I felt myself stretch to accommodate him, but any discomfort was a distant thought. I fell back, my dress still bunched up around my waist as the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen had his way with me. He thrusted against me, pulling me closer to himself until the only sound was the wet friction of my arousal and the slap of our bare skin coming together again and again.
“Oh, God,” I gasped. “So good.”
My words seemed to edge him even closer to completely losing control. I stared up at his face, enjoying the way his dark hair fell over his sweating forehead. I drank in the way his features were screwed up as he clearly was trying not to come. He didn’t want to climax yet, but he was at war with himself.
The sight of his battle pushed me over the edge, and I gasped, arching my body up again so I could touch him as my sex clenched around him. “Fuck,” I gasped.
“Ugh,” Greyson growled. I felt the telltale pulse of his cock inside me. His eyes closed tightly and he tilted his chin up toward the ceiling.
Once we were dressed again, I felt all the awkwardness of our situation return. I’d just had the most mind-blowing, incredible sex of my life. But I had to keep telling myself that’s all it was. I knew if I seemed too needy or clingy I’d risk scaring him off, so I did my best to look casual once I’d put myself back together and went to the restroom.
“Thanks,” I said.
Greyson seemed a little surprised. “Yeah, thank you too.”
“I guess I’ll head home.”
He hesitated. “Yeah. Probably best.”
I struggled internally. I wanted to hug him or give him a kiss goodnight, but that wasn’t casual, was it? Those were gestures that meant more. I forced a quick, simple smile and headed for the door.
“Wait,” Greyson said. He took my arm and turned me to face him. He kissed me deeply, then stepped back, looking slightly relieved. He flashed that smile again. “Sorry, I needed one for the road.”
I beamed, then tried not to look so pleased. “Good night. Oh, and um, maybe next time we should wait until the kids are with your ex?”
“Yeah, of course,” Greyson said. “I just… Yeah. We can wait.”
I nodded quickly, then rushed out the door before I said more. I didn’t want to admit getting a taste of being part of his family was too much for me. It made it too hard not to want more–to demand it. If I was going to be able to keep this up, I couldn’t experience something like tonight again. It was too sweet. Too real. Too tempting.
No, if this was going to work I needed to put up some serious walls. I needed walls behind my walls behind my walls. Because this man had all the tools to unravel me, but I needed to remember he didn’t want to. He didn’t want me like that, and the only way to protect my heart was to keep it locked away from him.
I walked home in the dark and managed to make it across the street before looking back at the inn. I saw Greyson at the window. He gave a quick wave when he saw me turn and I waved back. Good night, Greyson. I already miss you.
22
GREYSON
Zack came by to pick up the kids just after lunch. My head was still spinning from last night, but I tried not to let it show as my brother poured himself a coffee. It was warm out, and his shirt was already soaked through with sweat.
“Shouldn’t you be drinking water?” I asked.
He tipped back the coffee, draining it like it was a sports drink. “Nah,” he said. “I need my energy for those kids.”
I grinned. “I appreciate it. Katie said she should be back in a day or two and then I won’t keep bugging you for help.”
“Fuck, man. I love those gremlins. I wish you’d ask me to watch them more.”
I clapped him on the shoulder in appreciation.
“So what happened with Matt, anyway? Katie said it was some kind of emergency, right?”
“Yeah. Apparently, the important meeting he had was actually some sort of cosmetic surgery to get rid of bags under his eyes. There was a complication and he had to get checked into the hospital.” I tried to keep a straight face, but Zack burst out laughing. I joined him, grinning wide. “Katie asked me to keep it a secret, so not a word of this to anyone. Okay?”
Zack eventually calmed down. “Sorry. I just knew that guy was a little soft. But yeah, secret’s safe with me.”
“Well,” I said. “They’re both gathering their things. You sure this is safe?”
“I practically live in those woods. Trust me. They are safer with me out there than in their own beds.”