by Tawna Fenske
“It’s fifty percent off,” Kayla said, swatting her hand away. “And it’s your early birthday present.”
“My birthday isn’t for months.”
“A really early birthday,” Aislin said. “Your half birthday.”
Willa sighed. It probably said something that her friends were so determined to have her give Grady a chance. They hadn’t been this passionate about any of her dates since…okay, ever.
A buzzing from beneath a pile of clothes sent Willa pawing through the heap of silk and linen to find her phone. Her father’s phone number lit up the screen, and Willa closed her eyes. She hit the key to ignore the call and set the phone back on the bench.
It rang again immediately.
“Is everything okay with your dad?” Aislin’s eyes filled with concern, but Willa brushed it off.
“He’s fine,” she said a little too quickly. “Just having some challenges at work.”
Kayla’s brow furrowed. “He got a job?”
“That’s the nature of the problem,” Willa said. “There is no work.”
Her friends exchanged a glance that Willa couldn’t quite read.
“You aren’t still giving him money, are you?” Kayla asked.
“No.” Willa didn’t meet their eyes in the mirror.
Not lying, exactly. She hadn’t given him anything since the two hundred last week, which was probably why he was calling again. Knowing her father, he’d burned through that in a matter of days. Two hundred was nothing in the broad scheme of things.
But it had been a lot when she was nine. Back when her classmates dared her to do a cherry drop on the monkey bars at school. She made it all the way around, hair flying behind her and squeals of excitement echoing from the cluster of girls as she let go of the bar and dropped.
Dropped right onto her butt. She put her arms out to catch herself, and that’s when she felt something snap.
Her father had to leave work to come get her, his brow creased with worry as he drove her to the hospital. His voice was low when he spoke to the admissions clerk, but Willa could still hear. “We don’t have insurance,” he said. “But I have a little money saved. It isn’t much, but—”
“Sign here, Mr. Frank,” the nurse said, flashing a look of sympathy at Willa. “We’ll get her all fixed up.”
It wasn’t till months later—long after the cast had come off—that Willa heard her father talking on the phone. “I don’t have three thousand dollars,” he murmured, his voice low as he covered one ear with his hand to drown out the street noise while Willa huddled just out of sight in the hallway. “Three hundred is all I have to my name, and I was trying to save for— No, that’s not true. No, ma’am. They wouldn’t let me apply for the payment plan because my credit— No, I understand.”
Willa had crept quietly from the room. She’d always known her mother’s absence left a huge financial burden on her dad. Yeah, his drinking didn’t help, and neither did the gambling, but still. The sacrifices he’d made for her weren’t something she could easily repay.
“Hello? Earth to Willa?”
She blinked her attention to Kayla, who was trotting back into the dressing room with a pair of strappy gold sandals with little kitten heels. “I know you can’t stand wearing stilettos, but these will do amazing things for your legs.”
Still rattled from the memories, Willa let her friends help her into the shoes, feeling more than a little like Cinderella.
She shivered, remembering how things ended up in the fairy tale. Sooner or later, someone would turn into a pumpkin. Sooner or later, Grady would get into his coach and go.
…
“Ladies.” Grady pulled out a chair and gestured Annabelle toward it. “Your seat, madam.”
Giggling, the five-year-old gathered her ruffled skirts and hoisted herself onto the chair with all the ceremony of a queen ascending her throne. “Thank you.” Annabelle adjusted her tiara and regarded Grady with a regal air. “Daddy told me to say ‘please’ also.”
Willa smiled and seated herself beside the little girl. “What nice manners you have.”
“Yeah.” Annabelle surveyed the restaurant where a dozen children in frills and ribbons were settling in with their families. “You also have to say ‘excuse me’ when you interrupt or burp or step on someone’s foot.”
Grady winked at Willa. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
The little girl frowned. “What bridge?”
Covering a laugh, Willa sipped her water as Grady did his best to explain figures of speech. He was good with kids, that was clear. And his rhinestone tiara was on point, just like the sash he wore proclaiming him to be the “#1 Princess.” God, the man was adorable.
“I’ve got about a million nieces and nephews,” Grady had explained to Willa in the car on their way to pick up Annabelle. “It’s the reason Bobby trusted me with this.”
Not the only reason, Willa guessed. Grady practically radiated trustworthiness. How unlike her own father, who could be charming and charismatic but as reliable as a cheesecloth condom.
“Daddy says they only do the tea party one time a year,” Annabelle was explaining. “And Grandma couldn’t take me because someone had to drive Daddy to the doctor.”
“That’s right.” Grady picked up the teapot and poured a little bit into each of the three dainty porcelain cups. “He was real sad not to be here with you, but it’s good for him to get fixed up.”
“Yeah.” Annabelle frowned, looking unsure. “I like you well enough.”
Willa stifled another laugh, wondering where the girl had picked up that line. “I like him well enough, too.” That was an understatement of epic proportions, and Annabelle eyed her like she might suspect as much.
Grinning, Grady spread his napkin across his lap. His hand skewed the princess sash across his broad chest, and Willa resisted the urge to reach over and adjust it.
