Overheard (Unspoken #2)(2)

“Gee, thanks.”

He handed the beer to her then winked and ambled off again.

“Lug nut,” she grumbled.

Michelle laughed. “You know you love him. He’s cute when he’s not being a pain in the ass.”

Gracie nodded. “Yep, the two days of the year he’s not a royal pain, he is downright cute.”

“I heard that!” Wes called from the grill.

“You were supposed to,” Gracie returned sweetly.

“I’m about ready to dish it up,” Jeremy said. “Michelle, if you want to set the table, I’ll have it up in about fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll help,” Gracie said as she heaved herself out of her chair.

Luke turned his head and watched Gracie follow Michelle into the house. Her auburn curls jiggled down her back as she walked. He’d always loved her hair. It fit her carefree personality perfectly. Only she didn’t seem so carefree today. He wondered what was bothering her. It wasn’t like her to be quiet and withdrawn. And he didn’t buy that line about a busy week at work. Gracie could do her job in her sleep.

“Do me a favor and take this in to Michelle,” Jeremy said, ramming a tray into his gut.

Luke looked down to see a platter of sausage.

“Tell her the rest will be ten minutes.”

Luke grunted. “Sure.”

Luke walked toward the sliding door of the patio and eased inside. He strode through the living room and toward the kitchen. When he reached the doorway, Gracie’s voice stopped him.

“I called him this morning and broke up with him.”

Luke backed away and stood to the side. She’d broken up with Keith? Somehow that didn’t surprise him. The guy was a complete pu**y. No way he could keep pace with someone of Gracie’s caliber.

He strained to hear the rest of the conversation.

“You called him the morning after you had sex and dumped him?” Michelle asked in disbelief.

“Yeah,” Gracie replied.

Whoa. Harsh. Luke couldn’t wait to hear why.

“Good God, girl. That must have been crushing to his ego,” Michelle continued.

Luke nodded his agreement.

He heard Gracie sigh. “I don’t care, Michelle. I’m tired of hooking up with guys who suck in bed. And I don’t mean my tits either.”

Michelle dissolved into laugher and Luke’s eyebrows shot up.

“Was he that bad?” Michelle asked.

“He wasn’t good,” Gracie muttered. She sighed again. “Damn it, Chelle. I want something…”

Luke nearly hurt himself trying to press his ear closer to the doorway. What did Gracie want? This had to be good.

“I want someone who lights my fires. Who makes me think of nothing but taking every stitch of clothing off him and licking him from head to toe.”

Luke shifted, an uncomfortable surge of heat racing to his crotch. Damn if the woman wasn’t direct. He liked that in a girl. Didn’t like stupid games and fluttering eyelashes.

“That’s the problem with you, Gracie. You always settle for men who can’t stand up to you,” Michelle interjected.

Luke nodded in agreement. Michelle was right on there.

Another sigh from Gracie. “I want someone who can make my fantasies come alive, Chelle. Is that too much to ask? A guy who can be adventurous in bed and not come across like a freaking fruit loop?”

Fantasies? Luke shifted again and rubbed his palm across his shirt. Gracie had fantasies? Who knew?

“What kind of adventures are we talking about here, Gracie?” Michelle asked in a cautious voice.

Yeah, what kind of fantasies? Damn it, he only had a few minutes before Jeremy was going to come busting in with the rest of the food. Then he’d never find out what made Gracie tick.

There was a long, silent pause.

“Nothing illegal,” Gracie cracked. “At least I don’t think they are.”

“Quit joking and spill it,” Michelle said. “The guys will be in soon.”

“Oh, I fantasize about bondage, a little spanking, maybe a whip or two. The idea of being tied up gets me hotter than I’d like to admit,” Gracie said ruefully. “But…”

But what? Luke wanted to yell.

“More than anything I’d love to experience a ménage.”

“Gracie!” Michelle exclaimed. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Gracie said in a low voice. “Two sexy men, all their attention on me, pleasuring me? Yeah, I think about it a lot. I just don’t know how to make it happen.”

“Holy shit,” Michelle whispered loudly. “Have you thought about taking out an adult ad or something?”

“Yeah, I have,” Gracie replied. “I’ve thought about it a lot. But the thought scares me. Who knows what kind of freaks are out there.”

Adult ad? Luke wanted to march in and throttle her. He would have but he was still thrown for a loop by what she’d admitted. Gracie, his Gracie, had triple X fantasies.

“Face it, Chelle. I’m not sure there’s a man out there who can satisfy my needs in bed. Maybe I’m expecting too much. I just know I’m not settling for less ever again. I’m done with the Keiths of this world. If I can’t find a man, I’ll stick to my toys and self-gratification.”