Being alone sounded better than that.
I already had no idea how I was going to cope when he put me down, let alone afterward. As soon as he stopped touching me, everything would come rushing back, and I'd lose my shit completely.
But Grayson didn't put me down.
He dropped my bag near the couch and plopped down on the cushions, pulling me onto his lap.
His hand remained on my lower back as my ass landed on his thighs, and I could feel his erection between us.
Our eyes locked as I sat up, and I swear my hair stood on end. He was overwhelmingly gorgeous in my dreams, but the real-life version of him was something else entirely. All tan skin, thick muscle, and gorgeous green eyes.
I wanted him.
I always fucking wanted him.
"What could possibly have turned you on in the two minutes since you threw me over your shoulder like a caveman?" I asked, only slightly huffy as I tipped my head back so I could meet his gaze.
His lips curved lazily. "I'm sure you'd like to know."
"That’s why I asked."
He lowered his lips to my ear. Goosebumps broke out over my skin—and for once, it wasn't because of nausea, overwhelm, or the invisible bugs.
It was justhim.
I'd never been this close to a man. Particularly not one I was attracted to.
His lips brushed my ear as he spoke. "Maybe if you're good, I'll show you tonight."
I legitimately shuddered.
God help me, I wasn't going to survive him.
Before I could scramble for a reasonable reply, Grayson grabbed the bottom hem of my shirt.
And pulled it over my head.
"What are you doing?" I asked, as he tossed the fabric aside. I was now dressed in nothing but a pair of the loose, wide-legged pants I always wore, and a thin sports bra that really couldn't keep my breasts contained. It was the only bra I could handle wearing without losing my mind, so I accepted the lack of containment.
"You were wearing too many clothes," he stated.
"I didn't say you could take them off of me."
"I didn't say you could hide what we were to each other for a century, but here we are. Fated fucking mates."He stared me down, daring me to disagree.
There went therational discussionpart of my plan.
Grayson was pissed, and I couldn’t exactly blame him for it. I would’ve been livid if someone hid the fact that they were my fated mate for a hundred years.
"In my defense, I didn't know I could touch you without draining your life until five months ago," I said.
"I heard."
"From Callum?"I knew he had meddled. He was one of the other three fae royals, and basically a brother to me.
"Yes. After four and a half months of searching for answers after he mentioned fated mate bonds, I broke into his house and forced him to tell me."
"Of course you did."