“Thanks,” he said, still grinning. “I’m honored to have a date with two beautiful princesses.”
Willa smiled and took a sip from her cup as Grady winked at her again. Not a date, he mouthed.
She laughed, sputtering her tea as Annabelle looked on in dismay.
“Grown-ups are weird.” The girl picked at one of the tiny tea sandwiches and regarded Grady through her frame of perfect blond ringlets. “Did you get hurt, too?”
Grady shook his head, easily finding his place in the conversation. “I was on the same fire as your daddy, but I’m okay.” He picked up his own teacup, which looked like a dollhouse prop in his big hand. “Your daddy’s very brave.”
“Yeah.” Annabelle plucked a sugar cube out of the dish in the center of the table and nibbled a corner of it. “Was it a big fire?”
“Not too big,” Grady assured her. “Lots of smoke, though.”
Wrinkling her nose, Annabelle regarded him with a haughty look. “That’s why you smell.”
Laughing, Grady grinned at Willa. “Can’t argue with that. It’s tough to get rid of the smoke smell when you’ve been close to a fire. Would you believe I’ve showered four times already since I got home? Guess I should do it again, huh?”
“Yeah.” The girl pointed at Willa. “Maybe she can help get behind your ears and stuff.”
“That’s an excellent idea,” Grady said as heat flooded Willa’s cheeks.
She focused on choosing from the platter of tea sandwiches so she wouldn’t have to meet Grady’s eye. It wouldn’t do to find herself mentally undressing the man in front of a child.
“My dad stinks lots of times, too,” Annabelle declared proudly. “He said you saw a bear this time.”
Willa looked up in time to see Grady scrub a hand over his chin.
“That’s true,” he said. “But it was a long way off and not dangerous at all.”
Willa sipped her tea, not sure whet
her he was trying to reassure her or Annabelle. Like Bobby’s injury wasn’t enough of a reminder how dangerous a smokejumper’s job could be. How Grady could be gone at any moment.
It’s why you’re not getting attached. One of a million reasons this can’t go beyond two dates.
Something Willa would do well to keep in mind.
She ordered herself to stay focused on the conversation. Grady was telling Annabelle about the different animals he’d seen on recent forest fires.
“…Lots of coyotes and a couple of bobcats,” he was saying. “And birds. On this last fire, we had an owl that wouldn’t stop hooting the whole night long.” He hooted and flapped his arms like wings, making Willa smile and Annabelle dissolve into giggles.
“I like owls,” the girl announced.
Willa tried to think of something to add. She didn’t have nearly as much practice as Grady at being around kids. “Did you know owls are nocturnal? That means—”
“Owls are not turtles.” The girl shook her head, making her curls bounce. “You’re silly.”
Grady burst out laughing, shaking his head as he refilled everyone’s tea. “Can’t argue with that.”
Pleased with herself, Annabelle stared Willa down. “My mommy’s dead. She died when I was a baby.”
All the breath left Willa’s lungs. She clenched her napkin in one hand, trying to find her voice. “That happens sometimes,” she said softly. “It’s sad when people die. Especially mommies.”
Annabelle nodded, watching Willa’s face. “Is your mom dead?”
Feeling Grady’s eyes on her, Willa kept her focus on the girl. She fought to slow her breathing, even as her heart raced. “My mom—” Willa’s voice cracked, and she sat up straighter in her chair. “My mom’s gone, too.”
The girl seemed to hesitate. Lashes fluttering, she reached over and patted Willa’s hand. “That’s sad.”
“Yes,” Willa managed. “It really is.”
Annabelle nodded. “My dad says we can get a kitten after fire season. Hey! Can I go see the fish?”
“The fish?” Willa blinked, struggling to orient herself to the conversational style of a five-year-old.
“The fish.” Annabelle pointed toward the corner of the restaurant, where a bright aquarium sat bubbling beneath bright lights. “I want to go say hi.”
“Sure,” Grady said, coming to Willa’s rescue. “Just stay where we can see you, okay?”
“Okay!” Annabelle jumped out of her seat and took off running, making a beeline for the tank.
Grady sipped his tea, still watching Willa. “You okay?”
“Yes. Yes, of course.” She took a bite of a tea sandwich, focusing all her energy on the taste of salmon and cucumber. “It’s nice of you to do this for your teammate. His daughter’s sweet.”
“Yeah, she’s a great kid. And he’s had a rough go of it since his wife died.” Grady watched the girl from across the room, eagle eyes trained on her frilled skirts. “Thanks for joining me. I knew it’d be more fun for her with a woman along.”
“Don’t mention it.” She took a sip of tea, getting her nerves under control. “I’ve been crazy busy the last couple of weeks, so it’s nice to get out of the house.”
“Any new clients?”
She nodded, impressed he seemed genuinely interested in her work. “One I’m really hoping to land. They’ve been on my radar a long time, and I’m finally getting a chance to pitch my services.”
“Is this TechTel?”
Willa blinked. “How did you know that?”
“I pay attention when you talk.” He grinned and popped a bite of shortbread in his mouth. “Don’t look so surprised.”
“I’m not; I’m just— Okay, I’m surprised.” She laughed and dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “My work’s not usually that interesting to other people.”
