Chapter 24
Wren
When I wake up, there is a sliver of light around the edges of the drapes. It’s still really early, the sun is still rising.
I don’t move. I barely breathe.
Grim is in my bed, and the last thing I want to do is wake him. I’m slightly horrified that I begged him to stay with me last night. Actually, horrified is putting it mildly. In the light of a new dawn, I’m completely mortified.
I shouldn’t have done it.
Having said that, I was afraid. That nightmare unnerved me in ways I can’t fully explain. Everything that happened yesterday is still so raw.
I decide to cut myself some slack. I was sleepy and terrified. Anyone would have done the same thing.
After lying on my side for what feels like forever, staring at the wall, I carefully turn onto my back. Slowly, I look over at Grim’s side of the bed.
He isn’t there.
My heart sinks.
He left, even after I asked him to stay.
Then again, he’s a really sweet guy. He probably didn’t want to intrude. Didn’t want to make things weird between us.
I slip out of bed as quietly as I can and go to the bathroom. After I finish, I wash my hands, splash some water on my face, and drink some straight from the faucet.
Then I head back toward the bed and stop short.
Grim is lying on the floor next to my bed, the sheet wrapped around his lower half.
Oh no. Why is he there? He can’t have been comfortable lying on the floor all night. He’s so sweet. He didn’t want to leave after I begged him to stay, but still found a way to give me space.
I can just make him out in the dim light that’s coming in from the edge of the opposite drape. His torso is exposed, all that bronzed skin and those tattoos on full display. I can barely even make out a scar anymore.
His muscles are something else. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of looking at them…at him.
Some would say he’s too big, too mean-looking, but I don’t think so. I’ve seen his smile. Seen how it lights up his face. Seen how long his lashes are and how his dark eyes can soften when he’s concerned. He isn’t mean at all.
He’s perfect.
His hair is loose. He’s so freaking sexy. If you asked me a year ago to describe my perfect man, it wouldn’t be Grim, but I would have been wrong. This is it. He is it.
His eyes open, and he turns his head to me.
I jump back, startled, my hand flying to my chest. “You gave me a fright.”
He sits up slowly, raising onto his elbows. The sheet falls a little lower. The start of a smile plays at his lips.
“Were you watching me sleep?”
“No.” I shake my head way too quickly, lying through my teeth. “I was just…I was shocked to see you on the floor, that’s all. I thought you’d left and I…um…”
His eyes drift down my body for just a second before snapping back to my face.
Shit.
I had forgotten that I’m in my underwear. How could I forget something like that?
Crap. Oh no.
I didn’t want to sleep naked, but I might as well be standing here completely naked. This set is white cotton. It’s comfortable and practical rather than sexy. He’ll think I’m a complete dork.
I quickly scramble over to the bed and dive under the covers, feeling intensely self-conscious.
My boobs are way too big and a little droopy because…
gravity. I’ll be thirty in a few months.
I don’t have a flat stomach. My thighs are a little on the thick side.
I never really cared much about any of it until right now.
If I’m honest, I could afford to lose a few pounds.
My only solace is that shifters don’t seem to care much about such things. Grim was so comfortable in his own skin yesterday, walking around completely naked like it was nothing. Then again, he does have the body of a god.
He gets up off the floor, the sheet firmly around his waist, and I can see that he’s about to leave.
I don’t want him to leave. For whatever reason, I hate the thought of it.
“You should just get back into bed,” I blurt out before I can think better of it.
“You don’t have to go, and you shouldn’t have slept on the floor.
It was sweet but unnecessary. There’s still time for us to sleep some more.
We’re going to need it, since we have a busy day ahead.
” I’m talking too much. I force myself to close my mouth.
He puts the pillow back on the bed, but shakes his head. “I’m going to head to my own bed, if that’s okay.”
I pat the comforter next to me. “Don’t be silly. We’re friends.” I snort-laugh, trying to hide how awkward I feel. “You didn’t need to sleep on the floor, and you can stay.”
“Thanks, Wren, but I should…” He uses his thumb to point behind him and starts to back away.
“I’m not going to bite, you know?” I make another silly joke and laugh again, sounding like a complete idiot.
What am I doing? I should just let him go.
“But I might.” Grim’s voice is low, rough. He’s looking down at me, his eyes dark, his jaw tight.
I’m taken aback. “Sorry…what?” I frown. Did I even hear him correctly? Surely not.
He sighs, rubs the back of his neck, and closes the distance, sitting on the edge of the bed. It isn’t lost on me that he’s putting as much space between us as possible.
