I try to hide my smile. “He loves you. I just tried to make him see the big picture. You know he just wants to protect you.”
“I know,” she says, smiling down at her drink. “He’s a good brother.”
I nod in agreement. He’s a good man in general.
“Well, I’m going to go to my room and have wild sex with Jake. See you tomorrow,” she says, kissing my cheek and going to find her man. Thanks goodness Grayson didn’t hear that.
“Time to go, babe,” Grayson says as Leah tells him they are leaving.
“Okay. Where’s Dylan?” I ask, looking around for her. I may dislike her but we can’t just leave her here alone.
“She said she’ll come back to her room later,” he says. I shrug and put my hand in his, letting him lead me back to the room. “Are you tired?” he asks as we open the room door.
“Depends on what you have in mind.”
In an instant, he lifts me up and pushes me against the wall. “Get naked in the shower and wait for me.”
“Okay,” I manage to get out, my heart racing. He licks at my lips until I open them, then he kisses me hard, a preview for what’s to come.
“Adore you,” he says to me before he puts me down. I walk into the bathroom, strip down, and jump in the shower. Grayson comes in seconds later, and shows me just how much he adores me.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“When are you going to move in with me?” Grayson asks. It’s been a week since we returned from Sydney, and our relationship is stronger than ever. We aren’t perfect, of course, and we’re learning a lot as we go along, but we’re in it together. For the long run.
“Is that your way of asking me if I want to move in with you? Or telling me?”
He stares at the ceiling, lying on his back on his bed. “You’re practically here every day. And I love that. I want you to move in permanently,” he says, lifting his head to look at me.
“Don’t you think we’re moving a bit fast?” my head makes me ask. My heart knows what it wants to do. It wants me to go home, pack my shit up, and move in this very second.
He sits up fully. “Are you doubting us?” he asks, his voice low and worried.
“No, it’s not that,” I tell him, crawling onto the bed. “I just don’t want us to regret anything.”
“Paris,” he says. “Stop over thinking it, and just move in. Please.” It’s the please that gets me.
“Okay,” I say, my hand touching his cheek. The stubble there prickles my fingers. “Let’s do it. I’ll have to tell Anaya so she can get a new roomie.”
“I’ll sort it out,” he says, his eyes roaming my face. “You’ve made me a happy man.”
“I’m putting in money for rent, bills, and food, and that’s non-negotiable,” I tell him, my serious expression letting him know I mean business.
“I own the house; there is no rent. And I pay the bills. If you want to buy whatever for the house, then go ahead, but I’d rather you save your money,” he says, crossing his arms behind his head and studying me.
“You own this house?” I ask, eyes flaring.
“Babe, keep up,” he says, dimples flashing.
“I love your dimples,” I blurt out, staring at them.
His smile widens, his eyes crinkling. “I know you do. They’re like my secret weapon.”
“Really? I’d have thought your secret weapon would be further south,” I tease, my eyes darting to his crotch and back.
“Hey, I’m a man of many talents,” he brags, eyes twinkling.
I scoff, shaking my head. “That ego of yours…”
“I can refresh your memory if you’re in doubt,” he says, reaching out for me. I move back, out of his reach. “Playing hard to get, are we? Or maybe you want to be chased?”
I narrow my eyes on him, going deadly still. Then I jump off the bed and run as fast as I can. I only make it to the kitchen before he grabs me, and throws me over his shoulder caveman style. I pinch his ass, squirming. “I have short legs! That wasn’t fair!” I squeal.
“You don’t have short legs,” he replies, chuckling.
“Compared to you I do!” I grumble.
“Oomph,” comes out of my mouth as I’m dumped on the bed. “You jerk!”
He pins me to the bed, his shoulder shaking as he laughs at me. Asshole.
“I’m not moving in now,” I tell him, poking my tongue out.
He stops laughing. “A bit late to change your mind,” he says. He grabs his phone and types out a text, still pinning me with his weight.
“Who are you messaging?” I ask, trying to see the screen.
“Anaya. Told her you’re moving out. I’ll pay your rent until she finds another roommate.”
“You overbearing, egoistical—” He cuts off my rant with his mouth.
I move into this house the next week.
*****
I yawn and walk to the front door wearing my leopard-print shorts and a white singlet top. I’m about to open it when I remember I’m not even wearing a bra. I eye the hall that leads back to my room, then the front door. Fuck it. I open the door and come face to face with Dylan.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, scowling at her.
She smiles unpleasantly. “Is Grayson here?” she asks, shifting her bag from one shoulder to the other.