Page 51 of Please, Stay

And now he’d shared it with Juliana. He’d ventured into new territory by trusting her completely.

She’d hardly made a sound all night. Her small hand lay flat against his ribcage, and her warm breath caressed his chest.

A car door slammed. Probably Becky. Or her cousin, Cameron, had come back to give him a ticket for the helmet crap again. They could knock on their door all morning. He wasn’t moving from the bed while Juliana nestled close beside him.

She snapped her head up with the next car door slam. Confusion melted into recognition as her heavy-lidded eyes settled on him. “Good morning,” she mumbled and tucked her head back down on his chest. Her fingertips tentatively explored his torso. His breath sucked in when she pressed her lips to his skin.

“I guess it was a good thing I didn’t see you last night.” Her eyes sparkled when she raked her gaze across his chest. “Me and Mr. Champagne might have had other plans.” With each kiss she pressed against his chest, his defenses fell a little more. She shifted her body and kissed his lion tattoo. Did she have any idea what this did to him?

Grayson touched a finger under her chin and tilted it up. “The desire to make love to you hasn’t gone away just because the sun’s come up, Juliana.” In the next moment, he switched their positions, pinning her underneath him. The soft sunlight filtered in through the white curtains, her eyes illuminated and lighter than he’d seen them before. It didn’t help his control when she smiled with satisfaction at his move. She shifted her hips.

“I can tell the desire is still there. Too bad those reasons you gave last night haven’t changed.” She reached her arms over her head and stretched like a cat, her body strained against his. Two could tease.

He grabbed her hands in mid-stretch, pinning them to the pillow above her head. He drew his knee between her legs and let most of his weight press down onto her body.

That playful smile faded away. Her tongue darted out and licked her bottom lip.

“Grayson?” Her breathless whisper slammed into him. Her wild mane of dark, honey-colored hair spread out around her. He nuzzled her neck. She smelled warm. Tasted sweet.

“I remember the reason I gave you last night.” His teeth nipped at her collarbone, where her shirt had shifted to the side. “But I need a better reason for nothing to happen this morning.” He’d thought holding her all night would be enough. He’d never been more wrong.

Her chest rose and fell with a deep breath. Her green eyes open, honest, and completely unsure. “There isn’t a reason, Grayson.”

Wrong answer.

He rested his forehead against hers, releasing her hands and keeping his body weight on his elbows. It was his turn to take that deep, controlled breath. Restraint was nearly impossible with her so close.

“What does that mean?”

Her fingertips skimmed along his spine. “It means I want this.” On her next exhale, she sighed, “you.”

“Are you sure?” He needed the words. Yes. No. Something more than this in-between torturous hell he found himself in now. Waiting. Wondering and imagining. Her. Him. Together.

She grazed her fingertips over his shoulders and down his back. His muscles spasmed everywhere she touched. Exploring and driving him crazy. The words. She had to give him the green light. Explicitly. There was no way he’d leave with even an inkling of regret left on the table.

“Juliana?” His harsh voice didn’t match his intentions. He’d go slow. Earn her trust and make sure when he left, she would never forget him.

The door handle rattled.

He froze. What the hell?

Then it rattled again. Opened.

Becky stood holding the tiny, copper, skeleton key. “Ah!” She slammed it shut. “So, sorry! You need to hang a sock or something outside the door.”

With a groan, Grayson flopped onto his back on the bed next to Juliana. Why did they need a sock? Who the hell would think to open a locked door?

She sat up and ran a hand over her hair. It didn’t help the mess. “C’mon in, Becky.” Juliana waited until the door opened fully and then crossed her arms. “Why did you to feel the need to pick the lock?”

She shrugged. “I wanted to give you a present.”

Funny, Grayson hoped to give them both a present. Too bad Becky’s MacGyver skills just ruined his plans. It was for the better. He knew that. They’d decided last night they shouldn’t sleep together.

It didn’t make the reality of standing on the edge, ready to release every emotion and desire he felt for Juliana, any easier to ignore.

Becky motioned down the hall. A little girl, black rings of curls falling around her shoulders, peeked around the corner. Followed by Eliza.

Eliza’s mouth dropped open. Becky nudged her in the shoulder. It snapped shut.

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