Page 73 of Return to Us
The house is exactly like what we always dreamed of when we looked out at the mountains. It’s a beautiful log cabin with a lot of open space and a huge loft on the second floor. The back wall, though, it’s—incredible. Floor-to-ceiling windows that give you the perfect view of the mountains. Why the hell he came out to our spot I’ll never understand. Here, standing in the middle of the room, I can see the same view.
Over to the right is the town that is the only light we can see from the lookout. And then, to the left is the mountain peak that looks like a pencil.
I feel the air leave my lungs in a rush.
“It’s one hell of a view.” Delia stands beside me.
There are tears forming in my eyes, the moisture threatening to spill over, and I turn so no one will see. He bought a house on the same side of the mountain, looking out at the view we always loved.
Then something starts to niggle in the back of my mind. “Delia?”
“What?”
“This house . . . has it always been Grayson’s?”
“Yeah, he had it built. He bought the land years ago, but didn’t do anything with it, then when he and”—she looks around for Melia—“her mother were a thing, he put it on the market but kept rejecting the offers. He built the house right after Amelia was born andsheleft.”
I can feel my breathing growing labored. Oh, God. He bought the land. He owns this plot and he owns our spot. “Oh.”
That’s all I can say as I stare out the windows.
“Why?”
I shake my head. “Nothing, it’s just a great view.”
“Yeah, must be nice to be a Parkerson and buy part of a mountain.”
I take another few steps, my heart pounding as I get closer. It’s all here. Everything that we shared, the memories, the hopes and dreams whispered into the air—they are all right here. Another tear falls down my cheek as another part of my heart realizes just how much I’m in love with him.
* * *
“Jess,” Grayson’s deep voice sounds so far away even though he’s right here in my arms.
I don’t want to be woken from this dream.
Grayson’s scent is around me, his lips are on mine. We’re in our spot where nothing can touch us.
“Jessica.” His voice is low and sultry. “Love.”
When he uses the term of endearment, I break. I grab for him, reaching, but he’s not there. I groan, trying to bring him to me. “Gray, please,” I beg. “Please, don’t leave me.”
I can feel the hesitation raging between us. “Fuck,” he curses, rubbing his nose against mine.
So close.
He’s right here.
“I need you,” I confess.
He lets out a low grumble that comes from his chest as his forehead rests on mine. “You’re killing me.”
I run my hands along the stubble on his cheek. “Love me,” I plead.
“I always have.”
I smile, loving how he makes me feel. “I’ve always loved you, but I was afraid.”
Grayson’s fingers run down my jaw before brushing my lips. “Afraid of what?”
