Giving It All (14 page)

Grant sat at the table across from his dad and shared a laugh at his mom’s antics. He wished Ellie were here to share in the laughter.

Funny, he’d been wishing she was around a lot since he got home.

Chapter Fourteen

“I can have a preliminary report done for you in a week or so. That will give you time to review it and send it in before the tax deadline,” Ellie said to her client, Michael Griswold.

“Fantastic. I’m sorry to have gotten this to you so late. With the divorce only just final, my finances are in total disarray.”

“I’m sure. It’s no problem though. If it’s too complicated, I’ll file for an extension, but I don’t foresee that happening.” Ellie gathered the papers and her laptop and put everything in her messenger bag. When she stood to leave, Michael was barely inches from her face.

“I really appreciate you going the extra mile, Ellie. What do you say we grab dinner, my treat?”

Danger, Will Robinson, danger!

Oh, no, she was so not going to be his rebound/ego boost/booty call. “That’s sweet of you, but I have dinner plans tonight. I’ll send you an email when I’m done with these.” She edged around where he had her cornered between his body, the desk and the visitor’s chair.

It wasn’t that Michael was unattractive. He was in his mid-thirties with neatly styled brown hair and brown eyes. Okay, so he was on the short side and barely reached her nose, but that wasn’t a reason to turn down a charming, intelligent, successful man. She just didn’t feel comfortable with his sudden interest in her. In fact, his closeness was making her nervous as all get out.

“Maybe another time,” he said, his arm brushing against her breast as he reached in front of her to open the door.

“I’ll get back to you on that.”
When penguins ice skate in hell.

Ellie didn’t exactly run out of the office, but she didn’t waste any time either. She supposed she could be flattered that Michael had expressed an interest in her. Except that she’d been his accountant for years and he’d never looked at her as anything more than a font of tax law knowledge.

“Maybe the divorce made him suddenly realize I’m actually female,” she muttered as she headed to her car. Then remembered she didn’t have her car. It was over at the garage. Dave had given her a lift to Michael’s office so she could make her appointment. “Crap.”

Did she call Grant? He’d texted her earlier to let her know he was at the police station and would be there for at least another hour. Had he really meant to invite her to dinner or was it just a we’ll-grab-a-burger-while-you-fill-me-in sort of thing?

A sporty, red car roared from the parking garage under the office building and screeched to stop in front of her. Dread made her stomach roll. She knew before the tinted window rolled down who was in the car.

“Ellie, is everything okay? Do you need a ride?” Michael asked.

“No, I’m fine, just waiting for my dinner date. He’s going to pick me up here any minute.” She dug her phone out of her bag as if she’d just gotten a text. “Oh, that’s him now. He’s on his way.” God, she was such a bad liar.

“It’s getting late. I can wait with you until he gets here.”

“No, no, really, it’s fine.” Crap, now what? She could call Dave and see if he was still at the garage, but it closed over an hour ago. Had she told Grant where she’d be or had she just said she’d text him? How could she text him now with Michael sitting right there? Her palms got sweaty as she tried to figure a way out of her predicament without losing a lucrative client or getting into that tiny car with him.

Silence stretched between them. Every second felt like an eon of awkwardness as Ellie mentally scrambled trying to find a way out of her dilemma.

“You’re sure he’s coming?”

“Yup. He’ll be right here.” She checked her phone again but her mind was spinning so fast she couldn’t even read the words. Why did she lie? It wasn’t like Michael was a bad guy. And except for the incident at the office, he’d always treated her professionally. Was she making a big deal out of nothing?

A car horn beeped and Ellie searched for the source. Her entire body flooded with relief when she saw Mrs. Anderson’s Camry pulling up to the curb behind Michael.

“There he is. Thanks for waiting with me.” She waved cheerily and bolted for the car.

“Who’s that in the dick mobile?” Grant asked once she got in the car.

“Michael Griswold. He’s my client and was waiting with me until you got here. Wait, how did you know where I was? Did I tell you when I’d be out? Why are you here just when I needed you?”

