Page 63 of Please, Stay

“No.” He cut her off before laughing and glancing down at himself. “How can you even think that?” He really needed to get a handle on his thoughts.

“The look on your face.” She laid back down.

He covered her body with his, hoping to end her worrying with a long kiss.

Her hands began to explore up his back and down his thighs, her lips pressing, teeth nipping, along his shoulder. “I know you hear this a lot, but good God your body gorgeous,” she mumbled against his skin.

Women complimented him but hearing the pleasure in her voice as she wiggled underneath him to kiss more of his skin made his pulse scatter. She pushed his shoulder, and he rolled onto his back, taking her with him. If she wanted control, he’d give it to her.

“Better,” she whispered as she kissed across his chest, pausing over his lion tattoo.

Her hand reached to the side table, and before he could process it, she’d slipped the condom on him. The touch of her hands sent every nerve ending in his body crazy. His muscles tensed.

The dreams of this moment with her were pitiful compared to the real thing.

She straddled him, and even though he wanted more time to memorize her body, he damn sure wouldn’t stop her. His breath caught as she looked down at him.

Her green eyes glowed in the sunlight. Her hair fell over her shoulders, long honey-colored waves. If he ever had the chance to be with her again, they may never have sex in the dark.

Control had never been an issue before Juliana. His hands slid up her thighs and gripped her hips. Her movements quickened as did his until there was nothing left of his pitiful attempt at restraint.

He finished, catching her as she fell against his chest. Both their hearts beating fast and wild.

“I can’t see,” she mumbled before lifting her head. She blinked a couple times. “I think you’ve made me blind.”

He kissed her, ignoring her playfulness for a moment. The woman had destroyed him. Now, he had to figure out how to put the pieces of his heart back into the tiny, locked box so he could let her go.

* * *

Juliana glancedin the mirror at her house as she changed clothes for work. She felt like she did after the first time she’d had sex the summer after she graduated high school. She should look different somehow.

She didn’t, of course, but her emotions were spent. Grayson had looked at her the way she’d always dreamed of a man doing.

Like he loved her.

Love was a hard word to use since someone in love wouldn’t walk away. They’d find a way to make it work. But he hadn’t mentioned anything. They’d parted, her promising to let him know when everyone had left theDispatchfor the night, and he could come down to sit with her while the machine ran the papers.

She took a breath and tugged on an old T-shirt. No matter what happened, she’d never regret sleeping with him. She’d remember that moment forever. She’d remember him forever.

He was the man that pushed her into wanting more in life. More than what she’d settled for. Putting those dreams away again seemed impossible.

* * *

At close to midnight,Grayson waited for Juliana’s text. She’d planned to show him the printing press at theDispatchbetween the two shifts. And give them a few more moments together. Every second counted. Especially after that afternoon.

She’d given him the best memory. A lazy afternoon that turned into the most meaningful sex he’d ever had.

The ring tone on his phone identified Trevor calling him.

“Hello?”

“I hate to wake you up.” Trevor sounded amped up, even for him.

“I wasn’t asleep. What’s wrong?”

After a long pause, Trevor finally spoke. “Just don’t kill the messenger.”

Grayson wouldn’t agree until he knew what the message was. “What?”

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