Page 42 of Now and Forever
"You would need to miss a few classes," he warned, amused by her reaction.
Golden waved the warning away like a gnat. "Don't even worry about that. I'll make up for them when we're back."
"Well then get dressed," he instructed, his eyes darkening as they traced her pajamas. "Wear something warm, and grabyour passport. We're going to France, specifically a small town located in the French Alps."
Letting out a squeal of excitement, Golden launched herself into Grayson's arms. Like a steel trap closing in around her, his arms caught her against him. Instantly she was reminded that she was only wearing a thin pajama set. The heat from his hands seared through the fabric and into her skin. Realization crackled through all of her senses. With her face half pressed to his chest, Golden watched as Grayson looked down at her, his eyes glinting in the low light of her room.
For a breath, they both stared at each other, something vital passing between them. A muscle ticked in Grayson's jaw and he slowly, almost reluctantly, let her slip away from him.
Self-conscious now, Golden tried to straighten her tank top and looked away with a smile. "As you can tell I'm more than excited." She paused and thought of something, looking back to Grayson in alarm. "My only winter clothes are the ones I wore in New York. Do you think that will work in the French Alps?"
The corner of Grayson's lip twitched as he began to casually examine the room, focusing on the old brass doorknob to her closet door. "Don't worry about that, I had Omar buy you a small wardrobe last night just in case."
He did what?! Shocked, she began to tell him he didn't have to spoil her like this. "Mr. Rose-"
Grayson's steel blue eyes cut to her like a knife slicing through the air and Golden immediately caught herself.
"I mean, Grayson," she quickly corrected. "You don't have to -"
Grayson looked down at his watch and pointedly back to her, his eyes drifting over her from head to toe. "The jet leaves in an hour."
Anything she was going to say was lost as the realization of just how little time she had to prepare.
Grayson sat on the edge of her bed with an amused expression as she ran around the room grabbing things. He even sat there as she closed the door to the bathroom and took a quick shower. He was still there with his ever-watchful blue gaze hovering over her as she emerged from the steamy bathroom asking about their itinerary.
As he carried her luggage out of the house, he explained that they were visiting a French award-winning novelist considering signing with Grayson's small imprint for his next book. On the jet, Golden greeted both pilots as they explained the route for their trip to France.
Sitting down in the cream leather seats near the window, Golden couldn't help but glance toward the door that led to the back room. The last time they were on the plane, they had fallen asleep together watching movies. It had been wonderful.
Setting his laptop case onto the lacquered wood table between them, Grayson sat down and pulled out his phone. "I'm going to have to take some calls," he informed her, not looking up from his phone.
A twinge of disappointment shot through her but she forced herself to give him a bright smile. "And I'll work on reading the latest edits."
You're just being greedy, she told herself. This was a work trip, not a vacation.
Getting up, she went to grab her laptop from the luggage room. Inside the narrow room, she took a chance away from Grayson's view to let out a breath. Leaning against the luggage rack she stared out the window to the runway outside. Golden could see men going around the jet doing their final checks. Her mind raced as she watched them. Maybe Gaige was right, maybe she should take some initiative. There was something definitely between her and Grayson, she was sure of it now. She could feel the blush of heat crawl up her neck when she thought of his possessive gaze lingering over her as it did every time she was in his presence. Or the way he always found a reason to touch her. And not to mention the "not kiss" that happened in the foyer of his house weeks ago.
Grayson Rosebank wanted her…maybe.
Ugh. Golden deflated as an arrow of doubt destroyed her building confidence. On one hand, it truly felt like the man saw her how she saw him but on the other—what if it was just him being overly protective of her and nothing more? Besides a few touches and looks that could melt off her panties, what evidence did she really have?
Above her, the intercom beeped and the pilot came over the system announcing their takeoff. Golden grabbed her laptop and exited the luggage room.
Instantly she could feel the pressure of Grayson's eyes on her as if he had been staring at the door waiting for her to emerge. With the phone pressed to his ear, he was leaned back in his seat watching her as she set up her laptop across from him.
For a few hours, she listened off and on as he went from one call to the next. After a few grumbled curses and angry retorts, she realized with a grin he was speaking to his brother. Fromwhat she could gather in the one-sided conversation, Grant Rosebank was buying more property in the Dallas area and wanted Grayson's opinion about a legal matter. Golden had to bite back a laugh at Grayson's face; he looked as if he couldn't decide whether he wanted to throw the phone out the plane window or reach through the line and strangle his brother. Instead, he just sat there with a look of irritation while he typed on his laptop.
Golden's phone chimed softly and she looked down at the screen. It was a text from Carter.
Carter: When can we hang out again?
Golden stared at the message for a second before replying.
Me: Um aren't you back at university in California?
Carter: Yeah but I can come see you on the weekends or I can fly you up to me. California weather is way better anyways.
Golden shook her head. Carter was such a flirt. She wondered if there was even a reality where he wasn't ping-ponging from one girl to another.
