I nod. “Let’s go, then.”
We hurry back to the garage.
“Get in so long,” he tells me, and then manually lifts the garage door, the mechanism groaning as it lifts. Sunlight streams in, momentarily blinding me.
Then Grim climbs into the car, starts the engine, and drives out, stopping. After closing the garage door, we ride out into thebright afternoon. I turn to look back at the Training Academy as we pull away. It looks peaceful. Like nothing happened there at all.
But everything happened there. I had sex with Grim, and it was everything I thought it would be and more.
I force myself to look forward again, forcing myself to leave what happened behind where it belongs.
Grim navigates down the long driveway. Soon, we’re surrounded by thick jungle on both sides.
“How far is it?” I ask.
“About an hour or so.” He glances at me. “It’s not too far.”
I nod, settling back into my seat. The adrenaline from this morning is starting to wear off, leaving me feeling drained. I didn’t get much sleep last night, and what sleep I did get was fitful, interrupted by nightmares.
And by Grim.
My face heats again.
“You okay?” he asks, glancing at me.
“Yeah. Just tired.”
“You can close your eyes for a bit if you want. I’ll wake you when we get close.”
I shake my head. “I’m good. I want to stay awake.”
The truth is, I’m afraid of what I’ll dream if I fall asleep. Afraid I’ll see Sally’s face again. Hear her begging me to help her. I hate how powerless I feel.
So I stay awake, watching the jungle pass by.
28
Grim
I glance over at Wren. She’s sleeping, her head resting against the window, her chest rising and falling with each steady breath.
Fuck, but she’s beautiful.
I want to reach over and touch her. Put my hand on her thigh or touch the curve of her cheek with my thumb.
I can’t. I absolutely cannot do either of those things. That’s what people in relationships do. I’m not in one, and I don’t want to be in one.
I drive a little more carefully, so she doesn’t jolt around. That’s the best I can do.
This morning was a onetime thing. We both agreed. No complications. No attachments. Just two people seeking comfort in each other’s bodies.
Except I never expected her to be so…fucking perfect in every way. So utterly craveable.
The sounds she made. The way she responded to my touch. How she let me push her boundaries, and not only did she lap it all up, but she pushed for more.
I saw her wince when she stood up at breakfast. Saw the light bruises on her skin this morning when she was getting dressed. Faint marks on her hips where my fingers dug in. A pink handprint on her ass.
My dragon growled when he saw it. He wanted me to put one on the other cheek.
