The Stand Read online

  “Maybe she won’t. Maybe she was just tossing things out there. She didn’t always follow through with most of what she said she was going to do. And if she does come here…”

  Nathan crossed his arms. “We’ll take care of it.”

  Grace looked to him, offered a smile. He returned it.

  “Customers,” Maddy chimed in, glancing toward the door.

  “Do you want to go home?” Kara asked her, hooking her arm through Grace’s. “We could go make coffee and you could help me with ideas for my new book.”

  Grace gestured to Nathan. “I promised Nathan a piano lesson.”

  She didn’t miss the slow curve of Kara’s lips or the lift of her eyebrows when Nathan gave her a mild look. But she only waved and left the bookstore.

  Nathan held the door for her and Grace stepped out into the sunshine, halfway expecting Lewis to be lingering across the street or on the corner. But she didn’t see him. She felt Nathan’s hand light on her back.

  “Ready?”

  She took the steps slowly, careful with her injured foot. Nathan’s fingers were warm through her shirt, giving her goose bumps.

  “You sure you still want piano lessons?” she asked when they reached the sidewalk.

  He paused to look down at her with a smile. “Are you thinking about backing out?”

  With the sun in his eyes, the green sparkled, stalling Grace’s words. Why did he have to smile like that? Why couldn’t he make it harder for her to like him?

  “Actually…I was thinking you might want to back out.”

  “Why’s that?”

  Grace lowered her gaze, noting her eyes only came to the second button on his shirt. “Well, I think you asked for the lessons because it was a good bargaining tool.” She looked up and flashed a grin. “That you knew I wouldn’t accept your help on the website unless you got something in return.”

  Nathan chuckled. “You’re right, it was a good bargaining tool.” When she shook her head, he caught her hand, disarming her. “But it means I get to spend more time with you. Come on, Grace, come home with me.”

  The suggestive look in his gaze sparked need deep in her belly. She couldn’t keep avoiding him. And, she realized, she didn’t want to anymore.

  Chapter 19

  To his amusement, Grace went straight for the piano when she entered the house. He could feel her nerves from here and didn’t want to guess what that meant. He followed her to the instrument, catching a whiff of her shampoo along the way. Something flowery…lilacs, maybe?

  He played along when all he really wanted was to snatch her into his arms. “Where do you want me?”

  The slats in the blinds tilted just enough that lines of sunshine crossed her face. He watched as she trailed her fingers over the dark surface, a moment of complete peace reading in her expression.

  “Have a seat,” she said.

  Nathan slid onto the bench. She started to gesture, frowned, then seemed to realize the best way to instruct him was from the same seat.

  She sat down, and he held in a chuckle when she nudged him over. He obliged, making more room. His leg rested against hers, warmth all the way down. He exhaled.

  “Do you know how to read music?” she asked.

  “For the most part.”

  “How?”

  “Guitar.”

  “You play the guitar? Really?”

  He gestured to the corner past the piano, where his case stood. She leaned over to see it and he caught a whiff of her shampoo again, a pleasant assault to his senses.

  “I learned in high school,” he said, reaching out to set his hand over hers on her knee.

  She met his eyes with narrowed ones of her own, hardly a foot from his face. “How come you didn’t tell me that?”

  “I don’t know.”

  She wiggled her hand from underneath his. “Are you sure you don’t already know how to play the piano?”

  He laughed out loud. “No, I promise I don’t already know how to play the piano.”

  “Maybe I should have asked you for lessons instead.”

  That was an idea. She’d have to get really close for that. And spend more time with him. Both good things. “I’ll teach you how to play the guitar if you want.”

  “Is there anything you don’t know how to do?”

  “Play the piano.” He grinned.

  “Next you’re going to tell me you know how to speak another language.”

  He cleared his throat quietly and held up two fingers.

  “What?” She narrowed her eyes again. “Two other languages? Which ones?”

  “Spanish–”

  “Naturally. You probably learned that one in elementary school.”

  “French and–”

  “And? I thought you said two other languages.”

  “Well, I’m working on Japanese. Good for business.”

  She turned to him, bumping his leg. “Say something. In French.”

  Nathan smiled. “Je veux apprendre à jouer du piano.”

  “What did you just say?”

  “I want to learn how to play the piano.”

  “Really?”

  “You keep saying that,” he replied with amusement. “Oui.”

  “What about Spanish?”

  Nathan shifted on the bench and considered this request a moment. Then he said softly, “Eres tan hermosa.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You are so beautiful.”

  She straightened and faced forward. “Maybe we should just stick with English.”

  He followed her lead, torn between laughter and exasperation. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “You could probably learn this in your sleep,” she mumbled.

  “I don’t learn well through osmosis. Though maybe if you were sleeping in the same bed, it’d rub off from you.”

  Her eyes slid over, eyeing him out of the corner. “Normal people don’t usually say things like that.”

  “Not out loud, maybe, but they’re thinking about it.”

  She settled her fingers on the keys but didn’t press down. “Are you thinking about it?”

  He touched her back, rubbing his thumb in slow circles on her spine. “More than you know.”

