Page 111 of Grumpy Darling

“I happen to think that’s the perfect outfit for stealth mode,” he replied. “It’s also perfect for you to wear while eating, sleeping, going to school; anything really.”

“I get the feeling you like seeing your name on my back...”

“I’ve always liked it,” he said. “But right now, that word doesn’t begin to cover what I feel.”

“So, what word would you use?”

“Let’s just say, it makes me want to steal you away for another night and never give you back.”

“Well, I guess I’ll have to keep wearing it then.” Gray was welcome to steal me away whenever he wanted, though perhaps next time we should try a little harder to not get caught.

I sighed as I glanced down at my bags. Living out of a suitcase sucked. Packing it up and leaving Grayson sucked so much more. I’d loved staying with him and the whole Darling family. But despite my reservations about going home, I had kind of missed my mom and dad. They might not be the easiest parents, but it felt strange to have been so far from them both for so long.

“You ready to go home?” Gray asked.

“Not really. My mom’s going to be so pissed. I’m the reason she cut her trip short, and I’ve probably missed a million messages from her this morning. I should have gone to see that counselor.”

“Paige, it was an accident. And sooner or later, she’s going to have to realize that you’re the one in charge of your future. Sure, she can help you, but you’re going to decide how it plays out on your own terms.”

“I don’t think she’s ever going to believe that. She wants everything mapped out now.”

“Well, if all else fails, just tell her we’re dating, and you’re planning to become an NHL WAG.”

I burst out laughing. “You really think that’s a good idea?”

“Sure.” Gray shrugged. “All I have to do is get through one more game, and by the end of today, I’ll have signed with Ryker. I’ll be one step closer to my dream career, and you can tell her you plan to ride shotgun with me the whole way.”

“Yeah, I don’t think she’ll like the sound of that.”

“Exactly,” he agreed with a wicked smirk. “She’ll be so worried that you don’t have any aspirations of your own, she’ll agree to just about anything else you suggest.”

I smiled at him. “And people say you’re just a pretty face.”

“Nobody says that.”

“Don’t they? I could have sworn—”

He cut me off with a kiss, and I smiled against his lips. Grayson was an amazing kisser, and I truly struggled to believe that he’d never done this before. When he kissed me, it made me wonder if this was what coming home should feel like. Every part of him felt familiar, and being enclosed in his arms gave me a sense of comfort I’d never experienced anywhere else. He made me feel warm, secure and loved; like I’d arrived in the one place I would always be welcome. Like I was exactly where I was meant to be.

His kisses weren’t just coziness and warmth though, and I was quickly learning that under his stern exterior he was hiding a seriously passionate side. If Grayson was my home, then it sometimes felt like we’d left too many candles burning, and the house was about to go up in flames. Things with Gray could get kind of steamy, and the more we kissed the more I was beginning to discover a whole new side to the boy that had my heart. I felt like I could spend a whole lifetime exploring Grayson Darling.

When he drew back from me, I was practically gasping for breath. “What was I saying?”

He grinned. Seeing that lopsided smile on his lips immediately made me want to drag him in for another kiss.

“Gross,” Cammie groaned from the door.

I tried to jump back from Gray, but he only held me tighter and kept his eyes locked on mine.

“We’re a little busy in here, Cam.”

“You know you’ve got your own room, right, Grayson?”

Cammie’s expression made it clear she wasn’t joking around. I’d gotten through two weeks without incurring Cammie’s wrath, and I didn’t want to ruin that now.

“We were just leaving,” I said, pulling out of Grayson’s arms. “Thanks so much for letting me stay in your room, Cammie. I got you a little something...” I walked over to my bag and pulled out my gift for her.

Cammie took the box and opened it, a smile gracing her lips as she pulled out a snow globe with a small ice skater in the center of it. It was one my mom had given me years ago. The girl at its center was dressed all in black and had reminded me so much of Cammie.

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