Falling Into Grace (31 page)

“Hello,” I say with no effort.

“Hannah, what is wrong with you? I wasn’t choosing sides; I was just thrown off by what you said.”

“OK.” I can hear the attitude in my voice.

“Hannah,” but that’s all he says. I sit in silence and listen to him breathing. “Just listen.” “Wendy, I need to speak with you,” I hear him page her on the intercom, and within seconds she is in his office.

“Please sit, Wendy.”

“Now what did Hannah say?” He is speaking nice and slow, and I think this is one of his tactics.

“Mrs. Winterfield called, asking to speak with you, and when I said hold on, let me get him out of his meeting, she got annoyed with me and told me no, don’t do that, just tell him to call me back when he gets out.” She emphasizes the
Mrs
. again, and I can’t help myself.

“
Bullshit
,” I yell into the phone. “Wendy, I called and you asked who I was. I told you my name, and then you proceeded to tell me Grant was not to be disturbed, which I had no problem with. I have
just one question. Why the elaborate story? Why lie about something this insignificant?”

I wish I could see her face when I ask her this question. Then I hear Grant.

“Wendy, answer the question.” He sounds intimidating.

“Grant, I think there is just a mix-up in wording.” She is caught and doesn’t know how to get out of it.

“OK, elaborate. How was there a mix-up?” She still doesn’t have an answer.

“Aiden told me on Tuesday that if Hannah were to call you, not to give you the message, or he’d fire me. I felt bad about it when you came to me this morning and told me to interrupt you when she did call. I figured if I gave you the message, Aiden wouldn’t find out about the call.” My jaw drops into the water, and I hear Grant’s anger.

“You fucking work for me. You answer to me and no one else. Do you understand?” His voice is loud, and I get scared for Wendy.

“Drop it, Grant,” I hear myself say before I can stop myself.

Grant takes me off speaker and lowers his voice.

“Hannah, don’t tell me how to deal with issues in my company.” The words are harsh, but his tone isn’t.

“Grant, things have changed since Tuesday. Think about it; she was in between a rock and a hard place.”

“Wendy, next time Aiden talks to you, you come to me. Go order my lunch.” He still sounds mad at her.

“Yes sir,” I hear her say.

“I miss you,” I say to him before he can say anything. I hear him take a deep breath.

“I miss you too, Hannah.” I smile at his words.

“I have to go because I’m in the bath and I have to get into the shower, but I look forward to tonight.”

“So you’re telling me you’re talking to me while naked?” I hear the amusement in his voice, and I blush. How can he make me blush over the phone?

“Yes, I am,” I say, trying to hide my amusement as well.

“When you tell me something like that, my mind starts to think about the night in my old bed.” I can tell he is enjoying himself.

“Have a good day at work, Mr. Grace,” I say, laughing.

“Oh, I will. I will have a wonderful image in my head for the rest of the day.”

“Good-bye.”

“Good-bye, Hannah.”

I hang up and marvel at the fact that he will be thinking of me all day.

I find Becca in my room with all the dresses. I start to look at them lined up on my bed.

“I think you should try this one on.” She hands me a red dress, and I shake my head.

“You look better in red,” I say, and pick up a black one. I hold it up; the silk feels luxurious.

“You have to try that one on.” I take it into the closet, pull off my bra, and pull it over my head. The silk feels cool as it runs down my body. I feel sexy in it, but I can see my panty line. I slide them off and walk out of the closet.

Becca’s face lights up when she sees me, and I look in the full-length mirror. The dress is beautiful. It comes to a
V
in the front, showing the perfect amount of cleavage. I turn around, and that’s where it gets sexy. The straps cross across my shoulders, and the back plummets down to my lower back. It bunches there and flares out to a train. I turn back around and look at the front. From the front of the dress, you would never guess what was going on back there. This makes me smile. Grant will be surprised at this.

“Hannah, this is the one.” I watch Becca go over to her suitcase and take some stuff out.

“I’ll tape you up later,” she says, holding up breast tape. I just nod at her.

“What are you going to wear under this?” she says as she feels the dress.

“Nothing,” I say and she smiles. “What can I wear? It’s silk. Everything will show.”

“OK, if you say so.” She walks into the closet with the red dress, and when she walks out, I know it is what she should wear.

“Oh, Becca, look at you, you look beautiful.”

