28. Download Complete True Love
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DOWNLOAD COMPLETE: TRUE LOVE
One month later
GRAYSON
Sunday family dinners are supposed to be straightforward—a wholesome ritual involving food, laughter, and bonding. Roz and I planned this one with military precision: Merge her half-Heart & Soul family/half-big Italian clan with my somewhat buttoned-up family, serve a feast, and showcase the triumph of our "hybrid matchmaking approach." Nothing could go wrong.
Or so we thought.
One month after crashing Roz's singles group, and my perfectly ordered world has descended into beautiful chaos.
Seattle's record snowfall has finally started to melt, but my mother’s dining room is generating enough warmth to thaw a glacier—mostly because it’s currently hosting what has to be the most eclectic family dinner in the city's history.
"CORA," I mutter, watching Nonna Flora teach my mother the "correct" way to plate pasta, "please tell me you’re recording this for posterity. "
" Of course, sir. Though I feel compelled to note that your heart rate suggests elevated stress levels. Would you like me to compile a thorough analysis of ? — "
"Mister Gray!" Bianca tugs at my sleeve, bouncing with the kind of energy that suggests Nonna Flora’s been sneaking her cannoli. "Can you teach me more binary code? I want to write a love poem for your AI!"
"CORA doesn’t need?—"
"Actually," Roz appears beside me in the kitchen doorway, holding a glass of wine and looking beautiful in another retro dress that makes her look like she’s rationed sugar in a past life. "I think that’s a great idea. Very ‘statistically significant’.”
"You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”
Her smile makes my breath catch. "Not a chance."
Before I can respond, chaos erupts from the direction of the dining room.
"So," my sister Natasha’s voice carries clearly, "tell us more about your job in finance, James. Any interesting... quirks we should know about?"
"Oh God," Roz mutters. "They’re interrogating Dani’s new boyfriend."
"I give him ten minutes before he cracks," Connor calls from the living room. "Grams already has her relationship questionnaire ready."
"Questionnaire?" Roz raises one perfect eyebrow. "Should we rescue him?"
I lean into the doorway of the sitting room only to find James—Dani’s supposedly “normal” boyfriend—try to explain derivatives trading while Connor’s grandmother takes suspiciously detailed notes.
Through the archway, I can see these two families merging in ways my algorithms never could have predicted.
Mia’s teaching Mac and Alex some kind of K-pop dance .
Derek’s deep in conversation with Natasha’s fiancé Mark about hospital gossip, while Olivia and Natasha appear to be plotting something that probably involves my relationship’s emotional wellbeing.
"So," Roz murmurs, fitting against my side like she was designed for it, "how’s that hybrid matchmaking approach coming along?"
"You mean besides watching our first test subject get grilled by my sister?"
"I HEARD THAT!" Dani calls from the dining room, where James now appears to be drawing financial charts for Connor’s grandmother. “James is not a test subject. And for the record, he’s totally normal!"
"Nobody who voluntarily works in hedge funds is normal," Connor argues. "There has to be something. Secret sword collection? Underground fight club? Experimental cheese aging?"
"The only thing experimental about me is my coffee order," James comments.
"AHA!" Natasha pounces. "Define 'experimental.'"
"You know," I tell Roz, "when I suggested merging our approaches, I didn’t exactly picture..."
"Complete chaos? Welcome to my world, Mr. Algorithm."
"Speaking of algorithms," Dani cuts in, escaping the coffee interrogation, "are we going to talk about how your AI keeps trying to set me up with James’s entire trading floor?"
"CORA’s just being thorough," I defend.
"She sent me a PowerPoint about dating radius calculations!" Dani waves her phone. "With compatibility metrics!"
"That’s actually pretty restrained for her," Connor observes. "You should have seen the dating advice she sent Grams."
From the kitchen, there’s a crash followed by what sounds like my mother and Nonna Flora arguing about proper risotto technique .
"Should we..." I trail off.
