Page 21 of Forged in Secrets

He tensed his jaw as he walked into the elevator and hit the button for their floor.

He knew what that was like.

When his girlfriend Mikayla broke his heart, he’d hardened his own. It was easier to pretend to be invincible than to admit to his damage.

But Grace had seen him cry.

Sure, he’d been legitimately terrified that they were going to die–it wasn’t like he made a habit of letting his fear of flying escalate into hysteria–but still, it was the most vulnerable he’d been in front of another person for a very long time.

She hadn’t acted like he was pathetic. Somehow, she’d managed to be strong for him without making him feel like he was weak.

As he took the final few steps that led to her hotel room door, he thought back to earlier in the day, when he’dinsulted Katie Fairman’s character due to her association with Jade.

He sighed to himself as he rapped his knuckles against the heavy wood.

Grace had asked him to trust in her judgment, and as much as his pride and stubbornness fought against it, he knew he had to try.

The door swung open, and all his thoughts of caution and common sense seemed to rush away like the outgoing tide.

Grace had swapped her sundress for a pair of bermuda shorts and a loose t-shirt that matched her blue eyes, and her tidy waves had been tucked up into a messy bun. She had taken most of her makeup off and left her designer tote bag behind. He noticed that along with her phone and sunglasses, she’d also decided to include a small handgun holstered at her waist.

Ben tried and failed to pick his jaw up off the floor. Something about her more casual look made his stomach do somersaults. Grace was always picture-perfect and put together in a way that made the other women back at FBS jealous.

But here she was with him, heading out for dinner on the beach, looking completely at home in her own skin and ready to take on whatever and whoever came at her.

She was gorgeous.

And no matter how much he tried to deny it, he was in big trouble.

CHAPTER

NINE

GRACE

Ben was staring at her like she had three heads, and she could tell by the redness of his lightly freckled cheeks that it was a compliment.

It seemed she’d guessed right that he was one of those guys who appreciated the casual look. He’d never admit it out loud, of course, but his stare spoke volumes.

She let him squirm a moment longer, wiping her sunglasses on the hem of her aqua blue t-shirt. After a long nap, she felt a lot better, and she was eager to find out what Ben had learned.

And after such an eventful day, they both deserved to enjoy the scenery a little–even if she’d be looking over her shoulder. She’d resolved to carry her firearm with her for the rest of the trip.

She cleared her throat.

“So, are we going to eat?”

“Er–yes,” Ben said, looking down at her feet for amoment before meeting her eyes. “Yes. Let’s go. Let’s go…eat.”

Ben was a man of few words on any given day, but she couldn’t help but to enjoy the flustered way he said them now. She offered him her brightest smile. Her day was seriously looking up.

“I had a protein bar from the vending machine around lunchtime,” she offered as they walked. “But that’s about it. I could really go for a taco. Or five.”

“I vote we wander toward the beach until we find a local place,” Ben offered.

“Totally. Lead the way.”

They headed out into the early evening. A pleasant breeze was rippling over the water, and the sky was blue without a single cloud. Grace felt a flicker of excitement as she imagined just how stunning the sunset was going to be.

---