“That was wrong,” Grace commented. “I mean, what the newspaper did to the Blacks. And what she did to you.”
“It wasn’t the newspaper itself that was the problem. It was the reporter and the ramifications she set off by writing a sensationalized story. I understand that as a public figure I need to set an example for young athletes hoping to make it to the pros. It takes hard work, determination and years of training, as well as ability. It also takes an edge, something that sets you apart from others.”
“Your edge came from being a track star in decathlon,” Grace guessed. “That requires more than speed.”
“True, without learning how to compete in ten events and win, I doubt I’d be a great receiver. When my high school football coach saw what I could do on the field, he changed my position from tight end to receiver.”
“But you always liked football, right?”
“I loved it. Football is a national pastime for teenagers where I grew up,” he admitted. “The college scouts started showing up at my games when I was a sophomore in high school. Obviously, I chose to become a Longhorn.”
“You are a gifted man, McKay,” she complimented.
“Why thank you, Gracie,” he said, kissing the back of her head.
The fire was lovely, cozy and Grace enjoyed being able to talk. As attracted as she was to Dallas, they seemed to connect on a deeper level than physical.
Her attention went to the family photos on the mantle. Dallas looked so happy in them. “Tell me about your family, Dallas. I know your youngest sister makes crafts and soaps. She looks as lovely as a butterfly sitting on your brother’s lap.”
Dallas tightened his arms. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Know things about a person so easily,” he answered.
“I’m not sure, really.”
“My sister’s name is Aponi. It means butterfly.”
“How beautiful, is it an Apache name?”
“We can’t be sure,” he said. “The native Apache in that part of Texas originally refused to translate their names into English. But my parents traced the name to the area and it fit.”
“The soaps she makes are phenomenal,” Grace said. “They may not lather like the commercial stuff, but I sure feel clean after using them. My hair’s normally difficult to brush out in the morning. Today, there were no tangles.”
“I’ll tell her my girl approves. She’ll love that.”
“Wow,” Grace whispered, awed by being called Dallas’ girl. “I’m your girl, huh?” She felt like a woman, but it was nice to be considered his.
“Definitely mine,” he reassured.
Smiling, she refocused on the pictures. “Tell me about the rest of your siblings.”
“Aaron’s the second to the oldest,” Dallas began. “He was adopted when he was six months old and was very vocal as a baby.”
“He cried a lot,” Grace chimed in.
“Yeah, from an allergy to milk that he grew out of,” Dallas went on. “And he liked to chatter a lot, even that early. My parents named him after the brother of Moses. From her Sunday school days, Mom remembered that Aaron was the more vocal of the two.”
“What about today?”
“Aaron knows how to speak his mind, that’s for sure,” Dallas said. “He’s the architect and builder in our family.”
“And he’s very talented too. What about the twins? I’m assuming they’re twins since they look about the same age.”
“That’s Paco and Angelina,” Dallas answered. “They’re twenty-one, in college. Angelina is pre-med, with plans to be a pediatrician. Paco is pre-law. He wants to become a family court judge. Considering that they were turned over to family services in Houston when they were very little, they are very aware of how unfair things can turn out for children if they don’t have someone in their corner.”
“Your parents were in their corner.”
“They were. It was important to them that we were all reared to appreciate family, and maintain our own cultural identity. They made sure Paco and Angelina remain a part of their paternal grandparents’ lives and they visit with them regularly.”
“Do the twins see their maternal grandparents?”
“Unfortunately, they don’t,” Dallas said. “Their biological mother placed them for adoption after their father died. I think they couldn’t deal with their daughter’s decision.”
“I’m so sorry,” Grace whispered, her heart breaking for the twins.
“Their mother did what she thought best for them, Gracie,” Dallas said, pausing. “Their father’s family didn’t object, but did request to be part of their lives.”
“It’s wonderful of your parents to make sure that happened,” she said. “Dallas, you realize your mother did the same thing for you, don’t you?”
“I know that now,” he agreed. “It took me awhile to get there. It doesn’t change the fact that I still need answers.”
“You deserve them,” Grace said. “I love your family already, Dallas McKay. I’m hoping to meet them sometime soon.”
“I’ll take you to the ranch after football season ends.”
“I’d love to go.” She couldn’t wait to see the place where he’d grown into such a good man. “I’ve ridden horses before, but I’ve never been to a real, working ranch.”
“There’s nothing like working on a ranch. Early hours, late hours, broken fences, fixing on engines, tractors, calving, horse breeding, you name it, I’ve either done it or seen it.”
“I’m sure you did,” she said and grinned. “Bet the girls in the area drove your parents crazy trying to get a glimpse of you mending fences shirtless or trying to sneak off to the barn with you.”
“Can’t deny that I gave Mom and Dad some headaches and broke a lot of hearts,” he admitted. “I’ve never been a saint, baby.”
“I don’t want a saint. I want you.” She rubbed his arms, loving the simple yet secure way he held her. She could feel his penis stir against her butt. She didn’t press or move, choosing instead to enjoy the intimacy they’d found on the couch.
