Page 24 of Property of Gray

He knows I’m going to be just like my father. Hell, my track record proves I already am. Any woman tied to me will have her heart broken. The way I’ve treated women like Kaylene and Madz. They aren’t the only ones. Just the most recent on my roster.

Willow isn’t like them.

She means something to me, but I know I’m only going to let her down in the end. But right now, I’m being a selfish prick.

I’m addicted to the way she looks at me like I’m a better man than my father was. Even if it’s a lie because our hearts eat lies when they are hungry.

We blend into the crowd that’s left. I pull her back to my front. My chin resting on the top of her head. The band is on its last song for the night. A cover ofNever Say NeverbyCole Swindell & Lainey Wilson.

Out here in the dark, lost in the crowd, it’s easy to pretend that I’m not my father’s son. That I’m capable of loving someone. That I can be good for Willow. That I can deserve all the sweetness inside her. All the love she so freely gives me.

We walk around the edge of the property sharing a couple of beers until we wind back around to our tents. I have every intention of kissing her goodnight and leaving things there, but Woods isn’t back. He’s not here to remind me or deter me.

I follow my best friend’s little sister into her tent, terrified of fucking everything up, yet unable to stop myself. She kicks off her boots and shimmies out of her shorts. She’s illuminated by the low glow of a solar-powered lantern that’s about lost its charge. I take off my boots and stare at her in nothing but hertank top and panties, looking like a dream. Her hair hangs over her shoulders in loose waves. Freckles from being out in the sun dusts the bridge of her nose and her shoulders.

There’s never been a prettier sight.

She sucks her lower lip between her teeth.

Fuck me, I am in so much trouble. My cock is practically weeping in my jeans.

I want nothing more than to be inside her, but I swore I wouldn’t fuck her until I’m worthy of her.

I can’t go back on that. Not with her.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Admiring the view, pipsqueak.”

One day I’m scared she’s going to see the real me, and the day she does I’m going to lose her. I’m not ready for that to happen. I refuse to let it.

She crooks a finger at me and pats the empty space next to her.

I crawl forward, moving deeper into the tent, wondering if God is going to strike me down right here because Willow is an angel and I’m a devil.

“I shouldn’t be in here. Your brother is going to skin me alive.”

“He doesn’t own me.” She lies on her side, and I lie next to her on my back.

“You should sleep. We’re riding out early.”

“I’m not tired.” She looms over me, the tips of her hair brushing my face as her lips move closer to mine.

“You’re really testing my self-control,” I murmur as her lips move against mine. The tip of her tongue traces the bow of my upper lip.

“You really need to shave,” she tells me, cupping my jaw. Her tongue slips between my lips, and what little grip I have on my sanity slips. I move, rolling us so that I’m holding my weight over her.

My cut slides down my arms and is tossed to the side. My shirt is next to go. I keep my jeans on even though her fingers undo the button and zipper.

I’m coming apart at the seams. I’m nearly delirious with this need to consume her. To claim her as mine. I keep telling myself that I can’t take it that far, but right now I’m so far gone for her. I’m poison and she’s wine. If I had a soul, I’d sell it to make her mine.

I kiss down her throat, carving a path down one side and back up the other while I palm one of her tits under her bra. “This needs to come off.” She nods as I bring her tank over her head.

I go back on my calves as she shits up to unhook her bra. She crosses her arms over her chest.

“Don’t get shy on me now, sweetheart. Let me see you.” I pry her hands from her chest.

Fuck, her tits are perfection. Not too big, but not small.