Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
GRAYSON
I helped Sofia into my hotel room, the door clicking shut behind us. The dimmed lights cast a warm glow across the space, softening the edges of everything—including the tension between us. She paused just inside the doorway, her eyes scanning the room. Like she was having second thoughts now that it was getting real.
God, she was beautiful tonight in her dazzling purple bridesmaid dress, her hair curled and soft makeup applied. It'd been a mission to not kiss her while on the dance floor, to not show her how I felt, how I no longer wanted to fight this pull inside.
We'd slipped out without being noticed, especially since a more upbeat song had started and more people had started dancing.
It had been the perfect cover.
"I'm still not sure if this is a good idea, Gray." Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty, but her body language told another story. My arm was around her waist, and she hadn't pulled away. If anything, she was leaning into me even more.
"If you don't want this, we can stop. Right now. No questions asked." I let my hand fall from her waist, not wanting to pressure her despite how badly I wanted her. Yes, we'd both had drinks, but we could hold our liquor.
If she didn't want this, then I'd leave her alone. Even if the rejection hurt.
Sofia took a deep breath, then turned to me fully, her body close. Her fingers traced a deliberate path up my chest, making my skin burn beneath my shirt. Without breaking eye contact, she began unbuttoning it, and I shrugged my tux jacket off.
"As long as we stick to no strings, then it's fine." Her voice was soft, but a smile teased at her lips.
My heart hammered against my ribs. I'd been drawn to Sofia since the moment she came into Meredith's life—this fierce, independent woman who'd walked away from her family's legacy to forge her own path. But I'd kept my distance, knowing she wanted nothing to do with men connected to our world.
But I'd wanted her, every time I'd run into her around Meredith, every time she'd quipped back at me or laughed alongside my sister. She made me want things I knew I shouldn't.
"No strings," I agreed, though the words felt hollow. I knew I'd want more, it was a given, but if a taste was all I could get, then I'd seize it.
Her fingers worked the last button free as my blood burned, and I shrugged off my shirt, letting it fall to the floor. When her hands returned to my chest, skin against skin, I couldn't hold back anymore. I cupped her face and kissed her—I'd hoped to be gentle, but as soon as she'd submitted, allowing me to deepen it, the fire had erupted. Our kiss became hungry and wild, all the pent up desire and longing breaking free as we moved toward the bed in a chaotic mess of discarded clothing and ravenous hands. Every touch, every press of lips on skin, it only fueled the desperation hunger. Sofia was fire and softness, strength and vulnerability all at once. A woman who was born into blood and yet saved lives as a choice.
Her dress puddled on the floor, revealing black lace underneath that made my breath catch. I had to yank back, taking the moment to appreciate her true beauty in the dim lighting.
"Fuck," I murmured, taking in the sight of her. The contrast of dark lace against her olive skin, the rise and fall of her chest as her breathing quickened—it was almost too much.
I let my gaze explore as she stood before me, her curls now messy and her lipstick smeared. She was a sight to behold, one that had my cock straining against the thin material of my briefs.
Utterly divine.
She was a woman who'd dug her nails into my heart unknowingly, and now she was embedded there.
I claimed her mouth once more, continuing to guide us to the bed, only her panties and my briefs keeping us apart.
The back of her legs hit the mattress, and she pulled me down with her, her fingers tangled in my hair. The weight of my body pressed against hers, and I caught the soft gasp that escaped her lips with my own, swallowing it up.
"You're beautiful," I said as I broke the kiss, trailing kisses down the column of her throat. The scent of her perfume—something floral with undertones of vanilla—filled my senses.
Sofia's hands explored my back, her nails digging slightly into my skin. "Less talking," she breathed, arching into me.
I smiled against her skin, then reached around to unhook her bra expertly. I tossed it aside as she chuckled beneath me.
"Someone's done that a few times," she teased, but I swallowed up any other words with a kiss that drew a moan from deep within us both.
I broke away, trailing down her chest to kiss each nipple, giving them both a soft suckle and loving how her breath hitched.
