Page 8 of Gray’s Surrender

“Wasn’t a mistake.”

“If you tell me I’m too young for you, I’ll hurt you even more.”

“Didn’t stop because of your age.” His gaze goes toward the hall.

“Ruby is asleep,” I say.

“Exactly.”

“She can’t hear us.”

“Meg.” He looks back at me. The heat in his face hasn’t faded. “If I take this any further, it won’t be a quick lapse in judgment in the kitchen. You have to understand, Meg, I don’t bring women into this house. I don’t let Ruby wake up and wonder who’s here.”

The frustration remains. So does the knowledge that he is right about this part. “And Tank?” I ask.

“Still my brother, still my best friend.”

“And I’m still his sister.”

“That’s the problem.”

I smooth my shirt down. My hands shake slightly, which annoys me. Gray notices. His thumb brushes the corner of my mouth where his teeth caught it. The touch is gentler than the kiss and far more dangerous.

“Tomorrow,” he says.

“We need to talk about this, you know.”

“That sounds less appealing.”

“You still want me here?”

I look at the man who stopped when stopping cost him. “Yeah, of course.” He walks me to my car even though it’s only thirty feet from the side door. Rain has softened to a fine mist. The road shines beneath the porch light, with nothing in sight in either direction until an engine approaches from the river. Gray’s hand settles at my back. A dark pickup slows in front of the house.

He moves between it and me before I register the cracked left taillight or the pale shape of a face behind the wheel. The truck continues without stopping and turns at the next road.

“You know it?” I ask.

“No.” He waits until the sound fades. His body remains angled toward the road.

“Could be lost.”

“Could be.”

Gray doesn’t believe it. I can tell. I unlock my car. “Does this have anything to do with yesterday?” He looks at me, and for one second, I think he will tell me.

“I don’t know.”

It’s not a lie, but it’s also not enough.

CHAPTER 3

GRAY

Emma’s mom collects Ruby at nine Saturday morning. Ruby has been talking about the zoo trip with her friend for two weeks.

Ruby hugs me, quick and tight, then climbs into the back seat beside Emma. I check the door after it closes. Mrs. Carr waits until I step away before backing out. Ruby waves through the window. I stand in the drive until the car turns toward town.

Meg’s sedan appears from the other direction less than a minute later. The timing isn’t accidental. I asked her to come after Ruby left because last night’s kiss deserves daylight and the truth. My plan is to give her both, then find another solution for the remaining week of program closure.