by Adams, F. G.
A few days later on one of the run-ins with Grayson we decide to have dinner. I sense his eyes on me before I notice him. Grayson is leaning up against the nurses’ station desk, staring right at me.
“Bluebird,” he nods and without hurrying begins an extensive perusal of me.
Blushing from his intense scrutiny, my body responds in prickles of heat rushing to settle between my legs. I clumsily stammer, “Hi Grayson.”
Grayson smirks, knowing the effect he’s having on me. He saunters my way, and I take a breath, appreciating the Adonis coming toward me. His powerful legs driving him closer while the standard-issue brown t-shirt caresses Grayson’s firm, powerful chest.
He stops and reminds me, “Ella, we need to talk. I’d like to take you to dinner and I’m not taking no for an answer this time.”
He’s right. This thing between us has been building steadily. These feelings along with the unanswered questions need to be assuaged.
Without further prodding from him, I relent. “Okay, Grayson. But instead of going somewhere, I’m gonna cook for you. What we have to say to each other should be said in private. Let’s say my place on Friday.”
A broad smile and look of relief mixed with anticipation floods his face. And once again I’m flushed as my belly takes a tumble. It amazes me how he owns my reactions. He is mine. I’ve known in my heart for a while; now my mind is finally catching up.
“It’s a date, Bluebird.”
I’m going to cook for him. Yes! Granted, he knows from our past that I’m not a great cook. But I’ve learned a few things over the years. So tonight, I’m putting it to the test. Who knows, maybe I’ll even surprise myself.
Exiting TMC, I glance up and lock eyes with him. Grayson is standing at the end of the steps, one arm propped up on a rail. His smile captures me and my butterflies are back.
“Hi.” My voice sounds breathless, but in this moment, I don’t care. It’s what this man does to me.
“Bluebird. How are you today?” His eyes sparkle me to distraction, even when I see the worry on his handsome face. “You still up for dinner?”
I loop my hand through his arm after walking down the steps with a huge smile on my face. We walk in silence to my residence. Enjoying the easy company we share. This feels so right. Two peas in a pod. That’s us.
As we come to the front door, Grayson holds out his hand for the key. Releasing it to him, I watch as he opens the door, and we both walk through. Even though it’s been a couple of weeks since Michael left this place, having Grayson here feels like I’ve come home. It’s not the four walls surrounding us, but the idea of sharing private moments alone with Grayson away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
I’m smiling as I drop my bag on the table. An honest to god smile. I can’t believe we’re together at this moment.
The past seven years, I buried all my feelings for Grayson, but he’s slowly uncovering each one. Reminding me of the good times we shared. Some skeptics might believe we were too young to feel such intense emotions, but I know they’re wrong. When you find the second half of your soul, everything else blends into the background. It doesn’t matter your age, color, or race. You become part of something bigger than little ol’ you; you become whole.
“You’re so beautiful when you smile, Ella.”
“Ah, shucks, Mr. Blackwood, you’re gonna give me a big head if you keep that up. Make yourself at home while I get dinner going,” I reply, casting a saucy smirk his way as I make my way to the kitchen.
Leaving Grayson I busy myself by putting the lasagna in the oven, the one Savannah and I made last night. I’m just buttering up the French bread when I feel his eyes on me. I offer him a drink.
“What would you like to drink, Grayson? I’ve got water, wine, beer, or if you’re in the mood for some of the hard stuff...got that too.”
“Beer’s good,” Grayson replies as he walks over to the fridge and grabs one. He looks back at me. “You want one too?”
“Yeppers,” I chime. I’m just finishing up the bread when I feel his arms circle me, and he hands me an ice-cold beer.
“We need to talk. Let’s go,” he says and grabs my vacant hand, leading me into the living room toward the couch. We take our seats facing each other, and the conversation I’ve been half dreading, half begging for begins.
“Food smells delicious. When did you learn to cook?” Grayson smirks and takes a long pull from his beer.
I know what he’s doing. I see the wheels turning in that gorgeous mind of his. He’s trying to make me comfortable. Ease me into opening up, but it’s really not necessary.
