Turbulence (10 page)

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t leave right now,
Avalon.”

“Because I don’t want you to. I want you to kiss me again.”

A growl ripped free of his throat.  He took her down on the
mats, connecting their lips. She felt so soft beneath him and so perfect.

Their lips moved in tandem, in urgency. He didn’t need
liquor when he had Avalon. Just the taste of her could get him drunk. It was
intoxicating. She moaned when his tongue parted her lips and slipped into her
mouth. Her hands burned as they slid up his back to tangle in his hair.

His own hands did a little exploring. He lifted the hem of
her shirt, feeling the warm, damp skin beneath his fingers. His hands slid down
the sides of her flat stomach to the curve of her hips and to her thighs. When
his probing hands drifted to the inside of her thighs, she tensed.

“It’s okay. I’m not going further than this,” he murmured
against her mouth. But when he went back to caressing her body, she clamped her
thighs shut like an alligator’s mouth.

“Nobody is here to see us,” he said, pulling away to stare
down at her. “They won’t come back.”

“It’s not that. I like when you touch me.”

“Then what is it?”

“I’m a…” She sat up, worry written all over her adorable
face. “I’m saving myself for when I get bonded.”

He started laughing until she glanced away in shame. This
wasn’t a joke. He knew Avalon was innocent, but not that innocent. “You’re
serious? You
are
serious.”

Greyson never dealt with a virgin before. Everyone woman he
was with came experienced. Many even taught him a few things. So why him? Why
this woman? Especially one who was waiting to be blood bonded before she gave
up the goods.

Greyson didn’t want to bond to anyone. Not even Avalon.  He
didn’t do relationships. Yet, a relationship with Avalon couldn’t be that bad.
He might actually like it. Maybe it would be enough for her to be intimate with
him one day.

“Listen, Avalon. It’s okay. It’s good that you’re a virgin.
I respect it.” No other man shared such a personal part of her. It made Greyson
like her even more.

“You’re not mad?” she asked.

“No. I’m not that shallow.” He couldn’t believe he was
trying this again. “I was actually wondering whether we could go out on a date.
I like you and I don’t want you to think I don’t and—”

“Yes, Greyson.”

“Really? You don’t care that we’re from two different castes,”
Greyson teased.

She frowned. Why did he have to mention it? “I still care,
but I talked to Ross about it and he convinced me to ignore it and give you a
chance.”

“You talked to Ross about me?” Greyson wasn’t too thrilled
on the idea of her confiding in another man, even if it was his brother. If he
was acting this possessive over Avalon after a couple kisses, how would he
behave with them dating?

“He didn’t know it was you,” she responded. “I didn’t tell
him.”

“Good. I don’t like him in our business.”

Greyson stood and pulled Avalon to her feet. He couldn’t
resist kissing her again and reveling in her pink, kiss-swollen lips.

“Come on, sunshine. Let’s get you to Miriam. You don’t want
to see your eye right now.”

His dad would be pissed at him for taking this step, for
even running the risk of allowing Avalon to weaken him with how he felt about
her, but right now Greyson didn’t care.

Chapter 10

“One more step. Good.”

With Greyson’s big hands covering her eyes, Avalon let him
guide her to his room. When he asked her out on a date the other day, she
thought that meant they were actually going out. But he seemed excited about
whatever he planned, so she trusted that it was nothing she couldn’t handle.

“What is it?” she asked when she heard the squeak of a door
opening.

“You’ll see. Keep walking forward. All right. We’re here.”

She never knew what to expect from Greyson. The novel. The
date. If things progressed with him, Avalon felt she was in for a world of the
unexpected.

“Ready?” he whispered against her ear. She shivered at the
feeling of his warm breath caressing her skin.

She nodded and he removed his hand. Avalon gasped. She
couldn’t believe it.

Like a scene from a movie, a fire roared in the fireplace he
never used. In front of it, a blanket lay across the floor. Atop it were two
glasses, a bottle of wine, and an assortment of fruits, cheeses, and breads. It
was so romantic.

He looked sheepish, running a hand through his messy blonde
hair. “It’s not much. This dating thing isn’t what I do. If you don’t like it,
it’s okay. You won’t hurt my feelings.”

 “Greyson, this is amazing.” Avalon threw her arms around
his waist. She’d always dreamed of a man doing something like this for her.
“Thank you.”

His arms came around her. “You like it? I know it’s not
much, but I thought you might enjoy a picnic. It is well into November, so we
can’t do it outside. My room is a poor substitute, but—”

“I love it. This is better than a picnic outside.”

He pulled back and stared into her eyes. “Can I kiss you?”

Avalon smiled. “You don’t have to ask.”

His lips touched hers, soft and tender as if he were afraid
she would break from harder contact. Somehow in its tenderness, it still sucked
her into a funnel of bliss. All too soon he broke the kiss. She would have
liked more but realized he was trying to be good for her sake. It was sweet and
unexpected.

They sat down on the blanket. It tickled her how out of
place Greyson looked on the blanket, in this setting. He was so big and rugged.
This wasn’t his thing at all. It meant a lot that he was putting forth the
effort.

