Chapter 8

KIERA INHALED DEEPLY, the incredible scent of coffee the perfect thing to wake up to.

Why am I waking up to it?

She reached out expecting to feel warm skin, but her hand landed on cool cotton instead. Kiera opened her eyes. The blankets on the other side were tossed back and wrinkled. The pillow sat at an odd angle and there was no sign of Gray. Disappointment settled in her chest as Kiera sat up, but it vanished when she spotted Gray’s suitcase. He hadn’t jetted off for work again.

Another strong whiff of coffee floated into the room. Eager for it, as well as Gray’s company, she pushed back the covers and got up. Rather than call out a greeting when she got downstairs, she watched Gray in the kitchen for a few seconds. I’m definitely one lucky girl.

“You made breakfast?”

Gray faced the microwave, but turned at her voice. “Don’t worry, I didn’t cook it, so it’s safe to eat.” He pulled out a chair. “Did I wake you?” He kissed her after she sat, then went back to the counter. “I tried not to make too much noise when I left.” He came back carrying a large bowl of fresh fruit and a cup of coffee.

“What else have you been up to?”

“I did some work, before I went to the bakery. The woman there promised I only needed to heat up the quiche. I got some muffins, too, if you don’t like it.” He placed the food on the table.

Kiera reached for him. “I love yo—.”

Her brain registered her words, and she dropped his hand. “I mean… I love it.” She looked down at her empty plate. “I can’t believe you did all this. Thank you.” How had she let that slip? She’d been waiting until he said he loved her to tell him.

Gray forced her chin up with his fingers, but she kept her eyes averted. “Why do you think I bought breakfast instead of cooking it?”

“Because you don’t know how to cook?”

“Yup. I love you too much to make you eat my cooking.” He appeared happy, not at all about to bolt out the door because she’d dropped the dreaded L-word.

“Since I love you, I’ll give you some cooking lessons.” Now, that she’d told him how she felt, she didn’t know why she’d waited so long.

Gray took the seat next to her. “You must really love me if you’re volunteering to do that. I’m a mess in the kitchen. It could take years to teach me even the basics. Are you up for that?”

“I love you to much to care how bad you are in the kitchen.” His warm hand wrapped around hers, and she swallowed the lump in her throat. “And don’t worry I’ll have you boiling water and making pasta in two or three years.”

“Sounds good but what do you get out of the deal?” He picked up a strawberry and fed it to her. “I could teach you all about international finance.”

“Sounds boring.”

Gray frowned. “You’re right. Fortunately, there’s another thing I’m really good at.”

“Which is?”

He leaned a little closer. “Sex. I could repay the favor with sex.”

Gray’s hot breath traveled across her skin, making her nipples tingle.

“Perfect. We can start your cooking lessons right after we come back downstairs. I require prepayment.”

Gray gave her a smile that made her toes curl, and then he fed her another strawberry.

“Why bother going upstairs?” He licked the strawberry juice off her lips.

She didn’t care if they did it on the table. Kiera stood and pulled her panties off. Her t-shirt followed.

“I could look at you all day.” Gray reached for her.

“Less talk and more removing your clothes.” She grabbed the bottom of his t-shirt.

Eventually, they made their way back to breakfast. It didn’t take Kiera long to finish a muffin and while Gray finished his own food, she sipped her coffee and watched him.

He loved her. The word sent waves of emotion through her. Happiness, which bordered on full-out giddiness, left her smiling.

Her mom meant well, but in this case she didn’t know anything. Any man who would go out of his way and surprise her with breakfast couldn’t be wrong for her.

“How long will it take you to teach me how to make pancakes? I’d like to make you breakfast sometime without going to the bakery first.”

“Seven or eight years.”

“That’s fine with me, but you’re going to be eating a lot of muffins, until then.”

If he served her a muffin every morning for the next fifty years she’d eat it and not complain.