“You think? Do you think Aiden will like it?” I smile and nod at her.

“He would be stupid if he didn’t.”

She smiles at me and we both change back into our clothes. We lounge for a large part of the day, and then pick the kids up together.

When we get back to the house, we snack and get ready for the makeup artist and hairstylist. I have no idea what I should do with my hair. Up or down? My parents arrive as the two girls arrive to make us beautiful. We sit in my room and get done up. The girl doing my hair thinks I should wear it up to complement my dress. She comes up with a sexy Roaring Twenties look, with my hair swept back and wavy. I’m not sure I will like it, but when she is done working her magic, I am surprised my hair could ever look this good.

I move on to makeup and notice the time. Grant will be here in less than an hour. I start to get nervous. My mom was excited to hear that a man was coming to get us, and I told her it was nothing, but Becca gave her a look and she could tell it was something. When the makeup artist finishes with me, I watch her touch up Becca’s makeup. Becca looks breathtaking. She has beautiful curls floating down her face, and her eyes are smoky like mine.

“Let’s get dressed,” Becca says. I glance at her, feeling more nervous. The girls leave us to dress. I unbutton my shirt, and Becca hands me the breast-cup tape things. I look at them, confused, and Becca grabs them and puts them on me. I laugh as she does this. I slip into the dress, making sure it doesn’t mess with my hair. Once it’s on, I look at myself in the mirror and smile. He will love this dress.

“Hey, I’m going to head downstairs,” I say.

I walk down the stairs and place my shoes on the last step, then hear the kids running towards me.

“Mommy, you look like a princess,” Ella says, making some kind of motion with her hand. It makes me laugh.

“Thank you, lovey.” I bend down and kiss her and walk into the kitchen. I watch as my mom’s jaw drops.

“Hannah, you look stunning.” I smile at her and do a spin to show her the back. I can see she loves it by the look on her face.

“Where’s the rest of the dress?” Dad asks, making me laugh.

“So when is your ride coming to get you?” Mom asks.

“I believe Grant said he would be here at six thirty.” I look over at her to see her reaction.

“Oh really…so you’re going with Grant?”

“Yes, and Becca is going with Aiden. She just signed a merger with them, and they decided we would all go together.” The kids start yelling about a car being in front of the house. I glance out and see a limo. I take a deep breath and start to get anxious. I wait until I hear a knock at the door, then head to it. When Hunter opens it, Grant and Aiden are standing there. I smile to try to hide my surprise. Grant puts out his hand, and Hunter slaps it. Grant makes a sound, and Hunter slaps Aiden’s hand.

“Hunter, let them in the door.” I move him to the side.

Grant kisses my cheek, and then Aiden does the same, not looking me in the eyes.

“Becca should be right down. Do you want a drink?” Grant looks breathtaking in his tux. Ella grabs my hand.

“Do a turn, Mommy, show everyone your dress,” Ella yells. She takes my hand and I turn around, revealing my bare back. I meet Grant’s eyes again and smile.

“You look beautiful.” He steps toward me, but we get distracted by Becca coming down the stairs. Aiden walks over to the bottom step of the staircase and takes her hand. She greets him with a quick kiss on the lips and a devilish look. I hear them whisper and look at Grant. I take his hand and lead him into the kitchen.

“Ready to meet the parents?” I ask, looking him over.

“I was born ready; parents love me.” He shoots me his million-dollar smile, and I melt. I lead him into the kitchen for the dreaded introduction.

“Mom, I would like you to meet Grant Grace.” She turns around and puts out her hand.

“Oh, Grant, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He takes it in his giant hand.

“The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Redman.” I see her blush.“Dad, this is Grant.” He puts out his hand.

“You have the Porsche, right?” My dad is all about the cars.

“Yes, I just got a 1966 Shelby Cobra. You should see that one. She is beautiful.” My dad looks at him in shock.

“That’s a rare one.”

“Yes, it is. I stumbled across it. A car collector’s family reached out to me, and I jumped at the chance.”

“You’re lucky. Must have cost you a pretty penny.”

“You should see my collection. I think you would like it.” They start to talk cars, and I walk away to get a drink. I start to pour a glass of water, when my mom walks over to me.

“Hannah, he is handsome.”

“Yes, Mother, he is, and he is also richer than God.” She laughs at me.

