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MostEligibleBachelor

ByNKuhn

Prologue

“Robin,darling,Ithinkyoushouldstayoutofit.”Justinlookedupathiswifelovingly.Hewasgetting
readytoheadintoCityHallforthedayandgettowork.Theexcitementofbeingmayoroversuchan
amazingcity,stillhadn’tfullysunkinyet.Robinpacedbackandforthintheirkitchen,herhandrubbing
hersmall,expandingbelly.Hischildwasgrowinginthere.Hecouldn’thelptheelationathisfuture.
Fromthestressfulworkofrunningacasinoandhiscampaignformayor,heneverthoughttoofarintothe
future.Untilithithimsquareintheeyes.“YouwerenonetoohappywhenyoufoundoutthatCharleneand
yourmotherinterferedwithus.”
“Justin,”Robinpinnedhimwithaglare.“ThewayIremember,youwerenotsohappyeither,whenwe
endedupmarriedandknockedup.”
“Yourmotherandbestfriendmeddled.Sure,itturnedoutgreatforus,butwhatifitdoesn’tforthem?
Whatifthingsgowrongandyou’reforcedtotakeaside?Yourbrotheroryourbestfriend?”

Sighing,Robinploppeddowninastoolnexttoherhusband.Hewrappedanarmaroundhershoulders,
kissinghertemple.
“Darling,ifit’smeanttohappen,it’smeanttohappen.Letitbe.”Ignoringherhusband,Robinstaredoff
intospace.Heknewshewasplanningsomething,shehadthatfaroffthoughtfullookheloved.Her
foreheadandnosewrinkled.Shakinghishead,Justincalledoutagoodbyeandleftforwork.Hehoped
hiswifewouldn’tgetherselfintotoomuchtrouble.TheColterswereagreatfamily,andthoughhehad
beenangrywithher,heenjoyedhavingCharlenearound.Itwouldbejustawfuliftheyhadtochoose
sides.
“Behavelittlebird,”heshoutedoutashelefttheirhometostarthisday,knowingitwaspointless.She
wasnotgoingtolisten.Likemother,likedaughter.

Chapter1

GraysonColtershookhisheadastwowomenstoppedforadoubletakeashepastthem.Eversince
DerekTitanmarried,hehadclimbedtothetopspotasSeattle’snumberonemosteligiblebachelor.The
femalepopulationhadn’tlefthimalonesince.Everyoldladywantedtointroducetheirdaughteror
granddaughter.Allofhisex-conquestswerecallingortrackinghimbackdown.Hedidn’thavetimefor
this.Orforfancycharityevents.Theonlyreasonhewasdoingthis,wasforhissister,Robin.Shehad
recentlymarriedthenewmayorofLasVegas,JustinMaddigan.HehadofferedGraysonthejobhewas
vacatingafterhiselection,temporarily.HeknewofGrayson’sgoalsandonlyneededsomeone
temporarilyuntilhecouldfindapermanentreplacementtorunMaddiganTower.Thecasino,thehotel,all
ofit.GraysonwouldbethemaninchargeofthelargestcasinoinVegas,whilehisnewbrother-in-lawran
thecity.GraysonhadbeenanADA(AssistantDistrictAttorney)inSeattleandhadworkedmanyhigh
profilecasesthatlandedhimonthecoverthenewspapersandmagazines.HehadbeentermedtheGolden
BoyofLaw.Itdidn’thelpthathecamefromafamilyofoldmoneyorthathisbestfriendsweresomeof
themostrich,powerfulandfamous.Hissocialcalendarhadalreadybeenfull,butnow,eveninLas
Vegas,hewasdealingwiththatdamnablelist!Whattheydidn’tknowabouthim,wasthathelivedoffthe
moneyheworkedfor,savinghisinheritanceandtrustfund.Hewasn’tabillionaireplayboyliketherest
ofthemenonthatlist.Sure,hisworthwasinthehighninefigures,butthat’snotthelifestylehelived,nor
themoneyhesurvivedon.

Onceawomanrealizedhedidn’tliketolivelavishly,sherantheotherway,quickly.That’swhatmadeit
sohumorousthatthereweresomanynowcallingtotrytosnaganotherdatewithhimbecauseofthelist.
Graysonfrowned,rollinghiseyes.Hewastiredoftheshallownesshisclassinsocietybroughtoutin
people.

Hehadgoals,andblowingthroughhismoneywouldn’thelphimachievethem.Hewasaloverofwine.
Startinghisownvineyard,openingawinery.Thatwashisdream.Ifheworkedhardenough,hecould
sustainlivingonhispaychecksandusehistrustfundtofinancethebuying,plantingandcultivationofhis
ownwinery,untilitbecameself-sufficient.OneofthereasonsGraysonagreedtohelpingrunMaddigan
Towerfornow,wastheraiseinpay,livingexpensescovered,wellthatandhegottobeclosertohis
sistertobethereforthebirthofhisnieceornephew,andthenfreedom.

Forhiswinery,hewouldneedalot,notonlytobuytheland,thevines,theequipment,buttohiresome
peopletohelphimrunit,andtofinancethestartupcosts.Unfortunately,itwouldbeagoodfiveyearsor
sobeforeheevenhadadecentbatchforsale.Buthisplansdidn’tendthere.Hewantedtooffertastings,
dinners,weddings,more.Notonlyservingashishome,thisvineyardneededtobemore.

“Aw,buckupbuddy,it’snotthatbad!”DerekTitaninchedupnexttoGraysonatthebar.Hisfriend’s
voicepulledGrayfromtheanxietygrowingdeepinhisthoughts.“AtleastinVegas,mostofthe
debutantesonlycomeheretoplay,notstay.Theymaybother,droolover,andfollowyouforafewdays,
butthenthey’llmoveonwhentheyrealizetheycan’tlandyoupermanently.Youshouldenjoyitwhileyou
can.”
“Yeah,right.Whydidyouhavetogoandgetmarried?”HewatchedhowDerek’seyesneverlefthisnew

bride.Sheweavedinandoutofgroupsofmendiscussingbusiness,debutanteswhowereallproper
ladies,andfamiliesfromoldmoneyasifshebelongedeverywhere.IfGraysonwasn’tsomiserable,he’d
bejealous.CharleneDixon.Theonlywomanwhoevercaughthiseyewasabigpartofthereasonhe
wasinthedamncitytobeginwith.Shewasthebouncingblondewhohadledhisbabysister,Robin,to
thiscityofsinandlust.Graysonalsoblamedherforlettinghisnaivelittlesiselopewithbillionaire
playboyJustin,inthefirstplace.JustinhadbeenbehindinrankingsfortheMayoralraceuntilthey
announcedtheirmarriage.Graysoncouldn’thelpbutthinkthatJustinwasusingRobin.Thatwasanother
reasonhe’dacceptedthisstupidjobanyways.Whenthingsfellapart,heneededtobehereforhissister.
Ifonlyshedidn’tlooksohappy,soinlove.Anditwasallthankstothatannoyinglysexybombshellwith
glitteringgreeneyesandapersonalitythatcouldbrightenafuneral.

“Stopgrumblingandgodance.There’sabustyblondethatkeepspoutingatyou,”DereknudgedGrayson
withhiselbow.TurningtofollowDerek’sgaze,henoticedtheitemofhismiseryglaring,fromacrossthe
room.ShewaschattingwithRobin,butwhenthewomennoticedDerekandGraysonlookingtheirway,
theybothscruncheduptheirnosesandmovedaway.
“Yeah,right.IthinkI’mpersonanon-gratiswithmylittlesisatthemoment.”Graysonshiftedbackto
facethebartender,pointingtohisemptycup.“Makeonecommentofopiniononhermarriage,andyou
wouldthinkItriedtogetthemantocheatonherorsomething.Ijustdon’tthinkitfeelsright.”

Derek’smouthdroppedopen.“Yousaidthat,toyournewlymarriedsister?AndpeoplethoughtIwasa
beast.”Dereklaughed,slappingGraysonontheback.“You’reindeepman,goasktheladytodance.”
Graysongrumbledaboutthebartender’slackofspeed.Yeah.Hisambitionswouldwaituntilhewassure
hissisterwasreallytrulyhappyandnotjustbeingmadeafoolof.

TheglassofagedSyrahwassetinfrontofhim.Graysonfidgetedwiththediamondcufflinkonthesleeve
ofhisdesignersuit.
“SometimesI’mjustsosickofit.Derek,don’tyougettiredoftheflashysuits,fancycars,theneedto
alwayslookbetter,bebigger?Ijustwanttobenormal.ThenIwouldn’thavetoworryaboutthesevapid
womenwantingmeformybankaccountorbecauseofmyspotonthatlist.Whythehellarewomenin
VegasevenworryingaboutalistfromSeattleanyways?Doesn’tLasVegashaveitsownlist?”
“Likeyouwanttogoworkthelandandbeafarmerorsomething?Youshouldn’tcomplain,wehaveita
lotbetterthanmanypeopleinthiscountry,hell,eventheworld.Don’tletthemhearyousaythat,”Derek
noddedtowardsJustinandagroupofdustylookingoldmen.“Maybeyoujustneedtogetlaidmyfriend,
whichiswhatIplantodowithmybeautifulwife,rightnow,”DerekclappedGraysonontheshoulderas
hestoodtowalkaway.Hepeeredbackoverhisshoulder,“Don’tletthatlistgetyoudown.Iletitbother
me,butthingsturnedout,andIcouldn’tbehappier.You’llgetthere.Now,pickyourballsupoffthefloor
andgodancewiththatwomanyoucan’tstoplookingat.”Hestalkedaway,wrappinghisarmsaroundhis
beautifulnewwifeassheapproachedhim.

Thecharityfunctionhaddonewell,raisedmillionsofdollarsforthenewchildren’shospitaltheywere
buildingoutsidethestrip—oneofJustin’sfirstinitiativesasmayor.Whatbetterwaytoraisemoney,than
afakecasinocharityball,insideofarealcasino,right?Asiftherichneededmoreofareasontodressup
andwastemoney,insteadofjustdonatingwithouttheneedofapartythatmostlikelycostasmuchasthey

raised.Graysonwasstilldisgustedwithhimself,thewomenwhochasedhim,andallofuppersocietyat
themoment.Turningtotheleft,hewatchedasagroupofyoungwomentittered,chattingbehindgloved
hands,alllookinghiswayandblushing.Olderwomenstoodtotheirside,alsostaringathim,themoney
signsintheireyescrystalclear.Heclosedhiseyes,breathingdeeply.Theurgetorunfromtheroomwas
strong,butheheldhisground.HewouldnotbescaredoffbytheseawfulwomenorCharlene.

“Brother,dear,”Robinsaid,inherneedytone.Ofcourse,shewantedsomething.Littlesisteralwaysused
thattonewhenshewantedsomethingorwasgoingtoteasehim.“You’restaring,it’skindofsad.”

Hecouldn’tcontainthepuffofairthatescapedhislips,ortherollofhiseyes.
“Yesbirdie?”Graysonsmiledathissister.Shewasoneofthegoodones,notaspoiledlittlerichgirl
livingofftheirparents,sheworkedforalivingthoughshedidn’tneedto.Anotherreasonhehatedfeeling
likeshewasbeingused.Hedrapedhisarmaroundhershoulders,pullinghertightagainsthim.They’d
alwaysbeenveryclose,sharedanupbringingthattaughtthemabouthardworkinsteadofbeingspoiled
witheverythingtheywanted.Thoughtheyhadmoney,theirparentshadtaughtthemthevalueofit.

Charlene,ontheotherhand,wasonespoiledrottenbrat.Shemasqueradedatjobsthatdidn’trequirehard
work,thatheldnomeaning,earningherbarelyanything,justtoappeaseherparents.Paradingpast
Grayson,shewinkedatRobinandmean-muggedhim.Shelatchedontothefirstmanshecameacrossin
hislineofvision,draggingthepoor,unsuspectingfooltothedancefloor.

Herankle-lengthredgownleftnothingtotheimagination,moldingtoherlithebodyateverycurveofthe
satinymaterial.Thebackwaswideopen,exposinginchaftermilkyinchofhersweetsoftskin.Her
strappyshoessparkledinthelight,castinganeffervescenteffectaroundhertoes,highlightingherlegs.
Shepulledtheskirtofherdressuptopreventtripping,apieceofmatchingred-satinribbonwrapped
aroundherwristtoholdthematerialofftheground.

“Yoohoo,Grayson,”Robinchuckledlightly.Shejustknewit!Quicklypumpingherfistintheair,she
winkedatJustin,hernewhusband,whostoodofftoherleft.Sheknewtherewasasparkbetweenher
brotherandCharlene,herbestfriend.Herbrotherquicklyglancedbetweenthetwoofthem,aslightblush
creepinguphisbabyface.Shecouldn’thelpbutsmile.Hehadalwaysbeenhandsome,buttheolderhe
grew,thebetterhelooked.Atthirty-five,hecouldpassfortwenty-five.Taketheexpensivesuitaway,and
themancouldfitinwiththeaverage,everyday,workingcrowd.Sheknewhowmuchhelongedforthat—
forthesolitudeofbeingaverageandnotamanwomenchasedforhisbankaccount.
“I’mhere,Rob.I’mjusttired.Sickofallthis.Thedebsthrowingthemselvesatme,thecougarstryingto
landanewyoungtoy.Thedamnmonkeysuits.”Hetuggedathiscollar,looseningthebowtieand
unbuttoninghisdressshirtanotch.

“IknowGray,butit’sthelifewelive,youjustneedtomakethebestofit.Wecandogreatthings,we
havethepowerandmoneytochangelivesforthebetter.Thinkofitthatway.”Shewasright.Heshould
appreciatethefreedomtobephilanthropicwithoutworryingabouthisfinances.
“I’mjusttired,that’sall.”HesqueezedRobinclose,droppingakissonthetopofherhead.“I’mgonna
turnin,littlesis.TomorrowismyfirstdayaloneattheCasinoonmyownsinceyourhusbandistaking
office.”HereleasedherasJustinwalkedup.

“Goodlucktomorrow,Gray,”hesaid,reachingouttoshakehands.“Remember,myfatherisintownto
helpoutuntilyou’recomfortable.”

