Free State of Grace by Delia Foster Page A

because the other woman gave her a few wide-eyed winks and a thumbs-up. “You go girl,” she mouthed.
    “Seems like your friend thinks we ought to get to know each other better,” he murmured into her ear, behind her. She felt his hard, full chest pressed to her back and closed her eyes, hoping to hold onto her quickly scattering senses. “Almost had the chance to do just that if you hadn’t snuck out of the resort like a criminal.”
    “I already know everything about you that I need to know, you jerk.” She knew she was being a bitch, but she was soon distracted when his hand moved onto the curve of her waist, rubbing her side in a gentle motion.
    Back and forth.
    Heart racing, she tried to muster up the strength to get out of her chair, grab Leah and run the hell out of the bar.
    He chose that very moment to bring his other hand to her nape, moving his thumb against a knot at the sensitive skin on the back of her neck.
    Even the finest hair on the back of her neck stood straight up.
    Traitorous fucking hormones. Ruled by what’s between my legs.
    He pressed the advantage of her mute silence even further. “No liquor loosened lips tonight, Gracie?” he murmured softly.
    Letting out her breath, shakily, she moved his hands away and turned to face him. Automatically, he moved his hand back to her waist. He brought his thumb up to stroke her lower lip.
    Immediately, she sucked her lips inward, feeling the press of her teeth against the soft skin. He chuckled at her and moved the hand to the other side of her waist.
     “What do you want?” she asked bluntly.
    His warm gaze held hers knowingly as he drew closer and skimmed his fingers over her waist. “You know what I want, Gracie.”
    She shook her head in denial. “Nope. Not again. I already told you last time, I’m not one of your bimbos.”
    He leaned forward, closer to her face. Panicked, she twisted her face to the side. If he kissed her, she was seriously screwed.
    When his warm lips pressed against the sensitive shell of her ear, she knew that had been a dumb move. “You, Gracie. I want you. Not some bimbo.” She stopped breathing as his teeth gently tugged the lobe of her ear into his mouth. He swiped his tongue lightly over the area, soothing it from the gentle bite.
    “Gracie!”
    The loud squeal from behind her had them both turning.
    She’d never been so glad to see Leah. Swallowing hard, she smiled brightly, “Ready to go home?”
    “Oh, yeah. We are so beat,” Leah beamed at them both. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your new friend?” Leah wiggled her eyebrows at her.
    She expelled a short breath and rushed the introductions. “Leah, this is Sean Holden, my brother’s best friend. Sean, this is Leah, a nurse at the hospital where I work.”
    Leah put a hand on her hip, her expression hurt. “I’m not just a nurse, I’m her friend.”
    Sighing, Grace amended herself. “That’s right, Leah is my friend at the hospital where I work.”
    She could feel Sean’s body shake with silent laughter. He was probably enjoying this.
    “Yes,” Leah affirmed, satisfied. Then she winked at her friend. “Now, Gracie, you didn’t tell me you were going swimming in the family pool!”
    Grace just stared at the blonde lunatic while Sean stopped trying to hold it in, and laughed out loud. “I like you,” he said to Leah.
    “Good thing, cause I like you, too. I wouldn’t let just anyone haul off my Gracie, here.”
    “Wait a sec—no one is haul …” she was interrupted by another one of Leah’s squeals as the cowboy she’d been dry humping appeared from out of nowhere and wrapped a sturdy arm around her waist.
    She turned her head up at him and smiled happily before putting her hand over her mouth. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I have terrible manners, Gracie knows this,” she apologized to Sean.
    “This is Patrick. Patrick, this is Grace, and her—erm?  What exactly are you again?” she giggled.
    “Oh, Grace,” he nodded.