Falling Into Grace (28 page)

“Promise me, Hannah, that it will never happen again, because I can promise you I won’t be acting like this if you do.” His words make my chest tighten. I feel the guilt wash over me again. Why did I hurt this man? I am so stupid.

“Grant, if I am going to be with you, I would never be with anyone else.”

“Hannah, you were never mine to begin with, so I can’t get mad at you. You didn’t cheat on me, but now you are mine, and I don’t want to share you with anyone.”

I take his face in my hands again and straddle myself over him.

“I am all yours, Grant. Only you.” Our kisses start as soft and playful, then become frantic. Grant pulls me closer, and my body molds
around his. He slows the pace, and my eyes open to find his looking right into mine.

“Only you,” he whispers to me.

“Only you.” I repeat back.

When we pull away from each other, I catch a look at the clock and see it’s after four. He sees my expression and helps me up.

“I’m sorry this happened today,” I say. “I hate myself for ruining your day.” He helps me buckle my shoes, then runs his hands up my leg. I look at him apologetically.

“You didn’t ruin my day. You made it better by being honest. Tomorrow night will be our first official date and I couldn’t be happier.” He is grinning at me, and I smile back at him. He knows just what to say.

“I’m happy fate brought us back together, Hannah.” These words whirl around in my head as he grabs my waist and presses his body against mine.

“I hate to ruin the moment, but I have to go. I’m sure Kevin, the kids, and Becca are all wondering where I’ve been.” I kiss him again, and we walk out hand in hand, with everyone looking at us.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

W
e see Shane walking down the hallway toward us. “Hey, I was just going to see if you were still here. Hannah, I am so sorry for what happened earlier. Aiden told me you got him good; you better not piss her off, Grant. She can kick your ass.” They smile at each other, and I cringe, thinking about Aiden. “I was just seeing if you wanted to sign everything before you left, or we can reschedule.”

“No, it’s fine.” I just want this to be over with. We turn around and walk back into Grant’s office.

“I’ll take care of it, Shane. Go home to Annie.” Shane and Grant both look tired. I watch Shane go over something with Grant in a whisper, and he kisses my cheek before he leaves.

“I hope you’re still coming tomorrow,” Shane says.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Shane leaves and Grant takes out all the paperwork. I see that Kevin signed it already.

“Just go skim through it and sign under Kevin.” I nod and read through anyway. He really gave us ten million for the building. I have to talk to Kevin when I get home about the business. We have to figure it all out. I sign my name about a million times, then flip to the last page. It’s a deed, and I see it lists my name as the deed holder. I look up at Grant.

“You have this wrong. It’s supposed to have your company’s name here, not mine.”

“No, it’s right.”

I look at the deed again. They are taking Chase and Kevin off and adding me on. It has to be wrong.

“Grant, it is wrong. Why would I be added to the deed?”

“Because it’s your building. You’re not ready to give it up.” He places his hand on my shoulder. “I want you to have it, Hannah.” I feel the tears in my eyes again.

“Grant, I can’t accept this.” I put the pen down.

“Yes, you can. You already did. Kevin signed for the wire transfer.” Why is he doing this? “I want you to have it,” he answers, as if he can read my mind.

“Grant you just sold me this building for double what it is worth, and now you are giving it back to me. It doesn’t make sense.”

“I saw how attached you are to it, and I figured when you are ready, you can sell it to me again, for a better price.” He picks up the pen and puts it in my hand. I just look at him, bewildered.

“No, you bought it. It is your building.” I push the papers away.

“I want you to have it. Just sign it.” He pushes the pen and deed back in front of me.

“I can’t take this Grant. Kevin accepted the wire transfer not the deed. I don’t want it.” I’m being stubborn, but I know I’m about to crack.

“Sign it, Hannah.” I look down and shake my head as I sign it. How did I get so lucky? I get the man and get to keep the building.

“Let’s get you home.” He takes my hand in his.

“Thank you, Grant. You have no idea what this means to me.” He kisses the top of my head as we hug.

“I think I do, Hannah.” I smile. I love the way he always says my name with care. “I’m going to drive you home. I’ll have my driver follow me and bring me back.”

“No, you are too busy for that. I can get home fine.” He gives me a pout. His lips look so good when he pouts, so I give in. I really do want more time with him. We walk out of his office again, hand in hand, and Wendy stands up.