I’m sitting, sheet clutched to my chest, and I can hardly breathe because of the way he’s looking at me.
“You heard me. I might bite, Wren.” He rubs a hand over his face. “I’m attracted to you. I can’t be in the same bed as you. I can’t sleep with you next to me. I’m sorry. I know that makes me an asshole, but it is what it is.”
I’m shocked to my core. It’s the last thing I expected. For a few moments, I just gape at him. Crap! My mouth has fallen open. I close it and lick my lips.
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” I manage to say.
He chokes out a laugh. “Oh, I do. I have a lot to apologize for. I’ve had some seriously dirty fantasies involving you. I can’t seem to control my body when I’m around you, and it isn’t fair. Not after everything you’ve been through. I just…it’s…” He stands. “It’s better if I go now.”
“No.” I shake my head. There’s this throbbing between my legs.
It’s my clit, but also something inside me.
My nipples feel tight. Hearing him say all that hasn’t made me angry or made me see him in a bad light.
It’s turned me on. Like a switch has been flicked inside me.
Now all I can think about is Grim…inside me.
I want him. I’ve never felt such a desperate need before.
“Yes.” His voice is strained. “It’s better if I leave. Trust me on this, Wren.”
“No.”
“Stop saying no, or I’ll stay and…” He shakes his head, his jaw tight, his eyes blazing.
“I’m also attracted to you,” I whisper. “I want you, Grim. I want you to stay. To…”
“No, you really don’t.” He gives a humorless laugh and sits back down on the edge of my bed.
“You’re nice, Wren. You’re so damned sweet.
I…” He pauses. “I can’t be in a relationship, and you’re not the type to fuck around.
When Jordyn left six months ago, it tore me up.
It broke me; my dragon, too. We’re messed up.
I’m not what you need. I’m not going to hold your hand and take you on long romantic walks.
I can’t do the whole candlelit dinner nonsense.
I’m not relationship material, and you are. We want different things.”
I narrow my eyes. “Did I say anything about wanting a relationship with you?” I counter. “I said I was attracted to you.”
“You can’t do casual.”
“How would you know that?” I ask him, even though I know he’s technically right.
I’ve never had casual sex in my life. I didn’t even sleep with the last two guys I dated.
I normally go out with someone for months before taking that step.
I’ve only had sex with two guys…ever. I lived with both of them.
Both of them were serious long-term relationships.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t do it. I know I can. I can absolutely have casual sex with Grim.
“I just know,” he tells me. “You can’t do casual, Wren. Admit it already so that I can leave. In fact, I know you can’t do casual, so I need to go.”
“Bullshit!” Heat floods my face. “You’re making decisions for me like I’m a child. I’m not. I’m a grown-ass woman. I can decide for myself. Stop putting words in my mouth. I don’t like it.”
“They’re true, though, Wren. Be honest with yourself. You don’t want to mess around with the likes of me.”
“You said you don’t want a relationship. Well, I don’t plan on staying on Draig Island long-term, so that suits me just fine.” I laugh, and it sounds slightly hysterical. “Hell, we could be dead by the end of today, anyway. There may not be a long-term anything for either of us.”
“Don’t talk like that.”
“It’s true, Grim. We’re attracted to each other. Neither of us wants a relationship, so why not just have sex? Why not do it? I want you. I want to forget all about what happened. I want to live for now. For this moment.”
He groans, sounding pained.
Then he looks into my eyes, and the air freezes in my lungs.
“It won’t be making love,” he says quietly.
I roll my eyes. “We established that already.”
“It wouldn’t be sex, Wren. It would be fucking.
” His voice drops lower, rougher. “I don’t do soft touches or butterfly kisses.
There will be no soft and gentle anything.
I fuck. I will make you come. I will make you feel good, but it will be rough.
You’ve never been fucked before, Wren. I can tell you that right now.
You may have had sex, but you’ve never been fucked long and hard.
If you tell me you want me to stay, then I will.
But I want to be very clear on what you’re getting yourself into. ”
How do I answer that? I’m not sure my voice would even work right now.
“I think it would be better if I left,” he says after a moment. “We’ll pretend this conversation never happened.”
I’m wet. I’m trying hard not to pant because I’m struggling to breathe. I should tell him to go. I’m trying to force myself to say the words.
It would be better if he did go. He’s right.
“Wren?” He lifts his brows. “Say something. I’ve shocked you. Shit. I’m sorry.” He stands and starts toward the door.
“Stop!” I say, my voice strong and true.