The Rhythm of My Heart (19 page)

I grab his hand, twist out away from him laughing, and twirl back in so that my back is to his chest once more. “Fireworks, huh? I’m gonna hold you to that, baby. You better finish the night with a BIG BANG.” I bite my lip on the last two words and give him what I hope is a sexy, seductive look.

“Oh, I guarantee it will be a big bang, Gracie.” He smirks and places a kiss on the tip of my nose.

“I’m so glad I’m going to have visions of my son and his girlfriend having a big bang and fireworks tonight, Cole. It warms a mother’s heart… really, it does.” Olivia interrupts.

“Mom, you’re like a frigging secret agent sneaking up on people all the time,” Cole retorts.

“Oh, relax, sweetheart, I’m sure your father will have me seeing my own fireworks later, as well.” Olivia winks. I can’t help the laughter that erupts from deep in my stomach.

“MOM, just stop, okay. There are certain things a child doesn’t want to hear about his parents either. And Gracie, stop encouraging her by laughing. Do you want to hear about
your
father having sex?”

My laughter immediately dies and I slap Cole across his bicep. “Ewww, Cole, why would you even say that?”

“Exactly! Not the kind of images you want in your head.”

“Well, it’s funny when it’s not my father we’re talking about. Just dance and don’t mention that again.”

By this point, the song has changed to “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke and a few others have joined in, even Charlie is dancing with Ruby in his arms and standing awfully close to Allison. I notice Sam off to the side with the new guy, Hamish, who has his phone out like he’s taking photos, but Sam isn’t paying any attention to him because his whole focus is on Ashley. There’s definitely something there for both of them, but I don’t think they’ve acknowledged each other all day apart from saying hello. I’m going to have to talk to Ashley about it.

Feeling a little parched, I tell Cole I’m getting a drink and head for the cooler and a seat by the pool. I take off my tank top as I recline back on the sunbed making the most of the remaining afternoon sun. Several minutes go by as I lay there peacefully with my eyes closed soaking in the warmth and feeling completely content until ice-cold water on my stomach has me bolting upright and screaming out in shock. “Oh. My. God. What the hell, Ashley!” I yell, while she, April, and Allison double over giggling.

“Just making sure you didn’t fall asleep at your own party, sweets.” She laughs.

“I’m awake, you cow.”

They take seats around me; on cue, we all sigh, and then giggle at our synchronization. “This has been such a great day. Don’t tell Mom, but this is so much more fun than her usual Fourth parties are. I’d say that’s because we aren’t overrun by the older folk,” April says.

“I heard that, April,” Olivia announces across the yard.

“Damn it, I swear she has bionic hearing or something, and eyes in the back of her head.”

We all chuckle at April’s dramatics.

“Seriously though Grace, this has been the best Fourth of July party I’ve been to in a long time. It’s relaxed, but fun, with great company and even better food.” Allison praises.

“Here, here,” Ashley adds.

“I’m really happy you’re all here,” I simply reply. Ashley has always been my best friend, but I can see that my relationships with April and Allison are going to grow, the more time we spend together. The four of us just click. They are beautiful and genuine women, the kind I want in my life.

“We should organize a girls’ day. You know, go to the spa and pamper ourselves. What do you guys think?” April suggests.

“Oh, that sounds perfect! I’m up for it,” Ashley replies excitedly.

“We should include Olivia, too,” I say.

Upon hearing her name, Olivia comes over to join the conversation.

“What should I be included in?” she asks.

“We were just talking about organizing a girly spa day, Mom…” April stops mid-sentence while looking past all of us, her face scrunches slightly like she just sucked on a lemon. “Who the hell invited her?”

The rest of us turn our heads to see who she’s talking about; I blink my eyes several times, sure that the sight before me is just an illusion.
No freaking way!

“Ummm, who are we staring at and why does everyone seem so happy she’s here?” Ashley enquires sarcastically and confirming the fact that I’m not hallucinating.

“That’s Miranda.” April supplies. “She’s an uppity bitch who thinks she’s above everyone else. She’s also Mom’s best friend’s daughter.”

I scramble out of my seat and head toward Miranda who is now engaged in conversation with Cole.
If this bitch thinks she’s going to crash our party, she has another thing coming.

“What are you doing here, Miranda?” Cole asks calmly.

Putting on a fake pout, she glances my way and replies, “Our families have always spent the Fourth together Cole. It hurts that we weren’t invited this year; when I heard your dad saying that the party was here, I just assumed my parents forgot to tell me because they’re holidaying in France.”

“Your parents weren’t invited either, Miranda, because today is about Grace’s family meeting mine,” Cole tells her but it pisses me off that he feels the need to explain himself; it’s none of her damn business.

“Well, I can see people from the hospital here, so it’s not all family now is it,” she responds with an eye roll.

She’s ignored my presence long enough, so I step forward until I’m directly beside Cole and wrap my arm around his waist to claim possession; there’s no containing the smirk I give her as his arm goes straight around me in return. “Nice to see you again, Miranda,” I say, but my words don’t hold the sentiment.

“Grace is it?” She snottily makes out as though she doesn’t know my name.

“You know her name’s Grace, Miranda, don’t play dumb,” Cole chastises.

“Oh, of course, how silly of me. Nice… outfit.” She looks over my bikini top clad chest and short shorts, and then distastefully returns her snarky eyes to my face. “It’s very… festive. Where on earth do people buy outfits like that?”

