Back To Country (Country Love #4)(19)
"Well, he's...."
"Grant!"
I look up as Grant turns his head toward the stairs. Tina comes runnin' down them like a speedin' bullet. He releases me and runs over to her, just as she hits the last step he picks her up and twirls her around. Now, I'd be jealous but I know his gate don't swing her way. They'd become pretty good friends since he helped Prie out and came here for all the weddin's 'while back. I smile, thinkin' about that night. How Trevor didn't know Grant was gay and tried to pick a fight with him. He'd thought Grant was pickin' up on Prie.
"Oh, my God! What are you doing here?"
He sets her down but holds onto her hands as she takes a small step back. "Tina! So good to see you! I just came up to get away for a bit." He looks over at me then back at her. "Just needed to see my friends."
She releases one of his hands and pats his arm. "Aww! I'm so glad you did." She looks over at me and smiles. "Well. I really need to get home." She walks over to me and I take her hand.
"I'll walk you to your car." I smile back. "Let me go get your dishes." I walk to the kitchen, packin' up her now empty dishes into a paper sack and walk back to the foyer. Lookin' around, I see Grant and her whisperin' to each other. Nah, I ain't jealous. Well, maybe a little. Not because he's a man but because of their close friendship. Tina and I haven't had much luck bein' able to spend time together, feelin' like everythin' has been against us. Grant and she haven't been friends that long either but it seems as though their relationship took off pretty fast. Her head goes back as she laughs at somethin' he said, her long hair movin' over her cute ass. I shake my head. Shit, Nash. Get a grip, man. "Here you go," I say a bit loudly, breakin' up their talkin'. Okay, I might've done that on purpose. I walk up to Tina, takin' her hand in mine as Grant takes a few steps away. "I'll be right back," I tell Grant.
"No problem. I'll just go up and say "hi" to Manuel. See you tomorrow night, Tina!"
I tilt my head at him in confusion. He bounds up the stairs as I turn around and open the front door. It's quiet as we walk to her car. I open her passenger door and set the sack on the seat then jog around the front in time to open her door for her.
"Thank you," she whispers.
My head is swarmin' with thoughts of what's happenin'. As usual, whatever it is was against us again as she surprised me with her visit but instead of bein' alone we had to eat dinner with all the guys. We barely got any time to sit and chat. Then my mind twists to wonderin' what she and Manuel talked about. I let out a deep sigh. The feelin' of her soft hand on my chin breaks me from all thoughts. I turn to face her sweet face. "Nash," she whispers, rubbin' her thumb across my jaw. "I had a wonderful time."
I blink rapidly. "You did?" We didn't get nearly enough alone time together. Not for my likin'.
She nods, showin' me her beautiful smile. "Yes. I did."
I tilt my head, my brows lowerin'. Sometimes she has a way of confusin' me. "But all the guys, Manuel, and then Grant. We...." Her fingers move lightly over my lips, causin' me to smile beneath them.
"We got to have some time together. That's the most important thing," she says softly. She's right. I should be beholdin' to the world for finally lettin' us have a little time together. Then, what's this about Grant seein' her tomorrow night? Okay, maybe that evil green jealousy can get to me with even him, knowin' he'll be spendin' time with her and I won't. Then she does somethin' that surprises the hell outta me. Leanin' up, she moves her fingers outta the way and her lips replace them over mine. Damn! Wrappin' my arms around her, I feel her hands move around my neck, her light touch givin' me goosebumps. I love the feel of her in my arms. The warmth of her lips and the smell of her luscious scent. I'm kinda likin' her boldness. Movin' my hand up her back and underneath the softness of her long hair, I cup the back of her head, changin' my stance and deepenin' the kiss. Fuck, she tastes so good.
"Nash?" Dammit!
Grant's voice carries out into the darkness. We break apart but I press my forehead against hers, not wantin' to let go. "Ever feel like there's a bunch of kids around to annoy ya but ya don't have any kids?" I smile as she lets out a laugh. She nods, her skin rubbin' against mine.
