~~~
With Gray staring a hole in her, Beth lowered her head and said, “I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right. In my defense, though, you don’t know how hard it is to say no to my sister when she makes up her mind.”
Gray softened because he knew just exactly what Beth had been up against. Suzy wasn’t a woman to take no for an answer. “I know, Beth. I’d have had a hard time saying no, too. I believe she’s probably learned a lesson. How’s she been today?”
“She’s better. This is the first pain medication she’s taken even though they have stressed that she needs to keep it at a constant level for pain management. I know she’s hurting, but she’s determined to fight it. Were you able to find a house today?”
“Yes, the papers have been signed, and it’s ready to move in. I was able to keep the furnishing so Suzy should be comfortable. Did you bring a suitcase with you for her?
“Yes, I have it in my car. When they release her, we can transfer it to your vehicle. “
“Beth, I meant what I said. You’re more than welcome to stay with us. I don’t want you to feel like you’re being excluded because your sister needs you.”
Touched by his concern for her, Beth smiled and said, “Really Gray it’s fine. You don’t have to worry about me. I should be the one worrying about you. This isn’t going to be easy. I’m going to leave you my cell number and when you’re settled in I’d appreciate a phone call to let me know how the patient is faring.”
The doctor arrived at that moment, and with one final check and a list of instructions, Suzy was cleared for discharge. By this time, Suzy was awake, and Gray braced himself for the argument that was surely coming over her living arrangements.
“Oh thank God, I’m so ready to get out of here. The décor is circa 1980s and its smells funny. The nurse keeps giving me an evil look. I think she spat in my fruit cup this morning. Please tell me your place is better than here, although, it must surely be because the bar hasn’t been set very high.”
Gray was temporarily at a loss for words. Prepared to threaten, plead, or bribe her to be reasonable, he was surprised that she was going along with the program so easily. Whatever she was taking must be good stuff. He decided to hurry before it wore off. Luckily, the nurse arrived, and soon they were moving smoothly down the halls. Suzy and the nurse waited at the front door while he and Beth went to collect Suzy’s suitcase and Gray’s car.
Gray thanked Beth and promised to call her that evening. Soon he was pulling his car to the front, and he quickly went around to help Suzy into the passenger seat. It took some adjustments with the seat and some colorful cursing from Suzy, but they were finally in the car and heading towards his new home.
~~~
Suzy tried to focus in on her surroundings and wondered when exactly she’d lost her mind. She was in the car with Gray on her way to his house where she’d apparently agreed to live until she recovered. Her hormones kicked into overdrive as she risked a side glance at him. Gray was one major hunk. He looked good and smelled even better. She had the desire to shut her eyes and just inhale his fragrance. He might think it a little strange if she suddenly started sniffing so she controlled the urge.
Gray had been wonderful since the accident. A part of her heart that she thought had been broken beyond repair by her sleaze-ball ex-fiancé Jeff had started to heal. Surely Gray had a flaw. She’d yet to find it, but it had to be there. Maybe living with him for a while would truly show her what type of person he was. He probably left the seat up on the toilet, the cap off the toothpaste and his underwear in the floor. She knew she was attracted to him, and even though she didn’t sleep around, she fully planned to make an exception for him. There was just something so powerful between them, she was having a hard time walking—or hobbling—away.
Chapter Eight
Suzy jolted out of her thoughts as Gray slowed the car at an intersection. Suzy recognized the tourist area as Garden City Beach. This was one of her favorite areas. Only a few miles from the huge crowds of Myrtle Beach, Garden City was small and quaint and attracted mainly families looking for a vacation spot with more family- friendly amenities and the freedom to enjoy the beach with a little more privacy than Myrtle Beach offered.
They were now heading from the main hub of the hotels of Garden City and to the section with many privately owned beach houses. As they got farther away, the houses were more elaborate and more private. Suzy felt as if her heart would stop as Gray pulled into the drive of what she could only call her dream house.
When she was little, her parents hadn’t really encouraged the whole fairy tale thing. She’d always wanted to be a princess. Her parents only purchased practical, educational books for them and refused to buy any of the more fanciful ones that she and Beth preferred. Luckily, the school library provided an endless supply, and as most little girls do, Suzy had read them and dreamed of one day being the princess in the book.
As she’d grown older, she’d buried the dreams of her childhood behind her and went for the shock value of leather and lace. At least, this was always guaranteed to get a reaction from her parents. Through the years, the provocative dress attire had become her signature and her shield. No one messed with a girl who could run for a mile in six-inch heels.
The house that they pulled up to brought all those hopes and dreams back from where she’d buried them long ago. It was a beautiful Victorian complete with gables and a turret. The façade was a blue-gray with white trim and a veranda that ran the side of the house disappearing around the back. It was quite simply, the house of her dreams and something she’d have never believed that Gray would choose. She pictured him in glass and steel, very contemporary and modern. Come to think of it, that was probably what he thought she’d select. This house was beautiful, unique and, yeah, she had to admit, almost magical. It was a castle for the modern girl who didn’t require a moat or drawbridge.
Suzy realized that Gray had cut off the ignition and was studying her reaction. She forced herself to shut the mouth that she knew was hanging open and gave him a nervous smile. There was simply no way she could insult this house. “Gray, it’s beautiful, but I’ll admit, I’m surprised. “
“Why is that, were you perhaps expecting something with pink flamingos?”
With a chuckle, Suzy said, “Not exactly, I’d have expected something more modern. You’re a big, rich, single guy on the prowl. This type of home might send the wrong message to your female fans. This house, although breathtaking, says, ‘I want two point five kids and a new mini-van in the drive-way.’