His drawn face relaxed when he saw me. I tentatively stepped closer, taking in his frown and rigid posture. I worried his parents would make him leave Humptulips. Leave me. They used to have a lot of sway over him, and I wondered if that was still the case.
I wasn’t prepared for his hand to shoot out as soon as I was within reach. I stumbled into him when he tugged me closer, bracing my hands against his hard chest.
He wound his arm around me, holding my front to his. I rested my cheek on his chest and sank against him, his heartbeat steady and reassuring.
“It was inexcusable, and unless you’re willing to apologize, I have nothing left to say to you.” The deep rumble of his voice flowed through my body.
He ended the call, and I tipped my chin up. His hazelnut eyes looked darker, and I longed to take away the pain I saw swirling in them.
He was everything I’d ever wanted, and he was right in front of me. I blushed, chastising myself for my reaction. This was neither the right time nor place.
He dipped his head down and pressed his lips to mine in a gentle caress. “God, I love you.” His whispered words shot through me like lightning. “I’ll never let anything come between us again.”
“I love you too. And nothing will ever change how I feel about you.” My answer came out like a steadfast declaration, like an infallible truth that neither of us could deny. There would never be another for me.
“If only I’d put my bruised ego aside and looked for you earlier.”
I knew what I’d said and done hurt him. And I understood his reaction. Neither of us was at fault. We did what we thought was right at the time.
“You think anyone would notice if we left?” He didn’t wait for my answer, just led us to where he’d parked his car.
“I doubt they will. At least not for a while.”
Everyone would be too excited for Stella. She’d been looking for something she was passionate about for a while. And after all the shit she’d gone through with her family, we all wanted her to have this.
If it weren’t for Mason, I didn’t know where she’d be today.
Grayson rushed us to his car. I let him guide me into the seat, but I halted his movements when he tried to put my seat belt on. “Will you tell me what happened first?”
His head moved in a jerky nod before he closed the door.
Once he was in the car, I turned to face him. “What did your parents say?”
“They weren’t happy I moved to Humptulips.” He visibly swallowed. “They said some things I don’t think I can ever forgive them for.”
I studied his profile, taking in his straight nose and angular jaw. “I’m so sorry.”
Starting the car, he held my hand as he drove us back to Sweet Dreams. He pulled into the back parking lot and shut off the engine but made no move to get out of the car. “This is not your fault. They should never have made you feel like you’re not good enough. Because you’re everything to me. And if they really had my best interests at heart, they should have done everything in their power to keep us together instead of tearing us apart.”
My head dropped, and I studied my lap. “It wasn’t completely their fault.”
Grayson tugged on my hair. “Hey, no. Stop it.”
“I wish I’d talked to you.”
He leaned back and opened the door. “Nope. You’re not doing this.”
I followed him out and up the stairs. “So you’re telling me no part of you feels resentful at what I did?”
“Nope.” His answer came quick and sure. “And I know just the way to prove it to you.”
I kicked my shoes off next to the door and turned to Grayson. “How are you going to—”
He cut me off with a kiss, the feel of his lips on mine erasing all conscious thought.
Twenty-One
Istomped to the front door of my café, my body vibrating with anger. “Nope. Not happening. You can turn around and leave again, because you’re not welcome here.”
