Pieces Of You & Me (16 page)

Chapter 26

Grey

“So this was what you had in mind all weekend long?” I said out loud, playing with her toes. “
Reading romance?
”

Olivia looked engrossed in her novel while I was equally as engrossed in watching her. I sat there, staring at her for over an hour with the fireplace warming us up in the basement lounge area; the same place where beautiful things had happened last night.

I think I had a serious case of Olivia hangover, but I didn’t care. I was going to enjoy every moment with her.

“Well, do you have anything in mind?” Her brow rose up, but she kept on reading.

The things I wanted from her, and how I wanted to reenact what had happened last night on the same rug, got me uncomfortable. My sweatpants felt like they were constraining me.

“How about we make a snowman?” I pulled on her big toe just to get her attention. Getting hard while I watched her read was the last thing I needed.

“Ah.” She pouted when the bone cracked a release. “Fine—Geez, snowman it is. You didn’t have to hurt me, you know.”

“Sorry, princess. Here, let me make it all better.” I kissed her black-lacquer tipped toe. She was too cute; everything about her made me all fuzzy inside. Didn’t that just sound like something a pussy would say? Fuck. How did I become a sappy man without looking like I was losing my man-like edge?
This shit blows.

So we spent our afternoon right outside the cabin, throwing snowballs in-between making a half-assed snowman. I didn’t think I had that much fun since… ever.

When the rest of the gang started flooding in, we kept to ourselves, keeping our distance until I could get secret kisses from her. I loved how she would blush each and every time our eyes met and I would wink at her. Who would have guessed that Olivia Taylor had been a virgin before last night? All those guys that bragged; well, they just stupidly boasted.

She was mine. I had known it all along. The only problem I had afterward was for her to know it; for her to see that we were meant to be. After she had sealed her fate with me in that closet during third grade spin the bottle, I had known she was the one.

It was obvious that everyone was going to party the night away since it was our last night here. The next day, we were driving back home.

Jet kept throwing me knowing glances, but I didn’t speak a word of it. He liked to fuck with my brain when it came to Olivia. I didn’t have to break it down to him; the fucker just knew where I stood with her. I guessed he’d had his own motives for fucking with my head, though. After what he pulled with Olivia and that stupid fight we’d had after I saw them in bed together, shit got real for me.

There was no denying that I was in too deep for Olivia, but to admit that and pursue her again scared me senseless. Sure, she had tried to seek me out—she was worried even—but none of it had implied what I wanted to hear from her. I wanted it
all
—every last piece of her.

Ignoring her for a while worked, however when I saw her in the car, trying not to look at me, I just couldn’t help it, my guard started slipping.

I thought I was being wise when I had been flirting with Sam, hoping I’d get distracted from her sitting on Jack’s lap. The jealousy ate at me, though, and when I saw her jump out of the tub, all Hell broke loose. I had thought she and Jack were going to meet somewhere and finish whatever they had been whispering about.

So I had to get there before that cocky bastard found her, locking the door behind me just to make sure we were all alone so I could make a move on her. What I didn’t expect was for her to surprise
me
. Her giving me her purity—her beauty—was the greatest gift she could ever give me. She didn’t even know it, but she had changed my life forever.

All the hurt and pain she’d caused me still remained, yet I was willing to move past it, hoping she was willing to push through it; to fight for us, if the time was right. Last night proved how strong that promised fate was. I believed in it, believed in her. I had an overwhelming conviction that, at the end of the day, she and I belonged together, to each other.

An hour had passed since Olivia had excused herself to her room after we’d had dinner, and it was another hour after I had joined in on the games and drinking before I thought of leaving. I didn’t want to be too obvious. I had plans for tonight and I had hoped that she would have an appetite for what I had in mind.

Excusing myself from my friends, I gathered what I needed and went straight into my bedroom. It took me over half an hour to get everything ready and situated.

Now, out in the hallway, I rubbed my hands together as I walked along towards her bedroom. Once I reached it, I blew out a breath before I knocked loudly three times. When I opened it, I was surprised to see her on the sofa with her nose still stuck in her book.

“I knocked three times and you didn’t even bother opening?” I said the second the door shut behind me.

She smiled, still reading her novel. “Sorry. Story’s getting serious.”

Damn, she looked too adorable. “I’m getting serious, too—from absolute neglect.”

She flickered her gaze at me. “Oh, yeah? You sure don’t look it.”

