Emmalin
“I’ve missed this place.” I looked around Tea Lites and noted the small changes that weren’t there before I left. Gwen rolled her eyes.
“No you don’t. You work for a billionaire. And you’re dating him. This is small bananas.”
“Oh, come on. This place has its perks.” I held up my teacup that said ‘Crazy Bitch’ on it, and held up my pinky finger. Her eyes widened.
“You stole the cup I wanted!” We both started giggling. Gwen cleared her throat.
“Does she want to sit with us?” I turned and looked at the direction she was pointing.
“No, Heather is supposed to be invisible. At least, that’s what Grayson tells me.” I sighed, adding more creamer to my tea. Gwen nodded.
“That had to be scary for you. I can’t even imagine. How’s Grayson handling it?”
I finished stirring my tea. “How are things with you and Caleb? Did that ever become a thing?” She grimaced.
“Not really. We had a few dates, but they were more awkward than anything else. He finally said it would be best to remain friends, and I agreed. He quit a few weeks ago.”
I sputtered on my tea. “He quit?”
Gwen nodded. “Yeah. He bartends on the weekends at some nightclub and works at a law firm.”
“Wow. Good for him.”
Gwen shrugged. “Besides, I don’t think he ever really got over you. You were, as they say ‘the one that got away’.” She held up air quotes.
“Well, I disagree. We weren’t ever anything, so it doesn’t even matter. Besides, we’re going to find you someone wonderful. Anyone would be crazy not to see how amazing you are, Gwen.” She gave me a small smile.
“I should get back to work. It was really good to see you, Emmalin. I’ve missed you.” I watched her head to the back room, and I sat a little bit longer.
I wasn’t sure what time exactly Grayson was going to be home. Things with him were so strained right now, and I knew it was because of me. I sighed, laying a tip down on the table and gathering my things. Heather met me at the door.
“Any other stops, Ms. Ross?”
“I think I would like to stay at my apartment tonight, Heather. It’s closer.” Heather narrowed her eyes at me.
“Are you sure, Ms. Ross?”
No
“Yes.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
I was just nodding off when my phone dinged. I sat up, a little confused at my surroundings, before realizing I was back at my apartment. I reached over and grabbed my phone off the nightstand. I had a missed call and several text messages from Grayson.
Grayson: Why aren’t you here?
Grayson: Why didn’t you come home?
Shit. I didn’t text him to let him know I was staying here.
Me: I’m fine. I was tired and my apartment was closest.
I watched the bubbles on the screen, showing he was typing something.
Grayson: I didn’t like spending last night without you, and now you’re making me do it again? We can talk about the other night.
Me: This isn’t about the other night. I deserved that. I’ll be home before you wake. I promise.
I watched the bubbles again. I rubbed my eyes, and finally looked at the time and saw it was just past 10.
Grayson: Why do I feel like you’re keeping something from me? What aren’t you telling me?
I shut my eyes. I hated that even from afar he could see right through me. I replied with the only truth I could.
Me: I love you
A minute went by before my phone dinged.
Grayson: Prove it. Come home
I laid there for about twenty minutes. What am I doing? Pushing away the only man that's ever cared about me? I'm such a bitch. I got up and got dressed quickly. I didn't know if Heather was still outside, and I knew Grayson would kill me for being out late and taking a cab, but I didn't care. I had to get home. This wasn't my home anymore. I didn't need it. I needed him.
I didn't want to wait for the elevator, and was heading for the stairwell when I heard it ding. I instinctively followed the sound of the ding, and out walked Grayson. He was still wearing his suit, and his hair was all spikey looking, like he ran his hands through it a million times. Did he still want me like I wanted him? He looked my way, and I swear it was like the very first time he looked at me. That raw spark was still there. He arched a brow. I dropped my bag and ran to him, clinging to him tightly. He lifted me up effortlessly. I didn't even need to ask him what he was doing here. I already knew.
"I was coming home. I swear," I said between him kissing me.
He pulled back slightly and gave me a sly grin. "I know. I was coming to get you.”
We laid in bed, wrapped around each other tightly. Grayson stroked my hair softly. “You want to tell me what that was all about?” He spoke low, almost in a whisper.
I cleared my throat. “I don’t need that apartment anymore.” I felt him nod above me.
“Are you sure?”
I let out a deep breath. “Yeah. My home is with you, Grayson. If you still want me.” The last part came out shakier than I thought.
He pulled me tighter. “Why wouldn’t I? You and me, remember? We wouldn’t be normal if we didn’t fight, or get frustrated with each other. Of course, I prefer dealing with my frustration differently than most people.” He reached down and plucked my nipple.
I groaned. My thoughts went back to the other night, how he primed me up several times, and no matter what, I still never got my release. My body was tense and on edge, and just him touching me set fire through my veins. Before I could squirm away, he kissed me hard, and nibbled my bottom lip before trailing down my body.
My eyes started to tear up, and I jerked the moment his mouth found my clit. I wanted to come so bad, but if this was going to be like the other night, then I needed to stop. I couldn’t do that anymore. My tears were flowing faster. “Grayson.” It came out as a whisper, and I barely even heard myself. He inserted two fingers, and I moaned louder. “Grayson, stop,” I whispered louder.
But he didn’t stop. He kept going, building my orgasm up. And I knew he would stop right before I fell over. I gripped the sheets so tightly, I was amazed they didn’t rip. I took a deep breath and shut my eyes. “Attic!” Grayson stilled and rolled up on his knees; he looked at me frantically as I lay there crying.
