Page 20 of Grayson

“But you don’t want to,” she adds, lifting her head and looking up at me.

“It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that I don’t know if I can.” Her eyes fill with unshed tears. “What would you say if I told you that when she walked in tonight and I was within reach of her I could barely catch my breath? That for the first time I understand that feeling you use to describe what you feel when you’re with Justin.”

“Comfort.” She wastes no time saying the word and I nod.

“Like a warm blanket on the coldest night.”

“And?”

“And it almost knocked me on my ass.” I still don’t know what to make of it.

14

Skye Simmons

“Are you sure you are okay to share a cab with him?” Vivian asks, not trying to hide her concern. She remains in the open door of the cab looking across at Grayson, who sits at my side.

“I’m fine.” I laugh. “It seems crazy not to, we are going to the same building.” I’d been drinking but honestly my buzz had long ago worn off. However I was still wired, knowing when I got home it would be a while before I could fall asleep. It’d been too long since I had a night out. Too long since I felt like me, like I wasn’t an overworked twenty-two-year-old that forgot how to be young.

Vivian leans in kissing my cheek and then points to Gray. “You better act like a gentleman.” She holds his stare and I can see the corner of his mouth starting to tip up in a smile but he quickly gets control of himself. I can barely hold back my own laughter.

“I’ll be on my best behavior,” he assures her with a quick nod.

“Yeah, well your best isn’t saying much so that doesn’t make me feel any better. Just sit there, shut up, and do not touch her.”

This time I do laugh. “Goodnight, Viv.”

“Unless she wants you to touch her than?—”

“Bye, Viv,” I add once more and she stops talking looking at me.

“Be good,” she says low, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

A few more seconds pass then she shuts the door and takes a step back.

“Do you think she’d come through the window after me if I reached out and put my hand on your knee?” Chills run over my arms and legs at the thought, but I try not to react.

“Probably, or she’d chase after the cab.”

Just as we start to pull away, he slides across the backseat and puts his arm around me. I shiver, hoping he doesn’t notice. When he chuckles I look over to see Vivian jogging next to us, pointing and yelling something.

“She’ll be blowing up my phone any minute.” As if on cue my phone rings in my purse. Looking over I underestimate just how close he is and my nose skims over his jaw.

“I’ll just ignore that for now.” What in the hell am I doing? Why does he have to smell so damned good?

Slowly he starts to move in closer and my pulse races. The very second his lips graze mine the cabbie takes that moment to ask where we’re going. It’s like a cold glass of water dumped over my head. Sliding away I place a little distance between us while Gray gives him the address of our building.

I take the opportunity to dig my phone out of my purse and look at the many messages Vivian has sent me.

Each one makes me smile wider.

The rest of the ride is filled with awkward silence, me choosing to look out the window instead of talking to Grayson. I’d almost done the unthinkable, I’d almost caved. Becoming another number in the long line of women for my neighbor isn’t a goal I’ve set for myself.

But it’s hard, now spending time with him, I see the appeal. It’s like a cosmic pull, a force field around him that the second you enter, you can’t seem to escape.

“We’re here.” I jerk in reaction to his voice and drop my phone to the seat before it bounces to the floor.

When I bend to pick it up, Grayson does the same and his hand covers mine. My body freezes, and he leans in closer. “You’re trembling.” His breath tickles my shoulder and the side of my neck.

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