Time Out, Valentine Read online

  “Buzz kill.” She picked up the rubbish and threw it in the trashcan a few feet away.

  “We can buzz later. Wouldn’t that be a good Valentine’s date?” He didn’t let go of her hand, which was nice and, she had to admit—romantic.

  “Come on.” Grant smirked and chuckled under his breath. “I think you planned our first date at the club…surrounded by people, on purpose.”

  “Why would I do that on purpose?”

  “You’re afraid to be up close and personal with me—alone.” He stated it instead of asking it as a question. “We haven’t been alone—ever.”

  “Well, you liked the club, didn’t you?”

  “I’d like whatever as long as I’m with you.” And then he went and said things like that. Maybe that’s what made geeks sexy—true romantics.

  She held up her arm in exasperation, because all of a sudden, she couldn’t find a fault with this guy. “See. There you go being nice.”

  A low chuckle sounded from deep in his throat. “We’re so different, yet we’re more compatible than you think. We have the kisses to prove it.”

  “I think it’s more than physical,” she blurted. “Although that part has been pretty hot so far.”

  “So far? You have other plans?”

  “You forget I have a date night in the works.” She held his hand tighter and led him into a path to the Miniature Rose Test Garden. “So, if we’re going to try this out, I need to know more about you.”

  “Well, you know I smell good.”

  She giggled, actually giggled like a little girl. Tugging him to a batch of purple miniatures, she sniffed them in one big woof. “Nope. It’s the roses this time.”

  When she stood, facing him, he wrapped his arms around her. “What do you want to know?”

  “Let’s start simple.” She put her finger on her chin. “Fave food?”

  “Italian. Yours?”

  “Thai.” He scrunched his nose and she laughed again. “What? You don’t like Thai?”

  “We’re definitely good models for the opposites attract billboard.” He tugged her away to the next part of the rose garden. “Let’s check out the Shakespeare Test Garden, odd seeing we’re in Portland and not England.”

  “P-town is one wacky place.” She curled her fingers into his. “Fave book?”

  “Will you believe me if I said Romeo and Juliet?”

  “Ah, romantic and well-read, but nope.”

  “I like to read biographies, like Steve Jobs or Steven King.” He stood in the middle of the isolated Shakespeare garden and swung her in a circle. “We’re alone here.”

  She giggled at the picture of William Shakespeare that hung on a wall of roses. “Kind of. What do you have in mind?”

  “More kisses. Come here.” He tugged her to his chest and wrapped his big arms around her body. It felt just right, as if she belonged there. “I can’t frickin’ stop thinking about kissing you.”

  “Then stop talking and do it.” She balled his tee-shirt into her palm. His tongue explored hers—in and out—and she actually sighed into his mouth. “Grant?”

  He sucked her bottom lip then retreated. “Hmm?”

  “I want to be alone with you. For real.”

  His hand framed her face, caressing her bottom lip with his thumb. “Me too.”

  “You know, the Metro passed my apartment on the way here. We could stop in on the way back to work.”

  He cocked his head and grinned. “Really?”

  She nodded, not believing where her own mind led her. It had been months since she’d been intimate with a man. Sure she dated a lot of guys, but never to a point where she wanted to be naked with them. Grant threw that out the window. Her body ached for him, needed him…and soon. “Yeah.”

  He grabbed her hand and dragged her through the paths between the roses, to the bus stop that led to the Metro rail.

  Lexi’s heart thudded the entire twenty-minute ride on the Metro. Grant’s hands slipped up her arms, unbearably tender, just like his gaze that never left her face. His breath fanned her neck and she relaxed, sinking into his cushiony embrace. Her feet seemed to be drifting along on a cloud—so damn slow. She couldn’t wait to walk in her apartment and have her way with him.

  When they finally stood in front of Lexi’s door, the key shook in her fingers. Grant slammed the door with his foot and pushed her back against the frame. “Well, look at this. We’re alone.”

  He grinned.

  And oh, God, that grin was perfect. He flashed white straight teeth, light glinted off his dark framed glasses, but there was no mistaking the pure trouble in his eyes.

