In To Blue: Book One Of The Blue Series (4 page)

Grant pays the bill and we finish our champagne.  As we stand to leave it becomes quite evident I’m a tipsy from the alcohol.  “Grant what would you like to do now?”  He puts his arm around me and smiles.  His eyes scan me from head to toe.  “I actually had a few things in mind.  Here let’s step outside.”
 
Oh I think I might be interested in what he has in mind
.
 
Alcohol it is time you shut up before I get myself into a pickle
.
  We walk outside and there is a horse drawn carriage waiting of us.  “I thought we might take a tour of downtown Louisville.  You can be my tour guide.”  “Oh ok.” I am a little bit on the drunk side so this should be fun. 

Grant helps me into the carriage.  As soon as we both take our seats in the carriage, Grant pulls me toward him.  He places his hands against my cheeks and begins kissing me.  I feel his soft velvety lips crush against mine.  Our tongues begin gently touching.  As the kiss deepens our tongues encircle one another.  I feel my skin become warm from Grant’s touch as he wraps his arms around me. 

We continue traveling down the street.   I try to break the kiss to point out some of the landmarks but Grant isn’t paying attention.  He keeps his lips locked onto mine.  I finally break our kiss and catch my breath.  “You know I’m supposed to be showing you the sights.  You might want to pay attention.  There will be a test afterward.”  “A test!  I guess that is one test I won’t pass.  Besides, you’re the sight I enjoy looking at the most.” 

He immediately leans over and begins kissing me again and our tongues slowly becoming intertwined.  I feel his arms caress my back suddenly and his body tenses.  He pulls me hard into him.  I’m about to completely wilt.  I want Grant here and now.  I want him so bad I don’t care who sees us.  I run my hands through his silky brown hair.  He continually rubs his hands up and down my back. 

Suddenly he breaks off the kiss and says “Sir could you take us back to the hotel please.  “Right away sir.”  Grant turns to me.  “We better get back it’s getting late.”
 
Late! Hell it isn’t even ten o’clock.
 
I was ready to let Grant have his way with me in the back of thecarriage.
 
What did I do wrong
?
 

We turn around and head back.  He pulls out his phone and sends a text.  The rest of the time we sit in silence.  I felt so close to Grant.  I felt the attraction we have for each other.  All I feel now is a cold distance.
 
What in the hell did I do
?
  When we arrive back at the hotel his car is waiting.  I really screwed this up.  I feel like such an idiot.  I just wish I knew what I did. 

He helps me out of the carriage and then walks me to the car.  “Thank you for a wonderful evening Avery.  I’m sorry we couldn’t spend more time together but I have an early morning tomorrow.”  “Thank you for dinner and the carriage ride.  It was lovely Grant.”  He kisses me on the cheek.  I climb into car and Will takes me back to Lexington. 

This absolutely sucks
.
I thought Grant liked me. I wish I knew what I did wrong.  I rack my brain replaying the events of the evening trying to figure out where I messed up.  Aside from probably a little too much alcohol I didn’t think I did that bad. 

I finally arrive back home and I head straight for my room.  I slip on a tank stop and some knit shorts and get ready for bed.  I grab my phone and plug it into my charger on my night stand. I notice when it lights up I have a text message from Grant. 
Just checking to make sure you made it home safely. 
I quickly send him a text. 
Made it just fine.  Thank you.
I turn off my light and eventually go to sleep. 

I wake up the next morning thankfully not hung over. I get in a quick workout, grab a shower and then head out on the ranch.  Uncle Rex and Buddy are going over today’s list of things to do.  “Morning Darlin.  How are you this morning?”  “Good.”  “How was your date?”  “It was fine Buddy.  I was home before eleven.  How is Tulip?”  “Doc said she is getting better every day.” 

“Darlin, Harlon Brinkley called he needs you to sign some papers for that additional land you just bought for the ranch.”  I had forgot about that.  I purchased five thousand acres from the Millers whose land backed up to the ranch. 

“I still can’t believe you were able to get your hands on that land.  Reese Walker has been trying to get his hands on that property for years and wanted it just to piss your daddy off.”  I smile at Uncle Rex.  “I better head to Louisville.  Uncle Rex, will you check on my horses this morning?”  “Already did darlin.  I took all three of them for a walk.”  “Thanks.  I will be back later.” 

