He didn’t let me respond as he kissed me again. His hands were everywhere and I wanted so badly to take his shirt off and take him here in my living room. But we needed to talk, to clear the air about things.
“Grant,” I mumbled; my voice low and raspy.
He placed his forehead against mine. “I know, talk first.”
I made us each a new cup of tea and we sat at opposite ends of the couch. I needed this distance and I believed he did, as well.
“Okay, so apparently the rumor mill made more out of this then it really was.” Grant had taken my foot in his hands and was massaging the balls of my feet.
“They seem to do that pretty regularly. They helped in making my decision to visit Atlanta.”
I hummed at the feeling of his fingers on my feet. I decided to return the favor as I reached for his sock clad foot and began to rub, as well.
“So, I have to know, are you planning to move to Atlanta? Because if you are, I will also move.” His words floored me. He would give up his practice to be near me?
“Grant, you can’t...”
He gripped my foot tightly. “I can’t be without you. I can’t let that little girl in there go another day without knowing I want to be her daddy, more than anything in this world.”
I couldn’t speak as my heart hammered in my chest. “Natalie, I love you and I pray you and I can see past everything that has happened and learn from it. But, God, Natalie, please don’t make me live another minute not knowing if I have your heart, the way you two have mine.”
I didn’t waste any more time as I leaped from the cushions and threw my arms around his neck. “As much as I fought it, you have had me from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I love you, Grant. I want to have the happy ever after, I just never thought it was meant to be mine.”
He flipped us, and I let out the most girly giggle I had ever heard. “You are in so much trouble, Ms. Reid.” He spoke into my ear. “You are about to be given my full and undivided attention for the next few hours. I am going to give you a sample of the kind of things I will be doing to you in the future.”
Before I could blink, he had me tossed over his shoulder and was heading toward my bedroom. I didn’t dare fuss at him for fear of waking Peyton. He gently placed me on my bed as he began to climb over my body. He slid his thigh between my knees, demanding to be between them.
“While I was away in Los Angeles, I didn’t have time to think about anything, except for going from one lecture to another. I did, however, dream of you several times.” His eyes were so bright and his words wrapped around my heart.
“I could hear your laugh and I swear, I could smell your perfume.” His fingers unbuttoned my shirt as his eyes stayed locked with mine.
“I compared Evan to you the whole time I was with him at dinner,” I confessed. The feel of the cool breeze from the ceiling fan rushed across my now bare chest, Grant’s warm skin quickly covered me.
“Emily thought Evan Tucker was my stage name. She questioned if I was headed to Hollywood with Dale and Rebecca.” We were silent for a few seconds before we both began to laugh.
“Do you have another career that I need to know about?” I chuckled into his shoulder.
“Only being the best friend,” he whispered and kissed my nose.
“Best lover.” A kiss to my forehead.
“Best fiancé.” A kiss to my cheek.
“Best husband.” A kiss to my lips.
“Best daddy, Peyton could dream of.”
This time I grabbed him and kissed him. I let myself feel the love and honestly he was giving me in this kiss. He would do everything he could to keep true to his words. “It just so happens that we have an opening in each of those areas you just described.”
His smile was electric as he again claimed my lips. For the first time in my life, I closed my eyes and let myself just feel. I had never allowed myself to take as much as I had given. Grant was here, giving me all the love he could possibly convey and I took it all. I would do everything in my power to make him feel as happy and loved as he was making me.
“I swear to you, Natalie, I will never walk out that front door in anger again.”
“And I swear to direct my anger at the correct person in the future.”
“I swear to always make certain you know that you, and Peyton, are the most important people in my world.”
“And I swear to let you in.”
His eyes flickered between mine. We both knew exactly what this meant for us. By my confession, he knew I was all in. There would be no going back. I had effectively placed it all on the line.
“Just so you know, this isn’t a proposal. When we are truly ready, I will give you a proposal the town will talk about for years.”