Kiera’s phone on the counter beeped letting her know she had a text message. Grabbing her coffee mug so she could refill it, she went and picked up her phone.

Your dad is excited to spend the evening with his two girls, but your grandparents are not coming.

She detected an underlying message in the text. Either her mom wanted to know if Gray would be there, or she was trying to tell her that Gray didn’t belong.

Then again, Kiera supposed the message could be her mom’s way of saying that her dad didn’t want Gray there.

Throughout her childhood, her father had been overprotective. He’d refused to let her sleep over a friend’s house until she turned twelve, and she hadn’t been allowed to date until seventeen. Could her dad share her mom’s opinion? If they both believed she and Gray didn’t belong together, would they think differently if they knew she loved him? What if they knew he loved her? And he did love her.

Gray had a humorous side, but he wouldn’t joke about something like that. He wouldn’t merely say the words because she had said them.

Okay, see you tonight. Kiera typed the message and pressed send.

Maybe having him there tonight would change her mom’s mind. Perhaps when Mom saw how happy they made each other, she’d realize she was wrong.

“Did you decide on a meal for tonight?” Gray’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“I decided on sear-roasted beef tenderloin with a cognac-peppercorn cream sauce. It’s one of my dad’s favorites. I’m going to serve broiled asparagus and artichokes with it. Birthday cake, too, but not chocolate. My dad prefers vanilla. I’ll need to go shopping this morning.”

Gray stacked the breakfast plates and brought them to the sink. “If you make a list, I’ll go so you can take care of whatever you need to around here.”

She watched him load the dishwasher. The sight of him doing something so domestic didn’t jive with the persona she’d read about for the past several years.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You keep surprising me. First, breakfast, and now you’re doing the dishes. What’s next? Vacuuming?”

Gray’s sexy smile hinted at things to come. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I better do it myself. I know where everything is so I’ll be quicker. The place is a zoo on Saturdays.”

“What can I do while you’re gone?”

He sounded sincere about helping, but she couldn’t ask him to dust and vacuum. “Maybe pick up some wine? Something that’ll go with beef tenderloin.”

“I can do that. Anything else?”

“A kiss before I get dressed.”

Gray’s shoulders sagged, and he shook his head, his mouth set in a frown. “I hoped you’d ask me to help you in the shower.”

Kiera’s pulse shot up at the mental image his words created.

“I could get your back for you.” His voice simmered with passion and promises.

Fudge. If she didn’t get out of here soon, she’d never leave. “How about after I get everything ready for tonight?” She brushed her lips against his and pulled back before either of them got carried away.

“Don’t be long.” He turned her toward the stairs, slapped her butt, and then gave her a little push.

She survived the packed grocery story and arrived home before Gray got back. Free from the delectable distraction that was Gray Sherbrooke, Kiera lost herself in preparations for dinner. Once she did all the food prep she could, she turned her attention to cleaning. No one ever used the words neat and tidy to describe her. Most days, that didn’t bother her. If she decided to leave her magazines on tables and her dirty socks on her bedroom floor, it affected no one but her, a definite perk to living alone. So far, Gray hadn’t commented on it either so she assumed it didn’t bother him.

Her parents, especially her dad, viewed her lack of housekeeping skills in an entirely different light. Numerous times growing up, she’d been grounded when her bedroom didn’t meet his standards. He could no longer ground her, but he’d let his opinion be known if he found her apartment less than perfect. If he made such comments with her mom there, Kiera would brush them off. With Gray joining them tonight, however, she’d rather avoid any negative comments from her dad. Since her parents had no reason to examine her bedroom for an unmade bed or stray sock, she focused her attention on the living room.

As of late she made a conscious effort to keep the room in better shape. Ever since Gray’s first kiss, she’d hung up her jacket and brought her shoes upstairs rather than leave them by the couch or wherever else she’d kicked them off. She’d started sorting the junk mail that often lingered on the table every few days so a month’s worth didn’t build up. A few of her favorite magazines did remain on the coffee table now, but since she’d already read them, she tossed them into the recycling bin. She then moved on to vacuuming, an activity that took little time thanks to the size of her apartment.