Graysonnodded,placinghisemptyglassonthebarbehindhim.HehadmettheolderMaddiganafew
timesasJustintrainedhiminthenewposition.Hewasasweetolderman,happythathissonhadfinally
marriedandwouldfinallybebringinghimgrandchildren.Thefamilyseemedniceenough,andGrayson
waswillingtogivethemandJustinachance.Andifallelsefailed,hecouldalwaysreturntoSeattle,
takinghissisterwithhim.
“Thankyou.I’llseeyoubothfordinnertomorrow.”Hewoundhiswaythroughthedispersingcrowd,
capturingCharlene’sgazebeforeexitingthroughthedoors.Ahintofdisappointmentspreadacrossher
faceasheleft.

***

Charlenepaused,herdancepartnerlookingconfusedassheshookherhead,stalkingaway.Thepoorguy
remainedbehind,armsopenasifaskingwhy.CharbeelinedstraightforherbestfriendRobin,eyesglued
toGrayson’sretreatingform.
“Where’syourbrothergoingalready?”sheaskedpetulantly.“Hecouldn’tfindanymorewillingwomen
tomanhandle?”
“HehasajobtodoChar,he’stired.Lethimgo.He’snotthepartytypeanymore,”sheexplainedtoher
friend,tryingtobitebackthewickedgrinthreateningtobreakacrossherface.
“Well,you’rebothboringnow.You’rebusybeingmarriedandpregnant,”shelookeddownatRobin’s
babybumpthatwasbeginningtoshow.“He’sworking.What’sagirlgottadotohavesomefuninSin
City?”Justinguffawedatthem.Thetwowomenactedmorelikesistersthanfriends,andthoughhehad
beenangrywithCharleneattheirpredicamentandherhandinit,he’dwarmedtoherastimewenton.She
trulycaredaboutRobin.
“Don’tworry,I’msureyoucanthinkofsomething.Thatevillittlemindofyoursisalwaysgoing.”The
girlslaughedtogether,allthewhile,Robinplotting.

Chapter2

“Iunderstand,sir.Thankyou,”Graysonsaid,shakinghandswiththeelderMaddigan.Hehadspentthe
morninghelpingGraysonunderstandthefinancials,andahundredotherfinalthingshewouldneedto
knowtobesuccessfulinthisposition.Graysononlyhadtolastatthisjobforafewmonths,andthenhe
couldstartthepainstakingjoboffindingsomelandforhisvineyardandfinallygettingdowntohis
passion.Thiswasgoingtobethelastchapterofhisoldlife.Thenewonewouldbeginwhenhewason
hisownproperty,creatingsomethingreal.Mr.Maddiganslappedhisshoulderashestrodetowardsthe
doors.
“You’lldojustfine,son.I’mofftolookatthenewsonogrampicturesofmygrandbaby.Ihatethatthey
won’ttellmewhatitis.”ThesmileonhisfacewassogenuineGraysoncouldn’thelpbutgrin,too.

Heslidbehindthelargeoakdesk,staringatthecomputer,slightlyoverwhelmed.Hecoulddothisthough.
Diggingintowork,hedidashenormallywouldwithlawcases,losinghimselfinthetasksathand.Time
flewby,andthedaygotawayfromhim.

Thesecretarypeekedherheadinthedoor,andGraysonlookedupfromhispaperwork.
“Mr.Colter,I’mheadinghome.Doyouneedanythingelse?”
“No,”Graysonrubbedhishandsoverhisface,asifhecouldwipethefatiguefromhisbody.“Thanks,I
didn’trealizeitwassolate.Ihavetogettodinneratmysister’s.”
“Okaythen.I’llseeyouinthemorning.”Pausingasshewenttoleave,shelookedoverhershoulder,“You
didwelltoday,Sir.”

Hislipscurledup,enjoyingthecomplimentfromthewomanwhoobviouslyranthisplacemorethan
Justineverdid.Graysoncertainlywouldnothavemadeitthroughthedaywithoutherconstantadvice,
tipsandnudgesasneededduringtheday.

Hisstomachrumbled,astarkreminderthat,asnormal,heforgottoeat.Afterhepackedupsomepapers
hestillneededtoreadoverandsign,hewasreadytoheadtohissisters.Dinnersincehehadgottenin
townconsistedofthethreeofthem.Hissister,Justinandhim,andonewonderfulhousekeeperthat
GraysonwishedhecouldtakewithhimwhenheleftVegas.Herhomecookingcouldn’tbebeat.
Anticipationfortonight’sofferingsdrovehimfromtheoffice,smirkingallthewaydowntotheground
floor.Staringathimselfintheelevatormirror,henoticedhowmuchlessstressedhelooked.Beingin
Vegas,andnotinacourtroom,hehonestlyfelttenyearsyounger.Theendwasnear.Hewasalmostfreeof
obligations,almostatapointwherehecouldlivehisdreams.

Growingup,hisparentshadtaughttheirchildrenthevalueofearningthings.No.Hisparentsweren’t
goingtojusthandRobinandGraysonanything.ThatwaspartofwhyRobinandhehadworkedfora
livingandhadyettotouchtheirtrustfunds.

Histhoughtsmeanderedtograpes,wines,vineyards,andfruitandcheeseofferingshecouldhaveinhis
owntastingroom.Allthewaytohissister’shome,heranthroughbusinessplans.Nextthingheknew,the
chauffeuredcarpulledupinfrontofthehome.Hethankedthedriver,climbedoutandlethimselfinthe
frontdoor.Thesoundsofgigglingassaultedhisearsthemomenthecrossedthethreshold.Closinghis

eyes,Graysonclenchedhisjaw.Shewashere.RobindidnotwarnhimthatCharwouldbehere.Quitethe
contrary,she’dactedasifnothingelsewashappening.Robinopenedherarmsandflungherselfathim.
“Hi,Gray.”
“Rob,”hegrowled,lookingdownathislittlesister.Shegrinned,adevilish,evilgrin.

Hecouldn’tstaymadather.Nomatterwhat.Hewouldhavetodealwithit.
“Ohlook,theworkaholicdecidedtojoinus.Youknow,Gray,Justinrunsthewholecity,andhewashere
ontime,”Charsaidwithsnark.“Orwereyoutoobusywithsomecocktailwaitressorsecretary
somewhere?It’sawonderhowyouevenmakeitfromtheofficetotheelevator.”Sheleanedagainstthe
kitchendoorframe,wearingasilken,short-sleeveblouseinasoftredthatmadehergreeneyespop
brightly.Tightjeansencasedherround,curvybody.Bouncingblondecurlsfelltohershoulder,andeyes
moreexquisitethananyemerald,sparkledathimwithagleamofmischief.Hiscocktwitched,takinghim
bysurprise.Itwasunusualforhimtohaveaphysicalreactiontothewomanotherthanannoyance,
heartburn,andclenchedteeth.Shehadalwaysharassedhimabouthisnon-existentrelationshipsbut
streamofconstantwomen.Hewasyoung,andhadn’tfoundanyonehewantedtosettledownwithyet.
Whatbusinesswasitofhersanyways?

“Wecan’tallliveoffofourmommyanddaddy’s.Someofusneedtowork.You’rejustjealousyou’renot
oneofthem.”WhenRobinslappedhischest,heimmediatelyregrettedhiswords,wantedtotakethem
back.Butitwastoolate.HurtflashedacrossChar’sface,butquicklyfaded.Shrugginghershoulders,she
turnedherbacktohim,movingtothekitchen.

Shamehithiminthegut,twistinglikeaknife.Hewantedtothrowup,drinksomething,smashsomething.
Hewantedtochaseafterher,wraphisarmsaroundherwaistandholdhertight.Buthecouldn’t.Shewas
hissistersbestfriend.Thatwasano-flyzoneifeveroneexisted.Bilecreptuphisthroat,burninglike
acid,andhecouldn’tswallow.
“You’reanasshole,Grayson.Ican’tbelieveyouwouldsaythattoher.”Thelookofdisgustonhissister’s
facewaslikeapunchtothegut.Justincameintotheentryway,shakinghishead.
“Thatwasprettyharsh,dude.”
“Comeon,Iwastryingtobefunny.Andhowcouldyou”—hepointedatRobin,loweringhisvoiceand
narrowingahardenedgazeathissister—“nottellmeshewasgoingtobehere?Youknowsheannoysthe
crapoutofme!”Thewordscameoutharsherthanheintended,histonefilledwithanger.ButRobinjust
smiledatherolderbrother,seemingtoenjoythewayhisblueeyeslitup.Itwasn’tlust,damnher.Itwas
anger.Sadlythough,notevenhebelievedthat.Theonlyangerhefelt,wasathimselfforsayingsomething
tohurtCharlene.She’ddealtwiththingslikethatfromherfather,shedidn’tneeditfromhim.

Robinwalkedawayquietlytocheckonherfriend.JustinnudgedGrayson’sshoulder,pullinghisgaze
fromhissister’sretreatingfigure.Heartracing,hetookadeepbreath,tryingtocalmthenervessparking
insideofhim,likeelectricityracingthroughhisveins.

HefollowedJustinintotheden,eachstepheavierthanthelast.Instinctively,Grayreachedforthebottle
ofbourbonandpouredhimselfadrink.Hethrewitback,relishingtheburnasitsliddownhisthroat,
warminghisstomach.Herefilledtheglass,thatonedisappearinginasecondquickgulp.
“So,I’mgonnaletyouwallowalonethen,ifyou’regoingtokeeptossingbackmyexpensivebourbonlike
that.And,youowemeanotherbottle.”HumorglitteredinJustin’seyes,astheexpressiononhisbrother-

in-law’sfacehardened.Justinknewthefeeling.He’dlovedonewomanandcouldn’tadmitit,either.And
ithadalmostdrivenhimcrazy.Yeah.Hehadbeenthere,beenthroughit.Outofeveryone,heunderstood
best.Robinhadbeenright.Herbrotherwasinlovewithherbestfriendandfightingithard.Hidinghis
smirkbehindalongpullofhisowndrink,heturnedaway,headingtothekitchentocheckonthewomen.

Graysonpouredanotherdrink.
“Hey,”Justincalledoutoverhisshoulder,“ifyoukeepdrinkinglikethat,whybotherwiththecup?Just
drinkstraightfromthebottle,butyoubetterremembertobringmeanotheronetomorrownight.”

Graysonmumbledunderhisbreath,closinghiseyes.

Chapter3

Shewouldnotcry,wouldn’tallowhimthesatisfaction.Thoughtearsburnedhereyes.Shelookedup,
blinkingfastasRobincomeupbehindher.Charleneplacedherhandsonthecounterinfrontofher,
leaningin,hergazeshifteddown.
“Whyisyourbrothersuchadick?”HerattemptatalaughcameoutasobandRobinwrappedanarm
aroundher,leaningaheadonhershoulder.RobinwasfiveinchesshorterthanChar.Shehadalwaysbeen
thetalloneinschool,theleggyblondethatsufferedthestigmaofbeingthe“eyecandy”.Whentheywere
younger,shethoughtGraysonwasdifferent,thathewouldtreatherlikealady.Butinstead,sheandRobin
hadlaughedoverthewomenthatparadedthroughGrayson’slife.Throughallthesnarkandjokes,yes,
Charhadwishedshecouldbeone,butshewantedtobetheonethatstuck,notsomeonehewouldthrow
awayafter.Normallyhiscommentwouldn’thurtsomuch,butafterthephonecallshe’dhadwithher
fatherthisafternoon,ithitalittletooclosetothemark.Sure,sheknewGraywasteasingandnottryingto
intentionallybemeantoher.
“He’sabeast.Thatdamnlistismakinglifecrazyforhim.Hehadtochangehisphonenumber,andhe
can’tgoanywhereinpublicwithoutbeingassaultedbymothers,orsinglewomen,hell,evenmarried
women.Butthat’snoexcuseforhowhejusttreatedyou.”

“Mydadcutmeofftoday.SaidIhavetomoveoutofmyapartment,andhe’snotpayingmybillsanymore.
Itriedtoexplainthatitwasn’tmyfaultIgotfiredfromthatartgallery.PhillippeandIbrokeupwhenI
caughthimsleepingwithacustomerinthebackroom.”

Charcouldn’tlookatherbestfriend.Shewassuchamess—couldn’tholddownajob,orkeepaman.It
wasn’tlikesheneededthemoney.ShehadatrustfundthatrivaledGraysonandRobin’sputtogether.Her
fatherjustwouldn’tgiveittoheruntilshewasmarriedandsettleddown.Ofcourse,thathadnever
botheredherbefore,notaslongashepaidforherapartment,hercar,herbills.Thenitwasnobigdeal.
Okay,maybehewastryingtoteachherresponsibilitywiththejobthing,buttocutheroffcompletelyand
kickherout?Itwasabitmuch.

Hermotherhadtriedtotalkhimoutofit,butCarsonDixsondidn’ttakeadvicefromwomen.Theywere
theretolookpretty—tobeseenandnotbeheard.HewastheCEOofthebestbrokeragesonthewest
coast.Herfatherwasrespectedandgotwhathewanted.Asoftoday,sheonlyhadthesuitcaseofclothes
shehadbroughtwithherandthecarthatwasherslegallyonlybecauseherfatherhadmistakenlytitledit
inhername.
“I’msosorry,honey.Youcanstayhereaslongasyouwant,”Robinplacatedher.

Theybothknewshecouldn’tstay.RobinandJustinwerenewlywedswithababyontheway.No.Shehad
togobacktoSeattleandtalksomesenseintoherfather.Herbankaccounthadenoughinittogethera
newapartment,anduntilDaddysawthelight,shewouldjusthavetofigureoutsomethingtodoforwork.

“Iknow,andthankyousomuch.ButIcan’tdothat.Icalledmybrother,Scott.He’sgoingtoteachme
aboutrealty.HisfirmhasalocationinPugetSound,awayfrommyparents,andhe’llhelpmegetan
apartment.ThoughhelivedinSeattle,hewaslookingforsomethingbetweenEverettandEdmonds.

EdmondswasjustelevenmilesnorthoftheSeattlecitylimits.Hethinkswithmypersonality,I’llbegood
atit.”Wipingathercheeks,Charfinallyturnedtoherfriend,aweaksmileonherlips.Theyembraced
eachother.
“Still,Graysonhadnorighttosayanyofthat.”