“After I got done at the police station, I went to Professional Auto Care to talk to your friend Dave about your car. I wanted to let him know I’d give him the parts, that way you’d only have to pay for labor. He mentioned dropping you off here. He also mentioned your client was a douchebag so I’ve been circling the block for the last half hour, debating if I should just park and go in or wait for you outside.”

Could the human heart actually melt? It sure felt like it. “That’s so sweet. Totally unnecessary though. Michael isn’t a douchebag. He’s just hurting after his divorce and wants a stroke to his ego. He’s never done anything the least bit inappropriate to me.” At least not until tonight, but she didn’t think she’d share that. It was no big deal and it made her sound kind of gothic-romance drama queenish.

“According to the scuttlebutt I heard from Dave, his ego must need a great deal of stroking. Apparently, he’s making the rounds.”

“How did you find all this out? All Dave told me was that he’d get back to me with a quote about the cost of repairing my car.”

“I mentioned to him that you wouldn’t need a loaner because I was driving you home after dinner, which brought up him driving you here and that Griswold was a douche.”

“Seriously? You two gossip worse than the ladies of the Garden Club.”

“He was just concerned that you were meeting Griswold so late, that’s all.”

“It’s eight o’clock, not midnight.”

“It’s still dark. Now, do you want Italian, Mexican or barbeque?” he asked.

“Doesn’t matter to me, I’m up for anything.” Her stomach growled loudly as if in agreement.

“I’m thinking barbeque then. I’ve been craving Sonny’s since I landed. Too bad he left town.”

“I know, but if you turn left onto Peachtree, there’s a place that makes the absolute best pulled-pork sandwiches. I go there whenever I feel nostalgic for Sonny’s.”

“Works for me.” Grant pulled into the left lane and waited at the light for a break in traffic.

“I had a chance to go over some of the paperwork I downloaded from the store’s computer. Everything appears in order, but I still have a nagging feeling that something is hinky. I need to run a few more comparisons, and I could use the information you got as well.”

“I printed the pictures at a Staples while I was here. They’re in the backseat.”

“Great, I can look them over during dinner and maybe something will pop.”

“No. During dinner, we’re going to talk and eat and enjoy ourselves without worrying about the store. You know, like what normal people do on a date.”

“Oh. That sounds nice.” Ellie could feel her face flame. What an idiot she was, blushing because he said they were going on a date. She wished she’d taken some time to touch up her makeup. Not that she had on much more than mascara and some lip gloss, but still.

“Is that it?” Grant asked. “Tommy’s Pork Pit?”

“Yup. My mouth is watering already.” Her stomach growled again as the smell of wood smoke and spices wafted through the car. “I know it doesn’t look like much, but trust me, it’s the next best thing to heaven.”

“If the smell is anything to go by, I believe you.” He pulled into the gravel lot and parked next to a beat-up truck that had seen a lot of miles and a lot of Georgia clay.

“That reminds me of your red truck,” Ellie said as they got out of the car and took their places in the long line waiting to order. “Whatever happened to that?”

“When I got out of BUD/S, I had it shipped to San Diego.” He didn’t say anything for a minute. “While I was on assignment, Chastity traded it in for a new truck as a surprise for me.”

His jaw was tight and Ellie hurt for him. “Oh, no,” she said softly.

“When I got upset with her for getting rid of it without asking me first, she burst into tears saying I didn’t appreciate her gift to me. I felt like a heel, but at the same time, I was so angry. I didn’t get over it quickly. It was just one more nail in the coffin.”

“Chastity and I weren’t all that close, but I used to go to her house to help her out with homework. She liked new and shiny. Her family never had a car that was more than two years old. She probably didn’t understand that the effort you put into rebuilding the truck with your dad is what made it special.”

Grant looked down at her as the line inched forward. “How come you get it, get me, and I’ve only really gotten to know you in the last week? Chastity and I were together for almost ten years, and she was clueless.”

