Chapter Eight
Grant
I was so nervous as I walked down the hall to Meri’s that I was practically sweating buckets. This would be the turning point in our relationship. She would always be my best friend and the most important person in my life, but…after tonight, if everything goes as plans, she’ll be…what? My lover? My girlfriend? I don’t think she’s ready to be my wife, or even my fiancé, but soon…soon. Stopping at her door, I knocked instead of using my key. I wanted this to be a real date. The door opened and oh my god, she looked like a goddess! “Wow! Baby, you look amazing.” Meri blushed the prettiest shade of pink. “So...do you really like it?” I took her small hand in mine and gently spun her around. “Like it? I’m going to have to keep a close eye on you tonight to make sure somebody doesn’t steal you away.”
“Grant!” She blushed even more fiercely and my cock jumped in response. I leaned in and planted a soft kiss next to the corner of one of her beautiful eyes. “Trust me, hon. Where we’re going, you’ll be turning heads left and right.” I grinned down at her. “I hope anybody we run into has whiplash insurance.” She giggled and playfully slapped me on the arm. “You’re not looking so bad yourself, baby.” Wanting to make her feel special, I’d dressed up a bit from my usual jeans and t-shirts, wearing dark slacks and a white dress shirt with the sleeves cuffed. She flicked my tie with one finger and grinned. “Nice tie, Professor.” I glanced down at the black tie covered with dancing red she-devils and grinned. “It was a special gift from a very naughty librarian.”
Holding out my arm for her, I grinned down at my naughty librarian. “Shall we, milady?” She took my arm, grinning up at me. “Why yes, milord.” Closing her door behind us, we made our way to the elevator. The doors opened and we stepped inside, greeting the Brinkmeyers, the elderly couple who lived one floor above us. Mrs. Brinkmeyer, always a sourpuss, simply nodded and looked at Meri’s dress disapprovingly, while her husband, the friendlier of the two, smiled and said hello. As the elevator doors closed, I noticed that the old man’s eyes were trained avidly on Meri’s pert little ass. And, apparently, I wasn’t the only one who noticed, for my sweet little minx turned and smiled at the old man. As we stepped off the elevator, she grinned at me before giving Mr. Brinkmeyer a saucy little wink. I swear I could see steam coming out of Mrs. Brinkmeyer’s ears at that.
We barely made it to the parking lot and out of the Brinkmeyers’ earshot before we both busted up laughing. “I can’t believe that old pervert, staring at my butt like that.” I grasped her shoulder and turned her until her back was to me. “I don’t know, babe. Looks to me like the old man has wonderful taste in women’s bottoms.” She twisted sideways to look at her rear. “This dress makes it look fat. Oh!” she yelped when I swatted her firmly on one perfect, round ass cheek. “What did I say about that, young lady?” Rubbing the offending body part, she gave me her pouty face and I melted. Leaning close to her ear, “You have the most delicious ass and I don’t want to hear you call it fat again. Understood?” She looked up at me through her lashes. “Yes.” “Yes what?” Her voice suddenly became breathy and soft. “Yes, sir.” My cock immediately stood at attention and ready for duty. “Good girl.”
In an effort to take my mind off her smoking hot body and my raging hard-on, I helped her into the car before backing out of my parking space and pulling on to the road. I teased, “Well, at least the old man didn’t pinch your butt.” She snickered, “Why do you think I refuse to ride in the elevator alone with him anymore?” My head jerked around and I nearly swerved off the road. “He didn’t.” She grinned and nodded her head. “Oh, yes he did.” “But the old guy’s got to be in his eighties!” “Ninety-two last May, in fact.” I couldn’t help but laugh, “Seriously? Damn, baby, does this mean I have to beat the old lecher up for hitting on my woman?” She cocked one shapely brow at me. “Your woman?” I glared at her. “You obviously are forgetting the rules, woman.”
