Page 18 of Gray

“Hi yourself,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver racing down her spine. “I’ve been stuck in a briefing all afternoon and didn’t get a chance to see you before you left.”

“I know. I’m picking up some things at the grocery store before I head home,” she said. “Is seven still good for dinner?”

“Sure is. I’m just wrapping up some things here first,” Gray said.

“No worries if you’re running late. Don’t forget that I work for Jett, too,” she joked.

Gray’s laughter filled the line. “Of course I couldn’t forget that. I probably wouldn’t have ever met you otherwise, so I guess I should thank the boss for hiring me,” he joked. Gray cleared his throat. “Jett also reminded me earlier that there’s a camera in the armory.”

“Oh my gosh,” she said, her cheeks warming. “I knew that but totally forgot in the heat of the moment. I cannot believe Jett saw that.”

Gray chuckled. “I don’t think he watched it, just told West to erase it so you wouldn’t be embarrassed. I forgot about the camera in there as well but sure as hell don’t regret kissing you.”

She lifted her hand to her mouth, remembering the feel of Gray’s warm lips moving over her own. The combination of his sensualmouth and prickly beard was somewhat arousing. Exciting. And if anything, after the kiss they’d shared, she’d wanted more.

“Well, as long as Jett teases you and not me, I’m okay with it,” she joked, her cheeks still flaming.

She could almost see him smiling. “No problem, baby girl. I’ll take one for the team if it means I get to kiss you. See you soon, all right?”

“Okay. See you soon!”

They ended the call, and she felt like she was floating through the rest of the store. Baby girl. Lena was a fully-grown, capable woman, but she rather liked hearing that term of endearment from Gray’s deep voice. He was sweeter than she’d ever imagined him to be. Sweet, yet commanding when he wanted if his kisses were any indication. Lena wondered what he’d be like in bed. Gruff and commanding, yes, but she had no doubt he’d know how to please a woman. She had no trouble letting him take control when the reward would be so sweet.

She was getting ahead of herself though. Lena needed to finish up at the store and get home before Gray arrived. She was always running errands for Jett, and she was efficient then, quickly moving in and out of places with a lengthy to-do list. This evening, however, it was like she couldn’t focus. Nervous butterflies filled her stomach at the thought of Gray spending the night again.

She didn’t want him to sleep on the sofa tonight. Even if they didn’t have sex, she longed to feel him against her, his big body holding her close while she slept. Waking up in his arms sounded like a dream come true. Lena had seen his hungry looks, despite the fact that they’d done no more than kiss so far. She was ready to have his hands and mouth everywhere. Feel thedrag of his calloused fingertips over her skin. See the hot look in his eyes as he undressed her.

Lena wanted all of him. Gray would never push if she wasn’t ready, but giving herself over to him felt inevitable. They’d been circling around one another for a year, neither admitting the attraction they felt. Both avoiding getting close for their own personal reasons. Lena didn’t want to wait any longer for Gray to make her his own.

***

Gray jogged across the parking lot at work, the cold air washing over his skin. He was in short sleeves again, something his teammates ribbed him about sometimes. The crisp, biting air meant freedom though, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could fault about that. And right now? He was in a rush because he was headed over to see Lena.

He’d thoroughly kissed her goodnight yesterday before sending her off to bed. While he’d seen the heated looks she gave him, he wanted her to be comfortable before they made love. If she was nervous, he’d give her all the time she needed. Gray was looking forward to taking her to bed, but while sex was one thing, the thought of sleeping at Lena’s side gave him pause. What if he awoke from a nightmare? Thrashed out in his sleep and accidentally harmed her?

Muttering a curse, he buried those thoughts down. There was no need to manifest that shit and make it happen. There were nights he slept okay. They were few and far between, but they happened. He wasn’t letting those terrorist assholes take one more thing from him. Gray knew there’d be no better feeling than Lena’s naked body pressed up to him while they slept,all soft skin and sexy curves. Just thinking about it soothed something inside him. Yes, he wanted to bury himself deep inside her and make her cry out in ecstasy, but he wanted to protect her as well. Keep her safe, even if from her own nightmares.

And shit. How could he deny her that? If she needed him, Gray couldn’t crash on the damn sofa forever. He’d have to figure out a way to keep himself in check.

Gray started his SUV, eager anticipation coursing through him. He was planning to swing by the store and pick up some flowers. He knew Lena was often dropping off things at Jett’s request—flowers or God knows what else for Anna. He swore he’d heard the boss asking for lingerie for his wife at one point. Nothing fazed Lena, and he liked that about her. She didn’t bat an eyelash at Jett’s unusual requests, and it made Gray feel comfortable with her. She wasn’t like some women, uptight over every little thing. Maybe she was nervous sometimes, given what she’d been through, but her personality was down-to-Earth.

Gray also loved the idea of surprising her with flowers. She might be used to handling everything on her own, but making her happy was quickly becoming a top priority for him. After googling the closest florist, he headed there first. Gray shook his head, smirking. He wasn’t really the type of man to buy a woman flowers, but things were different with Lena. Gray found himself wanting a whole lot he hadn’t considered before.

Twenty minutes later, he was ringing Lena’s doorbell, and the surprised look on her face didn’t disappoint as she took in the colorful, fragrant bouquet. “These are for you,” Gray said unnecessarily, watching the way her eyes lit up. A surprising feeling of satisfaction rolled through him. Hell, if he didn’t enjoy making Lena smile like this.

“Thank you! They’re so gorgeous.”

“Not half as gorgeous as you.” It wasn’t the type of thing Gray usually said, but it was the goddamn truth. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling, and her long hair curled around her breasts, drawing his gaze. He’d thought the very first night he came over that she looked like a siren standing in her doorway, and tonight he was just as smitten. Gray was a goner when it came to this woman. He felt like she was the sun, and he was simply orbiting around her, content to bask in her light.

He stepped inside, his duffle bag still slung over one shoulder, and pulled her in for a searing kiss. The fact that this was their first date of sorts wasn’t lost on him, with Lena inviting him for dinner, yet here he was arriving with flowers and an overnight bag. He couldn’t deny it felt right.

Lena was still holding the flowers as Gray took control of their kiss, positioning her head as he wanted. Her face felt small and delicate in his big hands, and Gray wanted to simply devour her. She let out a soft sigh as her lips parted for him, and then his tongue slid inside. Teasing. Claiming. She tasted as sweet as yesterday, and her little whimpers were driving him wild. The scent of her exotic perfume teased his nostrils, and he had to resist breaking off the kiss and burying his nose in her neck, inhaling her intoxicating scent. His cock was already swelling, pressing against his boxers. They’d barely gotten inside the front door, and he wanted her. Badly.

Her lips were swollen when he finally broke off their kiss. “Wow.”

He chuckled. “It didn’t seem appropriate to kiss you like that at the office earlier.”

“Probably not,” she said lightly, flashing him a teasing smile. “Come on in.”

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