Forbidden Attraction (Forbidden Trilogy) (20 page)

Grayson leads us to the balcony. The moonlight casts a romantic glow over the terrace enhanced by the candlelight of a lone candle on the table. I’ve lost my appetite. I go along with his suggestion for the California sea bass. He pours two glasses of some kind of pinot grigio, but even the alcohol does little to pick up my spirits. I’m so upset. Why in the hell do I keep doing this to myself? I know how volatile love is. I have watched first hand how it destroys lives. I thought the heartache I experienced with Liam would have been enough to turn me away from love for at least a couple months. And now I go and fall in love with a man, who by his own admission, isn’t capable of love. This is going to hurt so much more. The sad part is I walked into this willingly.

I chance a glance at Grayson and see pity in his eyes. His silence is telling. This will probably be our last weekend together. I’ve already shown my cards. He’ll probably run.

“I think we should get some rest tonight and start again tomorrow. I have a great day planned for us.” He smiles at me, but it’s forced. Weak. “Your room is to the right. Your overnight bag is at the foot of your bed.” He gathers our plates before heading back inside. I gulp the last of my wine and head inside too.

In the shower, I let the hot water wash away my frustration. The tears flow nonstop. I’m helpless to stop them. I slide down the glass and hug my knees. My sobbing is uncontrollable now. I feel so alone. I’m surprised when the shower door opens. A naked Grayson steps in and pulls me up. He pushes my wet hair away from my face. His masculine frame blocks the water flow. He tilts my head back and I see the sorrow in his eyes. He then wipes away my tears before gently kissing me. My back is against the glass. He grabs my legs and wraps them around his waist. He leans into me until I feel his erection heavy against my core. I hold on tight to his masculine frame as he wields his control. He deepens the kiss as he slowly enters me. He slides in and out at a leisurely pace. The slowness is igniting a fire so deep in my belly. God, I can’t help the feelings this man inspires. I love that he can be gentle. His tenderness is just as passionate as his wild side. There are no words. I’m in ecstasy, desperate to hold onto this moment. This is not fucking, but I’m afraid to think otherwise. He swallows my screams as I explode around him. This is enough for him to find his own release.

He doesn’t utter a single word. He grabs a loofa and washes my body thoroughly before washing my hair. He steps out of the shower first to dry off then reaches for me.

After drying me off he walks to the bed and pulls the covers back. I’m speechless when he gets in and signals for me to get in next to him. More tears form at the gesture. “No more tears, baby.” He wipes them away and pulls me into the bed with him. He turns me so that he is spooning me. If I only get one night with him like this, I’m going to savor the moment. His breathing evens out and I know he’s already asleep. I snuggle in the comfort of his arms and his unique smell. Sleep takes me easily in the comfort of the man I’m starting to fall for.

THE SUN FILTERS in and I don’t want the moment to end. The warmth of Grayson’s arm circles my waist. I turn slowly so I can view his beauty openly. His thick eyebrows and long lashes add to his masculine beauty. His full lips are calling my name. I want to kiss him again. He is perfect. His eyes flutter open and a wicked smile crosses his lips. He pulls me into him. His legs tangle with mine.

“Morning, baby.”

“Hmm ... hello to you, too.” I feel his morning wood poking me in the thigh. I raise the cover to take a peek at my morning present.

“See something you want?”

“Yes.” I barely get out a response before he has me on my back.

He pins me to the bed and wraps my legs around his waist. He wastes no time plunging into me. “I knew you were already wet for me. I smell your desire, baby, and it’s a fucking aphrodisiac to me.” He yanks my hair back as he slams into me. There’s a bite of pain, but I welcome it.

“Shit. Grayson, please don’t stop.” I lift my hips to meet his intensity and it drives him mad. His rhythm increases as he pounds me into the mattress.

“Argh. Baby what are you doing to me?” He bites down on my neck and I scream out in pleasure. “Fuck. I need you to get there. I’m not going to last ... ” He doesn’t even finish his sentence before I’m exploding around him. “Fuck, yeah,” he screams as he comes. He rests his head on my shoulder as we both ride out the waves of ecstasy.

After a few minutes, he rises and I immediately feel bereft. “Get ready. We’re going out.” He gives me one last wink and heads out the door. Surely he knows what his winks do to me. Only Grayson can set me on fire with a wink. I grudgingly get a quick shower and brush my teeth. He doesn’t tell me where we’re going so I’m unsure what I should wear. After some consideration, I put on a pair of skinny jeans paired with heels and a tank. Neither of us brings up last night and I’m content to let whatever occurred between us lie dormant for now. I don’t want to ruin our day. I’ll allow him time to process what sleeping with me means, if anything, without my immediate greed for more.

THANKS TO JORDAN, I’ve learned heels are the quickest way to dress up any outfit. I was never much of a heel person, but I have to admit I like the added height it gives my five foot four stature. I still prefer my wedges or flip-flops though. Comfort is usually more important, but I don’t know where Grayson is taking me.