  She met his mischievous gaze, knowing the trouble ahead of them was exactly what her body demanded. Her hardened nipples were proof of it. “It’s about goddamn time.”

  Chapter Six

  Not even an hour ago, Grant never would’ve imagined he’d be standing in Lexi’s apartment, alone. And ever since they made out in the Rose Garden, his cock was as hard as a rock. He didn’t know if this was the right time or the right moment, but he knew like hell that he was ready to be alone with Lexi, even if she was a co-worker. “You sure about this?”

  She ran her hand up and down his arm, the one he rested behind her head against the door. “Yeah, I’m sure.” Her lips found his, and his body actually shook from the excitement. His other hand found her waist and felt the soft, silky skin underneath her shirt. He couldn’t wait to feel all of her in every way he could.

  Lexi pulled back, her breath rasping. “But I want you to know something.”

  Oh, hell. Nothing ever came good from a but, except her tight butt, and he knew she wasn’t talking about that delightful part of her body. He stood up straight and took a deep breath.

  She grabbed his hand and led him to her enormous black couch-futon, and faced him. “I don’t normally do this. I want you to know that. I don’t sleep around.”

  Oh, so this is where that was going. Good. He’d wondered, but he was happy to hear this was special for her. “It’s been a long time for me, too.” His finger trailed from the top of her nose down and then he leaned over and kissed the tip of it. “God, I want you.”

  “I want you too, Grant.” She moaned. “But it’s important to me that you know I am very selective.”

  “Glad I passed the test.” He pushed her down. “You also pass mine.” His body pressed into hers, and his hands roamed her stomach, her belly ring, pushing the top over her breasts so he could see her perfectly round breasts underneath a lacy black bra. “You’re sexy as hell.”

  She pulled her shirt over her head and threw it to the side, then reached for his shirt and tore it off him. Her fingers traced his nipples and the jolt of energy burned through his veins again.

  “You’re one sexy man, Grant.”

  Their lips sought each other in a fierce passion that had been setting fire in them for days. Grant unfastened the clasp of her bra, and he yanked her bra straps down her arms so that she lay naked in front of him. A low groan sounded from his throat, and he kissed feathery kisses along her neck, her collarbone and ended with the peak of one breast in his mouth. A gentle tug with his teeth had her writhing beneath him.

  Her hand searched him, discovering the rigid flesh beneath his jeans. He jerked back and smiled into her aroused face. “Careful.”

  “Take them off.” Her dreamy blue eyes glowed as she kissed his chin.

  “Bossy, huh?” He undid the button and zipper, hauling the jeans off so that he stood only in his boxers. “Satisfied?”

  “Not yet.” She sat up, soft hands caressing the back of him. His ass in her hands felt like paradise…and not fair. He wanted to touch her too—all of her. She leaned into him, so that his cock rested on her cheek and dammit if that didn’t feel hot. She moved her cheek back and forth, feeling him beneath his boxers.

  His hands wrapped into her hair and he whispered, “Your turn to undress.”

  She tore his boxers down his legs and smiled into his face. �
�Not yet. I have other activities planned.”

  He closed his eyes and leaned his head toward the sky as her lips found the smooth, hard flesh of his erection. The sucking and tugging drove him nuts, yet he couldn’t stop her. Fuck, it’d been too long. Watching her face as she consumed the other part of him was freakin’ hot. Her head bobbing back and forth in the most intimate manner had him on edge.

  “Lexi, you better stop.” He eased away and knelt in front of her, grabbing at her tight jeans, realizing it was impossible to wrench them off quickly. “How the hell do you get these off?”

  She chuckled, a husky laugh that made him even harder, if that was possible. “Hold on. This won’t look very sexy, but I have to—” She squirmed, peeling, tugging, panting as she unwrapped herself from her second skin. Not sexy? Hell, this was foreplay like he never imagined.

  She finally lay on the couch, her hand beckoning him beside her. First, he stroked her everywhere that he’d dreamed about—her breasts, peaked in awareness—her ass, so firm and round—her thighs, tight with wanting—her sexual mound, wet and slick. So much goodness that he didn’t think he’d last long enough to excite her. Slow down, buddy.

