“Gracie, you keep looking at me like that, and I’ll have to make love to you here and now.”
She felt her cheeks flush as she smiled and took a bite of her pancake. “So, what’s the plan after your workout, Mr. Hollywood?”
“Making love to you, my cherie amour.” Grace’s stomach rolled in anticipation of what he could do to her, teach her, and make her feel. “But I also want to talk to you about that memoir.”
Grace stopped eating and looked at him curiously. “What about it?”
“Did your publishers get back to you? What did they think?” He continued to chew on his food and took a sip of his orange juice.
Grace shrugged, wishing to change the subject. “Alan, my agent, said he’s pretty sure publishers won’t be picking it up.”
He finished off his plate and set it aside. “Well, don’t give up hope, Grace. It’s a great read. You could always self-publish, too.” She chewed her bottom lip out of nerves and he cupped her face. “What’s up, buttercup?”
“I don’t think I want people reading it. It’s too personal. I’m going to work on a contemporary romance.”
“Personal is what makes it captivating. Listen, this book wouldn’t be just about honoring your brother. It shows how strong you were in overcoming what you went through, and it might help others cope with whatever issues they could have.”
Grace hesitated, and shook her head. “I need to write a contemporary. Get my sales up. Otherwise they’ll cut me from my contract.” She took a sip of her coffee, then smiled. “Although, my group of loyal readers have been bugging me about you quite a bit. They want to know all about the romance author dating the hot actor. That might stop my publishers from letting me go. Especially if my sales are growing because of this little tabloid I’m in.”
“Let’s get those sales up, Grace. Our story can be written as one of the greatest romances ever told.” He chuckled, leaning back.
“Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind. It’ll go right up there with Pride and Prejudice,” she joked.
“I’ll be your Mr. Darcy, baby cakes.” Grace laughed as he roamed her neck with kisses. “Grace, I want you with me when I film in Atlanta. You can write from anywhere, right?”
She smiled at him hesitantly. “You doing the John Whitford film after all?”
“I’m still thinking about it, but if I do go, I want you with me.”
“Evan, you should take it. Zach says it’s perfect for you.”
He reached over and kissed below her ear, making her forget anything being discussed. “I’ll figure it out.” The music had stopped and silence was prominent other than his soft lips running over her skin, which trembled in anticipation. His hands grasped the sides of her hips and he easily lifted her to sit on top of him.
“On the chair?” Her eyebrow raised as she gazed down at him. His body was ready against her. It was a good thing she was naked under that robe. Easier access.
“Want on the table? I’ll move the plates over, Gracie Lynn.”
She rubbed her hands over his stubbled jaw and chuckled as she placed kisses on his luscious lips. “I’ll let you take me anywhere.”
“God, I’m a lucky bastard.” He began to kiss her fervently, his lips and hands claiming her.
She was on fire, wanting him, throbbing in beautiful ache. It was as if she was outside of her body, experiencing something beyond the natural. The interruption of the doorbell brought her back to the world around her. Evan groaned. “Who the fuck is that?” He continued kissing her neck, sucking on her pulse. If he kissed her any harder she’d have a love mark.
“I should answer,” Grace declared breathlessly.
He moaned a ‘no’ as she continued kissing him, her tongue licking over his top lip. “No, don’t do this to me, Grace. Don’t stop.”
The doorbell kept ringing and a pounding knock couldn’t be ignored. “I’d better answer.” She moved off of him as he growled in frustration.
“I have a hard-on the size of Texas. I’m about to kill whoever’s at the door.”
“Get yourself together, Matthews,” she said as she straightened her robe and smoothed her hair.
“I don’t know how that’s possible.” They both looked down at his tented jeans and laughed.
“Down boy. We’ll continue later.” She winked, letting her hand rub over his evident erection and he grumbled as she moved away.
“Marla!” Grace was shocked to see her friend there unannounced. “What are you doing here?”
