Page 33 of Falling for Grace

He chuckles, and I sit up and take the pills from his massive hands. Now that he is here in my small room I see just how tall he really is. We spent most of the night sitting down, so I hadn’t really noticed the size of him, and my lordy—his abs.

I would swoon if I had the energy to move. I stare at him, and he stares at me as I swallow down the pills and gulp at the water.

Ben has a backstory, I can see it.

I mean, we all have backstories, but he looks like he’s carrying something with him. It’s a weird thing to sense, but I think when you are hiding something, you can see the signs when other people are doing the same. See through their mask.

He’s attractive, no denying it. And I find myself wondering whether we did anything more than kiss.

“No, we didn’t,” he says, sitting on the edge of the bed. I raise a questioning eyebrow. “I could see it in your expression. Your eyes kind of opened like a deer in the headlights. Thought I’d save you the embarrassment of having to ask.”

“Thank God!” I say, flopping back down, but then I realise how obscenely rude that was. “Oh my- I didn’t mean… I didn’t mean that I wouldn’t be interested, because, I mean, look at you, but I’m just… Well, this is mortifying.” My face is flaming as I hide behind my hands. “You're still going to be sitting there when I peek out from here aren’t you?”

“I’m afraid so.” I can tell from his voice that he’s smiling. “It softens the blow that you think I’m hot.”

“I didn’t say that.” I drop my hands.

“No, but you implied it.”

“Wow, were you this arrogant last night? I’m surprised I invited you back to my bed.”

He leans past me and grabs the water, sipping it, watching me with his brown eyes over his glass.

“You didn’t technically invite me,” he says, handing the glass back to me, our fingers brushing. “After you bonded with the toilet, who I must say you took quite a liking to, I think I may have competition. Theresa was having problems moving you so I was called in as back up. I managed to get you into bed, but you passed out before I could help you into your PJs, and you kinda threw up over yourself, so I got you out of those clothes.” I can see his eyes shining. “I didn’t look.”

I raise an eyebrow. “That’s unlikely,” I reply with a snort.

“No, seriously, I didn’t, I’m a complete gentleman.” He stands and walks back to the other side of the bed where he woke up this morning. As he sits to start dressing, I can’t help but watch greedily as his muscles move and flex.

He then pulls on the T-shirt, ruining my show.

I’m not entirely sure how a simple action can look quite so sexy. He turns around to look at me. “I know you feel like shit, and I’m not going to lie, I think you’ve looked better.” He smirks at me standing as I roll my eyes. “But I’d love to see you again. Here, stick in your number.”

I hesitate before taking his phone and programming my number in under Grace, then press save and throw it back.

This is a big step for me. It has been over a year since I’ve been in Houston. It has been three years since I last saw Danny, and three years, seven months since I saw Brandon.

Brandon, Brandon… Something is clawing at the back of my mind, trying to come to the surface.

“Hey, you okay?” he asks.

Oh. Holy. Shit.

I clear my throat, trying to swallow the lump of emotion at the back of my throat. I can’t quite pinpoint the feeling.

Is it fear? Anger? Embarrassment?

All of the above, I think.

“Yeah. Just a horrible thought… Have you seen my phone?”

“Erm, yeah. I think it was in the kitchen. Want me to grab it?”

“Please, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Sure.” Then he walks to my side of the bed, leans over and kisses my mouth. It’s quick, it’s caring, and it surprises me. I watch as he leaves the room and then stare at the ceiling, looking at the small spot of moisture that has reappeared.

Please let me not have called Brandon.

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