Page 32 of Shut Up and Bite Me

“Autumn.” My tone is far more of a scold.

“You seem happier since you met him, you know,” she murmurs. “I think it’s high time that you focus on your own happiness for once. And put yourself first.”

Her words sink into me, and I consider them carefully. But until we know what I did to Greyson, I’m not even contemplating the idea that we could be more after this is over.

“Oh, fine. I’ll bug you about it later.” She rolls her eyes. “But trust me, I won’t forget. How much longer do you two have together?”

“A little over a week,” I answer as the door behind me opens and a couple of customers walk in.Humans. Reaching forward, I pluck the pen from her hand and scribble my number on the paper while smiling at the new customers. “Call me when you find something.”

“Of course,” she mumbles before addressing the cute couple. “Good morning, guys!”

They fall into conversation, but I don’t bother listening to their small talk as I drop the pen on the counter and stride out of the shop.

I’m sure that Greyson will be totally fine and nothing too crazy is going on.Yeah. I’m sure of it.

But I don’t have to tap into my own emotions to know I’m lying to myself; I can tell that by the baseball-size knot in my stomach. If whatever is happening puts him at risk, I’m not letting him leave my house, whether he likes it or not.

After finishing my errands and clearing my head, I return home, feeling Greyson’s presence the second I pull into the driveway. It’s like he’s unlocked a new sense in my body that is only tuned in to him.

By the time I walk through the front door, I can feel his emotions so deeply in my veins I can’t tell where his end and mine begin.Excitement. Adrenaline. Anticipation.

What is he doing right now?

Tapping into my hearing, I search the house for any noise, and I can’t help but giggle when the only sound I find is the turning of pages in a book.

He’s reading.

It’s fascinating that the emotions he’s experiencing right now seem as real as the ones he feels in real life.

“Honey, I’m home!” I call through the house in a bright and playful tone as I kick my shoes off and walk into the main room.

Greyson chuckles from the living room, and as I turn the corner, I see him toss a throw blanket off his lap as he rises to his feet and starts walking toward me.

Fuck, I somehow forgot how much of a sexy, massive man he is. His white T-shirt is drawn taut across his chest and arms, doing little to hide the muscle he carefully crafts day in and day out.

His blond hair is tucked beneath a backward baseball cap, the tips of his light locks peeking out from beneath the material, and I don’t know if he’s ever looked hotter than he does at this very moment.

Each step toward me births a new butterfly in my stomach, and by the time he’s only a few feet from me, they’ve evolved into bats that are desperately trying to break through my rib cage.

“I think this is my new favorite look for you.” I swoon as he reaches forward, his fingers brushing against my waist.

“Sweats and a T-shirt?” He laughs and offers to take the bags from my hands.

“Details matter. Those gray sweats, a white T-shirt that is thin enough that I can almost see the outline of each ab on your stomach, and a backward cap. Don’t forget the glasses either.” Swallowing hard, I can’t help but check out his back when he turns and walks toward the dining room table with the bags. “Fuck, yes, definitely never take this outfit off.”

He turns around, a cocky grin on his face. “Never, hmm?”

Glaring at him, I scoff. “You know what I mean.”

Speeding over to his side faster than the blink of an eye, I start unpacking the bags before he turns back toward the table.

“You went grocery shopping?” he asks, confused, his brows pinching together. “You don’t eat food.”

“I know that. They’re for you. Your favorites.” I smile, showing each item off before I set it down on the table.

He watches me carefully, his stare burning into me. “I could have done this, Vivian.”

Shrugging, I grab a few things and walk over to the fridge in an effort to hide the blush creeping onto my cheeks. “I know, but I wanted to.”

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