Once done in the living room, Kiera moved on and finished the rest of the loft.

With everything in order, Kiera stretched out on the bed. She couldn’t officially start cooking dinner for another few hours, and the cake was cooling, which meant the only thing she had left was to shower.

Shower. Gray’s words earlier teased her and brought up all kinds of visions. She’d expected him back a while ago. He’d only gone for wine. Had he decided to pick up a few other things while out? Or had he run into friends.

Whatever kept him; she hoped he got back soon. In the meantime, she’d close her eyes for a few minutes. She’d slept later than normal this morning, but thanks to Gray, she’d gotten little sleep the night before. Kiera rolled onto her side and pressed her face into the pillow Gray slept on. The scent of his shampoo still lingered. Memories of the way he’d held her and touched her made her smile. Soon, those memories led to how she’d showed him her love, and she again hoped he got his cute butt home soon.

“Hey there, love.”

Warm lips touched her cheek, and she snuggled deeper into her pillow.

“Time to wake up.”

Something heavy dropped over her waist, and a solid form pressed against her back. Kiera touched the object now resting against her stomach. It felt like a hand. She moved her fingers upward across warm skin.

“Your parents will be here soon.”

Gray’s words sent her eyes open wide, and she rolled onto her back.

“Have a nice nap?”

Nap? She intended to lie down for a few minutes not fall asleep. “What time is it?”

“Almost three-thirty.” Gray leaned over at the same time she bolted upright, causing her to bump her head into his chin.

“Fudge.” Kiera rubbed her head. “That doesn’t give me a lot of time.”

“Fudge? You can’t think of a better swear than that?” Gray rubbed his chin where she’d bumped him.

Kiera scooted off the bed. Before she got dinner going and frosted the cake, she needed a shower. “My vocabulary isn’t as educated as yours.” She pulled her t-shirt off. “I need a shower. I’ll be back.”

“I thought you wanted help with that?”

She’d spent much of the afternoon thinking about that. “I need to make this quick. You should have gotten back sooner. What took you so long anyway? Did you go all the way to California for the wine?”

“After I bought it, I decided I should get your dad a present. It took me awhile to settle on something.” Gray came and stood near her. “Your dad still likes the theater, right?”

Kiera pressed her lips together and nodded, otherwise she feared she’d tell him he was the most thoughtful man alive. His ego didn’t need any boosting.

“Good. I got him and your mom tickets for a Broadway show next month. I booked them a suite at The Sherbrooke Regency in New York, too.”

“Gray, that’s—” Kiera stopped herself. For most people, Broadway Tickets and a stay at that particular hotel would put them in the hole for few months. Gray Sherbrooke didn’t fall into that group. If she wanted any proof about how far apart their stations in life were, there it was, right in front of her. “You didn’t have to get him anything.”

“I wanted to.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her. “Are you sure we don’t have time for that shower?” He pulled away and looked at her. The love and passion she saw reflected in his eyes left her wondering how she’d gotten so lucky.

“Unfortunately, I’m positive. Later, though, you have an appointment with a washcloth and my back.”

After zipping through a shower, Kiera tossed on some clothes and hit the kitchen.

Dinner cooked: check. House clean: check. Everything looked ready. She only needed her parents. They’d called twenty minutes ago and said they were on their way.

Kiera readjusted the place setting. On the phone, her father sounded excited when he said how much he was looking forward to the evening. Since her return from Paris, she hadn’t spent a lot of time with her parents. They never made demands on her, and she hadn’t stopped to consider whether or not they’d like to see her more. Judging by her dad’s voice, they missed her but didn’t want to impose on her time. From now on, she’d make more of an effort. She did love to experiment with new dishes and her dad loved trying new meals. Her mom stuck with the more tried and true meals, but she could be convinced to try something new from time to time.

