Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“Yes, that’s exactly what it is. It’s just…easy. And I’m usually pretty damn leery of anything easy.”
Gray grins over at me and then reaches out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. Although he’s held my hand and been close, he hasn’t really touched me.
His fingers leave a sizzling heat on my skin that I’ve never felt before.
“I doubt that whatever this is between us will always be this easy, but you are a breath of fresh air, Stella.”
I watch as the water lightens with the sky.
“It’s almost morning,” I murmur and check the time. “Holy shit, I have to be to work in three hours.”
“I have to be in court in two,” Gray adds. “But I’m not sorry.”
I smile at that and lean over to rest my cheek on his shoulder. “Me, either.”
“I want to see you tonight.”
“Is it Friday?”
“Yes.”
I wrinkle my nose. “I can’t. I have a family thing this evening. But I’m free tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow it is, then. I guess I should walk you home.”
We walk to a garbage can to dispose of the empty food container and then make our way just a block over to my house.
To my surprise, Gray doesn’t stop at his car. Instead, he walks me up the steps to the door.
“Thanks for a fun time,” I say as I punch the code for the door into the digital lock and turn the deadbolt.
When I turn back to him, Gray’s blue eyes are intense. I was expecting a sweet goodbye kiss.
Instead, he moves in until my back is against the door and places his hand around my neck. He’s not pushing, not choking me.
It’s just firm enough to command my attention.
And turn me the fuck on.
Gray leans in and brushes his lips across mine, and I can’t hold in the light gasp. He’s pure sex, complete seduction.
And I’m deliciously under his spell.
I lift my chin, and his gaze drops to my lips before he closes the gap once more. This time, it’s no light brush of lips.
It’s hot and needy, full of lust and greed.
And when he finally pulls back, both of us gasping for air, he nudges my nose with his and sighs.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispers and lowers his hand from my neck before stepping back. “I’ll be talking to you very soon.”
“I hope so,” I reply and press my fingertips to my lips as he turns and jogs to his car.
“Go inside, Stella, so I can change for court.”
“I’m perfectly safe.”
He turns and raises an eyebrow.
“I’m going.” I blow him a kiss and walk inside, then close the door and watch him through the window.
My eyes widen when he presses his hand to his chest and blows out a breath before sitting in his car and starting the engine.
So, it’s not just me that’s a little overwhelmed by the past twenty-four hours.
Good.
I walk up to my bedroom and close the door. I should take a nice shower and then rest for an hour or so before getting ready to go.
In fact, that’s exactly what I do. The shower does not cool my stirred blood, but it’s refreshing, and when I’m all dry and in bed, naked, I take a long, deep breath as I remember everything that happened throughout the night.
I’ve never had a man take me out, spend the whole night with me, and not expect to fuck. Not even one time in my life.
I know Gray’s attracted to me. That’s obvious.
But he’s also not a horndog. He’s respectful.
My phone pings with a text, and I grin when I see Gray’s name.
Gray: I’m home. I had a great time last night. I hope you’re able to rest before work.
Me: I’m resting now. Thanks again for everything. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to next time.
There’s no response, but I don’t expect one.
I set the phone aside and stare up at my ceiling.
“Holy shit. I think I just met the man I’m supposed to be with.”
“Holy shit, you look horrible,” Danny says when he walks into my office a few hours later and closes the door behind him.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t sleep last night.”
“Don’t stress about our mess. It’s being handled.”
I smirk at him. “I’m not stressed about that. I had a date.”
Danny’s frown turns into a smug smile. “How scandalous! Tell me everything. Did he have a big, you know?”
“I didn’t sleep with him.”
Danny clutches his imaginary pearls. “What? Who was it?”
“Grayson Sterling.”
He coughs and steals my water bottle to clear his throat.
“You’re kidding,” he croaks out.
“Not even a little bit. You didn’t tell me he was hot as hell.”
“I mean, he’s handsome, but he’s a bit older than you. Maybe more than a bit. He’s in his mid-thirties for Christ’s sake, Stella.”
“Who cares?” I shrug and sip my coffee. I need all the caffeine I can get. “He’s kind and sweet, and we had a great time. We ate a lot of pizza and went for a walk on the waterfront.”