TheangerboiledinChar’sgut,bubblingupintoherthroat.Robinwasright.Sure,shewasgoingthrough
hellrightnow,butGraysonhadn’tknownthat.Hewasjustbeinghisnormalrudeandnastyself.Forno
realreasonexceptitwashowhelivedeverydayofhislife.Extendingherarms,sheheldRobinaway,
herfriendlookingatherinconfusion.Itfinallythreatenedtopourover,soshesidesteppedRobin,moving
pasther.Herlonglegsstomping,heelsclickingonthemarblefloorsofherfriend’shome.
“Char,whatareyoudoing?”Robinchasedafterher.

Charstopped,abruptlyturningtostareather.“Robin,letmedothis.I’llmeetyoutwointhediningroom
soon,”shemadeapointoflookingatJustin,whoshehadpassedwhileexitingthediningroom.“Grayand
Ineedtohaveatalk.Alone.”

“Iwouldn’tboth-“Wavingahand,CharcutJustinoff.Therewasnothinghecouldsaythatwouldchange
hermindorstopherfromsayingwhatshehadtosay.Shehaddealtwiththebarbs,thejokes,andsnarky
commentsfromalotofpeopleinherlife.Theyallthoughtshewasapamperedprincess,noteverreally
knowingtherealher,orthewomanstrugglingtofigureoutwhoshewas.Shewouldbedamnedif
Graysonwouldgetawaywithbeingoneofthem.

Herangeredstepsmovedherintothedenandhergazeimmediatelywenttohim,slumpedoverthebarin
thecorner,anemptyrocksglassinhishand.Hemovedsluggishly,thosebrazenblueeyesboringthrough
her,half-liddedgaze,andgorgeousmouthupturnedashesnickered.
“Ohlook,theprincesshasherpantiesinabunch,”heturned,pouringhimselfanotherdrink.

Char’sheartraced,justbeingsoclosetohim.Growingup,shehadthetypicalschoolgirlcrushonher
bestfriend’sbrother,daydreams,more.Andthentheywereadults.Hercheeksflushedwithrage.Her
heelsechoedloudlythroughtheroom,andGraylookedupagainashesuckeddownyetanotherdrink.She
reachedoutbeforeshecouldstopherselfandslappedthecupoutofhishand.Amberliquidsplashed
throughtheairastheglasstumbledtotheground.
“Whatthehell?”hegrowled,standingup.Hismassive,wide,tall,andgorgeousbodyfilledCharlene’s
lineofsight.Hetoweredoverherbyagoodhalfafoot,eveninherheels.Turningherfaceup,shestared
himdown,notbudginganinch.Shepokedherfingerout,hittinghiminthechest…hard,tonedmuscles
underneaththesoftmaterial.Eveninasuit,jacketandtie,hecutanimpressivelyhandsomefigure.But
sheheldontoheranger.

“Youshutupandlistentome,mister.”Emphasizingeachwordwithajabofherfinger,shestoodwith
himfacetoface,asifreadyforbattle.Angerfilledhiseyes,flashingbright,andshecouldn’ttearhergaze
away,yetevenwiththewayitaffectedherbody,confusingher,sheheldontoherrage.“Youdidn’thave
anyrighttotalktomethatway.Ihavetriedandtried,andyes,I’mhavingtroublefindingwhereIbelong.
Imaynotliveuptoyourstandardsofperfect,orsmart,butI’mme.I’mhappyinmylifeandmysearchfor
howIwanttoliveit.Andyou,yournastywords,your..”shestumbledforwords,“Youcouldn’tpossibly
makemefeelanyworsethanmyfatheralreadyhastoday.IknowI’mafailure,butdamnit,Iwon’tlet
you-“

Grayson’sarmswrappedaroundherwaist,pullingherbodyflushagainsthis.Hismouthcoveredhers,
andhekissedherwithapassionthatfilledherfromheadtotoewithwarmth.Hernerveendingssizzled
withelectricityandafervorshehadneverfeltfromjustakissbefore.Grayson’stonguenudgeditsway
intohermouth,caressing,consoling,temptingher.Shecouldtastethebitteralcohol,whichbroughther
brainoutofthefoggyhazecreatedbytheirconnection.

Pullingback,shestaredintohisface.Charbroughtherhandup,slappinghimacrosstheface.
“Howdareyou?”Assheturnedtostalkaway,fullofirritation,hesnaggedherarm.Hisstronghands
wrappedaroundher,tugginguntilshefellbackintohisgrasp.PressedagainstGrayagain,herbody
betrayedtheangershefelt.Herstomachtightened,lustcrashingoverherinwaves,breathhitched,puffing
outinshortsighingsounds.

“Letgo-“

Graysoncutheroff.“Shutup,”hegrowled,pressinghislipstohersagain.Ahandslidupthesideof
Char’sface,longfingerstwirledinherhair,caressinghercheek.

Moaningintohismouth,shelostallthoughtandhergriponthethinthreadofherfurythatwasleft,finally
snapped,breakingawayasshekissedhimback.Meldingthemtogetherwithhiskiss,heletherarmloose,
andsheslippedherarmsaroundhisneck,pressingherwaistagainsthispelvis.Shecouldfeelthe
hardenedmuscleunderhisdresspants.Itwassolarge,shefeltherpantiesmoisten.Herfingertips
caressedthebottomofhishairline.

Thegrowlfromdeepinhisthroatturnedheronmore.Shehadalwaysthoughtofthis,butneverdreamed
itwouldbelikethis,stormy,dangerous,hot.Closinghereyestoenjoythesensations,colorsdanced
beforehereyes.Hishandsmoveddownherarms,strokingherbareskin.Itgoosebumped,leavingatrail
alongtheway.Inafrenzy,hetuggedatthehemofherblouse.Hisheatedskintouchedhers,causinga
shiver.Themovementblewhermind,skimmingupherbelly,causingtremorsthroughout.Hislargehand
encasedherbreast,squeezingit.Hepulledtherightsideofherbradown,exposinghernippletothesilk
materialandhisfingers.Asithardened,hepluckedandpinched.
“Oh,”thesmallmoanescapedChar’smouth,herbreathwarmagainsthislips.Theypanted,eachfighting
forair.

“Whatareyoudoing?Wecan’tdothis.”Charwhisperedherwords,butGraysonignoredthem.Herhead
tippedback,hereyessqueezingclosedagainasherbreathhitched.Thehandthatwasn’tpinchingher
nipple,wasstrokingacrossherstomach.Everyinchofherburnedwithaflamesohot,shethoughtshe
couldburst.

Hecrushedhismouthtohersonceagain,movinghishandsaroundherbody,heldtightagainstherback.
Shiftinghiships,hepressedharderintoher.Hepressedharderandharder,backingherup,untilshefelt
thelarge,mountedbookcaseagainstherass.Theshelvesshookastheyfellhardagainstit.Items
wobbled,butnothingkeptthemfromenjoyingthechemistrybetweenthem.Theykissedwithsuchafever
thatsharingtheirbreathseemedtheonlycure.Nosessmashedintoeachother,handsmovedeverywhere,
grabbingatanythingtheycould.

Charpulledatthesuitjackethehadon,ashetriedtoremovehistie.Leaningback,hispelvisgroundinto
herwhiletheypeeledtheclothingfromhisbody.Hereyesroamedthebarechestbeforeher.Hishardened

musclesshowedoffthetwohoursamorningsheknewhespentatthegym.Gingerly,shecaressedthe
lines,touchedthehardplains,rubbedherhandalongtheridges.Itwaseverythingshehaddreamedof.

Graysonpulledhershirtup,liftedherarmsaboveherhead,slidthematerialup.Sheshookoutherhair
afterhedroppedtheshirtattheirfeet.Heleaneddown,kissingbelowherear,movingdownherneck,his
tonguelickingalongherchest.Henippedatherexposedbreast,thewetnesscoolingatrailalongtheway.
Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck,holdinghisheadagainstherbreasts.Sheliftedherleg,wrapping
itaroundhiswaist.Charfelthishandswrapunderherass,liftingherbodysoshecouldwrapbothlegs
aroundhim.Shewrithedagainsthim.
“Ohshit,I’m,”Robinshoutedout.“I’msorry,”shesaid,closingthedoorandleavingtheroom,breaking
thelustfogthathadthemspellbound.

GraysonletgoofChar.Herfeetlandedbeneathher,butwobbly.Shefearedmovingawayfromthe
bookshelf,thatshewouldcollapse.
“Shit,shit,shit,”Graysonshoutedout,runningahandthroughhishair.Hebackedawayfurther.

Charcouldn’tsayanything.Shecouldn’tmove,instead,stoodparalyzedasthemanshehadcrushedon,
feltlovefor,wantedtoknowwhatitwasliketobewith,herwholelife,turnedandranfromtheroom.
Shestoodstillasthesoundofhisstepsfaded.Shestoodstillasthefrontdoorslammed.Shestoodstillas
hisdrivertookhimawayfromthehouse.Andshecried.Tearsflowedfromhereyesandshecouldn’tstop
them.Fatwetdropsfellontoherbareskin.

Thedoortothedenopenedagain,Robinpeekingherheadin.
“Ohhoney.”Robinrantoherfriend,pickingthediscardedshirtupoffthefloorandhelpingcleanChar
up.Chartuggedthebrabackup,slippedtheshirtoverherhead,wipedhertears.“Whathappened?Wasit
me,interrupting?Washehurtingyou?DoesJustinneedtohavehimkilled?WeareinVegas,I’msurewe
canmakeithappen.”Robinrambledon,Charjustremainedsilent.Itwasthestoryofherlife.Shewasthe
failure,thenowbroke,jobless,homelessfailure.Maybeherfatherwasright.Shewasnogood.

Chapter4

Ithadbeenthreelong,torturousmonths.Threestressful,workfilled,annoyingmonthssincehismistake
withCharlene.Hecouldn’tbelievehehaddonethat.Hekissedhissistersbestfriend.Whenheranfrom
there,Robinhadblownuphisphone,overandover,butheleftthecallsunanswered.Ittooktwodaysof
ignoringher,beforetherotundpregnantwomanhadbargedintothecasinoofficeyellingathim.Shewas
angry,apparentlyhavingheldherupsetbestfriendforanhourafterheleft.Charlenehadlefttown
immediately.No,hissisterwasnotmadatthefacttheyhadbothditchedoutondinner,shewasmadhe
hurtherbestfriend.Graysonhadneverfeltmorelikeanasshole.

Ignoringhishigh-horsefeelingsaboutthewomenthatthrewthemselvesathim,hehadspenteverynightof
theselastmonthsscrewinghiswaythroughLasVegas.Anywomanwhocameontohim,endedupinhis
bedonlytobeescortedoutinthemorningbyhousekeeping.Havingaroomattheplaceheworkedwas
great.Hecouldwalkdownstairstowork,hecouldusethestafftorelievehimofawkwardmorning-
afters,andhecouldhide.Fromhissister,fromJustin,fromeveryone.Still,italwayslefthimfeeling
empty.

Now,hewouldbefree.Today,Justin’sreplacementCEOwascomingtotakeover.Themanwasnice
enough,easytoworkwith.Graysonhadtaughthimallthatneededtobedone.Todaywashislastday.He
wouldwalkoutofthisoffice,takehissuitcase,andfinallyheadbacktoSeattle.Hehadanappointment
witharealtorDerekTitanhadhookedhimupwith.Themanwassupposedtobeawhizatfindingjustthe
rightplaceforhisclient.Afterweeksofsearching,hethoughttheyhaditright.Graysoncouldn’twaitto
seeit.Fromthephotos,itwastheperfectvineyard.Anoldercouplewithnochildrenhadletitfallinto
neglect.AyearortwoofrenovationswouldgetittowheretheycouldharvestandGraysoncouldthen
havehisdream.Itwouldbetimeconsumingandcostly,buttheyhadalltheequipmentalready,andthe
vines.

Hisheartracedashelookedattheclock.Hehadtwohourstogettheairportifhewantedtomakehis
flight.HisplanwastostopinSeattlefordinnerwithhisparentsthenheadtowherehisfuturelay…
Edmonds.Helazilyscrolledthroughthephotosthathadbeensenttohimbytheagent.

“Mr.Colter,Ihaveyoursisterontheline,”hissecretarypagedthroughtheintercom.Hepresseddownthe
button.
“Sendherthrough.”Hepickedupthephone.
“Gray,youshouldcheckandseehowCharisdoingwhileyou’reintown.”

Sighing,hesqueezedhiseyesshut,rubbingahandoverhistemplewhichnowstartedtothrob.“Rob,
please,don’tstart.Itoldyou,Ican’tapologizeenough.I’msorryIkissedyourfriend,butit’snotgoing
anyfurther.Wearenotstar-crossedlovers,wearen’tlongingpatheticallyforeachother.Iwasdrunk,
overwhelmedaboutthenewjob,angryatmyselfforhurtingherfeelings,butthat’sit.”
“Gray,thewayyoutwoweregoingatit,tellsmethere’ssomethingmore.”
“She’syourfriend.”
“Andyou’remybrother.Ifyoupromisetonothurther,itwouldbeokwithme.”Hegrowledintothe

phone.
“Ihavetogettheairport,Rob.I’mhavingdinnerwithMomtonight.Please,juststop.Wearen’tinlove
witheachother.Ifshethinksshehasfeelingsforme,I’msorry,butit’sjustaschoolgirlcrush.Ithappens.
Idon’tneedtogocheckonyourfriend.Iloveyou.Ihavetogo.”Hehungupbeforeshecouldsayany
more.

Hesatthere,eyesscanningtheoffice,butneverreallyseeinganything.Apartofhimwouldmissthis
place.Itwaseasytoadmittohimselfthatithadbeenhardatfirst,buthehandledthechallengewell.He
wouldn’tmisstheparadeofwomenthough.Thatemptyfeelingallthoseone-nightstandsleftbehind
hauntedhimdaily.Theydidn’ttastelikeChar…hersweetwarmscent,hersoftskin.Thosewomennever
feltthesamebeneathhim,orwrappedtheirlegsaroundhimquitethewayshedid.Noneofthemfeltright.

