by A. D. Ryan
“What?” he props himself up on one arm and looks at me with wide eyes. “No… I mean, yeah I did—very much. I’m sorry about the lack of warning before I—”
I blush and look down at my abdomen. “Oh. That.” Smiling, I glance back up at Greyston through my lashes. “It’s not so bad. I mean, I’m going to need to shower, but, um, you don’t need to apologize. Really…” There’s a brief pause before I shoot him a mischievous look.. “Though, I suppose if you wanted to make it up to me, you could join me upstairs.”
Chapter 19
The sun slowly creeps across my bedroom floor on Sunday morning. I’m still tired, but when I hear a splash outside, I sit up excitedly. Not only am I excited because Greyston is half-naked outside in the pool, but also because I don’t have to work at all today. After a lot of pleading, I convinced Katie to pick up my shift so I could take at least one day off after a busy week at school and an exhausting day at work yesterday. Sure, I had to take a couple of extra shifts next week to make up the hours, but knowing that Greyston was going to be out of town those nights anyway made my decision much easier. This way I wouldn’t have to be home alone more than necessary.
Instead of stepping out onto the balcony to watch Greyston swim his lengths, I decide to join him in the pool instead. The last time I was in the pool wasn’t entirely voluntary, and I figure this could be a good way to start our day off together.
I finish my morning bathroom routine, I go to my dresser and rifle through my top drawer until I find a light green two-piece swimsuit. I quickly tie the straps of the tiny triangle top and then tighten the ties on my hips before exiting my room. On my way down the hall, I grab a fluffy towel from the linen closet and hop down the stairs excitedly.
Wanting to surprise him, I peek through the window above the kitchen sink to find him still cutting through the water gracefully, none-the-wiser to my even being out of bed yet.
Quietly, I slide the patio door open and step out onto the cool stone, padding softly toward the pool. It’s definitely a little chillier now that we’re into December; we’ve honestly been lucky to have the warm weather as long as we have. I toss my towel next to Greyston’s on the lounge chair and head to the edge of the pool deck. While I would love to dive into the pool, the truth is, I’m just not that graceful and would probably hit the water with a painful slap. To avoid this, I to sit on the edge of the cement deck, slip silently into the water, and wait for him.
It doesn’t take him long, noticing me when he lifts his head to take a breath. He looks a little shocked to see me, but his shock is quickly replaced with pure delight as he swims forward until he’s able to stand on the pool floor. Our eyes lock as he walks forward, placing his hands on either side of me and effectively pinning me to the wall of the pool.
“What a pleasant surprise,” he says, leaning in to kiss me softly. “Sleep well?”
“Well, I didn’t fall asleep on my books, so that was a nice change from the rest of the week,” I tell him, only half-joking. “You?”
He shakes his head. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’m here,” I whisper, pushing his wet hair off his forehead before wrapping my arms around his neck. “I’ve always been here, I’ve just been busy.”
Between studying for mid-terms and work, not to mention Greyston’s job, our schedules just didn’t line up. We were lucky if we got a half hour together before I disappeared to my room for the night to hit the books.
Greyston sighs, one of his hands disappearing beneath the water and securing itself to my hip, his pinky twirling the tie that holds my bottoms together. “Me, too. If we didn’t live under the same roof, I’d be afraid you’d think I was avoiding you or flaking out on you after our date. It’s been torture not spending more time together.” He leans in and kisses my neck. “Not being able to kiss you as much as I’d like…” His fingers curl into the soft flesh on my hip. “Not being able to touch you as much as I’d like…”
There’s no holding back the moan that slips past my lips as I pull his face to mine and kiss him deeply. His hand releases my hip before slipping down my thigh slowly until he reaches my knee and pulls it up to his waist. I whimper against his lips when he pushes between my legs, and I tilt my hips forward, craving more.
Moments like this are why I feel waiting is an insane notion. It’s not that I don’t understand why we should. I get it. I do. But when he says the things he says and does the things he does…well, it’s really hard to stick to.
