Grey: The Encounter (Spectrum Series Book 1)

by Allison White

  “T-too much pressure,” I tell him, and he reluctantly pulls his finger back.

  “Just you wait until it’s the real thing,” he grumpily mumbles.

  “Grey,” I warn, but with the way he’s making me feel and the undeniable attraction between us, I doubt it will take long before it happens.

  “Fine,” he grumbles and stops talking. His tongue flicks back and forth, and I swear I see the heavens and whole damn constellations and the stories woven between the stars. His tongue is warm and presses gently against my center, shifting back and forth and up and down in a repetitive motion that sends me reeling back and lurching forward for more, like a magnet repelling and attracting me over and over again.

  “You like that, Princess? I can just come at this perfect sight of you unravelling for me. Exposing yourself for me. Just…so…perfect…” His words are dirty and sensual and make me flush with shyness, but also with an insatiable feeling of sexiness, something I’ve never felt before.

  My stomach tightens and so do my eyes, my hands nearly ripping through the thin sheet under my writhing body. I can feel my sex clench and my body tingle with over-sensation. I am close. So fucking close for him. I try to tell him, to signal not to fry my body from overload, but all I can get out is a choked moan of his name and a desperate plea that he doesn’t acknowledge or even understand.

  “I know,” he says, “you’re close. Just let go, Princess. Let me taste you, all of you.” His words send me off the edge, and I fall back down to earth with wind whipping my hair wildly and my eyes gaze up at the solar system.

  “Grey,” I groan his name as I come undone. My stomach tightens beyond comprehension as my sex quivers and hits me with a mega-sonic wave of shock and immense pleasure. I pant and moan and murmur his name. His tongue swipes up one last time before I don’t feel it anymore.

  I smile lazily as he brushes my hair back and kisses up my neck until his mouth hovers above mine. I fling my eyes open and soak in the intensity his eyes give off as they stare at my lips then reach my eyes.

  “What are you thinking?” I ask, reaching up and brushing a part of his slick black hair behind his ear. He turns his head and gently kisses my wrist with his eyes closed. He is so beautiful, it hurts.

  “How much I’m falling for you.” His voice is raspy and his eyes open.

  How do I reply to that?

  “S-same,” I stutter, and he bursts out laughing, but it’s not mockery or meant to hurt me. It is sweet and lively, and I freaking adore it. I press my hands to my face and laugh behind my palms, but he grips my wrists and forces me to look at his face; his nose is scrunched up, and little wrinkles crease behind his eyes, and those dimples I admire appear around his lips.

  “You are so lame,” he says with a sigh before bursting into laughter again.

  “Shut up.” I lean up and connect my lips to his. I taste myself on his tongue, but I don’t mind. It makes me feel more sensual than ever. And it’s all thanks to this beautiful, complex guy called Grey. Funny how his name is grey, but he makes me see a kaleidoscope of millions of colors.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  I awake with the feeling of warmth wrapped around my body and a beating heart on my back. I squeeze my eyes shut and slowly turn away from the sun’s glare beaming through the blinds. A feeling of contentment washes over me as I come face to face with Grey.

  I admire the creases crested into his forehead and the purse of his pink and reddish lips. They are quite red…I narrow my eyes and try to place if they were this red last night. I lift my hand from his tatted chest and slowly approach his face.

  His eyes fly open, and he tenses for a slight second before relaxing and purring, “Morning, Princess.”

  “What’s that?” I point to his lips and try to lean close for a clearer look. He leans back and catches my wrist before I can touch his lips.

  “What’s what?” He gives me a look of confusion.

  “That,” I say, squinting my eyes. “Your lips look really…red.” Almost like a soft tint of lipstick residue. But I don’t wear lipstick. Maybe I’m losing my mind?

  “Oh, that’s just from your kisses, Princess,” he says and chuckles. “It happens when you kiss rough, like we did last night after you woke up for round two, you sexy freak.” He bares his teeth and I laugh, feeling my cheeks bloom with heat.

