Falling for Grace (Four Winds) (4 page)

Chapter Five

Grace emerged from her shower to hear Nicole and Bree laughing with Rafe.  Puzzled, as she had thought that Nicole would be harder to win over, she poked her head around the door frame into the living room to see the three of them crowded around the computer screen.

Walking up behind them, Rafe straightened and turned to her.  She'd gotten too close again, and here she was, under his influence as his scent washed over her.  She had a hard time finding her voice, but she managed, "What's going on?"

"Youtube videos," Rafe answered her, with that grin on his face, showing off the dimples and the even teeth that Grace really wanted to lick right now.

"Why?"  Her voice was a whisper, since her thoughts were still in the gutter.

"Because laughing is good for you.  I was trying to loosen everybody up."

Bree stood and looked at Rafe, a wide smile on her face.  "Hey, Rafe.  You like to dance?"

"Love it."  His eyes hadn't left Grace, and his voice sent a warm shiver up her spine.  She looked away from the intensity of his gaze, over at Nicole, who was clicking on a video in the side bar.

Bree continued, oblivious to the sizzle between Rafe and Grace.  "We're going dancing tonight, you want to come?"

Still staring at Grace, he answered, a lazy smile on his lips, "Absolutely."  Those green eyes were going to be her undoing.

Nicole’s voice broke the spell that Grace was quickly succumbing to.  “Um, Rafe, can you go outside for a minute?  We need to have a roommate meeting, and since you aren’t a roommate, yet…”

He nodded, and looked hopeful as he turned and let himself out the door.  “Do I need to go walk around a little bit?  Or is it cool if I just sit on the steps?”

“I don’t think it’ll take too long, but we’ll let you know.  Just sit for now,” Nicole had an uncharacteristic reassuring quality to her voice that raised Grace’s eyebrows.

After he’d let himself out, Grace turned to Nicole.  “Has he passed your test?  Already?”

Nicole shrugged.  “I called his references during my break today, and he got glowing recommendations.  He’s a quiet neighbor, pays on time, and doesn’t seem to be annoying.”
“And he’s HAWT!”  Bree interjected.

Grace rolled her eyes.  “Ted Bundy was quiet too.”

Nicole shrugged.  “We need the rent money.  We won’t know if he’s a Ted Bundy anyway until one of us ends up in pieces on the barbecue pit.  I’m tired of interviewing whack jobs, and he’s the first normal-seeming person I’ve talked to in a month.”

“If you didn’t have such high standards, we would have found a roommate by now.”  Grace pointed out.

“Yeah, but he seems like he would be a nice fit with us, and he doesn’t seem annoying, unless he’s one of those morning people.  I forgot to ask that.”

Grace laughed.  “Nic, you can’t base a roommate application on whether or not somebody’s a morning person.”

“Yeah, I’m a morning person, and I live here.  I would be happy to keep him out of your hair before nine, if you want.”  Bree’s tone got wistful, and Grace smiled at the smirk that Nicole gave her.

“I bet you would.”

“Let’s vote!”  Bree said.  “All in favor of hot guy roommate raise your hand.”  Bree’s hand was in the air as she spoke, followed quickly by Nicole’s.

“Not because he’s hot, though.”  They both turned to Grace, whose hands were at her side.

“I’m just not sure,” she hedged.

“Come on, if I can’t disqualify him because he’s a morning person, you can’t disqualify him because he’s gorgeous.”  Nicole told Grace impatiently.  Bree looked disappointed and Grace had to laugh at her own transparency.

“Okay.  Fine.”  Begrudgingly, she raised her hand.

Bree ran to the door and opened it, calling out gleefully.  “You’re in!”

Rafe came to the door, looking ridiculously grateful, beaming at everybody.  Grace felt a shudder wrack her body and turned her head as if his smile would burn her.

“Thanks guys.  I really appreciate it.”  His voice was warm, and Grace peeked at him in spite of herself.  He was watching her, a knowing smile on his face.  She wondered what he was smiling about.  It was almost as if he knew she was the one that wasn’t totally on board with him joining their humble abode.  She found it wasn’t easy to break eye contact with him, once their eyes met.  The green depths called to her in a way that she didn’t understand, and it was disconcerting. 

Her cell phone ringing broke the spell.  She turned, reluctantly to dig through her purse to answer it.  Looking at the screen, she saw it was Brad.

