In It to Win It Page 16

  “No,” Grayson said honestly. “I love Jane Alexander,” Grayson shouted, the words bouncing off the bricks of the little store. “But Mom, don’t push this. You and I can see it, but Jane’s not ready to admit her feelings yet.”

  “What if I don’t have those feelings?” she teased.

  “You do.” Grayson dropped a kiss to the top of her head and pulled her against his side. “It’s okay, love. No pressure. Love me in silence if that makes you more comfortable. But don’t ask me to hide my feelings for you.” He turned her in his arms and dropped his forehead to hers. “I love you, baby. I will never tire of saying it, nor tire of you hearing it. I. Love. You.”

  The only answer she could offer was to stretch up on her tiptoes and kiss him. She did love him. There was no denying it. And she hoped that he never tired of saying it because she wanted to hear those words from his lips every day, every minute for the rest of her life.

  Suddenly, she remembered the audience that had interrupted them. She stiffened in his hold and jerked her head around to see … an empty aisle where Maude had left them to their moment.

  Grayson took her by the hand and led her to the front of the store. “Mom gets off in ten minutes. Are you up for lunch at her house?”

  “Um. I guess.”

  “It’ll be fine. Truth is I should be the nervous one. You know the scrapbook she made for you?” When she nodded he continued, “I’ve got one for every year of my life. Would you like to see what little Grayson looked like on the day I was born?”

  Jane burst out laughing. “Has he changed much?”

  SWEAT DRIPPED DOWN GRAYSON’ PITS AND HE had to keep wiping his palms on his jeans. When he’d made the suggestion of spending the afternoon with his mom, it’d sounded like a good idea to let the two most important women in his life bond.

  Yeah, well, he was seriously reconsidering the wisdom in that!

  The two of them were sitting on the leather couch in his mother’s living room. Their heads were together over a scrapbook. They’d been going through them for three hours. Each one containing embarrassing pictures, but it was the mortifying stories that they shared that had him wanting to dig a hole and crawl inside.

  Jane laughed, pointing to a picture from when he was six. “He really stuck a Lego up his nose?”

  “Yeah,” Mom answered, amused. “See that bump? That’s it. I had to take him to the hospital to get it out.” She shook her head and glanced up at Grayson. “He cried like a total baby.”

  “Do you think he’d cry now?” Jane asked, stifling a giggle with her long, manicured fingers.

  He narrowed his eyes at her, not at all amused. “I’m not stupid enough to stick it up my nose to begin with.”

  Jane turned the page and laughed. And laughed. And held her sides and laughed some more. She fell back against the pillows and wiped at her eyes. “What happened?”

  He knew exactly which picture she found so amusing and bit his lip to keep from laughing himself. He didn’t want to encourage her.

  Mom pointed to the picture of Grayson with his face painted in various shades of blue and green and purple. “That was Grayson’s Picasso stage. I found him in his bedroom with markers around him on the floor. He had my mirror propped against the wall and had painted his face. When I asked why he’d done it, he informed me that he hadn’t.”

  The two women laughed while Grayson glowered at them.

  “I told him that he was the only one there and then he told me that a phantom marker guy did it. And that I’d just missed him. If I hurried maybe I could catch him in the yard, ‘cause he just jumped out the window.” Mom shrugged. “I might have believed him if he hadn’t had the same colors smudged all over his chubby little hands.”

  “So what happened?” Jane asked him, tears of amusement shone on her lashes.

  “It wouldn’t come off,” he groaned. “I had to walk around for days until it wore off.”

  “How did I miss it?”

  “It was summer,” he said with a shrug. “And we were in first grade. You probably wouldn’t have remembered it anyway.”

  “Oh, I would have remembered that.” She looked down at the picture and another fit of laughter bubbled out of her. Seeing her so carefree made Grayson’s heart fill to nearly bursting. He had to admit that her laugh was the greatest sound in the world. Actually, no … the greatest sound she made came in height of passion when she screamed out his name.

  Mom slid the album into Jane’s lap and stood. “Are you hungry? I can throw something together.”

