Page 84 of Shadowed With Fear

“I know that it must be bothering you the way I have been acting, and I never meant for that. I swear to you. After you found my mask, found the truth, I thought that it would be best to give you space.”

“I never wanted that— “

“I know. But in my head, I thought that given everything you might have changed your mind.”

“But you know I don’t blame you for Halloween, Grays…” I whispered, squeezing his hand.

“I know. I do, I swear I do. But it’s the other stuff. We always argued and things between us were rocky at best. I didn’t know how you would feel— “

“Grayson, the only reason we ever argued is because you were the only person aside from Brahm who wouldn’t put up with my bullshit, and vice versa. We have always met each other head on. Equals. I always understood you the best, and it’s like you could read my mind.”

He snorts. “You’re so easy to read.”

“Yeah?” I smirk, “And what am I thinking now?”

A dark gleam flashes behind his cool eyes. “Well, for one, you’re thinking I’m a dumbass.”

I shrug, giggling.

“And two…” he leans in close, whispering against my lips, “You’re begging for me to kiss you.”

My breath hitches, and I give a slight nod.

“Do you want me to kiss you, little flower?”

“Yes,” I breath and the word is barely audible in the space between our lips. His movement is slow, tantalizing as if he’s trying to savor every millisecond he gets in my presence. But my patience wears thin, and I surge forward, lips crashing against his.

The cold metal of his lip ring, in contrast to the warmth of his lips makes me gasp.

The feeling is so strange, but it feels so entirely him, I can’t imagine what this kiss you be like without it.

His palms move from my hands to grip my thighs, squeezing, massaging the pillowy flesh. My legs part, inviting him to come closer. He groans, stepping between them, hands tightening, and beginning a torrential trail up to my hips and back down to my knees.

“Grayson,” I mumble against him. He groans again, pulling away to kiss me softly along my jaw.

“You don’t know how fucking good it sounds finally hearing my name on your lips, Dahlia.”

“Do you want to keep hearing it?” I challenge with a wicked smirk.

He chuckles low, head dropping against his chest, shaking.

“Fuck yes, I do.”

“Then work for it.”

I push against his shoulders, moving back on the bed. He’s still kneeling on the floor staring at me with so much lust and awe.

“Dahlia,” he chokes, but I shush him.

“Touch me. You’ve left me wanting for a long time. I think it’s time you pay up,” I smiled at him encouragingly.

And he returns the favor with that beautifully real—entirely authentic smile that he has. Lopsided, bright, and so fucking genuine it makes my heart swell, and chest warm.

Grayson moves leisurely onto the bed, crawling up my body, caressing, kissing, and murmuring praises of my beauty.

It’s so different from the times we were together when he was Shadow, but yet that same tone of worship, wonder, and amazement is still present. He takes his time to map out each of the things that makes my body tick, ratcheting my need for him higher and higher.

Each light touch, a lit match thrown into the fire stocking deep in my core.