Chapter Nine
Charlee
I pad into Grayson’s office and see him hunched over his desk, his pencil moving over the large sheet of paper in front of him. I creep closer to him, silently sneaking up on him. I notice Grayson freeze and his mouth kicks up as he spins around to face me. He wraps his arms around me as I pout. I used to be able to sneak up on anyone but it’s like Grayson and I are connected or something. I can feel whenever he’s near and I have a feeling that Grayson feels the same about me because every time I’m in the same room as him, he finds me.
I laugh as he spins me around before he sets me back on my feet and drops a kiss on the top of my head. I walk closer to the desk to see what he’s working on and see that it’s a new house. I’ve been learning a lot about architecture from Grayson in the last couple of days. He likes me to be close to him and so he’s been working from home while I’ve been here. I’ve spent quite a few hours already looking over his shoulder as he explained what he was doing and how the houses would look when it was all done. He’s been asking me what my dream house would look like and as I look over the paper, I notice that this house has all of the things that we’ve talked about. I smile when I realize that he’s designing my dream home for me.
I’ve been staying here for the last week and it’s been heaven. Not having to worry about where I’ll stay at night or if I’m safe wherever I am has been so relaxing, but it’s more than that. It’s having Grayson coming to check on me every half hour, making sure I’m happy and I have everything that I need. That kind of attention and affection is addictive and I’ve already grown used to it. I love feeling his eyes on me, or when he walks up and wraps his arms around me, placing sweet kisses on my head or cheeks. He treats me like I’m something precious or like I’m fragile. I’m so used to having to be the tough girl that his treatment kind of threw me for the first couple of days but now I’m used to it and I love it.
And I love him.
I don’t know when that happened. Normally, I’m an expert at keeping people at arm’s length but somehow Grayson got past my defenses. He’s under my skin and it should annoy and terrify me but it doesn’t. Grayson is so sweet and generous. He’s smart, funny, loyal, and most importantly, he’s honest. I trust him.
He trusts me too and because of that, I know that I can’t go through with robbing him. He cares so much for me that I’m not even sure it would be robbing. If I asked for all of his money and belongings, he would willingly hand them over. I should just leave, skip town and start my new life with the money I have saved already. I know that my old crew will be looking for me. I’ve already missed several calls and meetings with them in the last week. It would be safer if I left but I don’t want to leave Grayson.
I try to convince myself that I’m just staying to keep an eye on Gray. Lord knows he needs to be protected. Grayson is too trusting and naïve. Add that with how generous he is and he’s an easy mark. He needs someone like me around to make sure that no one takes advantage of him.
I can’t lie to myself though. I know I’m not leaving for Grayson’s benefit. The truth is that the thought of leaving Gray is the most painful thing that I’ve ever felt. Until he kicks me out, I’m staying.
I turn in his arms and wrap myself around him. He grins down at me and I love how just the sight of me can put that smile on his face.
“I like the house.” I say as I rest my chin on his chest so I can gaze up at him.
“I’m making it for you.” He says as he starts to point out all of the little features.
I stare at his face while he goes over his work. He looks so happy and relaxed. I smile as he gets excited talking about something in one of the bedrooms. He’s so passionate about what he does and it inspires me. I’ve never felt that way about my jobs. Sure, the adrenaline can be a bit addictive but I’ve never felt about it the way that Grayson does with architecture. I want to find my calling too now and I know that Grayson would help me with that. Maybe I can stay here with Grayson and have the life I was planning after I left.
My phone dings in my back pocket and I pull it out, reading the text on the screen.
We know what you’re up to. Cut us in or your little boyfriend finds out who you really are.
My stomach drops at the words.
I should have known that it wouldn’t be that simple. The guys were never going to just let me go so easily. My eyes cut up to Grayson. What will he think of me when he finds out that I’m a thief? He probably already assumes that I’ve stolen things; I took his wallet the first night we met after all. There’s a big difference between stealing wallets and robbing people’s homes though. I shift on my feet as I go through my options.
I’ve already realized that I can’t rob Gray. I never want to hurt him like that. I should just leave. Sure, it will hurt to leave Grayson but if I stay, I’m just putting him in danger. I know that my crew will come for their cut or they’ll try to rob him without me. I also don’t think that I could bear to see the look on Grayson’s face when they tell him what I do for a living.
“So…” His words jerk me from my thoughts and I look back at him.
“It was supposed to be a surprise but I can’t wait any longer.” Grayson says with a giddy smile.
I smile back at him as he pulls some papers off his other desk. He hands them to me and I scan them, confused about what they mean.
“You’re looking for land?” I ask as I flip through the different listings.
“Yeah. I’ve narrowed it down to these three. I wanted your opinion on which one you liked best. Then, we can build our house there. It should be done by this time next year if we move fast.”
“What?” I ask, completely shocked.
I knew that Grayson liked me but he’s talking about us living together, being together a year from now.
“Yeah, this place is a little small and I wanted something that was ours. Together.” He smiles down at me as he drops a kiss on my forehead.
“You think we’re going to be together a year from now?” I ask hesitantly.
He frowns at my question.
“Of course, we are, Charlee. I want you forever. You’re my baby.” He teases me.