Page 108 of The Cabin

This time when he tries to speak, I start talking over top of him. “I know you too, Grayson.” He’s trying to read my mind. He wants to crawl right inside and hear what I’m thinking. “I know you know me better than anyone. I know you are a giver. I know that having the wrong screw gun pisses you off. I know that building things helps your mind go quiet. I know you love to cook and have control issues when it comes to cleaning the kitchen.” I give him a little smirk with a wink. “I also know it’s not really about cleaning the kitchen. That it’s about you wanting to take care of me. I know you secretlyhatemac and cheese but make it because you know I love it. I know that you would rather be in nature than your big fancy office. I know your hopes. I know your dreams. I know your fears and your regrets. Your pain.

“I know you are the bravest person I’ve ever met and that you did the impossible to save a future child’s life. I know that you put people before yourself. I know what your face looks like when it’s jealous. When you're hungry for me. When you think I am the absolute craziest person you’ve ever met. I can feel the air shift. I know exactly when Dominant Grayson comes out. I know so many versions of you and what each one likes and dislikes. I know Commanding Grayson, Goofy Grayson, Hot Angry Grayson, just plain Angry Grayson, Cute Grayson, Golden Retriever Grayson, Sad Grayson, Closed Off Grayson, Turned On Grayson, Determined Grayson, Sleepy Grayson. I know In Love Grayson.”

My fingers play with the ends of his hair at the base of his neck. Our noses touch and I smile, big enough that it pulls at the creases of my mouth. “I know you have my entire heart.”

Grayson pulls back enough to be able to see me. All of me. “I was doomed from the start. I never stood a freaking chance. Coming up here, I reconnected with a lot of versions ofmyselfI had grown apart from. I also got to meet a lot of new versions of myself. I got to meet In Love Sol. I can’t believe you didn’t recognize her. Because holy shit she is so in love with you. So fucking in love.”

We’re on each other instantly, collapsing onto the bed, completely lost to the moment. The feeling. The passion.

Between every pause Grayson whispers words in my ear or across my chest or over my stomach. I’m wrapped up in his admissions, surrounded by them, protected by them. “Absolutely head over heels for you, Sol.” “So fucking lucky I found you.” “I have never, ever felt this way before.” “You are my sun, Sol. My whole fucking sun.” “I love you, baby.” “I love you, I love you, I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Chapter 28

The steam fogging up the bathroom mirror makes it impossible to do anything with my hair, so I just throw it up in another ponytail even though I know letting it dry like that makes it feel like there’s more grease than I started with.

The clothes I set out have mysteriously disappeared, replaced with an influencer worthy matching pink workout ensemble. No underwear. Gee, I wonder who the culprit could be?

After yanking the sports bra and cropped leggings (why is it so much harder to get dressed when you’re a little damp?) up my body, I scamper off to the front porch.

“I thought you hated sports bras?” I say, slipping out of the door and standing with my hands on my hips in front of Grayson. Damn, he’s so hot.

His eyes travel from my toes to my head. “I made an exception. Fuck, you are so stunning.”

Three days. Three whole days spent loving each other. Openly. Without reservation. This weekend passed in an absolute blur. All I know is that I spent every second feeling giddy.

“Come sit.” His smile has my stomach in knots, like it always does. Does this feeling fade? Because I really, really hope not.

I plop down into the rocker beside him and push myself back and forth with my toes. “What are you working on?” I ask as he sets his iPad next to him.

“More work stuff. I’m gonna have to drive up to New York again next week for the final hearing. Figured I could probably meet with some people while I’m there. Put some feelers out.”

New York. Huh. Yeah. New York is pretty far from where I live. Where I work.

There are some pretty big unknowns in all of this. And we’ve been kind of…busy and haven’t had the chance to talk about anything… futuristic? I don’t know if I’m jumping the gun or just struggling to be present in this moment. To enjoy and soak in where we are now. Who we are now. But talking about signing new contracts three hours away from each other feels pretty scary. And distant. And difficult.

I clear my throat and paste a smile on my face. “Kill two birds with one stone.”

“There’s a restaurant in the city I’d like to take you to while we’re there.”

I bat my eyelashes dramatically, holding my clasped hands over my heart. “Are you asking me on a date?”

His eyes sparkle. “If you’re good.”

And just like that I’m sucked right back into him. All my worries and threats of spiraling flying out the window.

“Do you think this will fade? That I’ll stop feeling like this?”

He weaves our fingers together. “Like what?”

“Elated? Like I have a squeal building inside me all day? Like I’m melting every time I look at you?”

“I can’t imagine not feeling the way I do when I look at you. I’ll never get enough of you, Sol. Sure, the newness will fade. The anticipation and excitement of what the other will do next. But that’ll just morph into something stronger. Deeper.”

“I’m freaking out a little.”

Our hands lift up together and he kisses my knuckles. “Tell me, baby. What’s going on?”

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