Page 34 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell (Rock Canyon, Idaho 7)

She nodded against the front of his shirt, and Eric grimaced. He had no idea what to say to comfort her, so he remained silent and just let her cry. He figured it was the safest move, especially since she was so close to his genitals. One wrong word and she’d probably kick him so hard, he’d be singing soprano for the rest of his life.

“I know I’ve only had her two weeks, but it felt like so much longer. Maybe because I got to spend time with her. Today, though, when Viola took her from me and she cried and reached for me…I wanted to snatch her back.”

“I’m sure you did. Did they find her mom or something?”

Gracie pulled away, wiping at her eyes. Eric kept his arms around her, trying not to notice how good she felt against him. “They found her great-grandma.”

“That’s good, right?”

“Of course, it’s good,” Gracie said, hoarsely. “And I’m sure that she’s going to love her to pieces.”

“But you don’t want her to forget you?” Eric said, surprised by his own intuition.

Gracie sniffed. “No. No, I don’t. I do want what’s best for her. It just hurts.”

Eric ran his hand over her back. “I know it does, Gracie Lou. It will get better, though. And that little girl is going to be the better for knowing you.”

Gracie made a choking sound. “Oh my God, did you just say something incredibly thoughtful and nice?”

He chuckled good-naturedly. “Hey, I can’t be all bad. You’ve met my mother. She tried to teach me a few things.”

“Tried being the operative term.”

Minutes ticked by as he held her, smoothing her hair, rubbing her shoulders, and kissing the top of her head. He found himself murmuring words of comfort to her, and a thought struck him as her crying slowed.

He hated seeing Gracie sad. He liked her spitting fire or cracking jokes, but when she was in pain, no matter how pissed or frustrated he might be with her, it bothered him. Bothered might be too mild a word, but it was all he had at the moment.

“I tell you what. Why don’t I get you settled into your bed and tuck you in for the night? You can enjoy the brownies and liquor tomorrow.”

Gracie took in a heavy breath. “Sure.”

Eric picked her up, and when she didn’t protest, he carried her down the hall to her bedroom. He walked in and looked around. It wasn’t the first time he’d been in her room, and all the bright colors and fuzzy rugs were still ugly.

“This place needs a man around here.”

She didn’t respond, but he thought he felt a snort of derision against his chest.

He laid her down on the rumpled bed, and when she was snuggled in, he pulled the blanket over her.

Her hand over his stalled his movements.

“Yes.”

He raised one eyebrow, and it took him a minute to realize what she was saying. “Yes, you’ll go to New York with me?”

“If you’ll help keep my mother at bay.”

He turned his hand over and cupped hers, warmth spreading up his arm the way it always did when he touched Gracie. “It’s a deal.”

Eric started to stand, but she didn’t release his hand. He looked down into her wide, swollen eyes and pale face as she cleared her throat.

“I know we said we’d be completely professional when no one else is around, but I…I really don’t want to be here alone. Can you just… Can you stay until I fall asleep?”

Eric knew she was asking him for comfort, but that didn’t stop his cock from having other ideas.

“Sure, I’ll stay.”

Gracie relaxed back against the pink of her sheets, and Eric bent over to untie his boots. He slipped them under her bed and put his jacket on top of her dresser. Then he went to the other side and sank down on top of the comforter.