The Way My Heart Beats

Chapter 8

Clara

"Your things are still where you left them." Grant said while watching me take a seat at the bar.

"I'm starving." I turn around to him folding my hands together.

There it was. That smile I'd been missing. It was the first time I'd seen him smile since he walked into the hospital room after I'd woken up. I knew he was stressed over the whole coma thing. I guess I would've been too if I was watching someone sleep for weeks worrying they would never wake up.

"I see you didn't sleep off that spunk of yours." He lets out a defeated sigh. "What would you like, princess?"

"Princess?" I asked amused. "What am I? Royalty now?" I got up walking around to the kitchen where he was.

"Pretty damn close to it. You got to pretend you were Sleeping Beauty for a whole twenty-two days. Why else would I sit by your beside for three weeks?" Grant rolled his eyes at me before opening the fridge and taking a look.

"Oh well, I just assumed you wanted to watch me sleep my life away..." I trail off sarcastically as I hop onto the counter.

Pushing the door shut, he looks at me with dark eyes. He closes the short distance between us making me nervous every inch he comes closer. Never taking his eyes off of me he slides his body between my dangling legs and pulls me closer making my breath hitch. With his hands on my hips he says, "Clara, there's many things I want  to do, and then there's the things I need to do."  He growls out as his eyes drift to my lips making them part just by the look in his eyes.

He leans in placing his lips at my jawline trailing soft kisses down my neck as his hands slide around to my thighs his thumbs pressing into my legs making my core throb. A moan escapes my lips. "Sounds like you need me, too," Grant whispers into my ear.

At this moment I'm not sure what the definition of need is. I didn't need anybody for anything, but this, now this felt like need.

Wringing his shirt into my fist I pull him closer as the trails of kisses intensify down my neck sending a burning urge for those lips to be on mine. He pulls away looking me in the eyes as he brings his hand up to my face. His thumb grazes my lips while his fingers have a firm hold at the nape of my neck holding me where he wants me.

I search his face in anticipation. Then he says, "Clara, I want you, but if you're not ready we don't have to because I don't want you just one time. I want you everyday." He lets out a breath and smiles, "and in every way. I want to be with you."

His admission should've scared me, but it somehow gave me relief? It was like a breath of fresh air to my lungs. I'd been through so much that I'd put up so many walls, and here Grant was breaking them down without me even realizing it. "Grant, I don't know what I want. In this moment, I want you, but I can't tell you what I'll feel after that." I pause before speaking in a whisper, "I'm...scared."

He gave me a small smile rubbing his thumb across my cheek." I know you are, but let me show you that you can trust me. I mean, even your mom wants us together..." He trailed off waiting for my reaction.

"Whatttt?" I said laughing, then my phone starts ringing. "Speak of the devil," I say as my mom's picture flashes across the screen.

I look at Grant and mouth, "Be quiet!" Before I could say hello, Grant blurts out a very loud, "Hey Winnie!" My eyes bulge out of head nonverbally murdering him with my mind. "Oh Grant! Honey, put me on speakerphone."

"Mom, no—." She interrupts me, insisting she talk to Grant. "Now honey, I need to ask Grant something. Put me on speakerphone before I hang up on you and call his phone."