With a groan, Greyston stops kissing me and presses his forehead to mine. “While I would love to keep doing this, don’t we have to get you to work?”
Smirking, I shake my head and bring my other leg up around his waist, hooking my ankles behind his back. In this position, there’s no hiding just how turned on he’s become. “Nope.” I tighten my arms around his neck, displacing what little water is between us until our chests are pressed against each other. “I swapped my shift with Katie so we could spend the day together.”
His eyes brighten, the outer corners creasing when his smile reaches them. “Really?”
I shrug. “I figured we deserved an entire day to ourselves after our schedules kept us apart for the last few.”
Greyston exhales and tucks my hair behind my ear. “Always so considerate.” His fingers move through the length of my hair and back beneath the water, trailing down my arm and making me shiver. “So, what are we going to do today?”
Arching an eyebrow, I glance up toward the sky and hum. “Mmmm. I think what we’re doing right now is a good start.”
“You know,” Greyston says with a faint chuckle, “I’m starting to think you’re not nearly as innocent as you’ve led me to believe…” I regard him with confusion, and he continues. “You’re somewhat of a vixen.”
This makes me laugh, because I know that to be the farthest thing from the truth. “You have no one but yourself to blame,” I tell him, tightening my legs around him.
Something mischievous flashes in his eyes, and I shudder. “Is that a fact?”
Resolute, I nod. “Absolutely. If you weren’t so good at what you do, then I’d probably be able to stop thinking about wanting you all the time.”
His hands grip my ass, pulling me against him firmly until my eyes close, and I stifle a loud moan. “You know,” he says, his voice low and gravelly with lust, “I’ve imagined doing unspeakable things to you in this pool since the day I met you.”
I sigh. “Just one more thing we have in common, then,” I admit quietly, wiggling my hips against him in an effort to entice him to act on his fantasies. I’m shameless, I know.
“Unfortunately…” Disappointment floods my veins as I wait for him to continue, but he doesn’t have to.
“Hey!” Toby calls out, his feet slapping loudly across the stone tiles of the patio.
“Doesn’t anybody knock anymore?” I mutter under my breath.
Chuckling, Greyston rubs my upper arm. “Easy, tiger.”
I look behind me to see Toby and Callie walking toward the pool, and then back at Greyston, who looks a little uncomfortable. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, feeling incredibly guilty that he’s going to have to suffer.
Greyston smiles reassuringly and shakes his head before turning his attention to Toby. “I thought you were coming by at eleven?”
I turn around to see Toby arch an eyebrow at him before looking down at his watch. “It’s eleven-thirty.”
“It is?” Greyston inquires, looking at me, seemingly shocked. “Damn. Okay, why don’t you give me a few minutes to finish up out here and get changed?” Greyston asks Toby, who nods in response before heading back inside with Callie.
“Sorry,” Greyston apologizes. “I didn’t realize what time it was. I thought you had to work, so Toby and Callie were going to come over to go over a few things for my trip to Chicago.”
“Oh.” I nod. “Okay.”
“It shouldn’t take long,” he’s quick to assure me, pulling me back into his ar
ms. “And then maybe we could pick up where we left off?”
“Perhaps,” I contemplate playfully before remembering something. “Oh… Our parents are coming for dinner today, remember?”
Greyston nods. “We’ve got plenty of time. Though, I will have to run into the store to pick up a few things. Care to tag along?”
“As if you even have to ask,” I tell him.
Greyston kisses me softly before we exit the pool. We grab our towels off the lounge chair, wrap them around our waists after drying our upper bodies, and head for the patio door hand-in-hand.
“I’m going to go and get dressed,” I announce.
Greyston leans forward and kisses the tip of my nose. It’s a small, innocent gesture, but it always serves to take my breath away while making me feel special and adored.
Leaning in, I ghost my lips over his. “But you better make good on your promise to make it up to me, Masters.”
His eyelids drop slightly, and he groans. It pleases me to know I have a very similar effect to the one he has on me. “I assure you, I will.”