I dipped my hand between her legs, her legs quivering as I hooked my finger under the lace to test her excitement.
"Fuck, Sof, some would think you want me badly," I groaned, my dick throbbing almost painfully.
"Maybe I do, Gray." My name on her lips, so breathless and wanting, was unravelling.
I worked her panties off, the need to feel her almost overwhelming.
Sofia's eyes darkened as she watched my reaction, my desperation to remove the flimsy material. A smirk spread across her lips once they were off, and she sat up before I could cover her body with my own once more.
She reached for my briefs, her movements deliberate and unhurried. "Your turn." Her confidence was intoxicating. "Now get off the bed, Gray."
Every time she said my name, my dick twinged in response.
I let her take control, moving to stand by the edge of the bed while she rolled onto her stomach and shifted before me. She curled her fingers into the waistband of my briefs, and I had to close my eyes for a moment to maintain control. My breath caught as her fingers grazed my length, and then she slid my briefs down with agonizing slowness. As soon as my cock sprung free, I could've sworn she sucked in a breath.
When I opened my eyes, Sofia was looking up at me with a mixture of desire, her lip pulled between her teeth.
That simple expression was my undoing.
"Fuck, Sof."
I was on the bed instantly, having yanked my briefs the rest of the way off, and now my body was covering hers, her warmth spreading through me.
"Damn, Gray, what's got you so?—"
I cut her off, claiming her mouth desperately, my hands exploring with a hunger I'd never felt before.
I couldn't get enough of her now, her skin against mine, her scent, the way her breath caught or the way she moaned against my lips.
Her hand snaked between us, grazing over my dick, and I shuddered, groaning against her.
"Not yet," I said, my voice rough as I pulled her hand up and pinned it above her head. "My turn first."
Those eyes glittered with delight as she smirked up at me.
"Are you going to have your way with me, Gray?" Her voice was sultry and teasing, and my dick ached at the look in her eye.
There she went again, using my name and making my body burn.
"Tonight, you're mine, Sofia, now be a good girl." I dipped my head, grazing my teeth over her neck, enjoying how she sucked in a breath and arched into me.
I pulled away, noting her frustration and confusion.
"Relax, I'm not going anywhere," I said as I slid off the bed and went straight for my discarded belt on the floor.
Those dark eyes watched curiously as I returned, a soft furrow marring her forehead.
I bound her hands over her head, tightening the belt but making sure it wasn't painful.
"That's much better, princess," I cooed, and she snorted.
"Princess? I'm far from a princess, Gray." She squirmed as I straddled her, and the sight only made my dick ache more.
"Oh, trust me, I know." I couldn't help it as I reached down to grip my dick, giving it a slow pump as her eyes followed the movement.
"Do you want this, Sof?" I smirked, slowly pumping it again. She watched the motion before her gaze met mine.
"I'm not the kind of girl to beg, you should know that." She arched one perfect brow. "Besides, I know how badly you want this, to feel me, to be balls deep inside." She bit her lip, turning her head to the side with a foxy look that had my hand clenching around my cock.
Damn her.
"Don't you want me, Gray?" She smirked, still biting her lip. She knew exactly what she was doing, how she was testing my restraint. How my mere name on her lips had me worked up.
"Trust me, princess, I'll be having you. Once I've got you begging."
Her gaze was challenging, and I let go of my dick as I moved to cover her body with my own.
"I. Don't. Beg," she reiterated, punctuating each word firmly as our faces were mere inches apart.
"We'll see about that." I was not about to turn down such a challenge. Did the idea of having Sofia on her knees—begging me to fuck her—have my cock wanting to explode? Maybe.
And I'd find a way to get her there.
I kissed her, chuckling as her teeth grazed my lip, a mix of playful yet dangerous. A reminder of who she truly was beneath it all, where she'd come from, the blood she pretended didn't run in her veins.
I broke away, sliding down her body. Her breath hitched when I kissed her hardened left nipple, my tongue tracing patterns that made her squirm beneath me.
She gasped, her bound hands coming down to tangle in my hair.
I pulled them away, pinning them back over her head.