She couldn’t tell him it was because she followed him around like a love-sick puppy all through high school. Ellie’s face heated up again, feeling like the biggest dweeb ever. “I lived next door to you. I know how much time and work you and your dad put into the truck. You don’t spend that many hours on something and have no emotional attachment to it afterward.” There, that was the truth, if not all of it.

“Chastity knew how much time I put into my truck. She used to complain about it constantly.”

“Because it probably didn’t make sense to her.”

“Maybe. I still miss that damn truck.”

Once they’d placed their orders and took their number, they searched for an open table. There were picnic tables clustered in front of the shack and a few scattered off to the side farther away from the road. Grant headed to one of those and sat.

“This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for our first date, but the food looks so good, I’m not going to complain,” he said as the server set a plate with a steaming pulled-pork sandwich, baked beans and cool coleslaw in front of him.

“It tastes even better than it looks.” Ellie held the little thrill his words gave her close to her chest. First date indicated a possible second date in the future. She shivered with delight and then dug into her sandwich.

They were quiet for a while, concentrating on demolishing every morsel of food in front of them. Grant finished first, but just barely.

“That was incredible. I may get another one to go so I can have one on hand for a midnight snack.”

“I don’t think I can eat again until tomorrow. Oh, shoot.”

“What?”

“How am I going to get my car back tomorrow? If it’s even ready. I didn’t think of that.”

“Dad has PT tomorrow. We can take you back here when we come, unless you have an early morning client.”

“No, I scheduled office time for myself in the morning. My first client isn’t until two.”

“Perfect. Dad has PT at one. I can drop Mom and Dad off, take you to Dave’s and you’ll be all set by two.”

“I really appreciate all the trouble you’re going through for me. I hate being a bother.”

Grant took her hand across the scarred picnic table. “You couldn’t be a bother if you tried. Hey, did Mom tell you? No, she couldn’t have, you’ve been working all day.”

“Tell me what?”

“Dad spoke this morning. And when he smiled, the right corner of his mouth moved. Just a little, but it definitely lifted.”

“Really? Oh that’s excellent. I knew he was improving. When I was watching him on Friday, I swore I saw him smile more, and he lifted his arm. He’s going to get better, I just know it.” She squeezed his hand tightly. “What did he say?”

Grant laughed. “We were talking about your car and how you won’t give it up, even though it’s held together with chewing gum and a prayer, and my mom called you stubborn. Dad said, ‘you too,’ to Mom. The first words he spoke and they were to tease her.”

“That figures. Your mom must be over the moon.”

“She is. He also said he loved her, and…and he was proud of me.” He looked away as if embarrassed.

Tears welled and she tried to blink them away. She used her free hand to dab at her eyes with a napkin. “I wish I could have been there.”

“Me too.”

His gaze caught her own and they sat in electrically charged silence, staring into one another’s eyes. Ellie felt like he was trying to tell her something, but she just wasn’t smart enough to figure it out. Heat coiled in her belly, spiraling out to engulf her entire body. They were separated by the width of the picnic table, only their hands touching, but she felt as hot as if they were tangled together naked.

She squirmed at the thought of being completely bare to his gaze, and he to hers. What would it be like to have his beautiful body on display for her every desire? Her mouth dried up and she licked her lips at the image of him sprawled across her bed.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking about, but whatever is making you wiggle like that, I’m in.” His hot gaze focused on her chest, and Ellie realized her nipples were poking through the silk of her blouse yet again.

Damn, if she was going to have this reaction to him every time she was with him, she’d have to duct tape the suckers down.

“Are you ready to go?” she asked, her voice husky.

“Absolutely.” He scooped up their trash and had her halfway across the parking lot before she knew what was happening.

Chapter Fifteen

The drive home from Canton took forever. All Grant could think about was getting Ellie out of her prim blouse and skirt and wrapping her legs around his waist. He kept one hand on her thigh the whole ride home, making sure she was still as charged and ready as he was. There was no way he was letting anything stop them this time. The freaking store could burn to the ground for all he cared. He was getting her into bed and keeping her there.

