Instinctively, she knew her feelings went deeper. Went someplace she’d locked away because of her family and Kelsey and her difficulty trusting a man with her heart—a skier, no less.
Perhaps none of that mattered anymore. Even if Grey had a little crush on her, he’d coldly stormed off the other day and called Donner. He’d felt betrayed, which might’ve poisoned whatever affection he’d developed. He could just be using the “other woman” excuse to let Kelsey down gently.
Not that Avery should care. From day one she’d known to keep her distance from Grey, to ignore her romantic fantasies in favor of accepting reality. So why did his retreat wrench her heart?
Avery stepped out of her car debating what she would say once they came face-to-face. She glanced at the unlit apartment windows. If she lived there, she’d probably keep the lights off too rather than stare at all the beige-and-brown decor. Of course, if she lived there, it would be repainted and redecorated within the week.
She walked around to the office entrance, which was lit by a small desk lamp. Her eyes scanned the empty space. Grasping the door handle, she held her breath then tugged. Luckily, it was unlocked and swung open. A single alarm chirp rang out, prompting her to call, “Hello?”
“Back here.” Grey’s voice drifted from the narrow hallway.
Avery inhaled one long breath before taking those next few steps. Her stomach clenched as if she were about to enter her dad’s study for a reprimand. When she reached the door, she lightly tapped on the doorframe. “Hi, Grey.”
Grey nodded while keeping his expression blank. His messy hair and tired eyes made him appear a bit haggard.
“You don’t look very surprised to see me.” Avery pointed toward the extra chair next to his desk. “Mind if I take a seat?”
He gestured with his hand. “Go ahead. And no, I’m not very surprised to see you. Only a little surprised.” Grey crossed his arms in front of his chest, withdrawing from her again. “I assume Kelsey told you about my appointment with Richard Donner.”
She drummed her fingers on his desk, staring at him, waiting. Of course, he remained silent. She leaned forward, unable to disguise the hurt in her voice. “Why, Grey? Why did you betray me by quitting and going to Donner behind my back?”
“Betray you? You’re the one who suggested it, if you recall. I’m not even sure I’m switching therapists, but at this point I think it deserves a little consideration.”
“We were arguing.” Avery waved her hands in the air. “You had to know I didn’t really mean it.”
He rested his elbow on the desk then set his chin on his fist.
“No, Avery. I didn’t know. I don’t say things I don’t mean.” Grey sat back, fiddling with a notepad on his desk.
“Would you tell me if you were filing your lawsuit soon?”
He nodded, his scowl seemingly aimed at his own thoughts rather than at her. “It doesn’t matter, anyway. All the circumstances worked against this going smoothly,” he said, gesturing back and forth between them. “I don’t like fighting with you. And honestly, this gets you out of sticky situations with your whole code of conduct. So if Donner’s good enough to take me through the rest of my therapy, it’s best for both of us to part ways.”
He’d made a reasonable case, but she couldn’t—wouldn’t—accept it.
“So that’s it. One argument and you’re out?” She sat up straighter and threw her hands up in frustration. “Are you really willing to compromise your recovery? I’m not saying Donner’s bad. He’s fine. Conservative. Old school. Honestly, he’s simply not as knowledgeable or up to date as I am. That’s not an empty boast, just the truth.”
“Gotta love a woman who knows her worth.” Grey grinned, then his silvery eyes dimmed to dull pewter. “Don’t worry. I can build on what we’ve started and incorporate anything else he recommends. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than this pressure cooker.”
Avery didn’t know what to say. She needed a minute to think, and let her gaze wander around his office to buy some time. Scattered across his desktop were a half-eaten bowl of ramen soup, two chewed-up lollipop sticks, a napkin, a glass of water, and his computer with a GoPro camera attached via USB.
“Is that your dinner?” It popped out of her mouth before she had time to censor herself.
“Yes.”
She then noticed a bunch of crushed-up ramen soup and Tootsie-Pop wrappers in the trash can. “Is that your dinner every night?”
“Lately.” He grimaced while tilting his head and studying her.
She almost asked why, then it hit her. Ramen soup was dirt cheap. His financial straits really were dire if he couldn’t even afford decent groceries. Suddenly she felt about two inches tall.
“Grey, I’m sorry.”
“About my dinner?” His crooked grin looked too cute. Those darn sexy lips of his made it impossible for her to stay focused.
Now was not the time for another Grey Lowell fantasy.
“No. About breaking my promise to butt out of your claim against Andy. I promise, I won’t do it again. So please reconsider switching. I honestly believe I’m the better therapist to get you back to one hundred percent.”
Grey leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, head bent down. “It’s not just about you butting out. Working with you is messing with my head.”
“Why? I just promised not to pressure you. Believe it or not, I do know you were the victim of my brother’s stupid choices.” She bit her tongue to keep from mentioning the bartender’s negligence. “The thing with the OS, well, I only thought I’d hit upon a legitimate solution for both of us.”
“I appreciate that, Bambi.” The corners of his smoky eyes crinkled a bit when he looked at her. “Still, it doesn’t change anything.”
“Why not?”
“Because you don’t have to say anything for me to feel pressure.” He sat back and ran both hands through his wavy hair. “I already hate the fact I’ll have to hurt you to get what I need. The more time I spend with you, the harder that fact becomes. If I had never gotten to know you, this all would’ve been so much easier. Now it’s all fu—it’s all messed up.”
“Gee, Grey, it almost sounds like you do think of us as friends, despite your recent behavior.” She smiled, hoping to ease the tension in the room, and gently kicked his foot.
“Of course I do.” He rolled his chair closer to her and grabbed her hand. “I like you. I like you a lot.”
Heat shot up her arm and spread throughout her chest as his thumb brushed against the back of her hand. When she panicked and tried to pull away, he gripped her hand tighter. “Grey?”
He was staring at her as his other hand brushed back her hair. His touch set off a spark of energy that pulsed throughout the room. They both held their breath for a second, eyes locked on each other.
“Screw it,” he muttered before pulling her into a powerful kiss—one she felt down to her toes the instant his hot mouth claimed hers. A low rumble resonated in his chest as he tried to get closer to her despite their awkward positions in the chairs.
For several exhilarating seconds, she allowed herself to be swept away by the taste and smell of him. By the commanding way his tongue tangoed with hers. By the rising temperature in the room and shivery sensations overwhelming her entire body as he buried his hands in her hair.
Kissing Grey was every bit as hot as she’d imagined, and that heat shot straight through her abdomen and in between her legs.
One of his hands ran down her neck and back, pulling her closer. His chest heaved. Low sounds rumbled deep in the back of his throat as he got carried away and took her right along for the ride, crushing her to him.