"Don't make me punish you, princess."
"Don't threaten me with a good time," she shot back, and my balls tightened as she stared up at me with those devilishly wicked eyes.
Since when had any woman held such power over me?
I glanced to the bedside table and grabbed the first thing I could—my phone charging cord.
I looped it through the belt around her wrists, moving us both diagonally on the bed before tying it around the solid wooden headboard post.
"Wow, you get your rocks off like this, huh?" Sofia's voice came out breathless, and I grinned down at her.
"Oh, this is only the beginning, sweetheart."
I worked my way down her body, kissing the inside of her thigh while holding her gaze.
She bit her lip, fighting the moan that I knew wanted to escape.
What a wicked little thing she was. Everything I'd envisioned and even more. The scent of her arousal made my head spin as I nuzzled her thigh, inching closer to her core as I spread her legs. When I finally tasted her, her back arched off the bed, a soft cry escaping her lips finally.
Good.
She could try to fight it, to deny how her body reacted, but she would break.
I'd make sure of it. Because right now, Sofia Savoca was mine, and I intended to show her what that meant.
I took my time, learning what made her breath catch, what made her moan. She was so wet already, her body squirming as I circled my tongue over her clit and gave it a few soft, slow sucks. And when I finally inserted a finger, followed by another, her thighs were a trembling mess against my shoulders. She was straining against her restraints, which were holding surprisingly well to my satisfaction.
"Gray, don't you just want to fuck me already?" she gasped as I found that sweet spot on the inside of her front wall, loving how her words hitched so she was almost whining.
"Oh no, princess, not yet," I said against her clit, glancing up at her, at those dark eyes gazing down at me between those soft mounds, the nipples pebbled. So full of wanting, of need. Her lips were parted slightly as I brought her closer to the edge, still holding my gaze.
So fucking beautiful and perfect.
"Gray…" She gritted her teeth, and I chuckled, knowing she was fighting it. She didn't want to give me the satisfaction, but she couldn't help it.
And my name on her lips, that was music to my ears.
"Fuck!" Her body tensed and shuddered, her walls tightening and massaging my fingers as she climaxed.
So much for making her beg.
I couldn't help it, I'd wanted to see if I could make her finish. There was always time for another round.
Before she could fully recover, I moved back up her body, reaching for my wallet on the nightstand and extracting a condom. Safety first, always.
Sofia watched through half-lidded eyes as I rolled it on, then I ducked down to steal a kiss.
"See? No begging," she said with a satisfied smile, those dimples appearing with the expression that I'd always adored.
"That was just our appetizer, princess," I said as I cupped her face, dragging my thumb over her lower lip. "I'm far from done with you."
The glitter of excitement in her eyes made my cock twinge again.
I dove down between her legs once more, this time maintaining restraint as I teased her.
When she was a writhing, moaning mess, I slowed, pulling away from her clit and only lightly stroking her inside.
"Don't stop," she panted, arching beneath me.
"What is it you want, princess?" I asked wickedly before dragging my tongue over her clit. The way she trembled and sucked in a breath had me leaking. Once I did bury myself in her, I'd be lucky to last.
"You're a dick," she hissed, tugging against the belt and cord.
"True, but I'm your dick right now." I nuzzled her again, flicking my tongue over her clit. "What do you want, Sofia?" I made sure to enunciate her name, flicking my finger inside her with each syllable, making her groan in frustration.
"Just fuck me, Gray, you want it just as bad," she muttered as she closed her eyes.
"Beg me for it, princess."
"Fuck you."
"Eventually, you can, sweetheart." I chuckled and gave her clit another suckle, making her legs shake, before pulling away to rest my chin on her thigh and gaze up at her. Her eyes were still squeezed shut.
So strong-willed. I couldn't help but love it.
"Are you that stubborn that you'll forgo a night of bliss?" I continued to stroke her walls inside, making sure not to get her too riled up. I didn't want her finishing again, not yet.
"You are the biggest pain, Grayson," she all but whined as she arched.
"I know, now beg me, princess. And I'll let you finish, I promise," I vowed as I kissed her thigh once more.
