’t going to talk about the dangers tonight. With the memory fresh in his mind that Brandon had planned to give Grayce to Gator, his fear was building to white fury. “You need a hot bath…and a Diet Coke.”
“I do want a hot bath. And a Diet Coke would hit the spot. But after tonight’s harrowing experience, I have only one need.” She kissed the pounding pulse in his neck, driving sharp blows inside his chest.
“You do?” He was breathless, as if he had just climbed Mt. Rainier. He was waging an internal battle with his self-discipline.
“Grayce, you don’t understand. You deserve a considerate lover tonight. You were in shock. And I’m not sure I have the restraint.”
She had been rubbing herself against him as her hands made circles on his back. The exquisite sensation was driving him mad. Suddenly she stopped.
“I wasn’t in shock.”
“You wouldn’t know if you were in shock. You were shivering and you couldn’t speak.”
“I was shivering from the overload on my nervous system. And I consciously chose to become still, trying to release the violent energy from my body.”
“I’m sorry you had to be exposed to those bastards.”
“I confront evil in my work all the time.” Her fingers played with the buttons on his shirt.
“Your work is healing animals.”
“I deal with cruelty way too often. I’ve taken care of many abused animals. They’re innocent victims of rage. I have to release the negative energy or I can’t heal.”
He wasn’t sure he was following the conversation. He didn’t totally buy the stuff about absorbing energy. He knew how he dealt with dirt bags like Brandon and Gator, but Grayce wouldn’t want to hear his aggressive tactic.
Grayce melted against him. “I realized when we sat in the car together that we make the perfect couple.” She put her hands under his shirt, circling her fingers on his chest over his nipples.
“What?” He could barely get the words out.
“Sitting next to you in the FBI car, I realized that your presence acted like a shield to protect me.”
“I will protect you forever.”
“I know, Davis. And you know what else I know.”
He could hardly focus since Grayce’s fingers spread heat and fire as they wandered to his back and further down his lower spine.
“I need to be your shield, too. Protect and take care of your needs. And you have an incredible need.”
Somehow Grayce hands were on the front of him. There was only so much a man could take.
“Didn’t you hear anything I was saying?” His voice was gruff. “I can’t be gentle tonight.”
“I don’t need gentle. I need you. I need the touch of a good man.”
He held her face between his hands. Trembling with passion, he kissed her slowly and deeply. He wanted to take care of her, make her delirious with the same pressing need. He kissed her voraciously. She tasted of goodness and woman.
Breathless, she responded enthusiastically. Her hands moved up to the back of his neck, spreading her fingers into his hair. She pulled him closer and plunged her tongue into his mouth.
His heart pounded a demanding beat through his body.
Lifting her into his arms, he carried her into the bedroom. He put her down beside the bed. He began to undress her, but she kept kissing him as she struggled to get out of her blouse and bra. He helped her unzip her blue jeans.
When he saw the little wisp of lace above her blond tight curls, his control vanished. His hands and body started to shake in need. He squeezed her nipples, tightening them into hard buds as he kissed the soft hollow of her stomach. His tongue made a path to her curls. He needed to taste her. He pulled her jeans down.
“Grayce, lie back on the bed.”
Her eyes were filled with desire. Her lips swollen and her breath coming in short bursts.
Tremors of need careened through his body.
A dazed Grayce lay back on the bed. He positioned her the way he wanted her—open. “I want you open for me. I’m ravenous for the taste of you.”
He knelt before her. He slowly pulled her lacy panties down. The sweet scent of his woman made his erection throb. He wanted to make it good for Grayce, but he could barely hold onto to his control.
He trailed kisses down each thigh, her earthy scent beckoning to him. He rubbed his unshaven chin along her thighs. She responded to the abrasive sensation. Each time he rubbed her thigh she made a deep mewing sound, an overwhelming seductive sound that demanded him to thrust into her.
He teased her. He traced the outer sides of her labia with his tongue, but not touching her swollen, erect nub. She tasted of salt and mystery.
“Davis,” Grayce pleaded in a soft whisper.
He ran his tongue along her heat, pulling softly, circling with his tongue.
“Now.” Grayce grabbed Davis’ head and pulled him closer.
“Is this what you want?” He swirled his tongue and then began to lick, thrusting his tongue into her.
He felt her tighten and spasm around him. He kept his tongue on her clitoris, feeling the pulsation.
“Davis, I need you now.” A demanding Grayce made him very happy.
Desperate to be deep inside her, he pulled his shirt over his head and tugged his pants off in record time.
He covered her with his body, nudging her legs further apart. He settled himself between her thighs and pressed slowly into her. Burying his face into the side of her neck, he groaned in sheer bliss. “You feel so good. So tight.”
He was trying to control his need, but he couldn’t wait. He slipped his hands under her hips, lifting her to him, thrusting into her. He plunged a little deeper, edging to ecstasy.
He stroked the need in her until she was writhing beneath him and pleading for more. Her moans urged him on. She dragged her nails along his back. All restraint was gone. He was more forceful penetrating deeper, quickening the pace of his thrusts.
She cried out as her orgasm consumed her. “I love you, Davis.”
He lunged a
gain and again, groaning his love for her as his seed spilled inside her, shuddering uncontrollably with the force of his release.
Davis collapsed onto her, unable to move or speak. He pushed the hair away from her face. He wanted to see her eyes. She had said she loved him. He wanted to hear the words again.
Grayce was sound asleep.
“I love you, Grayce Walters, and I’m never letting you go.” He kissed the tiny wisps of blond hair along the side of her face. He rolled off of her and pulled her into his arms.
She snuggled closer in her sleep and murmured, “We’re perfect.”
Epilogue
Davis and Grayce approached the backstage door at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Grayce’s fingers were linked with Davis. After the kidnapping, Grayce and Davis both were taking time to savor their love.
“I can’t believe we’re getting a backstage tour. Wasn’t it sweet of James to arrange?” Grayce asked.
“I’m convinced that James was more traumatized by your experience than you were,” Davis said.
“He does have an amazing imagination, and I suspect he’s filled in the less dramatic moments with terrifying details.”
“He took me aside and instructed me to forbid you from investigating missing persons, terrorist plots, and the Russian mob. He had quite a list.”
“And what did you say?”
“I told him that I continue to have nightmares, and that I’m thinking of joining the FBI to be able to protect you better.” Davis’s voice had adopted a no-nonsense tone, but his bright eyes glinted with mischief.
“Very funny. What did you really say?”
“I told him that we had come to a mutually satisfying arrangement about each other’s work and interests.” He looked down at her, his eyes brimming with smoldering hunger. “Of course, I didn’t tell James how satisfying our agreement is. But as you said, James does have a great imagination.”
The knowledge of their lustful intimacy reflected in his eyes, caused heat to curl in her stomach and then move into her chest and face.
The Grayce Walters Romantic Suspense Series Page 49