42. Grayson
Grayson
E very nerve in my body is electrified with one thought: Maggie. The feel of her body against mine is like a flame to tinder, and the desire coursing through me is undeniable.
Our kiss deepens, her hands exploring every inch of me, and she moans softly into my mouth. My hands slide to her ass, cupping her cheeks as I lift her off the ground.
“Babe, I need you,” she whispers, her voice urgent against my ear.
“Mm-hmm,” I manage, my throat tight with emotion and lust. That’s all the encouragement she needs. Her hands drop from my hair to my belt, swiftly unbuckling it and shoving my pants and boxers down just enough to get a firm grip on my throbbing cock. In one quick motion, I fumble with the button on her pants, pushing them down along with her panties. My fingers find her slick heat, already wet for me. I turn us around and press her against the wall, thrusting my fingers inside her until she gasps.
“I want all of you,” she says, her words like a siren’s call. I pull my fingers away and position myself at her entrance.
I slide inside her, groaning with pleasure as I do. God, this woman is perfect. She arches her back and cries out my name as I thrust, quickly finding a rhythm that has us both panting with need.
Every cell in my body vibrates with her response. I’m not just relieved that she’s alive—I’m thrilled that she’s mine. I’m a lucky man, and I know it.
Her nails dig into my shoulders through my shirt, spurring me on. This will be quick. It has to be, with the police on their way.
“Get there, Maggie, come with me,” I grunt, driving into her harder.
I feel her tighten around me, and I bite down on her collarbone to keep from crying out in pure ecstasy.
“Harder, Grayson, fuck,” she demands, and instantly, my desire spikes, pleasure making my toes curl in my shoes. I pump faster, sweat slicking between us where our skin touches. I pull almost all the way out and slam back into her, the force of it sending me over the edge. I burst inside her, warmth pouring into my Maggie as I moan against her.
Maggie’s body shakes as she comes, her orgasm crashing over her.
We’re both panting, her legs trembling as my release drips down her thigh. “Fuck,” Maggie says with a small laugh, looking down at the mess.
“Indeed,” I say, smiling at her flushed face. But then I notice her wrist. “You’re still bleeding.”
“Just a flesh wound.” She taps my chest, and I lower her to the ground, my satisfied length slipping out. She moans again, and I give her a smug smile.
“Not done?”
“Oh no, I’m good. For now,” she says, kissing my nose.
As soon as she’s off me, she yanks her pants back up, not bothering with the mess on her legs. I do the same, and within half a second, I hear the sirens screech to a stop outside. I scoop the towel off the floor and toss it to her. Maggie presses it back to her wrist. “Hands up, Gray, it’ll make this easier.” I immediately comply, not wanting to cause any panic or misunderstanding with the police.
A SWAT team bursts in, yelling for hands in the air. I shoot Maggie a pleased look.
“Welcome to the party, boys and girls. Suspect is in that closet,” she says, nodding toward the door we just banged against. Several officers rush to the closet, shoving us aside. Their guns ready, one of them rips the door open. Don is awake, a look of pure fury in his eyes.
“Detective Parker, do you need an ambulance?” one of the women in full tactical gear asks, eyeing Maggie’s wrist. The bleeding has stopped, but if I had it my way, she'd definitely go get it checked out.
“I’m okay. Maybe just a band aid? This is Grayson Cardenas; he rescued me,” she says, smiling at me. The sight warms my heart and simultaneously makes my pulse quicken. Damn, she does things to me without even trying.
Don is quickly cuffed and led out of the room, scowling the entire way. But he doesn't say a word. There’s nothing left for him to say. He won’t ever see the light of day again after kidnapping a college student and then a cop. I’m almost certain he was the one who shot Harry too. Maybe even took out Lucas and even Phillip Waters. That's something for the genius detectives to figure out though. Not me. I'm done with chasing criminals. Either way, Don will be in prison for the rest of his life, and I finally feel like I can breathe again. The weight that had been hanging over us is gone. It’s over.
It takes an hour for us to tell our story, and get Maggie's wrist patched up, but when we’re done, Greg is waiting with Tommy.
I nod at them as they approach. “Thought we might need to fight some scary guy, but it looks like you took care of it.”
I laugh and wrap an arm around Maggie. “I didn’t. Maggie here did it all herself.”
She playfully slaps my chest. “He was the perfect distraction.”
I laugh again, the bruises on my face stinging with the movement. The skin feels tight and swollen, and I know I’ll be meeting Advil and ice soon enough.
Tommy shifts uncomfortably. “Is this one of those times when we need to see the other guy? ‘Cause shit, Gray.” Everyone laughs at his deadpan joke.
“No, he definitely got the drop on me. I, uh, can’t really throw a punch to save my life. Literally.” The group chuckles again, and I look down at Maggie. “She saved me, though.”
To my surprise, Maggie looks down, a shy smile on her face. “Eh, I figured it would be a pain to get time with George if you were dead.”
“I see. So you’re using me for my son?”
She pecks my cheek. “Definitely.” Fine by me. I love that they’re already so close. Besides, I know it’s not true. We all love each other. We’re a family. That’s how it goes.
Greg points to my car. “Tommy can take you two back? He can catch a ride home with Ma. I don't think either of you should drive.” It sounds like a suggestion, but it’s clear it’s not up for debate. After what we’ve been through, cuddling in the back seat while Tommy drives us home sounds perfect.
Tommy’s face doesn’t change, but Greg gives him a playful shove. “Uh, sure. I guess. Not like I have a surf lesson at six-thirty tomorrow,” Tommy says.
I chortle. “Dude, you’re a six-time champion. Should you even be giving lessons anymore?”
All three of them stare at me. My brow furrows. “What?”
“You said, ‘dude,’” Maggie says, trying to cover the smile on her lips.
“When in Rome?” I reply uncertainly. But it’s not enough to stop their laughter. That’s okay with me too. After what we’ve been through, we should be laughing together.
As the chucking dies down, we head toward my car. Greg opens the door for us, and we climb in. He gestures for the window to be rolled down, and when it is, he leans inside. “Uh, just a warning, but Henrietta has demanded we all come up tomorrow. But I can maybe fend her off if you guys don’t—”
“Oh! Yes, that’s perfect! Can the boys stay the night? We got a bunk bed, and George would love it!” Maggie’s voice is filled with excitement, and my heart squeezes in my chest.
“Erm, free babysitting? Fuck yeah! We’ll be over around noon, okay?”
I nod and start rolling up the window, forcing Greg to step back. He’s still cackling as he walks off. Without a word, Tommy starts the car. I put an arm around Maggie, and she rests her head on my shoulder.
“Take us home, Jeeves,” Maggie says, a playful lilt in her voice.
"I'm going to regret agreeing to this, aren't I?” he says, already resigned.
“Yes, yes.” Maggie waves a hand at him. “Adjust the rearview unless you wanna see me make out with my stud.”
“I would really prefer that you didn’t,” Tommy says with a groan. But she’s already tilting her head up to me. I cup her cheek and press my lips to hers. The kiss that follows is so tender and full of affection that I feel like I’m suddenly floating, tethered to the world only by her lips.
She pulls away and rests her forehead against mine. “I love you, Gray.”
“Hmm,” I growl playfully. She pinches my side, and I smile, wincing a bit at the throbbing in my face. “Love you too, Maggie.”