“Savannah got sick of eating mac and cheese out of a box when she visited.” I dive right into delivering the news, “I gave Michael his ring back.”
He looks at my ring finger and then says, “You know it never belonged on your hand.” He reaches for my finger and gently caresses the blank spot.
“The only ring that belongs here will be put here by me. No one else. Do you understand, Bluebird?”
I’m at a loss for words, but I should have known Grayson would say something like that. He’s always known what he wanted and went for it. No holds barred.
“Yes, I understand, Grayson. Just not sure I’m ready to take that step,” I mumble.
I’m clearly voicing my own inhibitions. I don’t know what I’m waiting for...a sign of some sorts with directions would be nice.
“I’ve waited so long for you, Bluebird. It feels like forever,” he says as he moves closer to me. We are connected physically and emotionally as he reels me in with his eyes. “Why did you leave the View?”
“My dad came home one afternoon after mom died and said we had to move. I was functioning in a black cloud, so I didn’t question why. We moved about forty-five miles away. Then when I left, he moved back. Evan went back with him.”
“You weren’t there when I came home for the summer. Fuck, Ella, I looked everywhere. No one had even heard from you...thought you just left me high and dry. Didn’t realize till the other day that you actually believed I broke things off with a letter. What the hell? You know me better than that. Never would have done something that low. I promised you I would be back. I always keep my promises, Bluebird.”
Grayson is getting upset from the memories, and I’m not sure how to calm him now. We need closure from the past, and the only way to overcome the hurt is to face it and deal with it.
“I started college and then decided the army was for me. You know, army strong with all those drills we did in ROTC.” Lifting my balled fist to flex my muscles, I begin laughing at the expression on his face. Priceless.
“It was a win-win for me. I left the View and all the, uh, memories and started fresh.”
“I got one too, you know, a letter from you telling me it was over. Didn’t want to believe you would cut me off that way, but when I got home, you were gone.” He’s staring over my shoulder, reliving the past. He looks so sad.
“Addie told me you came by the ranch to say good-bye. Kinda believed you really meant what was written in the letter then. Cut deep after all we shared.”
“What? No...no...no.” I’m shaking. What he’s saying makes no sense. Why would he lie? “Grayson, I didn’t send a letter. Not me. You sent one to me. You are the one that sent a letter saying good-bye. Not me.”
He looks at me, and something in his eyes finds the truth.
“Fuck, knew he did it. Just didn’t want to believe he could stoop so low. I should know better. He’s always trying to control us. Guess he couldn’t just let me be. Nope, he had to go and mess with us. Fuck up the one thing making me happy.”
I’m not sure who’s he talking about. It’s surreal viewing Grayson this way. Two sides of a coin. Same person, so many layers.
“Who, Grayson?”
He sighs and continues, “My father. He told me before I left he would never accept our relationship. Guess he found a way to make it happen. You ran away so quickly, he didn’t have
to work hard at it.”
“I didn’t run. My dad moved us,” I confirm with force.
“Semantics, Ella, you could have left your address with Addie. You didn’t.”
“I thought it was over.”
“Yeah. You gave up that quick.”
“I didn’t give up. Your letter said you found someone new and it was over,” I huff.
“How could you believe that after all…” he pauses and releases a deep sigh. “You should’ve known. But it doesn’t matter anymore. You’re here now. We’re together.”
He pulls me forward into his arms, hugging me tight. I don’t resist him. I’m confused. Why would his dad do that?
When he releases me, I question, “Grayson, what are we going to do? So much has happened. It’s been so long. It was a lifetime ago.”
“What can I say, Bluebird? To me, it feels just like yesterday you were in my arms. That hasn’t changed. And if there’s even a small chance we can be together, build a life together, well, I don’t wanna miss it.”
I’m dreaming. Yes, that’s what’s happening. He’s finally here saying all the right words I’ve wanted to hear for years. I’m afraid that before long, the alarm clock is going to start blaring for me to wake up.
