***
That was the longest shower I’d ever taken, but by far the best. Our skin was pruning, and we’d run out of hot water by the end, but I’d kept my word and made Belle come twice before we were done.
I was certain by that point that I’d never get enough of this woman. That I’d keep tugging on the loose strings she gave me until I had every last piece. That I’d do everything I had to do to keep her.
I’d reluctantly let her go so she could get dressed in her room, but I hated every moment she wasn’t within reaching distance. How I’d managed to live with this woman for weeks and keep my hands to myself was a goddamn mystery.
When I was dressed, I fed and walked Charlotte while I waited for Belle. When I got back inside, she was in the kitchen doing our breakfast dishes. I took Charlotte’s leash off and walked up behind her, wrapping my hands around her hips and pulling her ass against me.
“You almost ready to go?” I asked against her neck.
She tilted her head so I could gain better access. “I’d be ready faster if you weren’t all over me.”
I chuckled. “I can’t help myself.”
She shook her head and placed the last dish into the drying rack before spinning around in my arms. “You somehow managed to keep your hands off me the whole two weeks you’ve been living here. Now all of a sudden you can’t control yourself?”
I tugged her closer with a shrug. “Do you want me to stop touching you?” She bit her lip and looked away for a moment before meeting my gaze again. When she shook her head, I leaned down and kissed her plump lips. “Good. Then we’re both happy.”
She giggled into my mouth and I swallowed the sound. Finally, she pulled away and ducked under my arm. “We better get going before we get caught up again and are late to Gramps’.”
I crossed the kitchen and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leading her toward the door. “I think the old man would understand.”
She slapped my chest with a laugh, and I knew this dumbass smile was going to be pasted on my face for the rest of the day.
Belle locked up the apartment, and when she fell in step next to me, I went to wrap my arm around her shoulders again, but she ducked out of the way. I pressed my lips together and let my arm fall to my side. I’d almost forgotten this was a hidden relationship. That only within the walls of our apartment was it okay to touch her. It wasn’t ideal, but I knew this wouldn’t last forever.
We didn’t acknowledge my faux pas as we both climbed into my car and she immediately reached for my radio. A Beatles song came on as I was pulling out of the driveway.
“I almost forgot that show is coming up next week.”
She nodded and bounced in her seat. “I know! I’m so excited.”
“Me too. And it’ll be fun to go with someone who appreciates the music instead of dragging my asshole brother with me.”
She bit her lip again and turned to stare out the windshield. “Maybe going to the show together isn’t a good idea right now.”
“Why the hell not?”
She glanced at me quickly before looking away again. “Isn’t that too much like something people do when they’re dating?”
Oh, this again.
“Isn’t it also something friends do?” I countered.
Her teeth dug into her bottom lip as she continued to stare out the window. “I just don’t want the lines to blur too much.”
I almost laughed at that, but barely held myself in check. The lines were already so fucking blurred, it was like we were twelve shots deep on a bender. “Believe me, Belle. I know where you stand, and you know where I stand. Just hanging out and fucking, right?”
The apples of her cheeks bloomed with a blush. “That’s one way to put it.”
“What’s another way?”
She turned to me, her lips curled mischievously. “Friends with benefits?”
“Or fuck buddies.”
“Or hangin’ and bangin’.”
I chuckled at that one. “Or breast friends.”
She threw her head back and laughed, the sound making my chest feel warm. “How about a blomance?”
My dick twitched, and I told it to settle the hell down. “We haven’t gotten that far yet.”
Her smile widened. “Play your cards right, MacAlister.”
This time there was no telling my dick anything. He was sitting up and paying attention to the conversation like his life depended on it. I shifted in my seat, hoping she wouldn’t notice, but I wasn’t that lucky.
“Things getting uncomfortable over there, Rem?”
“Shut up.”
She cackled, and I ate it up, even though her humor was at my expense. Her happiness was like a drug and I was already becoming addicted.
We continued to joke and tease the whole ride up to Cumberland. I tried to make the grocery trip as quick as possible, but I’d slacked last week and had a lot of making up to do.
“Do you really buy all Gramps’ groceries every week?” Belle asked as I perused the meat section.
I shrugged. “Yeah, for the most part. He bitches about it, but it’s hard for him to get out of the house and get his own shit. There’s a senior citizen bus that’ll come pick him up a couple times a week and bring him here, but he doesn’t like the driver.”
“What’s wrong with the driver?”
I shot her a crooked grin. “According to Gramps, he’s an ‘uneducated, illiterate buffoon who’s as sharp as a bowling ball.”
Belle chuckled. “Oh, man. What’d he do to deserve that?”
“He said Jeopardy was rigged.”
She gasped. “He insulted Jeopardy? To Gramps’ face?”
I grinned at her, loving the fact that she got it. “Yep. And that was enough to land himself on Gramps’ shit list for life.”
“Good thing I know better.”
I shook my head. “You could probably even insult Wheel of Fortune and get away with it. That man is wrapped around your pinky already.”
Her cheeks turned a pretty pink as she looked away. “Even if that’s true, which I’m sure it isn’t, I wouldn’t dare.”