She refolded the napkin near another plate. Gray had teased her a bit when he’d spotted the intricately folded napkins, but she’d ignored him and continued folding the other scarlet colored napkins. Not long after that, he’d disappeared upstairs with his phone glued to his ear. He hadn’t returned yet.

When he’d answered the phone, he’d told her it was work. Since he remained upstairs on the phone, she guessed something important had once again popped up. Whatever the problem, she hoped he could solve it without returning to the office. She had her heart set on him sticking around for several days.

The intercom buzzed, and Kiera let her parents in the building. After taking a final look over the table she’d set to rival those at Mon Soleil, she headed upstairs to let Gray know it was time to eat.

“All that information was obtained and submitted.” Gray sat on the edge of the bed, his back to her.

Rather than call out, she walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

Gray looked over at her and held up one finger. “I understand that, Randall, but that doesn’t work.”

Deep frown lines formed on Gray’s face.

“Let’s discuss this again tomorrow. I’ll call you.” Gray ended his conversation and looked at her again. “Sorry that took so long.”

“I buzzed my parents in. They should be up here any minute.” As she said it, a knock sounded and her stomach knotted up. All afternoon, she’d kept herself busy, which kept her worry regarding her mom’s behavior tonight far from her thoughts. With her parents on the other side of her apartment door, however, those worries charged forward.

“Everything will be fine.” Gray took her hands and squeezed them. “Trust me.” He kissed her and led her down the stairs where they greeted her parents together.

Her dad walked inside and gave her a hug. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day. You and your mom couldn’t have given me better birthday present.”

If her dad thought the dinner was great, wait until he saw his actual gift.

Her dad then turned his attention to Gray. “Annette said you might be here tonight, Gray. It’s good to see you again.” They shook hands. “Have you been in town long?”

While Gray and her dad made casual conversation, her mom followed her into the kitchen.

“Everything looks and smells wonderful. Thank you for doing all this.”

She’d expected a comment about Gray’s presence from her mom, not a compliment. “Any time. You know I’d do anything for you and Dad.”

Her mom nodded and lowered her voice. “And I hope you know how much I love you. I wish you’d reconsider what I said earlier. Kiera, I’m worried you’re going to get hurt.”

She didn’t want an argument, especially with Gray present. “Don’t worry, Mom.” She pasted on a smile. “If everyone wants to sit, I’ll serve.”

Gray pulled out a chair at the table. “Please have a seat, Annette. I’ll help Kiera with everything.”

First, her mom glanced at her and then toward her husband, who, in return, only gave her a pointed look.

Once Gray helped her mom, he joined her at the counter. “Tell me what to do.”

She’d rather take care of everything herself. She’d get everything served quicker that way. “Can you pour the wine? I already opened it.”

A steady conversation ran throughout dinner, covering everything from his brother’s wedding in January to current events. Eventually, it appeared as if Kiera’s mom was enjoying herself. The frown she wore when she’d first walked in had disappeared.

“This meal is exception, Kiera. I expected your cooking to surpass my own, I just didn’t expect it so soon,” Mathieu said with pride. Then Kiera’s dad looked at him. “Don’t tell your father I said that. I might find myself out of a job.”

Annette’s frown returned. “That’s not funny, Mathieu. Especially—” Kiera’s mom picked up her wine glass. “It’s just not funny.”

“Everyone here knows I was joking, Annette.” Mathieu looked at Kiera and then at him.

So far that night, Mathieu hadn’t exhibited anything that spoke of his disapproval. Still, Gray wanted Kiera’s parents to know they had nothing to worry about.

“Mathieu, my father would never allow himself to go without your cooking.”

Despite his statement, Annette’s frown remained fixed in place. Obviously, she needed a more straightforward reassurance. He hadn’t planned to pour his heart out in front of her parents, but if it would help diffuse the tension between Kiera and her mom and put her mom more at ease, he’d do it.

