Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 58808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
After switching the lights off, I walk over to lock the front door when it pushes open and Grayson stalks in. I step back, and then he locks the door behind him.
“Grayson, you need to leave.”
His hands slide into his pockets as he stares at me. I hate how he stares at me, assessing and studying me as if he knows every thought in my damn head.
“That’s not going to happen.” He smirks.
“You knew where I was?” I ask. “How?”
“Those men you met, the Hunters, they can find anyone. Granted, I didn’t know you worked here, but I did plan to find you.”
“Why? Why would you want to find someone who left you?”
He walks around me, almost stalking me.
“Why did you run?” Grayson asks, and I bite my lip. “Tell me the truth, Avani. Why. Did. You. Run?” He uses a much more forceful voice, enunciating every word.
“I’m used to running. It’s what I do.”
“You’ve lasted almost a year here. And longer when you were with my brother,” he points out. “So why did you run from me?”
“I hate the way you make me feel,” I admit, and it hurts to even talk about this with him. On the other hand, I don’t know why I’m even entertaining this discussion.
Grayson nods his head as his tongue slides across his teeth. “Did that sting as it left your sweet mouth?” His brow raises.
“Are you getting engaged?” I ask, pointing out the obvious. “Seems you didn’t have trouble moving on.”
“Is that…” he pauses and leans in, “jealousy I detect?”
“No!” I scoff, turning away from him. I head to the back room to collect my things, and he follows. “You shouldn’t be in here.”
“Do you not want my answer?” he asks.
I shake my head without thought. “I’m not sure I do.” My hand lands on the locker, and he steps up behind me, his front hitting my back as he consumes the space around me.
“You do. And no, I am not asking her to marry me.” I go to spin around, but he pushes me forward, my front hitting the lockers as his mouth hovers over my ear. “If I was to marry anyone, it would be you.”
I suck in a breath and close my eyes as I feel him move away from me. Resting my forehead against the locker, it takes me a bit of time to gather my thoughts. When I do, I turn around to find he’s no longer there. I hear the door shut and know he’s left.
Now I have to pull myself together enough to get myself home.
He talked of marrying me as if it was something he had thought about and could be done so easily.
I don’t even want marriage.
I never have after what happened to me growing up. Getting married was never an idea that popped into my head like most young girls dream of their future husband. I dreamed of being free and living my own life, without having a haunted past.
So why did my body warm with a welcome feeling when he mentioned it?
I’ve thought a lot about Grayson over the last year. So much so I believe I’ve built another version of him in my head. It’s probably not healthy, but I couldn’t help myself.
We were a disaster waiting to happen.
Not to mention, I have my own demons as well.
And those I don’t like to share.
I shared pieces of my demons with him with the scars, which was a lot for me. Usually, I share nothing of myself with other people, that way, I don’t get hurt.
Managing to pull myself together enough to walk out, I find Grayson leaning against my car.
How did he know which car was mine?
Goddammit, he looks good.
He always does.
But under the moonlight, I almost want to forget about our past and run right up to him and kiss him so thoroughly that my panties fall off by themselves. I want to press my lips to his until all my fears fall to the pavement.
But I left for a reason.
And that reason is still valid.
I run—it’s what I do.
Just because he is God’s gift to women doesn’t mean I should stay.
“I thought you left,” I state, crossing my arms over my chest.
Grayson pushes off the car and cracks his neck from side to side. “No, that’s your job.” I flinch at his jab. “I stay, even when it gets hard.”
“I’m sure you do,” I reply.
Grayson stands there watching me, not saying a word until I start to fidget. Then, finally, he offers me a small smile as he steps away from my car and closer to me. “I want to tell you something,” he leans in and whispers.
“What?”
“You were by far, my favorite fuck.” His breath tickles my ear before he pulls away, and I watch as he climbs into his car and drives off.