I smiled as I looked into his beautiful eyes. “I consider this a promise of great things to come.”
He reached his hand behind his back as he removed his T-shirt. “Speaking of coming. I have an entire week to make up for. Not to mention we now have a reason for makeup sex.”
I WOKE UP THE NEXT morning and took a look around my room. Pillows were everywhere and the only sheet left on the bed was the fitted one. I dropped back onto the mattress as I closed my eyes, remembering every detail of last night.
I loved the feel of Grant’s fingers as they danced over my ribs. The look in his eyes as he confessed, “I’m so sorry. I should just lay beside you, instead of wanting nothing more than to consume you.”
His words said one thing, but his hands and body spoke so much louder. His right hand carefully took my breast, while his mouth covered the opposite. The tingling ran from my hardened nipples to my clit. My eyes closed as my back arched. His lips roamed from my neck to my collarbone, and then traveled lower to lick a slow and torturous circle around my navel. The nips his teeth he made around my hips caused me to moan wantonly. He slowly dragged the tips of his fingers along the outside of my lower lips, circling my clit and making me jump. Finally, he parted my folds and began to take long deliberate licks with the flat of his tongue. His fingers joined in the rhythm of his tongue. He stayed in place through several orgasms.
I thought many times he would move up my body, but he didn't. He stayed with his head between my thighs until he was satisfied my body was completely spent. When he did finally enter me, he rolled to his side, positioning me on my back, entering me from behind. With my left leg behind his neck and the right lying over his hip, he had the perfect view of us joined.
“Play with your clit, baby. I want to see those pretty fingers playing with this tight pussy, make yourself come.” He grunted as he continued to thrust his cock inside of me.
I did what he aske; it took a little while this time. However, he stayed consistent in his rhythm, telling me how perfect my pussy looked around his cock. His words only made me wetter. When I finally cried out with my orgasm, he flipped me around and grasped my hips.
“I love to watch your ass from this angle. Firm and round, fucking perfect.”
We didn't stay in this position long as he had to stop a few times to keep from coming. Finally, he pulled me toward him and turned me around. Laying me on my back, he slowly entered me again. This time his lips found mine in the perfect slow dance, as he made love to me.
The sight in the kitchen stopped me dead in my tracks. Grant had Peyton sitting on the kitchen counter, stirring something in a large bowl. Where he found the sleep pants and long sleeved tee was beyond me. I secretly wished he was still completely naked like he had been just hours ago.
“Daddy, can we put the chocolate chips in now, please.” Peyton's sweet voice reminded me of a time I had spent with my own father. It was Mother’s Day and I was five or six. I was trying to make her breakfast in bed, but I wasn’t allowed to touch the stove. My dad caught me coming down the hall with a napkin filled with crackers and a juice box. He picked me up and helped me make her waffles. I remembered how he let me cut up the fruit using a plastic butter knife. I was so proud when I walked in
to her room that morning.
“Mommy!” Peyton shouted. I looked up to see her waving at me with the wooden spoon she had in her hand, batter dripping down her night gown and onto the counter. Grant started to laugh at her and quickly took the spoon from her.
“What are you doing, little girl?” I questioned as I crossed the room, picking her up. She was now in need of a bath as she had the batter in her hair, as well.
“Daddy said I could make breakfast.” I smiled as I looked at Grant. His blue eyes were bright and his smile as wide as his face. This was the happiest I have ever seen him. I wanted to keep him that happy.
“He did, did he?”
“Yes, he said we could make waffles and then watch TV.” Grant leaned over, silently asking for a kiss. Keeping it completely G-rated, I gave him a quick one. “Me too, Daddy, me too.”
Grant launched at Peyton, making her squeal with delight as he took her out of my arms and tossed her in the air several times, kissing her belly each time she came near his face.
“Bath time,” he shouted, running with her down the hall. Could life be this easy? Waking up from a night of incredible lovemaking to find the man of my dreams, in my kitchen, with my daughter.
