Page 63 of Her Filthy Grump
“Perfect.” I watch his every move as he walks away. He’s perfect. All our time together is perfect.
Between making pancakes together on Sunday mornings to watching old reruns ofThe Office, there hasn’t been a time we’ve been incompatible. And the bedroom? I shudder. Every time we’re together is better than the last.
Unless I’m pregnant. I don’t want him to feel trapped, and we’ve used condoms every time except for the first time we made love. Surely one time isn’t all it takes. I rush to the bathroom.
As soon as I have the door shut, I clasp my breasts. They feel the same. Slightly aching as I squeeze. Nothing different than when I’m expecting my period. See–nothing to worry about.
Chapter Forty
Kameron
The vines of grapes line the hills in straight rows. Each one has been meticulously tended to by the owners to ensure a bumper crop. The gravel road is bordered by a wooden fence that’s as perfect as the grapevines.
In the distance is a large two-story white home with a sprawling front porch. The barn is covered in large glass windows that look over the wine field. I whistle. “This place is impressive.”
“I thought you’d like it. It’s one of the oldest family-owned wineries in the county. Of course, everything’s new and in pristine condition.”
“This sure beats anything we have back home.”
Back home.Do I belong in Kansas City? The longer I’m away, the less of a pull I feel toward there. Is it possible to pick up and permanently move? I’ll miss my family, but that doesn’t mean visiting is out of the equation.
“What do the wineries look like in K.C.?” She stares out the window as I put my pickup into park.
“None of them are this big. Most of them are small and barely large enough for distribution.” I shrug. “I guess it’s more of a hobby than a livelihood.”
“People in the Napa Valley area take their wine seriously.” She runs her hand over her skirt as if she’s trying to eliminate wrinkles.
Her white dress is short and flirty. The way the top hugs her curves and the skirt teases her knees has put it in the top ten of my favorite outfits for her to wear. Not that she looks bad in cutoff shorts and a T-shirt. Hell, she could wear the proverbial gunny sack and look fantastic.
“Are you ready to show me around?” I grab her hand and lace my fingers through hers.
“Absolutely.” She beams and places her free hand on the door handle.
“I’ll get the door.” I frown slightly. “City boys can be chivalrous.”
Her face flushes as her hand drops to her lap. “Sorry. I’m still used to being alone.”
As I round the front of my pickup, I recount her words. Why has she always been alone? I’ve told her a little about my past, but hers has been like a sealed vault.
The closest vehicle is a Cadillac, and it’s parked three spots over. The parking lot is only half-full for a weeknight. I open the door and wait for her to get out.
Once the door is shut, I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her close. The scent of vanilla fills my nose. “Why are you used to being alone?”
She stumbles over a piece of gravel. “Wow, that makes me sound boring. Doesn’t it?”
“No.”
She worries her bottom lip. I’ve never asked her about her past relationships in fear that she’s spent years pining over some guy who’s never noticed her. What happens when he shows up and sweeps her off her feet? My heart skips a beat. I don’t want her with anyone else.
“I’ve dated a few guys, but none of them lasted long.
My back stiffens. How long is she talking about? We’ve only been together for a few weeks. Is that short or long in her opinion?
She swallows and looks at the ground. “Stanley was probably the longest. We dated six months, but when I wouldn’t have sex with him, he broke up with me. That was back in high school. Then, in college, I dated a guy. He was sweet and nice.” Her jaw tightens. “At least, I thought he was.”
I place a hand on her cheek. “What did he do?”
Her eyes narrow into slits, and she wrinkles her nose. “I met him at the country club where Harbor and I worked during the school week. He flirted with me for weeks before I went out with him. We almost had sex, but I said no. He got mad and left me on a deserted road. I had to walk five miles back to town.”