Ofcourse,heliedtohissister.Hecouldneveradmithisfeelingstoher.Hell,theystillconfusedhim.He
hadknownCharhiswholelife,sowherehadthesefeelingscomefrom?Sure,ithadbeenamistake,when
hefirstkissedher.Shehadslappedhim,anditturnedhimonmorethananythinginhislife.Onhisride
homethatnight,hehadagonizedovertheconfusingfeelingsbattlinginsideofhim.Shehadalwaysbeen
theannoyinglittlefriend.Thegirlwhofollowedhimandhisfriendsaroundlikeapuppy,gettingRobin
intomischief.Now,shewasabeautifulwoman,someonewhoelicitedemotionsfromhimnooneelse
everhad.

Thatnighthehadreturnedtohishotelroomanddrankhiswaythroughanotherbottleofbourbon.Thenext
morning,hehadanastyhangoverandhauntingmemoriesofawomanheshouldhavenevertouched.He
couldonlyhopethatreturningtoSeattle,anddivingintoworkonthevineyardhewouldsoonown,would
helpwashawaythenaggingthoughts.Shewasofflimits,andthatwasthat.Hedidn’tneedtobeentangled
withaspoiledyoungwoman,stilltryingtofigureoutwhoshewas.

Hissisternevertoldhimwhyshehadgottensoupsetaboutwhathesaid.Sure,hemeantitasajoke,but
whenhesawthepainandherreaction,hefeltsohorrible,whichstartedthiswholesituation.Hishead
sagged,hestaredatthedesk.Therewasnothingheneededmorethantopushthosethoughtsfromhis
head.Hecouldn’thandlethemanymore.Itdrovehiminsane.

Glancingattheclockagain,itwasalmosttimetogo.Hehadcomeinatseventhatmorningtocleanout
therestofhispersonalitemsandhandlesomelastminutethingsthatheleftthenightbefore.Thoughtsof
Charleneshovedaside,hecleanedupandgrabbedhisbriefcase.Walkingout,hesawhisreplacement
comingin.Itwaseightam,andthemanwaspunctual.Theyshookhandsandsaidtheirgoodbyes,and
beforeheknewit,Graysonwasintheelevatorheadingdowntohiscar.Hescrolledtheemailsonhis
phone,catchingonefromtherealtor,confirmingtheirappointmentfortomorrow.Forthefirsttimesince
landinginVegas,hehadagenuinelyhappysmileonhisface.Hehadputintenyearsofworktogethere.
Shownhisfatherhewasn’tanothertrustfundbaby,thathecouldearnwhathehadinlife.Itmadehimthe
manhewasnow,andtherewasnodoubthisparentswereproud.

Graysoncouldn’twaittocreatethatfirstbottleofwineanddedicateittothem.Climbingintothecar,he
watchedtheLasVegasstripdisappearastheyheadedtotheairport.Hissourmoodwasfinallylifting.He
ranoverplans,detailsandtodolistsforwhatwouldbeColterVines.Itwasfinallytime.Inlessthan
twenty-fourhours,hewouldbewalkingthroughhisnewhome,puttinginabidandbeginninganewlife.

Chapter5

Charlenecheckedthetimeandjumpedupfromherdesk.Herpileofbidsonahotcommercialproperty
scatteredacrossherdesk.Herbosshaddroppedafileonherdeskearlierthatday,aVIPclient.David
Visson’swifewentintoearlylabor,andhecouldn’tmakethemeeting.Inthetwomonthsshehadworked
atVissonandWells,herreputationasahardworkerandgreatsalesagenthadgrown.Thiswasit.She
hadfinallyfoundsomethingshewasgoodat,ajobwhereshecouldbeasuccess.

Herhardruleofnotdating,focusingonworkhaddoneherwell.Robin’shusbandfoundherthejob.A
collegebuddyofhisneededasecretary.Withinaweek,she’dbeenpromotedtosales,andfromthere,she
blossomed.Beingapeoplepersonfinallycameinhandy.Lostinherwork,shenevertookthetimetolook
atanythingotherthanthemeetingaddress.Shewouldhavetoscanthefileoncethere.Hopefully,she
couldmakeitbeforetheclient.Ifshecouldhandlethis,maybeherbosswouldgivehersomebetterleads,
betterchancesinthefuture.Itfeltamazing,finallybeingabletopayherownrent.Robinhadprovidedher
thefirstmonthanddeposit,andsince,Charhadbeenabletopayherback.Injusttwomonths.She
couldn’tbelieveit.

Butinthebackofherheart,shewasstillhurting,stillinpainfromtherejectionGraysonhandedher.At
night,thelookonhisfacewhenRobininterruptedthem,toreatherinsides.Hiseyeshaddarkened,and
he’dglaredatherasifshewasdisgusting.Charcouldrememberthewayhishandsfeltonher,strokingat
herbody,thewayhemadeherfeel,hismouthagainsthers,thewaytheirbodiesmoldedtogether
perfectly,asifmadeforeachother.

Hehadbeenhersecretcrush,someoneshewasinlovewithforsolong,herwholelifeitfeltlike.That
washerchance,heronetruechancetobewithhim.Atnight,shedreamedofhimstill,hiswarmth,his
taste.Strokingherlipsabsentlywithafinger,Charrecalledhisbittertaste,bourbonlingeringonhis
tongue.Shehadtriedcallinghimthenextday,tofindoutwhatshehaddonewrongorwhyhewasso
upset.Butthemanhadignoredher,ignoredhissister’squestions,basicallywrittenheroff.Tears
threatenedtospillover,wellinginhereyes.WhenGraysonhadleftRobin’sthatnight,herfriendhadheld
her.Sherealizedthatnight,thatsheneededtomakealotofchangesinherlife.Newcity,newjob,new
her.

Shewantedtoshoveitinherfather’sface,thatshewassuccessfulatsomethingfinally,thatshewassmart
enoughtosurviveonherown.Butoutofsomemisplacedpride,shecouldn’tbringherselftospeakto
him.Hehadbeencruel,atatimesheneededherfamilythemost.Ithadtaughtheralesson.Justnotina
waythatshowedcare,love.Ithadbeenamonthsinceshespoketohermother,whomsheusedtotalkto
everyday.ItwashardonChar.Everydayshemissedher,theirtalks,shopping,buttheindependencefelt
somuchbetter.Itwasevenhardersinceshewasnowlivingfarenoughawayfromherfamily,thatshe
couldbeindependent.Edmondswasbigenoughacitythattherewaslife,butsmallenoughthatshefelt
awayfromitall.Thesmalltownfeelwasgreatandnewtoher.Peoplewaved,theysaidhello.Theygot
toknoweachother.Shehadn’tmademanyfriendsyet,butwasenjoyinghernewlife.Thebestpart,she
wouldn’thavetoworryaboutrunningintoherfatherintown.Itjustwasn’ttime,shewasnotreadytosee
himyet.

Herhandshookwithexcitementasshegrabbedthefile,shovingitintohersatchel.Quicklyshesmoothed
downthewrinklesfromherA-lineblackskirt.Shehadtradedinherpartygirl,collegeageclothingfora
moreprofessionallook.Herpalepurplebuttondownblousemadehergreeneyespop,orsothesales
womanhadsaid.Hersensibleblackflatscompletedhernewlook.IfonlyRobincouldseehernow.She
lookedlikeawholenewperson,feltlikesomeoneelse,someonebetter.

Afterclimbingintohercar,itonlytookhertenminutestodrivethroughtheSoundtoreachher
destination.Asshepulledupthedustydrive,theviewtookherbreathaway.

Realizingwhereshewas,shedidn’tneedtolookoverthefile.Overthelasttwoweeks,sincebeing
listed,shehadstudiedthisproperty.Herbosshadstatedthatforhelpinghim,ifshecouldclosethedeal,
hewouldcutherinonhiscommission.Itwascertainlyahugecommission,sohecouldsparehersome,
anditwouldbeenoughtoliveoffforhalfayear.Butevenmoreexciting,whatappealedtohermore,was
howbreathtakingthispropertywas.Beautifullandscape,vineyardreachingallthewaytothecliffthat
felltothewaterbelow.Anoldcobblestonehome,surroundedbyoldredwoods,gardensandgrandviews
ofthePacificOcean.Therewasawinerybarnintheback,fullystockedwithequipment,anditreminded
herofItaly.Whentheygraduatedhighschool,CharandRobinhadtakenaweek-longtripthere,drinking
wine,enjoyingtheculture.Therewasalwayssomethingaboutthevineyardsthatdrewherin—families
workingthelandforgenerations,stayingtogether,creatingsomethingforpeopletoenjoy.Shenever
expressedthosefeelingstoanyone.Beingsoyoung,theyweren’tconcernedaboutthingslikethat.Buta
girlcoulddream.

SheparkedbehindtheblackPorschethatwasalreadywaiting.Shecouldseetheshadowfromsomeone
inthedriver’sseat,probablyonthephone,fromthewayhewasgesturing.Shetookhertimegettingout,
mentallypep-talkingherself.
Icandothis.Peoplelikeme.Iknowthispropertylikethebackofmyhand,and,mypassionforwine
couldmakethiswork.
Mr.Vissonhadsaidtheclientwasiffyonthelocation,thinkinghewantedtobeclosertoSeattle.She
couldmakethecasethatEdmondswassunnieranddrier,eventhoughitwasonthewater.Herknowledge
onthisplacetoldhertheyalreadyhadvinesplantedforPinotGrisandPinotnoir.Thiswouldbea
breeze.

Shesteppedgingerlyfromthecarwhenshesawtheclient’sdooropen.Turningbackintothecar,she
madethemistakeofreachingforhersatchelwhilecatchingaglimpseofhim.Joltingsuddenly,she
smashedherheadonthedoorframe.Painsparkedthroughherheadasshebentover.Herhandrosetoher
head,eyeswatering.

GraysonColter.Damnit,why,whythehellwashehere?Sheheldhereyestightlyshut,wishing,praying
itwasjustahallucination.Lookingagain,shecouldseethesmirkonhisface.Hissunglassescoveredhis
eyes,butthewaythoselipscurved,sheknewhewaslookingatherass.Realizingitwasstickinginthe
air,whileshehidherpounding,injuredheadbehindthesteeringwheel.Whatanasshole.Sheshimmied
herhipsanyways,enjoyingthewayhiseyesroamedoverher.

“Doyouneedsomehelpthere?”Hisgravellyvoicedidthingstoherinsidesthatnooneelsecould.

Angerwelledupinsideofher.So,hethoughtherasswasgoodenoughtostareat,butshewasn’tgood
enoughtobewith,tohavesexwith?Hermindflashedbacktothatnight,tothewaythey’dbeenso
passionatelywrappedaroundeachother.Shehadbeenfilledwithhope,ithadbeenherchance,hertime,
tobewithhim.Shecouldshowhim,theywouldbegreattogether,buthehadpulledaway,andlookedat
herlikeshewasaleper.Theshock,thedisgustonhisfacehadliterallyrippedherapart,toreherheartin
two.Shefelthelpless,likeshewasnothing.Thatfuryfilledherfull,andshesnappedupthesatchel,
pullingherselffromthecartostand.
“How’sthehead?Thatlookedlikeithurt,”thehumorinhisvoicejustmadeitworse.Sheusedtolove
thatsnarkinessofhis.
“I’mfine,Grayson.Let’sgetthisdone.”Turningtofacehim,shesawtheshockwritteninhisdeepblue
eyes.Thelinesonhisfacecreasedandhisskinpaledasherealizedwhoshewas.
“Charlene.Whatareyoudoinghere?I’mmeetingsomeoneIdon’thavetimeforthis.”
“I’msorry,Mr.Vissoncouldn’tbehere.Hiswifewentintolabor.So,you’remeetingme.”Shepulledher
bagontohershoulder,slammingthecardoorshut.Grayson’seyeswidenedinshockasshestormedpast
him,headingtothefrontdoorofthehome.

Shetookadeepbreath,tryingtocalmheranger.He’ddismissedher,andshewasjuststartingtoenjoy
hernewlife.Therewasnowayinhellshewasgoingtolethimruinit.

Chapter6

“Asyouknow,there’stwentyacresofplantedvines,alongwithanothertenacresofprivacyproperty.
There’sthecliff,thebeach,thewoods,yourprivatedrive.Therearepinotgrapes,andyouhavetopofthe
lineequipmentinthebarnintheback.Oncethevineyardisupandrunning,you’llbeabletohavestaff
livingonsite,andyoucanhandleeverythingfromhere.”

Graysonwatchedassheputinacodetoopenthelockboxthatheldthekeytothehouse.Hecouldn’t
breathe,couldn’tspeak.ItwaslikeapunchtothegutseeingCharlene.Hehadspentweekstryingnotto
thinkofher.

Whenhehadgottenoutofthecar,hesawaround,perkyassintheair,asaheadofblondehairhad
smackedintothedoorframe.Hehadchuckledtohimself,butthentriedtoignorethefactthathisbody
instantlywenttothoughtsofChar,hisblonde.Forcinghimselfnottothinkofher,heallowedhimselfdirty
thoughtsofthatroundbackside,thetightskirtthewomanhadon.Hedidn’teventhinkofwhoshewas,or
whyshewasthere.HewassupposedtomeetwithDavidVisson.

AssoonasherealizedthatitwasCharlene,theghostfromhisdreams,hisnightmares,thatkepthimupat
night,helosthisbreath.Shelookedamazing.Fromherprofessionaloutfit,totheflatironedhair,instead
oftheusualcurls.Shelookedgrownup,likeawoman,nottheyounggirlheranfrominVegas.

Hehadfeltawful,afterallthathappened,evenworsesinceshehadtriedtocallhim,probablywantingan
explanation,buthe’dignoredher.Thedarknessofthesituationweighedonhim.GuiltforwhoCharwas,
havingwatchedhergrowup,guiltfortakingadvantageofher.
“SnapoutofitColter,”sheshoutedathim,pullinghimfromthereverie.Hesawherstandingintheopen
doorway.Tohisnewhome.Shebelongshere.Thatthoughtscaredhim.Hewasgluedinplace,unableto
move.“Grayson,Isweartoyou,IknowwhatI’mdoing.Iknowthispropertyverywell,andIcanhandle
anyquestionsyouhave.Canwepleasejustbeprofessional?Ineedthisjob,andmybossgavemethis
meetingbecauseheknowsIcanhandleitaswell.”Shakingherhead,shespunonherheel,heading
inside.