I pondered this while I picked up the bowl that Peyton had been stirring to find not only batter, but spaghetti and gummy worms floating in the mix. I looked to the left of the sink and found another bowl sitting next to the waffle iron. Once I cleaned up Peyton's bowl and splatter, I made waffles.
“Those smell almost as good as you do.” His deep voice resonated in my ear as his arms circled my waist and his lips found the junction between my neck and shoulder.
Goose bumps formed on my arms and I closed my eyes, lost in the moment. We stood there, him wrapped around me holding me, kissing my neck and shoulders.
“I woke up this morning with this beautiful woman next to me. Then, as I came out of the bathroom, I found another incredibly beautiful girl standing outside the door, with a bunny in her arms.” Grant slowly turned me around. His face freshly washed and his hair appeared wet from a shower.
“I love you,” he whispered gently as he placed a soft kiss to my lips.
“I love you, too, Grant.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, clinging to him.
He was real and he was here in my kitchen, holding me. I closed my eyes and turned my head so that my face was buried in his neck. I took in a deep breath as I welcomed his calming scent. This was what I had always wanted; unconditional love, support and tenderness. He was willing to give me what I needed, and I wanted to take it all.
“Peyton and I had a nice talk while she created her version of waffle mix.” I pulled back from his neck and looked into his eyes. “I know I should have waited for you, but she is a stubborn little girl, much like her amazing mother.”
I smiled as I touched his face. He was completely correct; Peyton had my spirit and my determination. Heaven help the world if we both wanted something. “I noticed she is calling you Daddy this morning.” His smile, that I thought couldn’t possibly get any bigger, suddenly did.
“Yeah, I felt the moment was perfect and she wanted to plead her case again, so we talked. I love her, Natalie. I want to be her daddy more than anything.”
I couldn’t be angry with him. He was the best person for the job. He would do anything to protect her and I knew that.
“I’m not mad in the least, Grant.”
He began to nibble on my earlobe. “Good, because honestly, she scares me more than you ever could.” We both laughed at his admission. It was the truth.
I made us all some waffles while Grant and Peyton made a pallet in the living room so we could all cuddle and watch cartoons. As we sat at my bar and ate the warm waffles, Grant took over making sure Peyton had everything she needed. He even helped her clean up when she was finished.
Peyton insisted on being in the middle of me and Grant. We all laughed and giggled as we enjoyed our morning. Peyton soon fell asleep with her little hand holding Grant’s. He gently took her and placed her back in her bed. I took the opportunity to jump into the shower. When I returned, Grant had changed the sheets on the bed and made it perfectly. I made my way back into the kitchen, only to find him placing the final plate into the dishwasher. He had changed into a pair of jeans and shirt. I couldn’t help myself as I crossed the room and threw myself into his arms.
“Well, if this is the thank you I get for doing dishes, my hands are going to be pruned a lot.”
Grant stayed with us the entire weekend. He and Peyton seemed to have a special bond and could look at each other and know what the other was saying.
When Monday morning arrived, Grant stood dressed in his work suit drinking coffee and reading the paper. He had Peyton's cereal ready and had combed her hair.
“Whatcha reading, handsome?” I wrapped my arms around his back, placing my face between his shoulder blades.
“An article you might be interested in actually.”
I moved so I was standing beside him, and he slipped his arm around my waist. I scanned the paper as Grant’s fingers played with the band of my belt.
Prominent government official arrested for human trafficking
City council member, Evan Tucker, was arrested Friday evening during a raid by federal officials. Special agent, Stephen Patocolous, released a statement to reporters early Saturday morning.
