by Allie Able
I walk into the kitchen and see Summer at the stove, stirring the spaghetti sauce. She glances up and smiles as I walk in. “Dinner should be ready in about five minutes.”
That right there is what I want forever. The picture of her standing in my kitchen, with that smile. I could spend my life looking at her smile and die a happy man.
I walk towards her, giving her a smile in return, and kiss her cheek. “Okay, beautiful. You want a glass of wine?”
She nods her head and I let her go to walk towards the fridge, grabbing me a beer. I get a glass, out of the cabinet and pull the cork out of the red wine she had sitting on the counter.
“There is something I've been meaning to talk to you about,” I say carefully. I don't want to do anything to upset her and I'm not sure how she is going to react to this suggestion.
She turns and wipes her hands on the dish towel, before looking at me and picking up her glass of wine. “What is it?” she asks, sounding confused.
I take a deep breath and decide to just go for it. “Okay, I have a buddy who works at the fire station in Florence. I saw him the other day and he asks me to help him out with a self-defense class that they want to start doing.”
She nods her head still looking confused, “You should do it.”
I take a quick drink of my beer, before answering her. “Yeah, I am. It's only about a twenty minute drive and the classes will be at night after I'm already off of work. I was wondering if you might want to go?” I wait a few seconds for my question to sink in and when it does her eyes widen.
“Grant, I know you're just trying to help, but I'm not sure if I can do that.”
I set my beer down and walk towards her. Pulling her into my arms. “Summer, you can do anything you want to do. I will be there the whole time. I want you to feel confident, if something bad should ever happen, and a self defense class would help you with that. Will you just think about it?” I ask gently.
She looks into my eyes for a second, before finally answering. “Yes, I will think about it. I'll look over my schedule at work and see if I can move some stuff around. When is it?”
I breathe out a sigh of relief. “It's once a week, on Tuesday nights, for four weeks. It starts in two weeks.”
She nods her head in acknowledgment. “I'll see what I can do.” I bend and place my mouth against her's, tasting the red wine still on her lips.
“Thank you,” I whisper, before deepening the kiss.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Summer
I OPEN THE BACK DOOR to my car, to let Duke out, before walking up the driveway to my house. They were suppose to be done with the renovations on my house a week ago. Today is Thursday and I'm just now moving back home, after staying with Grant for a little over two weeks. Grant brought me over here yesterday and I got to look around. I have to admit it looks amazing. I decided to stay with him one more night, before packing all of my things this morning. He's coming over tonight so that I can cook him dinner, in my new kitchen, and I have a feeling he will be staying over. I'm completely fine with that. After sleeping next to him these past few weeks, I've gotten use to his warm body next to mine. His birthday party is this weekend. With a little help from Lexie, I've called and invited everyone and gotten the Mexican restaurant that we love to cater it, but of course I'm making his cake.
When I get to my front door I see a huge arrangement of flowers. Duke sniffs them as I pluck the card off of the top. I smile when I read it, 'I will see you soon'. It's simple, but it's sweet that Grant would think to do that.
I unlock the door and let Duke inside, before picking up the flowers and walking towards the kitchen. I gasp when I see that there is another arrangement of flowers, on the kitchen island. These are sunflowers, which are my favorite, and there is a note propped up against them.
I set the other flowers down and pick up the note, 'Welcome home, beautiful. I hope I have made your home somewhere that is comfortable for you. Now you can fill it with everything you like.'
I set the note back down and I almost cry, when I realize he is repeating the words I told him, when we were going over my renovation plans. Oh my God, I love this man. I don't think he could be more perfect.
Duke walks into the kitchen and sniffs around, exploring his new home. He walks over to me and I pet the top of his head. “What do you think, Duke-man,do you like your new home?” He just stares up at me and pushes his face into my leg. I'll take that as a yes. With one last pat on his head, I walk towards my bedroom. I still have to get settled in, take a shower and start dinner, before Grant gets here.
