Chapter 10 #3
“Fuck.” Pressing his cheek to her thigh, he clutched her hips as his muscles jerked and come spilled over his clenched fist. His body went slack as he gasped, and he shut his eyes. It was probably the most intense orgasm of his life, and they hadn’t even had sex.
“Greyson?” Her voice sounded raspy and unsure.
“Yeah.”
“Did you just...”
Embarrassed by his own actions, he shoved his cock back into his pants and wiped his hands on his jeans. “Needed to.” He pressed a kiss to her thigh, stood, and stilled.
She was a fucking vision, lying on his bed half naked and spent. It took everything in him not to go back to the bed and fuck her raw. He wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to hold off with her lying there like a partially wrapped present. “You should get dressed.”
She slowly sat up, face flushed, breasts rosy, and hair falling out of her once tidy braid. She was a fucking goddess.
A crease formed between her brows. “Can we talk about what just happened?”
He braced his arms on the dresser, keeping his back toward her but watching her in the reflection as she awkwardly adjusted her shirt. “What’s there to talk about?” Dropping his gaze, his hands curled into fists. Those fingers had been inside of her. Inside of Wren.
“Can you look at me?”
He could barely look at himself. Lifting his head, he met her stare in the mirror. This wasn’t the Wren he’d watched clumsily stumble through the third grade or the gawky girl he used to play manhunt with in the woods. This Wren was dangerous. And he could still taste her.
“Are you mad at me?”
“No.” He could feel his control slipping.
“I’m fine with what just happened, Grey.”
“Good.” Chances were, now that they’d crossed that line, it would happen again. No matter what he fucking wanted.
Apparently, he’d lost all willpower where she was concerned.
“It would be easier if you faced me.”
He turned, leaning his hip against the dresser and crossing his arms over his chest.
“You’re acting weird.”
“I’m acting like myself.”
“You won’t even look at me.”
He met her stare. Couldn’t she figure out why this was difficult? He’d just come and was ready to bust another nut from simply looking at her. Only, next time, it wouldn’t be in his hand. “Do you have questions?”
She blushed and dropped her gaze. “N-no. But... I can’t act like you didn’t just...”
“Eat your pussy.”
She flinched. “Do you have to be so crude?”
“It’s not crude. It’s what I did. It’s what made you come. Again and again. You said you wanted to talk about it. How can we talk about it if you can’t even hear the words?”
“You’re purposely trying to shock me.”
Maybe he was. He wasn’t thinking clearly at the moment.
Despite blowing his load in the shower and again in his hand, all he wanted to do was wrap that braid around his fist, and fuck her hard. Every part of her. Her pussy. Her mouth. Her virgin asshole. Jesus. “You should probably go.”
Her stare jumped to his and she blinked rapidly, pink glistening in the whites of her eyes. “What?” Her jaw quivered.
He died a thousand deaths under that sad stare. But that was for the best. This was the most he could offer. “I can’t give you…” How the fuck did he make this clear without crushing her. “I tried to warn you, Wren.”
She looked ready to throw something at him. “You know, you can really be a complete bastard sometimes.” She slid off the bed, her steps unsteady.
“I know.” He warned her. But she didn’t listen.
She dressed quickly and it took everything in him not to go to her. “Where’s the kitten?”
“He’s in the spare room.”
“Have you checked on him lately?”
“He’s handled.”
She looked over her shoulder, skepticism narrowing her eyes. “I’ll check on him before I go.” Shoving her feet into her little boots, she left the room.
He exhaled hard and rubbed his chest. The ache returned. Drawing in a few deep breaths, he looked up at the rafters and counted silently to ten, then went after her.
Wren sat on the floor of the spare room, cross-legged, holding Rat against her face as she scratched his little head and made kissy sounds in his ear. “When did he last eat?”
Did she think he neglected his duties? “Little over an hour ago. He’s not due to eat again until ten.”
“You can’t just leave him in here, Greyson—“
“First of all, he only stayed in here so I could shower. He’s been with me all day.”
The little rodent fit perfectly in his pocket, and no one seemed to mind when he brought him into town this afternoon to run a few errands.
She gave him a doubtful look. “He needs companionship, especially at this age.”
“Rat’s fine. I don’t need a lecture.”
“Ugh, please stop calling him that. His name is Tinsel.” She kissed his head and set him back on the blankets Greyson had laid out. “You should probably put a space heater in here so he doesn’t get cold.”
