Inhale, Exhale (15 page)

“I’ll have my cell all day. If you need anything—anything at all, just ask. I’ll be there.” He leaned toward me, his lips brushing the hair next to my ear. “Always.”

I bit my lip to hold back a groan and slid out of the car. I shook away all selfish and naughty thoughts as I plopped into my own and watched Grant drive away. An hour later I was showered, dressed, and back at the hospital. Mom and Dad were already there and filled me in on what I’d missed, which wasn’t much.

The day dragged on and wore me out. The MRI confirmed Gamma had a stroke, but the doctors were still unclear about the extent of the damage. She responded to stimuli, so we didn’t think she had suffered any long-term paralysis, but only time would tell how her speech or swallowing would be affected.

I was able to visit with her and though she wasn’t conscious, it was a huge comfort just to be able to hold her hand and tell her how much I loved her. Dad rarely left her side, not wanting her to be alone when she woke up, and Mom stayed in the waiting room updating family members and friends. I tried to sit, but found it impossible to settle into any comfortable position. I was anxious and frustrated at the medical system and it only grew as the hours passed.

I attempted to eat, but the food sat like a rock in the pit of my stomach. Finally, after finding mediocre comfort sitting on the floor with my legs tucked beneath me, I took out my ereader. After reading the same page three times, I turned it off and tossed it back in my purse. I couldn’t focus as thoughts of worst-case scenarios plagued my mind. I had yo-yoed between emotional highs and lows for the past two days, and it was taking its toll.

“Mom, I’m going to make a Starbucks run and get more coffee. Do you want anything?” I tucked my phone in the back pocket of my favorite jeans, so old they now molded to my body, and swiped my keys out from my purse. More caffeine was not what I needed, but a change of scenery was. I’d been here for over eight hours and needed a break.

“Your Aunt Natalie is on her way and bringing me some of her special herbal tea, so I’d better not.” Mom continued flipping through her US Weekly. “But take your time, sweetie. Between Daddy and your aunt, you may not get in to see Gamma during the next set of visiting hours since they only allow two at a time.”

“Okay. Then I’m going to run home and check on things there. See if there are any messages or flowers for Gamma or anything. I’ll be back later.”

I pushed the button for the elevator and was surprised to see Grant inside when it opened. I stepped inside, riding it back down with him.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. He was holding a small African violet plant set in a black vase.

“I wanted to give this to your grandmother.” He handed me the flowers and smiled shyly. “And I wanted to check on you, see if you needed anything.”

“They’re beautiful. She’ll love them.” I bent and inhaled the rich, sweet aroma.

Neither of us moved as the elevator doors closed. We stayed idle for a few seconds until I pushed the G and waited until it dinged and the doors opened at the garage level.

I stepped out and Grant followed. “Where are you headed?”

I blew out a breath and halted. “Honestly? I needed a change of scenery. I was going to go to Starbucks, but I don’t know if I can handle any more caffeine.” Without even realizing it, I’d leaned into Grant. He put an arm around me in a comforting hug. “Today has been so stressful, and I needed to take my mind off of it for a while before I explode. Can we just drive around for a bit?”

“Yeah, of course. Whatever you need.”

We climbed into Grant’s car and veered toward the highway. I didn’t know where he was taking me, but that was okay. I didn’t need a destination, just a journey.

It was a bright summer day that any other time I would have found as the perfect excuse to put on my bikini and head to the beach. Today, I lowered my sunglasses to my eyes and opened the window, letting the warm afternoon air rush over me. Grant didn’t say anything, or even turn on the radio, seeming to understand I needed less noise right now, not more.

With each mile we drove, a little more of the stress that had piled on me slipped away. I forgot about everything and focused on the warm sun on my face. That warmth melted everything else away.

I could have kissed Grant for being here for me, knowing exactly how to make me feel better. So, I decided that was exactly what I was going to do.

“Pull over,” I ordered, sliding closer to him.

“Um, where exactly do you want to go?” He seemed confused, and I couldn’t blame him. I hadn’t spoken in almost an hour and this came out of the blue to him.

“I don’t really care. Just somewhere without people.”

Grant looked around. “There’s a little beach next to the inlet at this next exit. It’s not easily accessible since it doesn’t have a parking lot or anything, so not a lot of people head there. I only know about it because JT and I went fishing there once. It should be pretty empty.”

“That sounds perfect.” I rested my head on his shoulder, and he took my hand, entwining our fingers.

Grant took the next exit, heading off the main road and turning onto what looked like a dirt pathway. Thick brush inhibited my view, but a few minutes later we came to an opening. In front of us lay Manhead Sound. Once parked, we got out of the car and looked around. The beach was surrounded by palms, shielding it from view of the road. Not another soul occupied the inlet beach, and being so far off the main road with more accessible public beaches not far down the road, I doubted many even knew about this place.

I rolled up my jeans to my knees and slipped my flip flops off, loving the squish of the soft, warm sand between my toes. I walked toward the dark water and sat down a few feet from the shore, closing my eyes and letting the cathartic sound of the waves lapping wash over me. The water here was darker than other areas due to the many barrier islands around. It gave it the distinct Georgia look that made it feel like home. Stretching my legs in front of me, I laid down, allowing the sun to lick every inch of my available skin.

“Here,” Grant called out to me. “You might want to sit on a blanket before you get sand in places you didn’t know sand could go.”

My eyes fluttered open and smiled at him. “And you just happened to have a blanket in your car? Awfully convenient of you.”

He held out his hand and helped me to my feet. “Well, I was a Boy Scout back in the day. Be prepared and all.”

He spread the blanket on the sand, reached back, and pulled his shirt over his head before joining me. His bare chest was a delectable sight, and I had a hard time not rubbing my hands up and down the taut muscles. We lay there together, side-by-side with our shoulders touching, listening to the waves for a long time. The sun was setting now, but it was still comfortable out.

