Free Climbing Out by Lila Rose Page B

hated anyone seeing I was becoming mushy, but I was.
    Fuck it, I really was. Stupid cocksucking emotions.
    “Dee?”
    “Home early would be great,” I muttered into his chest.
    He gave me a squeeze and pushed me back, his eyes searching mine and his grin widening. “Good, now kiss me.”
    “Grady,” I hissed and looked at Swan, who was watching us with her adorable, little head tilted to the side.
    “She won't care, but I will if I don't have your mouth on mine in a second.”
    After a sigh, I was ready to argue the point, until his lips met mine in a demanding kiss. Forgetting everything, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close.
    “H-home,” I heard a soft whisper say.
    I moved back a step and gazed at Swan in wonder. Had she really just said that?
    Grady moved in behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, and his chin rested on my shoulder as he whispered, “She shocked the shit outta me when we were leaving Wildcat’s place and she said the same thing. She likes it here, darlin'.”
    I nodded, fighting my damn emotions once again. “W-well.” I cleared my throat. “I had better get dinner finished. Why...um, why don't you get Swan ready for bed, and by then everything will be done?”
    He must have known I needed the distraction from the situation at hand, because he moved from me with a pat on the arse and a look that read there was more of that to come later, as he went to Swan and took her to get changed.
    I was in seriously deep shit.
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    H aving people at the table in my own house for dinner was...overwhelming. Fuckin’ tears, sobbing and screaming all wanted to leak from my body. Since I'd lost the Drakes, I’d never felt so much in one night, and never felt a connection to a family. Watching Grady and Swan together warmed me in so many ways.
    I knew then I was one lucky bitch.
    Sure, Zara had welcomed me into her family—her whole tribe had, and I was more than grateful for it—but even that was different to what was in front of me now.
    Only, there was no way in hell I was turning into some Meet the Cleavers family.
    “Dee?” Grady's voice grumbled beside me.
    “Huh?”
    “I'm gonna get Swan into bed and read to her for a few. Why don't you get ready for bed too?”
    My body tingled with anticipation. From the heat and wetness I felt from my hoo-ha, I was more than ready for bed.
    With a small nod and a bite on my bottom lip, I watched Grady's eyes darken. He stood, got Swan from her chair and placed her on her feet. She padded her small feet around the table to me, and before I knew what she was going to do, she wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me tightly.
    My heart shattered, only to be put back together wholly with a new, sweeter beat to it made by a certain little girl.
    This time, there was no stopping the tears that pooled in my eyes. I bit my lip tighter and looked up at Griz; he was watching the whole thing with warm eyes and a beautiful smile brightening his face.
    My hand on its own accord reached up to run down the back of her head. With that, she pulled away and started into the living room. I knew Griz was waiting for my eyes to reach his, but I couldn't give them. “There's only so much emotional crap this woman can take for the night. You'd better work it outta my body later.”
    A manly chuckle filled the room. “I'd be glad too.”
    Fuck. I looked up at him and asked, “I said that out loud?”
    “Sure did.”
    “Great, now I'm turning into Zee.”
    With another laugh, he left the room to go see to his daughter.
    Two hours later, I had cleaned the kitchen, filled the dishwasher, took a shower, got into my boy shorts and a cami and then changed the bed sheets.
    Turning around from the bed, I was about to head back downstairs to grab a drink, but found Griz leaning against the doorframe.
    “How's Swan?” I asked.
    “Asleep. We played for a bit, I read her some books and she went out like a