Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
Piper
I rubbed my thumb over the head of Grayden’s cock again.
Oh, he had that bad-boy thing going, alright. Damn. More than I’d even known.
Through the layer of denim, I could feel something like metal. Judging from the deep groans that rumbled from Grayden’s chest, it felt really good when I touched him there.
His eyelids were heavy over dark-brown irises. The gold flecks caught the light from the fire, practically glowing.
I really couldn’t believe we’d done that. Especially after Grayden had stopped us last week. But it had been spontaneous and wicked and exactly what I’d needed.
After the day we’d had today, we both deserved some stress relief.
I’d felt shameless when I was riding him. Yet also more like me than I’d experienced in such a long time.
Not Mom or a business owner or an aggrieved ex-wife. Just a sexual being, enjoying the pleasure a man gave me and eager to give him pleasure in return.
And not just any man. Grayden.
Somehow our shared history had made it even better. The way we always opened up to each other so naturally, like being close to him was the easiest thing in the world.
I wished it could always be this easy.
I was still rubbing his cock through his jeans. He put his hand over mine, trapping my palm against the heat of his erection.
“Want me to show you?” he asked.
Then the shrill ringtone of my cell shattered the moment. Just like that, the bubble around us evaporated, and the real world rushed in.
“Shit, that’s the alarm I set for a quarter to seven.” I climbed off Grayden’s lap, zipping and buttoning my jeans. “I need to get Ollie. I’m sorry, I thought we had more time.”
“S’okay.” He picked up the tray from the table. “I’ll help you clean up before you go.”
I cringed. “But I’m leaving you, you know, unsatisfied.” I nodded at the thick ridge in his pants, though it was rapidly shrinking.
He smirked. “I’m extremely satisfied. Come on, let’s clean up after ourselves. Otherwise your employees might show up in the morning and think someone broke in.”
Right. No need for me to explain why I’d left two dirty plates, two glasses, and the loveseat by the fireplace twisted at an angle.
I’d gotten pretty enthusiastic.
Clean-up didn’t take long. Within a few minutes, Grayden had helped me put everything away and erase the evidence of our being here tonight. I made sure the fire was out, everything reset.
Last, I pinned the photo of me and Grace to the wall in my office.
As I shrugged on my coat and grabbed my purse, I turned to find Grayden zipping up his jacket.
My heart did a strange shimmy just from the sight of him.
His hair was even messier than usual, and the tension lines that typically creased the sides of his mouth were missing. Even though he hadn’t gotten an orgasm. I owed him one.
I wouldn’t mind giving him lots more orgasms than just one.
The occasional day pass for benefits. Would Grayden really be okay with that?
The minutes were counting down, but I couldn’t help stepping closer and kissing him again. Grayden’s large hands went to my arms, holding me gently as our lips met.
But it didn’t feel the same as before. That perfect, easy connection. We were both more relaxed than when we’d arrived at Silver Linings, but the hesitation in Grayden’s kiss said it all.
No matter what, things would never be simple or easy between us.
I pulled back. The question was there on the tip of my tongue. Come with me to get Ollie?
But I already knew he’d say no. It was the smart move. Grayden showing up with me would be a provocation to Danny.
I would never be a doormat where my ex was concerned, but why start another fight at the end of the day? Especially in front of our son.
“Want me to drive you to get your car?” Grayden asked. I’d left it parked closer to the police station.
“I’ll get it in the morning. The park is super close, and Ollie and I like walking. Benefit of living right off Main Street in the center of downtown.”
He smoothed my hair down, giving me one more kiss, but to my temple this time.
“Let me know when you’re home?” he asked.
“Sure. I will.”
I locked up on my way out, leaving no trace of our being here. It was possible someone had seen us arriving or leaving through the back alley behind the building. But after the day I’d had, it was hard to care.
On the street, Grayden headed toward his truck, while I jogged off toward the park.
I tried not to look back. Tried.
When I did, Grayden had turned around on the sidewalk, watching me go.
It was a short walk to the park. Traces of snow crunched under my boots as I marched between pine trees to reach the picnic area. A common meeting place for Danny and me when he used to live in Silver Ridge.
Of course, the jerk was exactly five minutes late. Not enough for me to complain, but a clear screw you.
Just trying to prove who was in control here. Danny did love his mind games.
“Mom!” Ollie shouted, waving.
Taking a deep breath to settle my nerves, I smiled. Ollie was the reason I put up with Danny.
Ollie was my reason for everything.
I would do whatever I had to, even somehow dealing with my ex, for my son’s sake.
“Look, Dad bought me a model car kit at the gift shop!” Ollie pulled a cardboard box from a shopping bag.
“Amazing, Ollie-bear. That’ll be a lot of fun.”
Danny hung back a few feet. “We had a great time, didn’t we, champ?”
