Chapter Fourteen

"I'm gonna get soaked!" Cadence exclaimed as they pulled into the driveway and rain pelted against the car.

"Not me," Ester taunted as she sat wrapped in Vince's suit jacket which had been rolled into a ball and tossed in the backseat.

"Mommy!" Cadence whined.

Grace sighed and laid her head back against the seat. "It's okay, gremlin. Mommy will get you dry clothes when we get inside."

"But...." Cadence persisted.

"Cadence," Grace warned.

Vince shook his head. "If she gets wet she might get sick."

Grace was about to argue that Cadence would be just fine but the sight of Vince's thick fingers undoing the buttons on his flannel shirt caused all arguments to die on her tongue. She saw the muscles in his broad shoulders working as he slid the shirt down his arms. Grace felt her mouth go completely dry as she took in the sight of him. She hadn't been aware that they made big city businessmen that looked like that....

His shoulders were broad, his chest was wide and strong before tapering down to lean hips. He had a light dusting of black hair across his chest and another patch just below his belly button with a trail that led....Grace forced her eyes back up as her face flamed red.

This man was built like a Greek statue. He was chisled and so perfect, it nearly hurt to look at him. There was a small scar on his shoulder and a mole on about the third ab down. Grace licked her lips and realized she was drooling. Vince didn't seem to notice the effect he was having on her as he twisted in his seat, (emphasizing those muscles) and wrapped Cadence in his shirt.

"Time sure has been good to you, George," Ester noted.

Color stained Vince's cheeks as he turned back around. "Uh.. Thanks Ester," he mumbled. He glanced over and caught Grace's eye and she knew there was no way she would be able to hide her desire for him and so she quickly looked away and put her hand on the door handle.

"It's time to brave the flood," she muttered, not looking forward to the soaking they were going to get.

"I'll carry Cadence if you help Ester," Vince replied.

Grace simply nodded in response without looking his way. Looking at him caused her body to heat and her thighs to clench. It was a temptation she had not felt since she'd been a teenager and it was stronger somehow than she could ever remember it being.

Grace threw open her door and hopped out. The rain soaked her nearly instantly. She opened the back door of Vince's rental car and helped Ester out, keeping Vince's jacket over her grandmother's head. She saw Vince scoop Cadence out of the other side and they all dashed up to the house as quickly as they could.

It was after eight and Cadence and Ester were exhausted so Grace decided it was a good time for bed. She shook out her wet hair and pointed down the hall without looking at Vince who was standing with his hip propped against the counter and his arms crossed over his chest. "I'm going to get them changed and in bed. I'll be back out in a while."

"Okay," he replied.

Grace noticed his voice seemed tight but she didn't dare let her eyes fall on him for fear she'd either melt to a puddle on the spot or throw him down and make love to him on her worn, white linoleum floor. Quickly, Grace shoved those thoughts aside and ushered her daughter and grandmother down the hall.

***

Vince leaned against the counter and breathed deeply through his nose, fighting his own inner battle with desire. Grace's yellow sundress, (the same one that she'd wore to church and he suspected the only one she owned), had become thoroughly soaked in the rain and had been clinging to every inch of her body. Her auburn hair had been wet and sticking to her face and droplets of water had been running in rivlets down her bare arms and legs.

Then Vince had seen the way she had been looking at him and Vince had never in his life been struck with a jolt of need like the one he'd felt shoot through him. He wanted to caress that velvety skin, bury his nose in that in that soft hair and breathe in her scent. He wanted to feel that slender body beneath him and watch her eyes, full of love, slip closed as he took her higher and higher...

Vince let out a hiss of pain when his fists clenched so tightly that his fingernails nearly pierced the skin. He quickly left the kitchen and strode back outside. The rain was still beating down on the tin roof and Vince was more than happy to walk out into it and allow the droplets to cool his heated skin.

The thunder seemed to have passed and Vince was happy for that. Maybe Cadence would be able to rest tonight without being too frightened. With the rain cooling him, Vince was able to think beyond his desire for Grace and focus on just how much he loved that little girl in there and her mother.

Vince had never wanted to be a husband or a father. His job, his company, had meant too much to him for him to even consider making anything else a priority. But now? Now that career he'd worked so hard for didn't seem as important. That life he'd been living working himself to the bone for his company seemed so empty and meant nothing in comparison to the life he lived now. Vince had no urge to rush back. No urge to ever go back to that city and live that life of false smiles and polite conversations with fake people.

