by Wendy Louise
“Chocolates?” I question.
“Nope, still not what I need.”
We reach the edge of the bed and Olivia wraps her arms around my nape, pulling my mouth to hers. Before she goes any further she whispers against my lips, “This is what I want.”
Her mouth closes over mine and she kisses me like she has been starving for me. I feel it in my toes. Every nerve ending in my body has fired up and nothing else in the world matters more than this moment.
“I love you Liv,” I say before pulling her top over her head and running my hands down the length of each arm.
“Show me.”
She pulls my t-shirt over my head and traces my abs with her fingernails. A shudder ripples through my body and my control is teetering on the edge.
“With pleasure.”
I lower her to the mattress.
She scoots back towards the bedhead as I follow and climb over her. Hovering above her, I take in the sight of her, back in my bed, back in my arms. I bury my fingers in her long hair and run light kisses over her jaw to the sensitive spot behind her ear that always makes her squirm.
Right on cue she does just that. Moving beneath me like she can’t get enough.
I run my hands over her flat stomach, across her hips and to the front of her jeans. I unbutton the fly and make quick work of removing both them and her pale blue lace panties at the same time.
“I’ll never get enough of you,” I say as I discard my clothing in record time. I want to spend the time worshipping her, but right now I just need to be inside her before I explode.
We pull back the bedding and climb onto the soft mattress beneath, burrowing under the crisp white linen and wrapping our warm limbs around one another. Our mouths haven’t stopped moving over every inch of each other. It’s like we both need to get our fill as quickly as possible.
Liv pulls back and runs her fingers over my shoulders, across my pecs and down my sternum towards my navel.
“I love you,” she says as she runs her hand over my length and starts gentle rhythmic strokes that push me a little closer to the edge that I’m trying to hang back from.
“I need to be inside you now Liv.”
I remove her hand with a kiss to the palm and position myself at her entrance. I take her slowly, revelling in the sensation that burrows through every vein right to my heart. Liv’s eyes close in bliss as we rock into one another slowly, enjoying the contact and re-connecting in the most intimate way possible.
I feel her tighten around me and I take shallow breaths to try and hold off, wanting her to reach her peak before I do.
As she does, she calls my name and I hold on for three more thrusts before joining her bliss. I lower my body to hers, holding my weight on my elbows and placing lights kisses on her perfect lips.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I say, as I roll to the side, pulling her to my chest and cradling her in my arms.
We lie like that for not nearly long enough, before we make our way to the shower to clean up before re-joining Ethan and Ava.
It’s a crisp but warm day in San Francisco, so we all decide to make our way down to Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 for lunch.
I want them all to try the amazing chowder.
It is to die for.
We spend time looking out over the water at the sea lions basking in the sun, and staring across at the formidable view of Alcatraz.
There are street vendors and souvenir shops, and the air is full of the smell of freshly caught seafood, mixed with today’s baked bread. The atmosphere reminds me of a carnival, and the four of us are so entranced that it is hard to know where to look first amongst the bustling crowd.
We settle on some seats with a view of the San Francisco Bay to enjoy our chowder. We need to swat away some overly aggressive gulls who decide that they would also like to sample our lunch - crazy little fuckers.
“This is incredible,” Ava says. “Much better than I imagined it to be. I really love it here.”
“I’m glad we could all share your first time here Ava.”
“Me too,” she says as she smiles at Ethan and snuggles into his side.
“Hey I forgot to tell you, I’ve been asked to drive in the celebrity race at the Grand Prix in Long Beach.” I say cautiously hoping that Liv will be okay with that.
“No way!” Liv says.
Oh no, she doesn’t sound too pleased.
“I have too, and Ethan!” she exclaims.
Now hang on a minute here…
It’s one thing for me to drive around a race track, but Liv – fuck that, there’s no way I’m agreeing to that, but how do I tell her she can’t when I want to so badly.
“Baby, do you really want to do that? It’s kind of dangerous.” I say.
Olivia and Ava start to laugh. “I didn’t want Liv and Ethan to do it either Gray, and now that I know you’re doing it too, well that’s just one more person that I love to worry about.”
I smile at Ava’s words, but she holds her hand up to stop me from saying anything. “In saying that, there is no difference between you boys driving in that race and Liv doing it. Don’t be sexist. She’s a great driver and I have no doubt she can do it. I would just rather that she didn’t!” Ava gives Liv a sly wink and continues to eat her lunch.
“I’m not being sexist Ava, I just want to spend my life protecting Liv, and the thought of her being on that track fills me with dread.”
“Don’t you think that I’ll be worried about you too Gray?” Liv says. “I don’t want to do it but it will be good publicity for the movie, and now I know you and Ethan will be with me, I feel better. I have two fellow drivers looking out for me. It’ll be fun.” Liv says with a shrug.
Ethan just smiles at me. I can’t wait to have some time with him to talk about this. God, the two of us on that track will be a blast. What better way to do this than to do it with your best friend.
“Enough talk about the race and back to the here and now. I’d love to do the Alcatraz tour one day.” Liv says.
