Page 55 of Smooth Talk

Chapter 23

Poppy

I haven’t been this completely happy in a long time. Work’s been busy, Harper is loving her riding lessons and camp (she’s there right now actually), and Gray has been amazing. We had lunch a few times last week, spent Saturday together at my house and the park, Sunday at his parents for brunch. It’s Thursday and we’re having lunch at Nosh in... I check my watch. Crap, I’m running late; shocker. I holler bye to Hilary and Blaire, they’re both having lunch in the office today. As I run out the front door, I see his hybrid Rover pulling up out front, Grayson must have decided to pick me up. How sweet.

He steps around the front of the vehicle and walks toward me. I drink him in; allowing my gaze to sweep down his long, toned body before roaming up to his handsome face. A scowl replaces the smile he typically greets me with. That’s when I notice he’s on the phone and hasn’t even seen me yet. He’s upset. “I’ll deal with it then. Just give me an hour; I’ll be there.” He doesn’t say goodbye before pocketing the phone. That’s when he looks up and meets my eyes. There’s my smile. “Hey gorgeous.”

He bends down to kiss my cheek and opens the door. Taking my hand, he guides me into the vehicle. “Everything okay?” I ask, sliding into the front seat, the leather like butter against my bare thighs.

“Nothing you should be concerned about,” before shutting the door, he places another chaste kiss to my cheek, then rounds the front to climb in the driver’s seat. He’s wearing a suit today, his usual attire. And let me tell you, that man can wear a suit. I’ve seen him more casually dressed over the past few weeks, but this is a very good look on him. His birthday suit, being my absolute favorite. Wink, wink. Running does a body good.

On the two nights I’ve slept over, I joined him and Gunner on their morning runs. I pushed myself pretty hard to keep up, but I found myself consistently falling behind. Not that I could complain about the view. I may have started lagging on purpose. That man’s booty y’all. I don’t feel bad about slowing him down though, because we worked each other out pretty hard in the bedroom afterward. Shoo; my body is sore in places I didn’t even realize I had muscles. My Fifi is very satisfied. The only thing I dislike about spending evenings together is that I don’t get to do it more often.

Gray is a cuddler. Who knew? Harp and I are having a ‘sleep over’ this weekend (that’s what we’re calling it). And I’ll have to stay in the guest room, so I won’t get to capitalize on a snuggle-session. I have an impressionable daughter I have to think about. I’m not quite ready for that talk yet. I’ve only been able to squeeze three solo nights in with him in total and each has been nothing short of extraordinary. I wasn’t a virgin when we got together (obvi), but I wasn’t highly experienced either. And it had been a while since I’d done anything. Gray’s drive is something I’ll need to get used to. Life’s filled with such hardships; I know.

I don’t hide my smile and Gray notices. “What are you thinking about? Or do I not want to know? Wait. I definitely want to know,” he’s wearing his signature smirk again, and it looks so good on him.

I giggle (I seem to be doing that a lot around him; I can’t help it). “I was just thinking about how happy I’ve been the past few weeks.” I look at him, momentarily catching his eye, “how happy you’ve made me, Gray.”

He grins back at me. I’m still head over heels for that dimple. “You make me incredibly happy too, Poppy.’ He grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. ‘I’ve really enjoyed our time together. Even if it is stolen moments here and there. There’s no one I’d rather spend them with.”

Now I feel bad; I don’t want to bother him if he’s busy. “You didn’t have to pick me up, I could’ve walked or driven myself.” I feel like I’m distracting him from something important today.

“I was running late, I figured you would be too,” he says with a wink. Already he knows me so well. I am usually right on time or 15 minutes late. Today I was approaching the latter territory. He’s usually early; I wonder what kept him today. “Besides, the return trip should be fun.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell where his thoughts are right now. But he’s not all in on the playful mood he’s projecting. A part of him is far away.

“If you need to cancel lunch, I can grab something quick and go back to the office. We’ve been so busy lately; I feel like all I do is play catch-up. I kind of feel bad for leaving Hilary and Blaire alone, and you seem… distracted.” He doesn’t say anything, proving his mind is elsewhere. I squeeze the hand he’s still holding, “Gray, it’s all right. If you don’t have time today, we can reschedule.”

“Nope. I’m having lunch with my girlfriend today and nothing is gonna to stop me.” It’s the first time he’s used that word, and I’m not hating it. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, and we already had the exclusive talk. Feels like the next step, using labels. I really like him, and although he lives a charmed life, it’s not without its drawbacks. The spotlight on the Maxwells can be harsh. Harp and I had enough bad press in New York to last us a lifetime. So far, we’ve managed to stay out of the local limelight, but if I continue seeing Gray, keeping up our anonymity will be hard. I’m willing to risk it for him. He still gives me butterflies. He’s the kind of man I could see myself with for a long time. If I’m honest, I can see us together forever. But it’s much too soon for that much honesty.

