Chapter 64 Always only you
Warning: This chapter contains mature content intended for readers 18+
Cassie's hands trembled as she unlocked her penthouse door, the weight of her father's revelations heavy on her shoulders. The elevator ride up had felt endless, her mind racing through the implications of Owen's calculated manipulation. But as she stepped into her apartment, all thoughts of strategy and danger evaporated.
Greyson stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his silhouette dark against the city lights. He'd shed his jacket and tie, his white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms. When he turned at the sound of her entrance, the relief in his eyes was unmistakable.
"How was dinner?" he asked, moving toward her with that fluid grace that never failed to steal her breath.
"Complicated," she said, dropping her purse and keys without looking away from him. "Owen's been using my father to gather information about us."
Greyson's expression darkened, but before he could respond, Cassie closed the distance between them.
"I don't want to talk about Owen right now," she whispered, her hands finding the planes of his chest. "I've missed you so much this week. I've missed this."
Her lips found his, and the kiss was desperate, hungry, filled with seven days of separation and the fear that they might not have many more moments like this. Greyson's arms came around her immediately, pulling her against him as if he could absorb her into himself.
"Oh babe I've missed you too," he murmured against her mouth, his hands tangling in her hair.
"Every night, Liam asked when you were coming back... every night, I wondered the same thing."
"I'm here now," she breathed, her fingers working at the buttons of his shirt.
"We're here now."
The fabric parted under her touch, revealing the warm skin she'd dreamed about every night this week. Her hands mapped the familiar territory of his chest, the slight roughness of hair, the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm.
Greyson's breath hitched as her mouth followed the path of her hands, pressing soft kisses to his collarbone, his sternum, the sensitive spot just above his heart. His fingers found the zipper of her dress, sliding it down with agonizing slowness.
"We should talk about Owen," he said, even as his hands contradicted his words, skimming the newly exposed skin of her back.
"Later," Cassie whispered, stepping back just enough to let her dress pool at her feet. "Right now, I just need you."
The sight of her standing in the silver golden glow of the city lights in nothing but black lace ,drove all rational thought from Greyson's mind. She was perfect, beautiful, and for this moment, she was his.
He lifted her easily, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her toward the bedroom. The kiss they shared was slower now, deeper, full of promise and passionate need.
The bed was bathed in moonlight streaming through the open curtains, the city a glittering backdrop to their reunion. Greyson laid her down gently, his eyes drinking in every inch of her as if memorizing her for another separation.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion and desire. "I thought about this every moment we were apart."
His mouth traced a path down her throat, finding the pulse point that made her arch beneath him. Her hands fisted in his hair, holding him to her as waves of sensation coursed through her body.
"Greyson," she gasped as his lips found the sensitive skin just above her lace bra. "Please."
He needed no further encouragement. With careful reverence, he removed the delicate barriers between them, his mouth and hands worshipping every inch of newly revealed skin. Each touch was deliberate, designed to drive her higher, to show her without words how much she meant to him.
Cassie's world narrowed to the feel of his hands on her body, the heat of his mouth against her skin. When his fingers found her most sensitive places, she cried out, her back arching off the bed.
"I love watching you come apart for me," he murmured against her ear, his voice dark with desire. "I love that I'm the only one who gets to see you like this."
"Only you," she agreed breathlessly, her hands working to free him from the last of his clothing. "Always only you."
When he finally joined with her, they both stilled for a moment, overwhelmed by the intensity of being together again. The connection was more than physical it was emotional, spiritual, the melding of two souls who had found their home in each other.
They moved together in perfect synchronization, a dance as old as time but uniquely theirs. Each touch, each kiss, each whispered endearment was a promise, a declaration of love that transcended the dangerous world outside these walls.
Cassie felt herself climbing higher, chasing the edge that only Greyson could bring her to. When his thumb found her center, adding pressure in just the right way, she shattered, his name falling from her lips like a prayer.
The sight and sound of her climax drove Greyson over his own edge, his body tensing as waves of pleasure crashed over him. He buried his face in her neck, breathing her name like a benediction.
They lay tangled together afterward, hearts racing, skin cooling in the night air. Cassie traced lazy patterns on Greyson's chest while he played with her hair, both reluctant to break the spell of intimacy that surrounded them.
"I love you," she whispered into the darkness.
"I love you too," he replied, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "More than I ever thought possible. I'm happy that you are completely mine."
They made love twice more that night once with slow, tender passion that spoke of devotion and forever, and again near dawn with urgent desperation, as if they could hold back the morning through sheer force of will.
Morning came way too soon, as it always did.
The alarm on Cassie's phone buzzed insistently at six-thirty, and reality crashed back in. She had a board meeting at nine. Greyson had promised Liam he'd be back for lunch.
"I don't want you to go," she murmured against his chest, her fingers tracing the defined muscles of his abdomen.
"I don't want to go either," he said, his arms tightening around her. "Liam needs me and you have that presentation today."
The presentation. Right. The merger that would normally be the most important thing on her schedule. Now it felt like a meaningless distraction from what really mattered.
They showered together, stealing kisses under the hot spray, hands lingering on soap-slicked skin. Even the mundane act of getting dressed became intimate Greyson zipping her skirt, Cassie straightening his tie, both trying to memorize these small domestic moments.
"When will I see you again?" she asked as they stood by her door, his jacket in hand.
"Family dinner is tomorrow night at Tony's," he said. "Owen's insisting on it wants to present a united front, he says. You could come."
The thought of facing Owen so soon after learning about his manipulation of her father made her stomach clench. But it also presented an opportunity.
"I'll be there," she said. "My dad expects me to be there too he knows we are married ."
Greyson's expression grew concerned. "Cassie, I don't like the look in your eyes right now. Promise me you won't do anything reckless."
"I promise I won't do anything unnecessarily reckless," she amended, reaching up to kiss him goodbye. "I'm done being afraid of him."
"That's what worries me," Greyson murmured against her lips.
They kissed once more, long and deep, storing up the connection for another separation. Then he was gone, leaving behind only the scent of his cologne and the warmth of his touch still lingering on her skin.
Cassie dressed for work with unusual care, choosing a power suit that made her feel armored and confident. If Owen wanted to play games, she'd show him that she was more than capable of playing too.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Liam as she gathered her things: Miss you, Mom. Dad says you might come to dinner tomorrow? I have something to show you.
The message made her smile despite everything. Whatever happened with Owen, whatever dangers they faced, she had a family worth fighting for.
She was still smiling when she stepped into the elevator, unaware that across the city, Jake was making his own moves in the chess game they'd all become pieces in.
Greyson was driving through the morning traffic toward his son, had no idea that this would be the last normal conversation he'd have for quite some time.
The game was accelerating, and none of them were prepared for how quickly everything was about to change.