"Hey, honey."

"Hi babe.  You still going dancing tonight?"  He sounded eager, reminding Grace of a puppy willing to do anything to please his master.  Grace knew he didn't like to dance, that he was just going because Grace liked it.

"Yeah.  Can you meet us here in a couple of hours?  We'll all go over together."

"Sure.  I've been looking forward to it all day."

"Liar."  She laughed at him.  There was no way he was looking forward to hanging out with a bunch of women tonight.

"I want to spend time with you, Grace.  I'm looking forward to it."  His voice grew husky with the declaration, and Grace realized she felt guilty for comparing him to a puppy with his master.  She wasn't his master, although he would probably do anything she asked him.  "See you soon." 

She turned back to the group, to see everybody shaking hands.

"Okay, then you can move in.  Can you make this month's rent?  We can pro-rate it, if you'd like."  Nicole was being awfully accommodating, Grace thought to herself with a certain amount of surprise.

"I have money for the whole month, if you let me move in now."

"Deal."  She actually smiled at him.  Wow.  Miracles never cease.  Grace shook her head to herself, as she watched Rafe walk over to the door, bend over to pick up a backpack and a bedroll that she hadn't noticed.  She did however, notice the other women's sharp inhale as he bent at the waist, hinting at a spectacular backside.

Bree spoke everybody's thoughts.  "Can you wear jeans tonight, Rafe?  You will play the part of our arm candy at the club."

He chuckled and nodded, before walking into his new room with his things and shutting the door behind him.  Bree fanned herself with her hand.  "Jees, Nicole, where did you
find
that guy?  He's amazing!"

Nicole grunted in reply, her good mood gone.  "I need to shower.  Gotta shave my legs before tonight.  Did you leave any hot water, Grace?"

Chapter Six

They decided not to try the new place, and to stick with The Lounge, their old standby for dancing.  They knew the bartenders there, and the music was good.

While Grace was getting ready, she could hear Rafe banging around in his room next door to hers and wondered about him.  The man seemed so familiar, even though she knew she'd never seen him before today.  Something about those green eyes…And his voice.  It bred a familiarity that gave her comfort, reminding her of a part of her past that brought her peace.  She just wasn't sure which part.

At one point in her primping for the evening, she had to walk across the house to Bree's room to borrow something and almost lost her footing when she saw Rafe sitting on the couch.  Silently thanking Bree for telling him to wear jeans, she admired his long frame in the tight-fitting tee shirt that showed off a ripped torso and arms.  He was relaxed on the couch, his head thrown back, and Grace resisted the urge to climb on top of him, straddle his lap, and lick his Adam's apple.

Where did that come from?

Grace watched as a slow smile graced his lips and she almost giggled out loud, thinking to herself that if this guy could read her mind, she was in some serious trouble.

Shaking her head to clear the image from her mind, she reminded herself that Brad would be there in a half an hour, and she could lick him wherever she wanted.  He would probably enjoy it more than Rafe would, anyway.

Rafe's smile abruptly disappeared, and he lifted his head to look at Grace, a definite scowl marring his features. She shrugged and continued to Bree's room.  Okay, so he didn't like her looking at him.  Whatever.

In Bree's room, Grace started rummaging around, looking for the lip gloss that she liked that Bree's mother sent in her monthly care packages.  Bree was watching her, disappointment written all over her face.

"What's wrong, Bree?"

"My parents said if the hurricane lands here, I can't stay."

"They're going to make you move?"  Grace was shocked.  Bree had lived here through two hurricane seasons, and her parents hadn't freaked before.

"No.  Evacuate."

"Well, that's not so bad.  They're just looking out for you."

"Yeah, but I'll get to miss all the excitement."  The pout on her mouth annoyed Grace briefly, and she walked over to stand in front of her friend.

"It's scary, Bree.  The only reason I stay is because of the beaches."

"Yeah, well, Nicole says her parents feel the same way."  Great.  Now Grace would be alone during the hurricane.  They'd really had a lot of fun during the last one, but it hadn't been bad.  She went back to rummaging in Bree's makeup to find the lip gloss.
 

"Parents are like that.  Just be lucky you have parents that worry about you.  Mine could care less."  Grace didn't like to talk about her mom, but occasionally, she had to bring her up to keep her friends from complaining too much.