Hewasrunningonmusclememorynow.Unabletocompleteathought,hefollowedherinside.Looking
around,italreadyfeltlikehome.Marbleflooring,elegant,yethomey.Thehousehadfivebedrooms,three
bathrooms,andanewlyremodeledkitchen.Thegrandstaircaseleadingupstairswouldbetheperfect
backdropforweddings.

Heknewalready,fromspeakingwithDavid,thatonebedroomandabathroomwereinaprivatewing,
makingthisperfectforthemtohaveprivacyandstillrunafullpackagewinery.Them?Rubbingahand
overhisface,Graysontriedtoclearthefogfromhisbrain.WhywashethinkingofhimandCharasa
them?Itwasn’tright.Itwasimproper.Theywerenotsupposedtobetogether.Heknewrightfromwrong.
Thiswaswrong,butwhydiditfeelsoright?

Tryashemight,therewasnoescapinghisgrowingfeelingsforher.Shesteppedawayfromhim,andhe
hadtomovecloserbeforehecouldbreatheagain.Shegavehimatourofthehome.Talkingastheymoved
roomtoroom.Healreadyknewhewasbuyingit.Atfifty-thousandanacreforthevineyard,plus

equipment,plusthehome,thebottlingbarn,thestaffquartersinthebackofthebarn,andgarage,they
wereaskingforthreeandahalfmillionforitall.Thatwasadeal.Hedidn’tevenwanttohaggleon
price,orputinanoffer.

Graysoncameheretoday,tocutacheck,buthewasn’treadytoleaveCharagain,sohelethegoon,
leadinghimaroundtheproperty.Walkingthroughthevinesoutside,shehadtakenhershoesoff,walking
barefootthroughthedirt.Whowasthiswoman?Shewasnotthewomanheusedtoknow.Hadthree
monthsbeenenoughforhertocompletelychange?Notthathewantedhertochange,hewashaving
enoughtroublefightingfeelingsforthegirlheknew.Thencomesalongthiswomanwhojust,blewhis
mind.

Hecroucheddown,checkingonthevines.Theywouldneedtrimming,andlotsofcare,beforetheycould
beginyieldinghealthycropsforwine.Itwouldbeagood,twoyears,beforetheywouldbereadyfora
goodharvesttoblendthewines.

Sheshowedhimthegardens,somewerefood,othersflowers,whichwouldbegreat.Ifhebroughtina
chef,foron-siteevents,hecouldgrowfreshherbs,vegetables,flowersfordecorations.Thisplacereally
washisdreamcometrue.Itwaseverythinghewanted.

Astheyreturnedtothehome,Charsethersatchelonthecounterinthekitchen.Graysonranhishand
alongthecoolblackgranite.Hewatchedasshepulledafolderfromthebag,imaginedsittinghere,
drinkingcoffeewithhereverymorningasshepreparedforwork.Whatthehellwaswrongwithhim?He
couldn’tstopasimagesranthroughhishead,whatthingscouldbelikehavingherinthishome.Hishome.
Theirhome.

“Letmetakeyoutodinnertonight.”Heblurteditout,withoutthinking,nocluewherethethoughthadeven
comefrom.Charstoppedwhatshewasdoing,perfectlymanicuredfingersholdingasheetintheair.
Graysonwanttofeelthosefingersonhimagain,playinginhishair,movingalonghisskin.

Hergreeneyespiercedhimwithaglare,andtheyspokeathousandwords.“No,Grayson.Thisis
business,Idon’thavetimeforyourgames.”
“Games?Whatgames?Iaskedyoutodinner.”

Charsighed,turningfromhim.“Grayson,Ican’thandlethishot,cold,joking,mean,just,backandforth
crapfromyou.Ifinallyhavemylifetogether.Idon’tneedthisagain.”
“Look,I’msorryforVegas.Iwasdrunk,Ishouldn’thavetakenadvantageofyoulikethat.Ishouldn’t
havesaidsomethingsomeantoyou.”

Shesmackedherhandsdownonthecounterassheturnedtostareathim.“Grayson,mywholelife,I’ve
beenbestfriendswithyourlittlesister.You’vealwayspickedonme,beenmean,butIalwayschalkedit
uptoolderbrothersyndrome.Igetit,Iunderstand.Iletmylittlecrushonyouslipawayfromme.Itwasa
kiss.That’sit.Youdon’treallywantme,Igetit.So,juststopplease.Justdropit.”

Hereachedout,coversherhandwithhis.“Char,Ishouldn’thavesaidthosethingstoyou.Andtome,it
wasmorethanakiss.”Hemovedaroundthecorner,pressinghisbodyupagainsther.“You’reabeautiful
woman.Ifindyouattractive.AndIshouldn’t.You’reright.Ihaveknownyouyourwholelife.It’shardfor
metogofromseeingyouasthelittlesister,tosomeoneI’mattractedto.”Shespun,openinghermouthto
tryandsaysomething,buthecutheroff.Shakinghishead,hesqueezedherfingers.“Letmefinish.The
wayIfeeltowardsyou,isn’tright.You’rebasicallyfamily.Thisattraction,iswrong.Thatnight,Iwas

stressedoverthenewjob,upsetthatwhentryingtobefunny,itcameacrossmean.Iwasanasshole.Isaw
howmuchmycommenthurtyou.So,throwingbackhalfabottleofbourbon…andthenwhathappened…I
handleditwrong.Ishouldn’thavetakenadvantageofyou.Letmetakeyoutodinner.Letmeproperly
apologizeforhurtingyou.”Shechuckledsnarkily,andthenfellintoafitofgiggles.Graysonwas
confused.Hestoodtheredumbfounded.Heapologized,whatcouldshepossiblyfindfunny?
“Here,”shedroppedthecontractonthecounterwhilewipingtearsfromhereyes,stillslightlylaughing.
“What’ssofunny?”Angerbuiltinsideofhim.Hehadapologized.Amanlikehim,shouldn’thaveto
apologize,buthedid.Outofrespectforher.Whatwasshelaughingat?

“Grayson,that’s,”shesighed.“That’scute.I’mattractive.YouthoughtIwashot.Butthenfeltbad,
becauseI’mlikeasistertoyou.”Herheadshookviolently.“Justsignthis,andwhenDavidreturnsina
fewdays,youcanclosetheaccountwithhimorputinabid,orwhatever.”Shebegantogatherherthings,
shovingthembackintoherbag.

Whatthehell?Whatdidhedowrongnow?“Please,whatdidIdowrong?”Hequestionedher,butgotno
answer.“Char,”hegrabbedhershoulders,turningsoshewasfacinghim.Thoseemeraldeyescuthimto
thecore.Theywerefilledwithpain,anger.“I’msorryyouhadacrushonme.Ididn’tknow.Iwouldhave
foughthardertonotkissyouthen.Iwouldneverintentionallyhurtyou.Please,let’sjustfinishthis.Iwant
tosignthecontractsandbuynow.Iwantyoutodothis.”
“Fine,”shethrewherhandsintheair,exasperated.Walkinghimthroughthepaperwork,theyhandled
everything.Sincethesellerswerealreadyoutandtheydidn’thavetowaitonthebankforfunds,hewas
abletoleavewiththekeys.
“It’sallyoursGrayson.Congratulations.Youownavineyard.You’relucky,thisplaceisamazing.”As
shehandedthekeysovertohim,hecouldn’thelpbutnoticethelonginginhereyes.Heknewthisplace
wasamazing,butthatshelovedit,too,wassomethingelsetotorturehimaboutnotbeingabletobewith
her.Shebrushedpasthim,withoutanotherword.Hestoodstaringatthekeysinhishand.Itwashisplace.
Thiswashishome,hisdream.He’dfinallydoneit.

Chapter7

“Dinner,Rob.Afterallofthis,dinner.Heaskedmetogoeatwithhim,like,heneedstofeedpoorlittle
destituteme.Someoneheseesasasister,orsomeoneneedingaparent.Like,forreal?”Charleanedback
onherbed,chattingwithRobinonthephone.
“Char,I’msorryhon.He’shardheaded,stubborn,well,youknow.Youknowhim.”
“Rob,I’msorry,youknow,I’vealwayshadacrush.Iguess,nowthatwe’readults,Ishouldletitgo.Part
ofmewasallexcitedwhenhesaidIwasattractive,butthen,therestofme,justfellapartafterhesaidit
waswrongofustodoanything.Wrongofhimtohavefeelingsforme.”Shesobbedalittle.“Andnow,
thatjackass,islivinginmydreamhome.I’vealwayswantedawinery,theItalianstylehome,itjust,”she
fadedoffabit.“It’sadream.Theabilitytomakeitabedandbreakfast,withyourownwines,vegetable
gardens,thecliff,thebeach.”
“Aw,really?IknowyouenjoyedourtriptoItalyafterhighschool,butIdidn’trealizeyouwerethatinto
it.Hell,Ididn’tevenknowGraysonwantedthatforhimself.Lookatyoutwo,justshockingme.”
“Oh,no,takeiteasythere.How’smyfutureniececomingalong?”Herfriendlaughedandtheychattedfor
awhilelonger.Robinpromisedtocomevisitinthenextweekorso,thatwaytheycouldseeeachother
beforeshehadthebaby,alongwithherwantingtoseeherbrother’snewhome.

Charlaythere,staringattheceiling.Tearssliddownherface,soakingthepillowbeneathher.Shehadto
getoverit.Graysonwouldneverloveher.ThoughRobintriedtonotmentionhimaroundher,sheknew,
hehadarevolvingdooronhishotelroomwhileinVegas.ThemangetsnamedoneofSeattle’smost
eligiblebachelorsandhethinkshe’sGod’sgifttowomen.Thatdidn’tmeanhehadtoparadethemintohis
bedeverytimeonelookedhisway.Wipingatthetears,shesatup,determinedtonotletGraysonhurther
again.Hewasright.Theywerelikefamily,theyshouldn’tbetogetherandjustbecauseheboughther
dreamhome,didn’tmeanshecouldn’tfindanewdream.Lookingaroundhersmallstudioapartment,she
decideditwastimetostophidingfromlife.Stophidinginthisapartment,andbeginlivingagain.She
hadn’tbeenouttoeat,outdrinking,outanythingotherthanwork,sincemovinghere.Itwastime.Char
stompedovertohercloset,pullingoutoneofherfavoritedresses.Itmoldedtoeverycurveofherbody,
andsheknewshelookedfantasticinit.Thedarkpurplewentwellwithhereyes,andwithherhairpinned
upandtherighthighheels,shewouldgainherconfidencebackinnotimeatall.

Fromcoworkers,shehadheardthebestbarintownwasattheMarriott.Thehotel’sbarandrestaurant
hadtheoldschoolpianoplayer,darkyetupscaleatmosphere,andshewouldn’tbebotheredbyyoungfrat
guys,tryingtogetwasted.Charwantedtogoforadrink,butwithoutbeingbombarded.Tocelebrateher
greatsale,shejustwantedaniceglassofwineandtobearoundpeoplewithouthavingtotalk.

Assoonasshewalkedin,shelovedit.Thewhitewallsandbar,litbyblue,redboothswithlotsof
cushion—itwasdefinitelyanamazingplace.Therewasasmalldancefloortooneside,awayfromthe
diners,andthepianowasofftotheotherside.Shecouldgetusedtothis.Acrossthecarpetedfloor,she
climbedintoawhiteleatherhighbackedchairatthebar.Placingaclutchnexttoher,shesmiledatthe
olderbartenderthatwalkedover.Hisuniformwasblackpants,whitedressshirtandredsuspenders.It
hadanelegant,oldtimefeel.
“WhatcanIgetyou,miss?”

“PinotNoir,please,”sheordered.Throughthemirrorthatbackedthebarwall,Charwatchedcouples
dancing.Abovetheliquorbottles,shecaughtsightofanoldcoupleslow-dancingandshegrinned.Oh
whatitwouldbetohavealovelikethat.Theyhadtobeoversixty,yettheylookedsoyouthful,glowing
withapassionsheknewwasmissingfromherlife.

“I’vegotthat,”amansaidfrombehindher.Char’sbackstiffened,andsherefusedtoturnaround.
“Yessir,Mr.Colter.”Thebartenderslidthewineinfrontofherandmovedaway.
“Char,”Graysonsaid,slidingintotheseatnexttoher.“So,areyouMr.Visson’sassistant,oranactual
agent?”
“Gray,Idon’twanttosmall-talk.Icameheretohaveadrink,alone.”Sheplacedextraemphasisonthe
word.
“I’mtryinghere.Please.Ifyouliveherenow,andI’mmovinghere,we’regoingtorunintoeachother.
Talktome,howhaveyoubeen?”

Sighing,shesippedherwine,remainingsilent.Turningtolookathimwouldbebad.Shealreadyknew
howherbodywouldreact.Herheartwouldstartpounding,herinsideswouldquiver,andmostcertainly,
herpantieswouldbecomewet.Evenangrywithhim,andhurt,herbodybetrayedher.Hereachedout,
cuppingherchin.Sheallowedhimtoturnherheadtofacehim.Slowly,hereyesmovedupfromthebar,
lookingathim.Thedeepbluestaringbackwasherundoing.Inplaceofhissuit,heworeapairofworn
jeans,aniceblackcableknitsweaterandhishairlookingnicelymussed.Noproduct,noproperlook,no
businessman,justGrayson.Relaxedandstilldevastatinglyhandsome.

“Talktome,”hedemandedsoftly.

