Page 56 of Black Bay Defender
“Yeah, right.” Kong returned dryly as he rolled his eyes. “Like that was going to happen.”
Glaring at the big man, she raised an eyebrow. “Are you calling me predictable?”
“When it comes to him?” He gestured to Grady who was grinning widely at her side. “Yes.”
Lark let out a little disgruntled humph. While correct, she’d much prefer to be thought of as mysterious.
Grady pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry, you surprise me every day.”
Mollified, she turned back to the room and the party that was already underway.
“Champagne?”
She wasn’t a fan, but she supposed she should have a sip or two since the General had gone to the trouble.
Something of what she was thinking must have shown on her face, because Grady was suddenly leading her forward with the remark, “Hold on, I’ve got you covered.”
His destination was a table that held a box of wine and a stack of plastic cups.
“Because you’re classy like that,” he told her and Lark threw back her head and laughed.
They stayed for several rounds of toasts both for her and Grady as well as for Paige and Jace. They ate some cake and danced together. While Lark loved the festive atmosphere – they didn’t have a lot of parties at Black Bay – and loved that everyone was so happy, right now, she kind of wanted to be alone with Grady. Her fiancé. God, she’d never get tired of hearing that. And someday soon she’d be able to call him her husband.
Her eyes went to the low-profile diamond and platinum ring on her finger and she was mesmerized by the way it sparkled under the overhead lights. It was so perfect. The way the diamond was nestled close meant it wouldn’t hinder her while she worked. Her man was always thinking ahead.
“Do you like it?” Grady asked against her ear and the feeling of his warm breath against the side of her neck sent shivers down her spine.
“I love it.” She turned slightly and caught his mouth with hers. “Almost as much as I love you.”
“I love you too,” he said against her lips.
“Maybe we should get out of here so you can show me.”
He sprung up so rapidly from his chair that it toppled over and Lark couldn’t help but laugh, delighted by his eager response. They left so quickly, that no one would be in any doubt of where they were going, or what they were planning to do, but Lark didn’t care.
She drew up short though when they got outside. There, parked at the curb, was a Jeep someone had decorated with more crepe paper. They’d also written on it with shaving creamJust Engaged.
Shaking her head, she laughed. “The General’s going to throw a fit.”
“I’m pretty sure the General’s the one who did it.”
When she turned wide, disbelieving eyes in Grady’s direction, he added, “I saw him with a can of shaving cream earlier.”
“Ha! That’s awesome. The next time he gets after me for one of my so-called stunts, I’m going to remind him of this.”
Grady motioned to the Jeep. “Shall we?”
The drive to her apartment was only a handful of minutes, but she didn’t want to wait even that long. Biting her lower lip, she shook her head, took Grady’s hand, and led him between the buildings where the high-powered lights that illuminated Black Bay’s central area didn’t reach. They were quickly swallowed by darkness.
Pushing him against a wall, Lark lunged for his mouth, hungry for him. Her hand immediately went to the front of his pants, thrilled to feel the thick length of his erection.
Both of them were nearly frantic with desire. Their hands made quick work of clothes, seams ripping in their haste to get each other bare, and their breathing between kisses was rough and panting.
And then Grady’s fingers were between her thighs. He hissed in a breath. “You’re so wet,” he growled against her ear and she shivered.
The darkness only seemed to intensify everything she was feeling. She couldn’t see him but she could taste him and the hint of saltiness on his skin. She could smell his soap, and underneath that, the scent that was uniquely Grady. She felt the heated flesh and tensile strength of his muscles under her palm, as well as the cool metal of his prosthetic arm. It all served to ratchet up her desire.
“I want to be inside you.” He nipped her earlobe sharply and she gasped.