“What about your dad?”
“He won’t be a problem. We decide our future, not him.” He takes my hand and kisses my palm then maneuvers me until I’m straddling his lap. “You’re all I can think about.”
“You’re really certain, aren’t you? I mean, about us? I don’t want us to have regrets. I really need to think...”
“You’ve thought enough, my little Bluebird. It’s time to come home,” he whispers and captures my lips.
His lips are gentle but firm as he coaxes me into opening my mouth. When his tongue touches mine, all my thoughts center around Grayson and what we are sharing. I’m getting drunk on his taste. My head is spinning, and all the worries from the past are slowly fading away. He’s fixing the walls I’ve erected, building them back with new memories. The possibilities of the future seem brighter.
A moan escapes me when his hand begins to roam closer to my breast. It feels heavenly. I grip the hem of his shirt, trying to inch it up. I need to touch his skin. Before I’m able to touch him, Grayson takes my hands and breaks the kiss.
“I can’t live without you, Ella. Don’t wanna even try. We’re meant. We can play this game...keep fighting our feelings. Chase those fleeting moments to be together, but if you ask yourself, deep down you know this between us is right...we are right. I wanna stay with you, Ella, please say I can stay,” he pleads with me to accept his heart. It’s in my hands now.
“Grayson. I...I don’t want you to leave...don’t want this to end and miss our second chance…” I whisper, praying I make the right choice for us. Searching for the right words to say.
“It’s your choice, Bluebird. It’s always been your choice.”
“Stay with me, Grayson, stay and show me what I’ve missed...hold me, love me, and don’t let go...don’t ever let go.”
We are going to make the best of what we’ve been dealt. The future is ours. I’ve been lost without him. He’s right. He’s home.
I reach out again to touch his heated skin, soothing my fears. I gently gather the ends of his shirt, slowly peeling it up and over his taut skin. When it comes all the way off, I gasp.
"Oh…my…God!" I whisper.
I trace my fingers over the most beautiful tattoo of a mated pair of bluebirds beginning on his right pec and moving across his shoulder. Grayson shivers beneath my touch, causing my body to quake. Leaning down, I kiss the portrait he has branded on him. A stark reminder that Grayson has never forgotten me.
As if a switch has turned on, the floodgates open, and I begin to sob. I cry for all the years lost, for the anguish I've felt because of it, for this man who hurts just as much as I do. I sob openly for this gift of love as my heart sings with each rapid beat. There is no place for worry or denial. At this moment, I realize I've always belonged to this man and he belongs to me.
I hold Ella for a long while. Dinner is all but forgotten. I caress her back in slow circles, pouring all the love I feel for this girl, my girl, into every stroke. Soon, her body relaxes and her weeping subsides. She’s clinging tightly to my neck. It’s time to show Bluebird how much she means to me.
I pull up from the couch and grip Ella firmly. My fingers dig into her delicious ass as her legs wrap around my waist. Good girl. Her breathing is panting in and out. I feel the change in her body, the acceptance of what we’re about to do. Her head is buried in my neck, her lips are touching, tasting my skin, and a groan escapes me. Walking into the kitchen, Ella clinging to me, I turn off the oven and head for the bedroom. I lay Ella softly on the bed, capturing her lips on the way down.
I take my time savoring her flavor, paying special attention to her long neck, tasting her up to her ear and back down. Her breath catches as I come back to her mouth and imprison her tongue against mine. Time to get her naked.
Gently, I tug her shirt, pulling it up her heated body. I stop as her breasts come into view and seize the rounded mounds peeking out from her red lace bra. Kissing the flesh that’s visible. I still when I see the necklace placed between her breasts and finger the charms laid carefully in the place closest to her heart.
“You...kept these.” So many emotions occupy my brain as my heart catches up.
“You’ve never been very far, Grayson,” Ella rasps while she grips my hand in hers.
I lay a kiss on her hand before I remove the shirt up over her head. I nod, seeing the passion and pleasure in her gaze as I unclasp her bra, releasing her breasts and kissing each reverently. I continue down her body, tugging her bottoms off, snatching her panties as I go.
