Page 48 of Smooth Talk

“I want you to stay, Poppy.” He leans in close to my ear and whispers the last part so only I can hear him, “in case you were wondering, my bed is the something you can sleep in.” I don’t miss the want in his voice. It’s too dark to see his features clearly, but I know he’s smoldering. My pulse thunders so wildly, I’m sure he can feel it.

I laugh it off and swat his chest. “We’d love to stay Caroline. If you’re sure it’s not too much of an imposition.”

“Don’t be silly. I’ll take Harper up to the house now and read her a story. There are spare toothbrushes and toiletries in the ensuite. You come up when you’re ready.” I kiss Harper and tell her I’ll be up shortly. She rides back to the house with CiCi, Gib and Oliver. He needs to make a few work calls and then he’s going to drive back down to pick us up.

Mase starts a fire in the pit while the rest of us find seats in the Adirondack chairs around it. A jar of something amber colored is produced, pretty sure it’s Lily’s doing. She passes it to Grayson who takes a swig and hands it to me. My sip is much daintier. And thank God. Holy bejeez that burns! Gray pats my back and chuckles at me while I cough fire. I pass the jar to Mase, who hangs on to it for a while.

“Gah Poppy. Harper is so amazing. I’d like to put in a request for her to be in my class next year.” Violet says.

“Oh my gosh, we’d love that!”

“She’s so cute. I love that she thought your first name was Maxwell,” she’s says, laughing lightly in Grayson’s direction. My sweet child misheard Grayson’s name when he introduced himself. ‘Gray’s son Maxwell.’ She thought it was so strange that CiCi named her son Maxwell Maxwell and that she called her husband, Gib, when his name was so obviously, Gray. I was confused at first when she asked Caroline about it, then realized her mistake. We all got a good laugh out of it, Harper included. Though she claims he’ll always be Mr. Max to her. To which Gray replied that she could call him whatever she liked, and he’d answer to it. A bit too much free rein if you ask me. I guess we’ll see what she does with it.

We camp out around the fire for about an hour. Laughing our butts off. I can see why Lily is a writer; she’s quite the storyteller. I really like her. She’s a fireball. Unpredictable and fierce. I have a feeling we could be great friends. Despite their wealth, the Maxwells had a fairly normal upbringing. Gray pulls me into his lap and runs his fingers through my hair. It sends chills across my skin. I turn and snuggle into him, bringing my knees to my chest. I crave his touch. We sit stroking each other’s exposed skin, alternating between whispering to each other and laughing at his siblings’ antics. They tease each other until we hear tires crunching on gravel.

Oliver’s back. It’s been an amazing evening, but I’m getting sleepy, and we’ve been down here a while; I should check in on Harp. She’s probably out by now, but I want to be there if she wakes up. She doesn’t do well in unfamiliar surroundings when I’m not there. Grayson’s lap is too comfortable. I really don’t want to leave it, but my duty as a mother always comes first. I make myself stand and stretch. “I need to check on Harp.”

“I’ll come with you,” Gray offers and because I’m selfish and want to spend more time with him, I don’t argue. Maybe we’ll get a chance to chat on the way.

“I think I’ll join y’all; I’m worn out,” Violet says on a yawn. My stomach sinks. I was looking forward to having Gray to myself. I need to talk to him. Alone. I try not to let my disappointment show that his sister is joining us.

“Goodnight everyone. Thank you for an enlightening evening,” I say chuckling trying to lighten my own mood. It’s not not working.

“I wish there were some night owls around here,” Lily complains.

“I’ll stay and hang out with you, sis,” Mase says. “I don’t have to be back in Nashville ‘til Friday night, which gives me more than enough time to sleep off the hangover I’ll have from Uncle Sterling’s Shine.”

I choke, “Moonshine?” Grayson grins at me in the fire light. Giving his signature smirk a devilish glint.

“What did you think you were drinking? It was in a mason jar, Poppy.” He shakes his head. “So innocent.” They’re all sniggering now.