I decide to let the subject of the Grand Prix go for now. I truly don’t want Liv racing, but I’m not sure how to tackle that for the time being. I need to give it some further thought.
“We can do that baby. I’ll bring you back after the tour and we can spend some time with my parents just chilling and being tourists.”
“I’d really like that,” she replies. “Speaking of which, what time is your mum expecting us for dinner tonight?”
I check my watch and see that it is only two o’clock. “Not ‘til six, so we have plenty of time to explore.”
Ava looks to the screen of her phone, reading an app about everything there is to do in San Fran. “Can we go see Lombard Street and visit Chinatown? Oh and I’d love to do a bit of shopping at Macy’s.”
We all laugh at her enthusiasm and settle on heading to Chinatown first, before taking a cable-car to the shopping district.
After the girls have indulged their shopping fetish and we’ve successfully dodged a few rogue photographers that spotted us in the CBD, we make our way back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.
Liv has bought my mom a box of hand-made truffles, which I know she will love.
I’m so excited about introducing her to my folks. I can’t wait.
I’ve never brought any of my girlfriends home, well except a couple that I dated through school, so the importance of this meeting has not been lost on my family. They’re dying to meet Liv.
I’m so damn proud that she is mine and I know my parents and Christian are going to love her as much as I do. I’m so surprised that I don’t feel any nerves about taking her home to meet them.
It just feels right.
Natural.
Like it was always meant to be.
The Adams family
I’m so freaking nervous about meeting Gray’s family.
I mean I love Sienna, and I know that they will all be lovely, but I want to make a good impression and I want them to like me.
>
The one issue with being a well-known actress is that people who haven’t met you seem to have a pre-conceived idea about who you are. The media paint a picture of you that is sometimes hard to escape.
I am luckier than most.
I haven’t really been involved in any scandal and most of the stories they report about me have some truth to them. I’m a little concerned that they may have seen some of the beat-up stories that have been doing the rounds about Ryan and I getting back together, and Gray and I splitting apart.
Absolute crap, but people read and believe it every day.
Hopefully they know enough about how the media works.
Both Gray and Sienna have featured in the tabloids of late so they should have a fair idea of what is truth and what’s been fabricated.
I smooth my hands over my dress for the tenth time as we walk the path to the front door. The truffles in my hands are rattling due to my nerves.
Gray places his hand at the small of my back in a comforting gesture and steers me to the door. He turns the knob and yells, “Hello,” as we enter the home.
It is beautiful.
Warmly decorated and filled with family photos and cosy furnishings that welcome you to sit and relax. Footsteps sound on the hardwood floors as Gray’s parents make their way down the hallway towards us.
“Hey Mom,” he says as she pulls him into a hug. Gray’s mom is much shorter than he is, but her hug is fierce, clutching her baby boy to her chest and smacking a kiss to his cheek.
“Hi sweetheart,” she says pulling back and placing her palm across his cheek. “It’s so nice to have you home.”
“Mom, I want you to meet my Liv.” She turns to me with a warm smile and wraps her arms around me.
“So pleased to meet you Olivia, Grayson has told us all about you, and we are so happy to finally get to spend some time with you.”
“Pleased to meet you too Mrs Adams,” I respond.
“Call me Monica dear, Mrs Adams makes me feel too old.”
She reaches back for Gray’s dad who is standing quietly behind her, waiting to be introduced. “This is Grayson’s dad, call him Joel.”
I now know where Grayson gets his looks.
Where Monica is attractive and very blonde, Joel is a very stunning, distinguished man with the same dark hair as Gray, and the same piercing green eyes.
He too embraces me and welcomes me to their home.
After introducing Ava and greeting Ethan, we all make our way to the terrace at the back of the house for drinks.
“Can I help with anything?” I ask Monica.
“Thanks Sweetheart, but everything is organised. I made a lasagne and garlic bread with salad. I thought that way I could make it all before you came and spend more time talking rather than cooking.”
“Liv makes a mean lasagne Mom.” Gray says with a wink.
“Maybe we can compare recipes,” she replies as she takes a glass of champagne from her husband.
“Cheers!” Joel calls as we all clink glasses. “It is so nice to have you all here in our home.”
“Hey Guys, where are you all?” We hear from the hallway.
“Out here,” Monica calls, as a slightly shorter version of Gray comes out to the terrace.
Placing a kiss on Monica’s cheek he says, “Hi Mom.”
“Hi Darling,” she responds fondly.
“Hey big brother,” he says as he throws an arm around Gray as he rises from his chair. “Good to see you.”
“You too Christian,” Gray responds. “Chris, this is Liv.”
Christian, like the rest of the family, pulls me into a hug and greets me warmly. “Great to finally meet you. Gray talks about you non-stop,” he says as he rolls his eyes.
Gray flips him the bird which earns him a scolding look from his mother, before introducing Christian to Ava. Chris and Ethan already know each other, so another weird man-hug is exchanged before Joel thrusts a cold beer into Christian’s hand and we all return to our seats.
“I have to say Olivia; you’re much prettier in person than in the movie.” He holds his hands up in surrender, “…and before I get in trouble for the way that sounded, I think you are stunning in your movie.”