“So beautiful, Bluebird.”
I want to say so much, more, but intense bliss covers my throat, while I take in the delicate beauty presented before me.
Every night for seven long years I've dreamed of this moment. Of connecting with my Bluebird. My mate. My zing. My soul. I want to slow down, but damn, my cock is weeping from the foreplay from the past several weeks, and tasting her skin has me in overdrive.
I crawl back up her body, stopping to get lost at her breasts. Sucking, tweaking, savoring. Lifting my head from between her breasts, I lick each nipple slowly, relishing the luscious cherry dessert. Her ample nipple beckons my tongue. Slowly, my teeth graze the tip, causing a moan to escape her swollen lips. My tongue circles over and over, leaving wet caresses. Her back arches, forcing her breasts closer to my mouth. Smiling, I know what she needs as I take her nipple into my mouth, sucking slowly. Taunting her. Her hips begin to move against my cock. Rocking. Fuck, that feels good. She's driving me insane. Nobody has ever reacted to my touch like Ella.
Her body is on fire, and I know before long her mind will realize what she is doing. I don't want her thinking, only feeling. Needing my touch. Reminding her of perfection. We were made for each other. My fingers begin to trace my wet kisses. I feel her heart pounding against my hand. Her breaths are quicker now. My hand descends to her blazing center, where my fingers delve into her wetness as my thumb plays with her clit. Anticipation is building. I apply pressure and circle her clit up and down, firing passion from her. My fingers enter her hot tight cunt in and out. Her hips begin to buck against my hand as I finger fuck her. She races toward her release. Her mind is lost to the ambrosia only I can give her. Ella’s body surrenders as she stiffens. She screams my name. I've waited seven long years to hear her scream.
“Fuck, Ella. I’m over the moon. You are so hot and sexy. I need you.” Delirious for a taste of her, I inch down her spent body and lick her once, twice. Wrapping her legs up over my shoulders, I grab her ass with my hands, burying my face in her juices. She grabs hold of my hair, scraping her nails against my scalp. Taking what I’m so willing to give. I begin my delicious assault on her pussy. Feasting on Ella as another orgasm rocks her world. Ella cries out my
name again as her body capitulates, shocks and tremors bucking her off the bed. She's ready.
Standing up and licking my lips, savoring her honey, I begin to take off my BDUs. I watch as Ella sits up on her elbows, surveying my every move, devouring me with her sexed-up blues.
“Fuck, sweetheart. You’re burning me up. See what you do to me?”
I push my pants down and quickly dispose of them and my boots. My hard cock is proudly on display. I stroke my long, thick erection in my palm. I hear her gasp.
“Damn, Grayson.”
Looking up, I give her the smile I know she desires, and chuckle.
“I’ve missed you. Can’t promise this won’t be fast, Bluebird.”
Leaning over, I grab a condom from my pants scattered on the floor with the rest of our clothes. Tearing it open with my teeth, I slide it on and move over Ella.
“Are you ready to fly?”
“Yes!” I cover her mouth and sink balls deep into her, stifling her plea. Holding still to catch our breaths before we begin to move. Becoming one again. Our second chance.
From the start, she’s been mine. My home. My special place. My solace when the world threatened to consume me. The soothing balm for when I needed comfort. Even when we were separated, I knew we would find our way back to each other. Because she’s my Bluebird.
Standing outside the house in the dark cover of shadows, gazing through the uncovered window, Bahadar watches closely as the Captain carries Ella through the house. Going out of sight.
He laughs to himself. “This is going to be too easy. Now that we know his weakness, he will do whatever we want.” An evil grin is plastered across his face.
Bahadar backs away without a trace and without Animal seeing him. No one will ever know he was there.
My shift ends, and Savannah is strolling my way. It’s our monthly 10k run. We started it when we first moved out of the barracks after boot camp. The discipline required toughens your mind, body, and soul. I’ve been walking on cloud nine since my night with Grayson. Everything seems so much better now that we are together again.