“Now that you know about my family, tell me about yours.” Dallas shifted his hips, tucking his semi-hard cock between her ass cheeks.
The small blaze in the fireplace crackled and sparked, continuing to warm the room. Grace glanced out the closest window. Snow was still falling steadily. Evergreen trees were lined with heavy blankets of snow, bending the soft branches low. Bare oaks were covered with ice crystals. It looked like the storm was worsening with the addition of sleet.
Glad they weren’t going anywhere for awhile, she sighed. “Let’s see. You know my father is a professor at the University of Maryland, College Park.”
“Early American History through Reconstruction,” Dallas said.
“Yes, that’s where he started,” she answered. “Professor Leeward Daniels is now head of his department. He also teaches an elective Civil War class that students can’t take until they have American History 101 and 102. It’s one of the most difficult classes to get.”
“What makes it different?”
“History 102 gives them the dates, the key events, the background,” Grace said. “The elective class is unique in that when roll is taken on day one, the students randomly pick index cards from a box. On that card is the identity they will assume as the class continues. Some become nurses, slaves, Union soldiers, officers, Confederate soldiers or spies. They have to research and write a paper and a speech on that identity. At the end of the semester, they reenact some of the most historical battles of the Civil War in the role they researched.”
“I’d like to take that course.”
“It’s interesting. My parents were into reenactments anyway and it made sense for him to create such a class. They inspired my older brother, Lethe, to go into theater. He’s now a technical manager at a community theater and joins Renaissance festivals whenever he can. My dad’s been thinking about creating a similar class for the Revoluti
on.”
“Is Lethe married?”
“Recently, yes,” Grace answered. “His wife, Sarah, is a dancer. She’s really sweet and very talented.”
“Any more brothers or sisters?”
“A sister, Kate, she’s the oldest. She has the nicest husband ever, Colin, and they have two-point-five kids and a Golden Retriever. Kate teaches History and Social Studies at a high school in Baltimore County. That’s how I met Anna, actually.”
“They taught at the same school?”
“Yes. I picked up Kate one day because her car was in the shop. I met Anna and we became friends instantly.”
“You said two-point-five kids?”
“Kate’s five months pregnant with her third child,” Grace explained. “She’s always wanted a big family. Her kids are great, very smart. I spoil Colin Jr. and Hope rotten whenever I see them. My Mom, Catherine, is a retired social worker. She loves being a grandma.”
“What about you, Gracie?”
“Me?”
“Family, do you want one of your own?”
“I would love to have children,” she answered. “I’m not ready yet, since I want to establish my business first. That’s why I chose an IUD. So I can have it removed when I am ready. Uh, you didn’t ask about that, sorry.”
“Baby, we’ve had sex so many times since last night, I’ve lost count. You can talk about anything with me.”
“Thank you, that’s good to know.”
“Someday I want a family too,” he said. “Why do you think I had this house built with five bedrooms? But first, I’ll try to be a good husband. Until I met you, I didn’t think I was capable of settling down until I knew where I came from. And I’ve never been tempted to ditch using rubbers.”
Suddenly Grace really wanted to see those rooms filled with Dallas McKay’s children. The ache became so sharp that she had to move to stop herself from saying something she shouldn’t yet.
“I understand, Dallas. If something happens and I can’t find the answers you’re looking for, you’ll still be a great man and become an excellent father,” she insisted, burying her fear that when she found the answers he needed, it wouldn’t be her that he settled down with.
“I’m glad I have you with me now, Gracie,” he said, whispering a kiss in her ear. “We might be moving faster than hell, but it doesn’t change how I feel.”
“Are you still scared?” she murmured, closing her eyes to enjoy the warmth of the fire and warding away her doubts. Reminding herself that they were new together, she relaxed, silently praying that maybe she’d become Dallas’ wife. After all, he called her his girl.
“Not as much as I was when I woke up alone in bed,” he told her.
“You know why I left.”
“I do. During the night, I’d been worried that you were thinking about bolting. You’d mentioned calling a cab. Scared the fuck out of me,” he admitted.
“I’m sorry. I was panicking and wrongly put you into the same mold as what I’d known before.” She’d been wrong to do that, she knew that now. “You’re nothing like what I expected when I agreed to meet you.”
Dallas let go of her long enough to push his sweats down. His erection was heavy and thick against her. “Gracie, I need to make love to you. Slow and gentle, just to be inside of you for awhile.”
“I’d love nothing more,” she agreed, letting him run his hand down her leg and readjust her position. She felt him work beneath the throw to open a foil package and put on a condom. She wasn’t sure when he’d gotten the packet, but it didn’t matter. She shifted, feeling his sheathed cock probing her entrance from behind.
Slowly, he entered, his thick length seeming to take forever to be fully seated. His roaming hand skimmed up and down her bare thigh, staying beneath the soft throw blanket covering them both. On a down stroke, his palm slid between her thighs, nestling up against her clit. As he thrust and withdrew, his palm pressed and released. His other arm encircled her, his mouth honing in on his love bite.
While the fireplace sparked and the snow fell beyond the window, he made love to her with such affection and tenderness that he stole her heart. Amazingly, he kept to his slow and gentle promise, making her feel especially beautiful.
