Chapter 41 Four A.M Visitor
Ryland
A familiar giggle echoing in my room wakes me from my sleep. It sounds like Gracie, but I must be dreaming because she isn’t here. I hear it again, only this time, a pair of lips presses against my neck.
“Ryland, wake up.” I hear her soft voice say.
I turn around to where the voice is coming from, and there she is.
“Gracie?” I ask tiredly.
“Hey, handsome. You should really close your window at night.” She laughs.
At night? What time is it? It is still dark, so it couldn’t be morning. I search for my cell in the dark to check the time. It is four in the morning.
“Are you really here or am I dreaming?” I ask and rub my eyes.
“I am here. I couldn’t sleep at all. I woke Lola to tell her, and she suggested I come here because dear God, she does not like get woken up. She is so cranky and mean when she gets woke.” She snickers.
“Lola’s loss is my gain.” I beam.
Gracie caresses my cheek. “You don’t mind me showing up at this time?”
“Of course not, beautiful. You can show up here anytime you want.” I reply.
Gracie finds my lips in the dark and presses a soft kiss to them. “Good, because I want snuggles.”
We part from the kiss after only a moment. She scoots closer to me. Snuggling tightly into my side, she rests her head on my chest and her hand on my stomach. I slip my arms around her, holding her close to me and kiss the top of her forehead.
“Snuggles are always welcome at anytime and any place.”
Gracie takes my hand in hers and links our fingers.
“Good, because I can be very needy. You make me very needy, Ryland.” She snickers.
I chuckle. “That is quite all right, brow eyes. You can be as needy as you like with me. I don’t mind.”
I am glad she showed up, even at this time. I only fell asleep not that long ago, since I couldn’t sleep, no matter how hard I tried. It would seem I am not the only one. My best is not feeling as empty as it was. I play with her hair with my free hand. Gracie nuzzles her face in my neck. She trails a line of soft kisses along my neck, and a small moan escapes from my lips, my skin heating under her lips.
Gracie quickly pulls away. “Sorry.” She whispers.
“Hmm, I don’t mind,” I reply.
Her next move catches me off guard. She reaches up and crashes her lips to mine. The kiss is different. It is more eager, more passionate. I growl into the kiss, kissing back in the same way. Gracie slips her fingers into my hair. I place my hands on her hip. I roll onto my side and bring her tightly against me, deepening the kiss. She whimpers into the kiss. I don’t know what has gotten into her, but I don’t mind, yet at the same time, I don’t want to push her limits. With how she is kissing me, it doesn’t make it easy.
Gracie rolls onto her back and pulls me over the top of her. Her legs slip around me. Damn! Where is this confidence coming from? She runs her fingers down my back. My muscles tense beneath her fingertips. I can feel my excitement growing in my boxers. It is my cue to pull away. I part my lips from hers and sit up on her stomach. Opening her eyes, she glances up at me. The small light that is coming through the curtains is enough for me to see her. Her brows are furrowed, and there is a sadness on her face.
“Why did you stop?” she asks softly.
“Because it was the right thing to do, beautiful. No matter how good it felt, I don’t want to push ourselves too far. I don’t want anything to be rushed between us.” I answer honestly.
She sighs and nods. “Yes, you are probably right. Do you promise that is the only reason?” she asks, her voice a little shaky.
I caress her face. “I promise, Gracie. What other reason would it be?”
“Nothing, it doesn’t matter. I am just being self-conscious, that is all.”
Wait, does she think I stopped because I don’t want her?
“You don’t need to be, not with me, Gracie. I like you just the way you are.” I smile and kiss her softly.
She smiles into my lips. I respond by doing the same. I don’t ever want her to feel that way with me. I lie down next to her again and bring her close again so she can snuggle into me.
Gracie yawns. “We should probably get some sleep.”
I nod. “Good idea.”
I kiss her goodnight, and we settle ourselves down for the night. I slip my hand under the back of the tee she has on and gently stroke her lower back. It is something that helps her sleep. It takes only a few moments before her breathing becomes shallow and she is sound asleep.
“Rest well, my love. You are safe here with me,” I whisper and kiss the top of her head.
I close my eyes, and soon, I feel myself begin to drive off. I know having Gracie next to me is the reason why I am drifting off so quickly, so easily. I look forward to waking up to see her next to me.