Page 17 of Gray

Her breath hitched, but there was no fear in her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, her rosy lips parted. His gaze dropped to them briefly, wondering what she tasted like. He wanted to taste her all over, learning her body with his hands and mouth. His tongue. He’d tease and explore her soft skin, feminine curves, and that sweet spot between her parted thighs until she was panting. Breathless. Begging him to make her come.

“I don’t want you to stay away.”

“Thank God,” he murmured. Gray moved slowly so as not to spook her, but then his hands were in her hair, tilting her head back, and his lips were on hers. Lena whimpered and submitted to him, clutching onto his shirt, letting Gray take complete control. Her mouth was soft and so fucking sweet. Her lips parted, and then his tongue was sliding inside. Claiming. He lightly thrust it in and out, foreshadowing exactly what he’d do when they made love.

She pressed even closer to him, her full breasts pillowing against his chest, and Gray was certain she could feel his throbbing erection against her stomach. She made a tiny whimper but didn’t pull away, and Gray wanted to roar in approval.

Lena tasted sweet, like strawberries and caramel, and just one quick taste already had him rock hard. She was sexy as hell in her snug, silky blouse and tight skirt, not to mention those heels, but it was more than that. Lena was strong yet innocent somehow, despite the hell she’d been through. Gray hated that she’d endured any of it, but he was so damn thankful she was okay and here in his arms.

He kissed her more deeply, one muscled arm wrapping around her. Lena’s hands moved from their grip on the front of his shirtto his biceps. Her nails dug into his skin, and he liked the slight bite of pain. It reminded him he was alive. Gray was a survivor, too.

Thebeep beepsound of someone typing in the code to the armory had them both stepping back, and a wave of possessiveness washed over him as he took in Lena’s flushed cheeks and disheveled appearance. She was already smoothing her hair and her skirt, but her lips looked swollen from his heated kisses. Gray turned away from the door so no one could see his erection pressing against his pants. Lena’s eyes widened in surprise, and then she grabbed the papers they’d set down and stepped in front of him, all business.

“I’ll get these numbers to Jett,” she said, walking briskly to the door as Ford came in. He looked surprised to see them both inside the armory. Gray glanced back at the boxes on the shelf in front of him. He had no idea what the fuck was inside.

“Am I interrupting something?” Ford asked as Lena disappeared into the hall, the door swinging shut behind her.

Gray removed a box from the shelf, pretending to inspect it. “Nope. We were just finishing up.”

“Sure thing, man,” Ford said with a chuckle.

Gray muttered a curse.

“You two are good for each other,” Ford said. “You both might have your own demons, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be happy.” Gray glanced over his shoulder again at Ford, studying his teammate. It was a surprisingly insightful thing to say. He and his buddies didn’t usually chat about shit like this. “You’re happier when she’s around. Don’t deny it.”

“Who’s denying it?” Gray asked. He shoved the box back on the shelf and strode to the door, not saying another word as hestalked out of the armory. He didn’t blame Lena for rushing off given Ford’s sudden arrival, but he needed to make sure she was okay. Gray hadn’t planned on kissing her like that, claiming her with his mouth and tongue, but hell. He didn’t regret it one bit. And judging from the pretty flush on her face and arousal in her eyes before she’d hurried off, Lena didn’t have an issue with it either.

“You got some of Lena’s lipstick on you, buddy!” Ford called out.

Gray cursed, listening to his friend’s laughter as the door swung shut. They weren’t fooling anyone, but he didn’t think he gave a shit if the whole world knew. Lena’s kidnapping had changed everything. He wasn’t content to sit in the shadows watching life go by anymore.

Chapter 8

Lena pushed her shopping cart through the grocery store the next evening, unable to stop a smile from spreading across her face. Gray had found her after their kiss in the armory yesterday. It was sweet that he had checked up on her. She got the feeling Gray wasn’t normally like that around women. He was protective of her, and Lena secretly loved that.

She was sure she’d been beet red when she walked past Ford, but he’d married Clara, the receptionist at Shadow Security. It’s not like he’d have a problem with anyone dating in the workplace.

Gray had stayed over last night, crashing on her sofa. They’d exchanged a few more heated kisses, but nothing further had happened. She hadn’t suggested he stay in her bedroom. Nor had he pushed for it. She’d actually slept soundly knowing he was there but thought she’d heard Gray at one point in the early morning hours.

Her heart ached for him, knowing what he’d gone through. Briefly, she wondered if he’d chosen to stay on the sofa both nights rather than in the guestroom because he had nightmares. He’d mentioned he didn’t sleep well but hadn’t gone into further detail.

Did he wake up screaming some nights? Fighting against an invisible enemy?

Maybe that should frighten her, but Lena instinctively knew that Gray wouldn’t hurt her. Even if she slept at his side, in his arms, she couldn’t imagine he’d ever mistake her for his captors. He hadn’t said anything about being awake early. They’d had a quick breakfast together before heading into the office, Grayfollowing her in his big SUV. Lena had felt almost shy asking him to come over tonight for dinner when they’d had a quiet moment alone.

“It’s a date,” he’d teased, those dark eyes glinting with amusement.

“Well—” She cut herself off, flushing. Gray twisted her up in knots sometimes, but in a good way. She felt all her nerve endings alight whenever he was near, her entire body attuned to him.

He’d ducked down for a lingering kiss before she could continue, his mouth on hers magical. “I’d love to come over,” he said, his voice husky. “And I’d love to take you out to dinner this weekend.”

She smiled and readily agreed, Gray pulling her close. His short beard had rubbed against her cheek as he’d gently kissed her there, and she’d flushed thinking of it on other sensitive areas of her body. Her breasts. Her belly. Her inner thighs.

“I can’t wait to see you tonight,” he said. The heat of his muscled body seeped into her own. Lena practically wanted to shiver in delight whenever he held her close. Gray was gruffer and more masculine than any of the men she’d dated in the past, but it wasn’t a deterrent at all. While she understood his reasons for keeping his distance, especially given that she was closed-off herself, they’d been dancing around their attraction to each other for a year. She wasn’t surprised with how quickly things were now moving forward. While she didn’t know every detail about his life or past, she knew who he was as a person. She knew the things that mattered. They might have crazy chemistry when they were together, but it also felt like things just clicked into place with him. He gave her butterflies but made her feel safe. Maybe she should be scared after what had happened mereweeks ago, but she knew the man who’d carried her away from that hellish home would never hurt her. He’d literally done the opposite—he’d risked his own life to keep her safe.

Lena’s phone buzzed as she moved down the aisle, and she pulled it free from her designer purse, a flush washing over her skin as she saw Gray’s name.

“Hi.” She paused, phone at her ear, watching the other shoppers move around past her.

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