Page 48 of Faking Romance

“My mom was upset. It was her dad’s funeral. I’m one of five kids and I guess everyone thought everyone else had me,” he explains with a shrug.

Haven pulls out beers and places them on the bar top. “I think we could all use these,” she announces with a smile.

And just like that we all laugh and grab drinks and food and go back to talking. Amber, Haven, and I spend the entire evening discussing our latest reads.

Every so often, I catch Gray watching me, but he looks away as soon as we make eye contact. I’m not sure why, but my heart flutters a little each time we lock gazes.

* * *

“How are we doing this?” Gray asks as we enter our bedroom after a fun evening of eating and drinking. Licorice did wake up eventually and everyone played with her until she ate and then fell back asleep.

Gray placed her litter box in the bathroom. We both look at the bathroom and then the bed.

“We’ll do a Licorice-up-the-middle formation,” I announce as I grab my bag and go into the bathroom, changing into my black cat pajamas, which seemed appropriate. When I finish and come back out, Gray looks over at me and chuckles.

“So, you’re saying you have a thing for black cats?” he asks.

But I can’t speak because Gray is wearing light sweatpants and only that and our kitten is curled up in one of his arms against his very naked chest while he reads something on his phone. He’s wearing glasses and fuck does he look sexy.

“You coming to bed?” he asks without looking up again.

“Yeah,” I manage as I shut my mouth.

“Stop staring. You’re going to give me a complex,” he states as he swipes his phone screen.

I look away and quickly crawl onto the bed, turning out the light on my side.

As I curl on my side facing away from him, I feel a warm little body press against the back of my legs. I look down and see that Licorice is making herself at home.

“Well, I see who is her favorite,” Gray grumbles as he turns out the light on his side.

“What can I say? The cat has class,” I tease.

“I guess.”

“Gray?”

“Yes?” he answers and I turn my head to find him facing me. I turn and place Licorice between us where she curls back into a ball.

“I had fun tonight. Let’s stay and go for a boat ride tomorrow. Pierce said it’d only be for a few hours. Then we can go home,” I say, surprising even myself. But it’s relaxing out here and the company is good and I think Jocelyn was right about needing a night off.

“If you’re alright with that,” he confirms.

“I am,” I say and I watch as he leans over and kisses my cheek. His five o’clock shadow brushes against my skin and damn it if my lady parts don’t come to life.

“Good night, wifey,” he says in a gravelly voice as he pulls back.

“Good night, husband,” I reply and I lean forward and plant a kiss on his lips for reasons I’ll never understand. Maybe I’ve wanted to all day? Maybe I’m caught up in the moment? Either way, I’m not ready to unpack any of that.

He doesn’t pull away and neither do I. Our lips stay pressed together for way too long.

“Gray?” I finally whisper against his mouth.

“Yes?” I feel his hot breath caress my skin.

“It’s a shame this is fake because you are a good kisser,” I admit with a blush. I’m happy it’s dark because he can’t see my skin.

“So are you, Roxy. Any man would be lucky to have you,” he replies as he places another small kiss on my lips while his left hand roves over my hip and side before caressing my ass.

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