“Your legs are so smooth,” Grant said, stroking her from knee to mid-thigh. He was glad she wasn’t wearing stockings or anything that would prevent skin-to-skin contact.

“Glad I shaved today,” she said with a hitch in her breath as his hand crept a little higher. “Oh my God, did I just blurt that out? I have absolutely no sophistication at all. It’s like as soon as you touch me, my brain turns to mush.” She threw her hands in the air. “See? I bet the women you’re used to would never admit that. They probably wouldn’t bring up other women either.”

“Not that I want to bring up other women when I’m totally focused on you, but I like your lack of filter, it’s refreshing. So many women hide what they really think, what they really feel, and then get mad when the guy doesn’t understand why they’re upset or didn’t get off. I’d rather have your honest reaction any day of the week. I don’t want to guess at what you like or don’t like.”

“So far, you haven’t done anything I don’t like. But if you don’t stop rubbing my leg, I’m going to have to take another outfit to the cleaners.”

Her words sent a shot of heat straight to his balls. She was so responsive to everything he did. It turned him on better than porn. He inched his hand higher and brushed against the lace of her panties.

“Drive faster,” she said with a whimper.

“Almost there.”
In more ways than one.
He slipped a finger under the elastic and felt the heat of her mound. She was already wet and he rubbed his finger along her slick nub.

Risking a quick glance, he took his eyes off the road to see her reaction to his touch. Ellie’s head was thrown back and her hand gripped the armrest like she was holding on for dear life. Her face was flushed and her mouth slightly open.

“That is so fucking hot,” he practically growled.

They damn near got into an accident as he whipped the car into the driveway. Instead of pulling up in his normal spot, he drove around behind the garage and parked it in Ellie’s spot in the back. He’d barely put the car in park before he reached over, unbuckled her and dragged her to him so he could capture her mouth.

Ellie clung to his shoulders, kissing him like he was the only man alive. He captured her head in one hand, holding her still so he could ravage her mouth, all the while playing with her sensitive nub. As he slid a finger into her tight sheath, he felt her breath catch.

She was hot and wet and clutched his finger with her inner muscles. All he could think about was how much better it would feel with his dick in that tight channel. He stroked her clit with his thumb as he drove his finger in and out, practically tearing her underwear in his desire to give her as much pleasure as possible.

She dug her nails into his shoulders where she clung to him. The pain was more of a pleasure because he knew he was driving her over the edge. He could feel her entire body coil tighter and captured her mouth seconds before she spasmed in his arms.

It took every ounce of will power he possessed to pull his hand away from the pulsing heat between her legs and open the car door. He wanted nothing more than to open his fly and sink his cock into her warmth, but the front seat of his mother’s car didn’t give him the room to do everything he wanted to do to her. “Come on, baby. Let’s get inside. It’ll be worth it, I promise.”

“Sure.” She flopped back into her seat bonelessly. Her eyes were glazed with pleasure and she had a dreamy smile on her face.

Grant ran around the front of the car and practically dragged her out of the seat. When she didn’t move fast enough, he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. She let out a little shriek and he had to clamp his arm over her thighs to keep her still.

“Shhh, you’ll wake my folks. I don’t want anything interrupting us this time.” He smacked her ass lightly and then stroked it. The smell of her arousal wafted through his nostrils, making him take the stairs two at a time.

The door was unlocked, which was a good thing as he didn’t think he had the patience to wait for her to find her key and would have probably kicked it open. Ellie had worked his shirt out of his waistband and was running her fingers across the small of his back.

“Hurry,” she urged, biting him through his shirt.

Thank God, her apartment was tiny. He was through it in seconds and dropped her on her bed. She shrieked again as she bounced on the mattress, but he was too busy stripping his shirt off to worry about the noise.

