Page 4 of Gray

She stilled, worry suddenly coursing through her. Her gaze darted to the stairwell they’d just come from.

“What’s wrong?” Gray asked, surprisingly attuned to her emotions.

“What if he’s mad? He was trying to stop me from leaving, but it’s not like he attacked me or something. He could sue the company for wrongful termination,” Lena explained.

Gray’s gaze narrowed. “You’re worried that asshole might be mad at you?”

“Well….”

“He won’t bother you again. Jett has lawyers. There are cameras in the hall. When I came out of the gym, you looked fucking terrified. He had his hands on you.” Gray’s voice was thick, and she couldn’t read the different emotions dancing in his eyes.

“I was too scared to move,” she admitted.

“There you go. No need to lose sleep over a dick like that.”

Lena huffed out a laugh despite herself and didn’t miss the way Gray’s own lips quirked. They were full and positively kissable, and why she was thinking that at this completely inappropriate time, she had no idea. Gray could be gruff and somewhat of a loner. He kept himself slightly apart from his teammates, yet Gray seemed to notice everything about her tonight. It was both flattering and unnerving.

“Yeah. You’re right,” she finally relented. Lena licked her own lips, looking around the small reception area. Gray grabbed a water bottle for her, twisting off the cap before he handed it over.

“Drink this.”

She nodded and gratefully took several sips. Gray’s eyes were still on her, and she fumbled with the bottle as she tried to put the cap back on a moment later. With all of his attention and focus directly on her, she was flustered. Uncharacteristically so.

Despite the fact that he’d literally held her in his arms after the team rescued her, things had essentially returned to normal between them. And if she was far too aware of him whenever he was near? Well, she’d have to pretend he was simply another colleague, not the type of man who made her heart skip a beat.

Gray’s phone buzzing on the counter made her jump, and he swore. “Hey boss. Yep. She’s right here. I’ll escort her to her car.” His gaze landed on her again. “Lena. Do you have the numbers for Jett?”

“Of course,” she said, opening her purse. She swiped the screen on her phone, pulling up the message she hadn’t yet sent.

Gray easily relayed the info to their boss, confirming the numbers before ending the call. “I told Jett I’d get you out of here before security comes through with that asshole from downstairs. Jett will touch base with you later on but knew you were shaken up and probably wanted to leave.”

“How? Oh. The security cameras.” Heat washed over her face. For a normally capable woman, she’d let herself get spooked rather easily tonight. She knew Jett wouldn’t hold it against her, but she wasn’t sure if she liked Gray seeing her vulnerable side yet again.

He turned, grabbing a second bottle of water. Lena couldn’t help but stare as he took a swig, noticing his thick biceps and broad shoulders. Geez. Even his hands look strong, with veins trailing across them. Thick fingers. Muscled forearms. A guy like Gray could really hurt a woman if he wanted.

Yet he’d physically pulled the other man away from her instead. Kept her safe.

Lena shivered.

“Let’s get you out of here,” he said more gently. “Are you okay to drive home?”

She looked up at him in surprise. “Of course. I’ll be fine,” she added, which somehow made her sound less certain. Steeling herself, Lena grabbed her purse and slung it over her shoulder, her heels clicking on the smooth floor once again as they walked to the doors. She looked polished and pulled-together but felt almost prim and prissy compared to Gray. He was athletic and muscular, confident and strong. Gray could annihilate any harm that came their way in an instant. She was just…Jett’s personal assistant.

“I’ll go first,” Gray said, pushing open the door and stepping into the well-lit area in front of the building. The gesture was unnecessary but somehow made her heartbeat speed up just the same. He was protecting her even now, even if they were in no immediate danger. Had anyone ever watched out for her so carefully before?

Gray’s gaze was scanning the mostly empty parking lot as she followed him outside. She could see the gated entry in the distance. The secure fence. And the dark forest that surrounded the secluded property.

“I’m parked right over there,” she said, nodding toward her vehicle in the first row.

Gray waited for her to fall in step beside him, matching his long stride to her own. He didn’t seem at all bothered by the cold winter air. She could smell his clean, masculine scent, mixed in with a trace of sweat. He’d started a workout before he’d rushed to her rescue, but the scent wasn’t unpleasant. Gray was puremale. Rough and raw and real. Strong in a way she’d never be. The man had demons, no doubt, but he hid them well. Gray was the type of man who kept to himself, even amongst his friends. Funny that she was somewhat of a loner, too. She did her job and went back to her small home. The solitude was fine. Calm and quiet and truly all that she needed. Lena didn’t want a man getting in her way, even someone silent, steady, and sure like him.

Gray didn’t speak until they’d reached her vehicle. “You’ve got my number,” Gray assessed, looking down at her in that intense way of his.

“Of course. I have the entire teams’ numbers programmed into my phone.”

“Call me if you have any trouble.”

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

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