My Everything by Julia Barrett Read Free Book Online Page A

arm beneath her anchor her to his side. She was reluctant to wake him, but she wanted to go for a run, shower and get to the college. And of course she needed to get a room key. And if she had time, grab some coffee.
    Still, it was hard to imagine just saying, “See ya,” and blowing the entire night off after what they’d done. Ben had made it clear he wasn’t making her any promises, still that didn’t mean Grace didn’t want to see him again.
    Suddenly, she understood why he’d refused to consummate their relationship ten years ago. If he had, there was no way she’d have gotten him out of her system and been able to move on. The pull was too strong, the connection too intense. Grace would have wound up comparing every man with Ben, even Josh. And nobody would have measured up. Maybe Ben had done her a favor. Josh had been a wonderful man, a loving companion, an amazing partner and her best friend. He would have made a great father. If Ben had hogged up all the space in her heart she might never have given Josh a chance. She might never have had two incredible years.
    Grace wasn’t much into fate, but sometimes things happened that couldn’t be explained. How could it be coincidence that after ten years and all that had transpired, she’d end up in Los Angeles crashing in front of the door to Ben McCall’s hotel room?
    Grace wasn’t willing to walk away from Ben this time, at least not without a fight.
    She wondered about the gun. Guns didn’t frighten her. Her father was ex-military, and he’d taught her about gun safety and how to shoot when she was a kid. She’d won medals for sharpshooting.
    She knew a little about Ben’s career in the military. After his leave ended and he’d left Austin, she’d stayed close with his family. In fact, she’d been his sister Angel’s babysitter. She wondered if Ben was even aware.
    Friendly as his mother had been, she’d remained mum about his training, his job and his location. Grace had eventually stopped asking. She’d assumed, right or wrong, he did something for the government, something covert. He’d rarely visited his family, and as far as Grace could tell, his visits had been unannounced, spur-of-the-moment and extremely brief. She’d only learned about them because Angel would inevitably spill the beans.
    Grace had been Angel’s favorite babysitter, almost her nanny, and the little girl found it impossible to keep anything a secret from her. She’d been four years old when Grace met her, eight when Grace had graduated from the University of Texas and said goodbye to her. Grace guessed Angel must be about to enter high school.
    Ben moved and Grace smiled, feeling him stretch against her like a long, lean cat. Like a lion. He turned toward her and ran a finger along her cheek. She inclined her head in his direction just as he leaned over and kissed her. He grinned that wicked grin of his, and Grace couldn’t help grinning back.
    She was just wondering if they had time for a quickie when Ben lifted himself on one elbow and cleared his throat.
    “What are you doing here, Grace?”
    “In your room? Isn’t it obvious?”
    “No.” He laughed at her words. “In Los Angeles.”
    “I’m here for a conference,” she answered.
    “A nursing conference? You were in nursing school, right?”
    “Well, a medical conference, yes. I’m a…” Grace snorted. “I’m a pain specialist.”
    Ben’s grin widened. “A pain specialist, eh? Physician, heal thyself.”
    “Yeah, I know. Don’t remind me,” she said. “I left my pain pills in my room and then got locked out going to the vending machine.”
    “Do you get migraines often?” Ben asked. “I don’t remember that.”
    “They stopped for a while when I moved to Austin. I started getting them again a few years ago, after I got married.”
    Ben frowned. He seemed disturbed. “You’re married, and we…?” He didn’t finish his question.
    “No.” Grace hurried to reassure him. “I wouldn’t.