I tense in surprise. “You’ve never brought anyone else here before?”

“No. Only you.”

“Well that certainly makes me feel special,” I say, smiling at him.

He doesn’t grin back like I expect him to, his expression remaining somber. “It should because you are, especially to me.”

Warmth invades my chest with his words. I lick my dry lips, my voice barely coming out above a whisper. “You better be careful, Grayson Taylor, or you’ll make me fall in love with you.”

Reaching up he cups my cheek, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that steals my breath. “Good, because I’m already there. Just waiting for you.”

I inhale sharply, tears immediately blurring my eyes at his confession. I turn my face to the side and press a kiss to his warm palm. Just as my sob escapes he covers my mouth with his, inhaling the sound. I wrap my arms around his neck and lose myself in him, my tears mixing with our flavors.

“You feel it, too,” he says against my lips, thankfully not mistaking my tears for sadness. “Tell me.”

“Yes, I feel it, with every fiber of my being.”

CHAPTER 21

Grayson

The next morning I wake up in bed alone, which is not exactly how I planned on starting the day. I’d hoped to find myself buried deep inside my girl, but instead I inhale the fresh smell of bacon and coffee. I grin, thankful she’s not making me stick to the nutrition bar diet she has Walt on.

I get up from the bed to retrieve a pair of jeans from my luggage, thinking about last night. Even after taking her twice, I still can’t get enough. It took every ounce of restraint I had not to claim and possess her in a way she would never again question who her body belonged to. I know I need to take my time with her, the bruises between her thighs prove that. The rage that swept over me when I saw them was impossible to hide. Liv could see it all over my face. When she asked me to take them away, to erase them, all I could do was try to kiss away every insecurity she had, and I hope like hell I did that. Because the last thing she should ever feel is insecure.

She’s too perfect.

I don’t bother with a T-shirt, and head to the bathroom before walking downstairs to the kitchen. The radio mounted below the cabinet is tuned to an old country station, the same one my dad used to listen to.

She quietly sings along with Johnny Cash, standing in front of the stove. Her hair is still damp from a shower and she’s wearing one of my white undershirts that she obviously snagged from my bag. My cock hardens instantly at the sight. I watch as her hips sway back and forth in tune with the music, loving how relaxed she is here.

Stepping behind her, I wrap one arm around her waist and use the other to move her hair aside, pressing my lips to her soft neck. “Mornin’. Jesus, you smell good,” I tell her, kissing my way up to her ear. “Good enough to eat.” I growl.

She pushes that perfect ass of hers against the hard-on straining inside my jeans. “Mmmm, good morning.”

My hands move to her wiggling hips, holding her in place against me as she plates the eggs. She sets the pan down and cuts off the stove before spinning around. Her small arms circle my waist as she smiles up at me. Her face is free of makeup, the soft skin is silky smooth compared to the rough graze of my thumb across her cheek. She leans into my touch. “I sure hope you’re hungry, because I think I cooked enough to feed a small army.”

“I’m starving, but not for food,” I inform her before ravaging her lips. I spend an obscene amount of time worshiping her mouth like I did her pussy last night.

She smiles again. “Well as much as I would love to feed you me, I need you to eat the food I made first, before it gets cold. And you promised to take me fishing.” The smile lighting up her face quickly eliminates the pressing need in my jeans to take her here and now.

I’ll fucking do anything to make her smile like that.

“All right, baby. Eat first, fishing next, but then your ass is mine.”

She bites her plump lip to stifle a laugh, her cheeks turning pink. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

*

After filling ourselves up with biscuits, gravy, bacon, and eggs, we set out for a day of fishing. The boat my father bought back when I was a senior in high school is still in near-perfect condition, thanks to Jim. This will be the first time I’ve used it since my father died, my chest tightens at the thought, but seeing the excitement and smile on Liv’s face eases the blow.

The sight of her in tiny denim shorts, a pink tank top with her black swimsuit underneath, and that sexy braid resting on her shoulder is a great fucking distraction, too.

“I’m so excited for this,” she says with the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store. She holds up a black tote she brought along. “I wasn’t sure what all to bring, but I got us both a towel, sunscreen, and some water. We don’t want to get dehydrated.”

“Good thinkin’, baby.”

She beams proudly at the praise and it makes me want to kiss the hell out of her. Taking her hand, I help her into the boat first.

As I step in and move into the driver’s seat, I turn back to see Liv grab one of the life jackets, trying to secure herself in it. The shit is a tangled mess and wrapped every which way around her. Before I can stop it, a laugh barrels out of me.

Her head snaps up. “I’m doing it wrong, aren’t I?” she asks with an embarrassed smile.

“Come here.” She walks over and stands between my legs. I reach up and untangle her, then remove the jacket. “You don’t need it. I won’t let you fall out of this boat.” I pull her in closer. “I’d never let anything happen to you, Liv.”

She stares down at me, placing her hand on the side of my face. “I know.”

After a kiss to her smooth palm, I grab her hips and bring her down on my lap. I bite back a groan when her ass connects with my aching hard-on.

Shit, not a good idea.

“Oh my gosh, you’re letting me drive?” she asks excitedly.

I rein in my need and pull myself together. “Yeah. I’ll help you.”

“Oh Lord, okay but let’s start off slow. I don’t want to make us crash.”

I shake my head with a chuckle. “Don’t worry, baby, it’s a boat, not a race car. You’ll be fine.”

Starting the engine, we coast a ways out before I hit the throttle and pick up speed. She lets out a squeal and starts laughing as the breeze whips past our faces. We’re approaching an embankment, so I take the wheel and gently pull it to the left.

Once I center her, I let go of the wheel, giving her control again, and point off into the distance. “See that shady cove over there?” She nods. “Head that way.”

“Okay, don’t worry. I got this.”

“I know you do,” I reply, amused, before I sit back and let her take us the rest of the way there.

Very. Fucking. Slowly.

Once we finally reach the cove, I kill the engine and Liv stands, moving to the seat next to me. I instantly miss her warmth.

“It’s so peaceful. I can see why you and your dad spent so much time out here.”

I look out over the water. The small ripples of our wake settling on the surface, as memories begin to filter through my mind. “We spent a lot of time in this very spot. It’s been years since I’ve been out here. Forgot how much I missed it.”

“I can’t thank you enough for sharing this with me,” she says softly, drawing my attention back to her.

“You don’t need to thank me. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me, too.” She beams.

Grabbing the rod I brought for her, I quickly bait the hook. “All right, baby, let’s fish. Here.” She doesn’t take her wide eyes off me as I place the rod in her hand. “Just pull your arm back like this, hold down the button, and cast out.” I instruct, guiding her through the motions. “See that red and white bobber there? If you see it dip below the water you give it a yank, just like this.”