Ring, ring, ring.
Seven times I tried calling. Seven times she ignored me.
“Millie, if she hasn’t answered by now…” Gray trails off, his voice soft in the darkness.
“I know.” The phone sits in my lap, staring up at me as the line goes dead again.
Resigned to silence, I lean back and look out the window. A few more lights pass before we turn onto the long drive that leads to Tannis’s place. Gray winds around the manor to the very back of the estate where a big garage sits in waiting. I saw it earlier when we left, and it astonished me then, as it doesnow. Tannis’s manor isn’t just a party-house for vampires, it’s a compound. We edge closer and the doors open on their own. Gray rolls in and parks us in an open spot.
“Home sweet home,” I say, taking a deep breath.
Next to me, Gray turns the car off and holds the keys limply in his one hand. “Millie?”
“Hm?”
“What happened wasn’t your fault.” Red irises peer up from the shade of his long lashes. “Messy business aside, I did enjoy myself.”
“You mean before my friend set you on fire?” A hoarse sob escapes me, covered quickly by a forced laugh. The tears that follow flow freely down my cheeks, unstoppable now that we’re alone.
Gray leans across the middle console and turns my reddening face to look at him.
“I’m fine, Millie. You stopped her before any real damage was done.” His voice pleads with me, low and desperate.
Without thinking, I twist my fingers roughly into his damp hair, pulling him in until our foreheads press together. He lifts me partway into his lap as my legs awkwardly tangle together in the middle, dress riding up as the towels are forgotten. I’ll feel the cold once the shame and embarrassment have worn off.
“I don’t want to feel that way again,” I say, pressing into him.
“What did you feel?” Gray’s thumb runs along my cheek, lingering beside my lips. I look into his eyes. There’s a sort of softness to them, shimmering as though they’ve glossed over completely.
“Afraid.” I swallow, my chest swelling with emotion.
“Afraid of what?” His throat bobs, lips partly open. I can feel my own breathing grow more shallow as I realize what I’m about to say.
“I was afraid of losing you… because… because there was a very real possibility that I might have missed the chance to tell you how I feel.” I lift myself slightly to see him better. My heart stumbles, fluttering as I stutter, “I… I love you?”
“Is that a question?” he chokes.
“Sorry.” A blush creeps up my neck to my ears as I drop my gaze to his shoulder. “I haven’t done this in a while.”
“Don’t look away.” A cool hand brings me back, holding me steadily by the chin. The subtle trace of a smile tugs at his lips. There isn’t a single trace of tension in his expression. He’s the most at peace I’ve ever seen him. Seeing that makes me feel more at ease, more confident to say it without it sounding like a question again.
“I do… I do love you, Gray.” This time I don’t stumble.
“Mm.” He cocks his head to the side, smirking. “Much better.”
I frown. “That’s not what I was hoping you’d say.”
“What do you mean? I’ve told you in countless ways already how I feel.” Gray’s hands move along my hips, using them to pull me fully into his lap. The driver’s seat is cramped enough as it is without both of our bodies taking up space.
“It’s not the same,” I argue.
“Ah, you want to hear it.” He draws me closer, his scent hypnotic and alluring. It’s ten times more potent in the cramped space of the car. “I love you, Millie.”
“Much better.” I sigh.
“Satisfied?” He chuckles, pulling lazily at the straps of my dress.
“Yeah,” I say, a little dazed. “You?”
