Page 21 of Always Be My Baby

“What?” I squealed. “Leah can’t cook, but I can somewhat, sort of.” I pouted, giving him my innocent face.

From the way his eyes darkened, I swear I thought he was going to dash over and kiss me.

“So what’s the verdict?” I said quickly before we got too carried away. We were friends, I reminded myself and did a mental check to see if I had flirted or had led him on.

“So, what’s your answer, Cams?” He emphasized my name.

“You told me a lie,” I answered, but it sounded more like a question.

“I won.”

“Liar.” I giggled. “Where’s your proof? I want proof.”

He came to me in five steps, stopping next to the bed. I became breathless at the size of his broad shoulders, his hard muscles, and just his overall presence.

Noting I had finished the soup, he took the tray off my bed and set it on the floor. With his hands planted on either side of me by my waist, he leaned closer.

Oh dear God. I held my breath when he bit his bottom lip and his eyes lowered to mine. I knew that look in his eyes. It was the same expression I was pretty sure I was giving him.

“What did you call me?” His tone was soft, and though he tried to be playful, I was sure his mind went elsewhere with me in his thoughts.

An incoherent word left my mouth, something close to a word liar when I tried to reply. Grayson blinked and his eyes shifted to the screen, as if he realized our stare seemed far too intimate, crossing the line of friendship. He reached inside his back pocket and took out a piece of paper and opened it for me to see.

“You didn’t win.” I jabbed his chest.

“Ouch.” He jerked back, acting all cute and hurt.

“You lied.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “You didn’t miss one. You got them all right. So I won. By the way, congrats.”

After he folded his test, he shoved it back and shrugged. “No big deal.”

With his face close to mine, I pounded a pillow on his face. Staggering sideways, his eyes shot wide.

“No big deal? The professor even said no one would get a hundred percent. You did great. You should be proud.”

Grayson began to wiggle his fingers, his eyes promising... oh no. “You threw a pillow on my face. Now it’s my...” Those were the only words I heard. Grayson’s finger poked my sides.

“Stop,” I breathed, laughing so hard I’d kicked the blanket aside.

He stopped and I stopped. His hands locked my arms over my shoulders. His eyes roamed my face, and then at last my eyes. Something sweet and kind and hurt flickered in them. So close. His lips were so close to mine. My breathing quickened and lust filled my senses.

“You’re lucky you’re sick. I stopped because I don’t want to tire you.”

“I’d like to know the other ways you make a girl tired.” The words left before I could stop them, but it felt so right and natural with Grayson. But I shouldn’t have said it.

His eyes beamed in wicked delight. “Oh, believe me. They’re too exhausted to remember their own name after I’m done.”

I didn’t know if I was breathing. “Oh, really?” I swallowed.

Slowly, so very slowly, he moved closer and closer as I savored the scent of his cologne. His lips veered up and softly planted a kiss on my forehead, letting go of my pinned arms. Then he took the blanket and covered me.

“I get to cook you dinner as a friend. That’s a win for me. Get some sleep, Cams.”

After he grabbed my tray, he headed for the door. Just before he was out of my sight, he stopped by the threshold and glanced over his shoulder.

“Don’t check out my ass, Cams, just because I checked out yours.”

Shit! How did he know?