"Absolutely not," Roz shakes her head. "Last time I got between Nonna and someone’s risotto technique, I almost had to pull her wooden cooking spoon out of my ass.”
"Speaking of organizing," my mother calls out, somehow hearing us over what appears to be a wooden spoon duel, "when are you two moving in together?"
"Jesus, Mom," Natasha groans. "They just figured out they’re in love like, five minutes ago."
"Actually," Connor’s grandmother pipes up, "according to my statistical analysis of their relationship progression?—"
"Oh God," Roz mutters. "She’s starting to sound like you."
"I do not sound like?—"
" Sir ," CORA interrupts, " your mother’s risotto is approaching sub-optimal temperature parameters ."
"See?" Nonna Flora starts waving her spoon like a conductor’s baton. “Even the AI knows risotto is completely wrong!”
“And, babe, you literally created a code to calculate perfect morning coffee timing," Roz points out.
I reach for her waist. “Which was very efficient until someone started distracting me with sexy sweater dresses and surprise kisses."
"Oh yeah?" She steps closer, and suddenly the chaos around us fades to background noise. "How’s that working out for you?"
Everything below my belt stirs. “Actually, it’s working pretty…”
"Mr. Gray’s being mushy again!" Bianca announces to the room at large. "CORA, add this to your relationship data!"
"Don’t you dare," I tell my AI, but it’s too late.
" Adding to relationship progression metrics ," CORA chirps. " Current analysis suggests 87.3% probability of ? — "
"Mute, CORA."
The doorbell rings.
Everyone freezes. Roz glances at me. "Are you expecting someone?"
"No."
Before we can speculate further, Dani’s face goes pale. "Oh no. It’s him."
"Him who?" Natasha asks, already halfway to the door.
Dani grabs her arm. "Don’t?—"
Too late. Natasha swings the door open to reveal a man in a sequined cape, holding a bouquet of roses and a cage containing… a live dove.
"Marvin the Magnificent has arrived!" he declares, stepping inside with a flourish. "Marvin demands an audience with his muse!"
Roz doubles over with laughter as Dani groans and sinks into a chair. "Oh my God, not again."
"Dani!" Marvin kneels dramatically, offering the roses. "Marvin cannot bear to see you wasting your radiance on…" He gestures toward James. "That man."
James blinks. "What?"
"Marvin sees your soul is trapped! Let Marvin liberate you with the magic of love!"
The dove, as if on cue, flutters out of its cage and lands squarely in the middle of the risotto platter.
Nonna Flora gasps. "The risotto!"
My mother faints.
Luckily, Connor is there to catch her, while the dove coos. Resisting the urge to wring my hands in my hair, I realize that one of them is occupied with Roz’s.
She wraps her tiny fingers around mine, tugging me away from the kitchen.
“Nope,” she hisses out loud. “Not doing this right now. This is officially above our pay grade.”
“Tell me about it. What were we thinking, getting everyone together for dinner like this? ”
“We weren’t. That’s it. I’m calling it. We’re letting CORA do the thinking for us from now on. You had the right idea to begin with.”
She ducks around a corner, and I laugh at the seriousness on her beautiful, frustrated face.
I stop. “Wait, babe, where are we going?”
“To hide.” She huffs out, now facing me. “Or to make out in the pantry.” She wraps her hands into the front of my pressed shirt. “Dealer’s choice.”
I don’t get to answer before CORA’s voice chimes through the speakers. " Sir, your heart rate has spiked. Should I call emergency services? "
Roz snorts on a soft laugh. “Wow. Your AI really knows how to kill the mood."
“I wouldn’t say she accomplished that…”
Tugging Roz closer to me, I lead the way, finding the pantry and shutting the door behind us just as the sounds of dove wings flap out into the hallway.
I turn on the dim light, enjoying the smell of herbs and spices and Roz’s vanilla-scented skin as my fingers grip her waist.
She shudders, her amber eyes lifting up to meet mine.
