Page 47 of Her Pretty Words

I quickly turn around, so we are facing. “You can drive.”

He smirks and leans down so his face is in front of mine. My quick inhale turns his grin into a full-fledged smile. My eyestouch every line and dip of his face like a paint brush to canvas. The corners of his eyes are creasing in a way that makes them look gentler. His pearly white teeth are close to perfect, but there’s a hardly noticeable chip in the corner of his front tooth. My fingertips tingle at the sight of his stubble, imagining how it would feel to touch it. Being this close to him makes me feel like I’m sky diving.

I’ve spent my life in a constant state of desire. Longing to live someplace else, looking forward to summer in the dead of winter, and outright aching formore.

Within my very bones is the feeling I’ve been devoid of. I’ve chased it in every romance novel I’ve ever read and in every dream of something greater. It’s right here in this very moment with Grayson. It has been since the moment I crashed into him at the airport.

He lights me on fire. I thought I hated him. But no, I don’t hate Grayson. Not one bit. I hate that everything I’ve ever wanted to feel is right in front of me, yet I’ll never be able to hold it. Like water slipping through your fingers.

My life isn’t here. My house is in Walter and I’s name. And the man who embodies every want I’ve ever had is a mystery I can’t seem to solve.

Grayson and I are as everlasting as this vacation, and when I’m thousands of miles away, I know that my heart will be beating right here in Sanibel, like it always has. But I won’t just be dreaming of the sun on my skin, now his hands will be there too.

He looks down at me, still grinning, unaware of everything going through my mind. I follow him to his car. He opens the door for me and it’s something I’m not used to. We peel out of his driveway, and I look out the window, staring at the overgrown foliage that makes up the island. I like that it hasn’tbeen touched. Aside from some houses, businesses, and streets, the island’s essence remains intact.

The grocery store isn’t bustling, but as soon as we enter through the automatic doors, I catch a few workers’ lingering stares. Grayson is mindless to it, standing proud and still wearing my floral apron that is ten sizes too small. He leads me to the section with chocolate chips. We are the only two people in the isle, and suddenly, both of his arms are caging me in against the shelves. “You think you’re clever, don’t you?”

I tilt my head and his eyes narrow at me, then he glances down at himself. “Very cute, Mace.”

I can’t help it. I laugh.

His eyes glimmer, staring down at me. “Did you think this would embarrass me?”

I shrug. “I thought it would be funny, which it is.”

His eyes darken when they flit between mine, then he pushes off the shelves and grabs a bag of chocolate chips, seeming indifferent toward the whole thing.

He doesn’t remove it, and when we checkout, the girl behind the cashier blushes as if his face is too much of a distraction to notice the ridiculous apron. He shoots me a smug smile and I roll my eyes, thanking the girl and walking ahead of Grayson. He’s quick to catch up, thanks to his long legs.

I kick off my shoes once we are back at my house, the cold tile beneath my bare feet does nothing to cool the way I’m burning from within. Phantom sensations touch my body, and I’m reminded yet again of the other night.

Grayson puts the chocolate chips on the counter, and I pull out a big bowl from one of the cabinets. As I reach for it, my arm grazes him. I shiver.

Something about the way he’s watching me makes me feel bold. I step into his personal space until we are pressed together. My palms drag up his chest, around his neck, and then I untiethe apron. His gaze is intense, watching me with the care one would a captivating page in a book. I do the same for the part tied around his back, and once it’s in my hands, I turn around.

My breath catches at the feel of him so close behind me. Electricity shoots through my body. I tilt my head back until it rests against his chest. “Will you help me put this on?”

He blows out a steady breath. His arms come around me to take the apron from my hand. He’s careful tying it behind my neck, knuckles softly brushing my skin. My pulse beats rapidly as if calling to him, and he answers with a kiss to the spot.

His hand moves up my stomach, and softly runs over the column of my neck until his thumb swipes across my bottom lip. I kiss the pad of his finger and he lets out a breath. He gently pushes me forward, so we are an arm’s length apart.

I face him and it seems to take him a moment to find his voice. “Another second of that, Macy, and I wouldn’t stay true to my word of making you chocolate chip pancakes.”

As if nothing happened a moment ago, we make pancakes together. I manage to get flour in my hair, and Grayson’s cheek is dusted in it. Each one I flip is a different shape, and Grayson’s are annoyingly perfect. He insists on eating mine, leaving me with the masterpieces he made.

Chapter 17

Grayson

Macy is absentmindedly stretching before me, wearing leggings and an orange sports bra. Her hair is tied back, but a lose strand falls into her face when she bends down to touch her toes.

I was glad to find her waiting for me in my front yard, bright and early. I’m determined to sneak into her house one day and throw away that ridiculous treadmill she bought during our rift. Running on my own after being graced to run beside her is a new form of loneliness I never intend to experience again.

I want to pull her to me every time I see her. I want to kiss the tip of her nose and then the delicate skin between her eyebrows and finally her lips.I want her to be mine.

I’m no expert when it comes to relationships, but I know it will go up in flames if it’s all based on a lie. I need to tell her. Right now.

“I might call Walter,” she says, stealing me from my thoughts.

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