Page 6 of The Growly Outcast’s Promise

Starched Wrangler jeans, boots, dark buttoned shirt and an equally dark sports coat, Grey had taken my breath away.

He squeezes my hand as he leads me back down the aisle.

My joy is short-lived though because my grandmother is standing just outside the doors. I half expect her to pick up her cane and whack one of us over the head with it.

“What is the meaning of this? I did not pay for you to marry this… this hillbilly.”

“I told you that you didn’t have to pay for anything. I would have gladly gotten married at the justice of the peace. You’re the one who insisted on this fanfare,” I remind her. “And as for what you called my husband⁠—”

Grey puts a hand on me, then leans down to whisper, “Bella, not worth it.” The soft brush of his whiskers against the shell of my ear rakes a shiver down my body.

“Mrs. Greer,” he says to my grandmother. “I don’t believe creating a scene in front of your friends is how you wanted today to play out.”

Her nostrils flair, but she only gives him a curt nod. Then she shoots me a glare. “This isn’t over.” Her face transforms as guests start exiting the restaurant. “I expect you to play every part of the happy couple at the reception. You have half an hour.”

Then she walks off, her cane pounding the floor with her every step.

Greyson is still right by my ear. “She’s still scary as fuck.”

That makes me giggle because I can’t imagine anything scaring my Grey.

chapter

four

Greyson

We end up back in the room where Bella got dressed, though this time I’m not standing on the other side of the door.

“Did I mention how beautiful you look?” I ask her.

The smile she gives me nearly knocks me on my ass. “Thank you.” Then she glances down at her dress. “This is not the dress I would have picked out.”

“Nah, you would have picked something simple. Maybe some flowers in your hair. Bare feet.”

She leans up and kisses my cheek, but my stupid fucking beard prevents me from feeling it. “You know me so well.”

“So what’s next?” I ask.

“The reception. It’ll be back in the same room, but they have to reset it back like the restaurant. We’ll be on display at the front table.”

“I’ll try not to eat with my hands.”

She laughs. “I don’t care what you do. You’ve saved my ass. Once again.”

“Darlin’,” I warn.

“Yes, we’re a team. I know. I remember. And yes, I would’ve done the same for you.”

I squeeze her arms. “How did this even happen? Where’s your groom? You need me to go kill that motherfucker?”

“No. It wasn’t like that.” She tugs on the lace at her shoulder. “So much fabric. This dress weighs a ton.”

“Take it off. Wear something else to the reception so you can be more comfortable.”

She bites down on her lip. Immediately I’m reminded of the way she tasted during our kiss.

“Grandmother wants me to leave it on,” she says.