Oh. My. God! Is he asking me out on a date? I had to admit, at least to myself, I was a little flattered. I mean, after all, this was a younger man…boy…you get the point. Next to me, I felt Grant go stiff. He reached out and wrapped one of his long arms around my waist and pulled me closer, tucking me under his arm while scowling at the three frat boys in front of us. Is Grant jealous? The leader of the trio of frat boys, looked from me to Grant. “Oh…I guess you can come, too, Mr. Thomas, if you want.” How could I let this poor boy down gently? “Um…Trent, right?” He grinned like a kid on Christmas morning just because I remembered his name. Oh, geez. “I…we…kind of have plans tonight but I…we…really appreciate the invitation.” I glanced around. “I’m sure there are quite a few girls who would love to come to your party.” Trent shrugged and hung his head for a moment before looking up at me. “Yeah, well, if you change your mind, we’re the yellow house in the next block over.” “Okay, thanks.” Grant patted me on my ample hip. Meeting Trent’s eyes, he said, “Well, we really should finish our shopping and head on home. You fellows have a safe party.”
Grant took my hand and we walked away, pushing the cart. “Okay, that’s was incredibly awkward.” I couldn’t help but snicker at his dry tone. “Well, that’s a first for me. I’ve never actually been asked to a frat party before.” He looked surprised. “Seriously? Not even when we were in college?” “Nope. I guess I just wasn’t appealing to the frat boys our age.” He grinned. “Nah. They were all idiots or blind.” “Aww…” I teased. “You’re so sweet.” His face suddenly got serious and there was…something…in his eyes when he gazed down at me. “Meri…oh crap!” Grant got a nervous look on his face as he looked over my shoulder. “Your little stalker sees us, doesn’t she?” “Yep,” he muttered. “And she’s headed this way.” “Oh crap.” “Exactly.” I stepped closer to him, my hands gripping the front of his shirt. “Let me handle this, okay?” “What?” He looked confused. “Just follow my lead.” “O…okay.”
“Mr. Thomas. Grant?” I heard a young, breathy, little girl voice behind me. Grabbing the front of Grant’s shirt tighter, I pulled his head down to mine and plastered his mouth against mine. I felt him stiffen before he wrapped those long, muscular arms around me. Suddenly, what started as a kiss meant to deter Grant’s student became something so much more. In the blink of an eye, Grant took over, his mouth slanting hard over mine. His hands slid down my back before gripping my more-than-a-handful bottom, pulling me tight against the hard ridge between his legs. I gasped and his tongue slipped between my lips. I opened wider and allowed my tongue to glide seductively over his. His tongue ran over my front teeth before dancing with my tongue. He pulled back, sipping at my upper lip and then the lower before slowly ending the kiss.
Stunned, I stared up into Grant’s equally stunned eyes. Whoa! What just happened? A couple of teenagers walked past us, one of them muttering, “Geez, man, get a room.” I felt my face flaming red and the tips of Grant’s ears were pink. Clearing my throat, I stepped back as he dropped his arms. “Oh my, that…that was…” I stammered. He tucked his hands in his jeans’ pockets and gave me a lopsided, nervous grin. “Unexpected? Amazing? Embarrassing?” “Wow. All of the above?” He glanced over my shoulder and I heard a strangled groan. Turning, I faced the young girl who had a crush on Grant. Suddenly, I wished I hadn’t turned around. I had never seen such a look of abject hate as I saw on that young woman’s face. I had no idea why but I felt as if her hatred was directed at me.
Grant placed his hands on my shoulders. Nodding to the young woman, he said evenly, “Hello, Brittany.” Glancing down at me, he continued. “Babe, this is Brittany Snow. She’s one of my Art History students this semester. Brittany, this is Meredith MacDonagh, my…my girlfriend. Meri is the head librarian at the college.” “I know who she is,” Brittany spat. I had a bad feeling about the young girl. Wanting to distance myself from her obvious hatred, I smiled tentatively. “It’s nice to meet you, Brittany but…we really need to run.” Turning to Grant, I looked up at him, silently pleading with him to get us out of this very awkward situation. Thankfully, Grant heard my silent plea. “Oh, yeah. It was nice seeing you, Brittany, but we need to pick up a few things before heading home. We have…something to do tonight.” “Yeah, I’ll bet you do,” she snarled as her friend tried to pull her away and out the door.