I get back to the house and run upstairs.   I’m in jeans, a blue plaid button up cowgirl shirt with a white tank top, and boots.  I am in desperate need make up and the hair needs some taming.  After I finish my hair and makeup, I race downstairs and out the front door.  I jump in my truck and take off to Louisville. 

I arrive downtown at Mr. Brinkley office.  He has been the family attorney since before I was born.  All contracts go through him.  As I walk in I’m greeted by his receptionist.  “Good Morning Ms. Foster.  Mr. Brinkley has some clients in his office.  I don’t think he will be too much longer.”  “That is fine.  I don’t mind waiting.” 

I pull out my phone and call Julie.  “Hey girl.  How are things with the hottie?  Buddy told Chance the two of you had dinner last night.”  Damn Buddy!  I forget Chance is his best friend and tells him everything.  “Wow!  Nothing gets by you.  Speaking of Chance I need some feed delivered.”  “He is already on it.  Buddy told him.”  “Great!  Listen I am in town.  I had to come see Harlon. Are you free for lunch.”  “Hell yes.  Just swing by the salon after you finish.”  Just as I hang up my phone Harlon walks out of his office. 

“I think what you are doing with be a fine addition to the city of Louisville. There is my girl.  Gentlemen this is one of the finest women you will ever meet in Kentucky, Avery Foster.”  I look up. 
 
Shit
!
  It’s Grant and his associate Lance. 

Grant walks up to me.  “How are you this morning Avery?  “Fine Grant and you?”  “Much better now.”  “Hello Avery.” Lance walks up as he greets me.  “Hello Lance.  How are you?”  “Couldn’t be better.  You look beautiful.”  Grant glares at Lance as I blush. 

“You fellas know Avery?”  “Yes Mr. Brinkley, we met at the polo match the other day.” Grant says abruptly. “Well gentlemen, I will be in contact as soon as the contracts are sign.”  “Avery come on in here.”  “Good to see you again Grant.”  I smile and walk into Harlon’s office. 

After I finish up with Harlon, I swing by Julie’s salon and pick her up.  We have lunch at a local cafe.  As I am eating my salad, I casually mention to Julie I saw him this morning. 

“So what’s the deal?  You like him right.”  “Julie I more than like him but he doesn’t like me.”  “Why do you say that?”  I explained to her how our date went.  “Maybe I am a bad kisser.”  “Not from what I heard.”  “Julie what does that mean?  “Coy Walker didn’t seem to think so.  He has been talking about you way too much.  That boy sounds obsessed.”

“How do you know that?”  I asked.  “He was in the feed store this morning.  He was talking to some of the other customers and your name got brought up.  Chance some choice had words for him.”  “Oh shit!  What did he say?”  “Nothing crazy.  Chance just told him he better watch it or there might be trouble.”

“I swear I got more big brothers than I know what to do with.” I laugh.  “He has it bad for you Avery.  You need to watch yourself.  Nobody trusts him.

What are you going to do about the hottie?”  Julie asks.  “I don’t know I guess nothing.” 

We finish our lunch and I take Julie back to her salon.  I drive home wishing things had gone much differently with Grant but there is nothing I can do. 

∞

The rest of the week goes by so fast.  We have had a flurry of activity on the ranch and everyone has been putting in long days.  Fortunately by Friday evening everything has settled down.  It was very warm that evening.  I decided to go out to the lake for a swim. 

I go upstairs and change out of my work clothes and throw on some jean shorts, a blue tank top and I slip on some flip flops.  I grab my phone, one of my oversized beach towels, and a blanket.  On my way out back I grab an ice chest.  I throw in some ice and a few cold beers. 

I walk outside to the one of the side by sides parked by the house.  I decided not to take Blue. I have run him ragged this week and he needs a break.  As I am about to take off.  I get a call from Security. 

“Ms. Foster, Mr. Harrison is here to see you.”
 
Damn
!
  I have to say not really thrilled about him just showing up unannounced especially with the way our date ended Sunday night.  We haven’t spoken since Monday at Mr. Brinkley’s office. 

