Page 19 of Gray

“You look great,” he told her.

He slung his duffle bag down in the living room, setting it by the sofa. “Um,” she looked adorably flustered for a moment.

“I’ll just leave it there for now,” he assured her. “Wherever you want me tonight is good with me.” She swallowed and nodded. “Don’t be nervous,” he said, moving toward her again. “After all, I’ve been in your bedroom before,” he teased.

She flushed, and Gray let his eyes rake over her. Lena had changed from what she’d worn earlier today at work into a sexy wrap-style dress. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be overly revealing, but it perfectly hugged her breasts and displayed a nice amount of cleavage. He’d never seen her wear it at the office, and for that, he was thankful. Lena had killer curves, and he didn’t want the other men ogling her. Lena was his, even if she didn’t realize it yet.

The sudden thought was as startling as it was right.

“I’m sorry about freaking out last weekend,” she said, briefly covering her face with her hands. “I’m still embarrassed you rushed over in the middle of the night.”

He took her fluttering hands in his own, laying the flowers on her coffee table. Her hands looked tiny compared to his own muscular ones. Lena was staring at them, too, and he ran a thumb over her knuckles. Her skin was so damn soft. Gray had a feeling she was that silky smooth everywhere. “I was already awake before I came over the other night,” he reminded her. “I don’t mind coming by if you’re scared.”

She nodded, a look of uncertainty still crossing her features.

“Lena, I carried you out of that house weeks ago,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I saw that they’d drugged you. I wanted to rip that guy to shreds, but my only priority wasmaking sure you were okay. We got to the hospital as quickly as we could. If you need me at night because you’re frightened, you don’t need to ask twice.” He cleared his throat, growing more serious. “I feel like I should warn you that I’ve got demons of my own though. Nightmares. Sometimes I wake up thrashing around and—”

She squeezed his hands. “I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”

“Maybe, maybe not. I’d never intentionally harm you, but—”

“You wouldn’t,” she insisted. “I know you could never hurt me. I don’t know who those evil men were who captured you, but I’m positive you wouldn’t mistake me for them.”

“I can’t guarantee it,” he said, feeling pained. “I might have to hold you until you fall asleep and then crash on the sofa. At least until I’m sure it’d be okay.” He didn’t miss the way her face fell, and then Gray was brushing back some of her dark hair. “I haven’t been with a woman in…a while. Even then, I didn’t stay the night.”

She bit her lip, suddenly looking worried again.

“Just know if I end up on your sofa, it’s not because of you, baby girl. I didn’t up and leave, just wanted to keep you safe. I’d rather hold you close all night.” Her gaze softened slightly, and Gray leaned down for another kiss. It was gentler than when he’d first come inside but still made his heart pound. She melted against him, her body relaxing into his own, and Gray couldn’t resist brushing some of her silky hair back, his lips moving to her neck. Lingering.

“I want to feel you beside me. Feel your body pressed up against mine.”

“Gray,” she murmured.

He skimmed one hand up her side, his thumb barely brushing against the soft curve of her breast. Hell, she was gorgeous. Lena looked like a delicious present he couldn’t wait to unwrap. It was all he could do to not take her to bed right now. Forget dinner. He would feast on his woman instead. “I want to know what it feels like inside you, to feel you writhing beneath me as you come.” Gray’s lips brushed over her neck again, and her pulse jumped. “Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he practically growled.

The oven timer began buzzing, and she jolted in surprise, clinging to him for a moment. It made him feel good to know she trusted him to keep her safe, but he hated that she’d been so easily startled. Lena was already pulling away to hurry to the kitchen, but Gray gently tugged on her hand. He brought it to his mouth, pressing his lips against her knuckles. Lena was breathing heavily, her breasts rising up and down.

Gray guided her to the kitchen. It was like he couldn’t keep away. Gray’s hands were still on her, one clutching her hand, the other at her waist. Her hips swayed as they walked, and his gaze dropped to the curve of her ass. She was wearing heels again, and he had the brief flash of an idea of seeing her in those and nothing else. The food smelled delicious, completely mouthwatering, but it in no way compared to the woman he wanted to feast on later.

Chapter 9

Lena beamed as they finished dessert—a delicious homemade Crème Brulée. Gray had been shocked when she’d produced the tiny torch to crystalize the sugar. They’d turned out perfectly though—rich and creamy inside with a crisp, decadent top.

“Tell me you didn’t use to make these for Jett every week,” Gray said with a chuckle.

Lena burst into laughter. “Of course not. I used to prepare many of his meals in advance, but unless Jett was hosting a large gathering, it wasn’t anything fancy. Besides, I’m mostly running errands and doing tasks around the office ever since Anna came into the picture.”

Gray nodded, rubbing a hand over his short beard. “That makes sense. I know that you and Anna have become friends, but I can surmise that she wouldn’t want another woman hovering around all the time.”

“Definitely not,” Lena agreed. “I helped out with dinners when Brody was born, but she and Jett generally manage meals on their own now.” Lena shrugged. “Things have changed. When Jett first formed Shadow Security, it was a group of single guys—including him. I still do some shopping for him, but he’s got a wife now. Life moves on.”

“Don’t I know it,” Gray agreed, his lips quirking. His gaze fell on the flowers. She’d sent him back to the living room for the forgotten bouquet while she’d been plating the food. The colorful arrangement looked pretty in the glass vase she’d put them in. Their eyes met, and for some reason, Lena found herself blushing. Gray was an intense guy. While dinner with him hadbeen easy, the two of them talking as they ate, she hadn’t missed his heated looks or occasional light caress.

He was into her, and that was flattering as anything. Gray had seen Lena at her worst, completely drugged and out of it. He never made her feel lesser for being unable to protect herself or escape. Her gaze trailed over him, taking in the veins on his forearms and muscular hands. The bulk of his biceps. Breadth of his shoulders. He was good looking enough that he could easily get any woman he wanted. Yet he was here. With her.

Gray licked his lips, rising to clear the table. She smoothed her hands over her thighs, suddenly feeling nervous. Gray caught her around the waist after she’d set her wineglass in the sink, moving to cage her in against the counter. His big hand brushed back her hair, and she felt a flurry of shivers washing over her. One simple touch from him made her heartbeat increase, but she loved the way he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her. Gray both made her feel safe and made her heart race.

“Dinner was incredible.” His dark eyes were intense as he looked down at her, his full lips looking positively kissable. He smelled faintly of pine again, mixed in with the clean, masculine scent that was pure Gray.

---