“Your girlfriend, huh? Anyone I know?” I tease him. He looks over at me with that sexy smile.

“I know we haven’t used that word, and perhaps it’s a little juvenile, but I’m not sure what else I should call you. We’ve been together a few weeks now and I only like you more every day.” He turns over my hand and brings it to his lips again. It’s one of my favorite moves in his repertoire. So sweet, but the light pressure at my wrist makes me gasp in anticipation. He smirks, knowing the reaction he’s just caused in my panties. Well, if I were wearing panties.

Full disclosure, I knew I was meeting him for lunch and we probably wouldn’t have much time together. Wanting to spare us every second, while also not running the risk of ruining yet another pair of undies (he’s ripped several in his haste to get me naked—not that I’m complaining), I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone. “I want us to be together, every minute of every day. I miss you when you’re not around. But since we can’t spend every moment together, when we’re apart, I want people to know that you’re mine. And I’m yours. I don’t know a better way to say that than to call you my girlfriend. I want you, Poppy. Only you.”

His little speech has tears stinging the backs of my eyes. I’d asked him to be honest with me, and he’s delivering. “You didn’t forget about Harper and I being a package deal, right?”

“I didn’t mean only you and not Harper. You know I love that kid. I meant only you and no other women. Or men. And while we’re on the subject, Gunner and I are a package deal too,” he teases me. Gah, he’s so cute. His playful admission lightens the serious mood.

“Okay, Bae,” I say lightly, smiling at him. He laughs at me and parks the car in front of the restaurant. “I don’t think Harp would let me accept you on any other terms. Kid loves that dog.” He reaches over and takes my other hand, so he’s holding them both and kisses my knuckles. “And I do too,” I say quietly, looking directly into his beautiful eyes. Conveying with my brain waves, it isn’t just his dog I like. I hope he’s getting my message as clearly as he would Oliver’s. Maybe now isn’t the time to test our mind-melding abilities, but I feel like he’s telling me the same thing. He serious about us. We’re in this together.

He uses his grip on my hands to pull me into a kiss. It starts off innocently enough, but soon heats up. I’m practically climbing over the console to get closer to him. Our hands are everywhere. Holy Jeez! This man can kiss. It’s only when I hear a car door slam next to me that we jolt apart. Thank God for window tint. I brush my hands down the front of my skirt suit and check my hair in the mirror. Wow. There’s some volume there. I wipe my smudged lipstick and smooth my hair as he walks around to open my door. I step out knowing there’s really nothing more that can be done without the aid of makeup, hairspray and an iron.

“You look beautiful,” he whispers into my ear, taking my hand again. It’s like he can’t stand not touching me. “And maybe a little… windswept,” he finishes on a chuckle. I playfully slap his chest and join his laughter, wrapping my arm around his waist as he tucks me into his side. I’m a mess; meanwhile he still looks elegant as ever. There are a few hairs out of place, but it in no way detracts from his attractiveness. Grayson is a beautiful man.

I’m admiring one of the quaint newly painted brick buildings downtown when Mrs. Mayhew steps out of her shop next door with a giant smile aimed at me. “Hi Poppy! It’s so good to see you again. Oh, and hello Mr. Mayor.” She says like she’s surprised to see him with me. Like she didn’t see us at church together last Sunday. Like I don’t know that my mother hasn’t gossiped to every last one of her friends about us. Like I don’t know why everyone in town has miraculously stopped setting me up with their brothers, cousins, nephews or sons.

He smiles broadly at her, “Not yet, Mrs. Mayhew. But with your support I think we can do some great things in Willow Creek.”

“Oh, you can count on it,” she says practically beaming. His dimples have the same effect on every female (and probably a few males too), I really didn’t stand a chance. We wave goodbye to her as we walk into the restaurant.

“I hope you know that there will now be no doubt about us being an item, by the entire population of Willow Creek, probably before dinner,” I laugh to him as we take our seats.

“Good,” he says, “my plan is working perfectly.” His smile warms my insides. There’s something about your boyfriend being proud about showing you off, wanting everyone to know you’re his. Not his property, but his partner. That you belong to each other. There’s no one else for you but him and vice versa. Something in my stomach flits around wildly, and the middle of my chest grows warm. And I fall a little deeper.

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