6. Chapter 6
Kaitlyn
Dana and I are Christmas shopping today and getting ready for the bachelorette party tonight. We are at the mall in Elizabethtown and slowly checking people off our list. I got Grayson and my dad something, and even though I won't see them, until after Christmas, I got stuff for Lexi and Noah, too.
While I was shopping, I purchased presents for the other nurses at Oakside, and a little something for my patients. We’re with them for so long, that they become friends by the time they leave.
"Okay, so who else do we need to shop for besides each other?" Dana asks.
"Oh, I got your gift in Georgia and brought it with me. Same for Alex."
Alex is her fiancé, and we went to school together and all hung out in the same crowd, though Dana and Alex didn't start dating, until a few years ago. It was honestly more of a surprise that they waited so long to date.
"Okay, then I think that's everyone." She says, and I breathe out a big sigh.
"Uh, oh. What is it?"
"Should I get something for Linda, Helen, and Zion?"
"No! No. No. No. Call Grayson, I bet he says the same thing. Besides, you know they won't get you anything. They never did, when you were living there."
"True."
"If you still want to buy gifts, then let’s get a few more for Grayson. Maybe, that sexy Santa outfit."
I smile. I really liked that outfit. "Let's do it."
Alex insisted Dana have a full out traditional bachelorette party, so that means club hopping in Louisville.
Grayson wanted to make sure we were safe, so he arranged a limo to pick us all up and drop us all off, along with two security guys to watch over us.
"I love your boyfriend!" Dana yells over the music in the back of the limo, as we enter downtown Louisville.
We all are already a drink ahead thanks to the minibar in the limo. Our first stop is a bar with good food, so we can load up on all the food that’s bad for us, but it will soak up the massive amounts of alcohol we plan to consume.
The rest of the girls start giggling, too.
"I can't believe you bagged Grayson. Every single girl here has been trying to for years," Gia says.
"I heard he's been hung up on a girl for years, and that's why he never dated," Amber says.
"Are you that girl?" Jules asks.
"I don't know. Maybe. We did have a thing, before I left," I say.
I went to school with these girls, but I haven't stayed as close to them as Dana has, so I don't really want to get into it, and thankfully, I'm saved from that, when we pull up to our first stop.
We all pile out and take over a large corner booth and order all the food. An hour later, we’re full of food and on our way to our first club for the night. We’ve also got a few more drinks under our belt.
"This club is supposed to be the hottest one in Louisville right now," Dana says.
"That explains the line," Amber says.
"Oh, I got this!" Gia says. "It pays to be in PR."
She steps up to the bouncer. Talking to him, she points to us, and they both look over. Then, he nods, and Gia is waving us over.
"Just like that?" I ask.
"Just like that!" Gia says, as he checks IDs and stamps our hands.
"Wow!" Everyone says, as we walk in. The ceiling is simulated to look like the night sky and strung with a canopy of twinkle lights. The bar runs along one side, a dance floor in the middle, and seating on the other side.
Above the seating area, is the VIP seating, and each area looks like a cabana and overlooks the dance floor. Everything is outlined in white lights, and the music is booming.
"I'm feeling this place already!" Dana says, as we head to the bar to get our drinks.
"Bachelorette party? I feel like I should buy you girls a drink." A blonde guy, who looks like a surfer, slides up next to us.
"Hey there, handsome. We'd like that." Amber says, gliding up next to him.
We get our drinks, and Amber heads off to dance with the surfer.
"We are hitting the dance floor. Come find us!" Gia says, taking Jules’s hand and leaving Dana and me.
Now that we have a minute to ourselves, Dana asks, "So, has everything been quiet, since our shopping trip?"
"Yeah, they’re leaving me alone. Come on, let’s get out there and dance!"
We easily find Gia and Jules with Amber. The other girls have already found guys to dance with, and Dana and I start dancing together, when I feel a guy come up behind me, placing his hands on my hips to dance with me.
Turning, I’m about to tell him off, but find Grayson, staring back at me with a possessive look. No words are said, and I just turn around and start dancing, while pressing myself into him.
There’s no mistaking how hard he is, and he keeps pulling me closer to him, like there’s an extra space between us.
When Dana sees who I'm dancing with, she winks, and I'm not surprised, when a moment later, Alex steps up behind Dana to dance with her.
"I knew your men wouldn't last long!" Jules shouts at us, and we laugh.
I turn in Grayson’s arms, and his bright, green eyes are intense.
"How much have you had to drink, Starshine?" He has to yell at me in order to be heard.
"Enough to be tingly, but not enough to make bad choices."
I feel his chuckle more than hear it. "Let me take you home."