“You two gonna spend all day making googly eyes and kissy faces at each other?” Toby says, closing the fridge behind me.
“Thought about it,” I joke, shooting a friendly wink Toby’s way.
Greyston looks to Callie, and then shakes his head at Toby. “I’m going to go and get dressed. I’ll be right down, and we can go over Mills’s contract.”
Once we’re in the hall between our rooms, I turn to Greyston. “I’m going to go and shower. You should head downstairs and do what it is you have to so I can have you all to myself for a bit before dinner.” Before tearing myself from his warm embrace, I pop up on my toes and kiss him softly.
He groans as I step away, and I can feel Greyston’s eyes on me as I make my way to my room. My newfound confidence stirs, and I reach for the bikini tie around my neck and tug it free. It falls slack around my neck. I clutch it to my chest before it falls and then turn to find Greyston gawking.
Smiling, I reach behind me and untie the other string. “You know, for every minute you stand there staring, you could be doing your work.” Feeling emboldened, I tear the top from my body and toss it at him, closing my door before he can get a good look.
I lean my back against the door and stifle a giggle when I hear him start to grumble. “That’s just mean,” he says loud enough for me to hear. “Thanks for the souvenir, though. I’ll be sure to keep it somewhere safe.”
His bedroom door closes across the hall, and I push myself off the door to hop in the shower quickly. Dressed in jeans and a fitted tee, I head downstairs to find Greyston, Toby, and Callie still at the kitchen table going over the folder splayed before them. “Hey,” I greet. “I’m kind of hungry, do you guys want lunch?”
Greyston’s the first to look up, smiling wide. “Sounds great, babe.”
It’s the first time he’s referred to me as anything but my name in front of others, and my breath catches slightly. My cheeks warm, and I avert my eyes when Callie and Toby exchange a glance between them. “Anything in particular?” I inquire, opening the fridge and rifling through it. “I could make soup and sandwiches?”
No one objects, so I set out making lunch. By the time it’s ready, they’re just finishing up with work, and we all sit around the kitchen table. I take a seat next to Greyston, Toby sits on his other side, and Callie next to him.
“So, about Xander’s trip next week…” Greyston interjects. “Juliette suggested paintballing. Are the two of you up for it?”
Toby’s the first to agree, not even pausing to think about it. “Hells yeah! Come on, Cal, it’ll be a lot of fun.” It takes a minute, but she decides to join in, and we begin to figure out what day might work best for everyone. I make a mental note to text Daphne later to find out her availability. She’ll be so excited when she finds out that the ball player she was drooling over will be there.
After lunch, Callie and Toby head home. Greyston walks them to the door while I clean up our dishes. I’ve just finished loading the dishwasher when I feel strong hands on my hips and warm lips on my neck. It’s hard to focus on washing the pot in my hands with Greyston’s fingers teasing the sliver of skin between my shirt and jeans, so I give up trying.
“Thanks for lunch,” he whispers, his warm breath tickling the skin of my neck.
“If this is how you’re going to thank me for cooking, I might just have to do it more,” I tell him, turning in his arms. When my eyes catch the time on the stove, I groan. “I guess we should probably go to the store for whatever it is you need for dinner.”
Greyston tucks a strand of my damp hair behind my ear, his eyes showing remorse. “I’m sorry.”
His apology confuses me. “What for?”
“This can’t be what you expected when you took the day off to spend with me,” he explains with a shrug.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You didn’t know I took the day off,” I remind him. “And besides, it doesn’t really matter to me what we do with our time together.”
“I suppose you’re right. Okay, let’s go. We’ll have plenty of alone time after dinner tonight.” He leans in and kisses me softly before whispering, “And I promise to make this morning up to you.”
Giggling, I meet his intense gaze. “Come on. If we don’t go now, then we won’t get this done.”
That mischievous gleam has returned to his eyes, and he reaches for me again. “Oh, I think we could.”
Laughing, I place my palm flat against his chest, holding him at arm’s length. “Down, boy.”