"Apparently there's a lot of them around here." She laughs softly.
My smile grows. "I'll text ya later, find out what your schedule is. We got a date we need to go on, and I aim to make that happen." I hear a faint sigh leave her as she takes a step back and outta my arms.
She turns, gets into her car and looks up at me. "I'll find out when I can get away." I give her a nod and step back as I close her door. I hear her car come to life but instead of pullin' out, she rolls down her window. "Night, Nash. I had a really nice time." Not able to stop myself, I take the few steps to her car, grab her behind her head and cover her mouth with mine. What is it about this woman that has me so spellbound? She's so shy – nervous yet she can be bold when needed. She's soft, tender – caring. How did she turn out to be such an amazin' person comin' from such a broken family? How in the hell is she still single? Any man in their right mind would have snatched her up by now. My breathin' turns labored as I kiss her harder, my grip around her neck a little tighter. I don't want her to go.
"Nash? You out there?" Oh, for the love of....
She smiles against my lips. I release my grip but kiss her swollen wet lips twice before steppin' back. "Night, Beauty. You be careful gettin' home. Ya hear?" She gives me a nod, and I watch as she drives down my driveway. I keep an eye on her car until she turns onto the road, followin' it until I can't see it anymore.
"So. You and Tina, huh?"
Grant stands next to me, probably got tired of yellin' at me. Without lookin' over at him, I place my hand on his upper back and give him a little push as I turn around to walk to the house. "Whelp. I'm tryin', man. I'm tryin'." It's gonna be another long night of frustration and a cold shower.
Chapter Eight
Tina
Oh. My. God!
There's nothing like walking into a den of wolves but being kissed by him at the end of the night made it all worth it! Wait! Crap! I kissed him first! I've never felt so bold. Never wanted anything as much as I did in that moment. I didn't want to stop. Didn't want it to end. The feel of his strong arms around me, the warmth of his lips. Gah! How in the world does a hot a sexy cowboy like him want me? I wonder if he's crazy. Maybe he has a screw loose and he's just really good at hiding it. Then again, look at all the wonderful things he's done for Sadie and our friends. Since he first moved here, he's done nothin' but help them, in any way he could. He seems nice – caring. Nah, he couldn't be crazy. Okay, then why is he still single? That southern drawl. Those large boulders for shoulders and all those muscles! And when he calls me "Beauty". Be still my heart. Okay, I might snort internally because well – look at me. I'm nothing special. So, what's wrong with him? Any girl would love to be with him. That massive chest. Rock hard. I love running my hands over the ridges and plains of his chest and abs. God! I'm so horny!
By the time I get home, my head hurts from thinking so much. I find myself humming as I get ready for bed and then feel alone as I climb onto the mattress. Hormones can make a girl feel crazy but these back and forth emotions with guys can down right be mentally exhausting. My phone lights up from the nightstand and I smile as I reach over and pick it up.
Nash: Night, Beauty. Thank you for the pleasure of your company tonight. I hope to see you again soon. I can't stop thinkin' about ya.
One text. One single text can change everything. Bringing my phone to my chest, I let out a big sigh and smile. Yes, emotionally exhausting but so worth it. He's such a gentleman. Now my mind wanders to my work schedule, wondering when I can get another day or night, hell, even a few hours off so I can be with him again. I close my eyes, still clutching my phone against my chest.
"That's not enough flour and just a little too much sugar."
Morning came too fast and for the last hour, I've been trying to teach Misty what I do to prepare and cook in the morning. She's actually a pretty quick learner. "It would really help if you could write down the measurements you use." She smiles at me sweetly. She's right. I've always just known in my mind what I use, never really measuring it out. Some say that's the sign of a great cook. I say, it's really hard to teach someone without being able to tell them exactly what to do. "So.... how'd it go with Nash last night?" She doesn't look up from the dough but there's a smile that's all telling.
"Oh. You know. It was good." I try playing it off, not like my heart was choking me from nervousness the entire time I was there. How the whole time I was trying not to throw up or fumble my words or worse yet, trip over my own feet or maiming someone.