Page 14 of Skid
As I went to walk up the hill, he grasped me by the elbow, and I turned to face him as he spoke quickly and quietly. “She needs someone like you, Dalton. I just hope you’re strong enough to fight her demons when they rear their heads.”
I replied with the same menacing tone I had when anyone mistreated a woman. “I’ll send every one of her demons to hell, and if someone tries to hurt her, I’ll bleed them dry.”
He nodded with a satisfied smile, and we returned to his house for dinner. Grace and I were on the couch with overfull stomachs watching a football game when I felt her lean against my shoulder. Looking down, she had closed her eyes and was softly sleeping against me. Eddie chuckled from his seat as I wrapped my arm around her, and she settled further onto the couch, her beautiful face resting against my heart.
The game was over, and the sun had set over an hour ago when Grace stirred from her nap. Gently, I lifted my arm as she sat up, blinking into the room.
“Did you have a good nap?” Eddie asked, and she looked at me with confusion before a blush crept up her face.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” she explained, and I winked at her with a smile.
“You looked too peaceful to wake up, so Eddie and I’ve been enjoying the game while you rested.”
Grace stretched, revealing a sliver of skin at her waist, and I shifted, not wanting to show my growing erection. She looked beautiful this afternoon on the lake, but I noticed she kept her shorts on over her one-piece suit. Most women her age would have been more revealing, from my experience, and it was refreshing and unexpectedly arousing to see her modesty.
“Would you like some dessert? I think there’s some apple and cherry pie left.”
“I’d love some. Can I help? I’m handy in the kitchen, or so Sadie says.” I shrugged, and she looked at Eddie.
“Apple and ice cream, please.” His smile was deep, and she stood from the couch.
“Follow me,” she said, and I jumped from the couch and walked behind her, noticing a small sway in her hips.
She was tiny compared to my six foot three, and I gave her some room as we walked into the large kitchen. It was an older-style kitchen and, from the looks of the island in the middle, well used. There were pies, cookies, half a cake, and candy filling the counter, and my sweet tooth kicked in as I looked at all the homemade creations.
“Can you get us some plates?” she asked and pointed to a cabinet next to the stove.
I pulled three mismatched plates from the counter and handed them to her as she opened the pie safes and lifted the delicious-looking desserts onto the counter. Since I’d been in Alabama, I’ve missed Sadie’s homemade desserts. To see Grace had the same talents was ironic and gave me an idea. I tucked it away for now as she handed me a slice of cherry pie and waited with nervous excitement as I took a bite.
I loved my sister’s desserts, but this was the best cherry pie I’d ever tasted. Moaning around the bite, I swallowed the sweet and tart pie before explaining.
“That is hands down the best pie I’ve ever tasted. And my sister owns a bakery,” I explained and took another bite.
“I’m glad you like it,” she replied and smiled brightly. “I tried a new crust and I think it’s my best one yet.”
Finishing the pie in one last bite, I closed my eyes in euphoria and savored her creation. When I opened my eyes, I batted my eyelashes at her and gave my best sad eyes. “My pie’s all gone.”
She cut me another piece, twice the size of the first one. Taking another huge bite, I spoke around the sweet treat, “Lead the way.” She laughed and her smile brightened her already beautiful face as she grabbed the other plates, and we returned to the living room.