Ollie nodded, admiring his model kit.
“Did you say thanks?” I asked.
“Yeah, thanks Dad!”
Instead of responding to our son, Danny eyed me. “How was the rest of your afternoon, Piper? Anything exciting?”
Anxiety rose in my throat.
Was that his usual asshole smirk, or did Danny know exactly what had happened earlier? The police showing up at Grayden’s place. The planted drugs.
Guess what, Danny? My afternoon was even more exciting than you could imagine. Had a cozy meal by the fireplace and then rode Grayden’s thigh all the way to paradise.
“I stayed busy,” I said.
Danny’s smirk got sharper. More vicious.
“How much longer are you staying in Silver Ridge?” I asked.
“Hoping I take off? What happened to begging me to take a more active role in Ollie’s life?”
I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. “I just need to know what to expect. That’s all.”
Our son was looking at the model kit, but I felt his attention on us. Those small ears were perked all the way up.
“I’m still deciding,” Danny said. “As I told Ollie over dinner, I’m thinking hard about moving back to Silver Ridge for good.”
The frozen grass was solid under my feet. Yet it felt like a pit had just opened beneath me.
“Oh? What about your dental practice? I thought you were just getting some momentum in the new location.”
“There are always new opportunities. Nothing’s ever permanent, Piper. You must’ve learned that by now.”
After Danny said goodnight, Ollie and I walked toward home. Ollie’s pace was slower than usual, and the plastic bag from the gift shop dangled listlessly from his hand.
I was still trying to get myself to relax again. So much for my brief stress relief with Grayden.
“You had fun?” I asked.
“Yep. My burger was good. I got the one with two patties.”
My lips curved into a smile. “How do you feel about your dad maybe moving back to Silver Ridge?”
Ollie was quiet for a few steps. “I dunno. He might not mean it.”
“In the past, he hasn’t been good at keeping his promises. But I know you’d like to see him more.”
I hoped the darkness hid the grimace I was making. I was a hypocrite. How many times had I asked Danny to be around more for Ollie? And now he might do just that, and it felt like a threat.
Things had changed, obviously. At best, Danny had put his hands on me. Frightened me. At worst, he’d tried to frame Grayden to send him back to prison.
But there was no way I could tell my kid any of that.
Our footsteps thudded quietly as we turned onto our street. “When we were having dinner,” Ollie said, “Dad asked about Grayden.”
“He did?”
“Dad doesn’t like him. I think he wanted me to agree with him.”
I glanced at Ollie’s profile. Waiting for what he’d say next, because I didn’t want to pressure him. Whatever my feelings about Grayden, Ollie had a right to his own.
With a sigh, Ollie finally said, “But I think Grayden’s okay. You like him, right?”
“I do.”
A swirl of emotions made me lightheaded. I liked Grayden so much. More than I probably should. Enough to confuse the heck out of me.
I didn’t just like Grayden. I admired him. Plenty of people wouldn’t have survived what he’d been through, yet he still approached the world with so much openness. Grayden had my friendship, regardless of what anyone thought.
And that included Silver Ridge PD and all the lawyers and judges in the world.
“At least Grayden’s back in Silver Ridge to fix stuff with his family,” Ollie said. “Even though Ashford won’t let Maisie know him yet, Grayden’s still here. He wants to try. When they give him a chance, he’ll be ready.”
“I bet so.”
We reached our porch steps. Ollie paused at the top, looking thoughtful.
“So I guess I’ll wait for Dad to do the same.
If he comes back to Silver Ridge and stays and starts doing what he promises, then I’ll be happy.
Because it’ll mean I can believe him for real this time.
But if he doesn’t, then I’ll know that too. ”
Tears pricked my eyes. I went to one knee, right there on the porch, and hugged him. “That’s very wise. I’m proud of you, okay? And I love you more than everything in the universe put together. Times infinity.”
“Okay, Mom,” he snickered. “Can you help me pack for the trip with Uncle Callum? I couldn’t find my Broncos sweatshirt.”
“Of course. Let’s get everything packed tonight so we won’t be scrambling in the morning.”
“I thought you liked doing things at the last minute. So you can run around and get your exercise.”
I winked at him. “But I also like being unpredictable. Just to keep everyone guessing. Come on. Race you to the laundry room, because I bet your sweatshirt’s in there.”
It wasn’t right that Ollie had to learn such hard lessons at a young age. The same kinds of lessons I’d had to learn.
Sometimes parents weren’t reliable. Sometimes we trusted the wrong people, and we had to figure out how to put our broken hearts back together, but stronger this time.
And no matter how hard we tried, too often history repeated itself anyway. Exactly what I was afraid of.
Was it possible for things to be different? I wanted to believe that for Ollie. Wanted him to have a bright, happy future with so much love in his life.
But as for me… I was still too scared to hope for the same.