  When she finally grabbed his face in her palms and begged him, “Inside me, Grant,” he hardly could hold himself back. Reaching into his wallet for the one condom that’d been there for too many months to count—thank God—he rolled it over himself, pushed her legs apart and entered her with one loud grunt.

  Finally. Her wet heat made him go crazy. He twisted and turned like a maniac all while Lexi did her own wild maneuvers. He couldn’t get enough of her. He wanted to be as close as humanly possible and the pinnacle he was about to reach proved that he was long-gone before he really wanted. She shouted in pleasure before he spiraled out of control and came with a final thrust. She took him to a place never expected—heaven and back—and even though it was beautiful, golden and the trumpets played, he was scared out of his mind.

  ****

  Lexi couldn’t wipe the smile off her face even if she tried. She forgot how great sex could be—and that was mind-blowing.

  Adios VeeVee, hello geeky Grant.

  He spread out next to her, so quietly she wondered if he’d fallen asleep. He opened one eye, “Hey you.” His hand rubbed her stomach again and roamed to her cheek.

  “Wow.” She lay there staring at the ceiling, sucking in air, her breath slowly coming back to normal. “Just wow.”

  He grinned and sat his head up with his hand and elbow resting beside her. “I agree. Wow.” He ran his fingers over her heated skin. “You’re amazing, sexy Lexi.”

  She usually hated this part after sex…the awkwardness. What did you talk about? How long did you stay cuddling? Did you cuddle? But with Grant, the thoughts didn’t come to her. The cuddling just happened…and she liked it.

  She liked Grant. A lot.

  It’d been way too long since she’d had a guy in her apartment, and even longer since she had a real boyfriend—someone to have fun with, someone to share her life. Yet, after being in Grant’s arms and him being in places she blushed thinking about, she knew he’d be worth it.

  “Why so quiet? You won’t freak out on me again, will you? When you get quiet, it scares me.”

  She pushed his chest. “I’m basking in the post-coital bliss.”

  Grant winked, gave her a quick kiss and rose—complete, utter nakedness and man, was he beautiful. “I’m starving. What you got to eat?” He grabbed her hand and pulled her with him.

  “Leftover Thai?” She giggled when he made a face.

  “Hell, no.” He placed her on the barstool at her kitchen counter, then stood in front of the refrigerator door. “Wait. Is that your family?” He stared at one of the photographs.

  Damn, she wished she didn’t do that girly stuff like leave family photos on the fridge. Of all the postcards, magnets, and magazine clippings, he noticed the one that bothered her the most.

  “Yeah, my mom and dad and…brother.”

  “Your brother is Joshua Callahan, the actor?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Cool.” And that was it. No trying to meet him. No asking to see a show. No more questions.

  Grant was too good to be true. Most guys tried to use her to get to her brother once they found out who he was, or worse, most dated her assuming they could meet her brother. There were an excessive amount of guys who’d done that. Weirdos. Even women tried to be her friend to get to her brother.

  Not Grant.

  Cool was right.

  Grant searched in the fridge, his butt displayed in full view. A magnificent scene that he’d better cover before she got hungry for something else. “There’re eggs, a little bit of cheese, lots of green vegetables—yuck.”

  She smiled, her hand holding her chin, still staring at his ass. “You don’t like vegetables?”

  “I’m a man’s man.” He turned, saw her staring, and winked.

  “Men can eat vegetables.”

  “Aha, here we go.” He held up a jar of her favorite kind of sweetness. “Nutella…and bagels.”

  She grabbed two dishes from the cabinet above her. “Mother Earth would not like to see this. Nutella over vegetables.”

  He made two sandwiches, then tugged her on his lap. “Don’t complain about a man who makes you a sandwich.”

  “And here I thought you only knew how to use a computer.”

  He nuzzled her neck again. She was getting the idea that he really liked doing that, and she had to admit, she did too. She was used to guys coming and going, not hanging out and talking afterward. Grant was really special. Could he possibly think the same about her? Before she could get all deep with him, his cellphone rang from his pants pocket.