Nervous, we turned our backs on the little psycho and headed down the nearest aisle. Once we were around the corner and out of sight, I stopped and took a deep breath. “Wow. When you told me about your little stalker, I had no idea the situation was so serious. I imagined a little girl crush that would be gone the moment she moved on to a young boy her own age. But, the vitriol in her eyes is downright…scary.” “Yeah. It’s worse than I thought.” I bit my lower lip until I noticed his eyes staring at my lips. “Well, I guess we should…um…get the shopping done and head home,” I said nervously. What is wrong with me? First that kiss and now I’m acting like a shy, nervous school girl. Grant is looking at me the way I’d always dreamed of and it…scares…me…to…death.
Grant grinned down at me, his eyes tender. His hand rose and his fingers brushed softly down my cheek. “Yeah, babe. We’d better get going.” He held his hand out to me and, after a slight hesitation, I placed my hand in his. He threaded his fingers with mine and, pushing the cart, led me down the aisle. “Okay, so we need beer and you’re out of OJ.” “How do you know I’m out of OJ?” “Because I drank the last of it right before we left this morning.” I gave him a playful smack on the arm. “I think you eat more of my food that you do your own. I don’t know why you even bother stocking your kitchen.” He grinned. “You’re right. Maybe we should just combine kitchens. Or…” Confused, I frowned up at him. “What on earth are you rambling about?” He grinned even wider. “We could always just get a place together. You know, combine households, pool resources so to speak.”
I didn’t know what to say. My mouth moved like a guppy out of water but no sounds came out. He chuckled and told me, “Close your mouth, babe. It’s just something to think about, okay?” My mouth was so dry, I could barely swallow. I had to clear my throat twice before I could speak. “Are you serious?” He stopped next to a beer display. Placing two six packs of the microbrew we both like in the cart, he looked over at me. There was a smile on his face but I recognized the dead seriousness in his eyes. I knew this man better than I knew myself and he really meant what he was saying. Combine households? I licked my suddenly dry lips. “You…you want to move in together?” He stepped closer and put his hands on my shoulders. “We have practically lived together our whole lives, babe. Just take your time and think about it. We’re going to have a serious talk tonight but not about this. I just want you to put the thought in the back of your mind and toss it around for a while. Okay?”
I can’t deny this man anything. I found myself nodding agreement. “Okay.” “Good. Now, besides beer and OJ, what else do you need?” I cannot believe him. He kisses me silly in the middle of the grocery store in front of half the students from the college. Then he tells me he wants us to move in together? And now he acts as if nothing’s happened? I growled in frustration. “Really?” I followed him toward the juice aisle. “Grant…” He reached in the cooler and pulled out a gallon of orange juice, placing it in the cart. I knew he could see the frustrated look on my face because he cupped my cheek with his large hand. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he wanted to kiss me again so I put my hand on his chest to stop him. “Grant, you are driving me crazy. You know that don’t you?” He chuckled and rested his forehead on mine. “The feeling’s mutual, babe. But, I have faith that this will all work out. Just trust me?”
I nodded. “You know I trust you completely.” “Good. We’ll talk about this later, okay?” “Okay,” I nodded again. His eyes lit up when he grinned. “Okay. Now, what else do you need?” I thought a moment before responding, “We need bread and peanut butter.” He grinned again. “We?” I rolled
my eyes at him. “Stop it. I also need to go down the toiletries aisle. Why don’t you go pick up what you need and I’ll meet you up front?” He laced his fingers with mine. “Nuh uh. I’m not letting you out of my sight right now.” I raised my brow at this. “I dumped a lot of serious crap on you just now and I don’t want you to cut and run on me.” “Oh good heavens, Grant, you know darn good and well that I have never cut and run in my entire life and I have no intentions of starting now. Don’t be silly.” I started down the aisle, dragging him behind me. “Come on, let’s get the rest of our things and go home.” I could see the laughter in his eyes when I said that but my home has always been where Grant is. I’m not telling him that, though. Not yet anyway.
