Chapter 49
Gray looking down at where his hand was clasped in hers. "It was never about Vanessa. Never. I just... I didn't know how to handle what I was feelin'. I thought ya were pullin' away, that ya didn't want me anymore. I let all that insecurity twist me up inside, an' instead of talkin' to ya, I tried to force a reaction out of ya."
He looked up then, his stormy eyes meeting hers. "I'll regret that for the rest of me life."
Cadi stared at him, her throat tight.
Gray had always been a man of action more than words, and now, seeing him like this—laid bare, ashamed but willing to own his mistakes—it hit differently.
Her voice was quieter when she finally spoke. "I was never pulling away, Gray."
Gray's expression twisted. "I know that now."
Cadi sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. "I was scared. Scared of how much I relied on you, how much I needed you. And then when you—when you changed, I felt so bloody helpless. Like the floor had just gone out from under me."
Gray cupped her face with both hands, his large palms warm against her cheeks, his expression tender. "Ye'll never be helpless again, Cadi."
She searched his face, wanting to believe it. That made Cadi melt a little bit even though she didn't want to. "You didn't just hurt me, Gray. You hurt Tomos."
Gray closed his eyes briefly, his shoulders sagging slightly, withdrawing his hands. "Aye."
Cadi swallowed. "He saw you fall apart. He saw you turn cold. And now, even if he's forgiven you, it's changed him. He asks questions he never used to ask. He hesitates in ways he never did before. And I can't help but think... what happens next time?"
Gray opened his eyes, his gaze filled with something raw and unguarded. "There won't be a next time."
Cadi arched a sceptical brow. "How do you know?"
Gray exhaled sharply. "Because Tomos has acted with more maturity than me through all of this. And ye're right, I've been slow to learn. But Cadi, once I've learned somethin'—it's set in stone."
His voice was quiet, but certain.
She held his gaze for a long moment before nodding.
He pulled her onto his lap, her legs straddling him, his hands settling firmly on her hips.
She could feel him—hard, warm, wanting—but they both ignored it.
Instead, he simply rocked her gently, his hands sliding slowly up her sides, his touch as light as a butterfly.
"I can wait for you to give me that trust again," he murmured, his dove-grey eyes locked on hers.. "And I won't ever hurt Tomos."
Cadi swallowed, pressing her forehead against his. "I know."
Gray exhaled, relief washing over him. "We had a chat after the match yesterday. I asked him if he had any questions about when I behaved badly."
Cadi tilted her head. "And?"
"He said he was okay if I didn't do it again." Cadi watched his Adam's apple move as he swallowed, voice was thick with emotion. "And I won't. I apologised."
Cadi sat quietly, processing his words.
She held his gaze for a long moment before nodding.
The tight knot inside Gray loosened, relief curling in his chest.
Gray let out a breath, then smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "So, does this mean I'm off probation, or do I need to sign a contract first? Maybe somethin' in blood?"
Cadi shot him a flat look, though the corners of her lips twitched. "You're impossible."
Gray grinned, that familiar glint creeping back into his expression as he pulled her onto his lap. "Aye, but I'm your impossible."
He rocked her gently, his hands sliding slowly up her sides, grounding them both, the friction sent a warm pulse through her, hitting just the right spot.
Cadi bit her lip, willing herself to focus. Baby steps.
Gray muttered, his voice low and full of heat, his hands flexing against her hips. "If I could, I'd have me hand surgically attached to this."
Cadi raised an eyebrow. "This?"
His gaze darkened, his fingers cupping her bottom firmly. "I mean, this arse."
Cadi let out a breathless laugh, shaking her head. "You are easily distracted, Gray with an A."
Gray grinned, completely unrepentant. "Nah, I just have very clear priorities."
She wanted nothing more than to drag him to bed, to close the final space between them, but—baby steps.
She pulled back slightly, meeting his eyes. "I think you can officially move back into the bedroom."
Gray's grip on her hips tightened slightly. "Aye?"
She mimicked saucily "Aye."
Then, suddenly, he paused, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Byron was actin' weird today."
Cadi blinked. "How so?"
"Dodgy. Like he was avoidin' somethin'. And ya know Byron never avoids anything."
Cadi tilted her head thoughtfully. "Funny. Ana was also unusually... bloodthirsty when talking about Byron."
They both stared at each other, eyebrows raising at the same time, an unspoken question passing between them.
Gray grinned. "Let's have 'em for dinner."
Cadi smirked. "Oh, absolutely."
Gray chuckled. "Watch the fireworks."
Cadi laughed, shaking her head. "Or the bomb go off."
And this—this was what she missed the most.
The feeling that they were on the same page. That he got things she didn't have to verbalise.
Gray tightened his grip on her hips, pulling her in for a kiss. His fingers flexed, inching her closer, and he leaned in, tilting his head .
But before he could close the distance, Cadi placed a single finger against his lips.
"Baby steps, Gray."
His groan was immediate, frustrated, and thoroughly tortured.
She laughed, pressing a swift peck to his lips before climbing off his lap.
Gray let his head fall back against the couch, watching her retreat with a mix of frustration and pure suffering.
"Why are ye torturin' me?" he asked, voice low and playful.
Cadi glanced back, smiling her siren's smile. "Because I can."
Gray groaned again, covering his face. "I swear, ye're actually enjoyin' this."
Cadi grinned, winking as she walked away. "Oh, absolutely."