“Mr. Tucker has been under surveillance for a number of years. We only recently were able to connect Mr. Tucker to the crimes of human trafficking. We placed one of our undercover officers in a position of applying for a job with one of his businesses. When our agent explained to Mr. Tucker that she would need to think about the position, he offered to take her to a local restaurant. During the dinner, our agent was wearing a wire and we were able to get Mr. Tucker to admit he had access to some underground clubs here in Atlanta. What we did not realize was the depths of his involvement in these clubs. Our agent was able to purchase a young girl for a few hundred dollars, for a number of sexual acts. As our team moved in on the club, it was discovered that more than seventy-five young girls, as young as fifteen, were huddled in the basement. Many had not eaten in several days or had nothing more than bread and water in weeks. At this time Mr. Tucker is being held, without bond, in a federal detention facility.”
I couldn’t believe my eyes. I knew he was creepy and the look the wait staff was giving was rather odd.
“I’m glad you came home safe and sound to me, Natalie.”
As I placed my purse on my desk, Ashley came into the office. “Natalie, there is a Special Agent Hoffman here to see you.” I knew without a doubt what he was here for. Before I could ask her to let him back, she told me I was also wanted in one of the closed rooms, where several Board members were waiting for me.
“Ashley, tell agent Hoffman I will be with him in a moment. Let me see what the Board wants first.” As I opened the door, all eyes turned to meet mine. Mr. Dorchester was the first to extend his hand to me.
“Natalie, it is lovely to see you this morning.” His hand shake was firm, his face friendly. I hadn’t seen him since the first day I arrived here. I cringed as I recalled his wife’s pie.
“Natalie, this is Mr. Morgan, our attorney.” The huge man was standing with his hands in his pockets, his suit perfect and his hair combed straight back.
“Ms. Reid, pleasure to meet you.” He crossed the room taking my outstretched hand.
“Good morning, Gentlemen. May I ask what this is all about? I have a Special Agent Hoffman waiting for me, as well.” I looked to Mr. Dorchester first and then to Mr. Morgan.
“That is the precise reason for our visit today. We are all aware of your recent meeting with Mr. Tucker and the members of the Board in Atlanta. Mr. Morgan is here to represent you while you are questioned by Agent Hoffman.”
I had no idea how they found out about my meeting in Atlanta, but they had. “Mr. Dorchester, I don’t need an attorney to speak with Agent Hoffman. I’ve don
e nothing wrong.”
Mr. Morgan placed his hand on my arm. “If I may, Ms. Reid, it’s due to the media attention and the severity of this situation that I’m here. It isn’t that I am worried you have acted inappropriately, but Mr. Tucker has caused you harm and further charges need to be filed.”
Feeling only slightly better about the situation, I continued. “Thank you for your concern, Gentleman, however, no harm came to me as a result of my meeting with Mr. Tucker. Although, I found him rude and crass, he kept his hands to himself.”
Before I could excuse myself from the room, Mr. Dorchester asked one final question. “Ms. Reid, I have to ask. Are you planning to leave us?”
Agent Hoffman was a tall, dark and handsome man, although he was no Grant Crain. His charm would give Grant a run for his money. However, the large gold wedding band on his left hand told me he was only being courteous.
“Ms. Reid, I know you are a busy woman, so I won’t take up too much of your time today.” His smile was perfect and I wondered briefly what brand of toothpaste he used or if he had them chemically bleached.
“Please have a seat, Agent Hoffman.” I directed him to one of the chairs in my office; Mr. Morgan sat in the adjoining chair.
“Please, call me Alex.”
His gleaming white smile increased, highlighting his beautiful olive skin. I was certain his children were little cherubs.
“Well, Alex, please call me Natalie.”
“Very well. As you have heard from the media, Evan Tucker has been arrested and is currently at a federal prison in Georgia.”
I nodded my head. “Yes, my boyfriend showed me the article this morning.”
“All right. We are also aware Evan Tucker tried to recruit you for a position in Atlanta. Can you tell us about that?”
I told Agent Hoffman the entire story of my trip to Atlanta. How I left him sitting in the restaurant and grabbed the first cab I found back to my hotel, before leaving for home immediately.
“Natalie, was this Crain’s Inn restaurant by any chance?”
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