5. Grayson
Chapter 5
Grayson
There was an instant attraction the moment I saw Carlee at the club tonight; I was immediately drawn in by her beauty. Her face was perfectly made up, only enhancing all her delicate features. Her long blonde locks are now flowing free, and I’m surprised by the length of her hair. She’s virtually void of makeup, allowing her natural beauty to shine through, and I like what I see. I like it a lot. I get the impression she has no idea how appealing she truly is.
Crossing my arms in front of me, I lean forward in my seat, resting my elbows on the table so I can study her more closely. I’m currently counting the cute smattering of tiny freckles on the bridge of her nose. It looks like someone sprinkled her angelic face with a dusting of gold. I probably look like a creeper the way I’m staring, but I can’t seem to take my eyes off her. There’s a purity surrounding her… she’s so dang sweet, and looks dangerously wholesome without all that gunk on her face.
Thirteen.
I finish my calculations on her nose and move on to study the rest of her lovely face. Her long dark lashes frame her hazel eyes… eyes that sparkle under the lighting, and from here I can see the specks of gold and green that surround her irises. She’s incandescent, glowing from the inside out. Like sunshine, warming something inside me like no woman has before. It’s an unfamiliar feeling, but I can guarantee I’m not the first man to be enchanted by her beauty.
“So, any other boyfriends I need to worry about?” I ask because I’m curious to see if I have any competition.
“Hey, I’m the one who’s supposed to be doing the grilling here, mister,” she says, making me laugh. “And the answer is no. I don’t do boyfriends… I’m a no-strings kind of girl.”
Interesting.
“So, you’re saying you don’t do relationships… ever?”
“I’m not opposed to them; I’m just not interested in anything long-term.” For some reason, her answer rubs me the wrong way, but I try not to let it show. She may not be into commitments, but if this night goes the way I’m planning it to, she’ll need to reevaluate that. We’re only ten minutes into our date, but I already know I want to see her again. “I take it you’re not seeing anyone either?” she asks.
“No, but I’m working on it,” I reply as the corner of my mouth tugs up. “I recently met this incredibly beautiful, sassy woman.”
“Nice,” she says nonchalantly.
“The best part is, she claims to have no gag reflex.”
Carlee tries to fight her grin as her cheeks pinken. “Wow, she sounds like a keeper.”
“She’s every man’s fantasy. A walking, talking wet dream,” I say.
The server approaches our table, interrupting our conversation, just as things were starting to get interesting. “ Are you ready to order?” he asks, drinking Carlee in.
It pisses me off. She’s oblivious to the attention she’s attracting. I get it, I do. She’s hard not to look at, but I still want to punch the guy.
I rein in my anger as I reach for the menu. I’ve been so preoccupied with the woman sitting opposite me, I haven’t even thought about food. The only thing I want to eat in this moment is her.
“I’ll get a large pepperoni pizza with thin crust, a serving of devil wings with ranch dressing on the side, and some cheesy garlic bread,” Carlee says without missing a beat.
That’s an awful lot of food for one person. “Are you ordering for both of us?” I ask, lowering the menu in my hands as I eye her curiously.
“I wasn’t planning on sharing,” she deadpans, “but I guess I will if I have to.”
I bark out a laugh. I love a woman that can eat, especially since she just ordered a shit load of carbs. But I’m curious how someone so petite can pack away that much food.
“Make it two servings of chicken wings, and we can share the pizza.”
“Fine,” Carlee mumbles, blowing out a puff of air. Christ, she’s amusing. There’s no way she can eat all that by herself.
“Anything to drink? The server’s damn eyeballs are still glued on her.
“A chocolate shake, thanks,” Carlee answers, looking up at him with a sweet smile. I grit my teeth when I see the dick’s face light up.
My attention moves back to her as I arch a brow.
“You?” the server grumbles, and again I want to punch him. “Just a coke.” I don’t bother to make eye contact or use my manners, because he’s being a rude fucker.
“So,” I say once we’re alone again. “What do you do for work?”
“I manage a bar, and do some volunteering in my spare time. You?”
“I’m a property developer.”
“Nice.”
“What kind of volunteer work do you do?”
“Self-defense classes at a local women’s shelter,” she says with a shrug like it’s no big deal. “And occasionally, when I have some spare time, I help out at the soup kitchen. I like to give back where I can.”
“Why is that?”
She stares down at the table briefly before finally bringing her eyes back to me. “My life started out pretty rough, but I’m blessed with what I have now. Not all people can say the same.”
I wasn’t expecting so much honesty from her, but the more she talks, the more I want to learn. I’m finding her fascinating, and so different from the other women I’ve dated in the past. They’re so self-centered, spoilt, privileged, and entitled. The polar opposite of Carlee. I have no idea what her childhood was like, but I’ve lived through hard times myself. It makes me feel connected to her in some way.
“These self-defense classes, do you teach them?”
“Yes.”
“Your ninja skills?” I rest my elbows on the table again, giving her my full attention.
“Something like that,” she says, grinning.
“These skills you talk of, is it something you’ve learned or were you just born kick-ass? ”
We both have a small laugh at that.
“I used to live in an apartment above a gym.”
“So, you took ninja classes there?”
“Yes, Reece the guy who owned the gym was also my custodian.”
“Oh.” I sit back in my chair letting her words settle in.
Who is this Reece guy? What happened to her parents? Before I get a chance to formulate a response, she elaborates.
“My mom kicked me out when I was thirteen, and Reece took me in.”
Jesus.
What kind of mother kicks their daughter out when they’re so young? She was just a kid. Reaching across the table, I take her hand in mine as I search for the right words to formulate a response. “I’m so sorry,” I eventually say, inwardly cringing at my lame effort.
