It’s a big house that clearly cost a lot of money. While it wasn’t that surprising to me, since Gray has always had money and Remy plays for the Titans, it may seem a bit ostentatious to an outsider. Then there’s the fact that I live here now too, which I’m only really thinking about now. I haven’t contributed to anything, yet here I am.
“What’s going on?” Gray rubs his hand over my back while looking down at me. I don’t know how long I’ve been staring at the house.
“I live here,” I murmur, voicing my thoughts.
“And that’s a problem why?” He must be sensing my unease.
I try to put my feelings into words. “It’s not a problem, it’s just a really nice house. It was easier when it was just your house, not that I’m saying it’s mine now, but I live here.”
Gray slides his hand up until his fingers wrap around the back of my neck, and then he applies a little pressure until I’m looking in his direction. “Thisisyour house.” His words are said with vehemence while he stares directly into my eyes.
“I don’t even know where everything is.” I grin, trying to deflect how surreal it feels that so much has changed in such a small amount of time, yet everything feels as if it’s finally fallen into place.
“We’ll make time to defile every room soon, but for now, it doesn’t matter. Every inch of this place was made with you in mind. You are what makes this house a home.” He doesn’t take my opportunity to lighten the mood. Instead, Gray pulls out the big guns and makes me feel special, needed, and wanted.
I rock up on my tiptoes and steal a kiss. “Thank you,” I tell him. If Nash or anyone else judges me for living here or in a run-down studio, they can shove their opinions up their asses.
When I start to pull away, Gray holds me in place with his hand still on the back of my neck. He gives me a few more soft pecks before sliding his tongue along the seam of my lips. My stomach does a free fall, and I sigh against his mouth.
Gray lets out a soft, barely there chuckle while pulling back, leaving me wanting so much more.
Felix, who must have walked right past us to get into the house, pokes his head out the door. His face is rather blank, but that says a lot.
“What?” I question hesitantly.
“Ash is here,” he says slowly.
“Ash,” I repeat, and it takes a second for me to come up with an answer for the unfamiliar name. “Remy’s assistant,” I supply quickly.
“Yeah.” Felix nods. Why does he seem nervous? It’s making me nervous.
“I thought Remy had an appointment?” Gray and I walk to the door, which Felix holds open for us.
“There, in his den,” he tells me, not really answering my question.
I check my phone. Nash could be here soon, but I feel the need to go meet this woman, especially with how weird Felix is acting. “Okay, let’s go say hi,” I suggest.
The short walk to Remy’s den feels like I’m walking into doom. Knots form in my stomach and my palms feel sweaty.
As I take the final few steps, I notice Gray and Felix, who both came with me, start to hang back just enough to make sure I’m the first to enter the room. With my heart in my throat, I keep my footsteps soft as I push the heavy door the rest of the way open and peer inside.
Remy is sitting in one of the large chairs near the fireplace, and his head is turned in my direction, so he sees me the moment I walk in the door as if he was waiting for my arrival. “Hexes, I thought something was wrong.” He sags. It’s then I notice how his hands are clawed over the arms of the chair as if he was preparing to stand. When he settles his ass back in the seat, he rubs a palm over his chest.
I noticed the woman right away as well, but I was too focused on Remy to pay her much mind until now. I shift my gaze to her. She’s already watching me. “Hi.” I give her a small wave. It’s strange walking in here and seeing her look so comfortable in this space, knowing she’s been here many times before, way more than me, yet I feel as if she’s the interloper.
“Hello.” She gives me a slight chin dip while maintaining eye contact.
Remy clears his throat. “Frankie, this is Ash, my assistant. Ash, this is Fran—”
“Ces,” I cut him off. “Frances.” I don’t know her. My friends call me Frankie.
“Frances.” Remy’s eyebrows are high on his forehead. I can see him looking at me in my peripheral vision.
I walk over and lean my hip on the side of Remy’s chair. “What are you up to?”
“Just going over some info for a small press release before meeting with my agent.” I finally take my eyes off Ash and look down at Remy. His gaze is on mine, and he’s looking at me like he always does, like I’m the only person he sees. The insecurity I was feeling melts away.
I turn a little more so I’m fully facing him before placing my palms on his cheeks and giving him a swift kiss. While my lips are still close to his, I say, “Nash will be here soon.” As I start to pull away, Remy holds my hand against his cheek.