“Just be glad you only had a few sips. This shit is strong and if you’re not used to it… mistake.” Lily’s wide eyes and serious expression tells me she’s not kidding. “God, do y’all remember the first time Ash and Hud got a hold of a jar?” Everyone grumbles at the memory. Apparently, they both had to have their stomachs pumped and every one of them—including Vi, who was away at science camp and had absolutely nothing to do with the incident— was grounded for life.

Lily pops out of her chair and hugs me. “I’m so glad I got to meet you Poppy.” Her smile is genuine, and I hug her back.

“Me too. We’ll have to go out the next time you’re in town. I have a feeling we could get into some trouble together.”

Her eyes twinkle with mischief; “oh, girl, you have no idea.”

“I’ll drive y’all up, then come back down for these guys. It’s been a while since I’ve hung out with Lil.” Oliver says climbing into the driver seat giving Grayson an odd look. Grayson just nods at his brother. Violet slides in next to him, leaving the backseat open for Gray and me. He slips his arm around my shoulders and tucks me into his side. It’s nice, but I want more. I turn my face to his hoping to sneak a kiss, but I see he’s looking intently ahead. I realize he’s staring at Oliver in the rearview mirror. It looks like they’re having one heck of a conversation with their eyes. I almost laugh at the absurdity. How is Oliver even staying on the path right now? He’s keeping eye contact and the vehicle out of the bushes. That’s talent.

How awesome would it be to have that close of a connection with another person, though? I grew up with cousins and friends, but I can only imagine the bond between siblings. Blood relatives who spend every hour of every day with each other for years. The Maxwells are all very close. To be honest I’m a little jealous and a little sad. I feel like I missed out on something growing up. That Harp might be missing out too. The cart pulls to a jerky stop, halting my thoughts. Violet practically jumps out and trots up the back-porch steps, disappearing inside just after she calls out a goodnight to us. Grayson holds my hand to help me out, and we wave good night to Oliver, who drives back down to the lake. We’re alone. Finally.

“I wasn’t kidding about you sleeping in my bed tonight.” He’s close. His arms are around my waist, fingertips brushing the top of my backside. Pulling me closer into him.

“I can’t. Harper freaks when she wakes up in a new place and I’m not there. She still does it sometimes at my parent’s or friend’s houses. I think she still has some abandonment issues holding over from Reed. I need to be there for her.” He nods in understanding, although I don’t miss the look of longing in his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, I lean the side of my face against his chest and listen to his heartbeat. It’s strong and steady. Lulling me to sleep. He tucks his finger under my chin and lifts my lips to his, kissing me softly. My hands go around his neck, fingers threading through the short hair at the nape. What started off as sweet, quickly gets out of control. My leg is around his back and he’s lightly thrusting his hips into mine. Pulling hair, biting lips, moaning into each other’s mouths. I’m sure we’re being loud, but I can’t seem to make myself care too much. We can’t get enough. There are too many clothes between us. Before I can remedy that situation (right here, out in the open, at his parent’s house), he pulls back, growling his frustration. I love his growls.

“I want you so bad, Poppy. You have no idea.”

“I have some idea,” I say biting my lip to suppress a giggle, lightly cupping my hand to the growing rod in his pants. Oh jeez, he’s big. I’d felt him against me the other day and thought my overstimulated brain had just imagined it or that I’d misremembered that huge outline in his gray sweats. No man can be this perfect. Yet, here I am, handling this perfect man’s generous package. He growls again. This time, a warning. I’m playing with fire. Even though he appears cultured and refined, something tells me that Gray is capable of going full caveman on me. I. Cannot. Wait.

As if reading my mind, he speaks.

“You need to stop that before I quit being a gentleman. I really want our first time to be in a bed, but that oak tree is looking awfully inviting.”

I giggle, looking at the tall leafy tree to my right. If we were the only ones here and there weren’t cameras all over this property, I’d probably let him. Instead I pull back slightly and lightly caress his cheek with my hand, the stubble rough against my smooth palm. His kisses distract me. I’m tired but I want to have this conversation now.

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