I feel a blush creep over my cheeks.
Christian is just as charming as Gray, but doesn’t have that ‘naughty boy’ edge that Grayson does. They look alike, but somehow Chris fits his book-loving lifestyle just as perfectly as Gray fits his rock star persona. They both ooze confidence and sensuality, but in very different ways.
“Thank you,” I respond, somewhat embarrassed but flattered by his comment.
“I’m looking forward to the show tomorrow night Bro, can’t wait to see you guys in a large arena.”
“I can’t wait to have you all there. It will mean so much more to know we are playing to all of you.”
“We’re very proud of you Son,” Joel says as he takes a swig of his beer.
“I wish Si was here. It has been way too long since I’ve had all my babies under the same roof.” Monica says.
“She’ll be here tomorrow Mom,” Gray responds with a smile.
“How has she been Olivia? Has she been driving you insane at the apartment? We all love our Sienna, but we all know what a little firecracker she can be.”
“Quite the opposite Monica, I’ve loved having her there. We get along great and she has been wonderful company for me while Gray has been away.”
“Good to hear,” she responds.
The timer on the oven sounds from the kitchen and Monica rises from her chair. “That’ll be dinner.”
“I’ll come help you.”
I get up and place a quick kiss on Gray’s cheek before following his mum into the house.
Monica pulls the bread and lasagne from the oven and instructs me to grab the salad from the fridge. “Let’s give this a minute to sit and cool before we cut into it.”
She turns to me and smiles as she leans back against the kitchen counter. “We’re so pleased that you could come Olivia. We can see how happy you make Grayson and it warms my heart. I’m sure you know, but he is head-over-heels for you.” She winks.
I smile at her words. “I love him very much too.”
“He’s my special one Liv,” she says. “I’m sure Grayson hasn’t told you this but when he was a baby he got very sick. He was born with genetic heart issues that required immediate surgeries. We thought for a time that we may lose him. It was the most heartbreaking time of my life to date.” She swipes a tear from her eye and moves forward to take my hand.
“I’m so happy he’s found you. He’s special that boy, and it is so very important to me that he live life to the fullest. God gave him a second chance and he’s never looked back. We are very proud of who he is and what he has become. Thank you for loving him the way that you do.”
She pulls me into the warm cocoon of her arms and I squeeze her tight, trying to convey to her that I intend to love him always and ever.
Pulling back I look into her warm brown eyes. “Thank you for telling me that. Gray hasn’t mentioned it to me, but I can assure you that I intend to spend my life making him happy and living every day with him in it.”
“Gray doesn’t really talk about the surgeries much. He’s living fine now thanks to what he had to endure when he was younger. He always thought that his father and I wrapped him up in cotton wool as he was growing up. I think that subconsciously we probably did. We couldn’t bear the thought of him having to go through anything else. We’re lucky that he didn’t rebel and end up working as a sky-diver or bungy-jumper.”
We both laugh.
“Just look after him for me Liv. He loves you, that’s plain to see, and I want you both to be happy. Your careers don’t leave either of you with much privacy, so remember to talk to one another and stay close. A love like yours can last if you nurture it the right way. You are already 90% there with the way you feel, the last 10% can be hard work, but if you get it right, it is well wor
th it.” She runs her hand down my arm and turns to grab the spatula to start slicing up the lasagne.
We grab the food and make our way to the table on the terrace to join the boys and Ava. Grayson looks up as we enter giving me that special smile that he reserves for me.
I can’t help but wonder what Gray’s folks will think when they find out he is racing in the Grand Prix this year.
One thing is for sure, Grayson comes from a very loving family - just like mine. It warms my heart to know that he has grown up surrounded by love, comfort and acceptance.
A small part of me wonders why he never told me about his heart issues, but a slightly larger part worries that it will affect him in the future. The thought of him getting sick or needing surgery fills me with horror, so I resign myself to ask him about it when we get back to the hotel. I need the facts so that I’m fully informed, and so I can keep my eye on him.
Nothing in the world is going to take him from me, least of all - illness.
Grayson and I both flop down onto the large down comforter on the bed when we get back to the hotel. It’s been a really busy day. Meeting Gray’s family went really well and I’m so happy to have had the chance to spend time with them. They are sweet and loving, and they adore Gray, which makes me adore them all the more.
I turn my head to the side to find Gray staring at me.
“What?” I ask with a smile.
He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For making the effort to be so sweet with my family.”
“Gray there was no effort involved, your family is gorgeous. They remind me so much of mine. I’m so glad that you’ve grown up in an environment like that. It bodes well for our kids.” I say with a smile.
He laughs. “How so?”
“Well you and I have both had great role models for parents. The values we have and the love we were given is going to be passed down to our children. They’re going to be so lucky to have you as their daddy.”
He smiles warmly and taps his finger to my nose, “And you as their mommy.”
We both roll towards one another at the same time and wrap our arms and legs around each other, snuggling close. I place my head onto Gray’s chest and I can hear the steady rhythm of his heart beating beneath my ear. It is such a comforting sound. I didn’t realise how much I missed it until here and now. I have it back again.