“Mr. Grace, you have twenty messages. Would you like me to get the first one on the line?”

“No, Wendy, I won’t be returning messages tonight. Call Derek and tell him to pick me up at Hannah’s house.” He kisses my hand in front of her, and her face rages with jealousy.

“Yes, Mr. Grace. Does he know the address?”

“Tell him to call Sam. He has picked her up before.” He kisses me on the lips. I can tell everyone is looking at us, but Grant makes me feel like we are all alone.

When we finally pull away, we walk to the elevators. I start to press a button, but Grant pulls me over to another one. He slides his card and it opens right up.

“Is this your private elevator, Mr. Grace?” I ask him, teasing. He nods, giving me his sexy grin.

He holds my hand all the way to the bottom floor, behaving himself the entire time. We make the short walk to my truck.

“You drive this big thing?” he teases.

“It’s no Porsche,” I agree as he opens my door and I climb in. I watch as he walks over and gets in. I laugh at him because he has to adjust the seat all the way back. I realize that I feel relaxed for the first time today.

We aren’t even out of the city when I feel my cell phone vibrate.

“Hey, Kevin. I’m on my way home now.”

“Are you OK to be driving, Hannah?”

“No, Grant is driving me home.” I don’t hear Kevin again.

“Hello?”

“Sorry, Ella was talking to me.” I know this is an excuse because I didn’t hear her talking. I think he is surprised by the news.

“I should be home in an hour, depending on traffic. Is Becca there yet?”

“Yeah, she got here about an hour ago. I haven’t told her anything yet.”

“Please don’t, Kevin. I mean it, don’t say anything. I will talk to her tonight after the kids go to bed. Can you order dinner for them?”

“I already did; it should be here soon. They are worried about you, and so am I. Are you OK?” I look at Grant and smile.

“Yes, I’m OK.” He places his hand on my leg.

“I’ll see you soon.” I hang up and see I have lots of missed calls from Becca. I have a lot of explaining to do later. I put my phone back in my bag, then lean down to take off my shoes. I take Grant’s hand from my leg and place both my hands around it.

“What are you going to wear tomorrow?” I look over at him, surprised by his question.

“No idea. Becca had dresses delivered, but I never had a chance to look at them.”

“I’m sure whatever you wear, I will love.” He squeezes my hand. I sit and think about it. He will love…

“What time should I pick you up?” I begin to laugh at him.

“Why would you come all the way out to me, to come all the way back?”

“Because I am old-fashioned, and I want to pick you up. It’s our first date. Shouldn’t I come to the door, meet your parents, and wait in the living room with your dad, while you finish getting ready?” This makes me laugh more, because he is teasing me now. I missed playful Grant.

“You realize instead of meeting my parents, you will be meeting my children, and they will give you a run for your money.”

“I can’t wait to meet your kids.” He gets serious as he looks at me. He pulls my hand to his lips and kisses the back of it. I am falling for him so hard, and I can’t stop myself even if I tried.

We talk the whole way home about everything from music to religion. We are compatible. I would have never guessed. He seemed so out of my league when we first met, and now I know he is just as normal as any other guy, except he is rich as hell. He pulls into my driveway, and I see my in-laws are over. I feel a nervous wave come over me.

“What? Is Kevin having a party?”

“No, Chase’s parents are here.”

“I don’t have to come in, Hannah, if you think it will be weird, I can wait outside for Derek, and no one has to know I’m even here.” As the words come out of his mouth, they sound all wrong. I want him to come in.

“Don’t be silly. Come in. Stay awhile; we could use a drink.” I lean over to kiss him before we get out.

“What was that for?” he asks as his lips are still on mine.

“In case I can’t do it later.” He just smiles at me as he gets out. He walks around the truck and opens the door for me. I get out with my shoes in my hands, and he takes them from me and slips his hand into mine.

As I open the door, I can hear everyone in the kitchen laughing. I squeeze Grant’s hand and lead him into the kitchen. Everyone looks at us when we walk in.

“Hello,” I say, smiling at everyone. Richard looks thrown off a bit. He kisses my cheek, then puts out his hand.

“Mr. Grace, this is a surprise.” They shake hands.

