Page 36 of Mr. Edwards
“Let me stay,” he pleads, kissing a path up my neck. “I just want to be here with you.”
I sigh. “Don’t get all needy on me now, Edwards, it doesn’t suit you.”
I’m sure I sound like a bitch, but I don’t mean to be. This is the first time in my life that I’m even considering letting someone stay over, but deep down I know that can’t happen. That hollow space in my chest is now filled with a frenzied beating. This man is not only dangerous for my heart, but also for my preservation. There’s no telling how I may react when I wake to find somebody lying beside me. That thought alone makes me shudder. It won’t be pretty, and that’s only going to bring up a barrage of questions I’m not prepared to answer.
“Harsh,” he says, turning me in his arms. “Can I at least see you again?” The hopefulness in his eyes sets off a wave of panic inside me.
We’ve had a good time tonight, probably one of the best in my life, but we’re from two different worlds. I’m not the marrying type, especially for a guy like him. I’mdamaged goods…tainted. I’m the type of girl you keep around until someone better comes along.
“You have my number,” I say. It’s the best I can give him right now.
He arches an eyebrow. “I also have your address.”
“Hmm,” I hum when he gives me a devious look. “I could always up and move in the middle of the night.”
“You can try,” he says, smugly. “But I’d find you.” My stomach flips. I could so easily fall for this man, but I already know that’s not an option for me.
“I’m going to take a shower.”
His pitiful eyes track over my face as his mouth opens briefly before closing. I can tell he wants to ask if he can join me, but I’m thankful when he doesn’t.
“Fine,” he says, blowing out an exasperated breath as he runs his fingers through his unruly hair. “I’ll go. But this is not the end of us, Carlee.”
He places a soft kiss on the side of my neck, just below my ear, before reaching for my hand and bringing it toward his face. I gulp in some air when he places another kiss on my open palm. It’s such a sweet gesture I feel tears prick the back of my eyes.
Retreating a step, and putting some distance between us, I turn to leave the room. “Lock the front door on your way out.”
“I’ll call you,” he says to my retreating back, but I resist the urge to turn around. I know if I do, I’ll cave.
Once I’m safely locked inside the bathroom, I lean against the door as a heavy weight settles in my chest. In a few mere hours, this man has me all kinds of messed up.
Unplugging the hair dryer and winding up the cord, I stow it away neatly under the bathroom sink. I’m dead on my feet, but I can’t stand going to bed with wet hair.
I discard my towel in the hamper. I’ll need to head to the laundromat tomorrow. I don’t have a lot of dirty things, but I get agitated seeing them sitting there.
Turning off the bathroom light, I head toward the front door, making sure it’s locked. I do a quick scan of the main room and kitchen area before heading back to my bedroom. I lock that door too, checking it twice just to be sure, then I start my usual rounds. I look behind the curtains first, then move to the closet, shuffling around the hanging clothes to be sure nobody is hiding behind them. Lastly, I peek under the bed. Once it’s confirmed I’m alone, I let out a huge sigh of relief.
This ridiculous bedtime ritual has been a part of my life for far too long… I hate it, but it’s a necessity. It’s just another reason why Grayson couldn’t stay. I’m a freak.
I strip the sheets and remake my bed before slipping under the covers. An unmade bed runs havoc with my anxiety and there’s nothing I won’t do to settle my frantic mind.
As exhausted as I am, I lay on my back and stare at the ceiling, trying to process what happened tonight. I wasn’t expecting all the feels, but Grayson handed them out in bucketloads. It’s something I’ve never experienced before. I’ll never forget the fire I saw in his eyes as he gazed down at me. The way he touched me, kissed me, moved inside me… it was too much. He made me feel like Iwas the most precious thing in those moments.Gah. It was unnerving, but I’d be a fool to even entertain a future between us.
Finally, I look over at the clock sitting on the bedside table, it’s nearly 6:00 am. Rolling onto my side, I puff out a deep sigh and close my eyes, forcing myself to go to sleep.
Grayson: You never called!
I stare down at the message I just received. I ran into Grayson at the animal shelter earlier, when I was picking up my bestie at the end of her shift. I’ve lived in this area for four years, and last night was the first time I’d ever laid eyes on that sexy hunk of a man, so I wasn’t expecting to bump into him today.
Emma told me on the drive home that her car wouldn’t start this morning, and it just happened to be at the same time Grayson was leaving my place, so he dropped her off on his way home. Hence why I had to go get her. It was sweet of him to do that. He seems like a genuinely nice guy, but I’m too untrusting to believe that. Sometimes the nice guys are the ones you have to watch.
When I told him I was free tonight, he asked me to call him. I didn’t. I mean I wanted to and all, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it wasn’t a good idea. We had fun last night,a lot of fun, he’s a damn beast in the sack, but the reality is, things between us wouldnever last. Cut and run has always been the safest option for me.
Future Mrs. Edwards: I take it you’re not used to that?
Grayson: No, I’m not.
Grayson: What are you up to?
