The simplicity of his statement hit her harder than she expected. She hadn’t thought about it that way before—as a choice, not an escape. But hearing him say it, with that unwavering certainty, made it somehow feel true.
“I guess. It’s just hard, you know? Feeling like no matter what I do, I’m always going to let someone down.”
“You can’t please everyone,” he said, his tone blunt but not unkind. “Trust me. I’ve tried. It doesn’t work.”
She smiled faintly. “You don’t strike me as the people-pleasing type.”
“I’m not,” he admitted. “But I know what it’s like to carry the weight of expectations. And I know how much it sucks when those expectations don’t leave any room for you to just…exist.”
Her stomach flipped at the way he said it as if he understood her in a way no one else ever had. “You’re not as much of a hard-ass as you like to pretend, are you?”
“Don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my reputation.”
The unexpected humor made her laugh, and for the first time in what felt like forever, it wasn’t forced. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
“Good. Because I think I’m starting to like this version of you. The one who lets her guard down every once in a while.”
Her laughter faded as his words settled between them. His eyes were locked on hers, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. The tension in the room shifted, subtle but undeniable, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure if she should move closer or bolt.
“Grayson…” she began, her voice faltering.
“You don’t have to say anything. I just… I want you to know I see you, Cora. All of you. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your choices.”
Her heart thudded painfully in her chest. She didn’t know what to do with his words, with the way they stripped away every defense she’d spent years building. All she knew was that she couldn’t look away from him.
“Why do you care so much?”
“Because I care about you. Whether you believe it or not.”
Her breath hitched, and before she could second-guess herself, she leaned across the table and pressed her lips to his.
It was only supposed to be a fleeting moment, a silent thank-you. But as soon as her mouth touched his, everything changed. Grayson went still, his body tense, and for a moment, she wondered if she shouldn’t have done it.
Then he pulled her closer, and the world fell away.
He kissed her with an urgency that left her dizzy, and her hands moved of their own accord, sliding into his hair andpulling him closer. His stubble scraped against her skin, sending shivers racing down her spine. Her pulse raced, her entire body alight with a need so powerful, it bordered on desperation.
His tongue brushed against her lower lip, and she parted them eagerly, letting him explore. His taste sent a flood of heat through her core, and she arched closer, craving more. A low sound rumbled in his throat, and the sensation nearly undid her.
His hand slid down her back, tracing the curve of her spine until she thought she might come apart under his touch. The heat of his palm through her thin shirt was maddening, and she wanted nothing more than to strip it away and feel him everywhere.
The chair underneath her tipped as she leaned into him, and her elbow knocked the empty plate aside. It clattered to the floor, but she was too far gone to care. She needed this, needed him—more than she could remember needing anything else in her life.
He pulled her into his lap, hoisting her up and over as though she weighed nothing. His hard length pressed against her through his jeans, and she ground down on him without hesitation. Grayson groaned, and his hands gripped her hips tightly. She could feel him throb beneath her, and the sensation drove her wild.
She broke away, panting, her eyes searching his. For a moment, neither of them moved. She could feel his pulse thrumming against her palms, his breath warm on her cheek.
In a sudden blur of movement, Grayson stood, lifting her in his arms. She clung to him, wrapping her legs around his waist, and he carried her to the bedroom. The door slammed shut behind them, and the next thing she knew, he had her pinned to the wall.
He kissed her again, rough and deep and hungry. Her fingers tangled in his hair as his lips trailed along her jaw, her neck, and her collarbone. His teeth nipped at the sensitive skin, and she gasped. His hand slid up her shirt, leaving a trail of fire in its wake, and her mind blanked completely.
He cupped her breast, and her head fell back against the wall. Her nipples hardened instantly under his touch, and his thumb circled one, teasing her through the thin fabric of her bra.
She writhed against him, aching for more. Grayson growled low in his throat as he whirled her around and dropped her on the bed, looming over her. His gaze burned into hers, and she had to resist the urge to squirm. She couldn’t look away, couldn’t even breathe.
Then he tore his shirt off, and the moment shattered.
Holy shit.
