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19

Granger

This girl…she’s on my fucking mind twenty-four-seven, and watching her fidget next to me as we wait for my family’s butler to open the door brings me a sense of happiness, because she’s fighting not to back away. She’s so strong and doesn’t even know it, but I plan on showing her. Tonight might be painful, since I know how my family is and my Princess doesn’t do so well with others because of her past, but here she fucking is—stunning and trying not to show how terrified she really is. Little does she know I'll be here for her every step of the way.

“It’ll be fine, Princess. Just be yourself, and if they can’t find it in themselves to love your beautiful fucking soul, then we can leave,” I promise, and man, I’m making good on my promises lately.

Last night was not how I thought my evening would go, but I’m damn glad it did. As we left the game, our energies were clashing with sexual tension, and I didn’t know how to do anything about it without making it uncomfortable. I wanted to kiss her the moment I saw her in the bleachers cheering and wearing my jersey. Winning a game after skating for hours gets the blood pumping, making you impossibly horny afterward, and having her near me didn’t help. I figured a night in while watching TV with her would help calm me down, but she took off like her butt was on fire the moment we got home. I thought I messed up, maybe gave mixed signals, and it got me moving to go apologize. Caught off guard and seeing her spread out while touching herself made my brain shut off, all the blood traveling south to my dick. She was a vision—all soft pale skin, long toned legs, and a perfect as fuck pussy. Her pink hair was a wild mess around her head, and her blue eyes were darkened with her desire. I almost backed out and would’ve pretended to not see anything, but she looked at me and I felt it. She wants me, but doesn’t know how to deal with the feelings that come with it. I’m right there with her. I made the decision and stepped into the room, knowing she needed me as much as I needed her. She calms a beast inside of me, quiets the world until I can only focus on her… That’s never happened before.

“I’m good. Just dinner with your parents, that’s all. Not a big deal.” She clears her throat and grasps my hand quickly in a tight grip when the front glass doors open.

“I have you,” I whisper into her temple, and plaster a smile on my face before turning towards James as he holds the door open for us to enter.

You would figure I would have a key to the house that I grew up in, but no. They want their butler to open the door to guests, even their own son.

“Welcome home, sir. Your parents are dining already. Miss, may I take your coat?” James takes mine and waits for Kat as she shrugs out of her long coat, handing it over with a trembling hand.

It’s the only way to tell she’s nervous. Her face is completely calm with a small smile gracing those plump lips I love to kiss and devour until she’s breathless. James turns on his heels and starts walking towards the dining room with us in tow.

I really don’t want to be here, but the choice was taken away, because my parents really don’t give up. They would keep bugging me, blowing up my phone, and I thought it was best to get this over with. It’s going to be a quiet, painful dinner, because my parents don’t understand people who don’t reek of money. We pass the foyer, study, and sitting room while she looks around with wide eyes at my childhood home that doesn’t show I grew up here. My parents love me, I know this because they want the best for me, but they’ve never understood that I’m chasing my own dreams. She’ll notice that there aren’t any game pictures or family vacation photos, but there is the occasional school photo in an elite academy uniform.

“Granger,” she whispers out of the corner of her mouth, grabbing my jacket lapel and pulling me down to her level. “It’s cold here, not as cold as my father’s home, but I don’t think I’m going to like your parents,” she tells me seriously, and something inside my chest eases because she can feel it too—how empty and yes, cold.

A home should be filled with warmth and memories, a way to remember that you are loved for who you are. I know Kat is the type of woman that once she finds someone to love…she’ll put her whole heart in and make a home. Instantly, jealousy tears through my body at the thought of her with another man, of some guy getting to watch her throw her head back and laugh with that warm chuckle that makes me think of hot days and sweet iced tea. Who wouldn’t want a woman like that?

I stop in the hallway and place a hand on her arm before entering the dining room. I lean down and nuzzle her neck because I’m unable to fucking help myself. “Have I told you how perfect you are?” Do I give a hell that I’m sappy as fuck? I’ll own that shit. This girl does something to me, and yeah, that scares me.

“I'm less than perfect, but thank you for seeing me that way. My stomach seems to always flutter with butterflies when I’m around you,” she says truthfully, placing her fingertips on her stomach as if to stop them. “About last night—” My lips descend onto hers before she can even finish that sentence.

