by Alex Grayson
“Yeah, I think we’ve got it covered. Thank you again for bringing that stuff by.” I gesture to the boxes next to him.
“No problem. Just call if you think of anything else you might need from the house. I’ve got a few more trips to make, so it won’t be a problem to bring it by.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
He nods, turning his attention to Zayden.
“I’ll see you later, man.” They bump fists.
“Yeah, later.” Zayden waits until Oliver is in the hallway before closing the front door and sliding the dead bolt in place. “Now.” He turns, stalking toward me. He doesn’t stop until he has me firmly pinned between him and the kitchen counter. “Where were we?” he murmurs against my lips before kissing me.
“Well, I think we were just about here.” I slide my arms around his neck and deepen the kiss, loving the way he groans into my mouth. “But,” I pull back slightly, “we should probably eat first.” I smile, slowly sliding my hand down his stomach. “You need your energy.” I cup his heavy erection in my hands, loving the power I seem to have over his body.
He practically whimpers at my touch.
“Fuck food.” He hoists me back up in the same position, my legs going around his waist as he takes off in the direction of my room. “What I want right now, only you can satisfy.”
“Well, when you put it like that.” I grin, pressing my lips on his.
“THAT WAS….” I smile into Zayden’s bare chest, not really even sure how to describe what that just was.
Mind blowing doesn’t begin to cover it. Then again, it usually never does.
“Yeah.” His lips press to the top of my head. “Kind of makes me wish we had moved in together instead of agreeing to live separately for the first year.”
“Me too,” I admit.
“I hope you know I’m going to be here every night that you’re not at my dorm.”
“I hope you know I’m not staying in some stinky dorm that you share with another dude,” I tease.
“Such a spoiled princess.” He squeezes my side playfully.
“I am not a princess.” I pop my head up and give him a pointed look.
“Yes you are.” He grins, tucking my hair over my shoulder. He leans in so his lips are a beat away from mine. “Don’t worry, I still love you.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. And you want to know why?” He’s talking so quietly his voice is almost a whisper.
“Why?”
“Because I love every part of you.”
“I love every part of you, too.” I close the small gap between us and lay a light kiss to his lips.
“I mean it, Rylee. You have changed my life in unimaginable ways. You’ve made me realize things I never thought I wanted. You’ve made me believe in myself in ways I never did before. You took me from a selfish, lost boy, and turned me into a man I’m proud to be.”
“Zayden.” His name barely escapes my lips. As much as I love dirty talking, tough guy Zayden, I love the sweet, gentle side of him even more.
“I’m serious. You are everything to me. Everything,” he reiterates. “I need you to know that.”
“I do know that. Because you tell me every day.” I kiss him again. “My closet sweetheart.”
“Just don’t tell anyone. It would ruin my reputation.” He chuckles, rolling us so that I’m pinned beneath him.
“Your secret is safe with me,” I promise.
“I love you.” He leans down, resting his forehead against mine.
“And I love you,” I whisper back.
Things with Zayden haven’t always been easy, but it’s always been worth it. From the moment I first opened the door to find him standing on my front porch, I knew there was something there. Something that doesn’t come along very often. And while we may have started off on the wrong foot, eventually we both found our way to each other. And I’d do it all over again if it meant that we would end up right back here.
We’re far from perfect and nothing is without hardship, but when two people love each other as fiercely and deeply as Zayden and I do, there isn’t a thing you can’t overcome.
I don’t know what the future holds for us next. But I do know that as I branch out on this new adventure, there’s no one I’d rather have by my side than Zayden Michaels.
He started out as my bully. Then he became my protector. And now, he is the love of my life.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way….
The End
Other Books by Alex Grayson
The Jaded Series
Shatter Me
Reclaim Me
Unveil Me
Awaken Me
The Jaded Series: The Complete Collection
The Consumed Series
Always Wanting
Bare Yourself
Watching Mine
Hell Night Series
Trouble in Hell
Bitter Sweet Hell
Judge of Hell
Key to Hell
Standalones
Endless Obsession
Whispered Prayers of a Girl
Pitch Dark
The Sinister Silhouette
Other Books by Melissa Toppen
ALL THAT WE ARE
VIOLETS ARE NOT BLUE
LOVE ME LIKE YOU WON'T LET GO
HOW WE FALL
WHERE THE NIGHT ENDS
TEQUILA HAZE
TEN HOURS
THE ROAD TO YOU
CRAZY STUPID LOVE
FORCE OF NATURE
About Alex Grayson
Alex Grayson is the bestselling author of heart pounding, emotionally gripping contemporary romances including the Jaded Series, the Consumed Series, and three standalone novels. Her passion for books was reignited by a gift from her sister-in-law. After spending several years as a devoted reader and blogger, Alex decided to write and independently publish her first novel in 2014 (an endeavor that took a little longer than expected). The rest, as they say, is history.
Originally a southern girl, Alex now lives in Ohio with her husband, two children, two cats and dog. She loves the color blue, homemade lasagna, casually browsing real estate, and interacting with her readers. Visit her website, www.alexgraysonbooks.com, or find her on social media!
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About Melissa Toppen
Melissa Toppen is a Bestselling Author specializing in New Adult and Contemporary Romance. She is a lover of books and enjoys nothing more than losing herself in a good novel. She has a soft spot for Romance and focuses her writing in that direction; writing what she loves to read.
Melissa resides in Cincinnati Ohio with her husband and two children, where she writes full time.
Sign up for Melissa’s newsletter HERE!
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