  “But they’re—”

  “From you, my love,” he says, leaning on his elbow before deftly straddling my hips and pinning my hands above my head. My words vanish into thin air as I take in his hooded eyes and devilish smirk. “If you’re so taken aback now, just wait until we hit home run.”

  “Who says we’ll be hitting that?” I question, my throat dry. His hands produce a ring of fire to wrap around my wrists.

  “Oh, I’ll definitely be hitting this,” he says suggestively, raising a brow and sucking on his bottom lip. “I’m a real pro at the game—trust me.” His words grow raspier, and I watch with a hollow heartbeat as he lowers himself on me. But before his lips can meet mine, I place my palm over his mouth and shake my head.

  “Morning breath,” I tell him. I refuse to kiss him without brushing my teeth first.

  “Morning wood,” he says with arched eyebrows, and I look at him in confusion. He tsks, playing with my curls. “So innocent. I mean this, Princess.” He grinds his crotch against mine, and I suck in a breath and close my eyes. I am still very much naked, and he is very much…erected. Hard. At attention. I think I might explode. “It’s taking everything in me not to take you right here, right now,” he says, and I believe him.

  “You and me both,” I breathe and open my eyes, blushing. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. He smirks at me, and I bite on my bottom lip, too afraid to glance down in the fear that my newly awakened hormones may get the best of themselves and make me plead for something I’m not ready for in the slightest. “Do you want me to…I don’t know…um, t-that…your thing is just…um, there and I—”

  “You want to blow me?” he cuts me off and bears the most irritating smirk.

  I flush bright red and turn away from him. “I mean, if—if you wanted, because you’re always—um—d-doing me and—”

  “You want to suck my cock like a lollipop!” he exclaims with a laugh.

  I am stunned and uncomfortable and incredibly hot by his blunt, teasing words. “You are so…ugh!” I don’t even know what to say. I just want to reciprocate, to not make this seem like it’s one-sided, no matter how inexperienced I am. I’d try for him. But he has to ruin it by being an asshole. As usual. “Just…get off me.” I try to push him off, but he’s too strong.

  “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he pleas, ceasing his obnoxious laughter, but not losing his mocking smile. “I appreciate you wanting to do something for me in return, but you truly don’t have to. I want you to, fucking believe me, but I also want you to be comfortable with doing anything. For now, I am more than happy to please you.”

  “Thanks…” I’m hesitant and a little blown away with how thoughtful he’s being. But I should get used to him being this way. Maybe this is the real Grey. I sure hope it is; he’s much nicer and tolerable.

  He grins and kisses my nose. “What can I say? I’m a generous guy.”

  I smile and watch as he pushes off me, stands, and slips on his shirt.

  “Where are you going?” I don’t mean to sound clingy or anything, but his lack of body warmth causes a chill to run down my spine. I sit up in the bed and clutch the thin sheet to my chest.

  “To the bathroom,” he says. “I gotta take care of this bad boy.” He points down at the apparent rise in his pants.

  I look away with red cheeks. “Can I ask…how you are going to take care of it?”

  “Let’s just say I’m an abusive farmer,” he says, and when I look at him with a puzzled expression, he sighs, wiggles his hips, and raises his eyebrows. “I’m going to beat my meat. You know, yank the chicken’s neck. They don’t call it a cock for nothing.”

>   “Grey!” I gasp and laugh, widening my eyes in horror.

  “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine for you afterwards.” He opens the door and winks at me. “You’ll be on my mind, like always,” he sing-songs.

  Flushed with mortification, I grab a pillow from behind me and chuck it at him, but he steps out and shuts the door before it can hit him. I can hear his lively laughter beyond the wood door, and I barely stifle mine. I close my eyes and shake out my legs from the pounding inside my chest. I am so giddy, only he can make me this way. Only he can make me feel this way.

  I sit up when I hear the door opening and, giggling, say, “Finished abusing your poor body part already—” I stop short when I turn and find Jaimie and Julia staring at me wide-eyed. “Oh God…” I mumble and gulp nervously.

  “Am I seeing what I think I’m seeing?” Jaimie slowly says, stepping into the room. I cringe when she bursts into a shriek and dances around Julia, who still looks like she’s seen a ghost. “Bambi finally got it in!”