I bit my tongue for a moment, as Cole starts to speak, but I interrupt whatever he’s going to say and decide really to lay the facts out to her. “At a store, Miranda, that’s usually where people buy things. Now, if you’ll excuse us this is a private party that you were not invited to, and Cole and I have guests to entertain.”

Her beady eyes narrow into small slits. “Last time I checked, this was Cole’s house not yours, because, heaven knows, someone like you couldn’t afford a place like this.”

I’m two seconds away from lunging at this bitch, but Cole’s hand tightens on my hip and stops the movement. “That’s enough, Miranda! Now, as Grace said, you weren’t invited so I’d appreciate it if you’d leave.”

How the hell can he be so calm with her!

“Fine! I’ll leave but I’m sure my parents won’t be pleased with the way I’ve been treated.”

“Your mother knew about the change in plans, Miranda, and was completely fine with it. No one has treated you poorly, and I’ll inform her of that as well. You really need to remember how close we are. Now… I’m sure there’s another function for you to attend today, especially since you aren’t appropriately dressed for this party.” Olivia interjects as she joins us.

Miranda’s eyes widen slightly at Olivia’s comments and I really want to high-five Olivia for putting the bitch in her place.

“As a matter of fact, there is. I don’t know why I wasted my time coming here.” Miranda sputters and turns on her heel to leave.

I can’t help myself and as she gets to the side entrance gate, I call out, “Don’t let the gate hit you in the ass as you leave, Miranda.” And I’m rewarded with an “Augh” as she walks out.

“I’m sorry, Sweet Cheeks. I didn’t invite her and I guarantee no one in my family did either,” Cole says sincerely, as we turn and head back to our guests who were all obviously watching Miranda’s display.

“Cole, you need to stop apologizing for that woman. You aren’t responsible for her behavior. I just don’t get why she’s so nasty and always around.”

“Like I said before, she’s a family friend and has been for a long time, Gracie. She just thinks she can treat people any way she wants. And I will apologize because this is OUR party and I’m not going to let her spoil it.”

“No, she’s not spoiling it. Nothing could spoil how great today has been.” And I lean in and give him a hard and smoldering but short kiss.

Chapter 23

Cole.…

Lying in bed with my arm wrapped around Gracie and her head burrowed into my chest is the perfect way to wake up in the morning. I’d be a happy man if I woke up to this sight every day, but for now, I have to be satisfied with the few nights a week that we spend together.

Thinking back on yesterday and our Fourth of July get together, I’m relieved and deeply satisfied that our families not only get on so well but have a connection that I never dreamed possible. Everyone including our friends meshed perfectly. It didn’t seem like it was the first time they were meeting. I can definitely see many more parties here in the future.

The fireworks display that Sam had organized was fantastic. Standing with Gracie in my arms, as we gazed up into the brightly lit sky with everyone oohing and aahing around us, was the perfect end to the day. Well, it wasn’t the end for us because I made good on my promise. I gave Gracie one hell of a bang and her own fireworks display when we made it back to the bedroom. Nothing is more satisfying than being buried deep in my girl, giving and receiving the most exquisite pleasure there is.

The only down point of the day was Miranda turning up. To say I was surprised is a massive understatement, but then again, I’m talking about Miranda, so I wouldn’t put anything past her. I loved the not so subtle ways that Gracie tried to display her claim on me, and I know if I hadn’t held her back, Miranda may have walked away with more than a few harsh words thrown at her. I wish I had stepped in and defended Grace quicker than my mom had, but I think her comments to Miranda had more of an effect than mine would have.

I love that Mom and Gracie get along so well. Seeing them give each other a sly high five after I had moved away from them had me quietly chuckling to myself. Gracie has missed having a mother figure for so long, and I can see that Mom’s open acceptance of her means a lot. It also seems like Grace and Ashley have also quickly developed a friendship with April and Allison as well.

My musing is cut short as Gracie stirs beside me and nuzzles her face further into my chest placing soft kisses there. “Good morning, Sweet Cheeks,” I greet her as I kiss her forehead.

“Mmm, morning, baby,” she mumbles. “What time is it?”

I glance over at my bedside chest to the alarm clock. “Ten o’clock,” I inform her.

“Wow, that’s some sleep-in we had,” she lazily replies, and rolls off me to stretch. The sheet that was covering her naked body slips down revealing her luscious, pert breasts.
Mouthwatering
. To neglect giving attention to such a gorgeous sight would be a travesty; so I take the opportunity to roll over and fill my mouth with her delectable orbs.

“Mmm, someone’s feeling frisky this morning,” she moans, as I lave her nipple so it pebbles beneath my tongue.

“When am I ever not, when I have you near me, especially with such an irresistible sight laid out across my sheets?”

“Aren’t we suppose to meet you parents for lunch?” she breathes heavily, while entwining her fingers through my hair and pushing my face further into her breast.

“They can wait,” I mumble, with a mouthful.

“Hmmm, well in that case, it’s my turn to show you my own personal big bang theory, Doctor Tierney,” she says, as she pushes me away and rolls me to my back before straddling me. Gracie taking control turns me on more than I thought possible. The image of her above me, riding me with wild abandon while her breasts bounce joyfully, is insanely erotic.

“Show me, baby,” I reply, and as she sinks down onto my cock and I’m buried balls deep inside this beautiful woman, I know heaven truly does exist.

It’s my birthday. I’m twenty-nine years old and for the first time ever I feel completely content and happy with every aspect of my life, and it all comes down to one reason… Gracie.