Chapter 3
Chapter Three
STELLA
E veryone seems to know him in this place. From the hostess to the waitstaff, Gray is the freaking center of attention.
It’s actually really fascinating.
“Do you own this place?” I ask him after we’re seated and he’s managed to wave or say hello to just about everyone. It’s kind of cute.
“No.”
“Come here often, then?”
He doesn’t even have to look at the menu. He sips his water and watches me over the rim of the tall, clear glass.
“What tipped you off?”
I smirk and set the menu aside, and then laugh outright when yet another waitress waves at Gray from across the packed room.
“Okay, I need to know what the story is here. Do you moonlight as a pizza delivery guy?”
“No,” he says again and laughs with me this time. Gray leans his elbows on the table and smiles at me. “I might come in here about once a week or so. Sometimes more if I work late nights and don’t have time to cook or go to Betty’s for dinner.”
I raise a brow. “Who’s Betty?”
“My neighbor,” he says as our waiter approaches to take our order. “I’ll have my usual.”
“What’s that?” I ask him.
“Large pepperoni on the thick crust.”
“I’ll have that, too,” I inform the waiter.
Gray’s eyebrows wing up in a ridiculously sexy way.
“We could probably just add some garlic bread and salad and split one pizza,” he suggests.
“Okay, I’m good with that,” I say with a nod, and the waiter leaves to put in our order. “So, tell me about Betty.”
“Maybe she’s the femme fatale that lives next to me, and I sleep with her whenever it’s convenient for both of us.”
I watch him as I sip the beer the server just delivered. Gray’s sticking with water, and given that he’s driving, that’s a point in his favor.
“If she’s a femme fatale, I definitely want to know more.”
But I don’t want to think about him sleeping with someone else. I know it sounds stupid given I barely know him—and I certainly haven’t slept with him—but… no.
Gray just chuckles and shakes his head, making his blond hair fall over his forehead.
I instinctively reach over and brush back a lock. Before I can pull away, Gray grips my wrist, and with his intense blue eyes on mine, kisses the palm of my hand.
And, just like that, all my lady bits are on fire.
“If you’re fucking your neighbor, you’re going to want to stop doing that.” My voice sounds way firmer than I feel, which is a relief.
When Gray’s eyes narrow, and his grip doesn’t ease, I simply lift an eyebrow.
He kisses my knuckles and then sets my hand on the table just as our salads arrive.
“Betty is my neighbor,” he begins, his voice light as if that little exchange didn’t happen. “She’s about seventy and one of my best friends. She’s raising her grandson, Willie, and I help him with his homework a couple of times a week.”
I blink rapidly. This is not what I expected to hear.
“What happened to Willie’s parents?”
“From what I gather, the father was never in the picture. And the mom?” He shrugs and pops a cherry tomato into his mouth. “Unreliable. In and out of jail. Not a good role model for a kid.”
“Well, I’m glad he has his grandma, then.”
“Yeah, Betty’s great. I got her along with the condo, and I think it was a pretty good deal.”
This man is full of surprises. In the suit and tie with the cold look on his face, he seemed so… formal today in his office.
But this man is laid-back, quick to smile, and so freaking attractive I can’t look away from him. And it’s not just the way he looks in that sexy Henley and jeans. It’s his whole demeanor. His wit. That crooked smile.
And he helps a teenager with his homework.
Why is that so damn hot? I’m going to have to ask Liv about this over martinis.
“So, you live with your cousin?” he asks.
“Three of them,” I confirm. “Haley just moved in because Olivia moved out of our house and into her fiancé’s place. Which I, of course, understand. But, damn, I miss her. Liv and I are best friends. Our moms have been best friends forever, and we’re related in a weird, convoluted way that would require graphs and a PowerPoint presentation.”
Gray’s mouth twitches. “Maybe a spreadsheet?”
“Spreadsheets should definitely be involved when it comes to my family. Let’s just say I have about a dozen aunts and uncles and more cousins than that. Most of us are in the Seattle area, so we’re very close. Liv’s parents own the house I live in, and it’s kind of been a sanctuary for our family over the years. If someone needs a place to flop or hide, or somewhere to gather themselves before moving on to the next, that’s the house they use. And now that all the cousins are growing up, we’re using it.”
I take a sip and then keep going.
“You met Haley. She’s Olivia’s younger sister. Drew and Erin also live there. And my uncles just bought the house next door. They’re going to do some renovations and open the fence that separates the two properties. Then there will be space for even more cousins.”
“A compound,” Gray says in surprise.
“Sort of, yeah. All the dads are always hyperaware of the security situation. It comes with being in a family with celebrities. I think having most of us in one place is comforting to them.”
“I get that,” Gray replies. “And I think it’s an excellent idea. The PowerPoint demonstration is also a good idea because I’m already a little lost.”
“I haven’t even scratched the surface,” I say with a laugh and then ogle the huge pizza the server sets in front of us.
It’s not just a large. It should be labeled gargantuan.
“So, where’s your pizza?” I ask Gray with a grin.
“You think you can eat this whole thing?” he asks.
“Oh, I know I can. But I’ll be a lady and share.”
I take a slice and dust a nice, thick layer of parmesan on top before biting in and wiping my mouth with a napkin.
“Damn, that’s good,” I say as I chew.
“There’s a reason I come here as often as I do,” he reminds me. “So, your family is the size of Texas.”
“Mm, I’d say about the size of Colorado.” I laugh and snag another slice. “Now, tell me more about your family.”
“Not as big as yours,” he says and sips his water. “More about the size of…Connecticut. My parents are still married, retired, and live in the same house that I grew up in, right on Lake Coeur d'Alene.”