Withaquickjerk,shepulledherheadfromhishandandinstantlyregrettedit.Shewantedthatwarm
touch,thatsoftfeelingofhimonher,inanywayshecouldgetit.
“I’managent.”
“Doyoulikeit?Youseemedtoknowalotaboutmyproperty.”Hecockedhisheadather,ignoringthe
glassofliquorthesilentbartendersetinfrontofhim.
“That’sbecauseIlovedthatlisting.Ithassomuchpotential.”Withthat,hehadunlockedtheflood-gates.
Hefoundtheonetopicthatshecouldn’tnottalkabout.Shehadlovedthatlisting.Ifherfatherhadn’tcut
heroff,shewouldhaveboughtitherself.
“Potential?”Grayquestioned.
“Yes,betweeneventswhereyoucanserveyourownwine,yourownvegetables,yourownflowers,toa
bedandbreakfastwithwinetastings,theview,allofit.”Shetriedbutfailedathidingherexcitement.
“You’regoodatwhatyoudo.I’mgladyoufoundsomethingyouenjoy.”
“I’mgoodatit.It’sfinallysomethingIwon’tfailat.Igettohelppeoplefindtheirnewhome.Theyare
goingtolivethere,tobuildanewhome,startafamily.It’sexhilarating.”

Hisgrinshookher,tearingattheheart.Sheknewhewasnotgoingtobemorethanjustafriend.Nomatter
howmuchshewishedformore.
“Well,maybeyoucanhelpme.Ineedtimetorehabthevines,torebuildthingsthatwereleftinneglect.

ButwhenI’mready,youseemtohaveideasforit,somaybeyoucanhelpmesetuphowtodoevents,and
whateverelseyoumentioned.That’swhatIwantforthisplace.”
“Why?”shequestioned.
“I’vealwayslovedwine.Igettocreatemyown,somethingpeoplewillenjoydrinking.”Charlookedat
himinshock.Itwasashortstatement,butsomethingshewouldhaveneverthoughthewouldsay.Grayson
Colter,hewasalwaysajock,agoodguy,butneverdeepandthatstatementhaddepth.
“Youlookedshocked.IsitsohardtobelievethatIwantthis?”
“Mr.DA,lawyerguy,Mr.MostEligibleBachelor,runningthroughwomenlikewater,yes,itshocksme.”
“ComeonChar,you’vebeenaroundenoughtoknowRobinandIneverlivedtheplayboy,partygirl,rich-
kid’slifestyle.Wewereraisedwithmoresubstance.Moreexpectedofus.”
“AndIwasn’t,”shewhispered,turningbacktoherwine.Herfingersfidgeted.Hishandclampedover
hers,stoppingtheinanemovement.
“Ineversaidthat.Ijustmeant,youmakeitsoundlikethat’swhatwewere.I’veworkedhardinmylife
thoughIdidn’tneedto.Yes.But,itwastoprovetomyselfthatIwasn’toneofthosepeople.Imayhave
jokedandpickedonyou,butIknewyouhadmoretoyou.”

“Yeah,well,mydaddidn’tthinksowhenhecutmeoff,leftmewithnothingandwon’tspeaktome.”
“Afathershouldhavesupportedyouinotherways,insteadofleavingyoutoyourown,withoutthe
knowledgeofhowtosucceed.It’snotareflectionofyou.It’sonhim.Hespentyourlifespoilingyou,
whenheshouldhavetaughtyou.That’shisfailure,notyours.”Shelookedbackathim.Sure,Robinhad
saidsimilarthings,butasafriendbitchingaboutwhatherfatherdid.Neverhadshesaidanythinglike
this.Thatmadeherfeelproudofwhereshewasnow,whatshehaddoneonherown.Shesmiledsoftlyat
Gray.
“You’reright.Thankyouforthat.Ilovemyjobnow.I’mlivingonmyown,supportingmyself.Itfeels…I
can’tevendescribeit.Itfeelswonderful.”
“I’mglad.”
“I’dlovetohelpyou,whenyou’reready.Idreamedaboutthatplacesomuch,wantingitformyself.”He
leanedback,lookingatherthoughtfully.“What?DoIhavesomethingonme?”Shelookeddown,making
sureshehadn’tdribbledherwineoranything.
“No,”heanswered,butdidn’texpand.“Dancewithme,”hesaid.Itwasn’taquestion.

Charallowedherselftobeledtothedancefloor.Graypulledherintohisarms.Shewasagoodfoot
shorterthanGrayson.Hereyeslinedupwithhisshoulder.Heslidonehandtoherlowerback,theother
holdingherhand.Theyslowlymovedbackandforth,swayingtotheslow,romantictune.Theirbodies
pressedtogether,movingasone.Sheclosedhereyes,layingherheadonhischest.Themusicsurrounded
them,andtheworldfadedaway.Itwasjustthem,alone,ontheirownisland.Barelymoving,shefinally
liftedherheadandrealizedGraywasstaringather.Hisexpressionwasunreadable.Asthesongended,
heletgoofher,steppingback.Aforcedsmileflashedonhisface.“Thankyou.Iloveplaceslikethis.
Theyfeel,liketheolddays,whentimeswereslow,peopleenjoyedlife.”Shenoddedinagreementtohis
statement,afraidtospeak.Hetookherhandandledherbacktothebar.Herlegswereuneasy,wobbling,
soshequicklysat.Neitherlookedattheother.Themomenthadpassed,butwhathaditbeen?Didhewant
tokissher?Shouldshehavenotputherheadonhim?Thismanwassoconfusing.

“Whydoyouwantthissomuch?”Sheasked,tryingtomakethingslessawkwardagain.Shewantedthe

easinesstheywerestartingtohavebetweenthem,untilthedance.Hethoughtaminute,beforeanswering.
“Iwanttoworktheland.Iwanttocreatesomethingfromscratch,onmyown.”Laughterbubbledfromher
stomach,flowingfromhermouth.Shehadtoholdhergut,coveringhermouth,totryandquietit.
“What’ssofunny,MissChar?”
“Howmanypeople,whogrewupthewaywedid,withthemoneywedid,wouldsaytheywanttowork
theland?”sheasked,oncehergigglesdied.
“Exactly.It’sjustsomethingIwant,badly.”Talkingtohimseemedsomucheasiernow,thanithadbeen
herwholelife.Charlosttrackoftime,astheysatthere,easilydiscussingwhatcouldbedonewithhis
newproperty,hisfutureplans,theirdrinksforgotten.Finally,theywereinterruptedbythebartender.It
wastimetoclose.Charlookedatherwatch.
“Wow,Ican’tbelievehowlongwe’vebeenhere.”
“Comeupstairswithme.I’llgetwineandwecankeeptalking,”heraisedaneyebrowather.
“Idon’tknow.”
“It’sSunday.Youdon’thavetowork,right?”
“IthinkI’mgoinghome.”Standing,Chargrabbedherclutch,pullingoutmoneytopayfortheglassof
wineshehadneverfinished.Grayshookhishead.
“Mytreat.”
“Icanaffordadrink.”
“Iknow.”Humorfilledhiswords.“It’sstillmytreat.”Shenodded,acceptingitratherthanargue.
“Thankyou,Ihadagreattime,”Charadmitted.
“Metoo,”hesaidashestoodnexttoher.Alittletooclose.Herbodyhummed,beggingforhistouch.As
ifheknew,hereachedup,brushinghairfromherface.

Shefoughtit.Shereallydid,butlostthebattle.Closinghereyes,Charturnedherfaceintohishand,
relishingthefeelofhimtouchingheragain.Damnit,somuchforbeingoverGrayson.Hegrippedher,
pullingthemclosertogether,hislipsgingerlytouchedhers,breathingagainsthermouth,andthenhewas
gone.Hishand,hismouth,justgone.ItleftCharfeelingcoldandalone.Openinghereyes,shesawthe
painedexpressiononhisface.Washefightingfeelingsforherasmuchasshewas?Shestartedtospeak,
butheturnedaway.
“Haveagoodnight.Gethomesafe,”hesaid,notevenlookingatherashewalkedaway.Standingthere,
shewatchedhimgo.Hersighexpressedalltheemotionsshehadfightinginsideofher.

“Ma’am,”thebartendersaid,pullingherattentionawayfromtheretreatingGrayson.
“I’msorry.Yes,you’retryingtoclose,”shemanagedtosay,turningtotheman.
“Well,yes,butIwasgoingtosay,helookslikeamanwho’sfightingfeelings.Youseealothere,ina
hotelbar.Lust,affairs,love.Helooksatyoulikeamandrowninginlove.Hejustcan’tadmitittohimself
yet.Iseehowupsetyoulook,Ijust,thoughtitwouldmakeyoufeelbettertoknow.Givehimtime.”

Shestaredatthisstranger.Hedidn’tknoweitherofthem.Buthiswordspackedapunch.“Um,thank
you,”shewhispered,slowlymovingaway.Shedidn’tknowhowelsetorespond.Theoldermanjust
smiledandwentbacktowipingdownthebar.Walkingoutofthehotel,Charfeltlikeshewasinahaze.
Whenshearrivedhome,shecouldn’tevenrememberhowshegotthere.DidGraysonColterfeelthe
samewayaboutherthatshedidabouthim?

Chapter8

Damnit!Graysonmumbledtohimselfasheslammedtheroomdoorshut.Heleanedagainstthewall,
runningahandthroughhishair.Nomatterhowhardhetried,hecouldn’tgetCharoutofhishead.After
twosleeplessnights,tossingandturning,dreamingofhereverytimeheclosedhiseyes,hehadspentthe
dayorderingfurniture.HehadalsoarrangedforhisapartmentinSeattletobepackedupandshippedto
thenewhouse.Mostofthetime,hewonderedifshewouldlikethethingshewaspickingout.Orwhatshe
wouldsuggestforcurtains,anddecorations?Notthathecouldn’tdecorateonhisown,butbecausehe
wantedhertolikewhathedid.

Findingoutthathispropertywasherdreamasmuchashis,hadshockedhim.HelookedatCharleneina
wholenewlight.Shewasn’ttheyounggirlheknew.Shewasaradiantwoman,smart,ambitious,andhe
didn’tknowhowtoreacttoit.Hisattractiontoherwasmorethanwantingsex.Sure,shewasbeautiful,
herbodyhadcurvesthatmadehismouthwaterandhislowerregionstandatattention.Butitwasmore
thanthat.Havingspentthenightjusttalking,hefoundheenjoyedhercompany.Hewantedheropinions,
heradvice,hewantedherinvolved.Andhefeltguilty.Thesefeelingswerewrong.Weren’tthey?Aman
shouldnotcovethislittlesister’sbestfriend.Notsomeonehehadlookedafterwhentheywereyounger,
helpedtakecareof.

Hemovedthroughthehotelsuitewithpurpose,packinguphisitemstoleave.Tonight,wouldbehisfirst
nightinthenewhome.Abedandsomeoftheitemshepickedouttodaywouldbedeliveredwithinthe
nexthour,andhehadsomeonedeliveringbedding,towels,andfood.

Asheleftthehotel,hearguedwithhimself.Hecouldinviteheroverundertheguiseofapprovinghis
choices.Orhecouldfindsomebusinessreasonshecouldn’trefuse,suchasthefinalpaperworkhewas
waitingon.TheyhadtobesignedbythesellerandbeingTuesday,itshouldbedone.

Instead,hecheckedoutanddrovethetenminutesfromtowntohissecludednewhome.Maybedivinginto
workwouldhelphimpushherfromhismind.Therewasmuchtodo.Hewasn’tgoingtoprunethegrape
vinesuntillatewinter,so,hopefully,theywouldbereadytogrowcomespring.

Fornow,heplannedtospendtherestoffallandearlywinter,workingonthehome.Thebedrooms
neededupdating.Hewantedtoturnoneofthetwodensintoanoffice,andtheentranceintoalobby.The
kitchenhadbeenupdatedrecentlyandwasperfect,buttheporchoutbackneededtobetorndownand
redone.Itwasfallingapart.Hisplanwastodomostoftheworkonhisown.Thosetaskswouldhelphim
keephismindofftheblondevixen,andpossiblywearhimoutsohecouldsleepatnight.

MakinganotewhenhepulledupthedrivetotradehisBMWinforatruck,hesatinthecaramoment,
takingitallin.Thiswasit.Itwashis.Consideringthedrivewasdirt,fornow,hewouldneedatruck,to
getupanddowninwetweather.Hiscarwouldnevermakeitifthingsturnedmuddy.Beforeopeningto
thepublic,hewouldtalktosomeoneaboutwhatwasbestforthelongdrive.Eitherpavingitorgetting
largestoneputin.Therewerealsootherarrangementsneedingtobemade.Untilthingsprogressedandhe
boughthisownequipment,hewouldneedtogetsomeoneouttheretoplowincaseitsnowed.Wherehe
was,therewasn’tmuchsnowfallannually.But,ifitcamein,itwasrough.Mostly,itrainedinthewinter,
whichwasgreatforthegrapevines.Gettingout,heslowlywalkedtothehome,usingthekeyCharhad
leftwithhim.Whenheopenedthedoor,hewasstruckbythevastdifference.Whenshehadgivenhima
tour,thehousefelthomey.Hecouldpictureafamilythere.Walkinginalone,itfeltcold,empty.Whatwas

wrongwithhim?

Hewanderedaround,tryingtopicturewhathewantedoutofthisplace.ColterVineswouldbethegoto
placeforsmalldestinationweddings.Onsomeoftheopenlandbehindthehouse,hewantedtoerectan
eventhallforlargerevents.Graydidn’twanttosellhiswineinbarsandliquorstores,thoughthatwould
benice.Whathewantedwasaproductpeopleenjoyedenoughthattheywantedtocomethere,experience
itall,andtakesomehome.

Tirescrunchingupthedrivewaypulledhimfromthelittledaydreamofwhatcouldbe.Thedeliveries
werestartingtoarrive,andheneededtodirectfurniture,sinceheonlygotenoughforhisbedroom,dining
roomanddenfornow.Hewouldworryabouttheguestroomsoncetheywereredoneandpainted.Then
hecouldinvitehisfamilytovisitincomfort.

Openingthedoor,hewastakenabackbythesight.Charlenestoodthere,anotherprofessionaloutfit,a
pale-yellowshirtandbeigekneelengthskirt,anotherpairofsensibleflats.Partofhimmissedthehigh
heelssheusedtowear,theshortdresses,butthislooksuitedher.Itmatchedthenewmaturepersonality.
“Char,”heacknowledgedher.
“Ihavethefinalpapers.Theyhavebeensigned.Davidaskedmetodropthemoff,sinceIfinalizedthe
saleforhim.”
“Good,thankyou.Didheatleastletyouhavethecommission?”Grayjoked.
“Aportion,whichisgreat.”Shesmiledanditsuddenlywarmedupthespacethathadjustfeltcold
before.

