Chapter Thirty-Eight

Blaise held her in his arms. They were under the covers of his king-size bed. His chin rested on the top of her head. She snuggled closer, relishing the feeling of his body entwined with hers. She could stay like that all night, except the kids would be back from the movies soon. They couldn’t find their parents in such a compromising position. What message would it send?

“Are you hungry?” He rubbed her back.

“Starving.”

He threw the covers off, letting all their warmth escape, and jumped from the bed. “Good. Me too. How about I make us a snack? Pancakes? Do you like pancakes because I’m all out of lettuce?” He yanked on his shorts and wrestled with his T-shirt.

She was a little disappointed to see him wearing clothes again. She smiled at the thought. The new Grace was being bold.

“You have a wicked grin, Ms. Starr. What are you thinking about?” He planted a kiss on her nose.

“You, us, this.”

He wagged his eyebrows at her, and she laughed. She wrapped the covers around her and searched for her discarded clothing. “I don’t eat just lettuce. Pancakes would be great.”

He kissed her hard on the lips. “Hurry.” And he was gone.

Well, he wasn’t the cuddling type, but that was okay. She always wanted to move around after sex anyway, but she wouldn’t have minded his body wrapped around hers for a little longer. She straightened the bed in case one of the kids peeked before she joined Blaise in the kitchen.

“Can I help?”

“Nope. Sit tight.” He pointed to the breakfast bar.

He moved around the kitchen, yanking out ingredients, bowls, and a pan. “Babe, this might not be the best time for this conversation, but I want to take advantage of the house being empty.”

What was he going to say? “Okay.”

He put down the flour and took her hand. “I know I’m not perfect, far from it. But I want you to stay in Heritage River, and if you don’t want your house, you can live with me.”

She wasn’t expecting that even after what just happened between them. “Oh, Blaise, that’s…that’s more than I could have asked for. I still don’t know what to do about the house. As much as I love our time together, I’m not sure Heritage River is right for me. I’ve made some people dislike me, like your sister. How would she feel if I moved in with you? I need some time. Is that okay?”

A darkness spilled across his gray eyes. He pulled his hand away and went back to the pancakes. “Sure. No problem.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.” He kept his back to her.

“Are you going to perform at the fundraiser now?”

He turned to her and leaned against the counter. “I’ll call Savannah in the morning.” He went back to pouring ingredients into the bowl.

“Blaise—”

The front door swung open. Cash and Chloe barreled in, laughing and joking. They came up short when they saw Grace and Blaise in the kitchen.

“Pancakes. Cool.” Cash stuck his finger in the mixing bowl. Blaise knocked him away.

“You just ate a whole bucket of popcorn.” Chloe slid onto the stool next to Grace.

“I’m hungry,” he said.

They shared their late night after-sex snack with the kids. They laughed when Blaise dropped batter on the floor, and Grace slipped in the mess trying to clean it up. Chloe and Cash told them about the movie and how Chloe screamed at all the scary parts. Grace wouldn’t have had it any other way. When the dishes were cleaned and the kitchen closed up tight, Cash went to his room. Chloe took one of the guest rooms. Blaise walked Grace to the door of the other guest room.

“If you want to sneak back in after they fall asleep, I’ll wait up for you.” He kissed her nose.

“I’d like that, but I think we’d better wait.” She pointed to the closed doors. “The walls might have ears.”

“They’re just going to have to get used to it. If you stay, that is.” He turned and went into his own room.

Grace closed the door to the guest bedroom. Did she really want to be alone? What was she so afraid of? She had given herself completely to Blaise a few hours ago. Her face burned just thinking about his skilled drummer’s hands. She wanted more of him lying naked next to her.

Why did she still feel the need to put space between this town and her? Was it because she’d never planned to fall for the handsome neighbor? Or was it because she never planned on knowing her father loved her, after all?