Thankfully, it doesn’t take much convincing to get Greyston out the door, and soon we’re at the store, wandering the aisles, filling our basket with fresh produce for a salad. We continue through the store, grabbing fresh buns from the bakery and cheese from the deli before paying and heading home. Greyston and I each take a bag to carry, and when we arrive home, we set to work in the kitchen prepping dinner.
Greyston is apparently against buying pre-formed hamburgers and makes his own. After the burgers are formed, he covers the plate and puts them in the fridge before moving onto the salad. Just as he begins washing the vegetables, there’s a knock at the front door. I inhale sharply, my nerves taking hold, knowing that it could be Greyston’s parents at the door.
Sensing my apprehension, Greyston kisses my temple. “Relax. You stay here, and I’ll go get the door. Keep yourself busy by starting the salad,” he suggests, handing me the very large kitchen knife.
I laugh. “You really think it’s a good idea to be giving me a sharp knife? I’m shaking like a leaf.”
Shaking his head, Greyston sets the knife on the counter. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. I’ll be right back, okay?”
“Sure. Take your time. Don’t rush.” Once he’s out of the room, I carefully pick up the knife and begin slicing the tomatoes for the salad. I’m just finishing up when I hear voices approaching—all three familiar to me.
Looking up, I see Greyston enter the kitchen first. My parents are flanking him, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Mom’s carrying a bowl of pasta salad, and Greyston promptly takes it from her and puts it in the fridge.
“Hey, Mom. Dad.” They both smile my way before their eyes briefly drift down to the counter I’m chopping vegetables on…the very one they saw Greyston and I on last weekend.
“How’s your weekend been?” I quickly ask, diverting their attention. “Good? I hope it’s been good.”
“She been drinking?” my dad asks, nudging Greyston.
I roll my eyes. “Har har,” I deadpan. “You’re a real comedian, Pop.”
“Why don’t I give both of you the tour while Juliette sobers up,” Greyston teases, shooting me a wink.
“Oh, good. Side with him,” I tell him. “We’ll see how that works to your advantage.”
“Why don’t you guys go on ahead? I’ll stay with Juliette,” Mom suggests with a laugh, moving behind me and placing her hands on my shoulders in a show of suppo
rt.
Before Greyston and Dad leave us alone, Greyston grabs Dad a beer and Mom a glass of wine.
Mom perches herself on one of the stools. “How’ve you been, sweetheart?”
I smile wide, focusing on the cucumber I’m cutting so I don’t slice my finger. “Good…really good, actually.”
“You and Greyston seem to be getting closer.” My cheeks warm, filling with a deep blush, and this only invites her to dig a little deeper. “Oh, my. Just how close have you gotten, Juliette?” she prods playfully.
“What?” I ask, surprised, even though I really shouldn’t be; we’d had a very similar conversation when Ben and I were dating.
“Oh, don’t play innocent with me, Juliette. I’m your mother. We talk about these things.” She pauses, gauging my reaction, and when she deems it safe to continue, she smirks. “So, have the two of you had sex?”
“Oh my god!” I hiss. “Could you at least try to keep your voice down? As if Dad needs to know we’re having this discussion!” Mom only rolls her eyes and waves her hand in front of her, silently urging me to continue.
I sigh. “Okay, fine. But before I tell you anything else, let me preface this by saying that if the words ‘your father and I’ leave your mouth at any point, this conversation—or any future ones regarding this matter—will not happen. We clear?” She contemplates my terms for a moment before acquiescing with a nod. “Good.”
“So…?”
“No, actually we haven’t taken that step yet,” I confess, sounding mostly proud about it. The sexually frustrated lower half of my body isn’t super happy about it.
It’s Mom’s turn to be surprised—only hers is genuine. “Really?”
I press my index finger to my lips, reminding her to be quiet. “We’ve decided to wait, and Greyston has proven to be quite the gentleman; we’re moving forward at a good pace.”
Just then, Dad and Greyston come back into the kitchen, laughing. However, when Greyston’s eyes find mine, his laughter dies immediately. He looks from me to my mom, and then back to me, his concern growing by the second.