"It's hard not to."
We sat out on the water, watching quietly and making the occasional comment, until she yawned, and her weight felt heavier against my body.
"How about we go back?" I suggested.
Scott nodded against me, and I wrapped my aura around the both of us, boat be damned, and took us back to the hotel. She was tired beyond sense and kept yawning.
"You need to get some sleep,” I told her.
"You'll stay with me?" The words were muffled with yet another yawn.
"Haven't I every night?”
She hummed and started undressing herself, and I clenched my jaw again. Clad only in her underwear, she crawled into the bed — left side, of course.
I took off my shirt and tossed it to her. "Put that on if you aren't getting into pyjamas."
She sleepily tugged on my shirt as I took off my shoes and trousers and got into bed beside her. Putting her in my shirt was a mistake. Quentin looked so small in it, completely nestled up, and my heart felt funny. She took in a deep breath and smiled to herself, eyes closed, rolling over so she faced away from me.
I moulded my body against hers, spooning.
"What are you smiling about?" I asked, kissing the back of her neck.
"You smell so good."
She was definitely tired. Quen's tongue loosened when she was on the brink of sleep. The filter grew less effective.
"So do you, Quen."
"Thank you, Gray."
She yawned and pushed herself back into me, and I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in as close as I could.
"It's my pleasure. Now get some sleep." I dotted a kiss on the back of her head.
Everything fell quiet, and after some time, I heard her voice; quiet and thick with sleep.
"Love you, Gray."
I hadn't slept all night thinking about what she'd said. I had no proof she meant it. I wasn't even sure that she'd remember saying it, considering that when she woke up, she didn't mention it. If I brought it up with her, no doubt it would turn into a fight. Or maybe I didn’t raise the issue because I didn't want to hear her tell me I was wrong. That those words had been a mistake.
I watched her like a hawk as she finished the last bits of packing.
Did she love me?
Did I love her?
Quentin was attractive. There was no denying that. I’d worshipped her body every time she’d allowed it. The Gods had carved her for me and me alone. Our attraction was purely primal at the beginning.
But I enjoyed spending time with her during more mundane moments. She challenged and intrigued me, but did that mean I loved her? How was something that was meant to be a fuck and chuck turn out so complicated?
Quentin took a flight back home as Holden was due to pick her up. After moping around, getting tied with my thoughts for hours, I used my aura to take me back to Erik's place. My brother wasn't there, but I found Sloan, Elva, and Ignacio.
"The wanderer returns," Sloan greeted me.
"Glad to see you back, Grayson," Elva said.
"Never thought I'd live to see you chase a mortal around the globe." Ignacio laughed.
