Chapter Six Grayson
CHAPTER SIX: GRAYSON
F or the second time tonight, Vivian’s luscious curves pressed against me as we swayed to the music. Unlike earlier with the canned music, this time it was Bennett’s baritone voice filling the air. Although he always had a voice as smooth as whiskey, it always sounded better when I had a beautiful girl in my arms under the twinkling lights.
In tonight’s case, it was a beautiful woman.
In just a few short hours, Vivian had managed to keep me on my toes and knock me on my ass. When she had stormed out of here earlier, I thought Theo and I were thoroughly fucked. But deep down I knew it was about more than just our hockey superstition.
I really liked Vivian.
And not just in wanting me and Theo to tag team her in multiple positions.
I liked her in a romantic way.
Even though it sounded like a fucking cliche, I hadn’t met another woman or girl like her before. She was the quirkiest person I’d ever met. I mean, she told me about the process behind knitting sweaters for her cats. Do you know how fucking rare it is to get that level of honesty in a relationship, least of all on a first date? There were skeletons in my closet that no woman had ever gotten a peek at or ever would.
But I had the feeling that if things continued with Vivian, she’d blow the doors right off that closet. And that fact scared the hell out of me.
At the same time, my heart had stopped and restarted when she’d showed back up to our booth. Right then and there, I knew I wouldn’t do anything to risk fucking things up with her. I was going to be on my A-game when it came to Vivian.
As her fingers absently played with the ends of my hair, a shudder rippled through me. I don’t know what it was, but a woman’s fingers in my hair got me up and running. I loved nothing better than to have their nails scour my scalp or tug the strands when I was going down on them. But there was also something to be said for softer moments like this.
As she glanced over my shoulder at our booth, Vivian asked, “Doesn’t Theo dance?”
“Nah, he’s too serious.”
A laugh tumbled from her rosy red lips. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not. For all the times we’ve been coming to hear B sing, Theo’s never danced with a girl.”
“What happens when a woman asks him?”
For a moment, I hesitated. I had the feeling–no, I knew –Vivian wasn’t going to like hearing what I was about to say. And in turn, it would make her angry with Theo.
“Spit it out, Grayson.”
“Fine. He tells them they can dance on his cock instead.”
As her eyes widened, she sputtered in outrage. “That’s such a sexist, egotistical, jackass thing to say.”
I snorted. “Please tell him that.”
“I will,” she huffed before staring daggers at Theo.
When he shot me a wtf look, I said, “Come on now. You know he wouldn’t say that to you.”
“Why not?”
“Because he respects you too much.”
“He should be that way with all women.”
“I’d have to say that most of the girls he comes in contact with don’t mind.”
Vivian wrinkled her nose. “Let me guess: puck bunnies?”
I laughed at her summation. “Pretty much. Although Theo is the kind of guy women always throw themselves at. It’s the whole elusive vibe he throws out.”
“Oh please. Like they don’t throw themselves at you too.”
“They do. But not as much.”
“Seriously? You’re just as handsome and sexy as he is.”
My eyes rolled back in exaggerated bliss. “You don’t know how much I love a woman to stroke my ego.”
“I’m serious, Grayson.”
“Fine. When it comes down to it, I’m a cinnamon roll.”
Vivian’s brows furrowed. “Excuse me?”
“You know, the ultimate good guy who is sweet, supportive, and kind.”
“I thought that was a Golden Retriever.”
“It is.”
She grinned. “Oh my God, I see it. You’re a total cinnamon roll.”
“It’s a curse really,” I teased.
Appearing contemplative, Vivian asked, “If you’re a cinnamon roll, what dessert is Theo?”
With a snort, I replied, “There’s not a dessert equivalent for him. He’s what they call the alpha asshole. You know, the strong, dominant, sometimes grumpy, cold guy.”
Vivian slowly nodded. “You’re right. That is Theo.”
“Deep down, he is a good guy. He’s been the best friend, roomie, and fellow teammate I could ever ask for.”
She grinned. “Now that was a total Golden Retriever guy comment.”
“Guilty. I’m loyal to a fault.”
“Don’t ever sell yourself short on that one. The world needs more Golden Retrievers than Dobermans.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“Now that I think about it, Theo not dancing makes perfect sense,” Vivian remarked.
“And how is that?”
“You can tell a lot about a man in the bedroom by the way they dance.”
“Let me guess: if he has rhythm on the dance floor, he will in the bedroom?”
