Grace (The Family Simon #5)- Juliana Stone Page 0,37

Betty came with baggage—her husband, bona fide superstar, actor Beau Simon, and the females in attendance were certainly glad she did.

Held at Billie Jo Barker’s hockey facility, all the money raised was donated to research, and to help families living with Alzheimer’s. It was a heavy thing—the disease—but the committee had been determined to make the day light. Joyous. Happy.

There had been indoor hockey, which Grace sat out. There had been tug-of-war, in which Grace ended up on her ass when her team lost to Matt’s. There had also been the balloon toss where she’d managed to get soaked on the first throw. All because she hadn’t been paying attention—her eyes had been on Matt when her partner tossed the damn balloon.

The challenge portion of the fundraiser ended on a high note, however, with an indoor volleyball game that brought Grace’s team head-to-head with Matt’s. The crowd was all in, and the facility got more than a little rowdy cheering for their favorites. In the end, Grace’s team which included Betty Jo and Grace’s brothers Beau and Tucker, came out on top.

It was a hard-fought battle and a lot of fun but Grace was glad it was over. She wiped sweat from her brow—totally aware that Matt’s eyes were on her. So maybe she stretched a little longer, arched her breasts a little higher—his eyes darkened when she did so and that was reward enough for Grace.

“Okay. You and Matt need to stop mind fucking each other from across the room. Because if you don’t, this place is going to go up in flames.” Betty Jo grabbed a towel from her bag and handed it to Grace along with a bottle of water. “Considering the entire fire department is volunteer and most of them have been in the beer garden all afternoon, that’s not a good thing.”

Grace accepted the water with a grin and shrugged. “Sorry. I can’t seem to help myself.”

Betty took a long swig of water, her eyes on Matt. “He does look good without a shirt.”

“Amen to that,” Grace murmured, cheeks turning pink at the look in Matt’s eyes. She couldn’t wait to get him alone. He’d left the Barker’s not long after dinner was over the night before, and she’d been forced to sleep in Betty’s old bed. Not exactly the evening she’d envisioned, however she had tonight and no one was getting between her and Matt. Not her brothers, or the blonde who’d been flirting outrageously with him all afternoon. And definitely not her parents.

Matt tugged on his T-shirt and stepped around the blonde who couldn’t seem to get that he wasn’t interested. He strode across the court and Grace thought that if she died tomorrow, the image of his long legs, muscular build, and smoking-hot smile, was one she was would take to the grave.

“Good game,” she said when he reached her and Betty.

“Not good enough,” he replied, a slow grin lighting up his face. He was standing so close to her that she could feel the heat from his body.

“Sorry. My volleyball skills are mad.”

“I saw that and you’re not sorry.”

“Guys,” Betty interjected, grabbing her bag and tossing a towel over her shoulder. “I’m heading out. Need to shower before the dance. What are you doing for dinner? We could order in at Gramps?”

“Oh, I…” Grace glanced at Matt. Was it unfair of her to want him all to herself? Away from the probing eyes of her family? “I was hoping to see Rosie and the puppies.” She paused. “If that’s all right.”

Matt didn’t answer right away. In fact, an awkward silence fell between them. So awkward that Betty Jo made a show out of looking in her bag for something, and Grace just knew that her cheeks were as red as an apple.

Great. She was about to bolt when he put his hand at the small of her back and leaned close. Shivers exploded down her body and she jumped.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” he murmured into her ear.

“I have no idea if it is or not.” It was an honest answer. “But I need to be alone with you. That’s what I know.”

He had that look on his face, the one she couldn’t read, and as silence fell between them again, she had to wonder just what in hell it was that they had.

The doubt bunnies were back and they’d pretty much tripled in number and weighed her down. He had left the night before. Left without even a