Chapter 13 Dirty Little Secret
GINGER:
I'm breathing hard, body vibrating with equal parts anger, exhaustion, adrenaline and… Lust?
Ugh, what is wrong with me? I sound like a whore on crack.
Grayson kisses the side of my neck, stepping even closer. His hand on my waist goes lower, pulling me further into him. I bite down on a gasp, determined not to give in to his very present, very hard temptation. But I must tell you, that's a difficult thing to do when you've got a walking sex god standing with you in the dark, breathing down your throat.
“Where were you tonight?” he asks, nose tucked between my shoulder blades, sniffing, inhaling me. “I couldn't find you after my shift.”
His hair is wet, like he's just come from the shower. And his scent? It wraps around me—an intoxicating cloud of oud, spice and soap. I mutter a reply which only comes out sounding muffled, and I stomp my feet in frustration.
“What was that?” I can hear him chuckling, yet he doesn't let up. “You're going to have to use your words, Ginny.”
I roll my eyes so far back I can feel it in my head. Great. I'll just have to get creative then.
I part my lips, flicking my tongue over his palm, making him hiss. “Fck.” He jerks against me involuntarily, and his hips meet mine, sending a jolt of electricity up my spine. I can tell the contact affects him just as much as it does me because he stills for a second, letting out a ragged gasp.
“That was hot.”
“Get off me,” I grit out, barely holding onto the last shred of sanity I have.
“You sure? I think we like this position better.”
“Grayson..”
“Fine.”
He steps back and flips the wall switch, bathing the room once more in gold and silver. I don't waste a second, the instant the lights come on, I shove him out of the way and walk to my bed.
Digging into my pockets, I toss my phone onto the comforter, then my jacket comes off next, leaving me in just my uniform.
Grayson stands there all through, studying me, unshaking, unmoving. It unnerves me a little.
“What do you want this time?” I snap finally, unable to take his scrutiny any longer. “Come to gloat about the amazing time you had with your fiancée?” I say. “Or better yet, have you come looking for another fight?”
“Neither.”
“So what is it then?” I throw my hands up in exasperation. “Why are you here?”
“I needed to see you.”
My breath seizes.
Snap out of it, Ginger. Don't give him the upper hand.
“Well, you've seen me, no?” I say, grabbing my jacket and folding it. “The door is on your way out.”
I put the clothing item aside, expecting to hear the door shut after him. Yet when I look up, he's right there. In front of me.
I shift backwards, eager to hold onto my senses for a while longer. “Don't come any closer,” I warn. “I mean it, Gray.”
But he just continues, filling up my space till there's nowhere else to turn.
Till all I can see, feel, and breathe… is him.
“You don't get it, do you?” he says, tilting my chin up. “You’re the first person I thought of right before I phased back. Not Katelyn. Not Nala. You.”
Something dark and violent flashes in his eyes as his thumb drags over my bottom lip, and it's all I can do not to melt on the spot.
“What are you saying?”
“I'm saying I want you, and I want more. I want more with you.”
I can't help it. I laugh.
“Are you listening to yourself?”
“I've never been clearer.”
The way he says it leaves no room for doubt. He is serious about this.
My smile fades. “How would that work? You're engaged, and in case you've forgotten—our parents are getting married soon.”
“They don't have to know.”
“And Katelyn? What happens with your father's treaty?”
“It won't be affected.”
That sinking feeling returns to my stomach.
“Meaning, in other words, I remain your dirty little secret.”
His eyes are on my mouth. “Only adds to the allure of us.”
He moves in, ready to crash his lips against mine, and for one blissful moment, I almost let him… when a knock on the door shatters that illusion.
Fear swallows me whole, replacing every bit of warmth from earlier.
“Quick. Hide,” I whisper-yell, moving out of his hold. “Now!”
Grayson frowns, obviously pissed by the disturbance, but he moves anyway.
I walk to the door, smoothening out my shirt and hoping to all that's holy it isn't my mother on the other end.
It isn't.
Katelyn stands there, in a black tank top and stretch pants, still very fresh from the bathroom.
I blink, stunned. “Katelyn. What a… pleasant surprise.”
“Spare me.” She brushes past, into my room. “Where is it?”
Well, hello to you too. “Where's what?”
“My phone!”
Without waiting for a response, she turns and begins scanning through my things. I watch her with my heart in my throat. If she catches the slightest hint of Grayson being here, this would all end very badly. Katelyn starts diving for the left night stand when I notice a movement by the curtains.
“It isn't here,” I blurt. “Your things are downstairs, in my mom's car.”
She pauses, eyes raking over me.
Then—
“You should've led with that.”
Her damp ponytail slaps me in the face on stepping out. “Come on. Let's go.”
I join her downstairs, pausing by the catchall tray to search for my mom's key. It's there. Which means she must have taken the patrol bus.
Her car is still parked in the driveway when we step out. I tap on a button and the locks click open.
“Your items are in the back,” I announce, moving to the other side of the car myself.
I start grabbing what's left of Grayson's hockey gear, when Katelyn snatches my hand. “What do you think you're doing?” she asks.
“Uh… taking my brother's clothes to him?”
“Leave them. I'll do that myself.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm his fiancée, idiot. It should be me spending time with him. Not you.”
Did she figure things out already?
“Katelyn,” I say, “you do know he's my brother… right?”
“Stepbrother,” she corrects. “And yet, he talks about you like you're something more.”
I almost hate how my heart jumps in response.
“Really?” I clear my throat, ruffling through the clothes. “Um… What did he say?”
“Nothing that should interest you.” Her eyes flash with irritation. “Look—I don't know where you came from or what's happened with you two since the last time I was here, but I'm back now, and I’m saying I don't want you anywhere near my fiancé.”
My brain catches on one part.
“I'm sorry, the last time you were here?”
“You didn't think I would just agree to a future with a boy I barely know now, did you?”
I stay silent. Too stunned to speak.
“Oh my god.” Katelyn snorts, breaking into a laugh. “You're so naive it's embarrassing.”
She laughs harder, lifting Grayson’s clothes into her arms while completely ignoring her crutches.
Just before she disappears into the house, she turns to me. “Anyway, you've been warned. Stay away from my man.”
By the time I get back, Grayson's made himself comfortable once more. He's sitting right in the middle of my room at the center edge of my bed, arms braced on his knees.
“Are you serious?” I hiss, shutting the door behind me. “I could've been Katelyn walking in.”
He eyes me in amusement. “We're part siblings, Ginger. It's not a crime for me to be in here.”
I glare at him.
“But that's besides the point. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I figured I sort of rushed things earlier. You obviously need time to think things through before deciding on anything. So, this is me telling you I'm ready to wait till whenever you're ready.” He touches my face, staring into my eyes. “Okay?”