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Chapter 6
Grayson
Drinking a cup of coffee at my own table, slouched and unshowered in my pjs, isn’t nearly as satisfying as sitting at Koffee Karma watching my woman. Especially as I’m pretty certain that the whole “special tea” incident was a prank.
Damn it.
Somehow she must have overheard or caught wind of some comments Max made about the flaky, hippie chick. I’m not the one who said anything, but I didn’t stop him either. Too caught up in assumptions, sure that she and my ex were cut from the same cloth.
This isn’t what I wanted. It’s never good to get on the bad side of your tenants. It’s even worse when you’re falling in love with one of them.
My phone dings.
Unknown: Grayson, this is Lily. We need to talk.
Words that every man dreads, and yet I’ll take them if it means she’s willing to talk to me at all.
Grayson: Of course. Meet me here? I’m available all day.
I send her the address to my house and she replies with a “thumbs up” emoji.
Thirty minutes later, the doorbell rings. I’ve showered and dressed. Looking like a schlub never impressed anyone, and I need to do my best to make things right with Lily. Opening the door, I’m struck dumb at the sight of her delectable body. She’s wearing tight blue jeans and a fitted cream-colored shirt. It’s a simple outfit, but it looks anything but simple on her body—more like sinful with the way it hugs her curves.
“Come on in.” I’m surprised at my ability to form complete sentences.
“Thank you.” She enters, and I guide her to the living room. This is the first time she’s seen my home and I’m watching her like a hawk to determine her reactions. My woodworking projects fill the space. The mahogany coffee table. The matching bookshelves along the wall. Does she like the space?
“Do you like the space?” Turns out I can’t wait to find out and interpreting facial expressions takes too long.
She runs her hand along the wooden mantle above the fireplace. “It’s beautiful.” Abruptly she turns to me. “But that’s not what I came here for.” She sits on the sofa and I join her.
“I came to—”
“I just wanted to—”
We start talking at the same time. Smiling ruefully, I wave my hand, indicating she should go first.
She takes a deep breath, her hands clenched on her lap. “I just wanted to apologize for last night. I shouldn’t have blown up at you. My father had me in a bad space and…” Her head moves like she’s shaking away an errant thought. “There’s really no excuse for my behavior. I’m sorry.”
Her gaze meets mine, sincerity shining from her deep brown eyes. And behind it, a question. Am I going to disappoint her like she’s been disappointed so many times before, or will I step up and meet her where she’s at?
Reaching over, I take her hands in mine. “There’s no need to apologize. Your response was completely understandable considering what you probably overheard.” I raise my eyebrows in question because I need to know for sure what instigated the issue.
“I wasn’t eavesdropping. I just came out from a different door, but I overheard your brother.” Her shoulders fall and her eyes drop like she’s defeated. That’s no good. Lily is a fighter. It’s part of what I love about her.
“Lily. I’m the one who should apologize.” Her chin lifts, her eyes searching mine. “First, I want you to know that I never had any intention of selling the building. My brother flips buildings for profit, so that’s always his first thought.”
She sighs in relief.
I take her hands again, rubbing my thumbs over the skin of her knuckles. “I also want to apologize for my brother for what he said about you. He doesn’t know you, but that doesn’t make it okay. And I should have said something.” My jaw clenches, trying to swallow my shame. “You didn’t deserve any of this. I’m sorry for my part in it.”
She offers a watery smile. “Aren’t we a pair?”
Everything about me is completely serious when I respond, “I hope so. Yes.”
Suddenly there’s a tension in the air, an acknowledgment of the attraction we’ve been dancing around. Her eyes widen as I lift her hand to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.
“You are so beautiful.” I kiss her hand again, this time sneaking a taste with the tip of my tongue. “The first time I saw you, I wanted you. And the urge has only gotten stronger as I’ve gotten to know you.” I continue, kissing my way up her arm between compliments. “Your passion for your work. Your sassy attitude. How you never back down from a challenge. Your integrity—showing up to the masquerade because you said you would, even when you didn’t want to.”
My mouth has reached the sleeve of her shirt. I lift my face to search hers, needing to know if she’s here with me. Her eyes are hooded with desire. She nods, almost imperceptibly, but it’s enough.
I wrap myself around her. One hand at the nape of her neck holding her in place for my mouth to devour hers. One hand at her lower back, pulling her closer to me. A desperate hunger for her washes away every other thought. I would give everything I own just to feel the warmth inside her.
“Lily. God, what you do to me.” Her hands grip my shirt, pulling tightly at the buttons. I cover them with mine, ready to rip my shirt off but needing to be sure. “Be with me.”