  “Crap. Hold on.” He moved her off his lap and ran, gloriously naked, to his pants by the futon to answer the phone.

  “Reeds here. Oh, hey, Jeremy…yeah…uh, okay. Sure. We’ll be there in fifteen…What is it? All right.” He clicked a button and furrowed his brows. “Computer malfunction. Network down. Basically the end of the world.”

  “Shit. Sounds serious.”

  He looked around until he found his boxers, strode to the bar, ate the other half of the bagel sandwich in two bites, and kissed her. “It is for a Network Director. I’ve got to go.”

  “And we were making real progress on our romantic dates.”

  His hands grabbed her face, and he stared into her eyes. “I can’t wait to see what you have planned tonight.”

  For a second time, words couldn’t escape her. His stare, his touch…his geekiness had her on edge. Waiting until the night would drive her crazy.

  His fingers dangled in front of her. “Come on. I guess we should get back to work.”

  Sigh. She could get used to this. She squeezed his hand, released it, and dressed for work—wanting to stay cuddling in her apartment, which was absolutely new to her—scaring the crap out of her.

  Chapter Seven

  Lexi wouldn’t tell Grant where she was taking him. They sat side-by-side again on the Metro, tumbling downtown and toward the outskirts of Portland.

  After four hours of nonstop network and computer maneuvering, not to mention an afternoon of wild sex before that, he could’ve gone home and head straight to bed. But when Lexi actually walked to his desk at the end of the day, shrugging that huge bag onto her shoulder and batting those long lashes at him, he woke up. She looked shy and unsure—something he rarely saw in her. She had a romantic night planned, and he’d walk around the earth and back to show her he wanted to spend more time with her.

  On the city transportation, he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Another ride on the Metro. Reminds me of our newest fantastic memories.”

  Her spontaneous giggle was cute. “That was only a few hours ago.”

  “Too long, if you ask me.”

  She glanced out the window. “Oh, look, we’re here.”

  “About time.” Grant followed her gaze to Aerial Par
k, on the outside of Portland. No wonder the Metro ride took a while. “What exactly is your plan, Lexi?”

  She stood, a glow in her eyes—excitement and eagerness apparent. “You’ll see.” Grabbing his hand, she hauled him off the Metro. They crossed the street and lined up outside a booth that displayed a large sign with their activity labeled across it.

  He smirked, still admiring her giddiness. She practically bounced up and down in her purple Converse. “Zipline and Dine?”

  Her finger touched his chin and she smiled. “Romance in the air. What’s better for Valentines?”

  “You’re extreme in every way, aren’t you?”

  She nodded as the Adventure Guide explained the night’s events, including five zipline excursions for two, plus a romantic fireside dinner and wine tasting. They had to sign a Participation Agreement, which would have alarmed him, but if Lexi wasn’t scared, he wouldn’t be. They geared up in the gift shop and waited in the ATV vehicle for their guide.

  Grant spread his arm across the back of the seat, rubbing Lexi’s shoulder. “You’ve outdone yourself. I think this date will be hard to beat.”

  She shrugged. “So-be-it. Then we can have more time discovering ourselves at home.”

  He lifted an eyebrow and bent to kiss her. He couldn’t help himself. This woman was a revelation—opening his eyes to all he’d missed for many years. He forgot what it really felt like to enjoy a woman—having been in a truly unhealthy relationship for far too long. It amazed him that he could feel close to Lexi in just a few days, after months of trying to ignore her—for this very reason. Their relationship was an enigma. He had so much more to explore.

  After driving what felt like thirty minutes, they arrived to their starting point: a hunter green forest full of pine trees in every direction. A station made of a wooden platform sat at the top of one of the larger trees. The wires of the zipline hung between destinations.

  Would now be a good time to mention he was afraid of heights? He looked over at Lexi who practically bounced in her seat. Nah, if she could handle it, he had to. He didn’t want her to think he was a weenie—even though his heart beat a hundred miles a minute and his palms were drenched with sweat.