Chapter 5

5

SIMONE

I came out of a bad dream about being in a fire to the smell of bacon and the sound of my dad's voice. My eyes popped open and I looked around, trying to adjust to my surroundings.

This wasn't my childhood bedroom, and I was far from my dad's house. How could I possibly hear his voice?

Then I smiled as I remembered my mountain man. It must be him talking. But who would he be talking to?

As if in answer, I heard Grayson's voice. Yeah, definitely different. I must have imagined that I'd heard my dad.

"Then you go wake her up."

I bolted upright in bed at that. Definitely my father's voice, and he was not happy. Worse, I was completely naked.

I lost track of the number of orgasms Grayson had given me before I finally drifted off to sleep, too exhausted to move. And now I was no longer a virgin, and my father had arrived to find Grayson in the cabin he owned.

Oh, shit. I was in big trouble. My heart started racing. I tossed the covers back and hopped out of bed, rushing to grab my clothes, which were folded on a chair in the corner.

Halfway through dressing, though, I froze and stared at the door. I was a grown woman who made her own decisions. Why was I afraid of getting in trouble? What was he going to do, ground me? Kick me out of his cabin? If he did the latter, I'd go stay somewhere. I made enough money to be my own woman now.

Knock, knock, knock .

"Simone?"

That was Grayson's voice. It comforted me. He had my back, no matter what.

Also, he didn't think less of me for using a few bad words or enjoying myself in bed. In fact, the more I enjoyed myself, the more aroused he got.

"Coming," I said. "Give me two seconds."

Silence on the other side of the door. I didn't know what that meant. Then I heard voices, but I couldn't make out what they were saying.

I had to get out there. I couldn't leave Grayson to deal with this on his own. Taking a deep breath to steel myself, I finished dressing and headed to the door, jerking it open and preparing to take on whatever was on the other side.

It wasn't what I expected. My dad was sitting on the couch, slumped forward, elbows on his thighs, hands clasped in front of him. Grayson stood near the kitchen, arms crossed over his chest, like a security guard waiting for trouble to break out.

I longed to go to him and feel his arms around me, as they'd been all night while we slept. But instead, I focused my attention on my father.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

He looked up, and his expression wasn't combative. Worse. Disappointment was clear in his eyes.

"I thought I'd stop by and take my girl out for breakfast," Dad said. "But I guess you have other plans."

I glanced toward Grayson, remembering the near fire from last night and the way he'd saved me. Did the house still smell like smoke? I wondered if my dad noticed.

"You've met Grayson?" I asked, looking back at Dad. "He lives next door."

I paused. I could have left it at that, but I didn't want to. No, Dad should know this was deeper than that.

"He's my boyfriend," I said, holding my breath and hoping Grayson wouldn't freak out over me calling him that so soon.

"That's right," Grayson said. "I'm in love with your daughter."

Had he said he was in love with me? Did he mean that? I couldn't take my eyes off him now. And he didn't take his eyes off me.

I looked back at Dad. "We're in love. He also saved this place from burning down last night. I had a mishap with some taco meat."

Dad wasn't the slightest bit amused. "Are you going to marry this man?" He shifted his stare to Grayson. "Are you going to make an honorable woman of my daughter?"

"I am an honorable woman," I said. "I work hard, I don't get into trouble, and I'm always kind to others. You raised me well. But now it's time to let me make my own decisions."

"And yes," Grayson said. "I do plan to make her my wife. As soon as she's ready."

I was ready today, but that was a discussion we could have another time. My dad knew as much as he needed to know about our relationship.

"You and Mom raised me well," I said. "And you did a great job after she died. But it's time for you to start really living."

Dad's features softened at those words, and I knew I'd hit home. So much of his life had been wrapped up in making sure my brother and I were okay. He hadn't dated. He didn't even have his own friends. He worked and sat home alone. But he still had plenty of life left.

"I only wanted what was best for you and your brother," he said. "It hasn't been easy."

"I know, and you did a great job. And I love you."

"I love you too." He pushed himself to his feet. "Well, I'll let you two get back to what you were doing."

"Stay!" Grayson said. "I have plenty of bacon for all three of us. I was going to throw an egg on once Simone got up."

Dad looked at me, and I nodded. I wanted nothing more than to have breakfast with the two men in my life. The man who'd helped make me who I was today and the man who'd brought out a side of me I'd never known existed.