Maizie took another sip and set her glass back on the coaster. “I think I’m missing something.”
Gray caught her gaze but looked away. “Cadwick, he…he’s the man Donna was seeing before the accident.”
“Oh, Gray…”
He shook his head. “It was a long time ago. A meaningless affair. It was my fault. I wouldn’t listen to what she needed. Wouldn’t let her go. I think he really fell for her though. He thinks she left town. Everyone outside the family does. But it seemed to make his issues with me even worse.”
“He’s a dang fool,” Granny said. Both Maizie and Gray looked at her. “Comin’ ’round here pretending to be my sweet Riddly. Thinkin’ I wouldn’t know the difference.”
Maizie glanced at Gray and Gray at her. Neither wanted to mention the fact Cadwick had done exactly that.
“Asked me to sign those papers, like I wouldn’t know what they were.” She huffed. “Fool. Never even checked how I signed.”
It didn’t matter, Gray had shredded the documents. “How’d you sign them, Granny?” Maizie asked.
Her smile brightened, cheeks apple-round. “Little Red Hood of course. I told you he was a wolf of a man.”
Maizie stood and threw her arms around Granny’s neck, pressed a kiss into the soft skin of her cheek. “I love you, Gran. You’re a trip.”
Granny patted her arm. “Thank you, dear. I may be old, but I ain’t stupid.”
Gray laughed as Maizie plopped back in her seat. “No, Ester. No one would ever call you stupid.”
“Still,” Granny said. “That money would’ve gone a long way to help ends meet, wouldn’t it, Little Red?”
Maizie’s face warmed. She didn’t want Granny worrying about her financial problems. “Cadwick say something to you, Gran?”
“I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’re not,” Gray said. “Maizie’s money problems are solved.”
“I’m not taking a handout from you, Gray,” Maizie said, guessing how his rich-boy mind worked. “I started the business on my own. If it succeeds I want to be able to take full credit. Same if it fails.”
“I’m not giving you money.”
“You’re not?” A part of her had kind of liked the security, even though she’d never take it.
“No. I did, however, cosign a loan.” He held up a hand at the hint of her protest. “I am not giving you the loan. I simply assured the bank you’re good for the money. I know you can make a success of anything you set your mind to, Maizie. I’m just making sure you get the chance.”
“Thank you.”
“But if I could make a suggestion regarding your one-eyed driver…”
“Bob? He quit,” Maizie said. “Got a job driving a city bus.”
“Jeezus.”
“I know. Great job. Union, perks and everything. Couldn’t pass it up. Speaking of jobs…” She checked her watch. “I was supposed to help Cherri ice four hundred and fifty-three cupcakes for the elementary-school open house tomorrow night. I really have to go.”
“I’ll drive you,” Gray said.
Granny took his hand and Maizie’s. She squeezed. “It’s right the two of you came together. I knew yours would be the kind of soul match people tell stories about. Only out of tragedy could such a love be born. That’s what you’ve found, the kind of love dreamed of in fairy tales.”
Maizie fought hard not to roll her eyes. She smiled and kissed Granny’s cheek and watched as Gray did the same.
He whispered in her ear, but Maizie could hear as clearly as if he’d whispered in hers. “Thank you, Ester. You’re right. She’s my Snow White, my Sleeping Beauty and my Dorothy Gale. She couldn’t be a better match for me if she’d been plucked from the pages of a storybook.”
Granny’s grin brightened just a bit and Gray kissed her cheek again. She stared at him as he straightened, but then her gaze focused on something behind him, her eyes went wide.
“Oh dear, I hope he didn’t see that.”
Maizie and Gray both followed her gaze to a white-haired man fussing around a bird feeder several feet away. He held a fistful of violets in his hands and couldn’t seem to stop himself from glancing Granny’s way every few seconds.
“You have a suitor, Gran?” Maizie couldn’t help the teasing tone in her voice.
“Stop it, Little Red. I had the love of my life already. George is just a…a hobby.” She blushed, smoothing fine wisps of hair back toward her bun.
“Cute hobby.” Maizie watched George adjust his bowtie and smooth his suspenders over his plaid short-sleeved shirt. She knew it was the thick mane of white hair that had captured her gran’s attention. The preference must run in the family.
Granny licked her lips, then pinched her cheeks for a sweet natural blush. “Now run along, the two of you. He won’t come over if I’ve got company and his memory’s not what it used to be. He’ll forget why he’s waiting over there before long.”
Gray caught Granny’s chin with the crook of his finger, met her gaze. “You’re happy?”
Granny smiled. “Yes, my lovely silver wolf. I’m happy being human. But thank you for the offer as always.”
Maizie’s belly warmed watching him bend to kiss her cheek one more time. “Only for you, my sweet Ester,” he said then took Maizie by the hand.
“I love how you are with her.” Maizie settled into the deep leather seats of his limo.
“She’s a dear friend,” Gray said. “Without her Donna’s death would’ve been intolerable.”
“Annette said you wouldn’t turn her because you were so unhappy with the life you’d been saddled with, you wouldn’t commit someone else to the same fate.”
“I decided long ago, for Ester I would make an exception if she truly wished it.” Gray slid his hand across the seat to Maizie’s. He couldn’t be this close and not touch her.
Their fingers laced. Her hand so small in his, he treasured it. “She’s always refused. I believed, although she denies it, Ester knew the emotional trials far outweighed the added years. Still, it was all I had to offer.”
Maizie’s forest-green gaze dropped to their clasped hands. “Is being what we are really so bad?”
The trepidation in her voice touched his heart. He brought her hand to his lips, tasting her sugar-sweet skin as he spoke. “For twenty-one years I couldn’t imagine a worse fate.”
Her exhale shuddered, her skin warming against his lips. “And now?”
“It was worth every moment to have you as my reward.”
Her quick arousal scented the air, filled the private compartment like the most captivating perfume.
He closed his eyes, breathed her in. He’d never get enough of her. How could he? She was his life mate and yet he’d tried for so long to deny she existed. But she did exist and he’d make damn sure she had every reason to stay.
“You know, when I was a teenager all the young lovers went parking on Saturday nights.” He tugged her hand, and brought a mischievous grin across Maizie’s lips.
“It’s Sunday afternoon,” she said, following his lead, moving to her knees on the seat. “We’re not parked and we’re…ah, not alone.” She glanced over her shoulder at the solid privacy wall.
“The partition’s soundproof.” He scooped her around the waist, pulling her to his lap. “Besides, Dave doesn’t hear anything he’s told not to.”
“Now that’s a good driver.” She straddled his legs, pressing the moist heat of her sex to his groin. His hips pressed up into her, he couldn’t help it, his hands cupping the soft curve of her waist, holding her to him.
Maizie arched her back, adding her own delicious pressure, her breasts riding high beneath the low neckline of her sundress. Gray’s muscles pulled tight, wanting her, needing the feel of her pussy hugging his cock, milking him dry.
She was ready for him, her arousal so thick in the air his wolf-half stirred at her scent. Her desire rolled through him like a physical touch, stirring his body, calling to everything male inside him. They were so connected, too connected. She could undo him-and he’d enjoy it.