Page 112 of Shattering

And tonight, Gray had made arrangements. Tomos was at his friend James's for a sleepover after a game, and the house was quiet. Too quiet.

He had cooked—something vaguely Italian. Carbonara. It was borderline edible, which, for Gray, was an accomplishment. Cadi had eyed the plate warily but eaten anyway, if only because he had tried.

They talked about work, about patients, about the little things. Cadi insisted on cleaning up, standing at the sink with her sleeves rolled up when she felt him behind her.

The heat of him pressed against her back, unmistakable and deliberate. She felt the hard line of his erection, his hands skimming down her sides, slow and patient.

"Gray," she murmured, her breath catching as he cupped her breasts, thumbs grazing over the fabric of her top before sliding underneath. His fingers found her nipples, teasing them into stiff peaks before giving one a sharp pinch.

Cadi let out a shuddering gasp, gripping the edge of the counter as heat coiled low in her belly.

She turned in his arms, meeting his gaze. "What are you up to, Mr. Callahan?"

Gray smirked, voice low. "Oh, I don't know... I saw this lass and thought I'd try my luck."

His hands found her thighs, lifting her effortlessly onto the counter. His fingers bunched her skirt up, rough as he tugged her panties down. He caught them before they hit the floor, bringing them to his nose with a wicked grin.

"Not my granny panties—" she started, mortified, covering her face.

"Sexiest granny panties ever," he interrupted, tossing them aside.

His fingers found her wetness, and his expression turned intense, hungry. He stepped between her legs, keeping them spread wide as he touched her, slow teasing circles over her clit, drawing out a strangled moan.

He slid one finger in, then two, moving them in and out with a steady rhythm, until Cadi's hips moved automatically, her body desperate for more. She came suddenly, shuddering in his arms, her nails digging into his shoulders.

She barely had time to recover before she heard the swish of fabric—his clothes being pulled apart in frantic urgency. And then he was there, pressing into her, sinking deep in one smooth stroke.

Gray moved quickly, desperate, groaning as he buried himself in her over and over. He came too soon, but it had been too long. Cadi followed him, a few quick strokes over her clit sending her over the edge again.

They stayed there, her perched on the kitchen counter, his hands still gripping her thighs, their foreheads pressed together as they caught their breath. They were still joined, Gray still semi-hard inside her, his hips shifting in slow, lazy bursts, prolonging the sensation. Her hands clung around his neck, fingers tangled in his hair as she let out a slow, shuddering breath.

"Wow," she finally said.

Gray huffed a laugh. "Yeah. Wow."

Cadi glanced toward the back door. "If someone steps into our backyard, the whole world can see my bum."

Gray smoothed a loving palm over said bum, smirking. "And what a bum it is."

He dipped his head, taking a slow suck at her nipple before letting it go with a pop.

"At least your porn collection can get a break." Cadi snarked.

Gray chuckled, still lovingly smoothing his palm over her buttock, sighing as he said, "I needed this so very much. No backing out, Cadi." His voice was rough, his Irish accent thicker with emotion.

They stood there for a moment, wrapped in the afterglow, before Cadi suddenly stiffened. "You forgot the condom, dumbass."

Gray's eyes went wide before a slow grin spread across his face. "I've been thinking... we need at least one more redhead in the family. We need to pass on that glorious hair—it would be a crime not to. Tomos says he wants a brother to play with."

He punctuated the words by tweaking her clit, making her gasp, her mind blanking for a second. "What did you just say?" she asked, breathless.

Gray continued, his hips still moving lazily. "I personally want a little lass... After all, you're not getting any younger," he teased.

Cadi's eyes narrowed. "Are you calling me old?"

Gray smirked. "If the shoe fits."

She shot back, "Hope you didn't throw your back out—otherwise, we'll need to look for younger blood."

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