“Ru…rules?” she squeaked, her eyes wide. “What are the rules, you naughty little girl?” “Um…no touching myself and…and no coming without your permission?” “And?” She licked her lips nervously. “And…I have to obey you.” “Exactly. The quicker you realize it, the better. For tonight, I am the master and you are…my student. Tomorrow, we’ll move on from there. Can you do that? Can you obey me and allow me complete control over you for tonight? If you can’t do that, just say the word and I’ll turn the car around. We’ll…we’ll go back to the way we were before two nights ago, just friends. It’s your call. Do you want me to turn the car around?” Please say no. Please say no. She didn’t say anything for a few moments and my heart nearly failed. Unable to suppress a small sigh of disappointment, I flipped on the directional and prepared to make a U-turn.
“No,” she said softly. I quickly pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. Turning, I looked at her questioningly. “What…what was that?” She bit her lip nervously before turning to me. Lifting her chin, she met my gaze. “I said no, I don’t want you to turn the car around.” Lowering her gaze, she looked up through her lashes at me and gave a small, sweet smile. “Sir.” Unable to stop myself, I threaded my fingers through her hair and cupped the back of her neck. Pulling her face to mine, I pressed a hard kiss to her sweet lips. Pulling back, I stared at her a moment. “Good girl.” I pulled back on the road and continued on to the restaurant, pretending I didn’t notice the small, satisfied smile on her lips.
Meri
Oh my. I’ve never seen Grant so forceful. I have to say…I really like this new dominant Grant. My pussy is so wet right now and my clit tingles. If he doesn’t let me come soon, I think I’ll explode! Does that make me a perv? Grant pulled into the parking lot of a new upscale restaurant a few miles from home. “I know we both wanted to try this place when it first opened. I thought tonight would be a good time to do so.” He stopped in front of the valet and a young man opened my door. I started to step out but Grant stopped me with a hand on my arm. Unsure what he wanted me to do, I waited as he handed the keys to the valet and then came around the front of the car. Nodding to the young man who was holding my door, he reached in and took my hand, helping me from the car.
I kept my eyes down, looking at Grant through my lashes, as I took his arm. As we walked in to the restaurant, I couldn’t help but notice how the valet and the other young man follow us with their eyes. Are they watching my butt? Oh my. I couldn’t help the small shiver of delight that ran through my body. Glancing quickly up at Grant, I found him staring down at me, a smug grin on his face. He leaned down and murmured quietly, “I told you that you’d turn heads.” He opened the restaurant door and held it for me. Stepping up to the hostess’ podium, he told the pretty woman standing there, “We have a reservation under Thomas.” She smiled at him and I felt a strong jolt of jealousy. Stop looking at my man like you want to eat him up, bitch! “Right this way.” She smiled again and sashayed through the dining room.
Grant’s hand possessively at the small of my back, we followed the young hostess to our table, where Grant pulled out my chair and seated me before taking his own seat. The hostess smiled again at Grant and I wanted to scratch her eyes out. “The wine steward will be here in a moment.” She handed him the wine menu before sashaying away. A moment later, a nice looking man in his fifties appeared at our table. He nodded amiably to Grant before turning a bright smile my way. “Good evening, sir…madam. I am Tomas, your wine steward.” Grant frowned at Tomas before closing the wine menu. “We’d like a bottle of your best cabernet sauvignon.” “Very good, sir.” Taking the menu from Grant, he walked away.
I asked quietly. “Why did you frown at the poor man like that? If…if you don’t mind my asking, sir?” Grant growled slightly. “I don’t like the way he was looking at you.” “But…all he did was smile at me.” “Yes, and, after all these years, I am suddenly finding that I’m a very jealous man when it comes to you, sweetheart.” I ducked my head and tried to hide a small smile of pleasure. He
chuckled and I glanced up at him through my lashes. “I saw that smile, baby.” He took my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently. “Have I ever told you how much I love your smile?” I felt my face blush a bright pink but I couldn’t help but smile. “No, sir, I don’t believe you have?” He looked shocked, “Seriously? In thirty years, I have never once said how your smile makes me warm inside?” I bit my lip nervously and gave a tiny shake of my head.