I slid my hands in my pockets, not swaying from her charming display of smiles. “You still owe me a kiss.” I licked the bottom of my lip, missing her badly. “I’m waiting, Olivia.”

“Oh, now where’s my manners, huh?” She shut the book loudly before running up towards me, jumping on my body and kissing me hungrily.

I wanted to strip her naked and worship her body, but fuck, I had to wait. “Are you up for some dessert?” I asked between kisses while my hands fully cupped her tight ass. God, she was fucking delicious. I groaned, thinking about her tight body.

“I’m up for whatever you have in mind.”

That’s my girl. It took me another minute before I finally broke free from her with my body wildly protesting from it, but I pushed my needs to the side and focused on her. I wanted to show her a fun night.

Besides, I wanted what I had planned to last for hours, and for me to achieve that, I had to wait it out and simply enjoy being in her presence.

Coming out of her room, we walked side by side towards mine, and when I opened my door, I heard her gasp in surprise.

The area close to the fireplace had been transformed into a bed of roses. I had champagne chilled in a bucket, chocolate fondue, different fruits and pastries with soft jazz playing in the background.

“Grey, this looks marvelous,” she said as she slowly walked towards it then took her boots off and carefully stepped onto the rose petals, grinning like a little girl.

“I’m glad you approve.” Honestly, this was the most elaborate thing I had ever done for any woman; for anyone really. So I was nervous, but now that I saw how much she adored it, I was grinning along with her.

Our night started sweet until our bodies demanded more. I worshipped her gorgeous, naked body with chocolate, eating her out with it drizzled everywhere, savoring her like a ripened fruit.

It was exquisite to be her first time experience. Her innocence, and the look of shock each and every time she came in my mouth, drove me to please her more.

My lovemaking usually went rough, however with Olivia, I had to find a happy medium. I had to know when to slow down and when to up the tempo.

I had her once. Twice. More than a few times all through the night. We would fall asleep in each other’s arms and then I would wake up from a nap, wanting her again. Over and over again, I got lost in her. I wanted to stay this way. To have her anytime I wanted. To have her as mine. I wished keeping her wasn’t so difficult, but I was going to attempt it.

She hadn’t mentioned anything about the note I had written for her, though that was okay. I had half expected her not to say anything, but still, it somehow killed something inside me when she pretended that I hadn’t laid everything out there for her.

In the next few hours, we would be heading back home. As I stared at her sleeping face, I couldn’t resist touching her skin. I had to feel her softness, needing to know that this wasn’t all a dream; that it truly was my reality.

I longed
for nothing to change, but I knew that would be stupid of me to assume that. First of all, there was Liam. Was he still in the picture? She hadn’t said anything. Second, there was an issue with our parents. Third, there was Olivia, who still hadn’t said anything about where this was going.

There was nothing I could do except feel optimistic though, because after all, if you wished for things hard enough, didn’t those dreams comes true? Having Olivia in my bed had proved it right, and I anticipated that my other hopes would be heard as well.

I wasn’t one to ask for a lot in life, but this time, I truly was asking for her to stay in my life for as long as possible.

Chapter 27

Liv

Greyson and I had just gotten out of the SUV after the drive from Big Bear. We were hovering about the vehicle; giving each other long looks while our parents were inside waiting for us to join them for an early dinner.

Usually, he headed towards the side of the house while I went through the main door, but before I could manage to walk towards the door, Grey pushed me to the side, kissing me one more time.

God, this man could kiss me for as long as he liked. His lovemaking sent me to places I hadn’t known existed—and God how I wanted him now. Again.
And again
.

“Are we good?” he whispered onto my lips, looking uncertain.

I smiled, touching his cheek. “We are.”
For now
.

“Come to me tonight?” he asked, gently pushing his lower half against mine. “Please. I need you.”

I honestly needed to sleep because last night’s festivities had seriously drained me, but maybe I could see him for an hour or two. “I can’t promise what time—try to wait up for me.”

“Okay.” His face grew serious all of a sudden, making me hitch my breathing. “I’ll miss you, Liv.”

“We’re going to eat dinner soon. I’m going to be sitting across from you.” Silly guy. Where did he think I was heading? Timbuktu? It didn’t matter, though, because my heart was skipping a beat.

“I
always
miss you.” He kissed my forehead before slowly letting me go. “Even when you’re near. Always remember that.”

There was sweet and then
there was
sweet
. Greyson had exceeded everything I had expected of him. He had gone far and beyond to appease me. I was impressed, in awe, amazed and speechless all rolled into one. If he kept going like this, how long would my resistance, and not to mention my sanity, be able to handle his charms?