"I'm sorry, Grace, I wasn't thinking."  Her friend came up behind her and hugged her.  Bree's face abruptly turned mischievous.

“You do think he’s hot, don’t you?”

"Who?"  Grace was still rummaging, so she didn't notice Bree's eyes cut toward the living room.

"Rafe."  Bree's voice was a conspiratorial whisper.

"Oh.  Um, yeah.  He is."  Finding the lip gloss, she leaned over Bree's dresser and applied it to her lips.

"I would go for it, except I think he's got his eyes on you."  Bree sounded a little disappointed.

"Whatever."  Having finished with the gloss, Grace turned to look at her friend, and saw that she was serious.  "What do you mean?"

"Earlier this afternoon.  I was watching him watch you.  I think he likes you."

"Well, he's going to have to get over that.  I've got Brad."

"I'll bet Rafe's better in bed."

Grace scoffed.  "Good looks doesn't make a good lover, Bree."

"It can't hurt."

"Besides, Brad's not
that
bad in bed."

"I didn't mean that he was.  I just meant that Rafe's probably better."

Rolling her eyes, Grace left her friend's room and trekked back across the house to find a pair of shoes.  She noticed that Rafe hadn't moved, but his face had changed.  His eyes were still closed, but his mouth quirked up into what Grace decided was a satisfied smirk.  Almost as if he'd heard them talking about his sexual prowess.  He couldn't have, they'd been whispering.  He must be thinking of something else.

Picking out a pair of strappy heels, she declared herself ready just at the time that she heard a knock at the door.  Walking out of her room, she saw that Rafe had answered it, and Brad and Rafe were gripping each other's hands in a shake that could only be construed as a pissing contest.  Both of their forearms were veiny and corded from flexing, and Grace could only imagine the pressure being exerted in this particular handshake.  Brad seemed to cave first, as he turned to her.

"Hey gorgeous.  You ready for some dancing?"  He walked over and wrapped Grace in his arms, kissing her possessively.  It was a side of Brad she hadn't seen before, and she giggled inwardly at the testosterone swirling around the room. 

He clutched her waist and turned to watch as Bree and Nicole came strutting into the living room.

"Everybody ready?  I need to dance!"  Nicole was obviously eager to get going, as she was already headed toward the door.  Grace grabbed her tiny purse with the long strap, wrapped it around her body, and followed, Brad close behind her.

"Bree, toss Rafe your keys.  He doesn't drink."  Grace motioned to Rafe with her chin.

"You mean we have a designated driver moving in with us?  Cool."  She dropped her keys into Rafe's outstretched hand and followed Nicole outside.  Rafe paused at the open door to allow Grace and Brad out, before turning to lock it and following everybody out to Bree's car.

Electonica music spilled out of the club when they arrived.  Grace started bouncing almost immediately and turned to Brad.

"You're not going to dance with me, are you?"  She was disappointed.  Grace loved to dance, and Brad didn't. 

"No, baby, I'm just going to watch you."  Lowering his mouth to her ear, he said softly, "I love to watch you dance.  It turns me on."

"You don't mind if she dances with other people, do you?"  Rafe's voice was closer than Grace realized, and she looked up to see him directly behind Brad, looking at her with those amazing green eyes.

"Nope.  I know who she goes home with."  Brad's hand stroked her shoulder possessively, and Grace rolled her eyes at the display.

Bree joined in the conversation.  "Brad's our cabana boy!"

He smiled sheepishly.  "Yeah, I make sure all the girls have fresh drinks at all times.  I'm not much for dancing, but I enjoy watching everybody have a good time."

They got through the line, and made it inside the club.  Brad went to the bar to get drinks, while Rafe found a central spot to claim for rest periods, and the girls headed straight for the dance floor.

Grace allowed the beat of the music to take over her body.  With the loud music, the harsh lighting, and the press of bodies, she couldn't think about anything but dancing. And she loved it.  She moved her arms around her body, clutching herself and laughing out loud at the antics of Bree, who was shaking her butt with the music.  Nicole was bouncing, too, but in a more subdued manner.  She would let loose once she got a drink or two inside her, but Grace didn't want to wait.  She needed to get the erotic images of her new roommate and his incredible eyes out of her head.