“Everything about you fascinates me.” He winced. “That sounded less cheesy in my head.”
Willa smiled and picked up a gingersnap. “I think it’s charming. Even more so, coming from a guy in a tiara and sash.”
Grady grinned and straightened the rhinestone marvel on his head. “You like? If you play your cards right, I’ll wear it in bed later.”
Willa shivered. From anticipation? Attraction?
Fear?
Maybe all those things.
Willing herself to stay calm, to keep her emotions in check, she glanced over at Annabelle. “I should go see how she’s doing. Maybe she needs to visit the ladies’ room.”
“Sure, yeah. Good idea.” Grady stood, the perfect gentleman, reaching across to help her out of her seat.
Willa’s hand tingled where he touched her, kept tingling as she made her way across the room. She felt his eyes on her the whole way, liking it way more than she should.
Chapter Nine
If Grady had any fears that lunch with a five-year-old would kill his chances of post–tea party romance, they evaporated the instant he stepped into Willa’s house.
“I need you, Grady,” she whispered as she pulled him toward her bedroom. “Please.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Her urgency surprised him, though maybe it shouldn’t. Something had rattled her back at the teahouse. The questions about her mother, maybe, though he couldn’t think about that with her tugging at the fly of his jeans.
“You’re so fucking hot.” He growled the words against her throat, tearing at her clothes with a hunger that equaled hers. They were like feral animals, nipping and panting and pawing at each other as they stumbled down the hall to her room.
Normally, he prided himself on restraint, but he was all over her. Kissing, touching, unzipping her dress the way he’d imagined doing for weeks. She felt so damn good, so right in his arms. It was like he’d been starving and Willa was there waving a big, juicy steak in front of his face.
When she drew back to pull the dress over her head, she looked at him with eyes blazing. “I’m glad you’re okay,” she breathed. “What happened to your teammate—to Annabelle’s dad—I forget sometimes how dangerous your job is.”
For the briefest moment, his fears flared into a burning trash fire in the center of his chest.
What if it happens to me?
What if my next jump is my last?
Where will I be in a year? Ten years? Twenty?
He forced a smile and shoved those thoughts from his head. “I’m better than okay.” His voice sounded strained, but he could blame it on lust, right?
That’s what this was anyway. As Willa kissed him again, he let the carnal wave consume him. This thing with Willa, it was all about the here and now.
And right here, right now, he wanted her desperately.
He wasn’t gentle as he tossed her on the bed. Last time had taught him that she didn’t want sweet tenderness. She didn’t want whispered words of admiration or slow, careful caresses. She wanted passion. She wanted greedy touches and hungry growls, and Grady was happy to deliver.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he breathed as she sat up and threw the red dress aside, then let him lay her back on the bed. She slid naked beneath him, so gorgeous, his gut ached.
She moved her forearm across her breasts as a flush crept over her body. “I’m kinda missing the sexy underwear,” she said. “My friends said I needed something red and lacy, but I didn’t have it, so—”
“Naked works,” he said, prying her arm off her breasts so he could bury his face between them. “You pretty much nailed the sexy.”
Whatever she murmured next was lost in a blur of groans. She clutched the back of his head, panting her fondness for the things he was doing with his tongue. It was fucking nirvana. Every inch of her tasted like honey, and her skin was so damn soft. Just touching her like this was driving him crazy.
“I need to taste you,” he growled against the underside of her breasts.
“I want that, too.”
Normally he’d take his time, stay above the belt until he was positive she was damn good and ready. But holy Christ, she was ready. He could see that as he kissed his way down her body, licking her navel, her hipbones, every inch of flesh he could feast on.
Her legs parted, and he moved between them, dying to devour her. “Please,” she panted, and he didn’t understand at first. But she sat up and rolled to her side, moving so she faced his—
“Oh God.” Grady groaned as she drew him deeply into her mouth.
She’d flipped them around so he could still slide his tongue between her slick folds the way he’d wanted, but she could suck him, too. It was his hottest fantasy come to life, and he couldn’t get enough of it. He parted her with his tongue, barely holding himself together as her mouth worked magic on his shaft.
“Willa,” he groaned as he flicked her tight bud with the tip of his tongue. “I’m not gonna last long like this.”
But he couldn’t stop. And neither did she. It was like they’d both been ravenous for weeks and couldn’t keep their mouths from claiming each other, couldn’t stop stroking and licking and tasting and—
“Babe,” he warned again, almost past the point of no return. “Better stop.”
She rolled away and onto her back, and he moved with her. Thank God he’d had the foresight to shove a condom in his back pocket, and he had it out and unwrapped in seconds. He sheathed himself quickly and moved between her legs again. Meeting her eyes, he saw an urgency there that matched his own.
“Please, Grady,” she panted. “I need this.”
And then he was inside her, moving and thrusting and claiming her with every part of himself. Dear Lord, she felt incredible, soft and tight and wet and so perfect around him. His eyes stung behind closed lids, and he honestly couldn’t say why. He only knew he wanted her, that he’d never felt so complete before in his whole life.
The orgasm hit faster than he’d hoped, but she was right there with him.