Maybe it was time to step down. Vince had worked more in the last twelve years than most men worked in their entire lives. He deserved to be able to sit back and simply enjoy the fruits of all that labor. Of course he would still own his company and continue to make money from it and his many investments, but his constant presense in New York would no longer be needed.

Vince had enough money to last him for his entire life and leave some for generations to come. There was no need for him to work himself to the bone back in New York when his heart was right here in Clifton.

"Vince?" Grace's voice called from the porch. Vince turned to see her standing on the porch, still wearing that wet dress, and watching him as if he were completely crazy. "How long have you been out here?"

Vince shrugged. "I don't know."

"Why are you standing out in the rain?" she asked, her eyes scanning him up and down. Vince felt his body heat under her appraisal.

"I'll come in..." he began but stopped when she shook her head and stepped out into the rain herself.

"I've always wanted to dance in the rain," she admitted.

Vince smiled. "I do still owe you that dance."

Grace slid into his arms and Vince held her tight against him, knowing he'd found his forever. "I've never done anything quite this crazy," Vince admitted as he spun her around the rain soaked grass as droplets continued to beat against them.

"You rebel," Grace teased and Vince swooped down and caught her lips beneath his own. He kissed her soflty, tenderly, and felt her grip on him tighten as her fingertips dug into his bare back. Grace moaned against him and Vince knew that with the way she had herself pressed against him his arousal would be unmistakable.

When Vince felt her moving against him, he lost all control of himself and deepened the kiss. He plundered her mouth wildly, feeling a hundred different things at once.

Grace's fingers were pressed against his skin, running up and down his back, leaving trails of fire in their wake. Her body was pressed against his and they moved to music that only the two of them could hear. Grace's soft moans were washing over him and he wanted nothing more than to make love to her.

"Vince.." Grace gasped as she broke the kiss and looked up into his eyes. Her gray eyes were dark with passion, her cheeks were flushed and her lips were swollen and red from his kisses and the sight of that only had Vince wanting her more.

"Grace.." he replied, searching her eyes for the answer to the question he knew she'd recognize.

She stared at him a moment and then threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips hungrily to his own. Grace jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her quickly up onto the porch and into the house without ever breaking the hungry joining of their lips.

Vince knew the way to her bedroom and he wasted no time carrying her there. He sat her on her feet and pulled the tiny sleeve of her dress down her shoulder, following its path with his mouth and drawing gasps from Grace's parted lips. Vince could feel Grace trembling in his arms as he laid kisses along her collarbones and then dropped lower as he slid the dress down her body and it pooled around her ankles.

Vince kissed and licked at the edges of her black lace bra and Grace's fingers found his hair and her fingertips buried themselves deep inside the stands. Vince moved his lips back to her and his hands found the clasp of her bra and unsnapped it, freeing her tiny breasts from the confines of that black lace.

Grace watched him as he gazed at her and she saw the desire in his green eyes. Vince's breathing was raspy and his jaw was tense. He almost seemed to be in pain and Grace knew exactly how he felt. Passion and desire were blinding her, clouding her senses and making her body tremble and ache. His big hands, so rough and yet soft as velvet as they touched her, ran down her hips and traced the edges of her practical cotton panties.

Grace heard him chuckle and her face reddened with embarrassment. "Blue cotton?" he asked with amusement as his fingers worked their way under the elastic waistband.

"Hush," Grace scolded breathlessly as his lips brushed against her stomach.

"With little pink flowers?" he added, his voice little more than a growl as his fingers brushed against her most sensitive flesh.

"Hush," she whispered, throwing her head back as his lips pressed against her trembling thighs.

"You are beautiful. Natural and beautiful," Vince groaned as he slid her panties down her legs and rose back to his full height.

"I haven't been with a man in a long time," Grace admitted, feeling more than a little nervous. What if she disappointed him?

Vince smiled and kissed her tenderly. "I've never been with a man," he teased. Grace found herself laughing but that laughter quickly turned into a groan when Vince pressed more kisses against her collarbones and chest until she was pressing herself as tightly against him as his blue jeans would allow.