He poured her a glass of wine. “I hope you like it. It’s
sweet. The person at the store said it would go well with what we’re having.”

“This wasn’t spontaneous?”

“Hell no. I started thinking about what I wanted to do the
moment you said you’d go out with me.”

“You really are a big softy, aren’t you?” she joked, taking
a small sip of her wine. It was really good.

His brows waggled. “Only for you, sunshine.” He popped a
grape into his mouth. “What do we talk about?”

She had only been on one date in her life, so Avalon was no
expert. “What do you usually talk about?”

In the firelight she noticed the golden flecks in his brown
eyes. They were just as mesmerizing as the flames dancing in the fireplace. “Let’s
just say there wasn’t a lot of talking involved in my past dates.” He cleared
his throat. “Did you read the book I got you?”

“I finished it yesterday. There is a sequel coming out in a
couple months. Hopefully it’s as good as the first.”

He dunked a strawberry into his glass of wine. “Here. Try
this.”

Greyson held onto the fruit. She opened her mouth, keeping
her eyes on him. He growled low in his throat when her lips enveloped the
strawberry. Something about this felt naughty and it excited her.

“If only you could see how hot you look right now, Lonnie
Girl.”

She bit down. Juice trickled down her chin. She went to wipe
it off. He stilled her hand.

“Let me.” He leaned over, his face right beside hers. His
tongue snaked out and licked up the juice, burning her in the most delightful
way.

For a second—maybe longer—she didn’t breathe. Not with him
so close and invading her senses with his warmth, the masculine scent of him.
Greyson was so overwhelming and irresistible.

“Shouldn’t we eat or talk or something?” she managed to say.

He nuzzled her neck then pressed a soft kiss to her throat
before backing away. “This is going to be hard for me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You can’t help it that I want you so much. Let’s eat.”

They ate and talked. Conversation topics weren’t difficult
to come up with. She learned all about his family. He talked about his father a
lot. He had a big hand in grooming Greyson into what he was and Greyson seemed
to adore his memory.

Just as wonderful as learning more about him, it was nice
that he was interested in her. In the things she liked to do, her favorite
food, her life in Chicago. He wanted to know if she’d ever loved before and who
it was. The answers were no and nobody.

“We’re in the same boat there,” he said, drinking his second
glass of wine. He promised that it was his last for the night. He didn’t even appear
affected by it. Her head felt fuzzy after one glass.

“You’ve never been in love either?” she asked.

He gave a vague shake of his head. “I told you I don’t
believe in love.”

“But you love the Jhetans. You can’t deny that. I saw how
bothered you were when those two people died.” He cared about their people in
an extraordinary way. She had no doubt he would give his life for each and
every one of them.

“That’s different. Loving my people is a whole other matter
than being in love. Falling in love is not even possible for me.”

He just didn’t want to open his heart because of his father.
Maybe he was afraid. She was too, but she was open to it. Avalon wanted to love
and be loved in return. “I believe it’s possible. For the both of us.”

He laughed, but it was lacking amusement. “I feel so sorry
for you, Avalon, because it’s not going to happen for us. And I’m too much of a
jerk to end things between us before it gets too far.”

Perhaps Avalon was naïve. She didn’t know much, if anything,
about love and relationships, but she felt that with time Greyson could love
her. She knew without a doubt that she could love him someday. Time was what
they needed.

She placed her hand atop his. “Don’t let me go.”

Remorse reflected on his face. “I have nothing to offer you,
Avalon. Not even the most mind-blowing sex you would ever experience since you
want to wait until you’re bonded. I don’t know why we found each other because
we’re doomed.”

 “We’ll figure things out as we go on. No pressure.”

He snorted. “No pressure. Too late for that because I’m
about to pressure you.”

“How?” she inquired apprehensively. He was scaring her.

“Don’t look so afraid. Will you stay the night? Nothing will
happen. Unfortunately. I promise you that. I’ll just hold you.”

Avalon glanced at his big bed and thought about all the
girls Greyson had been with in it. Since she was the housekeeper she changed
the sheets constantly, so she knew they were clean. But that bed held memories
for him. Memories that didn’t contain her.

“I can’t.” His face fell and she hastened to explain. “That
bed is your…love nest. I would not feel comfortable in it knowing how many
others were there before me.” And they shared something with him that she might
never.

Greyson rubbed his jaw, his chest filling out as he took a
deep breath. “I can’t say I’m not bummed over it, but I understand. You make me
wish…” He trailed off, shaking his head.

“What, Greyson?”

“That I had a cleaner past. How about we compromise? We can
sleep in one of my guest bedrooms.”

“No one’s ever been in there?” She just wanted something
that only the two of them shared. It was selfish, but Avalon couldn’t help it.
Greyson made her feel that way about him.

“You and me, if you say yes. That’s all.”

She nodded. She wanted this, wanted him. “Okay. I have to
call my grandmother first. She’ll be worried otherwise.”

----

Avalon awoke to strong arms wrapped around her and warm lips
trailing the length of her collarbone.

“Good morning,” Greyson murmured against her skin.

