Page 20 of Grayson’s Challenge

Maybe that was the solution to his problems: to make a clean cut from Scanguards, away from his father’s influence.

“Sometimes that’s what we need to do to show them that we’re not mere copies of them,” Mona said. “It’s just that my brothers don’t seem to have the same issues with my dad as I do. He treats them differently. They get away with murder, and they’re by no means perfect, but he expects perfection from me. And I can’t be perfect. Nobody is.”

He pulled her face to him. “You’re pretty darn close to perfect. In fact, I haven’t found a flaw on you yet. And I’d be happy to tell your dad that he has the perfect daughter and should cut you some slack.”

“I can fight my own battles.” Her voice was suddenly sharp, and her hand on his cock stilled.

“I didn’t say you can’t. You are a strong woman, and I love strong women,” he said softly and put his hand over hers and moved it up and down his cock. “I just wanted you to know that I’m on your side.”

“Gray?”

“Yes?”

“Make love to me.”

9

Grayson stirred. The sun had just risen and awakened him. He couldn’t have slept more than a couple of hours, the vixen in his bed demanding he fuck her over and over again. He’d complied with her wishes every time. Mona was still sleeping, but he felt sweaty and needed a cooling shower. Quietly, he snuck out of bed and walked to the bathroom. He closed the door behind him and caught his reflection in the mirror, recognizing how relaxed and happy he looked. As a vampire hybrid he had a reflection, a full-blooded vampire didn’t.

He turned on the shower and stepped into the over-sized shower stall and allowed the cool water to run down his body, caressing him where Mona had caressed him earlier. He could still feel her hands and her mouth on him, exploring every inch of his body. At the thought, he turned hard again. He soaped up and cleaned himself, washed his hair, and rinsed, before stepping out on the bathmat to dry off. Quickly, he brushed his teeth, then finger-combed his hair.

A towel wrapped around his lower body, he walked back into the bedroom. Mona lifted her head and opened her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” he said and sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Hey,” she murmured softly and pulled him closer.

He smiled at her. “You hungry? I have bottled blood in the fridge.”

“Actually, I’m rather starved for human food.”

“I can get us some pastries from a place around the corner,” Grayson offered.

“I can come with you.”

“Why don’t you stay here? No need to get dressed when we both know that I’m gonna rip those clothes off you again anyway.”

She chuckled softly. “You’re very sure of yourself.”

He pressed a kiss to her lips. “That’s because I can read the signs. You’re in the mood for more.” He directed his gaze to her nipples that had turned into hard little pebbles. Gently, he cupped one breast and squeezed it, before he slid his hand down her torso and underneath the sheet until he reached her sex.

“Just as I thought.” He dipped his finger into her wet sheath and heard her gasp, before withdrawing it. “I won’t be long, babe.”

He dressed quickly in jeans and a casual shirt, then looked for his wallet and keys. He found both in his tuxedo pants. When he pulled them out, his cell phone fell out too. He snatched it and glanced at the display. Four missed calls from Isabelle. The cell was set to silent, that’s why he hadn’t heard it ring.

Odd, Isabelle wasn’t one to make multiple calls when he didn’t call her back right away. Was she doing Samson’s bidding? Or was she in trouble? For a few seconds, he contemplated what to do. He knew he’d never forgive himself if he didn’t call her back when she needed his help.

“Something wrong?” Mona said from the bed.

“I’ve got four missed calls from my sister. But no voicemail.” He sighed. “She might be in trouble.”

“Call her back.”

He nodded and clicked on Isabelle’s number. It rang once, before she picked up.

“You’ve gotta come. Now.”

Alarmed by her panicked tone, his heart skipped a beat. “What’s wrong, Isa?”