"Make love to me, Vince," she pleaded.

Vince growled and Grace felt him tremble against her skin. "I thought you'd never ask."

***

"Do you believe in things that are meant to be?" Vince asked as they lay in each other arms, wrapped in tangled sheets a shot time later. Vince had been ashamed and embarrassed by how quickly it had been over and he had assured her that it had only been that way because he'd been celibate for so long and next time it would be better. Grace had just smiled and assured him that there was no way it could be better--Vince replied to that by kissing her hard and quick.

"I never used to," Grace admitted, feeling sleepiness settling in as Vince stroked her bare arm with his fingertips.

"And now?" he urged.

"Meeting you changed my mind," she answered honestly. Grace snuggled closer against him and Vince rested his head on her shoulder, pressing his cheek against hers.

"You sound tired," he teased.

"I am a little," she replied, arching her back and stretching.

"I should go," Vince said sadly but Grace grabbed his arm as he attempted to get up.

"Why?"

"Cadence," he replied simply. "I'm sure she's not used to seeing men staying the night with her mommy."

Grace frowned. "No, she's not," she agreed with a sigh. "But what are you going to wear?" she questioned, glancing down at his jeans which were in a wet heap upon the floor.

"I guess I'll have to wait for them to dry," Vince stated with a shrug.

"I'll put them in the dryer," Grace offered. She grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around herself as she stood up before going to her dresser.

Vince propped himself up on his elbows and grinned. "What are you doing?"

"Getting a nightgown," she replied.

"No, I mean why are you hiding your body from me with that sheet?"

"I'm not hiding," Grace insisted. "I'm just..."

"Don't you dare try to say shy because you certainly weren't shy with me a just a while ago," Vince reminded her which earned him a sharp glare.

"I'm not the kind of woman you're used to seeing," Grace stated as she pulled a white, sleeveless, floor-length sleeping gown from her dresser.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Vince demanded as he rose from the bed. Grace couldn't help but notice that he made no attempt to hide his nakedness from her. Damn, but that man was something... Droolworthy, if Grace was being completely honest.

"I mean, that I don't have the best parts money can buy!" Grace exclaimed with exasperation. She headed for the bedroom door, planning on going to the bathroom to get dressed.

"Grace, if I wanted a store bought woman I could have had one a long time ago," Vince informed her. He caught her by the arm and pulled her to him. "What I want is you." He kissed her lips gently. "A real..." his lips moved to her cheek,"..beautiful.." he grazed his teeth across her neck, "..gorgeous woman," he finished, before stooping low and licking at her blushing breast.

Grace moaned and pulled his head back up as she felt her legs turn to jello beneath her. "Point taken," she assured him as she slid into her gown. "Now I have to get your cothes dry."

"Is there something I can put on until then?" Vince asked. "I feel a little awkward walking around naked when Ester or Cadence might walk in and see me."

"I have one of these in pink," she teased, twirling in her gown.

"Ha.Ha." Vince shook his head.

"Actually I think there might be something," Grace said a moment later. She rushed to her closet and pulled out a box that hadn't been opened in years. She opened it and moved aside her grandfather's pocket watch and wallet to find the flannel pajamas that had always been his favorite.

She held up the red and black checked flannel shirt and pants. "It's not real stylish and might be a little snug since you're bigger than my grandpa was but it'll keep you covered."

"Thanks." Vince took them and pulled on the pants. He attempted to shrug himself into the shirt but it quickly became clear that his shoulders were simply too broad. Grace glanced down at his legs and failed to hold back her laughter when she how hight the pants rode up on his shins.

"Are you laughing at me?" Vince demanded with a smile.

Grace nodded. "Yes. Yes, I am."

Vince lauged as well and pulled her into his arms. "I love you," he whispered.

Grace kissed him softly. "I love you too." She pulled away. "And now I have to get your clothes dry."

Vince sat down on the edge of the bed while Grace went to the tiny laundry room and tossed Vince's wet clothes inside. She was just walking back into the bedroom when Cadence began screaming and crying from her bed. Grace sighed, knowing it was a nightmare but before she could reassure Vince of that and go to her daughter, the man was on his feet and running to her room.

"Cadence?" he asked cautiously as he entered the room.

"Vince? Vince, the monster is gonna get me!" Cadence exclaimed as she jumped out of bed and ran to him.

