Page 24 of Undoing the Grumpy Guy

At his question, my eyes drop to my hot pink shirt that I hand painted yellow and white daisies on. “I did.”

“Why children’s books and not fashion design?”

Letting go of his hand, I lean down and pick up a scalloped seashell, marveling over the lines and the delicate colors of yellow and orange. “I don’t think the clothing I design would have much mainstream appeal. Plus the pressure. When I make something for myself, I can take as long as I want, change my mind countless times, and just enjoy everything about the process. ”

“They suit you,” he says softly.

Tucking the seashell in my pocket, I smile. “Thank you. Not everyone loves them, but I don’t dress for anyone but me.”

Chuckling, he grabs my hand again and we resume walking. “I must admit, when I first saw you, I wasn’t sure what to make of your outfit. You reminded me of a fairy.”

“A fairy?”

At his nod, I grin. “I am rather short.”

He tugs on my hand for me to stop and swings around to face me. “You’re lovely.” His hands cup my cheeks. “My lovely and sweet fairy.”

Staring up into his eyes, I faintly see myself reflected there. What I see isn’t a fairy, lovely or otherwise. I see a young woman with frizzy blonde hair escaping her sloppy braid and a too sharp chin who’s just realizing she’s falling in love with a man far too good to be true.

As his lips claim mine in a kiss, I can’t help closing my eyes and surrendering to the passion that’s rising up in me. It’s not Reed’s kisses that warm me from the inside out, it’s the fact that it’s him doing the kissing.

He’s such an easy man to love that I don’t have a hope of guarding my heart.

And I couldn’t even if I wanted. My heart has been his for the taking from the moment I first saw him.

CHAPTER TWELVE

REED

When Winnie innocently tells me I’m perfect, something inside me shrivels up and weeps. I’m fairly certain it’s my pride.

I’m not perfect. ED aside, I have my faults same as any other man. The difference is I wish I could be perfect for her.

The more time I spend with her the more thankful I become that Elliot set us up. It hurts me to realize that Winnie’s been so close for months and I was too foolish and caught up in my life to notice.

Well, I’m noticing now. Taking in every single smile and sweet blush.

The picnic on the beach is a huge hit. We spend our time walking, collecting shells, and learning more about each other. We both grew up as only children, which means naturally we’re headstrong and assertive about getting our own way. The difference is that Winnie is a much more go-with-the-flow type of artistic person, while I’m a bullishly confident my way is the correct way type A personality.

Okay, there’s a little wiggle room in there.

We both enjoy our chosen careers and Winnie confesses she’s not truly unemployed as she does coding and billing on the side to finance her dreams of being a published author. I never thought she was interested in my money, but I do approve of her drive and ambition and that she’s not living with her head in the clouds and surviving on dreams alone. Plus knowing that she has a practical side under her unconventional clothing appeals to me.

Actually everything about her appeals to me, which is why I came fully prepared and pop a pill while packing up the blanket and basket in the trunk before driving us to her place.

At her apartment, Winnie turns shy in the elevator, and I need to remind her that we’re not going to do anything she doesn’t want to.

Gazing up at me with her ethereal gray eyes, a flush of pink blooms on her cheeks. “I want you, Reed. All of you.”

My cock has been rock hard and aching since before we pulled into the parking lot, so I’m confident when I say, “You’ll have me. Every part,” before ducking down and ravishing her mouth.

Winnie throws her arms around my neck and it’s all I can do not to take her here and now.

Somehow, we make it out of the elevator and with her wrapped around me, together we get the keys to her apartment out of her pocket and the door opened.

After that, everything is a blur of slamming doors and clothing falling to the floor. Finally, she’s gloriously naked, spread out on the bed like an offering.

My cock stands up proudly between my legs, and I stroke it as my eyes caress every inch of her body. I’ve touched her, brought her to a shuddering climax repeatedly before, and now I’ll finally claim Winnie fully.

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