“Annette, my father considers you and Mathieu family. Nothing could ever change that. Neither of you ever has anything to worry about.” Next to him, Kiera fidgeted in her chair, and he covered her hand with his. The action caught Annette’s attention.

“I realize you have reservations about us, Annette, but you have nothing to worry about. I love your daughter. She means the world to me.”

Kiera whipped her head toward him her eyes wide. Across the table, Annette pulled her chin up off the table. He’d never told a woman’s mother that he loved her daughter. Perhaps Annette’s reaction was normal.

“And we couldn’t be happier for both of you.” Mathieu smiled and looked at his wife. “Right, Annette?”

Kiera’s mom nodded. “Of course.”

“Who’s ready for dessert? And presents.” Kiera stood and began clearing away the dishes.

“I’ll help you.” Annette pushed her chair back.

Kiera’s dad forbade them from singing happy birthday and lighting candles, but Gray noticed the way his eyes light up when the homemade birthday cake was placed in front of him. He was eager for a slice himself. He’d smelled the cake the moment he’d walked in that afternoon. The only thing that had stopped him from cutting into it as it cooled was the knowledge that it was intended for Kiera’s dad. Otherwise, he would’ve eaten the cake even without frosting.

“This year, Kiera and I decided to go together and get you something special.” Annette retrieved the slim box she brought in with her.

Gray had raised his fork toward his mouth, but now, he put it down. “Before you give him that, can I grab my gift? I forgot it upstairs.”

Annette’s eyebrows reached her hairline.

Gray beat it upstairs before she commented. He’d dropped the envelope on the nightstand when he’d woken Kiera. Grabbing the envelope, he stole a glimpse at his phone. He’d intentionally left it upstairs so he wouldn’t get any interruptions during dinner. Two texts messages appeared on the screen now, one from Randall and another from his brother, Derek. He marked both as read and then put the phone in his briefcase. He’d answer them later.

“Which one should I open first?” Mathieu accepted the envelope Gray handed him and looked between it and the gift from his wife.

“Up to you. It’s your birthday,” Annette said.

“I’ll start with this one.” Mathieu opened the envelope and pulled out the theater tickets. He glanced at Gray, then at the tickets again. “I’ve always wanted to see The Phantom of The Opera.”

“There is something else in there,” Gray said.

Mathieu pulled out the hotel reservations. “This is way too generous, Gray.”

Annette took the papers from her husband and gasped. “We can’t accept this.” She folded everything up and put it on the table.

He’d never had anyone refuse a gift. “I wanted to get Mathieu something he’d enjoy. I know he loves the theater. Please go and enjoy the weekend in New York.”

Annette glanced at him, then Kiera, before she picked the reservations up. She read the information again.

When he decided on the gift, it hadn’t crossed his mind that they’d consider it too extravagant. After all, it was just a show. People attended the theater all the time. His hotel choice made logical sense. It was located in the heart of the city so Annette and Mathieu could enjoy everything New York had to offer.

“Perhaps I can convince Kiera to come visit me that weekend. We can all go out one evening.” He didn’t mind always coming to Providence, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t like a change. Everyone liked a weekend away from time to time.

“The show does sound lovely.” Annette looked at her husband. “What do you think, Mathieu?”

Mathieu sized him up, making Gray want to squirm in his seat.

“Thank you, Gray. I’m sure we’ll love the show.”

For a moment he assumed they would hand him back the gift.

Kiera squeezed his hand, and while her dad opened his other present, she leaned closer. “I love you.”

Women had whispered the same words to him before, but he’d never felt a thing. When Kiera said it, he wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go.

“A cruise!” Mathieu’s announcement caught Gray’s attention. “This is wonderful.”

Mathieu blinked several times, and Gray wondered if he was fighting back a tear or two.

