The Presence of Grace (Love and Loss #2)(52)

An hour later, Randy appeared at my bar.

“Hey, Grace. Time for break.”

“Okay,” I said, my head tilting with my confusion. Randy was never the one to send me to break.

“Let me walk you back to the break room.”

Nodding, I followed him down the darkened hallway. When we stepped into the small break room he turned around to face me.

“Earlier I had to throw a guy out of the bar.”

“Yeah, I saw that. Was he causing problems?”

“It was the guy who attacked you out back a few weeks ago.”

His words made all the hair on my arms stand up and my heart plummet to the bottom of my lungs.

“What?”

“Yeah. I saw him a few seconds after he got in, and I grabbed him like that.” He said the words with a snap of his fingers. “I don’t care if you pressed charges or not, he’s not allowed in this bar. But I wanted to let you know he came back. I can’t be sure he would have bothered you, but I wasn’t willing to take the chance.”

“Thanks, Randy. I appreciate it.” My stomach was rolling and I was suddenly queasy.

“Did you end up filing a restraining order?”

I shook my head. “I guess I figured I didn’t need to.”

“Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”

“Yeah. I think you might be right.”

“You okay to stay and finish your shift? You can leave if you need to.”

“No, I’m all right. I just need a few minutes.”

Randy nodded. “You let me know if you need anything, and I’m walking you out to your car tonight after shift.”

“You always walk me to my car after shift.”

“Damn straight,” he said, giving me a friendly wink.

“Thank you.”

“Anytime, darlin’.”



By the time my shift was over, I was exhausted and just wanted to curl up and go to sleep. But I knew I wanted to curl up and fall asleep with Devon’s arms around me, so I mustered up the courage to drive to his house, even though I knew we’d have to talk about everything roaming around in my head.

As usual, Devon’s door was unlocked so I let myself in quietly, locking it behind me. He always left the light over the stove on for me, but it was still a dark walk back to his bedroom. On the way, I peeked into Jax’s room, noting the nightlight was still on, which was good because if he woke up in the middle of the night and it was off, he’d panic. When I passed Ruby’s door I opened it just a crack and watched her for a moment, looking for the silent rise and fall of her chest.

Convinced both the kids were good for the night, I made my way to the end of the hall where Devon’s door was. When I pushed it open a wave of humidity rolled over me and I saw him sitting on the edge of his bed.

“Kids good?” he asked with a smile.

“Yeah.” I returned his smile then placed my purse on the chair by the window. “Why is it so steamy in here?”

“I drew you a bath.”

“You drew me a bath?” I asked, laughing at his choice of words.

“Yeah. It won’t sound so funny when you’re soaking in the hot water with a glass of wine.”

“You’re right. That doesn’t sound funny. It sounds wonderful.” I stepped up to him and smiled as his hands seemed to naturally move to the backs of my thighs, pulling me closer. “Are there bubbles?”

“Do you need bubbles?” His hands ran up my legs, fingers sliding under the edge of my skirt, flirting with the lace of my panties.

“Hmmm. Maybe not, but only if you join me.” His hands fell from my legs, which I was upset about at first, but he stood, pulling his shirt over his head, and I was too caught up in watching him undress to worry about much else.

We both took our clothes off, eyeing the other, then he led me to the bathroom where the deep, jetted tub was full, steam still coming off the water. And sure enough, in the back corner sat a glass of white wine, condensation forming on the outside of the glass.

Silently, he stepped into the tub, scooting his body back, leaving enough room for me to climb in front of him. Once we were both settled, my back against his front, one of his arms wrapped around the front of my shoulders, his other hand holding mine, only then could I feel myself start to really relax. A few quiet moments passed. I used my free hand to push the hot water up to my neck, loving the feeling of the water lapping against me.

“Tell me what’s bothering you,” he whispered against my ear.

Taking a deep breath, I prepared to say the words I knew would upset him. “The guy who attacked me at the bar showed up again tonight.” I felt him tense beneath me. His whole body contracted, hard like stone. “Randy spotted him before he really got in and kicked him out, but I can’t understand why he’d come back.”

“We’re going to the police station and filing a restraining order tomorrow.” I nodded, in complete agreement. “And you’re not working at a bar next summer. I don’t care what it takes, you’re not walking into a place where drunken idiots can get their hands on you all night.”

I ran my hand up his arm, trying to calm him. I was upset at first when Randy first told me what had happened, but I’d had a few hours to calm down. Devon was in the middle of the adrenaline rush, at the apex of the rage. I knew he wasn’t angry at me, but at the situation, and I just wanted to soothe him.