6. Grayson
grayson
. . .
SIX
What the fuck was that, Grayson?
So much for keeping my distance. I practically told the woman I wanted to fuck her in the forest like a feral animal.
Did that thought cross my mind when I saw how beautiful she looked on her knees before me? Obviously. I’m only a man, and it's been a while since I’ve gotten laid. Did I need to confess that to her? Absolutely the fuck not.
I have rules for a reason, and, in just minutes, this new wild horse has blown straight through my defenses. I’ve never been so tempted by a woman. It’s like dangling a juicy steak in front of a starved mutt's face and telling them not to lick their lips.
I can’t help but be drawn to her. She is fire, full of sparks and fury, and, apparently, I’m a glutton for getting burned by her flame.
I won’t deny she’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve seen, but what's really got my attention is that fiery stubbornness.
It makes me want to punish her until her screams turn to moans.
Fuck, you can’t think things like that.
Rule three: no weaknesses. That rule is non-negotiable. I can’t let anyone get hurt because I decided to sell my soul. I take the punishments so they don’t have to, and I don’t need to add another person to my list of names to protect from them.
I rearrange my hard dick in my pants like a teenage boy going through puberty again. As soon as the first words slipped from her sinful lips, I was rock hard. Painfully so. I have to give him a firm squeeze to relieve some of the ache.
I may not be allowed to touch her, but her face will be the only thing running through my head in bed tonight, wringing the tension from my body. In seconds, that woman has turned me into a livewire ready to explode.
“Settle down,” I whisper as he attempts to make a resurrection. I simply thought about her angelic laugh as I enter The Den.
The first thing to hit me is the heavenly aroma of cherry almond Mystery Woman left behind in her haste to flee. The second is the orgasmic smells coming from the kitchen.
Fuck, my boner is back.
Roxy is one of the damn best cooks I’ve ever tasted. This little rag-tag family took me in when I needed them most, and I couldn’t imagine what my life would look like without them. They treat me like blood—that’s the type of people the Foxes are.
Laughter rings out, authentic and rich, the sound of people who genuinely enjoy each other's company. The Foxes value family over everything, it’s what I love most about them.
“Oh, Maisie girl, it’s so good to see you. Get your little booty over here so I can give you a proper squeeze.” Roxy’s boisterous voice rings out above the rest.
Maisie.
I make sure to kick off my boots at the door and then stride towards the farm-style kitchen. I round down the hallway lined with the many family photos squeezed inside mismatched vintage frames. A couple of my own photos can be found sprinkled in, and my heart thumps at the sight.
The first thing I spot are flushed red cheeks attached to a drop dead gorgeous woman peering over Roxy’s shoulder.
I drag my eyes down to her deliciously curved hips that would look perfect with my hands wrapped around them.
I want to trace my tongue over every inch of her golden-freckled skin.
She glows under the dimmed kitchen lights, which creates a halo around her fiery strawberry locks.
I imagine wrapping those long, thick waves around my fist. I bite my tongue to the point of blood to get the image to go away.
The last thing I need is to pop a boner in front of my family.
If I thought she was stunning outside in the dark, it’s nothing compared to the real her. Her two-toned honey eyes find mine, and, shit, it’s hard to breathe under their scrutiny.
Please don’t come in your pants. Please don’t come in your pants.
“Maisie.” I tip my hat to her before nodding to the rest of my family and a few ranch hands, Jake, Lukas, and Carter. Her cheeks flush an even brighter pink hearing her name on my lips, and it might just be my new favorite color.
Roxy releases Maisie, passing her off to the rest of the family, who swoon over her arrival, and barrels my way.
I keep my hands firmly planted in my pockets before the wind is nearly knocked from me when Roxy’s body collides with mine.
I quickly give her a one armed hug while everyone's attention is tuned on Maisie.
“It’s good to see you, son,” she beams up at me.
I chuckle. “You just saw me at lunch, Rox. If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were making a pass at me,” I tease.
“Oh hush, boy.” She playfully hits my chest, her cheeks bubbly as ever. “Now sit and eat. I made enough food to feed the entire village for our Maisie girl’s reunion.”
Reunion?
So they know her well. Maybe she is an old neighbor or family friend? Is she an ex of Chesney’s? I definitely don’t like the thought of that. Yes, I know I can’t have her, and I definitely don’t have any claim over her, but thinking about Ches touching her makes me want to do very bad things.