  Her breath eased in, then out. “But right now, you’re thinking about piano lessons, right?”

  “Sure. We’ll say that.” He laughed and nudged her shoulder. “Come on, teach me something.”

  He saw her swallow, start to say something, then change her mind. Finally, she murmured, “Thank you. For the compliment. I just…” She wiggled her fingers over the keys, then shrugged. “Anyway.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Grace turned to him again. “All right, you need to sit up straighter.” He straightened, and she demonstrated the posture. “And lean forward just a tad like this. Right. Okay, bend your arms at the elbows but keep your upper arms straight. Vertical.”

  He did as she told him, holding still when she reached up. “Relax your shoulders.” She smoothed her hand over the closest shoulder. “Right.”

  He struggled to focus when she touched him. He hadn’t lied when he said he wanted piano lessons, but he found it hard to sit still when she was this close.

  “Good. Does that feel comfortable? Do you need to move back some?”

  “Nope. It feels good.”

  Grace nodded and turned her attention to the keys. “All right. I’m going to teach you how to recognize the keys.” She dipped her hand down and played a single note. “This is C. Here.” She grabbed his hand and pulled it over. “Play this. Right. All the white keys are named after the first seven letters of the alphabet. Got it?”

  “Got it.”

  She continued to explain, and he listened intently, watching her slender fingers as they moved over the keys. As they gestured in instruction.

  “We can go over all this again,” she said, “but at least you have the basics here.”

  “Play something.”

  “What?” />
  “So I can watch, see how your hands move.”

  Grace raised her brows.

  “I’m a visual learner.”

  “I see. For the sake of instruction, then?”

  “Precisely.” He scooted off the bench. “I’ll give you room.”

  “Nathan–” She broke off and turned. He already stood behind her. “What do you want me to play?”

  “Do you have anything memorized?”

  She considered this, then shrugged. “Something Grandpa taught me a long time ago.”

  “Play that.”

  He didn’t miss the deep breath she took or the hesitation in her turn. Her fingers settled on the keys slowly. When she pressed down, he wondered if she’d forgotten, wondered if she’d changed her mind. But the piece began slowly, an unfamiliar tune, punctuated with distinct notes of melancholy.

  Her hands were like poetry across the keys, dancing with the melody. He shifted his stance, moving to the side of the bench in order to see her face. It seemed to mirror the sentiments of the song. She saw his motion and her hands faltered, then slid off the keys.

  Tears shimmered in her eyes.

  “Grace?”

  When she lifted her chin, her smile wobbled. “It was his favorite.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  Grace swallowed hard. “Maybe…we could work some more later.”

  Nathan met her the moment she stood, drawing her close. He expected hesitation or flat-out refusal, not arms that wrapped tightly around his waist. Not for her head to drop to his chest. He held tight, emotions sweet and sharp, emotions he hadn’t felt since he’d started dating Amanda, blooming in his chest.

  “I’m sorry,” she mumbled, voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt.

  “Don’t be sorry.” Nathan traced his thumb on her chin, tilting her face up. “You miss him. I understand.”

  She pressed her lips together tightly, a shimmering tear escaping the corner of one eye.

  He brushed the tear away and cradled her cheek in his palm. “Don’t be sad. C'est bon, ma chérie.”

  “Nathan…” Her breath hitched, and he lowered his mouth to hers.

  His heart gave a sweet leap when she lifted her hand to his cheek, her palm cool and smooth. When she pressed closer, he forgot about the tears and the piano and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.

  She had to lift onto her toes to reach around his neck and he facilitated the motion by hauling her closer, supporting her. A strangled murmur came from her throat. “Nathan.”

  His lips traced her jaw. “Yes.”

  Her fingers clenched on his shoulders. “I don’t know if this is a good idea…”

  He captured her mouth again, the salt of her tears lingering against her lips. The words were out before he even realized what he was saying. “Why don’t you trust me, Grace?

  She blinked. “What?”

  His hand clenched on her shirt in the back, and he lowered his forehead to hers. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

  “Seems like you’re doing a lot of that today. Saying things out loud that you normally wouldn’t.”

  “No, I normally would, just not with you.” He winced. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud either.”

  She leaned back, straining against his hand. “Nathan.”

  “Shit.” He sighed but wouldn’t let go. If he did, she’d probably turn and leave, and he couldn’t deal with that right now. He needed progress. Not just because he wanted to be near her, but also because he believed it’d help with finding the star. “Just hear me out for a minute.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “You’re…different, Grace. I feel like you’re waiting for me to let you down. It makes me hold back.”

  He loosened his hold, anticipating what always happened when he was honest with her. That she’d pull back. Her eyes searched his, and instead of breaking away, she lifted a hand and placed it against his cheek.

  “I’m sorry. This isn’t easy for me. I…” Her lashes lowered. “My heart and my mind are telling me different things.”

  “I understand.” He did. After Amanda, it had taken him a while to realize not all relationships were like the one he’d had. His mind had told him there wasn’t any use in trying again, but his heart wanted more.

  “Do you?” she asked.

  He nodded.

  “I’m trying.” She lifted on her toes to kiss him, ignoring the brace on her ankle. “I promise.”