  Grayson shook his head. “We’re good. I wanted to take Jane out tonight.”

  “You want to join us?” Jane asked. Damn her for being polite.

  Mom smiled, appreciating the offer. The look she shot him said that she knew she wasn’t really invited. And that she was totally okay with that. “I’m fine. It’s Grey’s Anatomy tonight. I can’t miss McSteamy.” She raised a brow suggestively. Grayson’s stomach twisted and he fought the urge to be sick. He didn’t like the thought of his mother having those kinds of thoughts. By the twinkle in her eyes, she knew how he felt about her statement. “You kids have fun.”

  She tugged him into a hug and put a kiss on his cheek. “Hold on to her, Grayson.”

  “I plan to, Mom. I can’t live another day without her.”

  Mom then hugged Jane. “Don’t be a stranger, Jane.”

  15

  WHEN THEY WERE BOTH IN THE JEEP WITH seatbelts fastened, Grayson started the engine. “I was thinking we’d go to Mom’s Café. Are you okay with that?”

  “Absolutely.” Her stomach rumbled its own vote of approval. “I already know what I’m going to have.”

  “Me too,” Grayson answered.

  “Chicken fried steak,” they said together and then laughed.

  Mom’s Café had been around since nearly the beginning of time. The place was an old brick building that showed signs of wear and tear on its century old structure. Renovations were done, but rarely and only when desperation called for them, those repairs keeping with the ‘old’ ambience.

  Grayson held Jane’s hand as they pushed through the door. A bell announced their arrival and Sally Montgomery looked up from her post behind the counter. She hadn’t changed a bit. The elderly woman was almost as big around as she was tall with an apron tied around her middle. Her bright blue eyes widened behind her thick lenses.

  “Grayson, it’s good to see you again.” Those blue eyes narrowed and her mouth fell open a bit. “As I live and breathe. Jane Alexander, you are the most beautiful girl. How are your parents?”

  “They’re good.”

  “Good to hear.” Her eyes swept over Jane from head to toe and an approving smile graced her lips. “It is so good to see you, dear … and with Grayson.” Her grin grew and she turned to pick up menus. “I’ll give you a secluded table in the back.”

  “We’d appreciate that,” Grayson told her.

  His hand came to rest on Jane’s lower back and she relaxed against it. Jane craved the calm that his touch could bring. His touch could also bring on another slew of emotions, but right now was not the time to think about that.

  “Here you go,” Sally said, placing the menus on the table. “I have to say that it’s a pleasure to see you two nights in a row.”

  Grayson stiffened as he slid into the bench. Jane dropped down into her seat across from him and tried to remember to breathe. There was no way that Grayson was at Mom’s last night. Which meant…

  “Can I get you something to drink?”

  Before Jane could answer, Grayson said, “A Coke and a Diet Coke with lemon. Thanks, Sally.”

  “You betcha,” she said with a wink and disappeared through a curtain into the kitchen.

  Grayson smiled at Jane and took her hand in his. He squeezed it then turned it over to run his fingertips over the lines of her palm. “Did you know—”

  “Shouldn’t we talk about … ya know?”

  “No. It’s fine.”

>   “It’s not fine, Grayson.” Jane’s blood pounded in her temples.

  “Jane, don’t let him ruin tonight. It’s okay.”

  She wasn’t so sure, but as he continued to trace the lines on her palm, she relaxed.

  “As I was saying before … did you know that I took palm reading in college?”

  Jane felt the edges of her mouth quirking and her brow raise. “Really? Wow. Where did you go to school that they had that class.”

  “It was an elective.”

  Sally came back with their drinks and slid them onto the table. “Do you know what you want?”

  “Two chicken fried steaks.”

  “Mashed potatoes and steamed veggies okay?”

  When Jane nodded, Grayson answered, “Perfect. Thanks.”

  As Sally walked away Jane turned the conversation back to the topic of palm reading. She didn’t buy that he had actually attended a class on the subject, but decided she would play along. “What does my palm tell you?”

