Chapter 20 - Grayson
GRAYSON
Drawing back, he analyzed Lexi’s face. Emotions flickered over it as fast as they gave way to something different. Overwhelmed. Based on her breathing and the panic in her wide eyes, he had seconds before she bolted or punched him in the face.
The table was heavy, but not bolted down. He kicked it away from the booth seat with both legs and grabbed Lexi by the waist.
“Come,” he said, not caring that his voice echoed in the nearly empty room.
Little tremors wracked her entire body, and her breathing wasn’t slowing. Not waiting for her to move, he braced his arms and dragged her on top of his lap, straddling him on the low bench.
“Alessandra, look at me,” he demanded.
Her eyes stayed on his, but her pulse hammered underneath his hand. Shit. What did she need? He stared deep into her eyes. His brain flipped through options. Reassurance. Sex. Commands. Food. A fight. A run. To leave. Whatever it was, she needed it now. He took his best shot.
Eyes on hers, he reached one hand around her throat and squeezed, cutting off her shallow pants. His other hand rubbed circles on her back, soothing.
“Count to ten,” he demanded.
Lexi looked at him like he was crazy. He knew - she’d understand eventually.
“Count to ten, and then you can have air,” he added.
He watched as she mouthed one through ten. On ten, he released her throat and she grabbed a huge breath - before he squeezed her throat again. Her eyes bugged.
“Eleven,” he said.
Blinking, she did it again, this time to eleven.
He paid no mind to the people that were taking peeks at them from behind her.
By thirteen, her pulse was slowing under his fingers.
By fifteen, her shoulders had relaxed down somewhat.
By twenty, her posture eased and her eyes took on a glazed look, never leaving his. There she was. There was his sub.
“You are safe here, Alessandra.”
Disbelief crossed her face before she broke their gaze.
“Say it back to me, Alessandra.”
She looked back up, distrust flickering.
“I’m safe,” she said tersely.
Grayson pursed his lips. They’d work on that. It was enough - for now - that they beat back the panic. And that he had an inkling of how talented her mouth was.
Hoping the panic would stay gone, Grayson sat back. He never stopped rubbing her back. Lexi blinked, and he watched the self-awareness creep back in. He would allow it, for now.
“What-”
“I apologize, Mr. de LaPonte” a voice cut in. “Sir, there’s a situation that needs your attention.”