30. Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty
“G ood morning,” Grey said, his chest moving beneath me.
My eyes peeped open just enough to ask, “How long have you been awake?”
“Just for a little bit. I didn’t want to wake you up; you looked too peaceful.”
“I was. This bed is to die for,” I said, stretching my arms over my head before propping myself onto my elbows.
Grey’s naked body relaxed against his large wooden headboard, his arm propped behind his head. The fluffiest down comforter hid him from the waist down, leaving only his upper half exposed, and I was enjoying a front row seat to his exposed muscles.
The silence between us was serene. A salty breeze swam across my skin, piquing my interest, and I glanced around the room. The sliding glass doors that led to a breathtaking view of the ocean were cracked open.
My gaze shifted back to Grey. “What are you thinking about?”
“I was thinking how I could stay right here forever.” His hand moved back and forth on his chest, near the roman numeral tattoo that permanently decorated his skin.
“Wouldn’t that be perfect,” I said, laying my head on his chest.
“I was also just thinking about everything, you know? How life can change so quickly. I mean, look at us. A few weeks ago I didn’t even know you existed, and now I can’t imagine not having you here with me. Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in my career, especially with my father breathing down my neck all the damn time. But since being back here, I’ve had a chance to slow down and really think about what I want. Not what my father wants, not what anyone else wants, but what I want. And while I don’t have it all figured out yet, one thing I keep coming back to is you. I want you.”
“Grey, I…” I paused.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to respond.” His voice was sincere as he placed his hand on top of mine.
Resituating myself, I put my finger to his mouth, looking him in the eyes. “But I want to. Because I want you too. I have since the moment I saw you, even though I didn’t know it yet.” I smiled. “You came into this town with something to prove, and I was ready to write you off because of it, but you’ve surprised me in the best way possible. You aren’t the rich city boy with an entitled attitude—”
“Damn, MJ, that’s what you thought of me?” A chuckle left his lips.
“Are you going to let me finish?” I harped, batting my eyelashes.
A smug smirk appeared on his face, along with a raised eyebrow. “Don’t I always?”
“Touché.”
Focus , MJ, my god.
“Anyway… in spite of my original assumption, I couldn’t have been more wrong about you. You, Grey Prescott, are kind, compassionate, giving, and so much more than anything I could’ve dreamed up.”
“Remember last night when I told you I couldn’t be happier? I lied.” He pulled me to his lips, kissing me softly. “This right here tops it.”
I noticed the slight tension he’d been holding in his jaw unclenched as his hand once again tugged on that rigid scar on his chest. My finger traced the jagged skin and his body quivered in response.
“What happened?” I asked.
“It’s a long story. One for another day.”
His cold response made it clear it wasn’t the time, so I gave him the courtesy of dropping the subject and relaxed back into him.
Between the warm salty air and Grey’s constant breaths against my skin, I found myself dazed. His voice rattled under me, bringing me out of my stupor.
“Can I convince you to be my date to a Fourth of July party?”
“The Fourth isn’t for a week and a half…”
The color drained from my face as that surfaced the reality of the ticking time bomb that was Grey and me, but I quickly swallowed, pushing the thoughts away and choosing to be present.
“I’m aware, but I didn’t know how long it might take to convince you.”
“I guess that depends on how convincing you can be…”
Wetting his lips, he repositioned us both. Me on my back, him hovering just above me. “Where should I start? Here?” he whispered, his fingertips finding my sternum as he trailed kisses downward. “Or what about here…”
Chills erupted as his lips hovered just above my belly button.
“Or better yet, how about here?” He coiled his fingers through the black lace that rested between him and pure ecstasy, his hungry eyes peering up to mine.
My body arched, impatient.
“Mhm, looks like I’m doing a pretty good job so far.”
A subtle moan slipping through, I muttered, “Okay, okay, fine. I’ll be your date.”
“Thank you. That’s all I needed you to say.” He smirked, scaling his way back up my body and landing right next to me.
I had half a mind to yell at him for stopping, but I was also suddenly feeling inspired to write, and that wasn’t something I could dismiss. The inspiration was calling, and I wanted to answer.
“I think I have to go.” I skulked my way out of bed.
“You think you have to go?”
“Well, I don’t have to, but I’m going to go,” I said, the words still not really making any sense.
“I’m not following. Should I be?” he joked.
Collecting my scattered clothes, I tried to better explain. “Normally, I have to force myself to sit down and write, practically ripping each word from my head, but I’m feeling inspired right now. It’s like there are words everywhere, ideas even. I don’t want to lose them.”
Fully dressed, I turned to face Grey.
He wore a smile so big, I could see his pearly white teeth. “Then what are you still doing standing there? Go, my little writer. Write.”
“Eek!” I rotated toward the door then stopped and dashed back to the bed, planting a kiss on those plump lips of his.
“Daniel can give you a ride home. I’m not going to bother you because I don’t want to mess with that creative mojo. So just let me know when you’re done. You’ve got this.”