Grant softly kissed my fingers. “Well, from now on, I’m going to make it a point to tell you what a wonderful smile you have every day…for the rest of our lives.” I looked up through my lashes at him and smiled. “I’d like that.” We were interrupted by Tomas, who presented a bottle of wine to Grant for inspection. While the two of them went through the ritual sniffing and tasting, I gazed at the handsome man across the table from me. He is so handsome. And this new dominant side of him makes my insides melt into goo. Who knew I’d get so turned on being subservient to a man. No…not just any man…my man. My man? I like the sound of that. Tomas poured my wine and I smiled a thank you. After he left the bottle of wine, Grant picked up his glass and smiled. “Thank you, sweetheart, for giving me a chance to…”
Just then we were interrupted by a young waiter who introduced himself as Ricardo. “Are you ready to order or would you like more time?” Grant shook his head, “No, we’re ready. The lady will have the filet mignon, medium, with steamed vegetables. I’ll have the same. And we’d also like your house salad. Bring the lady’s with oil and vinegar on the side and mine with your house dressing, also on the side. Thank you.” Ricardo nodded his head, “Excellent choices, sir. Madam.” He left and I looked at Grant. “Filet mignon? Medium? I…normally I would have had the chicken.” He simply looked at me, one brow raised. I looked down. “I’m sorry, sir. Thank you for ordering for me.” “Hey…” He took my hand. “Baby, look at me.” I looked up and met his eyes, surprised at the soft smile on his face.
“Baby, what we’re going to be doing later…what you’ll be going through, you’ll need extra protein. I know you prefer chicken but red meat, the pinker the better, is the best source of that protein. I ordered the vegetables instead of a potato because I know you normally watch how many carbs you eat. Besides…” he grinned. “Too many carbs will make you sluggish and we definitely don’t want to be sluggish tonight, now do we?” I looked at him through my lashes and smiled. “Of course not…sir.” “That’s my girl.” While we waited for our food, we enjoyed the wine, which was wonderful but I tried to go slow. I didn’t want to get drunk and miss anything later. Inside, my tummy was aflutter with what seemed like a million butterflies.
I set down my wine glass and placed my hands in my lap, nervously twisting them together. “May I ask a question…sir?” “Of course. You can ask me anything, sweetheart.” “Later, when we…after dinner…what happens next?” “What happens next? You mean when we leave here?” He grinned when I nodded nervously. “Well,” he crossed his arms on the table and leaned forward. “I don’t want to spoil the surprise but I will tell you this much. From here, we’ll go to my friend’s club. He says he’s looking forward to meeting the woman who owns my heart.” I looked up and gasp. “Really?” He shrugged and I knew he only pretended to misunderstand. “Malcolm wants to meet you.” Really, Grant Thomas? I’ve known you for how long? You can’t fool me. You know exactly what I mean.
“Malcolm’s a charmer and he has a thing for very sexy, beautiful women. But…I want you to remember…you’re mine. Understand?” My heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his voice and the…love? ...in his eyes. I couldn’t help the huge grin on my face as I answered him, “Yes, sir!” Our food soon arrived and Grant changed the subject, talking about my plans for the temporary library. We shared a wonderful meal and conversation. Ricardo returned to our table and inquired about dessert but Grant shook his head no. “We’d like our check, please.” He took care of the bill before holding my chair as I stood. His hand was once more at the small of my back as we left the restaurant. My heart practically leapt for joy when he simply nodded at the hostess as she smiled and told us goodbye. He’s mine, bitch. Eat your heart out.
Stepping outside the restaurant, Grant handed the ticket to the valet. As we waited, a large black SUV pulled up and four men got out. The driver handed his keys over to the valet and accepted a ticket. As the four men, laughing and joking together walked closer to the restaurant door, one of the passengers glanced up at Grant and me. He turned to listen to one of his friends but his head immediately snapped back to stare straight at me. “Meri?” His laugh was annoying and much too loud. “As I live and breathe, is this little Meredith MacDonagh all grown up?” Oh crap! Jack Callahan. I dated Jack once or twice my junior year in college, during the Dark Years until he dumped me when I refused to have sex with him, calling me frigid and uptight. As I stood there, staring at him, all my insecurities came rushing back. Grant, sensing my tension, wrapped his arm around me and pulled me tight against his side.
