Page 52 of The Grump

She stopped in the act of jutting the key into her door. I put a hand on her waist—I fucking needed the contact—and brought my mouth to her ear. “It’s not because I don’t want to.”

“Isn’t it?” she whispered.

“No. All I want to do is...” I pressed my fingers into her waist, leaning my forehead against the side of her head. “It’s you. Being alone with you.”

I exhaled sharply, taking a step back. She turned to face me, licking her lips.

With a growl, I kissed her. Fucking hell, how I needed her lips. She sighed in surprise but opened up instantly. Then I couldn’t hold back. I needed to explore her so fucking much. I wanted to make her moan right here on her front porch. I deepened the kiss, moving her until her back was flat against the entrance door. I felt both her hands on my chest, then moving upward until they finally rested on my shoulders. She hummed, and I drank up every sound, every reaction. I pulled her even closer, resting my hands on her hips. She whimpered when Ipressed her against the zipper of my pants. I was semihard, and she could feel it.

Groaning, I took a step back. “You taste delicious.”

Bailey covered her mouth with her hand, giggling. “This was unexpected.” On a sigh, she added, “Xander, look, I know what I said yesterday, but I’m... God, I’m so confused.”

Confused. I didn’t like the sound of that. I didn’t want to take advantage of her.

“And now with the Christmas season going on,” she continued, “I have so much to do.”

That gave me an idea. Thanksgiving was coming soon, and after that, the Réveillon dinners started.

“I have a proposition for you.”

She interlaced her hands, looking at me apprehensively. “Yes?”

“Let’s go to a Réveillon dinner.”

“Ohhh, I haven’t been to one in years. Our parents took us when I was in high school.”

“Then that’s settled. I’ll make arrangements.”

“But why?”

“So we can discuss everything that’s confusing you.”

Of course I couldn’t keep my distance, so I took two steps toward her.

“You think that needs an entire dinner?” she asked.

“Yes. We can debate every point very thoroughly,” I pointed out.

Her eyes widened a bit. “Okay. I’ll make a list of everything that confuses me.”

I frowned. “There are so many things, you need a list?”

She looked down at her feet and then back up. “I’m not sure.”

“Then think of everything because I want you to bedamnsure.”

She shuddered. “Will it be at LeBlanc & Broussard?”

“No. I like to support the family business when I can, but there are too many eyes and ears there.”

She threw her head back, laughing, and then straightened up. “With all your brothers owning half the Quarter, I don’t think any place is safe.”

“I’ll find something,” I assured her.

“Okay, then, I’ll wait for your text.”

“Sure. Enjoy Thanksgiving.”

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