“Does he come over to your place every time?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s nice of you to take care of him.” Grace reached out and took his hand.
He linked their fingers, studying the pink polish on her nails. “He’s my best friend.”
She didn’t say anything, and he glanced up at her. “I know what people say about us being best friends. It was the same way in New Cassel. I get how different we are, but Preacher is a good man.”
“I know he is,” Grace said. “And who cares what people think about your friendship?”
“When I ran for sheriff, he tried to end our friendship. Said nobody would elect me if I didn’t stop hanging around with him. I told him to fuck off with that bullshit.”
She laughed. “Good for you. He was being stupid.”
“Yeah, he was.”
“Kira said Preacher told her once that you saved his life.”
He didn’t reply and she said, “Did you?”
“Not in the way Kira thinks I did,” he said. “I talked him out of a bad decision.”
He hoped she wouldn’t ask him for more detail. It was Preacher’s story to tell, and his best friend was fiercely protective of his privacy.
“How did you meet Preacher?” she said.
He shouldn’t have worried. One of the things he loved about Gracie was the way she didn’t pry or ask questions she knew he didn’t feel right about answering.
“Chance meeting,” he said. “I picked the first reputable tattoo place off Google in New Cassel and Preacher was the tattoo artist with the only available opening.”
“Did you get the rose tattoo or the lion tattoo first?”
“The rose one. I was feeling a bit homesick for Harmony Falls and missing my dad in particular, so I got a rose like he did.”
She smiled. “What did your dad say when you showed him the tattoo?”
“He laughed and acted like it was no big deal, but I think he was secretly flattered.”
“Why did you get the lion tattoo?”
“Preacher talked me into that one,” he said.
“Why do you only have two?”
“Because they hurt like fucking hell?”
She laughed. “Wimp.”
“Hey, there’s a reason I’m the spanker and not the spankee,” he said.
She blushed, God he loved it when she blushed, and said, “So, what you’re saying is that I’m tougher than you?”
“Hell, yes.”
She laughed again. “Last question… will you tell me Preacher’s real name? I’ve always wondered.”
“Simon,” he said.
“Wow… that was easier than I thought.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m surprised you told me. Preacher almost bit off Harrison’s head when he asked.”
“I know you’ll keep it to yourself,” he said.
“Why is his nickname Preacher?” she said.
“That’s a question you’ll have to ask him,” Gideon said.
“Right. So, I’ll never know.” She grinned at him. “Maybe I should get a tattoo. I was thinking about getting one on my hip.”
Stupid jealousy immediately raced through him. He didn’t want anyone within touching distance of Gracie’s pussy but him.
“Why are you pouting like a little kid?” Grace said.
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
He scowled at her. “Just remember that no one gets to see your pussy but me, Princess.”
Her mouth dropped open. “What does that have to do with me getting a tattoo? I’m not going to flash Preacher my lady taco while he’s tattooing my hip, Gideon.”
“Lady taco?”
She stood and wiggled her ass at him, laughing when he squeezed it as she walked by. He caught her wrist and pulled her to a stop. “I’m serious, Princess. Remember that your pussy is for me and only me.”
She smiled cheekily at him. “Yes, sir. Now, do you think it’s safe for me to run upstairs and grab a pair of socks? I mean, I do have to walk by the guest bedroom, and I’d hate for you to beat up Preacher just because he’s within visual distance of my lady taco.”
He laughed and kissed the palm of her hand. “Go get your socks, smartass.”
* * *
“Sorry I crashed your party, birthday girl.”
Grace grinned at Lucas before holding up her beer. “I’m glad you came. The more the merrier, right?”
Lucas clinked his bottle against hers and took a drink. “So, you’re happy I’m here at the party, but why do I get the feeling you’re about to say no to my suggestion we have drinks tomorrow night, go to the carnival, and watch the fireworks together.”
Grace glanced around Kira’s backyard. Her birthday party was in full swing and even though she’d told Kira she didn’t want a fuss made or anything too big, she loved that Kira had thrown her a party. Sure, it was just a few friends and coworkers but after an entire childhood of neglected birthdays, she secretly loved any kind of fuss made over her birthday.
She studied Gideon who was standing with Preacher and Rayna near the patio door. He met her gaze immediately before it slid to Lucas for a few seconds and then back to her. She could read the look in his eyes as easily as if he had spoken the words to her.
My pussy only, Princess.
A little shiver went through her. She both loved and hated the tingle of anticipation. Gideon was possessive of her even though he had no right to be, and she couldn’t even try and deny that she liked it.
“Grace?”
She smiled at Lucas. “Sorry, I was…”
“Gathering wool,” he said.
She laughed. “Yeah. Thank you, but I have to pass.”
He reached out and petted Tank who was sitting beside Grace with his head against her hip before glancing at Gideon. “So, you and the sheriff, huh?”
She paused with her beer bottle halfway to her lips. “Why do you say that?”
“I’m not blind,” Lucas said. “I see the way he looks at you and more importantly, the way he looks at me whenever I get within two feet of you.”
“He’s just, uh, protective. He’s known me since I was a kid,” Grace said.
“Uh-huh.” Lucas didn’t sound the least bit convinced. “So, you’re saying he’s not going to come up with some bullshit reason to arrest me and toss me in the clink for the long weekend.”
“The clink? Who calls it that anymore?”
“Are you saying I’m old?”
“Eh…”
He laughed. “Fine, I’ll give you that one.”
“And Gideon isn’t going to arrest you for anything,” Grace said. “He and I are just friends.”
“It’s your birthday so I won’t call you on that bullshit.” Lucas leaned forward and grazed her cheek with a kiss. “Happy Birthday, Grace Larken. If things don’t work out with the sheriff, give me a call.”
He walked away to join Connor and Kira. Grace sipped at her beer. She wanted to tell herself that she absolutely would call Lucas once this thing with Gideon ended, but she knew she wouldn’t. Nope, she would spend the rest of her life pining after a man she could never have and with nothing in her bed but a goddamn vibrator.