Last night, it felt real, and even though we didn’t touch, I swear I fucking touched her in every way that matters. Can a man move on after being betrayed and burned so badly that something died inside of him? When a woman touches your heart and makes it start beating again, do you give up on her and let her go? Or do you start placing your trust into her hands and hope like hell that she doesn’t burn you alive? My own feelings confuse me. I haven’t ever felt this way about anyone, even when Victoria dropped the baby news on me. How can she fall for me, when I haven’t been completely truthful with her and shared a piece of myself that feels lost?

“Another time, Princess. Just be here with me in the now, and we’ll figure it out when we’re ready,” I croak out a little desperately. I’m scared once I open up to her and lay my shit on the table, she’ll start running and never look back.

“Okay, I can wait. We don’t need to rush anything.” She smiles softly and arches up with her lips puckered. “Kiss?” She points to her lips, and with an eye roll—but secretly pleased—I kiss her with a chuckle.

Someone clears their throat in front of us, and we break apart, Kat blushing brightly as she turns slowly to face my father. Blake Wilder, a lawyer who never loses a case and a powerful man who owns law firms all over the United States, stands there with his grey brow raised and his lips in a tight line of disapproval.

“Son. If you're done making out with your lady friend, come join your mother and I. Shall we?” He gestures to the dining room and turns on his heel without another word.

I can feel Kat glancing at me out of the corner of her eye, and it's impossible for me to meet her stare. She's about to dive into my life, even though I've glimpsed a big part of hers. It's unreal how close I've gotten to her, but I want to shelter her from my parents judgment. She doesn't need to be in anymore fucked up situations as it is.

"Treat me with kid gloves, and I'll gladly kick you in the nuts," she whispers out of the corner of her mouth with a smile plastered on her face.

Damn. She picked up on my hesitation at stepping into the dining room, but my girl is fire and a hell lot of strength. I need to remember that she can take care of herself.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Princess. Just give my cock a light tap if you want to leave,” I say with a wink, and offer my elbow for her to loop her arm through. We stride in arm in arm, and I give a silent prayer that my parents don’t bring up my ex or the baby.

My father sits at the head of the table with my mother at his side and to the right. Diana Wilder, a woman with a posture of steel and a stone-cold facial expression as she flicks her gaze between Kat and I. Giving Kat a squeeze, I release her death grip on my arm before pulling out her chair, and wait until she’s seated before walking around the table to my mother. She offers her cheek to the side as I bend down to place a chaste kiss.

“Mother.” Her green eyes, which are darker than mine, narrow up at me before purposely colliding with Kat’s, who hasn’t stopped watching our interaction.

“Granger Griff Wilder. I don’t approve of hearing about your relationship from the other country club women. It’s a scandal, and I should have been informed of your latest lady friend.” She says that last bit in disdain.

With a sigh, I head back around the table, pull out a chair next to Kat, and sit down, placing my hand on her knee above her stocking. She really does look gorgeous tonight. Her pink hair is artfully clipped back with a few loose pieces framing her heart shaped face. To be honest, I love it when her long hair is down and carefree, but she does look classy and sexy at the same time. She’s wearing a navy blue velvet dress with black stockings and matching velvet blue shoes. Her whole outfit complements with her eyes, making them seem bluer and brighter. I like how she kind of matches me like a real couple almost. It’s standard uniform to dress up for dinner at my parents house, even though I hate it. I’d rather be wearing a loose t-shirt and jeans, but it made my chest puff up like an idiot, seeing the way Kat devoured me with her gaze when I stepped out of my bedroom earlier. I’m in a black suit over a white button-down with one button loosed so I can fucking breathe, and black dress shoes. I can clean up nice, and it feels good to know I can affect her just as much.

“Mrs. Wilder, I’m sorry you had to hear last, as that was never our intention. Granger and I’s relationship is fairly new, and we’re getting to know each other first before exposing ourselves as a couple. We didn’t even know our picture was being taken, and it’s already out in the open now,” Kat offers politely, even though you can see she’s boiling on the inside from her frown, but she hides it by taking a drink of the wine placed in front of her.

“Are you pregnant? That is the only explanation we could come up with for how fast your relationship is moving. Don’t think we didn’t hear about you two living together. I own the building after all,” Father says, steepling his fingers together and staring right at Kat with his unnerving hazel eyes that make most men cower in fear.