She relaxes with my words. The flicker of sorrow disappears faster than she can blink, returning her gaze to a vibrant shade. “Hey, Gray.”
Sutton’s shirt is wrinkled. Creases crisscross up her cheek. Her glossy hair is knotted at the ends. She’s never looked more stunning, or appetizing if I allow myself to be honest.
Contrary to what most would believe, I didn’t invite her to stay so we could fuck from dawn until dusk. Of course I want to be buried balls deep between her silky thighs. Any man with a pulse would bust a nut at the opportunity. But Sutton means far more to me than that. I’ll eventually admit that to her. Maybe. For now, I need to dig us out of the tense silence.
I scratch my temple. “How’d you sleep?”
She nibbles on her bottom lip. “Really well. How about you?”
“Hard as stone.” I smirk at the double meaning.
Sutton follows my line of sight straight down, to the bulge beneath the covers and into the gutter. Her eyes snap up to mine. I chuckle as splotches of red stain her smooth skin. She shoves my shoulder.
“Not cool, Gray. You’re pervy in the morning.”
I wince as jarring needles stab into my arm.
She slaps a palm over her mouth. Her eyes flare wide open. “Oh, shit. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m fine.” I grunt, attempting to shrug it off. The pop in my jaw catches her attention.
“Don’t pretend on my account. I saw the gore and horror.”
“You’re shredding my man-card, Sutt. I’m not made of fucking glass. Give me some credit.”
“Tough guy needs his ego stroked?” She winks at me.
I release a choppy breath. Try as I might, dredging up images of puppies and manual labor is falling flat. My cock is bound to punch a hole in the sheet at this rate. “I wouldn’t say no.”
Sutton skips her nails along my abs. She peeks up at me through lowered lashes. With a purposely slow lick, she wets her plump lips. “I’m so hot for you, Gray. I bet you’re epic in the sack. Rattle the headboard until I’m screaming your name.”
The air freezes in my lungs. Shit, is she serious?
She topples over in a fit of giggles. “Your face,” she wheezes. “Oh my gosh, that’s priceless.”
If my arm wasn’t torn to shreds, I’d swat that juicy ass and tickle the shit out of her. But retaliating isn’t possible. Revenge will have to wait. I just lay still and let her joy wrap around me. The sound of her laughter is music to my neglected ears. She’s playing a Grammy-worthy concert just for me. Maybe she’ll continue blowing my mind by stripping naked and riding me to the highest peaks of ecstasy.
Sutton’s twinkling tune dies off. The humor in her features fade, questions beginning to form behind those bright eyes. There must be something in my expression that tells her exactly what I’m picturing. Her breathing turns shallow. The rise and fall of her chest is a rapid beat.
“Gray,” she murmurs.
I’m hypnotized by her mouth caressing my name. “Yeah?”
“What are you thinking about?”
I wrench my gaze off her. “Nothing.”
She blinks at me, the shimmering enthusiasm clears from her blue depths. “Sure about that?”
“Have to be,” I mutter.
A crease dents the center of her forehead. “Do you remember what we talked about last night?”
I lick my dry lips and nod. Begging her to stay is the first thing I’ve done right in four lonely years.
Sutton stares at me, unflinching and brave. “Please don’t tell me that was the pills talking.”
“That was all me, Sutt.” But speaking of the scripts, my arm is still on fire. It feels like my skin is being ripped off as I continue lounging here. “Where did you stash those painkillers? I need to take something. And drink some water. Then we’ll talk.”