Everyone claims a chair around the large wooden table, Maisie in the center. Food is passed around while leisurely conversation is exchanged.
Me, all I can do is stare. I know she can feel my gaze, because I can see her jaw ticking harder by the second. She’s flustered by my presence, and if that doesn’t bring a smile to my face, I don’t know what will.
Roxy practically shoves two servings of every dish on Maisie's plate, to the point she uses two hands to hold it up. She sits quietly, letting Roxy fuss over her until satisfied. That is, until she spots me, slouched back in my chair, watching over everyone with an empty plate.
Her hands find her hips. “And why is there no food on your plate, young man? Do I have to go over there and dish you up too? You know I will,” she threatens with a wooden serving spoon.
“I wouldn’t want you to fuss over me, Rox.
Plus, it seems you’ve already got your hands full,” I joke, sending Maisie a wink.
Her returning glare has my dick twitching in my pants.
I turn back to Roxy, scared if I stare too long, she might burn a hole right through me.
“I ate a bite when I was in town running an errand.
I wouldn't miss family dinner for anything, though, so here I am.”
I hope she buys the lie; not much gets past Roxy Fox these days.
She stares at me, clearly onto something being off, and when I look to her right, Maisie has the same damn knowing look.
Roxy lets it slide, thankfully, shooting me a warm smile.
“Well, if you didn’t like my cooking, you should have said so,” she teases.
“Now I’m gonna stop you right there, ma’am. You know damn well how much I love your cooking.”
“Language!” she scolds, her tone playful. “Well, if you don’t at least eat some of this apple cobbler I labored over all day, I will take personal offence.”
“Oh, now don’t go gettin’ mama all upset now,” Chesney calls from the corner, his cheeks wide in an easy smile. He lives for this, surrounded by family, playful banter exchanged.
“I’ll take a slice home with me.” I tip my head at her. “Cowboy’s honor.”
“Right answer, son,” Walter says, striding in fashionably late. He swoops right to his wife’s side and leans over to plop a juicy kiss on her lips. Those two are inseparable, not afraid to show everyone what real love looks like.
I envy it.
“Well, I was going to scold you for being late, but that kiss sweetened the pot just enough to get you out of the dog house tonight,” Roxy coos as he takes the open seat on her opposite side.
His rosy, windblown cheeks smile at her. “My plan worked then.” He grabs her cheeks and kisses her once more. “Just some insurance for later.”
“Oh, you suck up,” she scolds, but her cheeks are definitely flushed now.
“Get a room, you two.” Chesney fake gags.
My attention is drawn back to Maisie while she looks around, in awe of this family dynamic. She looks a little out of her element, like this is something she’s not used to. It makes me even more curious.
Where did you fall from, angel?
Roxy catches me staring at Maisie, and a knowing smile blooms over her cheeks. “Where are my manners? Maisie, have you had the pleasure of meeting Grayson?”
She scoffs under her breath, so low, I’m sure Roxy misses it. I don’t miss anything when it comes to this woman, though.
“Nope,” she sings. “The name doesn’t ring a bell.” Now, she’s the one smirking at me. “It’s nice to meet you, Gary.”
The noises that come from Roxy and Chesney are downright disrespectful. Roxy is doubled over, laughing so hard, I’m afraid she’s stopped breathing. Ches is wheezing, his mouthful of beer dripping down Carter’s face.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Mary,” I reply, shooting her a grin that says two can play this game. If she thinks pretending to forget my name will get me rattled, she’s got another thing coming.
Her eye twitches once, twice, and then her beer bottle is tipped to her lips, and she’s guzzling the whole thing like a seasoned champ. That shouldn’t be so attractive, but a woman who can handle her liquor is downright sexual.
She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and then has the audacity to wink at me. “Mind getting me another one, sugar? Looks like you could use something to do.” She bites her lip, twirling a lock between her fingers. Meanwhile, Ches is hollering in the corner, clearly amused.
These two will be the death of me.
“As you wish, honey.” I let the words roll off my tongue, slow and sultry. I shove my chair back and spot her legs crossed aggressively under the table.
Checkmate.
I’m secretly glad to escape the madness. Roxy makes Walter keep all his ‘trash beer’ in the garage fridge, so I excuse myself. The temperature is lower out here and helps cool my overheated skin. I know I shouldn’t be playing with fire, but she makes it so damn hard not to.
Get your shit together, Gray.