He wrapped her in his arms and shushed her soothingly as she cried against his stomach. "There, there, Cadence, don't cry. I won't let anything happen to you," Vince vowed.

Tears filled Grace's eyes as she stood in the doorway. Vince was a natural father it would seem. He was perfect for the job with the way he made Cadence laugh, protected her from bullies and even soothed away nightmares.

"I had a bad dream, Vince," Cadence whispered. "The monster was going to eat me."

"The monster won't get you, sweetheart," Vince promised. "Let me let you in on a little secret. Those monsters are scared of me so now that they know I'm around to protect you, they won't be coming back."

"Will you be here forever?" Cadence asked, a lone teardrop hanging from her lashes as she looked up at him. "Like a daddy?"

***

Vince stared down at the little girl staring up at him so lovingly, so trustingly, and felt emotion clog his throat. He had never in his life been closer to tears than he was in this moment.

Daddy.

Who would have though that stern, stoic business tycoon Vince Griffin, would be so moved by such a simple word?

"I don't plan on going anywhere, sweetheart," Vince promised, smoothing her messy blond hair from her face. "There may be times that I have to leave for a day or two on business but I'll always come right back to you and your mommy. The two of you mean everything to me."

Grace cleared her throat as she stepped into the room and when Vince turned to look at her, he saw her wipe a tear from her cheek. Cadence yawned. "I'm sleepy, mommy. Can you and Vince tuck me in?"

Grace smiled. "Of course we will, gremlin."

"And you'll wait 'til I'm asleep before you leave?" Cadence added.

"We won't leave a second sooner," Vince vowed.

He picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down gently and pulling the covers up to her chin. Grace slid into the bed on one side and Vince slid onto the other and they cradled Cadence between them.

"Sing to me, mommy," Cadence whispered, her eyelids already growing nearly too heavy for the girl to hold open.

Grace blushed as she glanced at Vince. "Okay." She kissed Cadence's brow and then began singing 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot', which she had told Vince before was the only song that had ever been able to quiet the girl ever since she was an infant with the colic.

Vince knew that in that moment he was closer to heaven than he had ever been before. This is what he'd been born for. He hadn't been born to run a company, work eighteen hour days or make millions. He hadn't been born to please his impossible parents and marry a trophy wife and attend fancy dinner parties. None of that mattered. He'd been born to make love to this beautiful woman. To love her with all his heart and give her anything and everything she ever wanted. And he'd been born to take care of this little girl and chase away the monsters under her bed and in her dreams.

Nothing in the world mattered but this.

Vince glanced at Cadence and realized the girl was fast asleep, though Grace didn't seem to notice as she lay there with her eyes closed and hummed softly. Vince reached across Cadence and ran his thumb gently over Grace's cheeks. She opened her eyes and Vince smiled. "Marry me?"

Vince hadn't even realized the words were going to fly out of his mouth until they were said. Grace's jaw dropped and she stared at him with shock. Vince's heart thundered against his ribs and he suddenly wished he could take it back.. Not because he didn't want to marry her but because he didn't know what in the hell he would do if she turned him down! He couldn't go back to life the way it had been before Clifton. He couldn't go back a life without Grace taking his breath away, Cadence teaching him about the innocence of children and Ester calling him George.

"What did you say?" Grace whispered.

"Marry me," he repeated, searching her eyes.

"W..why?" Grace stammered.

"Why should you marry me?" Vince asked quickly as he rubbed his neck. "I have no idea why I'd be good enough for you but can I tell you why I want to marry you, Grace? I was lost for so long before you came along. My whole life was numb and I was just going through the motions but not really alive. I'm alive now, honey, and it's because of you and Cadence and Ester. You've given me more than I could ever hope to repay just by giving me your love. I'd like to have the chance to be a husband to you and a father to Cadence. I promise right now that I'll never let either one of you down. Will you marry me, Grace?"

Grace was silent for a long moment and Vince thought for sure he might die..or vomit... either one would be unfortunate.

Finally Grace nodded. "Of course I'll marry you, Vince. There's no other man I would ever want to be married to."

"You'll never regret saying yes," Vince vowed as he leaned across Cadence to press a feather light kiss to Grace's lips.

Grace smiled a shaky smile. "I'll never make you regret asking."