He didn’t even getto the kitchen before the doorbell rang. Cursing Grant’s punctuality, Carterturned and went to the front door. Opening it, he smiled, but before he couldsay anything, Grant beat him to it.
Grant was leaningagainst the door, filling the frame completely. Seeing how big Grant was alwayssent a shiver down Carter’s back. Carter might not be that tall for a man, butGrant always seemed to tower over him. It wasn’t just the few inches in height;his broad shoulders and whole demeanor made him seem even bigger.
Grant’s short hairalways seemed like it needed a brush to Carter, although he couldn’t figure outwhy. Most men with short hair looked neat even if they didn’t do anything withit, but Grant had a perpetually disheveled look that Carter thought was sexy.Maybe it was the attitude or the muscles, but nothing Grant did ever lookedtypical. His shirts always fit too well, T-shirts stretching across his broad,muscular chest. The tattoo peeking out of the short sleeve plastered to Grant’sarm made you think bouncer or boxer, not insurance agent. Maybe if more peoplerealized the tattoo was his family’s names, they’d understand him more.
“I heard from achatty little birdie that he thought your outfit was boring.” Grant’s deepvoice would have seemed menacing if it weren’t for the laughter and teasingglint in his eyes. Grant’s eyes scanned down Carter’s body, and for a moment hefelt almost naked. It had his dick sitting up to take notice. “I’m not surethat’s how I would describe it, but I’ll admit I was hoping you were going towear something pretty for me.”
Carter knew he wasstanding there like an idiot, mouth hanging open in shock like it was some kindof sitcom moment. He just couldn’t help it. Out of all the things he’dexpected, the flirting and clear indication Grant didn’t mind his usual outfitswasn’t one of them.
Wyatt needed tokeep his mouth shut.
Carter managed tofind his voice. “Little tattletale.”
Grant threw hishead back and laughed, then leaned in, giving a startled Carter a peck on thecheek. “We still have a few minutes before we have to leave for dinner. Howabout you put on something you really wanted to wear for me?”
The spot whereGrant kissed him tingled, and the simple act short-circuited Carter’s brain. “Um…okay?”
“If you’d like, Ican make it an order.” Grant’s words were deep, and Carter could almost feelthe arousal pulsing off him. Most of the time, he could forget that Grant was aDom, but sometimes he’d make a comment that would have Carter melting.
This was one ofthose times.
“Um…” Having noidea what to say or how to get his brain to work, he stepped back from the doorso Grant could come in. The only thing his brain could come up with was a surprisingrealization that it probably was a date, after all.
Chapter 2
Grant
Watching his beautifullittle obsession standing there in astonishment had Grant desperate to pull himinto his arms. Knowing that would be pushing things, Grant kept his hands tohimself, but it was harder than he thought it would be.
Stepping inside,he closed the door behind him. Even though Carter was still waiting there inshock, it looked like he’d been trying to invite Grant in. Fighting off a grinthat might have been misconstrued, Grant looked down Carter’s body again. “Ilike the shoes.”
That made Carterblink. “Um, thanks.”
He was talking; thatwas a start. Grant leaned back against the door, trying to appear casual. “Ithought you might have put on that sundress for me, but the little birdie saidyou have something even sexier.”
“The little birdiehas a big mouth.” Carter frowned, but he didn’t seem upset with Grant. Wyatt,on the other hand, was probably toast the next time Carter saw him.
Grant grinned. “Youcan’t kill him or Garrett would be upset.”
Carter snorted. “Howabout I leave him alive but just make him suffer?”
“I’ve got a betteridea; how about we let Garrett know that he told you I’d called and talked to Garrettabout you?”
Carter’s mouthfell open again. “He told you?”
Laughing, Grant’seyes sparkled. “No, but you just did.”
A bark of laughterescaped before Carter frowned. “I think that’s cheating.”
“He tattled first.I’m just getting even. It’s what you do with family.”
Carter shook hishead like the whole concept was foreign. “Your family always makes me feel likeI’ve tumbled down the rabbit hole.”
He shrugged. “Youget used to it.”
Cocking his hipand lifting one eyebrow, Carter let his skepticism show. “That does not make mefeel better.”
“I know what willmake you feel better,” Grant teased.