* * *
I'm stirring the sauce on the stove, when I hear my doorbell ring. I smile to myself, as I make my way towards the door.
I open it to see Grant standing there, with an overnight bag. “I didn't want to be presumptuous, but..” He shrugs his shoulders and holds up the bag, while smiling.
I lean forward and give him a soft kiss. “You are welcome to stay at my house anytime,” I whisper.
His smile gets wider and I step back to let him in. Duke walks over to him and bumps Grant's leg with his head.
“Hey, buddy. How is he adjusting to your house?” Grants asks, reaching down to scratch Dukes head.
“Good. He has already made himself at home. When I got out of the shower, he was laying on my bed,” I laugh. I make my way towards the kitchen and I hear Grant chuckle in response.
I walk back over to the oven to check on dinner, as Grant walks to my bedroom to set his bags down. “I'm making penne shrimp pasta. It should be ready in a few minutes,” I say over my shoulder, when I hear him walk back into the kitchen.
He doesn't respond, so I turn around to look at him and see that he is studying the flowers, with a confused look on his face. “Thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful, but I think you went little overboard.” I say, walking over to where he is standing. I hug him around the waist, but his body remains rock solid. “What's wrong?” I ask.
“Summer, who are the other flowers from?” he asks, not looking at me. His eyes are still focused on the flower arrangements, that are sitting on the counter.
“They're from you, Grant,” I respond slowly, completely confused.
He finally looks down at me and shakes his head. “No, sweetheart, I put the sunflowers in here yesterday, after I did my final walk through. Where did you find the other ones?”
“They were on the porch, beside my front door when I got home.”
“Was there a note attached?” He walks towards them, grabbing the card, that is still sitting on top. I don't bother responding as he reads.
Who would send me flowers? The only people I can think of would be Grant or my Aunt, but if it was Aunt Lila she would have had them delivered to the bakery.
Grant tosses the typed out note down on the counter and looks at me with worried eyes. “I need you to call your Aunt, Summer, and see if she had those flowers delivered.”
I nod my head and get my cell phone out of my back pocket. She answers on the third ring.
“Hello, darling,” She greets me, her voice full of love.
“Hey, Aunt Lila. I have an odd question for you.” She must hear the uncertainty and fear in my voice because she immediately goes on alert.
“What's wrong?”
“When I got home today, there was an arrangement of flowers sitting beside my front door. Did you happen to send them?” I ask, praying she did, but already knowing the answer.
“No, Summer, I didn't. Was there a card?” she asks and I can hear the worry in her voice.
I look over at Grant where he is standing with his arms crossed over his chest. He looks a mix between angry and concerned. I shake my head at him and he lets out a sigh and closes his eyes.
“Yes, it said, 'I will see you soon'.”
I hear her sharp intake of breath, before she asks, “Do you think they are from Ryan?”
I feel tears starting to gather in my eyes, as I shake my head. “I don't kno
w,” I respond, quietly.
“Is Grant there with you?” she asks.
“Yeah.”
“Let me talk to him,” she demands.
Grant has his hands on the counter and he is looking down. I slowly approach him and hold out the phone. “My Aunt wants to talk to you.” I say, looking down at my shoes.
He stands up and turns to face me, putting his finger under my chin. He lifts my head, so that I'm looking at him. When he takes in my expression, he clenches his jaw so hard, I'm surprised he doesn't break a tooth.
“I'll be right back,” he says, taking the phone from me and gently kissing my forehead. I watch him as he walks to the french doors and then outside. Duke looks up at me, before following behind him.
I look at the flowers and feel like I'm going to throw up. Those are the exact flowers Ryan use to give me. How did I not notice that before now? My legs start to feel weak and I lean onto the counter, trying to slow my breathing. How did he find me? Is he here in Cape Isle or did he just have the flowers delivered?