“This celebration deserves a second slice of cake.” Mathieu sliced himself another piece of cake. “I can’t believe you and Kiera did this. I can’t wait to go. And Gray make sure you get my daughter down to New York the weekend Annette and I are there. I’m looking forward to spending another evening with you both.”

Gray planned to get her there next month.

Gray sat on the couch and waited for Kiera. She’d walked her parents downstairs, insisting he didn’t need to follow. He hadn’t argued.

Gray’s phone beeped, alerting him to a new text message, which reminded him of the two he’d received during dinner. He hoped the one he just got wasn’t another from Randall. When he’d first started working for him a few years ago, Randall had let Gray do his own thing, only contacting him when he needed Gray’s assistance. Lately, the man controlled Gray’s every move. Perhaps the time had come for him to reconsider his position and go back to working solely for Sherbrooke Enterprises.

Gray checked the newest message. Call me the message from Derek read. Derek again. Well, he could handle a conversation with his younger brother tonight.

“What sunny beach is your ass parked on?” Derek asked after saying hello.

“It’s not.” Gray glanced over when he heard the apartment door open behind him.

“You’re not in New York. I stopped by your place this afternoon, so where are you and your latest beauty hanging out?”

Kiera sat next to him and snuggled against him. Right away, he kissed her head and put an arm around her.

“I’m in Providence, Derek. What do you need me for?”

“What are you doing there? Is Dad okay?” His brother’s carefree tone disappeared.

“Everyone is fine. Just visiting. I’ll be home in a few days.” Gray wondered if his brother would let it go at that.

“Why don’t you come back tonight? Miranda Bergman has a welcome home party planned for her cousin tomorrow night.”

Although they attended many of the same events, Gray had never cared much for Miranda and her cousin. Derek knew that.

“You called because you need a chaperone to a party?”

“Funny. No, I thought I’d let you know I ran into Val. She asked about you and made it quite clear how lonely she’s been.”

He’d gone out with the swimsuit model a total of five times. They’d had some fun together, but he’d stopped calling for a reason. Spending time with Val reminded him of being with a walking, talking, programmed doll. While beautiful, the woman couldn’t form a thought that didn’t involve fashion or her looks.

“I haven’t had the same problem.”

“Then you don’t mind if she and I go to Miranda’s party together?”

“Knock yourself out.” Gray didn’t care who is brother or Val spent time with.

“I guessed as much. Just wanted to make sure. If you get bored in Providence, Miranda’s party starts at eight. It’s at her place.”

He had plans to do many things and getting bored wasn’t one of them. “Don’t expect me. I’ll be back in a few days if you’re still around.”

Gray turned off his phone and tossed is aside. With Kiera’s parents gone and his phone off, he could focus all his attention on Kiera.

“Who was that?”

“Derek. He needed me to act as his babysitter again so he doesn’t get himself into trouble.”

Kiera flicked his arm. “He’s not the only Sherbrooke that needs a babysitter. You need one, according to the media.”

“Not anymore. My days of spending time with other women are over. You’re stuck with me, love.” A trip down the aisle like his brother had just taken might not happen tomorrow, but he saw them married in the near future.

“Stuck with you?” Kiera said. “I might be okay with that.”

Kiera teased him. She always had liked giving him a hard time.

“My dad loved the gift. He talked about it all the way outside. You made his day. Did you see his expression when he saw the theater tickets?”

Kiera smiled at him, her lips a siren calling to him.

He needed to taste her.

He traced her lips, which were still sweet from the cake, with his tongue, memorizing their shape and feel. From there, he captured her mouth and set out to chase any coherent thought from her mind.

When his need for air outweighed his need for her lips, Gray pulled away. Then he untucked her shirt from her jeans.

“How about we go upstairs? I believe I still owe you help in the shower.”

Kiera met his gaze, her eyes alive with passion and her lips red from his kisses. “You’re right. You do.” She took his hand and stood up. “Don’t worry, I promise to return the favor.” The smile she gave him almost brought him to his knees.