My hands were resting on his chest and as overwhelming emotion flooded me I slid them up to wrap them around his neck. I drew up onto my tiptoes and pressed the softest, sweetest kiss to his lips. When I pulled back I whispered, “Tonight you’re mine, Grayson King.”

His grip on me turned almost bruising as his eyes darkened. His voice was hoarse when he replied, “I cannot fucking wait, angel.”

I grinned and lowered down to the soles of my feet. Gray looked like he wanted to say something more but suddenly Susan and Molly appeared, Molly practically vibrating with excitement.

Chapter Six

I was immediately enamored with Cunningham Falls. It was everything I imagined small town Montana to be—charming, friendly, beautifully snow-covered, and a world away from the city of Glasgow.

After driving expertly down the mountain, Gray stopped first at a coffee shop called Drips & Sips so I was fully caffeinated before we began our shopping adventure. Then Gray left us to it. He gave me and Susan his cell number and told us to call when we were ready to go to lunch. Gray was considerate, thoughtful, and sweet, but he was also a man in the traditional sense and shopping was something he just did not do.

Susan, Molly, and I chattered easily as we wandered around the small town together. Nothing could (or ever would) erase the hard glint of grief in either of their eyes, but Molly was excited and Susan seemed to be relieved by this renewed energy in her daughter. I talked to Molly about the ideas I had for décor and she loved them. I’d been worried it was a little too old for a thirteen-year-old’s birthday party but it would seem Molly was over “little girl stuff” and wanted something more sophisticated.

We stopped by Brooke’s Blooms, a flower shop, and although the budget didn’t allow for too many floral arrangements, we ordered a few in pinks and whites to be delivered to the condo on their last day of vacation, the day we were hosting the party.

It didn’t take long for us to realize that as beautiful as Cunningham Falls was, I wasn’t going to be able to do everything I needed to do from here. I picked up a bunch of fairy lights for the decoration, and I advised Susan and Molly on really cute outfits we bought from a store called Dress It Up, but we were soon to be stumped on the rest of the planning.

Deciding to have a late lunch, we held off on calling Gray and went back to the coffee shop with its free wifi. We sat at a table with my phone in hand and together we ordered everything online. Moreover, we sent e-invites to all of Molly’s friends and a couple of Susan’s and some family members.

Finally we called Gray and he took us to a place called Ed’s Diner for lunch where I had the best burger I’d had in a long time. Molly threw question after question at Gray, gazing up at him like he was a hero come to life. I sensed an adorable crush.

I couldn’t blame her.

At lunch, as soon as Molly took a breath and I had an in, I asked Gray where I could get all my baking and cooking needs. That was the store we hit last and Gray said I could use the condo in his kitchen to cater the party.

It was a fun day but obviously a lot more energetic than Molly or Susan had experienced in a while. Between the ski lessons that morning and walking all over the small town that afternoon, they were tired. We bundled all of my supplies into the car and headed back up the mountain.

I told them I’d see them the next day and received a hug from Molly, followed by a tight squeeze of a hug from her mum. My eyes brightened with tears at the quiet desperation in her grip and I held her just as tight. When we finally let go of each other she smiled gratefully and then touched Gray’s arm in silent thanks. He gave her a solemn chin nod and we watched as mother and daughter climbed the stairs up to their condo.

Finally Gray turned to me. “Good day then?”

I nodded, knowing I couldn’t hide what I felt for him.

His eyes darkened with desire and a whole lot more. “Tired?”

I shook my head.

Gray’s lips curled at the corners. “You ever going to talk again?”

“I’m afraid of what I might say.”

He stepped into me, sliding his arms around my waist to pull me close. “Don’t be. Ever. Not with me.”

Melting against him, I slid my hands across his chest, desperate to feel every inch of him against me. “Will you do a late dinner with me tonight?”

“You don’t even have to ask.”

“And then after… do you want to spend the night with me?”

I felt his heart beat faster against the palm of my hand. “More than I want anything.”

I didn’t remember much about dinner that evening. I did remember the look on Gray’s face when I met him outside the restaurant (something I insisted on because I knew if he collected me from my suite we wouldn’t make it to dinner). I wore an LBD—a little black dress. It was simple but form fitting, and although the sweetheart neckline only hinted at cleavage, and the hem sat a respectable few inches above the knee, it was still sexy. Especially paired with my Jimmy Choos. And by the smoldering heat in Gray’s eyes, he thought so too.

I remembered how gorgeous he looked in a cobalt blue shirt that matched his eyes.

I remembered that I hardly ate a thing because I was so nervous and excited about what was going to happen between us after dinner.

But I couldn’t remember our conversation. All I was cognizant of was the palpable heat between us. Both of our minds were on one thing and one thing only.