"I hate you," she growled, finally opening her eyes to give me a dark but heated look.
"I know, sweetheart. But you want this, don't you?" I stroked her inside with purposeful, deep movements.
"Fuck, fine." She huffed, wiggling in an attempt to deepen my movements before glaring at me. "Please?"
"Please what?" I countered, loving how her nose scrunched up in annoyance.
"Please fuck me before I kick you."
I laughed as I pictured her trying to do exactly that, but it was enough as I gave her clit one final suckle before moving into position.
"No strings, right?" she suddenly said, as if reminding herself as much as me. Like we hadn't just been doing some sinful things.
Well, I had been, she'd just been receiving.
I positioned myself at her entrance, looking into her eyes. "No strings," I said, though something in my chest tightened at the words.
“Good, then please, fuck me, Grayson.”
That was I needed. I pushed into her and we both groaned at the sensation. I stilled, giving her time to adjust, fighting against the urge to move.
"Move, Gray. Please."
I started slow, establishing a rhythm that soon had us both panting. Sofia met each thrust, her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me deeper. The headboard knocked against the wall, but I barely registered the sound over the blood rushing in my ears.
Sofia's eyes never left mine, creating an intimacy that went beyond the physical. It was unsettling how connected I felt to her in that moment—how right it felt to be with her like this.
Her second orgasm built quickly. I watched her face as she approached the edge, memorizing every detail—the flush that spread across her chest, the way her lips parted, the small crease between her brows as she concentrated on the pleasure building inside her.
And then, as promised, I made sure to give her the extra sensations to have her climaxing once more. I reached down between us, teasing her clit with my fingers, wishing I'd brought a vibrator to really unravel her more.
Not that it was necessary apparently.
She came quick and hard, cursing as she clenched around me. Hearing her and seeing the bliss on her face undid me.
"Fuck, Sof." I followed, burying my face in her neck as release washed over me in powerful waves.
We lay tangled together afterward, catching our breath. Sofia's fingers traced invisible patterns on my chest, her head resting on my shoulder.
We were quiet as we savored the moment, unwilling to break the sweet sensation that had settled over us.
The rightness of it.
Eventually though, she shifted, propping herself up on one elbow to look at me. Her hair fell in tousled waves around her face, and I reached up to tuck a strand behind her ear.
"That was..." she began, then paused, searching for the right word.
"Yeah," I agreed.
A small smile played at the corners of her mouth. "I should probably go back to my room."
I tightened my arm around her waist instinctively, the idea not sitting right with me. "Stay."
Sofia's expression softened, then grew guarded again.
"Gray..."
"There's no rush. No strings. Let's have the night." I kept my voice level, not wanting to let on how it was more than that. That I didn't want her to leave, and not just from a sexual point of having more fun.
Sofia hesitated, then rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Fine. We've earned it I think. But I'm tired now, I may fall asleep."
"That's fine."
Sofia settled against me, her body fitting perfectly against mine. Her breathing gradually slowed and deepened as she drifted off to sleep, as if this was an entirely normal moment for us.
Maybe it was the alcohol or the bliss that had taken it out of her, but it was perfect.
I stared at the ceiling, holding her close as my mind swirled. No strings attached. That had been our agreement. So why did it already feel like I was tangled in something more, something I didn't want to leave behind tomorrow?
I tightened my arm around her, allowing myself to imagine, just for a moment, what it would be like to have this every night.
Dangerous thinking. Sofia didn't want any part of this world anymore. A world she believed she'd left behind.
Truthfully, I believed she still had one foot in the door, especially lately.
But being with me? That'd be stepping right back in.
Sofia stirred slightly, her hand coming to rest over my heart. I covered it with my own, feeling the smallness of her fingers beneath mine. The protective instinct that surged through me was unexpected.
I closed my eyes, willing sleep to come. Tomorrow, we'd go back to our separate lives.
No strings attached.
Even in the darkness, I couldn't convince myself that it was the right thing. Not with how this felt.
It wasn't what I truly wanted.