Chapter 9
ALICE
As soon as Greyson walks out, I sit on the bed, holding the gift in my hand. Slowly, I take off the big pink bow. I remove the lid, and there’s a note with another box inside. I open the note and read it. “Because you’ll always be my princess.”
I gasp and read the note again. I take out the box and slowly open it. My mouth falls open as I stare at the gold chain with a princess crown charm. There are diamonds in the crown, and I gasp as I look at the precious gift Greyson has given me.
I run my finger across the charm. This is not just a regular gift. This is a gift that means something.
I stand up and move over to the mirror. I unclasp the necklace and put it around my neck. I touch the charm, looking at it in the mirror. God, it’s so beautiful. And I acted like it was no big deal.
I look at myself in the mirror and then go into the bathroom to throw on some mascara and some lip gloss. I pull my hair from the bun on the top of my head, run a brush through it, and then grab my purse before making my way downstairs.
A few of the guys are sitting around, and they each get up and hug me, asking if I’m okay.
I look around for Greyson, but he’s nowhere to be found.
The girls are waiting for me, and as we make our way outside, I still don’t see Greyson.
Emily holds up her keys. “I’m driving.”
I get into the front seat, and Lexi climbs into the back.
As soon as we’re pulling out of the parking lot, Lexi leans up between the seats. “Okay, spill it. What’s going on?”
I know what she’s asking me, but I play dumb. I run my finger along the chain around my neck. “What’s going on with what?”
Lexi playfully smacks me while Emily is smiling ear to ear. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. Gunner! What’s going on with you and Gunner?”
I lean my head back on the seat. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
Emily barks out a laugh. “You could have fooled me.” She points her thumb over her shoulder. “We literally just saw you all in your room. You were hugging, and if we’d been a few minutes later—”
I roll my eyes. “That wasn’t a hug. That was him thinking that one of the guys was walking in and they were going to see me in my bra. That’s all that was.”
Emily is driving, but she playfully acts like she’s looking at her nails. “Uh, do you always hang out with your friends in only a bra?”
My face heats. There’s no way I’m telling them about last night. Hell, I stripped down naked in front of him. Practically begging for him to look at me. “Look, he doesn’t want me. I’ve come to terms with that fact, so—”
Emily stops at a stoplight and takes the free second to look over at me. “You really believe that, don’t you? You seriously think that man is not gaga over you?”
I roll my eyes. “First of all, who says gaga? Second of all, he is not into me.”
Lexi stutters, “But… but… he’s so protective of you.”
I close my eyes. “Yeah, he is, but he’s like that because I’m like part of the family… that’s all.”
They both laugh, and Lexi is the first one to stop. “Honey, I don’t know how to break it to you, but I will. That man is crazy for you, and it’s way more than just being protective.”
I don’t say anything. What can I say? I wish what they’re saying was true, but I was right there last night. I made myself vulnerable to him. I told him that I needed him.
We pull into the parking lot and park outside the Whiskey Wellness Spa. Emily turns to me with a smile on her face. “He loves you, Alice.”
Before I can dispute it, she points out the window at the motorcycle pulling in behind us. As soon as I see that it’s Greyson, I ask, “What’s he doing here?”
Lexi leans up between us. “Ben said that Greyson didn’t want you to be worried about anything today. They took care of the asshole last night, but Gunner still wanted to be close in case you needed him.”
I stare out the window and watch Greyson pull into a parking space. He turns off his bike and sits straddling it.
Emily turns off the car. “Come on. We should go. We don’t want to be late.”
I turn to my friends. “Can you get us checked in? I’ll be right there.”
They giggle again, and then we all get out. Emily and Lexi go inside, and I walk toward Greyson.
He’s leaning against his bike with his hands up. “I’m not here to cause any problems for you. I just wanted to be close in case you needed me, that’s all.”
I stop next to his bike and put my fingers on my necklace. “I love this, Grey.”
He nods, and his cheeks turn pink. “Good. I hoped you would.”
I put my hand on his thigh. “Do you know a day at the spa is going to be a few hours?”
He pats his saddlebag. “I packed a lunch.”
I gesture at the parking lot. “So you’re just going to sit out here… just in case I need you.”
He is staring into my eyes. “Yes.”
I lean into him. “Okay.”
He searches my face. “Okay.”
“Grey,” I murmur.
His voice is like a whisper. “Yeah, honey?”
I move my hand from his thigh to his neck. I can feel his pulse under my fingers. His lips part, and his nostrils flare. I want this kiss, and it’s obvious he does too, but I hesitate.
Greyson’s hand comes up to cup my cheek. I lean into his touch, and his mouth hovers over mine. I whisper his name. “Grey.”
I’m not sure which of us moves first, but as soon as our lips touch, the spark travels through my whole body. I lean into him, and he envelops me in his arms, pulling me flush against his frame.
It’s like the months of back and forth, the attraction, the push and pull between us finally takes over, and the kiss becomes all-consuming.
He lifts me up, hauling me against his body.
He tilts my head, deepening the kiss, and I would be happy if this went on forever, but a horn blowing down the street pulls us apart.
We stare at each other wide-eyed. His eyes are dark, filled with desire, and I have no doubt if we were anywhere else, we wouldn’t stop.
“Princess….”
He says it at the same time that Emily calls my name. “Alice, they’re ready for us. You two can make out later.”
My cheeks flush, and I climb off his lap to the ground. His fingers dig into my sides as he holds on to me. I’m practically panting just from one kiss. “I, uh, should probably go inside.”
He nods and reluctantly releases me.
I turn to go but stop only a few steps away. “Grey, you don’t have to wait. I’m fine. I promise.”
He smiles. “You know me well enough to know I’m not going anywhere, right?”
I smile, biting my lip. “Yeah, okay, I’ll see you later.” I point to the spa. “Thanks for all this.”
He just nods, and I turn to jog to the spa. As I get inside, all I can think about is that kiss. I knew it would be good. I had no idea it would be that good.