Page 58 of Blood Ties
After a moment, I stood up from my chair. Sebastian seemed a bit startled by my sudden movement. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him. “Thank you.” I don’t know how many times I had echoed those words, but it never felt like it was enough.
“You don’t have to keep thanking me for saving you.”
“I’m not.” I mumbled against his shoulder. “I am grateful, but thank you for telling me the truth.”
“Will you rest a little easier now knowing that if anything bad were to happen I’d be there for you?”
I pulled back from the hug and stared into his green eyes then I placed a quick kiss on his cheek. “Yes,” I answered before standing straight. When I did, I felt like someone punched me in the face. There, walking out the door of the café was Chloe, and I had no idea how long she’d been there, what she saw, or how bad it looked.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Later that night, I didn’t know what I should say to Grayson, or if I should say anything. If I had been out with Shawn, would I feel the need to tell Grayson? The answer was no. Even I knew that there was a difference and Grayson would see it. I had no intention of lying to him.
When he came home, I was sitting at the dining room table checking off tasks that I had accomplished for Damien’s nearest impending gathering that was approaching in little less than a month. At this point it was really just confirming things and making sure everything would go off without a hitch.
I looked up when I heard the door close. Grayson removed his jacket and then started undoing his tie. His eyed me hungrily. He sped over to me pulling me to my feet before his mouth claimed mine. His tongue pushed past my lips dancing with mine. My body became instantly alive.
“Shower with me,” he didn’t ask. He commanded.
“Yes,” I moaned as he lifted me up allowing me to wrap my legs around him before he sped off to the bathroom.
He never brought up Sebastian or Chloe. In fact, we barely spoke that night or the following morning before he went to work. We just remained a tangled mess of two bodies trying their best to become one.
I stood looking out the window from The Angelo Tower. Bolts of lightning pierced the sky followed by crashes of thunder. It was already past time for me to leave. The sun had set and the sky was a blanket of darkness with the exception of the sudden streak of light that was gone as quickly as it appeared. The lights of the city created a nice glow below. I was standing there hoping that the storm would break long enough for me to leave without getting drenched in the process, but it didn’t look like it was going to be my lucky night. I took a deep breath when I felt the recognizable pull.
“Hey, you’re still here?” Sebastian asked walking up next to me.
“Yup,” I stated, still searching the skyline for some sign that there was a break coming.
“Scared of a little water?”
“Absolutely not. It doesn’t mean that I look for opportunities to get soaked either.”
He gave me a little chuckle. “You know that if you want to avoid the outside altogether, I can help?”
I remembered the last time Sebastian had “helped” me get to my apartment. The experience wasn’t one I would soon forget. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“Gaby, it’s no problem. I can pop you over there and be back before anyone even knows I’m gone.”
“Is that a standard angel power?”
“If you’re asking if any angel can do it, the answer is no, but it is common.” There was a long pause as I thought over what he claimed. “If you’re thinking about your father, he can’t. Sorry. Looks like you’re stuck with me,” he admitted a little sharply.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I explained. He nodded making it obvious that he didn’t believe me. “Of course I’d love a lift. Thank you.”
“Really?” He seemed skeptical.
“Really.” I stepped into him wrapping my arms around him holding on for dear life. I closed my eyes just before we dissipated.
When we blinked ourselves into my apartment, I felt a bit unsteady from the trip. I looked down at the ground trying to find my bearings, my head resting on his chest. Sebastian held my arms trying to steady me.
“Look up,” he commanded trying to help.
I did as he asked. He was still a bit taller than me, especially today since I wasn’t wearing my heals. I looked up and my eyes met his. It was hard to ignore the tether that I felt between us, particularly at this close range. His green eyes searched my face until they settled on my lips. I felt my breathing increase, but I didn’t move. I swallowed hard past the lump in my throat, when I heard someone clear their throat.
“Hey, Grayson,” Sebastian spoke, still holding me. I had tried pulling away, but he wasn’t letting me go, which was probably good, because if I moved too fast the world might start to spin. “It’s raining outside and Gaby didn’t want to get wet. We dissipated in, which can be a little…unsettling if you’re not use to it.”
“Thanks for getting her home safe, but I got it from here.” Grayson took me from Sebastian and I went willingly wrapping my arms around him, not leaving any space between us. I saw a bleak look pass over Sebastian’s face. I mouthedThank youto him trying to extend my gratitude for his efforts getting me home dry. He smiled before he disappeared from the apartment.