When I walk out of the room, he’s looking at me like he wants to take me back in the bedroom and do the nasty again. I giggle at my own wicked thoughts.

“What is so funny?”

“The way you’re looking at me.” I’m laughing harder now.

“I’m that obvious, huh?” He walks up to me and puts one hand around my waist. His other hand reaches down and pulls one heel off and then the other. I think he’s about to undress me. “These heels are sexy as hell, but you won’t need them for the day I have in mind. I would advise tennis shoes.” He kisses the tip of my nose, turns me around, and swats my ass to steer me back into the bedroom. I expect him to follow, but he doesn’t. I throw on my Nike Shox and put my hair in a messy bun before retuning to the living area. Grayson walks up to me and grabs the elastic band that is holding my hair in place.

“I didn’t say to change the hair. I love it wild and untamed. The waves are sexy and it’s a constant turn on.” He runs his hands through my hair for emphasis as he kisses me passionately. “Let’s get out of here before I change my mind.”

“I wouldn’t object.” I run my hand up and down his chest.

“Who is the sex fiend now?” he chides.
Well, yes, and you created her!

A car is waiting for us when we get outside. “Where’s your car?”

“I didn’t want to drive. You are my focus today and I need my hands free.”

“Umm hmm, I bet. Where are we going?” We climb in the back of a Bentley.

“I thought we’d visit Muir Woods today.” He grabs my hand and rubs tiny circles over my skin. I like his hands free so far. “We’ll get to take in nature’s beauty and get some fresh air away from the hotel.”

We spend the day hiking along the trails. Lush green trees stretch beyond our sight, surrounding us. Grayson and I walk hand in hand, taking in the sights and listening to nature’s sounds. It’s nice to be able to completely let down our guard without the fear of being caught. The day feels suspiciously like a relationship-oriented date, but I won’t mention it, at the risk of him ending it. Around lunchtime, Grayson surprises me with a picnic set up for us on Muir Wood beach.

We’re not alone, but he has managed to secure a spot that is well removed from the others, offering semi-privacy. I look at him and he’s smiling at me. He doesn’t realize these romantic moments only add to the confusion of what we’re actually doing. These glimpses into his caring side make me want more. He says I’m the one who needs to strip myself bare and give my fears to him, but he needs to strip with me. What pain is he holding onto that he’s willing to go to such extremes to avoid love and relationships? How is he so good at this though, yet, he doesn’t seem to want it at the same time?

I’m determined to stay in this moment though and enjoy my time with him while it last. As he unpacks the picnic basket, I swear I gain five pounds just looking at the delicious spread. There’s black forest ham on pumpernickel, chocolate covered strawberries, various cheeses, Cesar salad, and the white wine I liked last weekend.

“This spread looks amazing. When did you have time to coordinate all this?”

His grin is addicting. “I have my ways, but I’ll never tell. This is me making up for leaving you during our time last weekend.”

“Grayson, that was okay. I know you had business to tend to.” I give him a soft peck on the cheek. He uses this opportunity to lay my head across his lap. He feeds me one chocolate strawberry and I’m in heaven.

“The strawberries go really well with the wine,” he says.

I attempt to sit up to grab a glass, but he pushes me back down on his legs. I’m facing him so he can see me pout. “How am I supposed to try the wine with my strawberries if I’m lying on my back?”

“Like this,” he says. He takes a sip of his own wine and I’m confused until he leans down and captures my lips with his. He transfers the wine from his mouth to mine and it has to be the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced.
Holy hell
. My breath hitches and my chest heaves as I try to remember to breathe. This man is trying to kill me. “You like the wine, baby?”

I’m speechless so I simply nod. He takes another sip of his wine and repeats the same erotic offering. I refuse to let his mouth go this time. I deepen the kiss and he groans. I feel his hardness penetrating my back. “Don’t start something in public baby that you aren’t prepared to finish because I’ll take you right here on this picnic blanket,” he threatens again. His lustful eyes pierce mine and I know he’s not bluffing. “It’s so easy to lose control with you.”

“The feeling is mutual.” I’d never been this open to new experiences with Liam. Grayson makes me feel sexy and desired. He continues to feed me strawberries and I must say that I love the pampering.

I rise up on my knees so I can feed him as well. When I straddle his thighs he growls.

“May I remind you we’re in a public place?”

“Umm hmm,” I reply teasingly. I know exactly what I’m doing to him. If I didn’t, his boner poking me through my jeans would be a dead giveaway. He grips my hips to grind farther into me.

“Behave, woman.” We finish our picnic with me on his lap, but he doesn’t seem to mind. “I have one more surprise.”

“What is it?” I squirm in his lap like an excited toddler.

“Come. It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.” He grabs my hand and we trek back where our driver is parked. We arrive at the south beach harbor and rent a two-person kayak. I gawk at Grayson in shock. We’re preparing to take a sunset kayaking tour. The romance factor has just exploded off the charts.

“I don’t know what to say. Today has been an adventure. I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.”