“Comein,”hewavedher,movingaside.
“Thanks,but,I’mgonnagohome.Ihadalongday.Thisnewclientisrough.”
“I’llopenabottleofwineandyoucantellmeaboutit.”
“No,thanks.”
“Please,”heasked,desperateforhertostay,thoughheknewsheshouldgo.“I’mwaitingondeliveries
andhavenothingtodoorsitonuntilthen.”Helaughednervously.Whatthehell?GraysonColterdidn’t
getnervous.Thiswasabsurd.
“Well,”shestammered.Hecouldseeherdecidingwhattodo,partofherpoisedtorunaway.Buther
eyes,thosebeautifulgreeneyes,darkenedwithayearninghecouldunderstand.Hesympathized.Finally,
shesteppedinside.Heclosedthedoorbehindher,placingahandonherlowerback.Shestiffenedfora
moment,butquicklyrelaxed.Theymadetheirwaytothekitchen,wheresomeoftheitemshe’ddropped
offthedaybefore,werestillonthecounter.Hequicklypulledawinebottlefromthebox,searchingabag
fortheopener.
“So,tellmeaboutyourroughclient,”hesaid,asheworkedtoopenthewine.
Charleanedagainstthecounter,ontheoppositesideofthekitchen,asiftryingtogetasfarawayfrom
himaspossible.Hepouredthewine,shufflingclosertoherandhandingoveraglass.Shetookit,sipping
lightly.Herenjoymentwasalloverherface.
“Thisisgood,”sheexclaimed.
“Iknow.Iboughtbottlesfromallcompetingwineriesaroundhere,tryingtofigureoutwhatIwantmy
element,mysomethingtodifferentiatemefromthem.”Hestoodbeforeher,swellingwithpridethathe
haddonesomethingtomakeherhappy.
“So,”shestarted,justasthesoundofmoretiresonthedrivewayfilledtheemptyhouse.
“Holdthatthought.Letmejustdirecttheseguyswheretoputthefurnitureandthenwecantalkwhilethey
work.”

Chapter9

WhatthehellareyoudoinghereCharlene?Shementallychastisedherself.Whydidshecomehere?She
couldhaveusedamessengertosendthosepapers.Therereallywasnoreasonforhertohavehand
deliveredit.Partofherthoughtitwastheprofessionalthingtodo,theotherpartofheradmitted,itwas
justanexcusetoseehimagain.

Sheheardhimintheentryway,directingthemovers.Lookingaroundthekitchen,shewasjealous.Hewas
goingtolivehere,thisperfectplace,thisperfecthome.Feelingnosy,andenjoyingthatshecouldactually
seeandfeelthisplace,insteadofstaringatphotosinafile,sheranherhandsalongthecounter.Theblack
granitewassmooth,contrastingperfectlywiththewhitewashedcupboardsandblackappliances.The
floorhadceramictiles,inawhiteandblackcheckerboardpattern.Sheopenedthefridge,oneofthose
amazingdoubledoor,bottomdrawerones.Somehow,intwodays,Graysonhadachievedalot.Thefridge
wasfullofitems.Shewishedshecouldhavebeentheonemovinginhere.
“Hungry?”Hesaidfrombehindher.Charjumpedatthesurpriseofhimcatchinghergoingthroughhis
kitchen.

Blushing,sheturnedtofacehimafterclosingtheappliance.“Sorry.It’sjustthat,Ispentsolong,looking
atphotosofthisplaceinafile,it’sstillsurrealtoactuallybehere.”
“You’rewelcomeanytime.”Hegrinnedlikeawolflookingatasheep,anditmadehershudder,chilling
hertothebone,yetheatingherupatthesametime.“Mycouchandtableareinthedenorlivingroom,
whateveritis.Wannatakeourglassesandgositdown?Youcantellmeaboutyourdaynow.”Hegrabbed
bothglassesoffthecounterandwalkedaway.

Shefollowedmindlessly.Ifshestoppedtothink,shewouldhaverun.Backthroughtheentry,whereshe
couldseemencarryinginamattress,Graysonwenttotheright,towardstheprivatewing.Inthefirst
room,therewasalargebeigecouch,oneofthosesectionalones,thatyoucouldlayouton,whileothers
sat.Itsurprisedher,astheyroundedtothefrontofit,toseethrowpillowsinadarkerbrown,andburnt
orange.Themanknewhowtodecoratetoo?
“Itcamewithit.That’showtheystageditinthestore,”Graysonsaid,chuckling.
“What?”Shelookedoverasheplacedtheirwineontheglassandwroughtirontableinfrontofthe
couch.Itfacedalargefireplace,andshecouldjustimaginehowcomfythisroomwouldbewhen
finished.
“Thelookonyourface,you’reveryreadable.ItwaslikeyouwerewonderinghowIcouldhavebought
accessories,”helaughedagain.Shelovedthelinesonhisface,thatcrinkledwhenhedidso.Itmadehim
looklessbusinessandmore,relaxed.“ThesalesladytoldmeitmatchedandsoIboughtthem.”
“Oh,yes,itwas,um,Ithoughtthat.”

Chardidn’tknowwhattosay,orhowtoact.Normally,withaman,shewascomfortable,andknewwhen
tojoke,whentotalk,andwhentogetdirty.WithGrayson,itwasdifferent.Hewasn’tsomeoneshe
wantedahookupwith.Shewantedmore,sadlyhedidn’t.That’ssomethingthatshewouldneedtokeep
remindingherselfof.Topreventgettinghurtagain.Theycouldbefriendsthough.Right?

Justfriends.Howhorrible.

Sittingdown,shetriedtomakesuretherewasanacceptableamountofspacebetweenthem.Graysonhad

otherideas.Hesatrightnexttoher,sotheirkneestouched.Charfidgeted,slidingherhandsdownher
skirt,lookinganywherebutathim.Shecouldfeelhimleanback,drapinganarmacrossthebackofthe
couch,placingtheankleofthelegnexttoher,overhisotherknee.

Turningherbodyalittle,sotheyweren’ttouching,shelookedathim.“So,myday.”
“Yes,yourday,”herepeatedquietly.
“Thiscoupleisjust,tough.Newlyweds,buttheycan’tagreeonwhattheywant.Shewantsasmallhouse,
hewantsabigone.Ishowedthemsixhousestoday.Andtheydidn’tlikeany.Buttheyareadamanton
livinginEdmonds.So,Ican’tlookoutsidethearea.Ionlyhavefourmorelistingstoshowthem.Ithink
theone,willwork,Ijusthavetogetthemtorealizeit.”
“Hm,I’msureyoucanfigureitout.You’resmart,andgoodatwhatyoudo.Therewasapassioninyour
voice,whenyouspokeaboutthisplace.”
“Well,thatwaseasy.Ilovethisplace.Nothardtohavepassionwhenyou’vedaydreamedaboutliving
hereforweeks.”Shegigglednervously.

Theysatquietly,bothunsurewhattosay.
“Mr.Colter,”someonesaidfromthedoorway.Sheturnedtoseeoneofthedeliverymen.“Justsignhere
andyou’reallset.”Graysongotup,signingthesheetandwalkingthemanout.Chartookadeepbreath,
happyforthemomentalone,togatherherwits.Whenhereturned,hestoodthere,justlookingather.
“Wanttohelpmesetup?”heaskedher,leaningonthedoorframe.Histallfigurefilledit.Helooked,at
home.
“Setupwhat?”Withoutanswering,hejustwalkedthroughtheroom,pasther,andoutthedooronthe
otherside.Shecouldseeapatternhere.Hedidn’tlikeansweringquestions,andjustexpectedtobe
followed.Thatwasn’tokwithher.Readytogivehimapieceofhermind,shescurriedtocatchupwith
him.

Shefoundhiminthebedroom.Immediately,shefeltuneasy.Itwasodd,tobeinaman’sbedroom,
Grayson’sespecially.Shehadbeengood,notdating,notdoinganythingsinceherlastrelationshiphad
endedmonthsbefore.Thoughsheenjoyedtheindependence,notworryingaboutwhatanotherperson
wanted,itwaslonely.Heopenedsomebags,pullingsheetsandacomforterout.Therewerepillows
piledonthefloor.Thequeensizebedwasinasimplesleighframe.Veryplain,forsomeonelikehim.Ina
homelikethis,shewouldhavechosendifferent.Heturned,handingherthepackagewiththefittedsheet.

Hisbed.Hewantedhelpsettinguphisbed.Shelookeddown,noticingthehighthreadcountsheets.
“Hm,Iwouldhavethoughtsomeonelikeyou,wouldhavesilk.”Quicklyshecoveredhermouthwitha
hand.Thatwasn’tsupposedtobesaidoutloud.
“Why’sthat?”heaskedhumorously.
“Youknow,comfortforasmuchtimeasyouspendinbed,Ifiguredyou’dwantsomethingsoft.”He
narrowedhiseyesather.
“AsmuchtimeasIspendinbed?”Hedidtheeyebrowthingagain.Itwassexy,oneliftedup,itdidthings
toher.

Tryingtoignorethefeelinginherstomach,thebutterflies,sheshookherhead.“Ididn’tmeantoinsult
you.Ijust,youknow?You’reyou.You’reasingleman,attractive,youhavelotsofchoices.AndI’ve
neverheardofyousayingno.”
“So,I’mawhore?”

Crap.Thisisnotwhatshemeant.“No!”Charexclaimed.“Sorry,Iwasjust…nevermind,okay?Let’sget

thisdone.”Sheopenedthepackage,movingclosertothebed.Handinghimonesideofthesheet,she
movedtotheotherside.Insilence,theymadethebed.Itwasodd,forhim.Sheknewtheybothgrewup
withmaids,whodidthesethings.Sincebeingcutoff,shehadrealizedhowmuchtheyactuallydidforher.
Evenlivinginherapartment,theyhadcomedailytodothesethings.Now,itwasroutineforher.But
seeingGraysondothisdiligently,itwasnice.Itwaspeaceful.

Whileheplacedthepillows,shegatheredtheemptypackaging.
“Here,I’lltakethat,”Graysonsaid.Theirhandstouchedashewenttotakethebags.

Theystood,staringintoeachother’seyes.Whentheirhandsconnected,itwaslikeanelectricalshock.
Charletgo,andthepackagesfelltothefloorbetweenthem.Graysonbroketheirstare,reachingup.He
wrappedahandaroundthebackofherneck,pullinghertohim.Hekissedherhard,asifhewouldnever
seeheragain.

Shekissedback,theirtonguestastingeachother.Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck,andhisother
handlandedonherass.Hesqueezedwhileturningthem.Theybothstumbledashepressedher
backwards,untilshehitthebedandfellfromhishold.Theirkissbroke,andhelookeddownather.
“Screwit,Ican’tfightthisanymore,”hesaid,moretohimself,thananything.Wasthisreallyhappening?

Chapter10

Graysonwasdonefightingthis,overtryingtonotactonhisattraction.Hehadbeenhangingonbyathread
already,butthemomenttheirhandstouched,itunraveled.Hewasdone.Charbackeduponthemattress,
asiftryingtogetawayfromhim.Shelookedathimwithconfusion.
“Iwantyou,Iwantthis.”Whenhesaiditaloud,itmadeitreal.Thiswashappening.Shegrinned,her
eyeslightingup.

Growling,heleaneddownandkissedheragain.Hepulledhertoherfeet,quicklyrunninghishands
aroundherhips,andback.Findingwhathewaslookingfor,heunzippedherskirt,lettingitpoolather
feet.Shekickedoffhershoesandreachedforhispants.Heallowedhertoundothejeans,ashisfingers
fumbledwiththebuttonsonhershirt.Whyweretheresomanyofthedamnthings?Hemovedback,soshe
couldpullhissweateroverhishead.Lettinggoofher,hefinishedthejob.Droppingittothefloor,his
handsmovedtothejeans,shovingthemdown.Hekickedoffhisshoesandhissocksfollowed.AsChar
finishedundoinghershirt,hereyeswidened.Whenherealizedshewasstaringathishardon,helaughed.
Hercheeksflushedandshelookedup.Heranahandalonghishardenedpenis,overtheboxershewore.
“Thinkyoucanhandlethis?”heaskedplayfully.Shenoddedandpeeledofftheshirt.Asshereachedfor
herbra,hestoppedher.

Hepulledherwarmbodyagainsthisandbegankissingherneck,downtohershoulders.Hisfinger
hookedunderthebrastrap,slidingitdownherarmashekisseddownherchest.Hereachedthetopofher
breastandbreathedhardagainsthercoolskin.
“I’vethoughtofthesebreastsforweeks,”hesaidsoftly.Herbodyquiveredunderhistouch.Grayson
reachedaround,undoingthebra,allowingittofallbetweenthem.Hernippleshardenedasthecoolairhit
them.Hismouthreachedout,lightlybitingon.Hetwirledhistonguearound,blowingonthemoistened
skin.

Sheranherhandsdownhisback,throughhishair.Handsroamed,exploringeachother’sbody.He
carefullypushedagainstChar,untilshewasonceagain,onherback,spreadoutacrossthemattress.Her
legsdangledovertheedge.

Hetrailedkissesdownherstomach,reachingthesmallblackthongshewore.Helookedup,grinningat
her.Shejustwinkedathim.Sheraisedupslightlytolookathim,andhereachedover,pullingapillow
towardsher.Charsliditunderherhead,soshecouldwatchhim.Fingershookedinthethinmaterial,he
slowlypulledthemdown,mouthstillkissingatrail,following.Heignoredhercore,instead,moving
downherlegs.Droppingit,hetookherkneesinhishandsandpushedthemapart.Shefeltexposed,her
centerglistening,broadcastingtheexcitementshefelt.Graysonflickedhistonguealongtheline,tasting
her.Itpressedagainsthercore,movinginslowcircles.Shemoaned,fistingthecomfortertheyhadjust
placedonthebedneatly.

Graysontooktwofingers,insertingthemintoher.Shewassowarm,sowet.Hiscockbouncedagainst
him,asifbeggingforitsturn,wantingtobeburieddeepinsideofher.Hisdigitsinsideherflicked,
bending,movinginandoutashistongueassaultedherbud.Shewrithedwithpassion,hipsmoving,asif
shecouldgetmoreofhim.Hereachedupwithhisotherhand,pinningherhiptothebed.Hecouldfeel
herinsidesquivering.