When I look over at the girls, he says, "Look, I've got my two guys here with them, and the limo is theirs for the night."
Then, I look at Dana, who has a huge smile on her face and mouths the word 'go' to me, before I even have to ask a question.
Looking back at Gray, I nod. Looks like Gray even has a driver tonight.
The last thing I remember is making out in the backseat of his car on the way home.
Grayson
Since sunrise an hour ago, I've been awake just watching Kaitlyn sleep next to me. When I brought her home last night and laid her in my bed, it's like something clicked. This is where she’s supposed to be.
Nothing more than kissing happened, since she had a lot to drink.
Six drinks according to my guys, who were watching them.
I check my phone and see the report that everyone made it home safe.
I know Kaitlyn wanted them all to have fun, but still be safe.
If it's important to her, then it will be important to me.
One more look at my girl, and I carefully get up and head to the kitchen to make her breakfast. My guess is her head is going to be hurting her, and the sooner I can get some food and medicine in her the better.
I decide on omelets, bacon, and biscuits. I cheat and use biscuits from a can, but my chef left some of his homemade jam. One of the perks I indulge in is a chef that comes in twice a week and prepares food for me to heat up.
Even though I can cook, because my momma made sure of it, but between the company and my job on base, and now Kaitlyn, my extra time is few and far between, and I'd rather eat healthy than grabbing fast food every night.
I put both our food and coffee on a tray, along with some water and aspirin for her, and then head back to my room. She’s still sleeping, and I hate to wake her up, but I want to eat with her, before I have to go to work.
The girls wanted to do the bachelorette party on a Thursday night to avoid the crowds, but I know they’ll all pay for it today. Hopefully, the other girls got today off work.
I set the tray down and run my hand through her hair.
"Starshine, time to get up."
She starts to stir and opens her eyes, only to close them again.
I chuckle. "Come on, I made you breakfast."
That gets her attention, and she drags herself to sit up against the headboard. I place the tray on her lap and sit down next to her, taking my plate.
"You made this?" She asks.
"Yes, I know how to cook. Drink the water and take the pills."
She does as I ask, and then takes a few bites of her biscuit.
"I really like having you here and in my bed," I tell her.
"It's really comfortable, especially with my human pillow."
My cock twitches at the reminder of her curled up against me all last night. I can still feel her soft skin on mine.
"Would you consider coming to stay here with me the rest of the time you’re in town? I know you have wedding stuff and plans with your dad, but if you’re here, I can see more of you without getting in the way of your other plans." I try to appeal to her sensible side.
She hesitates, so I sweeten the deal. Well, for her, but it's not what I want.
"If you feel more comfortable, you can stay in a guest bedroom. I have a personal chef that comes in twice a week, who will cook you anything you want. Also, my cleaning lady will take care of all your stuff and anything you might need."
"Whoa, slow down. You don't have to bribe me. Of course, I want to spend more time with you, but the guest room is a deal breaker, though."
Relief floods me at that, because I know I wouldn't be able to sleep with her in the room right next door. If I'm honest, I'd probably sleep in the chair in the corner of the room just to be near her.
"Good, because I liked you in my arms last night," I say.
"It's just that I've already paid for the cabin."
"I’ll reimburse you, and you can keep the reservation and go back any time you want, if this doesn't work out."
"Gray, throwing money at me isn't going to get you your way. I’m going to keep my reservation for that reason, but you aren't reimbursing me for it."
"So, is that a yes?"
"Yes."
I lean in and kiss her, because there are no words to describe how happy she just made me.
"What are your plans for today?" I ask her, when I pull back.
"I guess, I need to go talk to my stepsister and get this over with, so my dad will leave it be. I want to get done with it, so it's not hanging over me, and I can enjoy the rest of my time here."
"You don't have to, you know. But if she’s changed and is ready to talk, it might be good to clear the air."
"As much as I don't want to do this, that's what I keep thinking. Though, I don't think she has, but my dad insists she has."
We finish up dinner, and I take her plate.
"Bathroom is in there, but before you go, I was wondering if you would help me decorate my tree? It's set up and the lights are on. I know the last time it didn't end well, but it’s my favorite part of the holiday."
"I’ll be right down."
"Take a right at the bottom of the stairs and follow the Christmas music."
After I take care of the dishes, I get started on the tree.
We have a good time decorating, and I show off the ornaments my family has collected over the years.
"I didn't decorate the first Christmas after they died. Every Christmas since, I have the staff do it, because I couldn't bear to dig out each ornament. But with you here, I want to show them off to you. Thank you for doing this."
"Oh, Grayson." She says and reaches up to kiss my cheek.
Everything is easier with her around. The hard part is trying to convince her to stay.