“Have fun tonight, that’s all I’m saying. Enjoy yourself, let loose.” She kisses my cheek and walks over to Becca. I see Aiden talking to Ella.

“Aiden, do you want something to drink?”

“No, thank you, we should be leaving soon.” I nod and walk back over to Grant and my dad. They are in deep conversation about an engine, and I wonder if I can pull them out of it.

“Hey.” I place my hand on Grant’s arm. “We should get going soon, if you don’t want to be late.” He looks at his watch and nods at me.

“Mr. Redman, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you.” He puts his hand out to shake my father’s hand.

“Grant, call me Gary.” They shake and my dad smiles at me. I can tell he likes him too.

“Becca, are you ready?” I look over at her, and she is staring into Aiden’s eyes. I can’t blame her. I’ve been there, and I know how charming he can be.

Grant’s eyes are all over me as he is talking to my mom. I can tell she likes this, because she keeps looking from me to him. I call Hunter and Ella over and hug and kiss them good-bye.

“Have fun at the ball, Mommy. Don’t lose a shoe.” She is serious as she says this, and I laugh.

“I won’t, sweetheart. You be good for Grandma and Pop, OK?”

I feel Grant’s hand on my bare back and it gives me chills.

“Cold?” he whispers in my ear.

“No.” The sexy grin appears on his face. He puts his hand out to Hunter, and they slap hands. This time Hunter makes the sound, and Grant laughs. I kiss my parents good-bye and grab my shoes.

I feel the excitement as I notice two limos parked out front. I give Becca a look, and she smiles and shrugs her shoulders at me. Grant leads me down the driveway, helping me hold up the train of my dress. The driver opens the door and I get in carefully. I slide over and watch Grant slip in next to me. I place my clutch down between us and start to put my shoes on. Grant grabs my legs and swings them onto his lap. I watch him put my shoes on and strap them into place. When I look up, he meets my lips with his. His lips feel warm, and he parts my lips with his. The way his bottom lip pushes down on mine drives me crazy; he bites my bottom lip and grazes it with his teeth. I smile at him when he pulls back.

“I’ve been waiting to do that all day.”

“Have you?” I say.

“After you told me you were in the bath, I wanted to leave work and join you.” He gives me his perfect smile, and I lean in and steal another kiss.

“You look handsome tonight, Mr. Grace.”

“You look absolutely stunning tonight, Hannah. This dress is…” He slides his fingers down my back, losing his words.

“I have a feeling you are going to be the talk of the gala. I have something for you.” I watch as he leans over the seat to grab a bag. I perk up and look at it as he places it on my lap.

“When I saw it, I knew it would be perfect for you.” I look at him with curiosity as I reach into the bag. I pull out a large velvet box. I move the bag to the side, and place the box on my lap and begin to open it. I become speechless when I see what’s inside. It’s a diamond bracelet. It is remarkable. I look over at Grant.

“Grant, this is too much. You shouldn’t have.” I feel like I don’t deserve this.

“No, it’s not. You deserve much more, but I didn’t want to scare you off.” He smiles at me, and I lean in and give him a soft kiss, then look into his eyes. Oh, those eyes.

“Thank you. I love it.” He takes it out of the box and puts it on my wrist. It is heavy, and every way I turn my wrist, it glistens. I stare and wonder how many carats it is and how much it cost. Why is he spending so much money on me?

“It’s a Harry Winston. When I saw it, I knew it was you. It has round and baguettes stones.” I look at him in shock and grip it tight around my wrist. I never would want to lose this.

“Should I insure this?” I look at him, feeling stupid.

“I already did. I opened a policy for you, and we can just add other stuff on as you get it.” He smiles, and I look at him, dumbfounded. Other stuff? I’m not used to lavish gifts like this.

“Grant, are you sure? This looks expensive; I don’t want you wasting your money on me.” I give him an uneasy look.

“Hannah, I want to give you the world.” He leans over and wraps his arms around me. I snuggle into his nook and enjoy his scent.

“Do you want to know about it?” I look at him.

“Like what?”

“Well, it’s forty-one carats.” As he says this, I choke.

“Grant, are you out of your mind?”

“No, are you?”

“I don’t need a forty-one-carat bracelet. I would be happy with a silly band from you. I’m not into the money and presents, Grant.” I look into his blue-oasis eyes and try to figure him out.