“Richard, please call me Grant.”

Grant and Kevin shake, then I look over at Becca.

“Becca, this is Grant Grace,” I say.

“We’ve met before,” she says to him as their hands meet.

“I believe we have, in San Francisco, right?” She nods back at him. I introduce him to Mary, and she blushes as they shake.

“Mommy.” I hear Ella and Hunter run in. They stop and look at Grant, then hug me, not taking their eyes off of him.

“Ella, Hunter, this is Grant. Remember when you met Aiden on Sunday?” They nod at me; his name still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

“This is his brother.” Grant puts out his hand, and they slap him five. Grant makes an “ouch” sound when Hunter slaps his hand, and he shakes his hand like he is in pain.

“You are strong, little man. My hand hurts.” Hunter laughs, and Grant puts out his hand again for him to slap it. He makes the sound again, and Hunter laughs harder. I watch them and think how he fits
in already. Ella gets closer to him, and Grant kneels down. She looks at his shirt and he watches her.

“Do you have a necklace?” she asks. Grant loosens his tie, reaches into his shirt, and takes out his St. Michael charm. Ella smiles.

“Your daddy gave that to you, right?” Grant nods at her. She takes it in her tiny hand and looks at it. Hunter walks over.

“We don’t have a daddy either,” he says. We all get quiet, but Grant smiles at him.

“Yes, you do, he is in heaven with my daddy.” I am impressed with his response.

“Do you think they are friends?” Hunter asks.

“Of course they are. They are looking down at us right now, and I bet they are happy we got to be friends too.” I fall in love right then and there. He looks up at me and smiles.

“I want to show you my toys. Mommy, can I show Grant my toys?”

“No, honey, give Grant a minute. We had a long drive home.”

“Is he staying here?” Hunter looks at me curiously.

“No, buddy, he is getting picked up in a little while.” Hunter looks disappointed, but Grant gives in and lets Hunter drag him into the living room to show him his toys. I watch him take off his jacket and get on the floor to play with them. Becca stands next to me. She bumps into me to get my attention.

“Not too shabby, Han.” I roll my eyes at her, walk over to the wine that is open on the counter, pour myself a glass, and take a big gulp of it.

“Well, we are going to get going,” Richard announces. He walks in and says good-bye to the kids and shakes Grant’s hand again. I kiss him on the cheek, then say good-bye to Mary. I feel better now that they have left. I never thought I would feel guilty, but I don’t want Richard or Mary to think I am disrespecting them.

“Grant, do you want some wine?” Hunter is showing him how his remote-control car works.

“Sure.”

“Do you like red or white?”

“Whatever is open. I like it all.” His reply melts me a little more. He isn’t the arrogant, high-maintenance asshole I first thought he was.

I pour him a glass. I notice it’s seven thirty. Becca notices the time as well.

“I’ll do bath time tonight.” She smiles at me. She knows the routine so well. She did stay with me for three weeks after Chase died.

“Thanks.”

“OK, guys, bath time, come on.”

I hear Hunter complain, “Oh man.” Grant follows them out of the living room, and I point at the glass on the counter.

“Mommy, is Grant going to be here when I get out of the tub?” Hunter asks.

“I don’t know, buddy. Go on; hurry up and listen to Aunt Becca.” He runs upstairs behind Ella.

Grant and Kevin begin to talk business and I shoot Kevin a look.

“I’m going to help Becca with the kids,” he says, leaving us alone.

“The kids really like the St. Michael shield. I should get them one.” I like the way he thinks, and at the same time I feel sick. I watch him drink his wine and place the glass back down on the counter.

“Don’t bother, Aiden already did.” I turn around when I say his name. I still feel guilt-ridden.

“He’s not always horrible, Hannah. I hate him the majority of the time, but he is my blood.” He turns me around so I have to look at him. I look up and he kisses me. It’s my first kiss in my house. I feel like he is patching my heart back together. When we part, I smile at him.

“I know, but I’m telling the kids it’s from you.” I smile at him.

“Good. I need all the brownie points I can get.” He reaches into his pocket and takes out his cell. “Grant.” I watch him talk on the phone.

“I will be out in fifteen.” Then he hangs up.

“Derek is here?”

“Yeah, I figured I’ll wait to say good-bye to the kids, then leave.”