Falling Into Grace (7 page)

“Grant, please give me a moment with Hannah.” He looks at her and his eyes soften. He turns to me and walks closer than needed. Was he was trying to make a point? What, to intimidate me? Now that’s not going to work.

“Hannah, I think he likes you.” She almost laughs this.

“Mrs. Grace, all of your sons are lovely, but I have no interest in any of them. It would not be professional of me.”

I turn to walk out and I hear her say, “Give it time, honey. You’ll come around.” I roll my eyes and keep on walking.

The four of them are standing outside her room waiting for me. Grant immediately walks away when he sees me.
Good, piss off, asshole
, I think as I watch him retreat down the hallway. The other three smile. What the hell is going on here? Aiden looks amused.

“Thank you, Hannah. I don’t think anyone has ever stood up to my brother like that before.” He smiles, putting his fingers to his lips. Oh, his mouth, his perfect lips. I could just bite them. Where in the hell did that come from? They all look at me as if I had said that out
loud. He licks, then bites his bottom lip, and I find this distracting. I finally speak.

“I don’t see the big deal about your brother, Mr. Grace. He is human like the rest of us. He’s allowed to have his moments, just not in front of your mother. My main concern is your mother and her health, and I will not tolerate this childish behavior.” They smile in unison.

Aiden steps forward.

“Hannah, I apologize for any frustration I have caused you or my mother. I will personally make sure nothing happens again. Grant, on the other hand, will do everything in his power now to piss you off.” He smiles, and they go back into his mother’s room. I have never in my career met such a complicated family. The normal family would walk on eggshells around their sick parent, bending over backward to make her happy. These four grown men have issues. I hear my name being paged to the director’s office. Today is going to be one of those days. I shake my head and make my way to the elevators.

As I step into the director’s office, I see Annabelle, his assistant, looking worried and busy.

“Hey, Annabelle, is he ready for me?”

“Oh, Hannah, please go right in.” What the hell could he want? I make my way into his office, and when I open the door, I see him. That fucking rat asshole Grant is sitting in front of the director’s desk. They both rise as I enter. I walk right over to the director and shake his hand.

“Director Winterfield.” I almost want to look at Grant and stick my tongue out at him.

“Hannah.” We all sit down. “Mr. Grace has had some concerns about his mother’s care. You have been treating her correct?” He nods at me knowingly, and I take over.

“Yes, Director, Dr. Mitchell did her triple bypass early Monday morning. I have looked after her since, per her request. She is doing very well, and we are expecting a full recovery.” He begins to write something down. Grant is sitting back in his chair, looking happy.
Smug bastard. He is trying to get me fired. This asshole thinks he is so powerful. Two can play at this game.

“Director, may I suggest you go and speak with Mrs. Grace? She is a lovely woman. I am sure she will be able to fill in the blanks.” I give Grant a cold look.

“I will consider that, Hannah. Mr. Grace, would you please excuse us? I would like to talk to Hannah for a moment.” Grant stands up and shakes the director’s hand, then gives me a sharp look. I want to laugh.
Sorry, buddy, this one isn’t going to work; he’s family, so back off
. I smile back sweetly, batting my eyelashes at him, and he pauses, his expression cold. Then he is out the door.

“Shit, Hannah, what is going on here?” My father-in-law Richard, takes off his glasses and rubs between his eyes as he leans back in his chair.

“Richard, I have no idea what is up his ass. Grant and his brothers were fighting in his mother’s room, and I asked them to leave. I can assure you I was professional. He cursed me out. He is an arrogant little prick who always gets his way.” I lean back into my seat, crossing my arms over my chest. I feel like an angry teenager.

“I had a feeling he was overreacting, but we need to tread lightly around him. He has made a substantial contribution to this hospital, and he is threatening to withdraw from a proposal he has made. He has offered to give us the funding to redo the emergency room.”

I’m shocked! What the hell does he do that he has all this spare money lying around to spend on redoing hospitals?

“Hannah, I mean it. I have assured him this will be your first and final warning. He wants you fired. We need to get her better and out of this hospital before we lose the money.” He looks tired. As do I.

