Free On Steady Ground (The Walker Brother's Series) by Jennifer Anderson Page B

I felt I had, I didn’t want to risk it. My heart knew it didn’t want to just have sex, it wanted more. Pushing him back, “I can’t Grant. I’m sorry.”
    Smiling down at me and lifting my shirt back up, “You can’t yet. You will be mine Lizzy. I’ve never wanted anyone more.”
    Sitting up and smoothing out my hair, “I’m going to go call a cab, it’s time for me to go home.”
    “I’ll take you home.”
    “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Shaking my head and lifting my straps back up onto my shoulders.
    “We’re both adults, it’ll be fine. Trust me.”
    Trust, now wasn’t that an issue of mine. I don’t trust, not after Craig. Will I ever again? I can only hope. “Fine. I guess.”
    “Great. Lets go.” His eyes still reflecting the obvious disappointment in them.
    The ride back to Ben’s house was mostly in silence. He tried his hardest to engage me in conversation but I no longer had it in me. My life seemed to get more and more confusing and out of control all the time. I had to find a way to simplify. To get my priorities straight and decide what’s important to me. This floundering around at sea wasn’t what I wanted for my life and I hated it. Pulling into the long gravel driveway he came to a stop in front of the house. Ben’s car was actually home and I was relieved that I wouldn’t be alone at least for a couple minutes.
    “Goodbye Lizzy.” He said leaning over and kissing me on the cheek.
    “Grant.” I smiled. “Thanks for keeping me company today.”
    “My pleasure. I will call on you soon.”
    Smiling and remaining silent, I climbed out of the car briefly glancing to Ian’s house. The lights were off and his truck was gone. Walking into the door, Ben was laid out on the couch with a box of pizza beside him on the floor watching a movie.
    “Hey Lizzy. You hungry?”
    Walking over and sitting down on the end beside his legs, “No. I ate.”
    “Where were ya?”
    “Um, with Grant?” I said with more of a question mark on the end, rather than a statement.
    Pushing a pillow up over his head and giving a grunt into it, “What are you doing Lizzy?”
    “What do you mean?” Shocked by his sudden out burst.
    “Grant? What do you think your doing?”
    “I’m not doing anything.” Getting defensive.
    “It’s obvious you like Ian. You have always liked Ian. So what are you doing with Grant?”
    “It’s all well and good that I like Ian, although it takes two and he seems rather uninterested.”
    “You two are going to be the death of me.” Shaking his head with disgust.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Nothing. I just feel like Ian would be the better guy for you. You know he would treat you right. He is what you need. Grant is not. He is just a better looking, nicer version of Craig.”
    “Oh Ben. Now you’re being ridiculous. Grant and Craig are nothing a like.”
    “Really? They both seem to get what they want. They are both a ladies man. Grant looks at things like it is his property. Even if he did treat you right, you would still be viewed as his. Do you want to be someone’s property again? Or do you want to be an equal?”
    “You’re being biased Ben. You have always disliked Grant. I remember a similar speech minus the Craig part back in high school.”
    “Yeah and I was right then also.” Sitting up, putting his piece of pizza back into the box.
    Leaning back, “He is different now. He is not the same person he was.”
    “That may be the case, but that doesn’t change the fact that you have a thing for Ian.”
    Taken aback, “No it doesn’t. Does it?”
    “I have an idea!” Ben said getting excited, pushing his glasses back up his nose.
    “Oh no. Your ideas are usually scary.”
    “You forget about both of them and we become friends with benefits.” He said smiling widely, and winking at me.
    “I don’t know how you even got that out of your mouth without laughing.” I said getting ready to scold him.
    Laughing, “Yeah, that’s just