“Oh, sweetheart, I’ll tell you.” He sips his coffee. With his head tipped to the side, he saunters over to me, oozing confidence. One foot in front of the other, he nears me. When we’re only inches apart, he leans in so close I think he’s about to kiss me, but he doesn’t. His mouth whispers along the shell of my ear, “I’m taking you out today. On a date. So put some clothes on, before I fuck you right here against your bedroom window.” His drawl drips hunger, the same craving that’s swirling just below my belly button.
“You what?” My response is weak, just like my knees, and my head spins with possibilities.
“I’m taking you on a date,” he tells me calmly. Stepping away, his gaze holds me hostage.
“I don’t understand. I mean, we can’t just—”
“We can.” He sets his cup on the dresser, and his large hands cup my face, holding me close. “I want you. I’ve fucking fallen in love with you, Mila.” His confession hitches my breath and seeps into my chest, leaving me breathless. Dark brown, almost-black eyes pin me so painfully and beautifully that I can’t respond. Words don’t come when I open my mouth, and I’m reeling like I’ve just been winded.
My body is alight with emotion. A maelstrom of everything hits me all at once. Affection, need, and desire. Lust, hunger, and love, that’s it — at the forefront is love. Fuck.
“I . . .” My admission disappears in the air around us, hanging above us like a piece of mistletoe. He pulls me toward him, our mouths touching, so lightly it’s as if a butterfly’s wing is flitting across my lips.
“I love you, Mila. I’ve always loved you.” Honesty rings true in his words, and I recall a memory so poignant in our relationship it stills my heart.
“Hello, Grayson. How is my favorite uncle?” I answer my phone in a hushed tone. It’s almost midnight, and I’m sleepy. A year has passed since mom died, and we’ve slowly grown closer by calls and messages. So, this isn’t a surprise that he’s calling me. But this late?
“Hi, sweetheart, and I told you, don’t call me uncle. It freaks me out,” he groans into the phone, and I have to stifle the giggle that threatens to fall from my lips.
“Okay, okay, Grayson. Why are you calling so late?” I roll over. Pushing up, I sit with my back flush against the headboard.
“I missed you,” he murmurs into the phone, and the sound has me squeezing my thighs together.
“You’re calling at midnight because you missed me?” I question on a giggle, and a groan so low rumbles through the line, and if it weren’t so quiet in my room, I would have missed it. My heart thunders in my chest, and I wonder if he would ever feel for me what I do for him. Would he ever want me?
“I did. Just wanted to hear your voice and say goodnight, sweetheart.”
The nickname he uses sounds so different when he says it tonight. So . . . Sexual.
Chapter 8
Grayson
“Grayson, I . . .” Her voice lowers. “I love you too.”
The words fall from her lips to mine, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Crashing my mouth to hers, I kiss her so deeply, so fucking hard, with so much affection, and I want her to know I’m not leaving. I want to tell her all the words I can’t say with this kiss.
All my life I’ve fucked around, I’ve had a different woman in my bed each night of the week, but right now, the only one I want is standing before me with those green eyes pinned to mine.
“So, will you let me take you out?” I question, hope flourishing when she beams and nods.
“Yes. I can’t believe this . . . Isn’t it weird?”
Shaking my head, I stare into her eyes for the first time in so long and respond with conviction, “This will never be weird. We’ve found each other for a reason, sweetheart. You are mine. Do you hear me?” Her gaze darkens, and my heart constricts painfully.
“I’m yours,” she agrees, but there’s something she’s not telling me. It’s written all over her face. “I’ve always been yours.” She peers up at me through dark lashes. “Will you join me in the shower?” Her lips lift into a wicked smile, and I know I’ll never say no to her.
Without a word, I grip her ass, lifting her against me, and her squeal is enough to have me rock hard. “I’m going to fuck you in the shower, and then we’re going out, okay?” She nods, her arms twined around the top of my shoulders and her face nuzzled in my neck.
In the en-suite, I set her down on the counter and turn on the shower, then turn to her. She’s completely bare to my hungry gaze. Her nipples pebble under my scrutiny, and I can’t help but feel proud of this woman that’s mine now.