My gut sinks straight into the foundation of this shitty house. “You’re right, I don’t. But that doesn’t make you any less forbidden.”
Sutton snorts. “Says who?”
“Me.”
“Well, I disagree.”
“That’s why we’ve never discussed this before now.”
Her lips flatten into a thin line. “And you’re not budging?”
I scrub a hand down my face. “Even if I’m delusional enough to believe this could work, your brother will kill me. I’d like to keep my dick attached and out of harm’s way.”
“He has nothing to do with us.”
“Easy for you to say. That guy has saved my ass more times than I can count. This would be the ultimate betrayal. You need to be sure, Sutt. Once you agree to be mine, there’s no letting go. Not for me.”
“That won’t be an issue. I’m all in.” She reaches for my hand.
I lace our fingers together. “Yeah?”
“Yes, Gray. In my mind, you’ve always been mine.” Sutton leans into me. Her hungry gaze settles on my mouth. She parts her lips on a breathy exhale.
Kissing her would seal the deal. A simple exchange with permanent repercussions. “I won’t push more boundaries until we talk to your brother.”
Sutton jolts upright. “Excuse me?”
I shake off the arousal clouding my vision. “Is that a problem?”
She combs through her snarled hair. “Why do we need to tell him?”
“Wait, you want to keep this a secret?” I grind my molars.
She whips her head back and forth. “Not at all. But Jace doesn’t have a say in this. The choice is ours to make.”
“This is important to me, Sutt.”
She shifts further away from me, scooting to the edge of the bed. Not having her wedged along my side is similar to losing a vital piece of me. But I let her go. I’ll never force her to be trapped with me. “I’ve waited around long enough for you, Grady Bowen. I deserve to be with a man who will choose me over everything else, no matter what.”
I cringe when Sutton uses my full name. That’s a sure sign I’m in the doghouse. She’s absolutely right, which is sad news for me. “I need to be sure nothing will get between us.”
“That will only happen if we let it.”
“Well, I’m already fucking up.” No point in denying the obvious.
She purses her lips. “We’re at an impasse. I’m going to leave. Try to rest while getting your priorities straight. I’ll send precious Jace over to check on you in a bit.”
Before I can attempt a response, Sutton slinks out of the room. The damage has been dished out. I better grab a spoon and enjoy.
12
Grady
Happy something #93: Finding people to genuinely trust and rely on.
The antique rocking chair creaks with my forward motion. I’m out on my back porch, feet kicked up on the rickety railing, swinging to a gentle rhythm. My ballcap is slung low to shield the sun. There’s a cold beer in my hand. I have no place to go. It’s quiet and calm. Only the occasional chirping from a nest of birds greets me. The sticky-sweet scent of pine wafts over from the thatch of evergreens. I could get used to this laying low gig. My day off isn’t turning out to be such a bad thing.
Other than Sutton storming out earlier. I’m hoping to rectify that situation soon enough. This afternoon has given me plenty of hours to reflect and strategize. The cogs in my brain are getting a tad sluggish. A nap will do me some good. Sutton did mention rest as part of my plan. I’m just following orders.