I'm looking down at the counter, so lost in thought that I almost don't hear Grant come back into the kitchen. He grabs the vase of flowers and walks towards the front door. A few seconds later I hear glass breaking and I jump. I'm looking towards the door, when Grant comes prowling back in, looking madder than I think I have ever seen him. He shuts off the stove and picks me up, carrying me to the living room. He sits down with me in his lap, much like he did the night he brought me home from the bar, and rubs his hand down my hair in a soothing gesture. I bury my face in his neck, the tears I was trying so hard to hold back, spill onto his skin.
“Shh. It's okay, sweetheart. I'm here and I will never let anything hurt you,” he whispers, roughly.
“I know they are from him. I didn't notice before, but those are the same flowers he use to give me,” I whisper, as my body begins to shake.
“Fuck,” he grits out, between clenched teeth. He pulls me tighter against him and kisses my forehead. “It's going to be okay, Summer.”
I shake my head. “Why can he not just leave me alone,” I cry.
“I don't know, beautiful. Some people are just awful human beings, and terrible people do terrible things,” he says, with his lips against my forehead, “I'm going to take care of this. I don't want you to worry. Okay?”
I nod my head, but it's not just me I'm worried about. I'm scared to death of what Ryan will do if he finds out about Grant.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Grant
I HOLD SUMMER'S BODY AGAINST me, until her cries finally quiet down. If I ever get my hands on her ex-husband, I am going to kill that mother fucker. Duke is laying down by my feet, looking up at Summer with confusion. I rub my hand down her hair own more time before I pull back enough to look down at her tear stained face.
“You need to eat something, beautiful. Why don't you go wash your face and I'll finish dinner,” I say, while wiping the wetness off of her cheeks.
She searches my eyes for a second, before nodding her head. I bend my neck and softly kiss her lips and help her stand up. She walks towards her bedroom and I let out a sigh, as I walk to the kitchen. I turn the eye of the stove back on, to warm up the sauce, but everything else is pretty much done. I get a bottle of wine out of the refrigerator and pour Summer a glass. I have a feeling she needs it.
I'm opening my beer, when she walks back into the kitchen. Her eyes are still bloodshot from crying and her mouth is turned down into a frown. I hate the that she has to worry about this shit. I wish I could take all of her pain away.
“Come here, beautiful,” I say, holding my arms open.
She walks towards me and buries her face in my chest. I wish I knew what she is thinking, but I don't want to bring it up again right now. She needs to eat and then we can talk. I take a moment to breathe in her smell, as I kiss the top of her head.
“Go on outside and relax in the swing. I will bring our dinner outside in a minute,” I say, handing the glass of wine to her.
“Are you sure? I was suppose to be cooking dinner for you tonight,” she responds. Her eyes look so sad.
“You did cook for me sweetheart, I'm just warming it back up,” I reassure her.
She nods her head and walks towards the french doors, before disappearing outside, with Duke walking close behind her. I run a frustrated hand through my hair. I hate seeing her so sad. I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial Connor. I want to know where Ryan is and I want to know every move he makes from now on.
* * *
After dinner, Summer and I sit in the swing, on her deck, and watch the waves crash against the shore. She is still so quiet, but seems to have relaxed a little bit. I talked to Connor and he assured me he will find the little fucker and keep me informed. I don't want to bring the flowers back up, but I need to see where her head is at.
“Beautiful,” I say, giving her waist a squeeze. I wait until she looks up at me. “Are you okay?” I ask.
She continues to stare up at me for a few seconds, before sighing and looking back out at the ocean. “I should have known that he wouldn't leave me alone, when he got out of jail, but I also thought I would have more time.” She shakes her head and looks back up at me. “He destroyed me, Grant. For six years, I lived in that house with a monster. He took who I was before I met him, and ripped me all to pieces and he didn't even watch where the pieces landed.”
I watch a tear trail down her cheek, before catching it with my thumb.
“I feel like those pieces of me are still scattered everywhere. I tried to put them back together on my own, but they wouldn't ever fit right and then I met you. Being with you makes me feel like, for once in my life, since my parents passed away, I don't have to work so hard at being happy, it just happens.” She turns to look at me, before whispering, “I just needed someone to help me pick up my scattered pieces.”
