Page 21 of Intertwined Souls

Standing, Gabriel rests a hand on my shoulder and bends down, placing a hesitant kiss on my forehead. “You never have to thank me, Harley. You’re my kid. I love you.” With that, he walks away, not expecting me to say anything back.

Regaining my composure, I turn to where Atlas, Lincoln, and Ryan are sitting and visiting with other members. Heading over to them, I walk up between Lincoln and Atlas and lay my hand on the latter’s shoulder.

He grins up at me. “Harls. I take it he told you?”

I nod. My lips slowly spread into a huge grin, and something foreign runs through me: excitement. “So does this mean that if Colton finishes teaching me how to ride, when you guys come next time, we can all go on a ride together?”

Everyone smiles, then begins laughing when Brielle’s groan can be heard from behind me. Atlas shakes his head. “Why am I not surprised that is the first place your mind went, kid?” he sighs.

I just smile and then focus on Linc. “How are you doing?” I murmur.

He shrugs. “Managing. I’ll be alright, though. I’m just glad you’re okay. And smiling. I hope you never lose that smile. I love it, kiddo.”

Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I give him a light hug. “Grayson will want a relationship with you; I know it. He just has to process.”

He nods and hugs me back but doesn’t respond.

As the night progresses on, we somehow get Cade to come out and sit around the fire with us. Not that it took a lot of convincing after I said I would sit with him. He took it literally, and I have been sitting in his lap much to Gabriel’s dismay. It’s been nice just sitting out here watching everyone interact around the fire.

They share stories, joke with each other, and Ryker finds ways to rile people up. Brielle and the guys fit in seamlessly. Even Linc and Grayson talked a tiny bit. Just small talk, but it was still amazing to see.

I wish my mom could be here to experience this large family with me. She deserved to have this instead of it only ever being just her and me. As much as I want to feel guilty about it all, I just want to find a way to embrace everything and enjoy it for her. Experience this family and the happiness I think it can bring for the both of us.

Leaning back against Cade, he tightens his arms around my waist. “What’s that smile for, baby girl?” he rumbles in my ear.

Sighing, I let my eyes fall shut and listen to the laughter and voices all around me. “I’m just glad I’m here,” I murmur, running my fingers over the scar on my arm.

I never thought I would live to see a day that I was thankful Tammy had stopped me when I tried to put myself out of my own misery. A small smile plays on my lips. I’m not done fighting yet.

Chapter Six

Harley

Knocking softly on Grayson’s door, it takes him a minute before he answers. “Hey, I know we have to go down and meet with everyone soon, but I wanted to check on you first.”

Brielle and the guys had to leave after breakfast this morning and get back to their jobs, although they promised to come back often. But during breakfast, Linc and Grayson sat together at a different table and talked the whole time. Afterwards, when we said goodbye to them, Grayson came straight up here.

Gesturing for me to come in, he shuts the door behind me and then leans against it. I walk over to his bed, which sits in the corner of his room, and sit on the end of it.

“It was weird.” He chuckles lightly. “Weird, but good. I don’t know. Linc is a lot like Liam. It’s just like talking to an older version of him, which is kind of throwing me off, but it was nice to visit with him and talk about Liam more.”

Sighing, he walks over and sits next to me but falls back onto the bed.

“He said the next time that they come, we will spend some time together if I want to, and he said we can talk more about the family and things that have happened if I want to know about it.”

Laying back next to him, I turn on my side, leaning up on my elbow. “Do you want to know more about your family?” I say softly.

“I think so?” His gaze goes distant for a moment before he blinks and focuses back on me. “But I don’t really want to think too much about that right now. We have a lot of other things to talk about.”

Humming in agreement, I run my fingers up his arm, watching goosebumps rise. Grayson lets out a small groan and gently pushes me back so I’m flat on my back and leans over me, an elbow on each side of my head as he wedges his leg in between my thighs.

When his knee hits my core, I gasp softly. He leans down and runs his tongue over my bottom lip before pressing his mouth against mine and twirling our tongues together. This new more demanding side of Grayson sends tingles throughout my body, and when he sucks on my tongue, I give in to the throbbing pulse in between my legs and rub against his thigh.

Gray pulls back slightly, watching me carefully. “I have never done anything like this before, but I’d like to pleasure you.” A flush works its way up his neck and to his cheeks.

“Please,” I breathe, and my heart beats faster in my chest as Grayson smiles.

His hand moves slowly down my stomach until he reaches my jeans. Without taking his eyes off me, he unbuttons them and pulls the zipper down before sliding his hand into them, gently running his fingers over my panties.

---