Chapter Four
Grant
Home? Yeah, I knew I had a totally goofy grin on my face but I couldn’t help it. Even when we didn’t see a lot of each other when I dated other girls in high school or during my junior and senior year of college, home was always wherever Meri was. I knew this woman better than I knew myself. And right then, she was confused, nervous, and yes, a little intrigued. And that kiss! Holy smokes! I thought I’d explode just for wanting her when she kissed me. I hadn’t planned on asking her to move in with me just yet. It just sort of came out. But, maybe it was time I was completely honest with Meri. Maybe it was time I told her how I really felt. As I followed her through the grocery store, my thoughts were all jumbled around and confused. Somehow, I managed to respond intelligibly whenever Meri asked me a question but by her quizzical looks, I could tell she knew something was up.
We finally finished our shopping and headed for the front of the store. Meri began to separate her things from mine but I leaned over the counter and whispered to the cashier. “Ring all her stuff up with mine, okay?” The cashier, a gray-haired grandmotherly type smiled and winked at me as she began ringing up our purchases. As she got to Meri’s personal items, Meri put out her hand, stopping the woman. “These are separate.” The woman simply smiled and continued to ring up the items. Nodding toward me, she told Meri, “Your young man here said he’s paying for everything.” “Grant, you do this to me every time we go shopping together. You cannot keep paying for my stuff.” I grinned at the indignant look on her beautiful face. “Sure I can. This nice lady is ringing it all up and I’m paying for it.”
Meri pointed her finger at me. “Don’t look so smug,” she ordered. “At least let me pay for my…my personal items.” I couldn’t help but grin. Leaning over, I murmured in her ear. “Babe, who bought your first box of tampons when we were thirteen because your mom was out of town and you were too embarrassed to ask your dad?” She rolled her eyes before answering. “You did.” “So there’s no difference in my buying them now is there?” She gave me that pouty face that drives me crazy and makes me want to kiss her silly. “Fine. But I get to pick the movie tonight.” I grinned. “You got it.” I knew she’d go for the newest horror flick. For some reason, Meri loves scary movies, even though they frighten the wits out of her. She always screams and closes her eyes at the scary parts while practically climbing into my lap. By the end of the movie, she’ll literally be sitting on my lap, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, with her face buried in my neck. I like it when she chooses the movie for the obvious reason that I get to hold my little Meri in my arms and comfort her.
I paid for the groceries and followed Meri to the Redbox just outside the door. Yep, there she was, picking out a horror movie. Oh, yeah. I am definitely going to enjoy this movie. After she paid for the movie, we headed to my car. A few minutes later, we pulled into my parking space at our apartment complex. Meri got out and opened the trunk of the car. “Do you just want to take everything to my place and sort it there?” “Sure, sounds good to me.” I handed her the light stuff we bought at the Market and grabbed the heavier bags from the grocery store. She put all her shopping bags on one arm so she could open doors and led the way inside. Loaded down with bags, we took the elevator up to our floor and walked down the hall to Meri’s apartment.
Once inside, I started putting Meri’s groceries away while she separated the clothing we picked up at the Market. From the kitchen, I watched her making piles on the sofa. I caught a glimpse of the lingerie she bought and suddenly my jeans were way too tight. What is it about little scraps of lace that turns me on? Or is it the thought of Meri in those little scraps of lace? Yep, that’s it. After I put all Meri’s groceries away, I walked over and picked up the pile of clothing I bought at the Market. “I’m going to run these over to my place, shower, and change. When I get back, you want me to order the pizza?” She smiled. “Sure. Take your time. I’m going to put my new undies and sarongs away then shower and change.” She gave me a sly look. “When you get back, maybe I’ll model one of my sarongs for you.” I grinned at that thought. “Wear the one I bought?” “Hmm…maybe.” She turned and sashayed down the hall toward her bedroom while my heart beat faster. I couldn’t help but mutter to myself. “Sexy little witch.”
Thirty minutes later, I let myself back into Meri’s apartment and called out. “Hey, babe, I’m back.” Getting no response and not seeing her in the living room or kitchen, I wandered down the hall. “Meri? Where are you, babe?” “Grant!” I heard a high-pitched yelp coming from her bedroom. Concerned, I grabbed the edge of the open door and started to push it the rest of the way open. Suddenly, someone slammed the door shut, barely missing my fingers. “Geez, Meri!” Pulling my hand back, I asked, “Meri? Is everything okay, babe?” “Yes, I’m just getting dressed. I’ll be out in a minute.” One thought of Meri naked or half-naked and I had a hard-on. Damn, woman! You’re killing me. She called through the door, “Why don’t you go ahead and order the pizza? You know what I want.” I stepped closer to the door and leaned my forehead against the wood. “You sure you don’t need any help, babe?” I asked teasingly. “Grant...” she gave a tiny growl that seriously turned me on. “Oh, alright,” I pretended to groan. “If you’re sure?” “I’m positive.” Grinning, I turned to head back down the hall.
