chapter THIRTY-FOUR #2
"You just went ten rounds with my family and came out swinging." His voice roughens. "Fucking incredible."
The praise sends heat flooding through me, want building despite the inappropriate timing and location. "Gray..."
"I know." His hand slides up to cover my throat as his eyes bore into mine in the mirror's reflection. "Tell me what you need."
What I need is him. Despite the elegant powder room and his family waiting in the next room. Despite every rational thought screaming that this is the worst possible time and place.
"You," I breathe. "I need you."
His eyes darken in the mirror. "Here?"
"Here." I turn in his arms, looking up at his face. "Unless you're too worried about what Katherine might think."
"Fuck Katherine." The crude word sounds strange in this posh room, but the sentiment is clear.
He cups my face in his hands, kissing me deep and hungry. I respond immediately, pressing against him as want overrides every other thought or worry.
"We have to be quiet," he murmurs against my lips, his curling up into a dangerous grin.
"Then you better make this quick."
His laugh is low and rough. "Quick doesn't have to mean gentle."
"Good," I say, pulling him back down.
The word is barely out of my mouth before he's lifting me onto the marble vanity, hands sliding up my thighs to push my skirt higher. The cool stone against my skin makes me gasp, the sound swallowed by his mouth on mine.
"Spread your legs," he commands softly, and I comply without hesitation.
Gray drops to his knees between my thighs, hands gripping my hips as he positions me exactly where he wants me. The sight of him kneeling in his expensive suit, gorgeous eyes dark with want, sends another wave of heat through me.
"Hold on to something," he advises, pushing my underwear aside.
Then his mouth is on me, tongue circling my clit in a ruthless assault. I lean back against the mirror and clutch the edges of the vanity for balance, the cool marble countertop a startling contrast to the fire spreading through me.
"Gray..."
His tongue flicks against the sensitive nub, hands gripping and kneading my thighs as he groans into my pussy. Pleasure sparks along my nerve endings, the rising heat inside me demanding release.
I'm vaguely aware of footsteps outside the door, of voices drifting past the closed entrance, Katherine's laugh carrying down the hallway.
The danger of being caught, of Gray's family knowing exactly what we're doing in their powder room, makes everything more intense.
But Gray doesn't slow his relentless assault, mouth driving me crazy.
His hands push my legs wider as he shifts his position, shoving his tongue deep inside me, making slurping sounds that can surely be heard outside in the hallway.
"God, you taste so good." He lifts his head to stare up at me. "Zane wasn't kidding."
"Keep your voice down," I gasp, my hands tangling in his hair, pulling him tighter against me. He growls low in his chest and slides two fingers inside me. I slam my hand over my mouth to hide my own moans as his tongue starts to flick quicker against my clit.
Gray's fingers work deeper, finding that spot that makes my vision blur while his tongue maintains a relentless rhythm. He's methodical about it, paying attention to every reaction, adjusting his pace when my breathing quickens, adding pressure when I arch against him.
He increases his pace, fingers pumping faster while his mouth seals over my clit, sucking gently. The combination sends me spiraling, heat coiling tighter and tighter in my core until I'm shaking against the marble.
My orgasm hits hard and fast, pleasure exploding outward in wave after wave of pure bliss.
Gray grips my hips, holding me steady while I shudder around his fingers.
I have to bite down hard on my hand to keep from crying out, my entire body convulsing as waves of pleasure crash through me.
Gray doesn't stop, working me through every tremor until I'm boneless and gasping.
"You're so fucking gorgeous when you come," he whispers, leaning forward to lick gently around the edge of my still-sensitive clit. He pulls back slowly, pressing gentle kisses to my inner thighs before standing, running his hands over my bare thighs.
"And you're too good at that," I reply breathlessly, fixing his hair as my heartbeat slowly returns to normal. "I want you inside me so bad."
"Soon," he promises, stepping between my thighs to grind his hard-on against my sensitive pussy, kissing me long and deep. I can taste myself on his lips, his tongue sliding over mine with a slow sensuality that makes me ache for more.
"Now," I demand, reaching for the zipper on his pants. "Please."
He catches my hand, stilling the motion. "We have to go back out there."
I drop my head down against his chest. "How am I going to face your family after this?"
"With your head held high and your taste still on my lips," he says with wicked satisfaction. He looks down, "and maybe more than that."
I follow his gaze, realizing with horror that the front of his dress pants is now damp with my arousal. There's no way to hide it, especially from someone like Katherine.
"Oh god, Gray." I scramble off the countertop, desperately searching for something to clean the mess.
"Don't worry about it," he says, straightening his tie and checking the mirror. "I have a plan."
He opens the door and checks the hall, gesturing for me to join him. "Come on, they'll think we'll slip out the back. I need to show you the koi pond."
I can't tell if he's joking or not, but when he offers his arm, I take it without question.
He leads me out the back door and through a little garden until we come to a surprisingly detailed pond full of large, colorful fish.
He leads me by the hand across an arched, Japanese-style bridge.
The fish follow us from the glassy water below, probably accustomed to getting fed whenever people came by.
Gray stops against the railing and pulls me close.
"We need to hurry," he murmurs, turning us both slightly so that his body shields me from view.
"What are you doing?"
"Solving the problem," he replies, his expression turning devious. "Trust me?"
"Of course."
"Good." He pulls me in by the jaw, kissing me again as he starts to rock the railing. Before I can stop him, the railing breaks and he falls over the bridge into the water.