“Richard, it’s a good thing I only work part-time!” I smile at him. “I hope she is gone before I get back on Monday. Are you still coming over for dinner Friday?” Richard laughs as he gets up out of his chair. Chase looked so much like him. The hurt creeps up.

“I’ll be there. I found some of Chase’s old toy trucks. I want to bring them over for Hunter.” He looks sad as he says this. I touch his arm.

“Hunter would love that.” I give him a kiss on the cheek.

“I want to talk to Mrs. Grace,” he says. “I want to hear what she has to say.”

“You do that,” I say, then I head straight to Michele’s office. She is at her desk eating lunch. I plop myself down in front of her.

“These Grace men are killing me.” She smiles at me; I have her full attention. “Grant fucking Grace is an absolute asshole. He went to Richard after I asked him to leave his mother’s room because he and his brother still think they are five years old.” I’m so angry. Michele begins to laugh.

“You mean he told on you?”

“That is exactly what I am telling you. He didn’t like something, so he tried to get me fired. I almost died laughing when I was walking into Richard’s office. I guess I’m lucky I kept my maiden name. He has no idea.” I lean back and marvel in that fact.

I eat lunch and do some rounds, then catch up on some paperwork. In the two hours since the fight, I have steered clear of her room. In just a few more hours, I will never have to see the Grace family again. I remember how sorrowful her eyes looked, so much like mine. I shrug my shoulders at the thought and get lost in the pile of paperwork on my desk. When my phone rings, I jump.

“Hannah Redman.” I lean the phone on my shoulder.

“Hannah, it’s Sara. Director Winterfield just left, and Mrs. Grace has asked to see you.”
Crap
, is the only thought echoing in my head.

“I’ll be up in five.” I slam the phone down harder than needed, but it feels good. I hope he’s not there anymore. I can’t deal with his pompous ass. Why does he think he is holier than God? I check my reflection in the elevator door as I wait for it to open. When it does, of course the stalker Grant Grace is standing there. I swear this man has been riding this elevator stalking me since he arrived. I glare at him as I walk in. I turn and see that the button for the seventh floor is already lit up. I face the door and up we go. I can feel him stepping closer to me. I can feel his warm body standing close to mine, almost like we are
touching. I can feel his breath on the back of my neck. I feel the pull again. This man is an arrogant fuck who likes to intimidate me.

I see his long finger reach past me and press a button. With that the elevator comes to a halt. I almost lose my balance, then fall back into him. His hands are quick to wrap around my waist. I freeze. His hands on my body leave me jumbled inside. He slowly runs his hands down my sides, then down my thighs, pulling my dress up. His lips are on my neck. I can feel his lips glide down to my shoulder, as he pulls my jacket off. I’m starting to panic. Quickly I take a deep breath before I turn and slap him right across the face.

I rapidly press the button again, and we start to move.
Come on… come on!
I scream in my head. When I turn to look at him, he is smiling at me and rubbing his red face. I can feel my hand pulsing. I hit him hard. I have never hit anyone before. The doors open and I run out. I don’t want to go into Mrs. Grace’s room, so I head straight to the nurses’ lounge.

I close the door quickly behind me and lean against it. My heart is pounding as if I just ran a marathon. That was the sexiest thing ever. His touch was controlled and he knew what he was doing. I can feel his fingers tracing my legs. I am so stupid. I wanted to be touched like that. I am a stupid woman, stupid, stupid woman. Then the thought hits me. That bastard. He was doing this to set me up, I bet. He wants to get me fired.

The anger is back. I feel used. I prefer the anger over the yearning for him. I need to hate him again. I get my breathing under control and squeeze my eyes shut tight.
Shake this off
,
Hannah
,
two can play at this game
. I head back into the hallway and go straight to Mrs. Grace’s room. I glance at the clock when I walk in and see it’s almost time to go. I feel relief come over me.

“Hannah, I’ve been waiting for you. I just had the most wonderful conversation with Director Winterfield. He speaks so highly of you.” She sounds like she knows my secret. Of course she knows my secret; she can read me like a book. I hope Richard didn’t tell her.

“Yes, Tori, Director Winterfield is a wonderful man. I admire him deeply.” This is the truth; I admire him on so many levels.