“Sweetheart,” I respond, quietly. I feel like someone is ripping my heart out of my chest, but before I can say more she continues.
“You make me feel safe, Grant, but even you can't protect me from Ryan,” she says. Her voice is trembling with fear.
I pull her closer to me, so that she is sitting on my lap. “The hell I can't. Summer, I will do whatever it takes to make sure this son of a bitch never touches you. I want you to be more aware of your surroundings and call me if anything seems off to you. I want you to take Duke everywhere you go, but I don't want you to worry any more. I am going to handle this, I promise.” I look into her eyes and I know for certain I am not just falling in love with her, but that I've already fallen. I don't know how I was lucky enough to find this woman, but I know that I will protect her with my life.
I put my hands on each side of her face and pull her close, gently kissing her lips. I can taste the salt from the tears, that are streaming down her face. “In such a short time, I have fallen completely in love with you, Summer. I'm in love with everything about you. You're my first thought in the morning, you're my last thought before I fall asleep, and you're almost every thought in between. You are mine and I'm not going to let anything happen to you,” I say, against her lips.
She leans in and takes my mouth in a deep kiss, her tongue tentatively touches mine. I pick her up and walk towards the doors leading inside. I make my way, to her bedroom, without disconnecting my mouth from her's.
I lay her down on the bed and pull back enough, so that I can look down at her. “I knew from the moment I met you, beautiful, that I had to make you mine,” I say quietly, as I push her hair out of her face.
“Grant,” she whispers. She cups my face in her hands and pulls me back down, for another deep kiss.
This time, when I pull back from her mouth, we are both breathing hard. I need to feel her naked skin against mine, more than I have ever needed anything in my life.
“Can I make love to you, sweetheart?” I ask, needing to make sure she is okay.
“Yes,” she whispers, as her hands start pulling at my t-shir
t.
I stand up and pull my shirt the rest of the way off, kicking my shoes and socks off, too. Her eyes greedily take in my naked torso. She sits up and takes her shirt off, revealing her cream colored bra. I lean down over her and kiss the exposed scars on her stomach, before unbuttoning her pants and pulling them down her legs. I look down at her and take in her flushed cheeks, her dark hair spread out all around her on the bed, and I know that I am the luckiest bastard alive.
“You are so fucking beautiful,” I say, as I take off my jeans and crawl onto the bed with her.
I lay between her legs, kissing the valley between her breasts and up her neck, nibbling at her soft skin as I go. I take her bottom lip between my teeth and pull. My hand goes around her back, so that I can unclasp her bra. I slowly pull the straps down her arms. Her breathing speeds up and her nipples pucker into tight buds, when the cool air hits the newly exposed skin. I bend my head and take one in my mouth, flicking the tip with my tongue. She moans and her hands go to my head, holding me against her and her nails dig into my scalp.
“Grant,” she groans, when I lick my way down her belly.
“Are you wet for me, beautiful?” I ask huskily.
I cup her pussy in my hand and I can feel her wetness soaking through her panties. “Fuck,” I groan.
I sit up on my knees and drag her panties down her long legs. I grab the base of my dick, to stop myself from coming, when I see her wetness leaking out of her pussy. I kiss my way up her inner thigh, stopping when I get to where her leg meets her pelvis.
“Grant, I need you,” she whispers. Her hands, that are on my shoulders, try to pull me up to her.
I chuckle at her impatience. “Let me taste you first,” I say. I circle my index finger around her opening, teasing her. She throws her head back and groans in frustration.
“Look at me, Summer, and I'll give you what you want.” I keep watching her face until her eyes meet mine, again. With my eyes still on her face, I lean in and softly lick her clit, while pushing my middle finger inside her. She immediately starts to grind herself against my face. I fucking love it when she does that. When I insert a second finger into her tightness, she comes with a loud moan.