A shocked scream rips out from my chest and I reach for him, but he's already standing up, sputtering and wiping his dripping hair out of his handsome face.
"Are you okay?" I shout, looking around frantically.
He's laughing and wading back to the shore. "I'm fine."
I help him climb back onto the bridge. "You idiot! That was crazy!"
He shakes the water out of his eyes and looks at me with a wide smile. "I've been telling Dad to get that railing fixed for years. Luckily, he's never listened to anything I say."
"Why would you do that?" I demand, but I can't help but return his grin. "What about your clothes?"
"The suit's ruined now, but I keep clothes here. It's fine." He runs his hand through his hair. "But at least no one can accuse you of getting me wet."
Shouts of alarm come from the main house as the staff runs to tell Gray's parents what just happened. "Are you sure this was a good idea?"
"We can just say we got carried away making out and I fell in. It's a good alibi for where we've been for so long and it gives me an excuse to take a quick shower. Our secret is safe. And your heat is managed at least until we get back to campus."
His words are interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind us.
"Gray, are you alright?" Harrison calls from the cobblestone sidewalk.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replies, waving his hand.
Harrison looks at the broken railing then back at Gray. "Did you...?"
"Yes."
"You're soaking wet."
"Well observed, Dad."
"Come on," Harrison sighs, offering his son a handkerchief. "I'll take Reese back to the house. You go get cleaned up."
"Thank you," Gray says, shooting me a look that promises this evening is far from over. "I'll catch up in a few minutes."
As Gray disappears toward a side entrance to the house, Harrison and I walk back through the garden paths in comfortable silence. The older man seems lost in thought, occasionally shaking his head with what might be amusement.
"That boy," he finally says as we reach the terrace. "Never could do anything the easy way."
"The railing really was loose," I offer diplomatically.
"I'm sure it was." Harrison pauses at the French doors, studying my face in the soft light from the house. "You know, I've known the Kincaids for fifteen years. Katherine is a lovely girl from an excellent family."
"She seems very... accomplished," I reply carefully.
"She is. But in the little time I've spent watching Gray with you tonight, I've seen more genuine emotion from my son than I have in years." He opens the door for me. "Something to consider."
Before I can respond, we're back in the dining room where Katherine immediately rises from her seat with theatrical concern.
"Oh my goodness, what happened? We heard shouting."
"Gray took an unexpected swim," Harrison explains dryly. "The koi pond railing finally gave way."
"Is he hurt?" Helena asks, though her tone suggests this isn't entirely unexpected.
"Just his pride and his suit," I assure her. "He's changing clothes now."
Victoria looks like she's trying not to laugh. "The railing he's been complaining about for three years?"
"The very one," Harrison confirms, returning to his seat.
"Well," Katherine says, settling back into her chair with obvious disappointment that the drama wasn't more serious. "At least you weren't both hurt. Though I suppose these things happen when one gets... carried away in romantic moments."
"Actually," Victoria cuts in smoothly, "I think it's sweet. When was the last time any of us saw Gray relaxed enough to be spontaneous about anything?"
"Spontaneous is one word for it," Helena murmurs, but there's less disapproval in her voice than I expected.
Gray reappears fifteen minutes later in khakis and a button-down, his hair still damp but combed back. He looks younger somehow, less formal without the suit armor.
"Crisis averted," he announces, taking his seat. "Sorry for the disruption."
"No harm done," Harrison says. "Though we'll need to have that railing properly repaired before someone actually gets hurt."
"I'll call the contractor tomorrow," Helena promises.
Gray catches my eye with a sly smile as he takes a drink of water.
The rest of dinner proceeds more smoothly. Katherine makes several more attempts to needle me, but Victoria's presence seems to have shifted the dynamic. Even Harrison and Helena appear more relaxed, asking genuine questions about my studies and rowing rather than probing for social weaknesses.
By the time dessert arrives, I realize something has changed. Whether it was my sparring match with Katherine, Gray's dramatic pond dive, or simply the passage of time, the Lockwood family has accepted my presence in a way I hadn't expected.
"So," Victoria says as we finish our chocolate soufflé, "when do we get to come watch one of your races?"
"We have duals next weekend at Concordia," Gray says.
"Perfect," Victoria declares. "I'll drive up Saturday morning."
Katherine's smile grows strained. "How lovely. A family outing."
"You're welcome to join us," Helena offers politely, though without much enthusiasm.
"Thank you, but I have prior commitments," Katherine replies smoothly.
I catch Gray's look of relief and have to hide my own smile. Whatever game Katherine was playing tonight, she's clearly lost this round.
Later, as we prepare to leave, Victoria pulls me aside in the foyer.
"I like you," she says simply. "More importantly, you're good for Gray. Don't let our parents or anyone else convince you otherwise."
"Thank you," I reply, genuinely touched. "That means a lot."
"Gray's spent too many years trying to be perfect for everyone else. It's nice to see him actually happy for once." She glances toward the door where Gray is saying goodbye to his parents. "Take care of each other, okay?"
“We will,” I say lamely. She pats me on the shoulder before making her way to Gray, roughing up his hair as she passes him by. I feel a small pang of jealousy in the pit of my stomach, wishing I could have a sibling relationship like that with either one of my brothers.
As me and Gray make our way to his car, I glance sideways at him in his casual khakis and button-down, still looking slightly rumpled from his impromptu swim.
The man who threw himself into a pond to protect my secret.
The man who has promised to give me even more than that if I ask him to.
The man whose sister just accepted me more readily than my own family ever has.
How did everything between us change so quickly?