Free Guarding Grayson by Cathryn Cade Page A

very much like to encounter a polar bear.”
    Frost frowned. “I don’t recommend it. They are quite ferocious.”
    E’ea nodded. “Ah, I see. Then I will refrain.”
    “Not too many of those in the southwest anyway,” Gray told her. “A-and here comes our lunch.”
    “Saved by cheeseburgers,” Lacey murmured. When Gray looked at her suspiciously, she gave him a subtle wink. Well, she was Topper’s niece, so who knew?
    Their cheeseburgers were plump, juicy, dripping with melted cheese and piled with fresh lettuce, tomato and dill pickles.
    Gray watched to make sure E’ea picked up her food instead of levitating it, then dug into his burger and salad. It was as delicious as it looked.
    E’ea studied him briefly to see how he ate, then picked up her own burger and took a huge bite. Brynne’s eyes closed in bliss as she chewed, her cheeks bulging. “Mm-mm,” she moaned.
    A jolt of sheer lust hit Gray, and he frowned at his own burger. Did she have to sound like she was having great sex?
    They all ate quietly for a time, the other couple clearly enjoying their food as well. E’ea finished hers well before Gray, and then gave him a hopeful look. “Is there any more?”
    “Ah, yeah,” he said, a forkful of salad held in midair. He eyed her empty plate in astonishment, as the portions here were not small. “It’s a café, there’s always more. But … you’re still hungry?”
    “Yes, Gray-son. Cheese-burgerzz are delicious.”
    Gray opened his mouth to remind her she was in Brynne’s body, and Brynne watched every bite she took, or had since he’d known her. But he couldn’t say the first in front of Lacey and Frost, and as for the second … not his problem. Every time he thought of Brynne gaining a few pounds, it tickled him. She was already looking a little curvier.
    “Order another one,” he offered.
    She did, and Gray watched her devour it too, along with the remainder of her shake.
    “So what have you folks been up to this fine morning?” Lacey asked.
    “We have been to Rozzzwell,” Brynne-E’ea said. “It has many false representations of galactic beings. They are quite hideous as well as unreliable.”
    Lacey giggled again. “That’s Roswell for you. Why, I’m sure there aren’t any aliens around here .”
    She and Brynne-E’ea exchanged a look, and Brynne started to snort again.
    Gray drained his iced tea and shoved his chair back, nudging her.
    “Well, we’ve got things to do,” he said. “Nice to meet you folks.”
    “You too,” Lacey said.
    Her husband inclined his head to Brynne-E’ea, as if to a respected equal. Then he looked to Gray. “Stay close to her.”
    Startled, Gray merely nodded, then followed Brynne to the cash register, where he paid their bill.
    “Bring her back anytime,” the waitress said cheerfully. “I like to see a young lady with an honest appetite—none of this picking at food and leaving most of it."
 
    If she only knew the real Brynne.
    “Sure will,” Gray said.

 
    CHAPTER EIGHT
    Gray went straight to his makeshift studio and got to work. E’ea curled up on the sofa for a while, and sensed the surrounding area. Finding no threat, she woke her host gently.
    “ Brynne, wake .”
    “What?” Brynne stirred, and took possession of her body. She looked around the small sitting room, her pulse quickening as she took in her surroundings. “Oh. Where am I?”
    “ You are in Grayson’s temporary home. All is well, for the time .”
    Brynne looked around. “Gray’s here? Where is he?”
    “He is painting. Take some time for yourself now. I will rest .”
    “Time for myself? But I should see if Gray wants anything.”
    E’ea sighed, then let herself sink into stasis. She would rest and renew for a few hours. Surely Brynne couldn’t get into any trouble in that amount of time.
    * * *
    Brynne sat for a moment on the sofa, her hands working in the soft fabric. She looked around her. This house was so old-fashioned. It looked more like