What a wonderful way to start the day. He’d been a perfect
gentleman last night. Just holding her and talking to her until she fell
asleep.

“How long have you been awake?” She combed her fingers
through his blonde locks. It was so thick and silky.

He kissed her on the lips. Just a peck. “For a couple hours.
I enjoy watching you sleep. You look so peaceful. Plus, I needed time to
unbraid your hair. I had to go slow as to not wake you.”

Avalon slapped a hand against her head. Not a single bun or
braid to be found. Greyson had spread her hair across the pillow like a massive
black halo.

“Your hair is so pretty,” he said. His hand caressed her
thigh. A shudder went through her body. “The first time I saw it down I wanted
to feel it on my chest as you straddled me and I… Don’t be such a prude, Lonnie
Girl. If I can’t do the things I want to do to you, I at least want to talk
about them.”

Her face felt on fire. She was way out of her league. “I’m
not a prude. It’s just not appropriate morning talk.”

“Pillow talk can be anything you want it to be. I’m trying
to be good here, but I’m a bad boy, Avalon. I hope you know that.” Oh, she knew
all right.

She kissed the tip of his nose. “I should go. I’m already
late for work.”

“That’s okay. You’re dating the boss, sunshine. You can be
as late as you want.”

That might have been true, but it wasn’t professional and
Avalon prided herself on being an exemplary employee. Somehow, she managed to
peel Greyson’s arms away from her. It felt nice to be desired and he appeared
to want her as much as she wanted him.

Pale sunlight was already streaming through the window of
the guest bedroom. Avalon still hadn’t showered or changed clothes. Staying
over was a bad idea. She did not have any choice but to be super late.

With her hair a mess and wearing the wrinkled dress she
slept in, Avalon descended the stairs. The sound of a cabinet closing in the
kitchen made her pause in her steps. Someone was down there. She had to go
through the kitchen to get out.  This wasn’t how she wanted anyone to find out
about her and Greyson. She could wait until they left, but then she’d be even
later than she already was. Holding her head high and shoulders back, Avalon
walked down the steps.

Lily looked over at her from stirring sugar into a coffee
mug. Dex’s morning coffee. A line formed between her brown brows.

“Avalon, did you have a bad night? I’m not trying to be rude
or anything, but you don’t look as put together as usual. If it was anyone else
I’d think you were doing a walk of shame.” Avalon saw the wheels spinning in
her head. “Oh my gosh! You
are
doing a walk of shame.”

“It’s not what you think.” She’d heard Lily use that phrase
before to refer to the girls that usually left Greyson’s suite in the mornings.
Those girls didn’t look the least bit ashamed, which was why she never
understood the phrase.

“You and Greyson? I think I might faint.”

“Nothing happened. I swear.”

Lily placed a hand on her forehead. “I can’t believe you
fell for his charms. You do know what he’s like, don’t you?”

“We’re dating.” Avalon felt the need to justify things.
Greyson’s reputation with women was not a good one.

“Since when?” Lily questioned.

“A few days, I guess.”

“I thought you were with Ross. I set you up. How could that
fail?” She looked completely distraught over the failed love connection. “Noris
was right. You and Greyson.”

Avalon laughed despite the awkwardness of the situation. She
just hoped no one else learned about her and Greyson like this. “Ross and I are
friends.”

Dex strolled into the kitchen. He took in Avalon’s
bedraggled appearance and his mate’s upset mood. “I have a feeling I should
leave. Somehow I always get the brunt of my mate’s mood swings.”

“No. Here’s your coffee.” She shoved the mug at him. He
barely kept the contents of it from spilling on his shirt. “I’m not having a
mood swing. It’s Greyson.”

A frown formed on Dex’s perfect face. His eyes darkened.
“What did he do?”

“He’s dating Avalon. Can you believe it?” She shook her head
in outrage. If Lily was this upset over it, Avalon could only imagine her
grandmother’s response. Greyson was not Veeva’s favorite person.

Dex covered up his chuckle by taking a sip of coffee. “Calm
down, woman. There is nothing wrong with Avalon seeing Greyson.”

“Did you know about it?”

“I suspected.”

“Suspected what?” Greyson walked into the kitchen wearing
only a pair of black shorts. His strapping, sculpted body made her sweat just
by looking at it.

“You and Avalon being together,” Lily answered.

Avalon expected him to ignore her and get something out of
the refrigerator or take a seat at the table. Instead, he came to her, wrapped
his arms around her from behind and kissed her behind the ear.

“I thought you were leaving to clean up, sunshine?” he
whispered.

“I was. I got sidetracked,” she whispered back.

“You’re going to have to leave some of your belongings here
so we don’t have this problem anymore.”

He wanted her to stay over again. Avalon smiled to herself.

Lily’s gray eyes narrowed on them. Dex leaned against the
counter, sipping his coffee and smiling in amusement.

“You got a problem with this, Lily?” Greyson raised.

“Yeah, I do. Avalon is my friend. If you hurt her, I’ll
castrate you. That’s a promise.”

“You gonna let your pet Chihuahua talk to me like that,
Dexter?”

Dex lifted one of his shoulders. “I’ll hold you down for
her.”