Chapter 52 I Am Not Ashamed Of It
Ryland
Gracie and I are sitting at the table having breakfast, well, trying to, but we are too distracted by each other’s lips.
“That is enough of that, especially at the breakfast table.” We hear my mom say from behind me.
Gracie quickly pulls away, her entire face bright red. She whispers a sorry to my mom. I, however, smile brightly at my mom.
“Ryland,” Gracie snickers and slaps my arm.
“What? I am not embarrassed.” I smirk and shrug it off.
They look at one another, laugh and shake their heads. They know what I am like by now.
“Also, you two aren’t very good at sneaking around. I know you have been sneaking into one another’s rooms at night.” She says, pointing between us.
Gracie’s eyes widen, and she shifts nervously in her seat. “I swear, nothing is happening. It is just to sleep because I don’t sleep well alone.”
I reach under the table, taking her hand in mine to try and help her calm down.
“She is telling the truth, Mom. Nothing is happening, just sleep. I promise.”
My mom wants us in separate rooms, and I understand that, but it makes Gracie feel at ease when I am next to her. She didn’t sound mad when she said it.
“I understand that, but I wish you had asked me and asked, rather than sneaking around. If, no, when it does happen, which I know it will, please be safe.” She sighs.
“I promise, can we drop it now, please?” I ask because Gracie is getting uncomfortable.
Mom nods. Things could have been worse. At least she didn’t get mad and tell Gracie to leave. I don’t think she would ever do that, though.
“Thank you.” I smile.
“I need to get to work. I am going out tonight with some friends from work. Will you two be okay? Do you want me to make dinner first?”
“No, it is okay. I can make us something. You go out and enjoy yourself. You deserve it.”
She smiles and hugs us both before leaving. Gracie and I finish up with breakfast before getting ready for school.
“How about a date night? I can make dinner, and then we can watch some movies?” I suggest.
Gracie smiles and kisses me softly. “Yes, that sounds nice.”
I want to take care of her, spoil her tonight, because she deserves it with everything she has been through. Gracie has been with us a few days now, and she is settling in, but I can tell she is still a little anxious, which is understandable. Yes, she is away from the house, but he is still next door. She won’t completely relax until there is more distance between them.
I smile brightly. “Then it is a date.”
I steal another kiss before going to our own rooms to change, since Gracie’s things are in hers. I strip down and start to change, but get distracted by my cell when Ben sends me some videos. I soon sit on my bed to watch them. I lose track of time until Gracie clears her throat.
“Why aren’t you ready?” she laughs.
I glance up and smile. She looks beautiful. Her hair is down in natural waves.
“Blame Ben and his stupid videos.” I chuckle.
She playfully rolls her eyes and saunters over. The second she is close enough, I grip her hips and pull her into my lap.
“You look beautiful, brown eyes.”
Gracies blushes in return. “Thank you.”
She presses her lips to mine. I moan into her lips, and her arms come around my neck. She kisses me harder. It doesn’t take long for it to become heated. As much as I would love to stay home and kiss her all day, we really need to go.
“Mmm, easy, sweetness. We need to get to school. If you keep kissing me like this, we will be late.” I mumble into the kiss.
“In a second.”
Who am I not to give my girl what she wants? I smikr and traces my fingers up and down her back before I rest them on her ass. Sighing, she hesitantly parts from it.
She pouts at me. “We should probably go.”
“Yes, but later, my lips are all yours.” I wink.
“I will look forward to it. Can I borrow a hoodie, please?”
“Of course, help yourself, my love.” I smile.
Gracie pulls herself from my lap. I finish getting ready while she pulls on one of my hoodies.
“Your car or mine?” I ask, taking her hand in mine.
“We can take yours.”
The ride is quiet, peacefully quiet, and we arrive in no time. I don’t dread coming here as much as I did at first. Gracie is a good influence on me for sure. I climb out first, opening the door for her and giving her a hand out, keeping a hold of it as I lock up and we stroll inside. We don’t have first class together, but the rest we do. I walk her to her locker so she can get what she needs. The second she turns back to face, I press my lips to hers. A deep moan escapes from her lips. She wasn’t expecting it.
“I love you, and I will see you next class.”
“I love you too, and try to stay out of trouble.” She says with a raised brow.
“I am a good boy now, thank you very much.”
Laughing, she shakes her head. I steal another kiss before we head our separate ways. We are only down the hall from one another.
I stop outside of my class and see if she is still in sight, and when I realise she is, I smirk. “I love you, Gracie,” I call out.
It is loud, so damn louder. I am sure almost everyone in the school hears me. A couple of girls coo at me. Gracie, however, turns to me, more of glaring. She is embarrassed, and I can’t help but laugh loudly. She will kill me later. I couldn’t help myself.
I smirk and head into class, taking my seat. Ben soon appears, taking the chair next to me. “You are so fucking whipped.”
“I know, and for the record, I am not ashamed. And you are one to talk. You are utterly whipped for your girl.”
“I don’t shout I love you, Lola in the halls.” He chuckles.
I shrug. “Maybe you should…”
Ben shakes his head, looking slightly disgusted. It is bullshit; everyone knows he is utterly smitten with Lola. The teacher comes in, ending our conversation. I will try my best to focus on my work, something that may not happen, but I will give it a go.
It is the end of our school day, and Gracie and I are resting against my car, kissing.
“I will be back for about five, five-thirty at the latest.” She says, parting from the kiss.
Gracie and Lola were going to grab a coffee and head into town to pick a few things up.
“Okay, gorgeous. I will see you then for our date night.”
It gives me time to go and get what I need for dinner. I plan on getting a surprise for her, too. I am going to stop in at the jewellery store. I know what I am looking for. It is my way of showing her what she means to me and that I am not going anywhere. I am not going to leave like she believes everyone does.
“I should go, Lola is getting impatient.” She laughs.
“You should.”
Gracie kisses my cheek, hugs me tightly and rushes off. I swat her ass as she does. She glances over her shoulder at me, flashing a sexy little smile at me before climbing into the car with Lola. I wait until she is out of sight before I hop into my car and get on my way. I am looking forward to our date night. We don’t often get time alone.
I have no idea what I am going to cook. I know what she likes, so it shouldn’t be hard. I want tonight to be perfect. I want to show her she is worth the effort and time, even if she won’t believe it.