  “This line,” he said, pointing to the line that ran parallel to the top of her palm, “is the love line. You tend to hold your feelings in a tight grip.” She felt herself bristle and barely resisted the urge to yank her hand away. He must have sensed her apprehension because he tightened his hold just a bit, running his fingertip over the line, a grin on his handsome face. “But it seems that you’re content with your current romantic situation. I’d like to think I have something to do with that.”

  “Oh, please,” she snorted. “Like you can tell I’m happy in my current romantic situation by a wrinkle on the palm of my hand. Wouldn’t it be more likely that some other romantic situation made me content?”

  He frowned and Jane wondered if the flash in his eyes was jealousy. Was it bad that she kinda liked the idea of him jealous over some past love? She bit her lip to keep from smiling as his frown deepened.

  “Have there been many men who have made you feel content?”

  “A few,” she lied. There’d been one guy, one relationship in college that resembled something remotely serious. It had lasted just long enough for him to get what he wanted, leaving her in a devastated puddle of tears.

  “By your heartbroken expression I’m gonna guess those relationships didn’t end well.”

  “Hell no, it didn’t end well. You broke my heart.” She wasn’t sure where the words came from. She hadn’t been thinking of Grayson at all. At least not in the you-crushed-my-world kinda way.

  He lifted her palm and pressed a kiss to it. “I’m sorry for that, Jane. I will never be able to apologize enough for that.”

  Now who was the jerk?

  “I know. Really, Grayson, I know. I’m the one who should be sorry. You’re not the only one who broke my heart. Although I have to admit that the scar you placed there has only now begun to heal.”

  Her eyes began to sting with tears that wanted to fall and she blinked hard. He half stood and leaned across the table to kiss her lightly. “Forgive me?”

  Her insides went all warm and gooey over hearing the words she knew to be the utmost truth. She felt her expression go all wistful and her entire body warmed from the inside out. “You’re forgiven.”

  He grinned … a little smugly. “Let’s make a deal. No talking about former relationships.”

  “Why?” she asked, lifting a brow. “Whatcha hiding, Pierce?”

  “Nothin’, honestly. Derek had all the fun. I wasn’t interested.”

  “Because of me?” Her voice rose at the end in hopeful question.

  He smiled again. “Because of you.”

  “Yeah, well, I haven’t exactly dated up a blue streak these last fifteen years.”

  That declaration made his smile spread from ear to ear and Jane rolled her eyes, snorting a bit. He chuckled. “I can’t say I’m disappointed to hear that.”

  “And I can’t say that I’m disappointed to hear that you’re not the asshole, party-animal the world thinks you are.”

  “Okay, so … now we know all that we need to know about our prior relationships. I’m going to pretend that another guy has never so much as kissed your lips and you can pretend that I’m still a virgin.”

  She laughed. “I thought I made a man out of you.”

  “Baby doll, you’ve more than made a man out of me. And I am eternally grateful.”

  They were both still laughing when Sally came out, a plate in each hand. “It’s good to see two young people so much in love. Especially you two. Enjoy.” She slid the plates in front of them and walked away.

  “What do you think she meant by especially you two?” Jane asked Grayson.

  He shrugged. “I’m gonna guess it’s because she’s known us since we were in diapers and I’m grinning like a fool and you’re all dreamy-eyed.”

  That made her grin like a fool. “I love you.”

  “Love you, too.” He picked up his fork and scooped some potatoes. “Hurry and eat. I’ve got big plans for tonight.”

  “Do you now?”

  His eyes darkened to the shade of dark chocolate and Jane could see the lust smoldering in them. “Those plans wouldn’t have anything to do with getting me naked, would they?”

  “Now who’s the fortune teller?” he asked with a laugh. “Eat.”

  GRAYSON PAID THE BILL AND HELPED JANE shrug into her coat. His heart was already pounding in anticipation. And it wasn’t the only part of him throbbing. Eating had been the last thing on his mind as he sat across the table in Mom’s Café—or eating food had been the last thing on his mind. Staring at Jane he had all kinds of thoughts about what he really wanted to devour.

