Page 86 of Holding Grace

Kentucky weather was unpredictable in the fall, or any season, really. It could be beautiful and sunny one day and gray and miserable the next.

Michael eyed me as I rubbed my hands together. “You want some coffee or hot chocolate? I’ll go find you some.”

“No, I’ll be okay. It’s starting to get crowded. I don’t want you to have to mess with it.” The VIP area had nearly filled up in just the few minutes Michael and I had been there. “It shouldn’t be long before the fireworks start. Thanks, though.”

Michael looked over the crowd surrounding us and nodded. He moved a little closer, and we stood quietly, watching the faint ripple of waves across the dark surface of the lake. I shivered again and heard Michael’s voice in my ear.

“Come here.”

As I turned toward him, he unzipped his jacket and drew me into him. Momentarily stunned, I held myself stiffly, my arms curled between us resting against his chest. Then the heat of his body seeped into me, his arms came around me, and I relaxed.

I closed the space between us, circling my arms around Michael’s waist and resting my head on his shoulder. He exhaled a long breath as he tightened his arms around me, holding me close as his delicious warmth surrounded me.

“Better?”

I closed my eyes and nodded faintly. “So much better.”

“Good.” Michael pressed a soft kiss to my temple and rested his head against mine.

The crowd, the cold, everything around us faded away.

This was my spot, my perfect, happy place. If I had one wish it would be to stay right here forever.

Chapter 32

Michael

This was it.

This – holding Grace, keeping her warm and safe with my body, comforting and protecting her – this was the reason I was put on this earth.

Maybe the thought was primitive, but nothing in my life had ever felt this right.

I dropped a soft kiss on her head, inhaling the light scent of her shampoo, and kept her wrapped up tight in my arms as she burrowed into me, accepting my touch without question.

Mindful of the crowd around us, I resisted the urge to tip her face up to mine and kiss her. It was dark, but nowhere near private enough to kiss Grace the way I wanted to.