Page 73 of Gravity

Nora

I’ve never ached so much to have a male body against mine—his body. I’ve never craved something so strong that it has me on the verge of going crazy, but that’s what he’s made me: fucking crazy. From the moment his eyes were on me in Hot Tuna to the moment he seduced me in the bar, Grayson had me lost under his touch. It had been difficult to work—hard to focus—but I put everything I had into doing my job because the last thing I’d wanted to do was falter and cause others to catch us out. But he’d put that on the line when he pushed his fingers inside me. I’d wanted him to stop because of where we were, but the truth is, I fucking loved it. I’d thrived on his touch. Electricity had shot through my core at the thought of someone seeing us, and with that excitement and the overwhelming pleasure of the way he’d worked my clit, I’d practically been on my knees. When he’d pushed me against the door of his office and kissed the living hell out of me. Jesus Christ, I’d been ready to combust. I’d known there and then that I don’t want to wait any longer.

I want him.

After coming home and taking a shower, I’ve spent the rest of the afternoon with Dad, playing board games with him and Wade before heading out into the garden with them to spend another hour with bubbles.

This time, Wade changes it up by getting Dad to do bubble painting through a straw. We laugh so hard at Dad’s attempt to blow the bubbled, colored paint across the paper that I practically cry with hysterics. The funniest part of it all though is that Dad is the one making all the jokes about his disability.

Having him home and getting used to another new change in our lives has had me a little more anxious than I’d like. I’d been dreading his return home after his stay at the hospital, and it hasn’t helped matters that he’s been having regular focal onset seizures where he looks to be daydreaming. There have been enough to make me question if he’s had them before and we’ve not realized. I’d been worried about what the days would bring, and when I’d known Asher was leaving, it hit me even harder. But I’ve never showed my fear to my parents, I can’t. I came home from college to spend the summer with my family, especially Dad. I can’t let them see my internal struggle or that I’ve become anxious about his new diagnosis. So, I’ve swallowed it down, and with the help of Grayson—my strength—I’ve pushed through it.

Now we have more fun than ever.

Dad continues to laugh, and the uneasiness I’d felt has slowly left me, allowing me to enjoy my time with him without any worry.

The butterflies fly high in my stomach as I hear the familiar sound of Grayson’s truck coming down the road. I’m sitting out on the old swing at the front of his house, waiting for him. If he knew how long I’ve been out here in the dark, alone, he’d go crazy. It’s not late, it’s barely even eleven, but his protective side will show no doubt. Other than a quick text message to say that he’d had to work a little later than planned, I’ve not spoken to him since I left work earlier, and yes, my body still aches for him.

I smooth my hands down the front of my dress as my heart begins to race at the thought of seeing him. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the reaction my body has to him, the rush, the way my heart picks up speed… All of it. It’s crazy how he has this effect on me, but I don’t want it to stop.

When he steps out of his truck, the moonlight catches the broadness of his shoulders and my mouth waters at the way his muscles flex. Every part of his physique that is wrapped in snug jeans and a tight T-shirt makes my body scream, causing the pulse between my legs to throb. He’s pure perfection: a man with both delicate hands and a devilish tongue.

Like he’s sensed me, his head turns, his shoulders immediately relax, and a soft smile graces his face. “Shortcake?”

Stepping down from the swing, I walk toward him without a word. Unlike any other time when his eyes have traveled down my body leaving goosebumps in their wake, this time my body hums as heat covers every inch of my skin, awakening the desire that has been laid dormant all day.

“What are you doing out here? Is everything okay?”

When I reach him, I push up on to my tiptoes and trail my hands up the inside of his shirt. His warm skin and the cut muscles of his torso have my nipples pressed against the thin layer of my lace bra, desperate for his touch. His hands find my waist, and when his mouth lowers to mine, I press against it, the fire that is already burning within me roaring to life.

He lets me lead, holding me close as our tongues collide in a slow, deep dance that has his heart beating rapidly under my palm. The groan that leaves the back of his throat wraps around every nerve ending in my body and entices me. The fire between us becomes an inferno, the ache between my thighs dangerous. I want him like I’ve never wanted anyone, and I know that once I give myself to him completely, he will steal my heart for all eternity.

Like a doll, I’m lifted effortlessly, wrapping my legs around him before I’m pressed against the side of his truck. His large palms cup my ass as he presses his hips against me, grinding his erection into me to draw out a moan.

“Wet,” I whisper as his mouth drags along my jaw. “I’m really. Fucking. Wet. Just like you wanted.”

He growls, crashing his mouth on mine and taking the lead this time. The power behind this man’s kiss takes my breath away every time. He’s both loving and hungry. Possessive and gentle. I’d happily kiss him like this every day for as long as I live if I can’t have anything else.

“Oh, wow,” I breathe, pulling back to look at him, loving the flicker in his blue eyes that catch in the moonlight.

“This is some welcome home.”

I chuckle. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too. Sorry I took a little longer than I planned.”

“You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

“How’s your dad?”

“Looking tired, but that could be down to the fun we had this afternoon.”

“Yeah? Whatcha get up to?” I adore the way he’s fascinated in every little thing I do, despite how trivial it may be. I could read paragraphs out of my textbooks, and I know without even searching, that his eyes would be on me, focused, composed, and taking me in like it’s the first time he’s ever laid eyes on me.

“Bubble painting. The paint got everywhere, and I’ve honestly never laughed so much or seen my dad react the same way.”

“I’m glad you two had fun.”

“Me too. But now, I’m ready to have some fun with you.”