“Anything you don’t want shredded, I’d take off now,” he said, deadly serious. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold off without seeing her naked.

The full moon lit the room, making her pale skin gleam in the silvery brightness. He watched impatiently as she kicked off her sensible flats and shimmied out of her skirt. When she wore nothing but a scrap of lace across her breasts and a second covering the triangle between her legs, his patience snapped. He pulled her into his arms, capturing her mouth and invading it with his tongue. While his lips and teeth teased her, he unhooked her bra and then shoved her panties off her hips.

Finally, she was naked in his arms. A part of him wanted to turn on the light by the bed so he could see every inch of her unimpeded, but another part didn’t want her to be able to see him just as clearly. Insecurities made inroads through the haze of passion clouding his brain. He hadn’t taken his pants all the way off yet, and when her busy hands tried to drag them farther down his thighs, he stopped her.

“Not yet.”

“I want you naked too,” she whispered. “I want to feel your skin against mine.”

“That can be arranged.” He lifted her up until she could wrap her legs around his waist and he groaned as her mound pressed against his stomach. The cheeks of her ass grazed his raging erection as she rubbed against him.

The points of her nipples teased his chest, and he angled his head so he could capture one of the delicious tips with his teeth. She moaned as he sucked it hard and squeezed him tighter with her strong legs. God, he wanted to touch her everywhere just so he could see her reaction. Everything he did seemed to set her on fire, and damn, how he wanted to watch her burn.

“No more waiting. I want you in me,” she said, her breathing ragged against his ear. “Condoms. On the night stand.” She bit his earlobe and the sensation zinged all the way to his balls.

He had a condom in his wallet but didn’t want to waste the time getting it. Reluctance to let her go warred with anticipation as he laid her across the cool sheets and reached for the package next to the lamp by her bed.

“Let me,” she said and took the condom from him.

It was his turn to groan as she stroked his cock and fondled his sac before rolling the condom over his length. Once he was protected, he pulled Ellie so that her hips were at the edge of the mattress and lifted her legs so he could drive into her inviting warmth.

God, she was tight. And hot. And wet. And about the best damn thing he’d ever felt. She let out a low, deep moan as he fully sheathed himself in her body and wrapped her legs around him. Grant grasped her ass and held it steady as he found a rhythm that worked for both of them.

He started with long, slow strokes, almost pulling himself out completely before inching back until he was seated deeply inside her. Her face was flushed and her breasts plump with desire. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her as she thrashed her head back and forth on the mattress.

She was so fucking responsive to his every move, his slightest touch. It turned him on almost unbearably. He drove harder, faster, and she matched him stroke for stroke. Pleasure filled his veins, coursing through him, pushing him to his limits. He wanted to drive into her until the pressure exploded, but he held back, wanting it to be good for her more than he wanted his own release.

Ellie arched her back, grinding her mound against him as he slammed into her. He couldn’t resist her up-thrust breasts and captured one in his mouth. As his hips continued their relentless pounding, he laved her sensitive nipple and drew it between his teeth.

“Grant! Now! Oh God!” Her body spasmed against him, her channel milking his cock with silken muscles.

Finally, he could let go and release the reins he held on his desire. He gripped her ass and plowed into her, pumping furiously as the pleasure rolled over him. His balls tightened and he knew his release was almost there. He wanted to hold back, to stay on the edge, to make it last, but Ellie squeezed him with her inner muscles and he couldn’t resist her.

His orgasm erupted through him, pulling everything out of him until he was limp and drained. He collapsed on the bed. He had enough brainpower to angle to the side so he didn’t crush Ellie beneath him, but that was the extent of his thought processes. Sweat stuck them together as he held her against his chest. He could feel her heartbeat flutter and her rapid breathing feathered against his neck. She shivered with an aftershock that clutched his cock still snug inside her.

Vaguely, he noticed his belt buckle jabbing into his leg above his right knee, but the irritation couldn’t compete with the sense of well-being that flooded through him. As his heartbeat returned to normal, lassitude rolled over him. For once, he let it and just enjoyed the bliss.