  The comment caused something to shift inside, to make his heart reach closer to hers, when that was probably the last place it should be going. Grace was having a hard enough time as it was. But for once in his life, he didn’t want to take the safe and easy way.

  “Come upstairs with me,” he said, his hand sliding down her arm to link with her fingers. “You can trust me.”

  She smiled, and before she could take a step, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to his bedroom.

  ~ ~ ~

  Grace let Nathan lower her to the bed, his hands gentle as he made sure she didn’t bump her ankle. Her eyes scanned the dim space, the blinds shut halfway, everything in its place. He’d even made the bed.

  “This is the first time I’ve been in your room.” Nerves fluttered in her stomach, just as much over the words she’d said as the fact she’d made this real. She was trying to trust Nathan, and that scared her more than anything.

  He nodded, taking off her shoes one by one. When she tried to sit up, he climbed onto the bed and leaned over her, pressing a kiss to her lips. “Relax, Grace. Let me do this.”

  She tried to protest, but he pressed his hand softly over her mouth. “Trust,” he murmured.

  But her thoughts continued to whirl until he unbuttoned her jeans and slid them slowly down her legs. Her breath released in a sigh when he slid his hands up her calves, and then hitched when he ran them higher, over her thighs and to her hips to draw down her underwear.

  “Grace,” he murmured, his breath touching her sensitive skin.

  And her mind went blank.

  All she could do was feel, to clench her hands on the comforter when his hands began to move everywhere, making her feel cherished. He pulled off his clothes and eased her out of her shirt and bra before settling on the bed with her.

  His fingers danced their way up her ribs. “Your skin is so soft.”

  “It—” Her words vanished when his mouth latched onto her breast, tongue teasing the nipple to a peak. “Oh, God, Nathan.”

  He brought his mouth to hers once more, palms cupping her cheeks. “I’m glad you came over,” he murmured.

  “You’re really good at showing your appreciation.”

  He smiled and rose up over her, hands tracing down her legs. She opened for him, and her eyes closed as he eased inside of her, full and warm.

  “Open your eyes, Grace,” Nathan said.

  Her eyelids fluttered open, taking in his lean stomach, the muscles in his arms as he held himself above her, and most of all the look of tenderness in his eyes. She made her body relax as he stroked in and out, sparks heating her body until she was on fire.

  “Nathan,” she gasped, gripping his arms.

  “Grace,” he answered, voice husky.

  Fireworks exploded behind her eyes and she clasped him tight as he poured into her, mouth at her shoulder and breath tickling her skin. She held onto him a long time, content to feel their heartbeats slow down together.

  To bask in the moment of pure peace.

  Nathan shifted, brushing a lock of hair from her cheek. “Did I hurt you? Your ankle?”

  She turned as he took the warmth from her body and cuddled against him again, making him chuckle. “No, I’m fine.”

  But he moved again, tugging back the covers.

  “Come back,” she said.

  He grinned. “You’re cold.”

  He pulled the comforter over the top of them and drew her close again. “This is definitely the nicest piano lesson I’ve ever had.” />
  Her lips curved. “This is your only piano lesson.”

  “Let’s hope every other one is just as productive.”

  Grace looked up at him through her lashes. “We really should be working.”

  “It’s okay to take a break once in a while. Stay with me a few minutes. Reenergize.”

  She sighed, fighting the battle within herself. “Maybe if we have another piano lesson.”

  He chuckled, tangling his hand in her hair and pulling her in for a kiss. “Yes, please.”

  She let her hands roam and forgot all about the piano for a while.

  ~ ~ ~

  The day had cooled by the time Riley arrived home, a swell of fluffy clouds shadowing the early evening. When he stepped inside, smelled something warm cooking for dinner and heard Maddy’s hum, he felt more peace than he’d felt all day. He dropped his suitcase by the door and went straight for the kitchen.

  He found her with her back to him, a colorful apron wrapped around her waist. She still had the same clothes on that she’d worn to work, but her feet were bare. And she swayed in a simple dance in front of the stove, humming an unfamiliar tune.

  “Good day?”

  She spun around, taking the spoon from the pot she’d been stirring with her. “Riley!” Her eyes lowered to the tile. “Chicken noodle soup on the floor.”

  He moved toward her as she placed the spoon back on a holder next to the pot. He stopped her on the way to the sink, hands wrapping around her waist. “I’ll get it. In a minute.”

  “You keep scaring me like that we’re going to have to eat all our meals off the floor.”

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured, kissing her cheek and moving toward her mouth. “You didn’t have to make dinner.”

  “I figured you had a long day. And I wanted to do something special.” She returned the kiss, hands linking around his neck.

  He saw a twinkle in her eyes and smiled. “That’s nice of you.” His gaze traveled to the door to the dining room. She’d set the table and lit candles in the center.

  She grinned. “I thought so.”

  “Anything specific or just because you’re so sweet?”

  “Well, since you asked, there is a specific reason for a special dinner.”

  Distracted by the curve of her shoulder, he dropped a kiss there and traced his fingers along her collarbone. “Are you going to tell me now or do I have to wait?”