Page 106 of Perfect Harmony

She smiled cheekily at him. “Yes, sir. Now,do you think it’s safe for me to run upstairs and grab a pair of socks? Imean, I do have to walk by the guest bedroom, and I’d hate for you to beat upPreacher just because he’s within visual distance of my lady taco.”

He laughed and kissed the palm of herhand. “Go get your socks, smartass.”

* * *

“Sorry I crashed your party, birthday girl.”

Grace grinned at Lucas before holding up herbeer. “I’m glad you came. The more the merrier, right?”

Lucas clinked his bottle against hers andtook a drink. “So, you’re happy I’m here at the party, but why do I get the feelingyou’re about to say no to my suggestion we have drinks tomorrow night, go tothe carnival, and watch the fireworks together.”

Grace glanced around Kira’s backyard. Herbirthday party was in full swing and even though she’d told Kira she didn’t wanta fuss made or anything too big, she loved that Kira had thrown her a party.Sure, it was just a few friends and coworkers but after an entire childhood ofneglected birthdays, she secretly loved any kind of fuss made over her birthday.

She studied Gideon who was standing withPreacher and Rayna near the patio door. He met her gaze immediately before itslid to Lucas for a few seconds and then back to her. She could read the lookin his eyes as easily as if he had spoken the words to her.

My pussy only, Princess.

A little shiver went through her. She bothloved and hated the tingle of anticipation. Gideon was possessive of her eventhough he had no right to be, and she couldn’t even try and deny that she likedit.

“Grace?”

She smiled at Lucas. “Sorry, I was…”

“Gathering wool,” he said.

She laughed. “Yeah. Thank you, but I haveto pass.”

He reached out and petted Tank who was sittingbeside Grace with his head against her hip before glancing at Gideon. “So, youand the sheriff, huh?”

She paused with her beer bottle halfway toher lips. “Why do you say that?”

“I’m not blind,” Lucas said. “I see the wayhe looks at you and more importantly, the way he looks at me whenever I get withintwo feet of you.”

“He’s just, uh, protective. He’s known mesince I was a kid,” Grace said.

“Uh-huh.” Lucas didn’t sound the least bitconvinced. “So, you’re saying he’s not going to come up with some bullshitreason to arrest me and toss me in the clink for the long weekend.”

“The clink? Who calls it that anymore?”

“Are you saying I’m old?”

“Eh…”

He laughed. “Fine, I’ll give you that one.”

“And Gideon isn’t going to arrest you foranything,” Grace said. “He and I are just friends.”

“It’s your birthday so I won’t call you onthat bullshit.” Lucas leaned forward and grazed her cheek with a kiss. “HappyBirthday, Grace Larken. If things don’t work out with the sheriff, give me acall.”

He walked away to join Connor and Kira. Gracesipped at her beer. She wanted to tell herself that she absolutely would callLucas once this thing with Gideon ended, but she knew she wouldn’t. Nope, shewould spend the rest of her life pining after a man she could never have and withnothing in her bed but a goddamn vibrator.

Tank shifted against her and she rubbed histhick neck. “I’m an idiot, Tank.

His tail thumped on the ground and she bentand kissed the top of his head. “C’mon, big guy, I’m about to make you real happyand sneak you a burger.”

* * *

“Happy Birthday, Princess.” Gideon’s armslid around her waist and he kissed the side of her neck as he pressed his bodyagainst hers.

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