Page 113 of Play Me
But if there’s something this weekend’s shown me, it’s that I love being with someone who is there for me in ways that they can’t—ways that I didn’t realize were so important. Someone who can shield me from the world when I need it, even if I won’t admit it. Someone with the biggest heart who cares for me in the smallest, most intimate ways, and gives amazing orgasms.Let’s never underestimate the power of the big O.I didn’t realize I needed that until Gray.
Gray’s presence in my life brings a whole new level of fulfillment. I didn’t understand how it felt to have someone want to know you, to ask questions, and to be patient enough to hear the answers. Being in his arms, in his sphere, colors my world differently … and sometimes my knees and breasts and lips.
I blush and turn back to my salad as Gianna starts one of her famous work stories.
Maybe Audrey is right. Maybe it’s okay to hope for something more. And if it’s not, I might be screwed.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-EIGHT
Gray
“Not too bad, Adler. Not too bad,” I say, turning a full circle between my living room and kitchen.
It took me a while this morning to get up and moving. My body is sore everywhere from the game yesterday, a barn burner against our division rivals. Ridge came through for us in the end and led us to a win, but we’re all paying the price for the physicality of the match today.
That has not, however, stopped Nico and Ridge from blowing up the group chat. It’s so obnoxious that even I’ve had enough. I left it last night but had been added back by the time I woke up this morning.Fools.
I gather the wad of charging cords off the kitchen island and tuck them into a drawer. It’s not exactly as organized as Astrid would have it, but at least they’re out of sight. If I leave them out, or have anything out of place, she’ll stress about it when she gets here and start trying to fix it—and that’s not why she’s here.
She’s here to relax with me.
Just thinking about her is like taking a shot of happiness, which is funny considering she was sonothappy when I mether. But now that I’ve gotten to know her better, I can’t hear her name without smiling. She’s a powerhouse, capable of anything, and I’m in awe of the things she can manage and accomplish in one day. I could never come close.
But, somehow, she lets me get close to her.
“Astrid, what are we doing?” I run a hand over my head as the rhythm of my heart changes. It beats harder and faster, each pulse both a warning and a wish. I don’t know which is a bigger problem.
There’s no way of knowing where this thing with Astrid will go. Hell, I’m not even sure how she feels about me. But the more time we spend together, the more I know I want this to go somewhere, and the fewer fucks I give about how fast this is going. There isn’t a scenario I can conjure up where she doesn’t fit into my life. It feels like she’s supposed to be in my arms, business deals, and hometown.
It's terrifying. But it’s also right. And if that’s true, whether it be now or later, I must be prepared in every way to be the man she deserves.
No matter how much it hurts.
Knock! Knock!
“Come in,” I say, my voice raspy as I face the door.
Astrid steps through the threshold, rewarding me with a big, bright smile as she swings the door shut behind her.
“How was your morning?” I ask, wrapping her up in my arms. She nuzzles her face against my chest and sags against me. “Did you check out the venue?”
She nods, making no effort to pull away. So I stand in place and hold her until she’s damn good and ready.
“It was perfect.” She kisses my chest and then leans back. “Renn wanted to find the perfect place for Blakely’s birthday party, and I found it today. It’s beautiful and intimate but canfit all the people he wants to invite. I think. I hope.” She winces. “It’s perfect. I have to stop overthinking it.”
“Well, you look beautiful even if you are an overthinker.”
She smiles. “How do you feel today? What can I do for you? How can I help?”
“You can come to the couch and watch a movie with me.”
“I don’t see how that’s going to help you,” she says skeptically.
“How about this. How canIhelpyoutoday?”
Her hands go to her hips. “I’m your assistant. It’smyjob to helpyou.”