Jack and his friends stopped in front of us. Jack said to his three friends, “Meri and I were an item...” Really? With the air quotes? I can tell he hasn’t matured much. “Back in college,” he continued. All four men stared at my breasts, one of them even licking his lips. Gross! Grant tugged on my curls until I looked up at him. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend, sweetheart?” He winked and I knew everything would be okay. I smiled impishly. “Of course, baby.” I met Jack’s eyes coolly before looking back at Grant. “Professor Grant Thomas, this is Jake...um...Calhoun? I’m sorry, but I seem to have forgotten your name.” His eyes narrowed. “It’s Jack...Jack Callahan.” He held out his hand and Grant took it. “Professor, huh? You teach at the local college?” Jack tried to retrieve his hand but Grant refused to release it. “That’s right, Calhoun.”
“That’s Callahan,” Jack spoke through his gritted teeth and I could see the strain in his arm as Grant finally released his hand. Just then, the valet pulled up with Grant’s car. “Well, it was nice meeting you but Meri and I have plans.” “Of course, good to meet you, too,” Jack responded coolly before looking at me. “Meri, I’ll call you? Is your cell number the same?” Grant kissed me on the neck, sending shivers throughout my body. As my nipples hardened, I knew the men could see them through the thin silk. Grant raised one brow at Jack. Grant knows I’m not frigid. “I don’t believe it would be appropriate, or desired, that you contact my fia...Meri at all. Good evening gentlemen.” What was that? What was Grant going to call me? Darn it, I wish he had finished what he started to say.
His hand at my lower back, Grant escorted me to his car and quickly tucked me inside. As we drove away from the restaurant, I tried to suppress the giggle that escaped anyway. Glancing over at me, he grinned. “What’s so funny?” “The look on his face when you squeezed his hand like that.” I giggled again when he snickered. “That was a...interesting encounter. Jack Callahan hasn’t changed a bit since college. Still the same immature jerk.” Grant nodded. “I can’t believe you and he were an item.” He made air quotes sarcastically. I smirked, “Jack and I dated a sum total of two times. We were never an item. He dumped me after I refused to have sex with him on the second date.” He jerked the wheel and the car swerved slightly.
“I’m glad you refused. He’s not right for you.” “He seemed to think so. He even went so far as to call me frigid and uptight to explain why he just didn’t do a thing for me.” Grant laughed. “There is no way on earth you could ever be considered frigid or uptight, hon.” He placed his hand on my bare thigh just below the hem of my sarong and I could feel the heat all the way to my pussy. “He’s a loser and doesn’t deserve you.” His fingertips softly rubbed small swirls on the inside of my thigh. “I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there for you, that I didn’t take care of you the way I should.” “But...you had your own life to live. I’m a big girl, Grant. I’m not your responsibility.” He growled softly and his hand tightened on my thigh.
“You do
n’t get it, do you?” My eyes widened at the possessiveness in his voice. “Get...get what?” “You have been my responsibility since the day I was born. I’m supposed to take care of you.” His grip loosened and he returned to rubbing the inside of my thigh gently, slipping under the hem of my sarong a little. “Meri, I’ve tried to go slow, to not rush things because I didn’t think you were ready. You will always be my best friend but...you mean so much more to me than a best friend. I truly believe that everyone has a special kindred spirit...a soul mate, if you will. And you are mine, Meredith MacDonagh. You’re mine! Understand?” My heart was beating so fast and hard, he had to have heard it. I felt a flush go over my entire body and understood exactly what he was saying. He loves me. Oh, I’ve always known he loves me but he’s telling me he is in love with me.
I love this man so deeply it scares me but I know that he will always protect me and take care of me. Yes, I am his...and…he is mine. I felt this wonderful sense of power, knowing that he’d do anything to make me happy. Glancing up through my lashes at the special man next to me, I smiled gently. “Yes, sir. I understand completely.” His eyes on the road, Grant started at my words. Glancing quickly over at me, his grin looked relieved. Was he worried that I wouldn’t accept him? How could I not? I’ve been in love with this man my entire life. The car slowed and Grant flipped on his turn directional. I looked up to see that we’d turned off onto a two lane paved driveway leading to a large, well-lit, attractive two-story home. Curious, I looked around, noting a small parking area to the side and valets working at the front of the home. Seeing my wide-eyed gaze, Grant grinned.
Best Friends Forever Page 9