“Emmalin, did I? Baby, what is it?” He scooped me up in his arms, and I just blubbered like a fool on his shoulder. He looked at me, wiping my tears away. “Hey. Talk to me. Did I hurt you?”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to hold them back. I can’t. Don’t make me do it. Please.”
He gripped me to him tightly, and sighed. “No, Emmalin. There won’t be any orgasm denial.” He kissed the top of my head.
“I didn’t want to safeword you, but I couldn’t go through that again.”
“Baby, I’m glad you did. Sometimes I push you too far, and I need to control that better.”
We sat there, him holding me tightly, before he looked at me and smiled. “I still want to finish what I started, if you’ll let me?”
“Just make love to me,” I whispered against his lips. I watched as his face softened, and he smiled before kissing me hard.
I sat at the kitchen bar, stirring creamer into my second cup of coffee. Grayson hadn’t come down yet. I looked into my cup. This coffee wasn’t working to wake me up. I’ve been so tired lately, I seriously thought about adding a nap into my routine just to get through the day. To be a kid again. Then again, we know how my childhood turned out. My phone dinged, and I immediately tensed, hesitating before looking at it. I let out a breath, seeing it was just Isabella.
Isabella: Girls’ night tonight? A group of us are heading out. I feel like dancing!
I smiled. I didn’t get to see her much with our work schedules, and with her traveling all the time.
Me: Put me as a maybe!
Grayson finally walked into the kitchen. “What are you smiling at?”
I looked up at him as I sat my phone down. “Isabella. She wants to go out tonight.”
Grayson frowned. “No. It’s too risky.” He sat down next to me.
“Grayson, you can’t keep me on lockdown. It’s just a few hours.” He sipped his coffee as he looked over his phone. I sighed because that was his way of not talking about it and ignoring my requests. I was just about to get up when he spoke again.
“When did you stop seeing Dr. Klein?”
I froze and slowly turned toward him. His gaze was hard and speculating. I cleared my throat. “I go twice a week.”
He shook his head. “We both know that’s not true. So how about you tell me what the hell is going on.”
I didn’t know what he wanted me to say. I couldn’t tell him about Carson right now. Before I could come up with what was probably my millionth lie, he spoke again.
“I know more than you think, Emmalin. Just like you told Tyler you were having lunch with me, and you told me you were having lunch with Tyler, but you went to the park instead. Is that what happened, Emmalin?”
I nervously swallowed.
“And when were you going to tell me about Dale? I told you, I didn’t want you anywhere near him.”
“I didn’t know he would be at the park, Grayson.”
He took a step closer. “What did he say to you? He clearly made you upset. So upset you got sick.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know? You don’t know, or you won’t say? Which is it?”
“He was just saying stuff. About…” I took a deep breath. “Him and I together, and being crude, and I stopped the conversation before it could go any further, Grayson, I swear. Why are you blaming me for him showing up? I was minding my own business!” I felt myself getting louder and defensive, and he was perfectly calm.
“Because I don’t like these newfound lies you’re spewing out all of a sudden. You lied about having lunch with Tyler. You’re evading security; you didn’t see Dr. Klein. Where the hell did you go if you didn’t see Dr. Klein?”
I looked around the kitchen nervously. I didn’t have an answer so I just kept quiet. My body tensed, and I turned to face him. His gaze was focused on me. “What do you think my withholding your orgasms were about? Why did I do that?”
I swallowed hard and focused on his chest. I couldn’t let him see the guilt in my eyes. He sighed. “Is it someone else?”
My head snapped up. “No, of course not! “
He was quiet a moment as he took a step forward, not saying anything. “Your bruises should be gone by now, right?”
I stilled, and finally looked his way. I lightly felt the scarf around my neck. “I think so.”
He nodded as he reached for the scarf around my neck, and my hand shot up. “It goes with the outfit, Grayson.”
“Hmm, let’s see then.” He untied the scarf, letting it fall to the floor. He grabbed me by the shoulders, taking me to the mirror on the opposite wall. My breathing was heavy. We both stood there, not saying anything, just staring at the mirror. “Is there a reason why these marks look fresh?” I started to tremble.
“They’re the same marks from the attack,” I whispered.
He shook his head. “You forget; I was a bit of a sadist before I met you.” He tilted my head. “I know old markings from new. And these are new. You mind explaining how the fuck they got there?” I couldn’t say anything. His grip on me tightened. “You’re not going in today. I’ve suspended your privileges.”
I looked at him, wide-eyed, in the mirror and turned around. “You can’t do that!”
“I can’t? It’s done. What’s your next move?”
I glared at him in shock before taking a step back. “So you’re firing me?”
He ran his hand through his hair. “I’m not firing you, Emmalin, but you’re suspended for the rest of the week.” He stepped closer and lifted my chin so I had to look at him. “Did someone else do this?” My eyes welled with tears. He grabbed the nape of my neck, moving us closer together. “I need to protect you, but you’re making it very hard for me.”
“What if you’re the one who needs to be protected, Grayson,” I whispered.
His hand stilled. I could feel the anger rolling off him. He took a step back. “Why the fuck won’t you talk, Emmalin?” I jumped at his sudden outburst. “What do I need to do? What, Emmalin? Tell me, what the fuck is going on!”
“Grayson, I need just a little bit more time. Please? Can you give me that? Then I swear I’ll tell you everything.” He stood there studying me, while I basically pleaded with him. He shook his head.
“No. I’m not going to play your games anymore, Emmalin, especially if your life is in danger.” He gently stroked my neck. “Someone did this to you. So now we play the games my way.” He walked past me and out of the kitchen.