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)
“That’s a big offer. But I have a life here.”
He starts driving again and goes through a drive-thru. After ordering for both of us, the lady stares at his shirtless torso as she passes him the food. He drives off and, without even looking at me, whispers, “No need to give her a death stare.”
“I wasn’t.” I huff, looking away as he places the food on my lap and then drives back to my place. When we get there, he stays in the car.
“Are you coming in?”
“You asked me to leave,” he points out.
“Yeah, well… My head’s a fucking mess. Come and eat with me.”
Grayson gets out, then takes the food from me and carries it inside. We sit on the couch, and he hands me my burger.
“I want to say thank you.”
“For?” he asks.
“For doing what you did. It took a bit, but I feel…” I smile, my eyes stinging with unshed tears I don’t want to fall, “free. I’ve never felt free before. It always felt like no matter what it did, he would find me. Now I know it’ll never happen. Because he doesn’t breathe any longer, and that’s thanks to you.”
He goes to speak, but I hold up my hand.
“Why did you do that?” I tentatively ask as I search his face.
“Because I hate what he did to you.”
“But you have killed people before.”
“And?”
“And what? What does it matter what he did?”
“Because he did it to you, and I love you…” His words make him pause.
My heart stutters as his eyes find mine, and he looks away, reaching for his burger.
Like he didn’t just drop a bomb in front of me.
As if it’s a normal thing to do.
“You love me?” I ask, barely getting the words out. “How can you love me, Grayson?”
“Don’t ask me the how. I just know it’s true. It’s as easy as that,” he says.
“As easy as that?” I whisper.
“Yes, as easy as that,” he repeats.
“Did you give the bus back, or do you still own it?” I ask, changing the subject.
He smirks. “Yes, I gave the bus back.”
“Good, that was weird.”
“I’d do it again.” He winks.
“Of course you would.” I roll my eyes. “Did you care for her at all?”
“No. I knew the reason I was with her was entirely for her father. I never once saw her as more than a means to an end.” He bites into his burger, and I watch as his lips wrap around it.
What would it be like to kiss him again?
It’s been so long since those lips touched mine.
Since those hands have roamed my body.
“Have you been with anyone since me?” he asks.
I look down at my burger. “I tried,” I tell him, hating the truth. “But when he asked me to go back to his place after our date, well, let’s just say I went home instead.”
“Did you kiss him?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me where he lives.” He growls, rising from the couch, and I laugh while shaking my head.
“Sit back down.” I tug at his hand.
Grayson does as told and picks up his burger. “I may very well find him,” he mumbles before taking another bite.
“You know, most women don’t like that macho shit. So knock it off.”
“It’s not macho shit. It’s simply me stating the facts. Another man thought he could kiss you. That isn’t allowed.”
“Oh, it isn’t allowed? You know, you thinking that you can tell me what is and what isn’t allowed won’t work in this relationship.” I smile at him.
Grayson’s phone starts ringing, and he pulls it out of his pocket. When he sees who it is, he puts it on the table, ignoring it. He lets it ring out, but it starts back up again. I reach for it, and he makes no move to stop me. When I see Monica’s name flash on the screen, I answer.
“Grayson, how could you not answer? I’m stuck here,” she cries.
“Monica,” I say into the phone.
Grayson sits back and watches me, crossing his legs and smirking as he wipes his lips.
“Huh? Who’s this? You’re not Grayson. Shit, do I have the wrong number?” It goes silent before her voice comes through again. “Hold up… I know that voice.”
“You do.” I smile.
“Avani. Oh, gosh, thank God you answered. Getting the boss to answer is impossible. Tell him I’m going to quit if he doesn’t come back soon.”
I laugh before I say, “I’ll tell him.”
Grayson reaches for the phone and takes it from me. “I’m going to be coming back tomorrow…with Avani.” I gape at him and start shaking my head rapidly. “She’s excited to see you,” he adds, then hangs up.
I sit there, locking and unlocking my jaw as I glare at him.
“Why would you do that?” I get up with a huff and stand directly in front of him.
He looks up at me and scoots forward so his knees are on either side of me. If he lifted his hands and wrapped them around my legs, I would fall onto him.