As if reading her thoughts, something icy touched her shoulder, and she turned to see the eyes in question gazing down at her.  A tremble went straight to her toes, as a heated desire flared in her belly, and she took the drink he was offering.  She realized she'd stopped dancing when she saw Rafe, so she forced herself to resume her bounce, as he leaned down to speak in her ear.

His spicy scent overwhelmed her, as she tried vainly to hear his words. 
Sheesh, he smelled so…
"drink to you.  He doesn't mind if I dance with you…" 
I could just take him…
"…going home with Brad…" 
Those shoulders, I want to touch him so bad…

She heard the next words clearly.

"He said he doesn't mind you getting all worked up, because he reaps all the benefits.  So…"  Rafe's hands snaked out to her waist, clutching it gently, as his incredible eyes gazed into hers with the question.

She nodded and turned, leaning her body into his as they danced together amidst the crush of sweaty bodies.  His hands on her waist didn't do much to diminish the licking flames of desire in her belly, but she managed to take a sip of her drink to try to cool the rising heat inside of her, as she felt the hard body pressed up behind her.  Grace could feel his warm breath on the top of her head.

Her hands waved in the air, to the beat of the music, as his hands drew around her waist to her stomach, eliciting a gasp from her.  Of its own volition, Grace's hand not holding her drink came down to rub his thigh. 
Oh…
  Up and down his thigh, her hand rubbed the muscle under his jeans, flexing with the beat.  …
My…

She felt his body groan behind her, a deep, rumble in his chest against her back, and his fingers flexed on her stomach.  He pulled her closer to him, and leaned his head down.  She could hear him inhale deeply near her neck, and it sent goosebumps up her arms and back.  Dancing with Rafe was better than sex with Brad, any day.

Did she just think that?  What was wrong with her?  She cast a glance over at her boyfriend, who was watching her intently, an unreadable expression on his face.  She tossed him a reassuring wink, and his face relaxed into an easy grin.  He raised his glass to her in a toast from across the room, and she took a sultry sip of her own drink, hoping to make him remember who she was going home with.  Rafe's breath on her neck was definitely getting her ready for Brad…

Grace had danced with other guys around Brad before.  He honestly didn't mind.  But none of the other guys had affected her the way Rafe was.  His hands on her body, his breath on her neck, it all made it very difficult to concentrate on anything else.

They danced for a while, until she needed a fresh drink.  She turned to him, and raised her glass, indicating she was going to the bar.  He nodded, eyes intensely green on her.

At the bar, she expelled a deep breath while vying for the bartender's attention.  A voice at her ear made her turn.

A tall, dark stranger gazed at her.  "May I buy you a drink?"

She nodded.  "I'm here with my boyfriend, but you can buy me a drink, if you want to."

The stranger pursed his lips and looked around her.  "I don't see a boyfriend.  Is it the man you were just dancing with?"

She shook her head.  "No, Brad doesn't dance.  That was my roommate."

His eyebrow quirked, and he smiled smugly.  "What are you having?"

"Cranberry juice and Vodka."  This guy was really gorgeous, and Grace wondered at her luck tonight.  Brad was definitely going to get some later.  These guys were getting her all kinds of hot and bothered.

"I'm Damien."  He held out his hand, long manicured fingers.

"Grace."  She shook his hand and was surprised at the cool smoothness of it.  This guy definitely had an office job.  No calluses here.

"Can I dance with you?  Will your boyfriend mind?" 

She shook her head and took the drink from the bartender, following Damien out to the dance floor.  He led her directly in front of Brad, turned her so she was flush against him, and began to writhe to the music.

Grace looked over at Brad and raised her eyebrows in a helpless gesture, while he sipped from his drink, staring at her over his glass.

Damien's hands were on her waist, then they traveled lower, fingers spread, to her thighs.  They clutched the fabric of her skirt, bringing it up to expose skin.

Grace shook her body, bouncing to the beat, Damien's body bouncing with her. 

"Your boyfriend is a lucky man," he said into her ear.  His breath was cool, almost cold, and Grace gasped when his fingers touched her leg.  They were downright icy.  Damien smelled like smoke too.  Like sulfur or something.  He was definitely weird.  She turned to look at him, and his arms stayed locked around her body, so she was riding his leg when she faced him.  His dark eyes were deep and filled with desire.  She felt as if she were sinking into black pools of tar.