"Well, this is one way to end a dinner party," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I can think of worse ways," I murmur, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. My fingers linger on her cheek, and she leans into my touch.
"Like what?"
"Like not being here with you," I say, my thumb tracing her jawline.
"You're getting good at this, Mr. Dixon.”
"I have an excellent teacher.”
Her hands find their way to my chest, her fingers playing with the buttons on my shirt. "And what lesson is this? "
"The importance of spontaneity," I say, my heart pounding in my chest. "And the value of a well-timed escape."
She laughs softly, her breath warm on my skin. "Is that what this is? A well-timed escape?"
"It is if it means I get to be alone with you.”
Her eyes darken, and she leans in, her lips brushing against mine. I can taste the sweetness of wine on her lips, and I deepen the kiss, my hands pulling her closer.
The sounds of the chaotic dinner party fade away, replaced by the soft sounds of our breaths mingling, the rustle of fabric as our bodies press closer. The pantry, once a simple storage space, becomes our own private sanctuary, a hideaway from the world outside.
I can feel the heat radiating from Roz’s body, and it sends a swell of desire pulsing through my veins.
"You know," I murmur, my voice low and husky, "I've been thinking about this all day. About you. About us."
Roz's breath hitches, and she presses closer to me, her hands sliding up my chest to wrap around my neck. "Oh yeah? And what exactly have you been thinking about?"
I lean in, my lips brushing against her ear as I whisper, "About how much I want to taste you. To feel you. To make you mine in every way possible."
"Grayson..."
"Shh," I murmur, my hands sliding down to cup her ass. "Let me show you."
I capture her lips in a searing kiss, my tongue sweeping into her mouth to tangle with hers. She moans softly, her body melting against mine as I explore every inch of her mouth. I can feel her heart racing, her breath coming in quick gasps as I deepen the kiss, my hands roaming over her curves.
"God, Roz," I groan, my lips trailing down her neck. "You drive me absolutely insane, you know that? ”
She tilts her head back, giving me better access to her delicate skin. "The feeling is mutual," she pants, her hands fumbling with the buttons on my shirt.
I help her, quickly shedding my shirt and tossing it aside. Her eyes widen as she takes in my bare chest, her fingers tracing the lines of my muscles. "You're so hot, Mr. Dixon,” she murmurs, each syllable sliding slowly off of her tongue.
"And you're got too many damn clothes on,” I growl, my hands reaching for the hem of her dress. I pull it up and over her head, revealing her lacy bra and matching panties. My breath catches in my throat as I take in the sight of her, her curves on full display.
"Fuck, Roz," I groan, my hands reaching out to cup her breasts. "You're perfect."
She blushes, her hands covering mine as I squeeze and knead her soft flesh. "I'm glad you think so.”
I lean in, capturing one of her nipples in my mouth through the lace of her bra. She gasps, her back arching as I suck and nip at the sensitive rosy bud. I can feel her body trembling, her breath coming in quick pants as I lay the tip of my tongue around her areolas.
"Grayson," she moans, her hands fumbling with the buckle of my belt. "I need you. Now."
I help her, quickly shedding the rest of my clothes before turning my attention back to her. Hooking my thumbs into the waistband of her panties, I slowly slide them down Roz’s legs as I kneel before her.
She steps out of them, her body trembling with anticipation.
I look up at her, my eyes locked on hers as my tongue traces a path up her inner thigh. She shudders, her hands gripping my shoulders for support, and I can see the desire in her amber eyes, the need burning bright and hot .
"Please," she whispers, her voice barely audible.
I don't make her wait any longer. My tongue finds her clit and circles its edges slowly. She cries out, her body jerking as I lick and lay my tongue across the tiny bundle of nerves.
"Oh God, Grayson," she moans, her hands fisting in my hair. "I'm so close."
I double my efforts, my tongue and fingers working in tandem to bring the beautiful woman in my arms to the brink of ecstasy. She sucks in a stuttered breath as she comes hard, her juices coating my tongue.
