“Because I was selfish,” I admit. “If I’d told you from the beginning, I would have been Edward's Dad and that would have been it. You wouldn’t have explored what we have between us. I wanted to see if what I was feeling was real, if you felt it too.”
“How did you even know who I was? We never met, I barely even saw Edward.”
“Promise you won’t freak out?” This could go either way. She nods nervously.
“I saw a picture of you. Edward showed me one from your graduation. Then I saw you at my house once; you were in the garden with friends,” her eyes widen. "And that time you came to my office?” She nods. “I was in the conference room. I saw you come in and couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
“Wow,” she breathes.
“It’s always been you, Paige, since I first laid eyes on you, it’s been you. Even if I didn’t know it, didn’t understand it, my body did.” I wrap my arms around her, pulling her body into mine, needing to hold her.
“I was going to tell you at lunch, it’s what I’d started saying when Edward walked in. I’m so sorry you found out likethat.”
“I won’t lie, Gray, that hurt. What just happened in there? Nothing like that can ever happen again,” her voice is firm. I feel a weight lift off of my shoulders, she’s talking like there’s a future for us.
“Baby, I will never hide anything from you again, I promise. I wanted to speak to Edward first. Once we became serious, I wanted to do right by him and let him know before I told you. Believe me when I say I will never do that again.” My eyes close; I bury my face in her hair, breathing her in.
“I’m sorry I hurt you,” I whisper. I gently pull on her hair, tilting her face up to mine. Seeing everything I need, my lips take hers, my tongue thrusting against hers, tasting her, taking what’s mine.
Pulling back, she smiles at me. “Just don’t do it again,” she says.
“Never,” I vow. She sighs deeply.
“I need to get back to work. My boss will be on my case if I’m gone too long.” I growl, hating the idea of anyone giving her a hard time, of any man spending time with her. Totally irrational, but it doesn’t stop me from feeling it.
“We’ll talk about work tonight; I was serious about a job.” She rolls her eyes at me and turns to head back to work, taking my hand in hers.
“Don’t think I won’t punish you for that,” I mutter. She bursts out laughing.
“Babe, if you think you can punish me anytime soon after that shit show of a lunch, you’ve got another think coming.” Fair point; I might have to concede that one for now.
Chapter 13
Paige
I knew work was going to be a bitch this week, but this is a joke. It’s eleven pm and I’m exhausted. I’ve been back one day and Scotland already feels like eons ago. It’s hard to believe it was only yesterday that I was waking up in Gray's arms in the Scottish countryside. It probably doesn’t help that today’s lunch was an emotional rollercoaster. I just want to curl up in Gray's arms and convince myself that everything is okay with the two of us. Gray’s been blowing up my phone with messages and calls, telling me I need to leave and get my ass home. I’m nearly done, just a few more figures to input and I can get a cab to his.
I’m outside. Get down here now.
My impatient bossy man. I smile to myself; it was only a matter of time before he turned up. I’m actually surprised he lasted this long.
Give me 5 mins. I’ll be down soon.
Fifteen minutes later I walk out the doors of work, beyond glad to be done for the night. Gray is leaning against the side of a sleek sports car, looking ridiculously sexy in a wool coat turned up at the collar, his suit trousers and shoes visible underneath. He pushes off from the car and walks towards me, folding me in his embrace.
“You must be shattered, sweetheart. Did you eat?” His voice vibrates through me from where my head is pressed against his chest. I merely nod, too tired to do anything else.
“Come on, let’s get you home.” He takes my overnight bag from me and leads me to his car, stowing my bag in the backseat and opening the passenger door for me to get in. He starts the car and pulls away from the curb, taking my hand in his and linking our fingers, he places it on his thigh.
“This car is seriously sexy,” I say. It suits him. I’m not sure what I expected him to drive, but seeing him in this car, nothing else would look right.
“I’m glad you approve,” he chuckles. I smile through a yawn and snuggle into my heated seat. The twenty-minute journey to Gray's place in Chelsea passes quickly; both of us content to sit in silence, happy just to be with each other. He pulls the car into his garage and we enter through the internal door. Gray's home is a beautiful mews house in Chelsea that I absolutely adore. I’ve been here a couple of times with Edward and friends and I remember thinking then how gorgeous it was. I’ve only ever seen a few rooms and the courtyard style garden, but I love it.
“Your home is beautiful, Gray,” I murmur as we make our way downstairs to the kitchen diner. The kitchen is a modern beauty, allpale quartz and dark cabinets with pendant lights over the breakfast island. There’s a dining table that seats eight and an area with a couple of sofas around a glass fireplace with a large TV mounted above. The room is all white and greys with an accent of bronze. I couldn’t have chosen better myself.
“I’m glad you like it, I want this to be your home too,” he casually responds as if he didn’t just drop a bomb. I just stare at him; quite sure my mouth is hanging open.
“What?” He laughs when he turns and sees my expression.