He scooped Rat up and cradled him in his arm. There was no reason for a heater. The cat was alone for no more than a few minutes—tonight was an exception, but he hadn’t been expecting company. The damn thing even slept with him.
“I know what he needs.”
She met his stare with silence.
Why was this so hard? He didn’t want her to hate him, but he hated how out of control she made him feel. This was a dangerous game they played and she was lucky he only fucked his hand today.
She stood and brushed off her clothes. “I’m writing you another check. Cash it this time.”
“We’ll see.”
“Damn it, Grey—” He shut her up with a kiss, all the tension in her body instantly softening.
Holding his lips to hers, he growled, “Enough about the fucking checks, Wren.”
She pushed him away. “It’s compensation for your work—“ Her phone rang, cutting off her words. She rummaged inside her tote bag, but didn’t give up. “You’re making a big deal out of a totally normal practice.”
“You gonna get your phone?”
“I’m trying,” she snapped. The ringing stopped just as she withdrew the phone. She glanced at the screen and frowned.
“Who called?”
“No one.”
“You’re not gonna tell me?”
She scowled at him. “It’s none of your business.”
“Why so secretive?”
“Why so nosy?”
The phone started ringing again, and she silenced it. She tried to drop it back into her bag, but Greyson snatched it out of her hand and held it above her head.
“Greyson!”
“No more talk about checks.”
“Give me my phone.”
“Say you’ll drop the issue with the checks and I’ll give you the phone.”
“This is so stupid.”
“Agree to drop it.”
“Fine,” she snapped. “I’ll drop it for now, but next time you work for me, I’m paying you in cash.”
He’d see about that. He lowered his arm and stilled—grip tightening around the phone as the screen showed two missed calls from his brother. It lit up again, vibrating with another call. “Why is Soren calling you?”
She yanked her phone out of his hand and sent the call to voicemail. “People call me all the time.”
Not Soren. If they wanted to talk to Wren, it was a general habit that they just stopped by. Which reminded him... “How did the date go?”
She pursed her lips. “Really?”
He shrugged. “Why not?” They could talk about this. It probably seemed good that they did. Keep things real. “Did you have fun?”
“We’re not doing this.”
She put on her coat. Her phone vibrated in her bag. “Sounds like Soren left you a few voicemails.”
She ignored him and buttoned a jacket he didn’t recognize. What happened to the flannel he gave her?
“Are you going to check your messages?”
“Later.”
More vibrating. What could his brother possibly have to talk to her about that required another phone call?
Sorry it didn’t work out. Let’s still be friends.
She’d gone out with Logan, too, but for some reason, that didn’t bother him as much as the idea of her on a date with Soren.
“You’re playing all the angles, aren’t you?”
She stilled, her hand an inch from the door. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shrugged. “It’s not a bad position. Pick the right brother, and you’re set. It’s not the life of a fisherman’s wife everyone imagines, that’s for sure. I’m not sure Soren even remembers how to cast a line, but you two will find other hobbies.”
When she turned, her eyes glistened again. “Why are you acting like this?”
“Like what?” He leaned casually against the wall, stroking Rat’s head. The cat climbed onto his shoulder. “I’m always supportive of your business endeavors.”
“Fuck you, Greyson.” The words tripped out on a laugh but there was no humor in her eyes.
“Why fuck me?”
“Stop implying I’m some sort of gold digger.”
“Are you saying you would’ve agreed to go out with Soren under normal conditions?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.”
His body stiffened, but he played it off.
“Your brother and I actually had a nice time on our date.” She hesitated the way she sometimes did whenever she stretched the truth.
“We barely talked about your father or the fishery or his money.” She lifted her chin, petulant and pissed.
“For your information, we have plenty of other stuff in common.”
“Good.”
“It is good. And I’m going out with him again this weekend.”
His jaw locked and nostrils flared, but he still refused to admit that he was bothered by the thought of her and Soren. “Great,” he said through clenched teeth.
Her hands balled into fists at her side. “Maybe he’s the right kind of guy for me. Unlike some people, Soren’s not afraid to talk about his intentions or feelings.”
“Good for him.”
She vibrated with tension, but she gave it right back. “Not just good for him. It’s good for me. As a matter of fact, it’s sexy and refreshing.”
He didn’t want to play this game anymore. “Then you better call him back.”
Now, only anger glittered in her eyes. “You’re a child.”
“That’s me.”
She shook her head and walked out the door, but not before muttering, “Grow up, Greyson.” The door slammed behind her and he growled.
Fucking Soren.