“That’s because you’re a smart woman.”
She shot me a smile that was enough to make my heart pound before turning away again. I watched her for a minute, noting the graceful sway of her hips and the natural beauty that emanated from every inch of her body. Shaking my head, I tossed those thoughts aside. There’d be time to wax poetic about Belle later.
We finished up at the store and headed over to Gramps’ which was only a couple blocks away. When we pulled up, Gramps was sitting outside on his front stoop with a frown on his face. As soon as I parked, I climbed out of the car and jogged over to him.
“Hey, Gramps. What are you doin’ out here?”
He looked up at me, his bushy white brows still furrowed. “Just thought I’d get some fresh air. It was feelin’ a little stuffy in there.”
I frowned and glanced at the house behind him. “We’ll open all the windows and get it aired out in there, okay?”
Gramps nodded absentmindedly as one hand reached up to massage his chest. I crouched down in front of him, my stomach pinching deep inside me. “Hey, what’s goin’ on? Are you okay?”
He looked up and waved a hand in my direction. “Yeah, it’s just some heartburn. I had some of that damn Indian food for lunch and that shit is too spicy for my pasty ass.”
I snorted and shook my head. I grasped his elbow and pulled him to his feet. “Why’d you get takeout, anyway? I left you stuff for lunch.”
He waved me off again as he tugged his arm out of my hold. “Sometimes a man wants some Indian food, Son.”
I shot an exasperated look at Belle who was walking up the front path, both her arms weighed down with bags of groceries. I hurried over and took them from her as Gramps climbed the stairs to go back inside.
“I know you like Indian food, Gramps, but it’s got too much sodium in it. The doctors said you need to watch your salt inta
ke.”
He grunted and pulled the screen door open. “Those doctors can kiss my ass. I’m an old man. If I want some damn Indian food, then I’ll have some damn Indian food.”
He walked inside, still muttering as I turned to Belle again. “Sorry. He gets crabby when I bring up his diet.”
She shrugged and glanced at the house where Gramps had disappeared. “I don’t blame him. I’d be pissed if you took away my chicken tikka masala too.”
I shook my head with a smile.
“Do you think I should be here though? Maybe he’s not up for company.”
I nudged her with my shoulder, pushing her toward the front door. “I guarantee the only thing that could cheer him up right now is seeing you. Go and say hi and see how quickly his mood changes.”
She bit her lip, the look on her face uncertain. “Are you sure?”
I rolled my eyes and wrapped an arm around her waist to lead her up the steps. When we entered the house, I couldn’t see Gramps, but I could still hear him complaining.
“Gramps, you didn’t even say hi to Belle yet,” I called.
The grumbling instantly stopped, and moments later, he poked his head out of the kitchen, his smile wide across his face. “Belle! It’s so nice to see you again!”
He ambled over, quicker than I’d seen him move in years, before pulling Belle into a big hug. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her face still a little skeptical but her smile bright. “It’s nice to see you too, Gramps. Thanks for having me back.”
He pulled away and waved a hand in the air. “You’re always welcome here. In fact, if you wanna come next week and leave the wet blanket at home, I wouldn’t blame you.” He jerked his chin in my direction.
I rolled my eyes and walked around the two while Belle giggled. “Yeah, yeah. Then I guess this wet blanket isn’t cooking you one of your favorite meals tonight.”
I strolled into the kitchen, Gramps and Belle hot on my heels. “What favorite meal are we talkin’ about here?”
I set the grocery bags on the counter and started unloading them. “Well, Belle and I picked up all the ingredients for shepherd’s pie, but if I’m not enough fun, I can leave you two to it.”
Gramps turned to Belle. “Do you know how to make shepherd’s pie?”
Her eyes widened as she shook her head. “I can’t even boil an egg.”
“Damn,” he muttered under his breath. “Okay, Rem, you’re welcome to stay.”
I rolled my eyes and started loading the food I’d bought into the fridge. “How magnanimous of you.”
Chapter 28
Remy
“Oh my God. Remy, that was so good.”
My dick twitched. “Glad you liked it.”
“No, seriously. I don’t think I’ve ever had better.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not an expert or anything.”
She shook her head. “No, you really are. I don’t even think I can move right now.”
With a chuckle, I said, “Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
She closed her eyes and moaned softly. “Hmm. I really, really did.”
I shifted in my seat and told my dick to take a pill. If I’d known all it took to impress her was a friggen shepherd’s pie, I’d have done it weeks ago.
With a groan, she climbed to her feet. “I’ll be right back.”
She left the room, walking with a slight waddle, and I suppressed a chuckle. The moment she was out of earshot, Gramps spoke up.
“Okay, out with it.”
I turned to him with a frown. “Out with what?”
“Something changed since the last time you two knuckleheads were here and I wanna know what.”
I looked down at my plate and pushed around a couple stray peas. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, old man.”
He scoffed, and I glanced up to find him pointing an arthritic finger my way. “That girl hasn’t taken her eyes off you tonight and you’re just about as bad. She hid it a lot better last time you were here and I wanna know what’s changed.”