I called the local pizza joint and ordered our favorite, a large hand-tossed pizza with extra pepperoni. Grabbing two beers from the fridge, as well as plates and napkins from the cupboard, I made myself comfortable on the sofa and turned on the television, watching a few minutes of the local news while waiting for Meri and the pizza. “Well, what do you think?” I heard Meri’s soft question from behind me. Curious, I glanced over my shoulder before jumping to my feet. “Wow!” There she was, my little Meri, her beautiful red curls flowing around her face and down her back. Her body was wrapped in the black and red silk sarong. Her plump, beautiful breasts swelled above the top of the strapless garment and it was very obvious to my libido that she was not wearing a bra. Damn! The sensuous fabric caressed her shapely curves and draped over her beautiful hips to several inches above her knees, showing off her long, sexy legs. Barefoot, she looked like she should be dancing on some secluded tropical beach while the moonlight caressed her soft skin.
I knew I had a goofy grin on my face and my mouth was hanging open but damn, she’s beautiful. She grins at me. “Close your mouth, baby. Can I take it that you approve of my outfit?” I could only nod. “Grant? Aren’t you going to say anything?” “Uh...yeah. As soon as I pick my tongue up off the floor and shove it back in my mouth.” She giggled and I couldn’t help but reach out and tweak one of her beautiful curls. “Meri, you are absolutely gorgeous.” She blushed the prettiest shade of pink. “Aww...you’re so sweet.” Reaching out, I cupped her chin and raised it until she met my eyes. “You know that I don’t say something unless I mean it. You’ve always been beautiful to me but I never realized until now just how stunning you truly are.” Unable to stop myself, I leaned in, intent on kissing her. And the damn doorbell rang. Heaving a frustrated sigh, I rested my forehead on hers. She gave me a little smile and said, “That’s probably the pizza. I’m going to go change, I don’t want to get anything on this outfit.” “Okay. I’ll get the pizza.
” As she walked away, my eyes were drawn to her gorgeous behind, softly draped in silk and I realized I shouldn’t have worn sweat pants. No way could Meri have missed my very obvious erection.
The pizza delivery guy couldn’t miss it either. Crap! And wouldn’t you know it, he was one of my students. I opened the door and he smiled. “Hey, Professor. How you doin’ tonight?” I could feel my ears turning red. “Hey, Josh, I didn’t realize you had a job delivering pizzas.” He nodded. “Yeah, my folks paid my tuition and fees but I have to cover my everyday living expenses.” I grinned at his enthusiasm. “Well, in that case, allow me to make a small contribution towards that cause.” I hand him money for the pizza and add a generous tip. “Thanks, Professor Thomas.” He gave me a mock salute and turned to walk away. Turning back, he gave me a wink and said, “You and Ms. Mac have a good night, now. You hear?” Chuckling to myself, I closed the door and locked it. Placing the pizza on the coffee table, I called down the hallway. “Hey, babe, pizza’s here.” Meri, dressed in some sort of skintight stretchy pants…I think she calls them yoga pants…that showed off her sweet, sexy ass, and a tank top hurried down the hall. “Great! I’m starving.”
Plopping down on the sofa next to me, she lifted a large slice out of the box and onto a plate. Tucking her legs under her, she leaned back and took a big bite, moaning in ecstasy. “Ooh, this is so good. Almost better than sex.” I nearly choked on my pizza and she pounded on my back. “You obviously have never had sex with the right person if you think pizza’s better,” I coughed. Her cheeks turned the prettiest shade of pink. “Hey now. I said almost.” I just grinned and said nothing. We ate in companionable silence for a few minutes before Meri spoke again. “So, exactly what did you mean when you said we should move in together?” “I thought we agreed you’d think about it for a while before we discussed it?” I attempted to stall. “No, Grant, you wanted me to think about it but I need more information.” She scooted closer and peered in my eyes. “I need to know where you’re coming from. So, tell me. What did you mean?” I set my empty plate on the coffee table and took a sip of my beer. Why am I so nervous all of a sudden?
Best Friends Forever Page 3