“I bet they’re happy they bought it when they did,” I say as I twist a long string of cheese around my finger and then pop it into my mouth. “Real estate has gone bonkers over there.”
“It was definitely a very sound investment,” he agrees. “I have two younger siblings, both sisters. Both a pain in my ass.”
I smirk, and Gray just nods solemnly.
“Do you have any siblings?”
“No, I’m an only child. But, like I said, I have a million cousins that I grew up with.”
“It’s not the same,” Gray says firmly. “They didn’t live with you. They didn’t borrow all your shit or taunt you mercilessly.”
I laugh and reach for a third slice of pizza. “True. There is torment, but I was always able to go home and escape them. But you love your sisters. I can tell.”
“Not true.”
Still, his lips twitch, and I laugh out loud.
“Do you have cousins?”
“A few, but they’re scattered all over the place. It’s mostly just the five of us.” He drops his crust onto his plate and reaches for another slice. I stare at him in horror. “What?”
“That’s the best part. You don’t just cast the crust aside.”
He lifts his plate and offers it to me. “You can have it.”
I snatch it up, dip it in my ranch, and then take a bite.
“You aren’t shy about eating,” Gray observes.
“Nope.” I take another bite. “If you’re looking for someone who only orders salad and eats delicately, I’m not your girl.”
“That’s definitely not what I’m after,” he says. “For such a little thing, you can pack the food away. Where do you put it?”
“I still have room in my left leg,” I inform him and watch as his face splits into a big grin. “You’re an attorney. Answer a question for me.”
“Okay.”
“Isn’t there some kind of law or rule or statute that says a man shouldn’t be as insanely handsome as you are?”
His eyebrows wing up in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“I don’t believe there are any laws out there regarding attractiveness.”
“Huh.” I push my plate away, finally completely full. “I think there should be. Or, at the very least, there should be a warning label or something.”
Gray laughs again, and the sound tickles my skin.
“I don’t see any tattoos,” Gray says, suddenly changing the subject.
“Excuse me?”
“This afternoon, you made a point of saying that you’re attracted to tattoos. But I don’t see any on you.”
“Maybe they’re hidden.”
He narrows his eyes.
“Okay, I don’t have any. I used to want some, but my tastes have changed, and then I just got busy and forgot about it. But I like them on other people. A lot. When I was a kid, I loved to sit on my dad’s lap and trace the ink on his arm. He has a sleeve.”
“So, you like tats because of your dad ?”
“Maybe. But don’t worry, I don’t have daddy issues or anything. My dad’s the best. He’s strict and serious a lot of the time, and some people think he’s scary, but he’s the best.”
“And your mom?”
I smile as I think about my mother. “All of us cousins refer to our moms as the old ladies . But, honestly, they’re all so freaking gorgeous. And funny. My mom is a force, too. Smart as hell. And my dad worships the ground she walks on. Sometimes, it’s a little disgusting.”
We box our leftovers, and Gray pays the bill. Before long, we’re back in his car.
“Holy shit,” I say when I check the time. “Gray, we were in there for three hours.”
“We had a lot to say,” he replies as he pulls out of the parking lot and points the car toward my house. It’s dark out, and it feels like he and I are the only two people in the world as we drive through west Seattle toward my house.
When he pulls into the driveway behind Drew’s Jeep, I sigh.
“Okay, so…I don’t want this to sound wrong.”
“Tell me.” We’re both staring straight ahead. Not touching. Barely breathing.
“I’m not ready to go home.”
“Oh, we’re not.” He turns to me and grins. “Can I interest you in a walk?”
I take in that face illuminated by the reflection of the headlights and smile. “That would be nice.”
“Excellent.”
He surprises me when he grabs the bag full of our leftovers and takes my hand as we set off toward the Alki waterfront to walk down the sidewalk that spans about four miles. Because it’s dark, we can’t really make out the dark water, but several ships are lit up, making their way back and forth between the islands in the Sound.
For the next few hours, we walk and talk and laugh.
He holds my hand.
And when we sit on a bench and share the leftover pizza, we’re quiet and just take in the beauty around us.
“Why is it that I feel like I’ve always known you?” I ask as I brush off my fingers. “I know that might sound stupid?—”
“It doesn’t,” he says immediately and takes my hand as the sky begins to lighten above us. “I’d say it’s recognition.”
“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.”
“And didn’t end up doing the nasty?”
I laugh and shake my head at him. “Nope. No sex. I’m pretty sure I’d sleep with him on the second date, though.”
“I hope so. I want to hear all the delicious details.” Danny checks his watch. “Before I skip out of here, how’s the big job going?”
“The one with Florence Paddington?” I ask as I log into my laptop. Danny nods. “I don’t actually speak with Florence much. I speak with her assistant. But the renovations are almost done, and I think it’s beautiful.”
“Well, everyone was clamoring for that job, and I’m still jealous that you got it. Oops, I have a client in five. See you later, beautiful.”
“Have a good day.”
Before I can open my email, there’s a knock on my door, and I look up to find a huge bouquet filling the doorway.
“Uh, hello?”
My assistant, Liz, pokes her head around the blooms and grins. “Delivery.”
“It isn’t even nine in the morning.”
“Someone’s on their toes,” she says as she sets the vase on the corner of my desk. Her pretty brown eyes are full of curiosity. “Read the card.”
“I will, after you leave.”
Her expression falls, and she sticks out her lower lip. “Killjoy.”
When Liz closes my door once more, I pull the card from its holder and sigh.
Best pizza I’ve ever had. XO
Holy shit, I’m a goner if this is the norm when it comes to Gray Sterling.