“It’s ok let him through.”  I decide to just drive my side by side around to the front of the house.  The car comes to a stop in front of the house and Grant climbs out of the back seat.   He looks good.  He is in a tight brown v-neck t-shirt, jeans and brown boots.  

“Good Evening Avery.”  “Grant… What are you doing here?”  “I wanted to see you.  Are you going somewhere?”  “Yeah.  I was headed out to the lake.”  “May I join you?”  “If you want.”  He climbs into the side by side and we take off.  “The lake is on the other side of the ranch so it will take a little time to get there.”  “That’s fine.  I’m just enjoying the view.”  I think he means the property but I realize his eyes are situated on me. 

We finally make it to the lake.  I grab the ice chest, blanket and towel.  “Let me help you with that.”  Grant takes the ice chest from me.  I lay the blanket out on the edge of the lake and throw the towel down on the blanket.  Grant places the ice chest next to the blanket and he sits down.  “Would you like a beer?”  I asked.  “Sure.” I grab two beers and sit down on the blanket. 

We both open our beers and take a sip.  “You were right Avery.  The stars are incredible.”  We both sit in silence as we gaze at the stars.   Grant turns and stares at me.  I turn to meet his glance.  He puts his head down and rubs his forehead. 

“Avery I want to apologize for the other night.”  I assume he means for ending our date early.  I decide to act confused.  “Apologize for what Grant?  I had a great time.”  “I did too but I shouldn’t have ended the date so abruptly.  “I…I was afraid I would get ahead of myself and I really like you.  I was worried I might scare you off.  I have a hard time keeping my hands to myself when I’m around you.”

Oh shit
!
I wasn’t expecting that.  It excites me, even though I have a hard time believing what he is saying to me.   “Grant no need for an apology.  I seem to have the same problem as well.”  “You do?”  I nod yes. 

“I am concerned about your ex Coy.”
 
Oh no
!
  That was a complete subject change.  I don’t want to talk about him.  “Don’t worry about Coy.”  “I’m sorry Averybut it bothers me.  I couldn’t stand to see his hands on you.”
 
This is surprisin
g
.  I know he is concerned but I’m sensing jealousy.  “Grant, let’s not talk about Coy.  I don’t want it to ruin the evening.”  He smiles. 

He starts to lean in to kiss me and something stops him.   “What is the beach towel for?”
 
Dang it
!
  He noticed.  No going back now.  “For swimming.”  He looks shocked.  “Wait.  You swim in that lake?”  “Of course I do.”  “But it’s not a pool it doesn’t have chemicals in to make it sanitary.  Are you sure it is safe?”  I can’t begin to imagine the sheltered life this man must lead.  He is concerned about a little lake water.  “Of course it’s safe.  I have swam in this lake all my life and it’s never been a problem.”  “But you aren’t wearing your bathing suit.”
 
Buste
d
.  “I know” 

“Oh Avery.  Were you going to...?  Oh what do that call it?”  “Are you talking about skinny dipping?” I ask.  “Yes.  That’s the word.”  “I was till you showed up.”  “Please Avery don’t let me stop you. I would love to see this.”  Yea right like I am just going to strip naked in front of him but I can improvise.  I’m not going to let him ruin my plans.  Mr. New Yorker needs to loosen up.  “I don’t think so but I am definitely going for a swim.” 

I down the rest of the beer and set it to the side.  I stand up and his eyes are focused on me.  I take off my flip flops then I slowly remove my jean shorts.  I lift my tank top over my head and throw it on the blanket.  I am now standing there in nothing more than my bra and panties.  I thought the darkness would hide some of my appearance.  However, it was a full moon and my body reflected in the natural light.  He is frozen.  I think I just shocked him. 

I take off running toward the lake.  I head for the rope swing that is attached to one of the big trees that sits on the edge of the lake.  I jump on the rope.  I swing out over the water and fall in.  The water is perfect and so pretty.  The moon light glistens across the water.

I cannot believe I just did that.  Grant is standing on the edge of the bank just staring at me. Our eyes lock on each other.  He downs the rest of his beer and lays the empty bottle on the blanket.  He takes off his shoes and socks.
 
Is he is going to get in
?