Page 72 of Always Been Yours

Instead of the harsh light from outside, this time I wake up to a hand lightly brushing through my hair.

My eyes crack open slowly as I’m brought back into consciousness. The first thing I note is that Grady and I are in the same intertwined mess, but I’m lying on him now. Practically straddling him.

I try to slip off of his chest but his hand falls from my hair to my back, stopping me.

He presses a soft kiss to my forehead and murmurs against my skin, “Good morning, love.”

“Good morning.”

He nods, like he’s confirming something to himself he already knew. “I like how you sound in the morning.”

“Only in the morning?” I jokingly chastise him.

“No, all the time. But especially right now. It isn’t my favorite but it’s in the top three, easily.”

I tilt my head to get a better look at his face. “What are your top two?”

He doesn’t think about it, just says, “My second favorite is the little squeal you make when someone tells you good news or you see something you like. Like the new book in that series when we were at Brighter Daze a few weeks ago.”

I didn’t think he was paying that much attention when I found the new inventory Lexi was bringing out. But of course he did. I’m starting to accept that Grady’s just as trapped in this magneticforce between us as I am.

“And my favorite,” he continues on, “is that breathy cackling laugh. It’s your least used but most genuine one.” I pull myself closer to him. “I can’t tell you how happy I was the first time I heard it again.”

I don’t need him to tell me, I already had an idea. Even when we were kids, my witchy and obnoxious laugh was one of the few things Grady allowed himself to shower in adoration openly.

“Thanks for last night,” I breathe.

“I had fun.”

We just sit there staring at each other for a moment, neither of us ready to pop the bubble we’ve created on my living room floor.

“Can I come back tonight?” He looks a little shocked by his own request and tries to save face, which is equally funny and infuriating. “I mean, there might be another thunderstorm, you know. That’s what the weather report said this week.”

“Yes, Grady, you can come back tonight.” I take a steady breath, trying to emit more confidence than he currently is. “In fact, I would love that.”

“Me too.” He breaks out into one of the most beautiful grins I’ve ever seen. “Okay, cool. Cool cool. I have to run home super quick but… what time should I come back?”

I chuckle at his eagerness. “Whenever. I have to go to the grocery store, but I can go now if you want to give me a few hours.”

“I can go with you. Give me two hours and I’ll be back with breakfast.”

“Yeah?” He nods and kisses my nose. “That sounds perfect. We can cook tonight then.”

The thought of doing something domestic with Grady is a lot more appealing than it’s ever been with anyone—more than I ever thought it could be.

I start to push off his chest, but Grady quickly pulls me back down. I fall against his chest at the same moment his other hand gathers my tangled hair at the nape of my neck.

I try to squirm away, but his arms are like a vice. “I have morning breath. It’s too soon for that. It willalwaysbe too soon for that.”

“Mmm, no. Sorry, don’t care.” I begrudgingly relax against him as he murmurs against my lips, “Anytime I wake up next to you, I expect a kiss first thing. Understand?”

The demand in his voice is the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard. I couldn’t say no if I wanted to. I nod and place a soft kiss on his lips.

“I need more than that, love.” His hand tightens in my hair.

I lean into him, giving him the control and time to deepen the kiss.

He takes and takes until he’s satisfied, making sure to give back just as much.

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