Ellie didn’t want to move. Ever. Her whole body was relaxed and quivering, and she didn’t want it to stop. Grant’s chest rubbed against hers with every breath she took and she could see his pulse thumping in his neck. She licked the spot and smiled as Grant shivered against her.

He ran his hand lightly up and down her spine, soothing her and relaxing her further, if that was even possible.

“I should take care of the condom,” he murmured, his lips in her hair. She tightened against him in protest and he groaned. “If you keep doing that, we’re going to need another one in a hurry.”

“I bought a box of twenty the other day,” she said without thinking, then blushed to her toes. “Not that I think we’ll use all of them,” she stammered.

“Twenty, huh? I take that as a challenge. One I’m more than willing to accept.” He leaned back and she saw the smile on his face.

“That’s not what I was thinking when I bought them.” Then why hadn’t she bought the smaller box? “Maybe hoping,” she admitted finally.

“I like how you think.” He eased away from her, their bodies sticky with sweat. “Give me a few minutes to recover and we’ll see about decreasing your supply.” Grant gave her a teasing kiss and stepped away.

Ellie paused to admire his tight rear end before he hitched his pants up and headed to the bathroom. She felt exposed lying naked on the bed all by herself, so she scrambled under the sheet and leaned against the headboard to await her own turn in the bathroom.

Her body felt a little sore from their encounter, but the overwhelming pleasure that suffused every cell of her being far outweighed the ache between her legs. He was so darn strong it took her breath away. She was almost six feet tall, and he’d carried her around like she weighed next to nothing.

A tingle of pleasure tripped down her spine as she remembered the muscles in his arms surrounding her, his strong thighs and abs between her legs. God, he had muscles on top of muscles, and she wanted to explore every one of them.

She heard the faucet run in the bathroom across the hall and then shut off. Minutes ticked by and Grant still didn’t return. Doubts and insecurities crept into her mind the longer she waited for him to come back.

Could he be regretting it? No, he’d carried her to bed, literally thrown her over his shoulder and tossed her on the mattress. He’d been every bit as eager as she’d been to make love.

No, not make love. Have sex. She needed to keep this in perspective and not get all school-girl crazy and romanticize it. What is is, as her grandmother used to say.

Finally, she heard the bathroom door squeak. As soon as Grant came in the room, Ellie knew there would be no round two. His entire body language had changed. He had a soft smile on his face, but there was tension in his shoulders and his body was stiff.

He sat next to her on the bed and ran his fingers through the hair at her temple.

“I need to go,” he said simply, no excuses.

“I know.” She pressed a kiss to his callused palm. “I’ll walk you out.”

“It’s not you. I don’t want you thinking that.”

“Grant, you don’t need to say anything.” She really wished he wouldn’t say anything, just let her cling to whatever shreds of pride she had left.

“It’s been a long time since I was…intimate with anyone. I just—” He ran a hand through his hair and got off the bed. Grabbing his shirt, he pulled it over his head, which seemed like a stall tactic. “I just don’t know what to do, how to feel. I need space.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t crowd you,” she said softly. She grabbed her robe from the rocking chair by the foot of her bed and covered herself up. She was far too exposed being naked when he was fully dressed.

“Ellie, don’t disappear on me.” He pulled her close to him. “I’m not worried about you crowding me, I just need time.”

“I understand.”

“I’m not sure you do. I don’t regret what we did. In fact, I’m actively looking forward to doing it again. It’s just the after part that’s messing me up in the head.”

“It’s okay. Honest.” Her heart broke a little, for him and the pain and confusion he was dealing with, as well as for herself and her foolishness in still wanting more.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, right? We’ll bring you to Canton in the afternoon.”

“Sure. See you then.” She went up on tiptoe and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Don’t forget to move your mom’s car around front.”

“I totally forgot about that,” he said, a wry grin lifting the corners of his mouth. “That might be hard to explain in the morning.”