Page 58 of Moonlit Colorado

“Regardless of what happens between me and Grace, as long as I’m around, I swear I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and sound.”

I kept the rest of what I was thinking to myself.

Now that I’d acknowledged how much I wanted her, I also knew I’d do whatever it took to make hermine.

* * *

We joined the others in the living room until it was time for them to head home. After my suite had been so full of life with Ashford and his family, it would be hard to see them go.

Especially since Grace would be leaving with them.

Aside from when I was in the Army, I had lived alone for nearly all of my adult life. The thought of an empty, echoing apartment didn’t bother me. Until now. Didn’t help that Grace seemed to be having trouble holding eye contact with me, which irked me after we’d made so much progress this morning.

When Grace went to pack up her few belongings in the extra bedroom, I got up and followed her, stopping in the doorway. She’d made the bed and set everything exactly as it had been when she arrived. As if the hotel staff wouldn’t have taken care of it.

“Not still mad at me, are you?” I asked.

She closed her bag, zipping it more vigorously than was probably necessary. “Not really. No.”

“You feel okay about heading home?”

Grace shrugged. “Callum has the security system and cameras installed. The firefighters will know all my comings and goings. If I thought my roommates were overbearing already…”

At least Callum lived there too. Otherwise, I would’ve talked her into staying with me for longer. Didn’t love the idea of her living with three other single guys.

If it proved necessary, I could make a trip to the firehouse to have a friendly chat with her roommates.

“Are you free for lunch tomorrow?” I asked. “I’d appreciate the lowdown on the Silver Ridge Business Association members.”

“Didn’t get enough of me between yesterday and today?”

“Are you kidding?” I dropped my voice an octave. “Not nearly enough of you. But you already know that.”

A rosy glow crept into her cheeks. My fingers twitched with the urge to touch her.

“I thought some more about your invitation to New York. Your brother’s wedding.”

“And?”

“I’m still slightly annoyed that you and Ashford were deciding things behind my back.But…”

“Yes?”

“I’d like to go with you.”

I grinned slowly, reaching to link our fingers. “I thought it would take more convincing.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t make me regret it already.” I mimed zipping my lips, and Grace laughed quietly. “Can you give me a list of where we’re going, so I can plan what to wear?” she asked.

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll take you shopping when we arrive. And just so we’re clear, I’m buying.”

“Dane…”

“You would be just as gorgeous if you wear jeans and a sweater to Kip’s stuffy wedding events, but I’m guessing you don’t agree. I want you to feel good. So I’ll pay for whatever you feel like wearing. I’m paying for everything else on the trip too, just so we’re clear. That’s non-negotiable.”

“Fine. But there’s something else I want.”

“Name it.”

---