  Julia scoffs. “Don’t you mean someone got in her?”

  I gasp, my eyes widening. “Julia!”

  “How was it? Did you come? Was he gentle? Tell me everything,” Jaimie throws questions at me and perches herself on Julia’s bed.

  “Just answer one question: Who’s the unlucky guy?” Julia jests with a teasing smile as she falls onto her bed.

  “I think I know who it is,” Jaimie sing-songs, shaking her shoulders so hard, I’m afraid she’s having a seizure.

  “I didn’t do anything. I just like to sleep in the nude,” I lie and laugh nervously. I’m not entirely ready for them to know about Grey and me when I don’t even know what we are in the first place. We haven’t gone over the details yet, and I know I should have before taking it this far, but I was so wrapped up in the pleasure to think about anything else.

  Julia scoffs. “Yeah, right. You’re my roommate, remember? I know for a fact that you don’t sleep in the nude.”

  “And how do you know that for a fact?” Jaimie sounds shocked and whips around, pinning her girlfriend with an icy glare.

  “Because she sleeps in a nightgown that would make my grandma cry,” Julia says with a snicker at my expense.

  “Oh, okay. You’re good.” Jaimie barely holds back her own laughter and pats Julia’s knee. She turns back around and shrugs as I glare at her. “What? Don’t go around sleeping in nightgowns if you don’t want to get teased.”

  “Whatever,” I mumble and glance at the door, wondering when Grey will be back. Maybe if I’m lucky they’ll grow bored and leave. But one glance at Jaimie giggling as she tosses grapes from her jacket into Julia’s mouth and I have an aching feeling that they’re sticking around for the show. More like the reveal of the guy who is obviously coming back since his boots and jacket are still on the floor.

  “What’s the matter? Haven’t had your morning protein yet?” Julia asks and smiles. “I hear lack of it can damage your mood for the day. But I’m sure your lover will be back soon and let you have some of his banana.” She winks, and I gasp, feeling my entire body flush bright red.

  “That was so corny…b-but I love it!” Jaimie says through fits of laughter.

  I turn away from them and cross my arms. Now I really wish I had rented a house nearby like my mother suggested. Speaking of which, what will she say when she finds out about Grey and me? I know the answer to that, of course. She’ll yell at me for being horrible as a judge of character and forbid Grey from ever stepping foot near me.

  But I don’t think I can ever just stay away from him. He’s becoming a part of my life, and after last night and my growing affection toward him, it’s likely we’ll be spending even more time together, and less as friends. But then again, he and I have yet to talk. But I’m pretty sure we’re definitely more than friends after what we’ve been doing…

  I’m shifting in the bed when I feel something prick my bare bottom. I let out a pained mumble and reach down under my skin. I feel around the sheets until I find a small, cold metal object. Blindly, I take it between my fingers and pull my hand from under the sheet. It’s a little gold hoop earring, and it is most definitely not mine. The only earrings I wear are little diamond studs. Not…this.

  “Hey, are either of you missing a gold earring?” I ask without removing my eyes from it.

  “Nope,” they say in unison.

  “Hmmm,” I hum and bite on my bottom lip as I think. Certainly, it’s not Grey’s. I’d never expect to find him sporting such jewelry unless he was dared to. But if it’s not his, mine, or the girls…then whose is it?

  My heart sinks when I realize it could be Diana’s. That would explain the redness of his lips…no. What am I saying? He confessed his feelings for me yesterday, and he really meant it. Plus, when would he have had the time to go to her when I woke up to him this morning in the same way he fell asleep—with me in his arms?

  It’s most likely Rose’s. Sounds psychotic for him to keep something of hers after so many years, but he did set a reminder of sorts with her on his phone, so it makes sense. Well, the most sense when it comes to Grey.

  “Hey, guess what I found on the way back? Twenty bucks. How fucking lucky am I?” Grey’s voice breaks through the air. I turn to him and nod discreetly at the girls, who smile at him fiendishly. His eyes slowly shift to their side of the room and he hums, tilts his head, and mutters, “Not that fucking lucky, I guess…”

  “I knew it! The boots, the jacket, the smell of asshole—it all points to you!” Jaimie exclaims proudly. She shoves her hand out to Julia with a smug expression and says, “Pay up—I won, you lost.”