“Hey, sorry about coming over like this. I tried calling but you weren’t answering your phone.” Marla sauntered in, handing Grace a latte from their favorite coffee shop as she held onto her own. “I was on my way to yoga and—”
She spotted Evan sitting behind the table, his face looking perturbed. “Evan. Well, no wonder you weren’t answering your phone.” Marla smirked at Grace, then looked over Evan’s rumpled state. His bare feet under the table caught her eye and she slyly grinned and whispered, “Nice work, Grace. It’s about damn time.”
Grace blushed as she and Marla sat on the couch. “What’s going on? You look upset.”
“I’ve had it with Ryan. He’s a disgusting pig.”
Grace looked closer and saw Marla’s eyes were puffy. She’d definitely stayed up late crying, though her friend would never admit it. “What happened?”
“We’d made plans earlier this week to go downtown. I wanted to go to the Continental Club. He kept saying he’d take me.”
Marla was more for the posh places. A nice bar, or cool place where music was played by a live band. Grace had a feeling Ryan wasn’t into that. “Okay, and what happened?”
“I went over to his place like we’d agreed. He had a girl there. He invited me in and then asked if…” She lowered her voice as she leaned closer to Grace. “If I wanted to join in on a threesome.”
“Didn’t Josh warn you about him?” Evan chimed in as he grabbed a piece of bacon left on Grace’s plate and chewed on it. “I definitely told Grace he was an idiot.”
“Josh didn’t warn me of anything,” Marla refuted.
“I’m pretty sure he did,” Grace corrected as Marla rolled her eyes.
“Whatever. I can’t believe I let myself be duped by him.” She stood and walked toward the kitchen. “Why are all men such jerks?”
“We’re not all like that,” Evan contended.
“Skip your yoga class and have some breakfast, Marla.”
Grace followed, but was tugged back when Evan grabbed her wrist, pulling her close. “You serious? She’s staying for breakfast?” His whisper was harsh as he tried to get himself under control.
Grace looked down at his bulge and smirked. “Guess naughty time will have to wait.”
“I don’t like your friend right now,” Evan grumbled.
“Well, your friend isn’t high on my list either,” Grace stated severely. “He screwed over my best friend.”
“Ryan isn’t my friend.”
“I’m angry at all men right now. For Marla.” Grace was being playful, but was enjoying Evan squirm.
“Get her out of here. I want to make you come until you’re screaming my name, princess. And I want you now.”
His mouth was near hers, but Grace only grinned as she drew near him and pecked his cheek. “Sorry, babe. Chicks before dicks.”
The night before was nothing short of spectacular. Evan had made love to a woman so passionate he wasn’t sure how long he’d last the moment his body had entered hers. Other than every thought of how amazing she felt against him, he was constantly having to make sure he wouldn’t blow his load before she got off. She was a fucking gorgeous challenge that he’d never tire from, and he looked forward to experiencing more with her. The way she had whispered her love for him while she thought he was sleeping had melted his heart.
Evan grumbled as the ladies chatted in the kitchen. He tried to subdue the ache in his crotch and his grumpy attitude. So what that Grace had put her friend first?
He’d do the same for Zach or Josh. Then why did he feel like shit? He was being a selfish asshole and wanted his way with her. That was why.
The knock at the door only brought his irritation level up a notch as Grace moved passed the table looking delectable in that robe—mainly because he knew she was naked underneath it and now had the pleasure of knowing exactly what she looked like without it.
“Who’s that?” Her curious voice carried over as she moved toward the entrance of her home.
“I don’t know, but I don’t like them either,” Evan pouted.
“Oh, get over it, crybaby.” Grace made a kissing gesture in the air toward him. “I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
“Bet your ass on that.”
She shook her head. “Careful, Matthews. You’re getting into deep waters there.” She opened the door and smiled. “Hey, Josh.”
Evan groaned once again, knowing what he was in for. “Hello, Grace. Sorry to bother, but Zach told me Evan would be here.”
“You are bothering. Go away!” Evan called out.
Grace rolled her eyes. “Ignore him.”