“He was telling me you have off the next two days. It saddens me to think you won’t be here tomorrow. I was told I can be discharged on Friday.” I can see she is up to something, but what?

“We had a lovely talk, and he assured me you would be available to work tomorrow and Friday, just to finish up any loose ends.” Are you kidding me? I laugh, and I realize it is out loud.

“This won’t be a problem, will it, dear?” She is manipulating me, and for some reason I’m happy she is.

“I will have some things to figure out, but I’m sure it won’t be a problem.” I haven’t worked full time since Chase died. The hurt creeps up again. She is reading my face and sees the pain wandering around in my soul.

“Hannah, if it’s going to be a problem…I don’t want to cause you any unnecessary frustration.”
Too late for that, your son just did that in the elevator
. I suddenly realize he isn’t in the room. Good. He probably has to wait for the redness to go away in his cheek before he can show his face to his mother. I notice Aiden sitting on the couch. He is very still, but his eyes are on me. I smile politely at him, and he smiles back. His lips are full. They look so appetizing. His face is beautiful. I can feel my blood start to rush at warped speed throughout my body. I shake myself out of the fantasy as I begin speaking again.

“Mrs. Grace, I can assure you it won’t be a problem. I just need to make a few calls to get some help with my kids when they get out of school. Let me just get your meds. It seems like you might be overdue for them.” As I take a step, she smiles.

“No need, Hannah, Richard gave me my meds.” She is grinning ear to ear. Richard?

“OK, Mrs. Grace. Sara will be taking care of you again tonight. You seem to be getting along fine with her, no?” I give her my no-bullshit look. She smiles.

“Yes, she is OK, Hannah, but not like you.” I grin at her. I like her.

“I have to get home. I have a date night with my kids.”

“Enjoy them because they grow so fast.” She looks at Aiden, showing the affection and love she has for all her sons. I feel the same about my babies.

“Have a good night.” I smile and leave. I decide to take the stairs, because every time I take the elevator, Grant is there.

“Hannah.” I look back. When I see it’s Aiden, I breathe a little better. I’m relieved it’s not Grant. “Mr. Grace, how can I help you?” I look up into his eyes, and they are captivating.

“Call me Aiden, please. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about my mother. I can walk with you, if you don’t mind. I know you are trying to get home to be with your kids.”

“Sure.” I decide it should be safe to take the elevator, so we walk that direction, making small talk. I hold my breath when the elevator doors open. Oh thank God, he’s not here. We enter, and as the doors are closing, I catch a glimpse of Grant. Aiden laughs.

“What’s so funny?” I ask.

“Nothing,” he says, shaking his head.

We head to my office, where I grab my things. I am impressed with Aiden’s questions; he seems to have done his research. We head back to the elevator, and I pause. I walk past and Aiden follows, deep in his questioning.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I would like to take the stairs to stretch my legs a bit,” I lie. He strides ahead of me and opens the door.

“I’d follow you anywhere.” His voice is sexy and seductive. I can feel myself blush, and he is blocking the door so that my body brushes against his to get through the door. I slowly make my way past him. My muscles deep inside me clench. I take other step, and I can feel his hand in mine. I turn and before I know it, he pushes me against the wall. In one fast motion, he picks me up by my legs, and I am wrapped around him. He is breathing hard as he starts to kiss my neck and nips at it. The feeling shoots through me like fireworks. His hands run down my back onto my bottom; he pulls me higher and kisses me. His tongue meets mine, and they begin to dance. He tastes like cherries.

I can feel my body start to pulse. His body is pressed against me, and I let out a soft moan. He is enticing and I want him inside of me in the worst way. His hands make their way down my neck, and he pulls the strap of my dress down. His fingers slip my breast out of my bra as he begins to play with my nipple, which responds immediately to his touch. His mouth makes its way off of mine and down my chin. His lips are like silk against my neck. I can feel how hard he is against me. Then I hear talking, and he shakes out of it faster than me. He pulls my strap back up and puts me down, taking my hand and leads me down the stairs. I’m still lost in the moment. I would follow this man anywhere right now.

When we get to the main floor, he opens the door for me. Still playing the same game, I brush my body past him. He follows me out with a sexy grin.