Chapter Nine
Max woke Dallas with a cold muzzle in his ear. Grace was asleep in his arms, and he didn’t want to move. He was physically spent, but his cock didn’t care that he’d made love to her not that long ago. He was hard again. However, his dog began pacing back and forth.
“Okay, boy, I get it,” he whispered, trying to scoot out from behind his woman without disturbing her. “My girl’s sleeping. Let’s be careful not to wake her.”
“Hmm, it’s okay, Dallas, I’m awake,” she murmured, stirring. “Take care of Max. I need to get dressed anyway.”
Dallas sat up, pulled up his sweats and stood. “I’d rather stay here for awhile longer, but if we do that I’ll wear you out before supper.”
“I’m feeling a little tender,” she said. “If you want to fool around at bedtime, it’s best if I work for awhile. Can I connect my laptop to your wireless connection?”
“Of course, baby.” Max ran to the door and woofed. “I’ll meet you downstairs in a few.”
He followed Max through the door and down to the first floor to let him out. They’d slept on the sofa for a few hours and now a good portion of the day was gone. Out back, it looked like a foot of snow had fallen so far. It slowed a little, but he heard the ping of ice pellets hitting the ground. Fortunately, they didn’t have to go anywhere. Dallas smiled at that. He had Grace all to himself for at least another night. At some point, he’d have to let her go home to her own place. If the snow and sleet cleared by dawn, it’d be safe to drive her over to the Blacks’ estate in the morning.
Max returned slowly. The snow had crusted over from the sleet and the dog slipped as he walked, lifting up his left leg. It’d been his left that had been broken so severely that he hadn’t been able to use it until the third surgery. Quickly, Dallas tugged on a pair of snow boots he kept near the back door and stepped outside.
“Easy, boy, I’ve got you.” Crunching through twelve inches of ice-crusted snow and the stinging bite of sleet on his bare shoulders and arms, he reached Max and took his collar. “You can do this. I won’t let you fall.”
With Dallas’ help, Max walked gingerly toward the door. It took a minute for Max to walk up the few steps to the back deck and into the house. Grace was there to open the sliding glass door. She was wearing jeans and his t-shirt again.
Tears were in her eyes as she watched him reassure Max with lots of ear scratching. “Hey, baby, what’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” she whispered like she’d swallowed something too spicy. “I…it’s just that Max looked so scared and you went out there shirtless. You didn’t even think about the cold.”
Letting go of Max, he stepped further into the room and took Grace into his arms. “Aw, Gracie, the cold’s nothing compared to taking care of what’s mine.”
“That was just so sweet,” she murmured, tucking herself into his body to try to warm him. Then she suddenly launched herself up into his arms and kissed him, warming him right up.
Too warm, too fast, he realized when blood sped to his cock like he hadn’t had sex for a year. What the hell? They’d had sex three times since he woke up this morning. He had to get a grip on his dick or he’d damage something. His balls were aching from coming so much in such a short period of time. Fucking her again this soon was out of the question.
Besides, he had plans for her that included the restraints he’d bought awhile back but hadn’t used yet. He admitted to a certain kink when it came to bondage. Just thinking of Grace tied to his bed almost unmanned him. If he wanted to do that later, he had to think about cold showers or ice down his back to cool off.
She freed his mouth and peppered kisses on his chin and throat. He groaned and tried to set her back down. “Ah, Gracie, you have to let go or I’
m going to carry you back upstairs and say to hell with getting anything done today.” Gradually, she lowered her legs to the floor. She wobbled. He caught her elbow and didn’t let go until she was steady.
“Uh, sorry, McKay,” she said, blushing shyly. “Your heroics needed to be rewarded. I couldn’t help myself.”
“I’ll remember that for the next time I play hero,” he promised.
Grace knelt beside Max, placing herself eye to eye with the big dog. “You are one very lucky dog, Maximillion McKay.” She hugged him and didn’t flinch over the slobber spot he left on her shoulder.
“You look good in that shirt,” Dallas complimented.
“Thanks,” she said, standing. “I didn’t peg you for a metal head. Classic rock’s on your radio. Classic cars are in your garage. What other surprises will I find? I know. You’re really Captain America disguised as football star.”
Dallas laughed at the vision she’d given him. Red, white and blue spandex from head to toe, an Americana designed shield and a mask really were not his style. “The shirt was a gift from Aaron. Never listen to his iPod unless you turn the volume way down.”
“Uh-huh, something tells me you kept that shirt because it was a gift.”
“I love my brother, that’s for sure. His music may not be my thing, but the shirt’s okay. Especially on you,” he said, running his eyes over her fantastic curves and long legs.
“Stop that,” she warned. “You can’t look at me like you want to fuck me any second if you don’t want me to jump you again.”
“Hate to break it to you, baby. I do want to fuck you right now. But I won’t or I’m the one who is going to pay for it later.” Putting his hand over his groin, he mentally told his dick to behave.
“Ah, in that case, no fucking for the rest of the day,” she decided, waving her hand through the air.
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