Josh made his way in looking the same as he always did—dressed in workout clothes and ready to exert the shit out of him. He approached with his serious expression as his eyes took in the scene before him. A sly sneer ran over his mouth. “Mate. Sorry to interrupt this little intimate setting, but we need to head out.”
Evan nodded. “Fine.”
“Make sure you work him out extra hard today, Josh. He ate pancakes.”
“Thanks for dropping the dime on me, princess.” Evan indicated her betrayal as he slapped Grace’s bottom playfully.
“I’m going to take a quick shower and change,” Grace excused herself, which Evan was grateful for. He didn’t need her prancing around half-naked in front of him and his friend.
“Hey, Grace, where’s the syrup?” Marla entered the dining room and spotted the big guy. Her body stopped and she straightened up as she cleared her throat. “Hello.” Her voice turned pert as she moved her plate toward the table and set it down.
Josh gave a slight nod but stayed quiet, his eyes ogling over her form. Evan grinned as he pushed the bottle toward her. “Right there, Marla.”
It took her a moment to gather herself as she looked down. “Oh, right.” She turned back to the kitchen to retrieve her latte.
“Guess not as intimate as I assumed,” Josh muttered.
“Grace and I were having a moment until we were rudely interrupted. Why don’t you take Red and get the hell out of here so Grace and I can get to it in the shower?”
“Did you just call me Red?” Marla sat down and began to put syrup on her pancakes. “I’m not going anywhere with him, by the way. He’d probably just take me to the gym.” Marla smiled wryly.
“I’ll try not to take offense to that.”
“I’m sure this food’s the bigger offense to you.” Marla smiled mockingly as she took a bite of bacon. “Want some?” She stuck her fork of pancake out in front of his lips and he backed off.
“No, thank you.”
“I think you have a food complex,” Marla announced as she ate.
As they continued their banter, Evan stood, making no qualms about his frustration at their arrival by scooting his chair back harshly. “I’ll get my things,” he groused as he moved to the bedroom, knowing Josh needed to get to the gym soon. He had other clients in line, and Evan needed to do his job. He still was upset missing out on his quickie with the woman who was constant on his mind.
Evan sat on the edge of the bed and began putting on his shoes. The pillows were strewn everywhere, the sheets tangled, and just remembering Grace’s whimpers under and on top of him was making him hard all over again. It didn’t help when she exited her bathroom wearing a pair of yoga pants and a sweatshirt. How the hell could he be so turned on by her?
She walked toward him and stood in between his legs as he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her scrumptious ass. His head rested on her stomach and she ran her hands through his hair. “I’ve never experienced cranky Evan.”
“You don’t write many of those types of men in your historical romance books.”
“You’re simply cantankerous, Lord Matthews,” Grace chimed in an English accent. He finally cracked a smile at her as she dipped her head and gave him a kiss. “You need not worry, my Lord, I shall suck your cock in the most delicious and proper way later in the evening.”
“Holy shit, Grace, you sound like those swanky British people in Downton Abbey and it’s completely turning me on. Plus, of course, the idea of your mouth on me is fucking sexy.”
“Behave. And I can’t believe you watch Downton.”
“I don’t. I watch the recap.”
They both chuckled as they let their kiss deepen. She stopped and moved away as they heard Marla’s laugh ring out by something Josh said. “Sounds like they’re getting along out there.”
“Yeah, maybe we should let them wait for us.” He pushed up to standing and pulled her back flush against his chest. He nuzzled the nape of her neck as his hands reached down and touched between her legs.
Grace groaned as she moved away from his arms toward the bathroom counter. “Evan, we have tonight. I’m going to spend the day with Marla. I gotta get some Christmas shopping done.” He leaned on the doorframe watching her movements as she put a cream on her face. “Go and get your workout done. Let all that pissy aggression come out in the bedroom later.”
She walked by him and brushed his crotch with her hip. He caught her and tugged her close, his lips kissing her jaw and moving toward her ear. He grumbled low and long. “God, I want you so badly right now, Grace. You’re just egging me on, princess.”