During the meal, we acted the same. Well, our parents didn’t seem to notice, but Grey and I kept giving each other secret glances.

Reality didn’t check in until an hour after dinner when I was alone in my room, unpacking as a call came in from Liam.

I stared at my ringing cell phone, wondering if I should get it or not. All weekend we hadn’t spoken. What did I say to him? I didn’t even know what was going through my head… my heart. So talking to him would be pointless right now. I needed to wait until I knew how things would unfold.

At around eleven that evening, I cautiously strolled towards the pool house where I found Grey waiting outside, leaning against the entrance of his place. He looked as though he had all the time in the world as he stared up above, possibly counting down stars or something.

“Find something interesting up there?” I stood a few inches away from him, amused as my eyes roved over him, already hungry. He was so gorgeous it hurt.

“I love stars,” he merely said before dropping his head back down, meeting my gaze. “Hello, hello.”

“Hi.” I wanted to add,
miss me?
but thank goodness I retracted that part.

Slowly walking over to me barefoot, he stopped just a hairsbreadth away, which was just enough for my senses to smell him. “Miss me?”

Very much.
God, I did. I knew what he was talking about now… “Maybe a little.”

“You didn’t expect that, did you?” His eyes twinkled, telling me that he’d already known what I was feeling.

If he wasn’t correct, or if he wasn’t being too cute for his own good… “You have an hour, Edwards. Do you really want to spend that on talking?” I loved sparring with him best of all; I also liked the fact that this guy didn’t annihilate me on the spot.

The night was young. So were we. I wished time would stand still so I could keep feeling like this—like I was floating on air—with no one around, except Grey and his intense, fiery eyes looking down at me as if I was his only purpose in life.

***

So far our secret had mostly remained between the two of us, although I was almost certain that Jet knew because the man gave me a knowing smile each and every time our paths crossed. Then there was Josie… Well, she was my bestfriend. It wasn’t like I could hide anything from her.

As for Liam, I had sent him a message stating that I wanted to live my life without restrictions. That when the time came, if he allowed it, I would love to see him when I got to Sydney and speak to him face to face. He had known, of course, without me trying to break it down to him, however I refused to lay it out for him without explaining myself thoroughly. He deserved my full explanation—that was if he was willing to see me in six months time. I hoped then all things would be clear and maybe, just maybe, we could even be friends.

The holidays came and went, and we spent a cozy foursome singing Christmas carols, watching holiday films and enjoying family time. All the while, Grey pursued me relentlessly in the background.

Things progressed quietly.

Inside, we were more consumed with one another, though. My veil of bliss lived on for two months. Naïve that I was, I thought I could possibly go through this scar-free, but alas, real life intervened and gave me a big wake up call.

I had just gotten out of my class, heading towards my locker, when the wicked witch of San Fernando Valley came looking for me in the form of Edith; former best friend and severely obsessed with Greyson Edwards. She was flipping her hair from side to side, as if that should intimidate me. It didn’t, though she held a threat that would inevitably drive me away.

“You think you’re all that smart, don’t you? Well, guess what, bitch? I’m on to you!” she sneered while leaning in a bit so she could whisper her next words to me. “If you’re gonna keep on being a dumb slut, watch out, ‘cause I won’t hold back next time. You get that, don’t you?”

I did. I fucking did, but she was so arrogant that it rubbed me the wrong way. “What the fuck are you going to do, huh? That was decades ago. Get over it!” I hissed back, not wanting to be around her. I wanted to leave, yet the witch’s claws dug into my skin, holding me down.

“Think about your mom. Do you think that Brett Edwards, if he knew about this, would stick around? He’d leave her in a heartbeat. Besides, you fucking promised that Greyson was mine!”

Brett, how had I forgotten about him? Even if what Edith said wasn’t true, it might embarrass him enough that he would leave my mom. Those two had been in their crazy honeymoon phase in the relationship, but if news broke, was his love enough to keep them together?

Glaring at Edith, I tried to settle the sinking feeling in my stomach. “Leave me the fuck alone!” I hissed, departing in haste.

I heard her laugh. “
You wish, bitch!
”

For the rest of the day, I tried to focus on my classes, but it didn’t work. Edith’s threats gnawed on me. It wasn’t just about Greyson anymore. This was about Mom and Brett, too.

I had four more months until I left for Sydney. How the heck did I go about this without hurting anyone; Greyson most especially?