  They made their way to the door and Sally asked, “How was everything?”

  “Yummy,” Jane answered. “Just like I remembered.”

  “Good. That’s real good,” Sally said. “Don’t let it be so long before you come back. And be sure to tell your folks hello for me.”

  “Will do. Goodnight, Sally.”

  Grayson waved in farewell and pushed the door open, holding it for Jane to exit. They walked hand-in-hand to the Jeep. Twilight had faded to dusk and dusk to night as they’d enjoyed their dinner. Stars twinkled overhead. Grayson opened the passenger door and she slid inside. He had to remind himself not to race around the vehicle and forced his feet to move at a normal saunter.

  Their breath puffed in clouds inside the Jeep, and Grayson shivered. “Damn, it’s cold.”

  “According to Molly we’re supposed to get a humdinger of a storm tomorrow night.”

  A slow, lazy smile touched his lips. He had heard that same weather report and had loads of ideas what to do if they got snowed in. In fact, he was hoping for just that. Let it snow!

  “Where we goin’?” she asked when he pulled away from the curb.

  “It’s a surprise. Speaking of which—” He eased back to the curb and tugged a silk blindfold from the pocket of his jacket.

  “Oh no you don’t,” she stammered, shaking her head. “I’m not letting you blindfold me.”

  He didn’t have to feign hurt feelings. “Don’t you trust me?”

  “Of course I—” He recognized the understanding in her expression as soon as she stopped speaking. She let out a long sigh. She leaned toward him, closing her eyes. “You’re right. I trust you.”

  He wrapped the black silk around her head, covering her eyes. After tying it in the back and waving a hand in front of her face to make sure she couldn’t see, he kissed her. Nothing too intense, just a quick peck on her lips. Leaning back just enough so that he could see her entire face, he just studied her face. Her breath was warm and damp on his cheek. He kissed her again. He couldn’t resist.

  “I love you, Janie.”

  Without waiting for a response, although he got a quiet, satisfied sigh from her, he paused just long enough for a truck to pass and pressed his foot down on the gas pedal. Mud spat from the back end and it slid a bit before the tires grabbed hold of the asphalt and the Jeep jerked forward, quickly gaining momentum.


  “I like a good surprise as much as the next girl,” Jane said quietly, “but can I get a hint?”

  “Do you like surprises?”

  “Usually.” She rubbed at the blindfold but didn’t try to remove it. “I guess it’s not being able to see that’s bugging me.”

  “Good to know. I won’t do that again. But will you please humor me this time?”

  “If you give me a hint.”

  “You’ve never done it.”

  “Ever?”

  “That’s what you said.” He hoped that he hadn’t said too much. He wanted their destination to be a bit of a shock. Or maybe it was what he wanted to do when he got there that he wanted to leave her completely flabbergasted.

  JANE FELT THE MOMENT THAT THEY WENT from the smooth asphalt to dirt. Even with her mind racing, memorizing and analyzing the twists and turns, she still couldn’t figure out where they were headed. Oh good grief, it wasn’t like Salina and the surrounding areas were a metropolis and she’d grown up there. She knew nearly every inch like the back of her hand.

  A few more bumps in the road had her grabbing hold of her seatbelt and gasping when it tightened to hold her in place. She hated not being able to see, not able to predict the next swerve or rut in the road. Her stomach protested almost as much as her mind. She hoped when they got where they were going that she wouldn’t have to vomit all over Grayson’s shoes.

  His hand took hold of hers where it was white-knuckling the seatbelt. “We’re almost there. Only a few more minutes.”

  “Good. Not being able to see is making me nauseous.”

  “No puking. That would put a serious damper what I have planned.”

  “We wouldn’t want that, would we?” she snapped, irritated by his amusement over the situation.

  Nonplussed, he chuckled. “No love, we wouldn’t want that.”

  He was quiet and after another three bumps that had her shoulder aching—and probably bruised—where it met the belt that was supposed to keep her safe, the Jeep eased to a stop. Jane blew out a relieved breath. Her hands went to the blindfold. “Can I—”