As for me…
I lap up every last drop, my cock pulsing, throbbing, nearly aching with the need to be inside of the only woman who makes me feel alive.
I stand up, my body pressing against hers as I capture her lips in an angled kiss, and Roz moans. Her taste is still lingering on my tongue as I lift her up, her legs wrapping around my waist and trapping me between her soft thighs.
“Fuck, sweetheart, I need to be inside you," I grit out, each word raspy.
"Yes," she pants, her nails carving crescent moons into my shoulders. "Please, Grayson. I need you too."
It’s the only thing I need to hear, as I wrap one hand around my hard cock and slide it between her legs. I wait to capture her gaze, and Roz nods, just as I thrust inside her with a strangled groan.
The noise she makes once I’m inside her is animalistic—unnatural. And it’s the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard.
“Jesus, Roz,” I huff out, “are you trying to kill me?”
“Don’t die,” she pants, her hips moving in time with mine. “Before we can finish.”
“I’ll try not to.”
“Ah, thank you. Now…Please, Grayson. More. "
I comply, my hips moving faster, my cock sliding in and out of her with ease.
"Oh God, Grayson. I’m going to…going to come. Please don't stop."
I don't. I keep moving, my hips thrusting faster and harder as I chase my own release. I can feel her body twisting, tightening. Her muscles clench around me as she comes hard, squeezing me more snug than a vice.
I follow her over the edge, my dick pistoning and pulsating as I spill myself inside her. I hold Roz close, kissing her soft, slightly salty skin.
When we finally come down from our high, I press a single soft kiss to her lips. “Do you know how much I fucking love you, Ms. Carpenter?”
She smiles, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Apparently enough for you to start cursing. I love it when you swear, Mr. Dixon.” Her mouth brushes against mine. “And I love you too, Grayson. More than you'll ever know."
When we finally pull away, her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are bright. "We should probably get back out there," she says, her voice breathless.
"Probably," I agree, my thumb sliding along the edge of her swollen lips. "But I'm not ready to share you just yet."
And the truth of it is: I’m not. Not at all.
Because when you find the person who makes you realize that nothing—not even Sunday dinners—should be perfect and predictable, you hold on tight.
And I plan on doing just that for the rest of our lives.
When Roz and I do finally emerge from the pantry, we're met with a scene that's even more chaotic than when we left it.
The dove is now perched on Nonna Flora's head, cooing softly, while my mother is being fanned by Connor's grandmother, who is also trying to feed her risotto from a spoon .
Dani is in a heated discussion with Marvin, who is now draped in a tablecloth like a makeshift toga, while James looks on in bewilderment. Mia, Mac, and Alex are now performing a full-blown K-pop routine in the living room, complete with synchronized dance moves.
Natasha and Olivia are still huddled in a corner, and Derek and Mark are now arguing about hospital politics, while Bianca is trying to teach the dove to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."
Roz looks up at me. "Should we... intervene?"
"Nope. Let's just enjoy the show."
And what a show it is.
A completely disordered, havoc-wreaking, unpredictable show.
And it’s all I ever want from now on.
I sling one arm over Roz’s shoulder just as the dove takes flight, circling the room before landing squarely on Marvin's head. He lets out a dramatic gasp, declaring, "It's a sign from the gods! Dani, my love, we are meant to be!"
Suddenly, CORA's voice chimes in through the speakers. " Sir, I have analyzed the current situation and determined that the most statistically significant course of action is to order pizza ."
The entire house falls silent for a moment before erupting in cheers.
The beautiful woman I love grins at my side. "You know what? I think CORA might be onto something."
“You think?” I shake my head. "Pizza it is, then.” I call out. “Hey CORA!”
“ Yes, sir ?”
“Order five extra-large pizzas. One of every kind from Gino’s. Extra sauce. Extra parmesan.” I glance at Roz, thinking of the beautiful mess we made when we met, the beautiful mess I hope we always will. “And any red wine, if they’ve got it.”