“Don’tstop!Oh,God,”shecriedout.Thatwassomethinghedidn’tplanondoing.Nowthathehada
taste,hedidn’tthinkhecouldeverstop,everwalkawayagain.Theyhadcrossedaline,andtherewasno
goingback.

Thepressureincreasedashequickenedhismovements.Themoanscomingfromhermouthdrovehim
wild,knowinghewascausingthosesoundsofpleasure.Shescreamedout,andherinsidesclampeddown
onhimasshecame.Herwarmthcoatedhisfingers.Hismovementceased,astheybothpanted.Collecting
himself,hestood,loweringhisboxers.Hispeniswashardandstandingupstraight.HepulledatChar’s
body,helpinghermoveallthewayontothebed.Stretchedacrossit,shewasstillinapostorgasmhaze.
Hecrawledontopofher,holdinghiscock.Slowly,hemoveditupanddownherslit,coatinghimselfin
herjuices.Hebalancedonhiselbows,handsinherhair,brushingherface.

Hisentrywasslow,littlebylittle,hepushedinsideofher.Herlegswrappedaroundhiships,heels
pressingintohisass.Hehadtoclosehiseyesandtakeadeepbreath.Alreadyontheprecipice,hewas
goingtolosecontrol.

Shefithimlikeaglove,wrappingperfectlyaroundhim.Shestillclenchedinside,milkinghim.Shoving
thelastbitinside,heheldstill—notonlytoenjoythefeelofbeinginsideofher,buttograpplefor
control.Shereachedup,wrappingherarmsaroundhisneckagain,pullinghisfaceclose.Hereyeswide
open,theylookedateachother.

Finally,shegrinned.“Feelsamazing,”shepantedout.“Makelovetome.”Herheadcameup,capturing
hismouth.Theykissed,andhishipsmovedoncommand.Heslidinandout,rotatingabit,topress
againsthercoreashedid.Shemewedagainsthismouth,kissinghimharder.Hisstomachtightenedasthe
pressurebuilt.Frenziedmovementsquickened,herhipsrisingtomeethiswitheverythrust.Theirbodies
slammedtogether,bothreaching,tryingtograsptheirrelease.

EmotionswelledupinsideofGrayson.Hewasunsurewhattofeel.Thisjustseemedsoright,filleda
voidinsideofhim.Nootherwomanhaddonethat.

Charscreamedout,nailsdiggingintohisback,legstighteningaroundhim.Hefeltherreleaseonhisshaft
asheheldstill.Asshemilkedhim,itcoaxedhimovertheedgeandhejoinedher.Droppingontopofher,
hewentlimp.Rollingtothesidesohedidn’tcrushherbeneathhim,sheweaklymoanedashepulledout
ofher.

Shemovedherheadtorestonhischest,armdrapedacrosshisstomach.Hewrappedanarmaroundher,
pullingtheblanketfromthefootofthebed,overher.Theretheyfellasleep.

Chapter11

Tryingtopeelhereyesopen,Charcouldn’tseeanythinginthepitchblackness.Ittookheraminuteto
realizewhereshewas.Shecouldfeeltheheatednakedbodyunderher.Grayson.She’dhadsexwith
Grayson.Inhermind,shesquealedinexcitement.Thenherheartstartedtorace.

Crap,she’dsleptwithGrayson.Whatnow?Wouldhegobacktoignoringsheexisted?WouldRobinbe
mad?Guiltateather.Carefullytryingtonotwakehim,sheslidfromhisgrasp.Inthedark,shefumbled,
findinghisboxers,andsweater.Sheslippedintothem,andtiptoedouttothekitchen.Shefumbledforthe
lightswitch,blindingherselfwhensheflickeditandtheypoppedon.Searchingthefridge,shegrabbeda
bottleofwater,andpoppedastrawberryintohermouth.Asshewenttotakeasip,armswrappedaround
herwaist.Frightened,shealmostdroppedthebottle.
“Didn’tmeantoscareyou,”Graysonwhisperedintoherear.

Sheturnedtofacehim,allowingthefridgetoshutbehindher.“Ididn’thearyou.DidIwakeyou?”
“Yes,youweregone,Igotcold.”Hiswordsweresoft.Hetookthewaterfromher,sippingit,without
breakingtheirconnection.

“So,”shesaid,pausing.“IguessIshouldgohome?”Wheredidtheygofromhere?Whatnow?
“Iforgotacondom.”Hestateditoutofnowhere,andittookaminutetoregisterwhathesaid.Crap,they
had.Shegroaned,herhandflutteringtoherstomach.“Moveinwithme.”Sheinstantlyputherguardup.
“Movein?Idon’tneedyoutotakecareofmeoutofobligation.Ihaveagoodjobnow.I’mdoingwellon
myown.Itwillbefine.”Chartriedtomovefromhishold,buthetightenedhisgrip.
“I’mnotaskingbecauseIfeelobligated.I’maskingbecausenowthatI’vehadyou,Ican’tletyougo.I
wantyoubymyside.You’reasexcitedaboutplansforthisplaceasIam.Helpme.”
“Ilovemyjob.You’reaskingmetogiveupmylifeandliveyoursjustbecausewehadsex?”Attitude
seepedintoeveryword.

Hemovedbackasifherwordsslappedhim.Heranahandthroughhishair,amovementsheknewwasa
nervoustic.“Thatwasn’tmeaskingyoutogiveupyourlife.Iknowyouloveyournewjob.Keepit.I
just,Iwastryingtosharemylifewithyou.”
“Don’tyoufindthattoofast?Seriously,wegofromnottalking,tohavesexonce,andnowyouwantmeto
livewithyou?”
“It’snotlikeyoudon’tknowme,haven’tknownmealongtime.Ikeeppicturingyouhere,inthekitchen
drinkingcoffeewithmebeforework.Sleepingnexttomeatnight.That’sall.”

Charhadtoadmit,notonlywasitadreamcometrue,butwow,itwassweet.
“CanIthinkonit?Imean,thisisallhappeningfast.”
“Yea,”hesaid,walkingaway.Heleftherstandingaloneinthekitchen.

Following,shefoundhimbackinthebedroom,unpackingasuitcaseofclothesintothenewdresser.
Withoutanotherword,Charfoundherclothesandgotdressed,quietlylayinghissweateronthebed.
“So,”shesaid,stoppingatthedoorway.“We’lltalktomorrow?”

Henoddedandwentintothebathroomthatconnectedthemastersuite.Tearsthreatenedtospillover,so
shecollectedherthingsandleft.Onthedrivehome,sheallowedthemtofall.Whatwaswrongwithher?
ShehadbeeninlovewithGraysonforsolong,andnow,shecouldhavewhatshewanted.

Sowhatwasholdingherback?Sure,itwasascarythoughtthattheycouldbepregnantoverastupid

mistake,butwoulditbesobadtohaveGrayson’schild?WasitthatRobinmaybeangry?Shedidn’twant
toloseherbestfriend,butRobinknewshecrushedonGrayson.Wouldn’tshebehappyforthem?Itwas
alltoomuch.Arrivinghome,Charthrewherselfonherbed,andclosedhereyes.

SheshouldcallRobin,tellhernow.Maybesomecouragefirst.Shegotup,headingtothekitchenfora
glassofwine.Asshepoured,shedialedupherbestfriend.
“Hey,girlie,how’sitgoing?”Robin’scheerfulimmediatelymadeCharfeelbetter.
“Ihave…”Shecouldn’tgetthewordsout.
“What’swrongsweetie?Yousoundsad.”
“Ishouldbehappy.Somethinghappenedtodaythat,I’vewantedforalongtime.Ijust,Ifeelguilty.
Promiseyouwon’tbemadandstopbeingmybestfriend?”
“Ok,nowyou’rescaringme,”Robinsaid,worryfillinghervoice.

Chardecidedtojustspititout,getitoverwith.“IsleptwithGraysonandheaskedmetomovein.”
Robin’ssquealsdeafenedher,shehadtopullthephoneawayfromherear.
“Iknewit,knewit!”herfriendshouted.
“Knewwhat?”
“Thathelovedyoutoo!Thisisfantastic,nowwecanbesisters.”
“Wait,no!”
“No?You’renotmovingin?”
“Isortofleft.”
“Oh,Char,packabagandgoback!”
“You’renotmad?Imean,it’syourbrother.”Chardidn’tunderstand.Shefiguredherfriendwouldbe
upsetatthem.
“I’vebeenwaitingforsolong.WhydoyouthinkJustingotyouthatjobthere?Weknewhewaslookingto
buyaplaceinthearea!Ihopedyouwouldrunintoeachother,I’mjusthappyithappenedsoquick.”

Thatmeddlingwitch.Thiswaspayback,forhertrickingherintogettingmarried.Ithadtobe.
“Wecan’t,Ican’tdothatRob.”
“No,no,no.Youwillpackabagandgobacktonight.”Herfriendusedherbossytone.Theonethatwas
hardtoignore.Charlaughedwithrelief.
“But,whatifhedecideshedoesn’tlikeme,orwantmetostay?Idon’twanttogiveupmyplaceandthen
beleftwithnothing.”
“That’snotgoingtohappen.Listen,Igottarun,butIexpectnexttimewetalk,thatyou’regoingtotellme,
thatyou’relivingwithmybrother.”ShehungupbeforeCharcouldanswer.

Charstoodinherkitchen,thinking.Couldthiswork?Shetouchedherstomach.Theriskwaslow,thatshe
wasactuallygoingtogetpregnantfromonetime.TheideaoflivingwithGraysonthough,startinga
family,itwasunreal.Makinguphermind,shestormedtoherbedroomandshutthedoor.

Chapter12

AknockonthedoorstoppedGraysonashewascarryingabagofgarbagedownthestairs.
“Comein.It’sopen.”Hehadbeenupstairsstartingtheremodelononeoftherooms.Asthedooropened,
Charpokedherheadinside.Seeinghim,sheopenedthedoorwider,standingbehindit.
“Startingworkalready?”sheasked.Henodded,settingthebagonthefloor.Hehadn’tbeenabletosleep
orthinkordoanythingallnight,thinkingofherwalkingout.Sure,itwasspurofthemomenttoaskherto
movein,buttherejectionhurt.So,hehadstartedworkandkeptatitthroughthenight.Hecheckedhis
watch,realizingitwasalmostnoon.Damn.Hewastired.Silently,hestaredather.
“So,Iwasthinking.”Shestopped,lookingathim.
“And?”Hequestioned,histoneslightlyharsh.Sheflinchedandheregrettedit.Buthecouldn’tkeepthe
painoutofhisvoice.
“I’msorryifIhurtyoulastnight.”Shefidgeted,hefounditcuteeverytimeshegotnervous.Shewould
fidget.“Icouldn’tsleeplastnight.Becauseyouweren’tthere.Whichisstupidandlike,basicallycreepy
stalkerish.Imean,wehadsexonce,andnowIcan’tsleepwithoutyou?”Hecouldseehertryingto
collectherthoughts,realizingshewasrambling.Graysonsteppedclosertoher.“No,”sheheldouta
hand.“Don’tcomecloser.Ican’tthinkwhenyou’renearme,andIneedtosaythis.”

Hestopped,afraidtomoveatall,afraidtosendherrunning.
“Ifreakedout.I’vethoughtofthisforsolongthatnowit’shappening,andIgotscared.IwasafraidRobin
wouldbemadatmeandIcan’tstandlosingmybestfriend.Or,whatifyougotboredwithme,or
realized,I’mnotactuallyinteresting?”
“Never.You’requiteinteresting.”

Shegiggledslightly.“Yea,RobinbasicallytoldmeshewoulddisownmeifIdidn’tcomeback.”Without
anotherword,Charopenedthedoorfully.Hecouldseethesuitcaseonthestepsbehindher.Hisgaze
returnedtoher.“SoIpackedsomethingstotidemeover,untilwedecideifthisissomethingthatwill
stickorwhatever.”Sheshrugged.
“CanImovenow?I’dreallyliketokissyou.”Theybothlaughed,andshenodded.Hisfeetmoved
quickly,carryinghimacrosstheentry.Hetookherinhisarms,kissingher.Hisheartfilledwithan
emotionhecouldn’tquitedescribe.Happiness…love…something.Itwarmedhim,crashingthroughhis
body.Thiswaswhathehadbeenmissing,whatheneeded.

Charfinallypulledaway,grabbinghersuitcaseandwheelingitin.“So,I’mgonnagounpackandthen
maybewecantakeanaporsomething?”Shewinkedandheshutthedoor,thenquicklyfollowedher.
Yeah,naporsomethingwasright.

Epilogue

2yearslater

“Gregory,getbackhere.”Charyelledoutathersmallson.HehadrunoffwithRobin’sdaughter,Emma.
Herniece.Itwasstillweird,callingherbestfriendhersister,butitwasfitting.Todaywasthedaythey
wouldopenthebedandbreakfast.Shecouldn’twait.Theyhadworkedsohardonit.Graysoncameup
behindher,wrappinghisarmsaroundherwaist.
“He’sfine.JustinandRobinarewalkingarounddownthere,checkingoverthevines.Thatmeanswe’re
aloneforaminute.Youweresobusyyesterdayatthatopenhouse,theneveryoneshoweduptoday.Ifeel
likeIhaven’tseenyou.”

Shegiggledandthenwincedashekissedherneck.Hishandonherstomachbouncedastheirdaughter
remindedthemthattheyaren’talone.Hestrokedherbulgingcenter,calmingthebabyinside.
“SorryLily,you’reright,wearen’talone.Daddyshouldrememberthat.”Charsighed,lovingthis.

Herhusbandgrinnedagainstherneck.“Sorry,Mommy.Sorry,Lily,”hewhispered.Charrealizedshehad
everythingshecouldeverwant.Shewassuccessfulatrealty,theirbedandbreakfastwasopening,the
winerywasgettingstarted,andshehadherperfectfamilywithhercrush.Whatmorecouldshewant?
Everythingwasperfect.

TheEnd

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Document Outline

Most Eligible Bachelor
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12

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