Page 58 of Gravity

“I must admit, I’ve not felt this chilled in a while.”

“Maybe you need to slow down. Enjoy life.”

He chuckles. “You make me sound like I don’t have one.”

“You don’t. You know you don’t.” I tilt my head up to look at him, holding his gaze. He can’t lay here and say he has fun and freedom in his life when he’s constantly working all hours to forget the reality of his mom. “But you can change that.”

“Why do I get the feeling you are going to play a part in this.”

“Because you know me too well and know I won’t let you hide away.”

He smiles, but it doesn’t meet his eyes. Cupping my jaw, he strokes his thumb over my cheekbone, watching his movements.

I’m yet to get to the route of his demons, and I know they go a lot deeper than he shows, but for as long as I am home, I’m going to make sure he doesn’t retreat. Where I came home to spend time with Dad and my family, I believe Grayson is the one person who is lost amongst the shadows and in one way needs more help than the rest. Dad has us. He has medical staff, equipment, and a mindset that helps him through the tough times. And although now he will need more care should he have to live with seizures as well and not knowing if and when his next stroke will happen, I believe Grayson is swallowed up by grief so deep that he can’t find his way out. He may smile, he may laugh, he may say anything to make us believe he is doing okay, but I’ve grown to know those eyes of his, and I know when he speaks the truth and when he hides it.

“You said you think of me,” he whispers, breaking my thoughts. “How long has it been?”

I can’t tell him the truth about it. Somehow, confessing now that he’s been in my thoughts ever since my mind and body knew what feelings were, wouldn’t feel right. And as contradictive as it sounds because I’m now laid here with him, I still haven’t forgotten how quick he was to cast me aside—regardless of the reasons I now know of. I need to protect my heart as best I can. Revealing my truths will only make me more vulnerable should he walk away from me again.

“I’m not sure. I’ve tried hard not to because I was sure you’d never see me the way I wanted, but I couldn’t get you out of my head,” I look up at him again and tease. “Now I think you’ve gone and made it worse for me.”

“Sorry about that.” He chuckles, rolling me on to my back before resting over me. His strong arms cage me in right before his mouth makes contact with the sensitive spot on my neck. His delicious wet kisses make patterns on my skin causing my heart rate to spike with each one, awakening the ache between my thighs that’s not yet recovered from earlier.

When he lifts his head and finds my eyes, there’s a look of conviction in them. "I didn’t tell you the truth. When we talked in my office after we’d argued, I didn’t tell you the whole truth about why I kept my distance.”

“Tell me now,” I whisper.

“You’ve not been the only one trying to get someone off their mind. You’re in my thoughts every second of every day, too. I’ve needed to try and gain some form of control when it comes to you."

My heart skips and I run the tip of my finger over his jawline with a wicked grin on my face. "How's that working out for you?"

He chuckles. "Well, I think it’s fair to say that I’ve no control whatsoever."

“However will I make it up to you?”

“I can think of many ways.”

“Kiss me.” I smile, needing him more than ever.

Bringing his mouth to mine, he takes his time, massaging my lips tentatively before he slips his tongue inside and kisses me in a way that sends my mind crazy and my body humming. He kisses me slowly, taking his time to explore and taste.

They say you have to kiss many frogs before you find your prince and believe me, there have been a few, but never have I been kissed the way Grayson kisses me. From the tip of my toes all the way up my body, he creates a sensation that makes me feel like I’m floating yet gives me a hunger that wants more.

“Grayson, please…” I need him in places he’s yet to explore as he grinds against me. His hands roam, and his hips move while his mouth covers my nipple through the fabric of my top. Needing to feel him, I find the hem of his shirt and lift it, guiding it up his body for him to help me remove it completely. His tight, toned torso is perfection, and I cover every inch of it with my hands, needing to not miss a single spot because I’ve longed for this moment.

“I can’t stop kissing you,” he breathes.

My stomach muscles tighten in anticipation when he drags his mouth over my skin, but he soon has me laughing when he playfully sticks his head under my top, hiding himself from me as he continues his path of kisses.

“What are you doing?”

“Enjoying the adventure.”

When he swirls his tongue over my nipple, my back arches and I whimper. “Yes.”

He does it again and the throbbing between my thighs strums harder. “Please, touch me.”

Suddenly, he stops. “Oh, hello. And what do we have here?”