She nodded. “But it’s not just about rhythm.” Tapping my chest above my heart, she said, “You are a giving, gentle dance partner. You keep checking in with me to see if I want to continue dancing or go back and sit down. You don’t manhandle me or try to cop a feel. The way you handle me in your arms is reverent.”
“My mother taught me how to dance,” I blurted.
Oh, Jesus, I’d just cracked that closet a little for her. If we spent any more time on the dance floor, I was truly going to embarrass myself.
Of course, my brief flash of vulnerability lit Vivian’s face up. “She did?”
With a nod, I replied, “Since we had a dance floor at our restaurant, she insisted we learn how. A lot of times on Friday or Saturday evenings, she would make us go dance with lonely old ladies.”
Fucking hell. Why couldn’t I have just given her a simple yes or no answer? Vivian was wasting her skills as a university librarian and should’ve been working on interrogating criminals. Just one look into her emerald eyes, and they would be spilling their guts.
The smile that curved on her lips caused my heart to do an uncharacteristic flutter. “Grayson, you are a stand-up guy.”
It wasn’t the first time I’d been called that, but coming from Vivian, it meant a hell of a lot. “Thanks, Viv.”
“Yep, you’re a stand-up guy who I know from dancing that you’ll show me patience, along with pleasure, in bed.”
“Damn straight,” I mused.
As the song came to an end, we clapped for Bennett. “Ready to take a little break?”
Vivian nodded. “Yes, I’m parched.”
She gripped my hand tight as I led her back to the table. Once again, I sandwiched her between us. To enable the three of us to talk, Vivian leaned back against the cushions of the booth while Theo and I sat forward.
“Did you enjoy your dance?” Theo asked nonchalantly.
“I did.” After taking a long gulp of her drink, Vivian turned to Theo. “I’d ask you to dance, but I hear you like to reply with sexist comments.”
Theo’s brows creased. “Excuse me?”
Lowering her voice to mimic Theo’s, she said, “You can dance on my dick.”
While Theo shot me a look, I groaned. “Did you have to bring that up, Viv?”
She gave me a sickeningly sweet smile. “I did.”
Before I could say anything, she turned her wrath back to Theo. “If you expect me to do any type of dancing on your aforementioned dick, you’ll make sure not only to treat me with respect but any other woman you come in contact with.”
“You just had to run your mouth, didn’t you?” Theo grumbled.
I held my hands up in defense. “What was I supposed to say when she asked?”
Theo rolled his eyes. “Maybe I just said no.”
“You know I suck at keeping secrets.”
“Apparently,” he replied drily before turning to Vivian. “You have my apologies.”
With a nod of her head, Vivian replied, “Good.”
Theo’s lips quirked at her. Just like me, I knew he was completely floored by Vivian.
To change the subject, I said, “So, we’ve had dinner and dancing. I would consider this more like two dates than one.”
Vivian grinned. “I see where you’re going with this.”
Glancing past us, I cocked my brows at Theo. “What about you, T? Would you consider this a date?”
“I sure as hell would,” he replied with a grin.
“Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
“While I hate to be the party pooper, this is still our first date, and I very clearly said I wouldn't be sleeping with the two of you on the first date.”
“Come on, Viv. Live a little,” I urged.
“Once again, I see what you’re doing,” she replied.
“Vivian’s right, Gray. We need another date.”
I stared past Vivian at Theo. “Seriously, T?”
With a nod, he replied, “But I think we can all agree that the next date should include sex.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Vivian glanced between the two of us before nodding. “It works for me as well.”
“How about tomorrow night?” I suggested.
She laughed. “You’re not wasting any time, are you?”
I grinned. “Just say the words and I will take you right now in this booth.”
Vivian’s eyes widened. “H-Here? In front of everyone?”
Dropping my hand on her thigh, I replied, “I wouldn’t have to claim you with my cock. My fingers could do the taking.”
Vivian’s shocked gaze dropped down to her thigh. Just when I thought she might be game for a little third-base action, she removed my hand. “Not until our date and certainly not in front of people.”
“Maybe we can work you up to a little exhibitionism,” Theo suggested.
After swallowing hard, Vivian replied, “I seriously doubt that.”
But I could see something flickering in her eyes. A curiosity that said otherwise. And man, was it sexy.
“So tomorrow night?” I repeated.
“Okay then. Tomorrow night.” Tilting her head at me, Vivian asked, “Where do you plan on taking me?”
“To multiple orgasm town,” I replied.
Theo groaned. “Seriously, Gray.”
With a laugh, Vivian replied, “I look forward to it.”
And so did I.