She sighed as he jerked his hips up, letting her feel how hard he was for her. The phone on the nightstand chimed and she pushed away from him. “I should see who texted.”
“Wait.” He dragged his nose alongside her cheek. “That’s what it is.”
“What?”
“Your strawberry scent.” That scent that drove him crazy was her moisturizer. “I fucking love it.” He sucked on her lips and then moved his nose under her chin tilting it up so he got better access to her neck. “I can’t wait to taste you again, Gracie Lynn. Break you down with my fingers and mouth and watch you shatter.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” She smiled and moved toward the table, grabbing the phone, staring for a moment. Her eyebrows crinkled as she tucked the device in her sweater pocket. Evan noticed her reticence.
“Your mom?”
She nodded and began to fix the bed. “Yeah. She’s been texting a lot lately. I don’t know why.”
“Why don’t you try calling her? Maybe just to talk.” He went over and began to help her arrange the bedspread. “What if there’s a way—”
“No, Evan. There’s not.” She exhaled and plopped herself down on the edge of the bed. He knew whatever excuse she gave wouldn’t be enough reason, but he listened as she began with an irritated expression. “Look, I know you mean well, but she doesn’t get it. My dad doesn’t get it. Do you know what I overheard my mom saying before they left Austin? I’m glad to get out of here. Away from all of this.”
“That might not have meant you, Grace.” He sat beside her and grabbed her hand in his.
“I was staying in Austin. Of course she meant me.”
“What if there was a way you guys could fix this?”
“Why bother? There’s no point.”
“Grace, you’re clearly unhappy. You miss your family.”
“My family isn’t like your family, Evan.” She moved away from him, busying herself with fixing the pillows on the bed. “Not everyone’s that lucky.”
“We’ve had our hardships, sweetheart, but we worked on it. Families stick with each other.”
“I can’t get myself to…” She shook her head and grabbed her purse. “I just don’t want to deal with it.”
He was well aware, and learning
more about her the more time they spent together, that she most definitely was avoiding confrontation. “Brushing it aside isn’t going to help.”
“Josh is waiting for you. Go work out, and bring that sexy body back to me.” It was clear she wasn’t up for salvaging the rift with her parents. She sauntered that wonderful ass out the door and left him there, wanting her beyond reason, and wishing there was a way to fix her world.
“I don’t know what you buy someone who has everything.” Christmas shopping was posing a bit of a problem for Grace when it came to getting something for Evan. The two friends wandered outside The Domain, an outdoor plaza in North Austin, as they sipped on warm tea they had acquired from The Steeping Room. December was a warm one this year, and they enjoyed the feel of the pleasant weather.
“Just give him more sex. He’ll be fine with that.” Marla smiled as they headed toward Anthropologie. Grace wasn’t one to shop regularly, but she was definitely up for girl-time after having experienced one of the most amazing nights of her life.
“I’m sure he’d get that regardless. I can’t stop thinking about how much I want him. It’s almost every second, and he’s worse than me. We might be trapped inside forever if he’d have his way.”
“Oh, trust me, men can get irrational when it comes to sex. I mean, not in a bad way, just in a hot, caveman sort of way.”
“Don’t mention that, I might not be able to handle the thought of Evan going caveman. He’s too sexy as it is.” They laughed as they wandered throughout the beautiful store with the gorgeous, vintage aesthetic. Grace wished she could purchase every single piece of clothing, but was pleased with her true vintage finds when it came to home decor. When she bought an item at a garage sale that really was from 1858 it gave her a sense of satisfaction. As if she was giving refuge to something that had been abandoned. She took it, breathed new life into it, and helped it find a new home. Almost in the way she had felt when her folks left her. She had been broken, but was in the process of getting fixed.
She focused back on Marla as she continued to speak about Evan. “I’m sure that man has a lot of stamina. I’m glad you found someone who’s good to you in the bedroom, Grace. You deserve that. You’ve waited long enough.”
A Promise Kept Page 20