Page 87 of Moonlit Colorado

“You said that you joined Knightly Global for your mom. She wanted you and your dad to reconcile.”

“Yes. It was after her diagnosis. After she was already struggling, and I thought if I could make her happy during her moments of clarity, it would be worth it.”

“Do you still feel that way?”

“Not sure.” I closed my eyes. “Grace, I know it seems like I have my shit together. But I don’t.”

Fuck. That was maybe the most honest thing I’d ever said to her, or toanyone.

“That’s a relief. You seem like the perfect man sometimes. I started to wonder if you’re a robot.”

I opened my eyes and looked at her. “I’m nowhere near perfect.”

“Perfect is boring. And it turns out that boring is not my thing at all.” Grace shifted so she was lying on top of me. She folded her arms on my chest.

“Whatisyour thing?” I lifted my head to nip at her lower lip.

“Mostly…you.”

“That’s convenient, because you’re my thing too.”

We kissed until someone roller-bladed by and whistled at us. I was also starting to get hard, and I didn’t want to bethatguy in the park. “Continue this back at my apartment?”

“Yes, please.”

Fifteen minutes later, we were stumbling into my place while we kissed and pulled at each other’s coats. A quick glance around showed we were definitely alone this time. No surprise visitors.

I pushed off my shoes. Tossed my scarf onto the entryway marble floor. Broke away from her mouth long enough to tug off my sweater, then hers. I put my arms around her hips and lifted her up, sucking on her neck. Her skin was a little salty from our time in the sun. I wanted to lick every inch of her.

Grace tightened her legs around my waist, and I carried her into my bedroom. I was too eager to play games or be subtle.

This morning, it had felt like more layers between us had been stripped away, and I wanted every physical barrier gone between us too. As much as was possible, anyway.

I set her on the bed and undid her jeans, pulling them down. “You’re gonna have to help me a little. These are sexy, but they’re tight enough to give you denim burn if I’m not careful.”

She laughed and wriggled her hips, helping me get the jeans off of her. Mine were far looser and were gone in a few seconds. My boxer briefs went next.

“I’m taking these off myself,” she said, pushing down her panties. “Don’t want to lose another pair.”

I smiled, remembering how I’d gone a little feral on her last night. But I had no regrets. “Happy to take you lingerie shopping anytime for replacements.”

“How about you focus on what I’mnotwearing right now.” She had just stripped off her bra. I stretched out over her, skin to skin. A groan rumbled out of me.

“I love buying clothes for you, but you’re right. This is your best look by far.”

Last night, in the warm, soft glow of the lamp in my living room, Grace had been straight out of an erotic dream. But this afternoon, she was bathed in bright sunlight, and I could see even more details of her. Every dimple and freckle and the exact slope of her curves.

“You’re studying me like there’ll be a test later.”

“I didn’t study nearly this hard for tests.” No, I only paid this much attention to things I cared about. Things I wanted to understand from every angle.

This was a woman who’d already gotten under my skin more than anyone ever had. Who was sexy and smart and fun. Who had sat next to me during an hour-long visit with my mom and got the imperious Izzy Knightly laughing.

I was a lucky, lucky man.

We made out for a while, our hands exploring while our bodies rubbed together. Such a simple pleasure, but it heightened the heat and the anticipation between us.

Then I nudged her to roll over onto her stomach. “I need to admire the other side of you now.”

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