“Hey, let’s take a dip.” I sat up on my elbows. “I bet the water’s really warm.”

Grant rolled to his side, propping his head up with his hand. “I didn’t exactly bring my swim trunks.”

“That’s okay, neither did I.”

I stood, pulling my shirt over my head and tossing it by my shoes. I unbuttoned my jeans and wiggled out of them and added them to the pile. Grant’s jaw dropped seeing me in only my Victoria’s Secret pink and black lace bra and panty set and I heard a low growl as his eyes roamed over my body. I was tired of denying my feelings and fighting. As I’d learned this week, life was too short.

I didn’t wait for him to join me, but skipped toward the water. I knew I was pushing the barrier and probably stepping—okay jumping—over the friendship line, but I no longer cared. Life wasn’t guaranteed, so come what may.

The first few steps chilled my feet and legs, but by the time I was waist deep, I had grown accustomed and found the water to be perfect. I dived under, and when I came up Grant was stalking toward me, a hungry gleam in his eyes.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

In nothing but his black boxer briefs, his swelling erection blatantly obvious, I found myself frozen in place. My mouth watered at the sight. The air felt thick, and the sexual energy buzzed around us, almost palpable. For weeks now, I’d fought to keep my feelings for Grant at bay, but now that he was in front of me, prowling toward me like a hungry lion, I wasn’t able to think of anything else.

I swam closer to him, until my toes could just touch the ocean floor. Since he had a good half a foot on me, it wasn’t as hard for him to stay afloat. “C’mere,” he beckoned, reaching toward me. I grabbed on to his hand and his sculpted arms easily pulled me through the water until my body was against his chest.

He placed his hands on my ass, lifting me so I could wrap my legs around his waist as I secured my arms around his neck. My pulse quickened and though the water was cooling to my skin, it felt like I was boiling inside. Grant’s hands circled my waist, his thumbs rubbing the small of my back up and down slowly.

“Kiss me,” I begged, pulling myself closer to him.

He didn’t make me wait any longer and crushed his mouth to mine. His tongue plunged into my mouth, swirling with my own and quickly taking control. He pulled my lower lip between his teeth and nibbled on the supple flesh, inducing a moan from me. I tilted my head to open more for him, wanting him to consume every inch of me. He sucked and licked until my lips were swollen and tender, but it wasn’t enough. I could never get enough of him.

Grant shifted positions slightly, so his now granite erection was pushed directly against me, between my thighs. I moaned louder this time, rubbing my body against his. He hissed at the movement and reached around my back to unclasp my bra before pulling it away from my body and tossing it behind him in the water.

Freed from the constraint, my already hard nipples pebbled into tight buds as he rolled them between his thumb and forefinger, his lips kissing and sucking a path in their direction. I splayed my hands across his chest, digging my nails into his fiery skin, and bending back to give his mouth further access to them. His rough hands cupped the underside of one of my breasts, lifting it toward his waiting mouth.

I thought he would suck, but he paused, emitting a sound between a groan and a growl. My body coiled tightly with desire, and I wanted his mouth on me more than I wanted air to breathe.

“Please, Grant,” I whispered against his ear, reaching out to nibble the lobe. I licked the salty skin just below the edge of his jaw, eager to taste any part of his body I could reach.

He shivered at the contact and exhaled heavily. “My God, Jillian. You’re more beautiful than I could have imagined.”

His words melted the last of my resolve, and I was reduced to a puddle of wanton desire. His head dipped down and he teasingly flicked my nipple with his tongue. My skin burned, and I opened my eyes, sure I was actually on fire while swimming in the ocean.

His hands slid back down to the curve of my ass and hoisted me up further. My thighs tightened around him and then we were moving. He easily carried me out of the water and up the beach before laying me gently on the blanket. Neither of us spoke, but we stared at each other, breathing heavily from our ocean tryst. He was leaning over me, keeping his weight on his arms. Cold drops of salty water fell on my skin from his wet hair, sending tiny shivers along my skin.

Hesitating only momentarily, he dipped his head back down to recapture my lips. I sighed into his mouth, chanting,
Yes! Touch me, don’t stop touching me
, in my head. His mouth was hot and salty, but sweet, like he’d been eating some type of fruit earlier. We kissed so hard, I was certain my lips would bruise.

After what seemed like hours, he tore his mouth away from mine, only to continue kissing along the soft line of my neck, down the column of my throat, and over the swell of my breast. My hands tangled in his hair and ran over his shoulders, loving the way he made my body feel.

His mouth resumed the worship of my breasts and I cried out at the sensation. With every nibble, every suck, every tug, and every flick of his tongue, need shot straight down between my thighs. I rubbed my body against him, smiling as his hard length jumped against my bare thigh. I moved myself closer, so my warm center was situated directly beneath his erection. I pushed my hips up, making contact and giving both of us what we wanted.

Grant’s eyes rolled back in his head as he breathed, “Goddamn,” under his breath.

His hands raked down my sides, stopping at the top edge of my panties. Nimble fingers slid against the tip of the elastic back and forth, over and over.

Teasing me.

Igniting me.

I pushed my pelvis up toward his hand, but he kept it elusively out of reach of where I wanted it most. All the while, he continued feasting on my breasts and driving me further into oblivion. His hand left the edge of my panties and continued down my leg, behind my knee, caressing my ankle before trailing a path back up so he could repeat with the other leg.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I wanted him too badly. I reached down and curled my hands around the hard length of him through the thin fabric separating me from skin. Grant’s breath caught, and his mouth separated from my breast so he could look at me. I loved that I could make him feel as good as he made me feel, so I didn’t stop. I began to stroke him harder and faster. His hands clenched into fists at my hips.