Page 13 of Fierce Hearts

Leo's assessment echoed in my mind as I moved to a more recent photo of her, at nineteen years of age. Just who was she? And was befriending Meredith just a coincidence?

The elevator dinged, pulling me from the memory. I stepped inside, balancing the coffee and breakfast plate carefully. The doors closed, and I leaned against the wall, suddenly exhausted.

Sofia Savoca. The woman I'd watched for over a year before we'd confronted her, and a strange alliance/friendship had formed in order to protect Meredith from the truth.

The woman who'd slipped under my defenses. The woman whose family history made her both familiar with and forbidden in our world.

No strings attached. The promise made me clench my teeth.

When I returned to the room, the shower was still running, and I set her breakfast down on the coffee table.

I stilled as I noticed the bathroom door was slightly ajar.

Had she left it open as an invitation? My cock swelled at the thought, and I found myself heading over.

One way to find out.

CHAPTER4

SOFIA

The hot water cascaded down my back, washing away the remnants of last night's activities. I closed my eyes, letting the steam envelop me as I tried to focus on the present moment rather than the memories threatening to flood back.

No strings attached. That was our agreement.

But my traitorous mind replayed fragments of the night anyway. Gray's lips moving against mine with surprising tenderness, his hands exploring my body, the way my name had sounded on his lips.

Why had I let it happen? I was feeling more than what I should have with just a night of fun. The thought of going back to the way things were and erasing this time with him made my stomach knot.

I couldn't help it. I craved him in a way I shouldn't have. I wanted to feel him again, his lips on my skin, his hands exploring my body…

The shower door opened behind me, and I froze. Gray stepped in, his naked body already responding to the sight of me.

"I thought you were getting breakfast," I managed to say, my voice breathy as I turned to him fully.

"I was." His eyes traveled slowly down my wet body. "But I came back and you were still in here. Thought the open door was…" He paused, his eyes darkening as he took in the sight of me with a tempting smile.

Had I left it open for him? Maybe. If he chose to take it as an invitation, then I wasn't going to complain.

"I realized I wanted one last taste of you before we head back to reality." Those green eyes met mine, and I couldn't help but smile back.

So I wasn't the only one still wanting things.

Before I could respond, his mouth was on mine, hungry and demanding. My body melted against him as water streamed over us both. His hands found my waist, lifting me effortlessly and pressing my back against the cool tile wall.

"Gray—" I gasped as his lips moved to my neck, my heart racing.

Should I do this again? A little bit of fun the morning after was still a part of a one-night stand, right?

"Tell me to stop," he murmured against my skin. "Tell me you don't want this."

I couldn't lie, not when my legs were already wrapping around his waist, not when my fingers were digging into his shoulders, urging him closer.

"Fuck, Gray…"

"Say it, Sofia." His breath on my neck made my skin prickle as I swallowed.

"Just one more time," I said softly, and I felt him smirk against my neck. “I want you.”

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