I sighed and set my fork down. It was probably best to have this conversation now because I knew he wouldn’t stop until he had the information he wanted. If that meant confronting Belle himself, I really wouldn’t put that past him.
“Okay, so we’ve come to an… arrangement in our relationship. If you can call it that,” I said with a frown.
Gramps narrowed his eyes at me. “You got her in bed, didn’t you?”
I cringed and glanced toward the door, but Belle wasn’t back yet, thankfully. “Will you keep it down, old man?”
His thin lips pulled into a smile. “You did, didn’t you?” He laughed and slapped his knee with a loud whack. “I knew it was only a matter of time!”
I sighed and rolled my head on my neck. “It’s not what you think, Gramps. We’re just being… intimate. Nothing more.”
He scoffed again and waved my words away. “She’ll come around.”
I tried not to, but his words wormed their way into my heart, burrowing deep and taking root. I wanted him to be right so bad.
“I don’t know, Gramps. She really doesn’t want a relationship and I’m not gonna force her. It’s enough being her friend right now.”
“And getting some nookie on the side, right?”
I looked up at him with a frown. “How the hell do you know what nookie is?”
He rolled his dark eyes. “I watch TV.”
I laughed just as the sound of the pipes reached us in the living room, signifying Belle would be back soon.
“Listen, yes. We’re having a physical relationship now, but nothing else has changed. Please don’t make a big deal about this.”
He sat back in his chair and held up both hands in surrender. “I’m not gonna say anything, Remy. That’s your business. I’m just happy you two aren’t pussyfootin’ around the issue anymore.”
I cringed again. “And could you not say the word pussy, please? You’re gonna give me nightmares.”
He shook his head, his lips pursed. “I said pussyfooting. Not that other word, you ninny.”
I shook my head again, trying to get that word to stop reverberating through my mind in my grandfather’s voice. “Close enough. Ugh.”
He chuckled and called me an idiot again as he turned up the volume on the television. The Game Show Network was on as usual and I took that opportunity to clean up our dishes. I’d just brought them to the sink when Belle walked into the kitchen and found me.
“Hey, I should be cleaning since you cooked.”
I shook my head. “I’m not going to ask you to clean up after my grandfather.”
She walked closer and bumped me with her hip. “You didn’t ask. I’m telling you I’m going to clean up.”
I moved out of her way as she turned the water on and started rinsing. With a glance toward the living room, I knew Gramps would be occupied for a while and I took that opportunity to do what I’d been dying to do for hours.
My hands curved around her hips while my mouth tasted the skin of her neck. She smelled like vanilla and honey and it made my dick twitch again.
“Remy,” she hissed. “What are you doing?”
“I needed to touch you again,” I murmured against her.
She gasped as I pulled her ass against my erection, grinding slightly despite what she was saying. “Couldn’t this wait until we get home?”
Just hearing those words made me want to drop her pants and make her come right here. But I knew that wasn’t an option, so I took one last inhale of her sweet scent and a big step back, tucking my hands into my pockets.
“It can wait until we get home, but not much longer.”
She glanced at me over her shoulder, her amber eyes brilliant and her smile wide. “I’m okay with that.”
I shook my head and turned around, knowing I needed to walk away now, or I wouldn’t be able to. When I got back to the living room, Gramps was rubbing at his chest again and I remembered he’d been compla
ining about indigestion earlier. I turned around and grabbed some antacids from the bathroom and made my way back into the living room.
“Gramps, I want you to call the doctor tomorrow about this heartburn. It could be something more serious,” I said as I handed him the plastic bottle.
He took it with a grateful smile but waved my words away. “I’ve got an appointment with him next month. I’ll tell him then.”
I sighed and sat down on his old couch. “Why won’t you just make a quick call? It would make me feel a lot better.”
Gramps gave me a narrowed-eyed look before turning back to the television. “Because you worry too much. You’re just like your father used to be.”
My chest ached at the reminder of my dad and that effectively shut me up. He must have noticed my sudden silence because Gramps turned to me again.
“You know that’s not a bad thing, right? There’s nothing wrong with loving and taking care of those around you.”
“So, you’ll call your doctor.”
“No.”
I sighed and leaned back on the couch, knowing there’d be no budging him. I made a mental note to give his nurse a call tomorrow and make sure she knew about this.
A few minutes later, Belle walked into the room and I sat up straighter. It didn’t matter that I’d spent all day with her, my heart still beat faster whenever she was near. If I was being totally honest with myself, it had for a long time.
I stood up and walked over to her. “Are you about ready to go?”
She glanced toward Gramps and then back at me. “In a rush, MacAlister?” she asked softly.
I grinned and took a small step closer, careful not to cross the line but to also make a point. “Huge rush.”
She smiled and shook her head before walking around me to sit in the spot I’d just vacated. As soon as she was close enough, Gramps launched into an explanation of the show he was watching and they sat there together, trying to guess the correct answers along with the contestants.
I sat back, watching them, as my chest grew warm. I loved that I got to bring someone else for Gramps to talk to. Loved that Belle seemed to enjoy his company as much as he did hers. Loved even more that I got to share this piece of me with her.
Beyond Beautiful (Love in Providence Book 2) Page 24