“Don’t be.” She shrugs. “It turned out to be a blessing.”
Tightening my grip, a million questions flicker through my mind. She gives me a tense smile before removing her hand from my grasp. There’s a brief pause as her eyes look everywhere but me. She’s obviously uncomfortable with this topic of conversation, so I’m left feeling like an asshole.
I rack my brain for something to say that’ll break the tension. “I’m a little disappointed in you,” I state, leaning forward in my seat.
Her eyes snap back to mine. “Why?” I bite back my smile when she scowls. She’s a fierce little thing.
“I seem to be the one asking all the questions?” I cock an eyebrow as I tap my fingers on the table. “Your grilling skills are severely lacking, Miss Just-Carlee.”
The corners of her lips lift slightly. “You’re right.” The tension uncoils from her body as she rests her elbows on the table, mirroring my stance. “I’ve been letting you off easy.”
“I hope you’re going to rectify that.”
Her smile grows. “Most definitely, pretty boy.”
“Do your worst, beautiful.”
Making good on her promise, she grilled me throughout the entire meal, asking about my family, work, where I grew up, and things of that nature. I, however, kept my questions light. I’m enjoying our time together, and the last thing I want to do is upset her again.
When I texted her earlier, I was hoping we’d meet up, have some hot sex, and call it a night. I’d been slightly disappointed when she suggested we go for a meal first, but on the other hand, I liked that she was making me work for it. I’m used to easy. I hadn’t anticipated any of this. My attraction to her is irrefutable. The longer I’m here, the more the allure grows. She’s fun, down to earth and so easy to be around… like a breath of fresh air.
“Are you going to eat that?” Carlee asks, eyeing the last piece of pizza.
She’s got to be kidding me; she couldn’t possibly be thinking of eating it herself. Does she have hollow legs?
“Have at it.” I lean back in my chair rubbing my hand over my stomach. “I’m stuffed.”
“Pfft.” She shakes her head as she reaches for it, placing it on the plate in front of her. “You, Mr. Edwards, are a disgrace to all the pizza-eating, beer-guzzling men in this country.”
I throw back my head and bark out a laugh. “Is that so?”
“Yes. You should hand over your man card this instant.”
I smile when she holds out her small, delicate hand and wiggles her fingers. “Not happening, sweetheart, I’m abundantly manly.”
“Uh-huh,” she says with a smug grin like she doesn’t believe me. I have a good mind to bend her sweet ass over this table and prove it.
The server picks that exact moment to approach us again, his leering eyes still focused on her. I’m not the jealous type, but this guy has been grating on my nerves all night.
“Are you finished with these?” he asks, gesturing to the empty plates.
“Yes.”
“Can I get you guys anything else? Some dessert maybe?”
I’m about to say no, now get lost , but Carlee gets in first. “Dessert sounds good.”
“You have room in that teeny body for dessert after everything you just ate?”
Carlee gives me an accusing eye. “Sure. I mean, someone did eat half of my pizza.” She’s so damn cute.
“Where in the hell do you put it all?”
She pokes her tongue out instead of answering, making me chuckle. Brat.
“I’ll have the tiramisu, thanks.” Her voice is sugary sweet as she turns her attention back to me. “You should try it. It’s so, so good. ”
The douchebag looks at me and raises an eyebrow. “Just bring two spoons, we’ll share.”
Sitting back in my seat I eagerly await her response, and she doesn’t disappoint. “Like hell, we will. You need to work on your wooing skills, Edwards.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes!” Moving her attention back to the douche, she says, “Bring us two servings, please.”
She entertains me to no end.
“Mmm,” she moans, dragging the fork between her pillowy, fire-engine-red lips, and my cock hardens behind the zipper of my jeans, to the point, it’s becoming painful.
It’s not just the sexy noises, but the way she licks that damn utensil with each bite is driving me to the point of insanity. Her little show is like food porn at its best. I move my hand under the table to adjust the chub in my pants. My need to fuck her has gone from pure desire to a deep-seated yearning.
I open and close my fist a few times, trying to get my body under control. I’m finding it hard to contain myself. This woman is turning me inside out, and my dick is envious of that piece of cutlery that keeps sliding between her lips. He wants a turn.
“You should try yours, it’s seriously good,” she says as her eyes move to the untouched dessert that is sitting in front of me, but I’m too engrossed watching her eat.
“I’d rather be eating something else,” I say, leaning forward in my chair and lifting a brow, suggestively. I’m so turned on by the thought; that it almost comes out as a growl.
Her eyes widen slightly before a seductive smile curves at her lips. She knows exactly what she’s doing the little minx.
“What, like more pizza?” she asks, innocently. “Eating half of mine wasn’t enough for you?”
“You and I both know I’m not talking about pizza, Carlee.”
She scoops some more tiramisu onto her fork before running it down the length of her tongue, and I groan. I’m tethering on the edge, and mere seconds away from dragging her into the restrooms and bending her over the sink.
“Oh really? What are you in the mood for then?”
“Are you almost done? I think it’s time we left.”
She gasps. “I’m still eating. Rude much.”
Shaking my head, I can’t help but laugh. This woman is too much.
We sit there in a silent standoff as she continues to eat at a leisurely pace like she doesn’t have a care in the world. My fingers drum impatiently in a steady rhythm against the table. I feel like I’m trapped in some kind of erotic torture.
I sigh with relief when she finally eats the last piece. I place my palms flat on the table, ready to stand.
“I’m not done yet,” she says, reaching for my plate.
“You’re done,” I snap, intercepting it before she does.
She pouts her pretty mouth. “You’re no fun.”
“I disagree. Let’s get out of here and I’ll show you just how much fun I can be.” I signal the server, handing him my uneaten dessert. “Box this up and bring us the check… make it snappy.”