  “We didn’t bet on anything,” Julia says, scrunching up her face.

  “I know, but we should have. I want some cronuts and those things are fucking expensive!” Jaimie complains and frowns.

  “You should go get it anyway,” I say and flash her a smile. “Who says you can’t treat yourself once in a while?” I really just want them both gone. I have never felt so uncomfortable in my life. Nor have I been naked for three people to see freely, though Grey has seen way more, if I am being technical…

  “You’re right,” Jaimie says with a determined expression, standing to her feet. “Let’s go, babe. We gotta get one before all the hipster bitches get them all!” She’s frantic as she tugs and stomps past Grey to the door.

  “Don’t forget your protein,” Jaimie calls out before shutting the door after her with a sly wink. I flush and look away.

  There’s a brief silence in the room as I anxiously shift in the bed, still clutching the mystery earring in my hand. I don’t know if I should confront him about it or just keep quiet. If it is Rose’s, then he’ll just end up embarrassed and most likely clam up and become distant again, which I do not want. Especially not after how close we have grown in more ways than one. But if it’s not…well, then he would have ruined this thing between us that I was enjoying.

  “What did she mean?” Grey breaks the silence. I watch as he sits by my feet and begins to put on his boots. He throws a curious but smoldering look over his shoulder. “With that whole protein thing?”

  “Oh,” I say and wave it off, my cheeks hot. “N-nothing.”

  He smirks but doesn’t say a word.

  “Leaving so soon?” I raise a brow.

  “Yes, my little energized sex bunny, I have to train for a fight coming up soon. I won’t be able to make it to any classes,” he says, standing after grabbing his jacket. He eyes me as he slips his arms through the sleeves and plays with the collar. “What? Getting attached so soon?”

  “No, shut up.” I reach out and kick his leg, but he reaches down and pulls me and tips my head back. It all happens in one motion and causes my body to simmer with heat, melting by the look his black eyes create.

  “You are…aren’t you?” His voice is smooth velvet, but his words are jagged stones.

  “No! Grey!” I scream when he falls back on top of me and begins to assault my stomach with his fingers
. The sensation of bubbles filling my stomach causes laughter to slip out of my mouth and into the air. I catch him grinning from ear to ear, and I smile even wider at the light in his eyes, and those dimples I adore more than anything pop in his cheeks. “Will you please stop?”

  “I will, when you admit that you’re getting attached to me,” he sing-songs with an annoying tilt of his head.

  “F-fine!” I shout and push him back. He grabs my wrists and forces me to look into his dark eyes. “I…am getting attached to you.”

  “That sucks,” he says and frowns. “I was looking forward to making you get attached to my dick more than anything. But I guess there’s still time.”

  “You’re not funny,” I say and jokingly narrow my eyes at him, my heart beating against my chest.

  He rolls his eyes and smashes his lips against mine. I begin to protest because neither of us have brushed our teeth, but he pulls back within five seconds and pecks my nose. “On the contrary, Princess. I’ve convinced you that I’m a good guy,” he whispers and gently kisses one corner of my mouth. A chilling spark flies down my back. The heck is that supposed to mean?

  “How foolish of me,” I say sarcastically, slumping my shoulders with my hands in my lap. I then remember that I still have the earring in my hand. I peek at the round jewelry in my palm for what seems like an eternity. “Hey, Grey?” I look up and find him about to step through the door.

  He looks back at me and says, “Yeah?”

  I open my mouth to ask him about the earring, but I find myself saying, “Good luck in training.”

  He smirks. “Trust me, I don’t need any luck, but thanks. I’ll see you around.” With a wink, he leaves and shuts the door behind him.

  I open my hand and stare at the piece of jewelry. If we’re going to be serious, then I need to learn to trust him. Even though I have an uneasy feeling in my stomach, I need to trust him. I clutch my hand and let out a deep breath to calm my nerves.

  “I can do this,” I tell myself.

  ***