Avery stopped on the sidewalk near her car. “I’m sorry I cut short your first-ever Sterling Canyon Jazz Festival, especially on such a gorgeous night.”
“Night’s not over yet.” Grey fished around his pocket for the keys to his apartment.
For weeks she’d been coming to his place, meeting him in town, and generally doing everything she could to keep him separate from her brother, their home, and her family. Suddenly all her efforts seemed selfish and silly. She wanted to move forward and cement the relationship. To forget about competing with Juliette, and bring him further inside her world.
“Hey, let’s go to my house tonight.”
Grey’s brows shot upward. “You sure?”
Avery nodded. Grey’s grin made her chastise herself for waiting so long to take this step.
“Let me get Shaman settled,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”
When he returned, he slid into the passenger seat. “Now that I’ve finally met your brother, maybe next time it won’t feel quite as uncomfortable.”
Avery pulled away from the curb, her eyes on the road, her thoughts elsewhere. “I can’t imagine that happening for a long time, although I do appreciate how you’re not holding a grudge. Most people in your position wouldn’t be as forgiving. In fact, I doubt I would.”
Grey shrugged one shoulder. “Let’s not go overboard. If it weren’t for you, I doubt I’d be so easygoing about everything. But I’ve got my priorities.”
“You do?”
“I do.” He reached across the gearshift and rested his hand on her thigh.
Avery’s stomach tensed as she approached her cul-de-sac, wondering what Grey would think of her home. As she pulled into the driveway, she watched his eyes scan the yard and exterior of the house, the corners of his mouth tilting upward.
“Home sweet home.” She led Grey in through the front door so he could get the best first impression. From the entry, the immense picture windows lining the rear of the house typically offered a spectacular view of the mountain range. Of course, at night it looked like a wall of mirrors, reflecting the explosion of color inside.
Grey’s grin widened as his eyes were drawn from the living room to the dining area and then the kitchen.
“You must’ve thought you died and went to hell when you first set foot inside my apartment.” Grey looked at her and then pulled a face. “Sorry for swearing.”
She shrugged, unwilling to lie, but equally unwilling to insult him. “Well, your place does have one advantage over this house.” When he shot her a puzzled expression, she continued. “You’re there.”
“Good to know that counts for something.” Grey winked and then walked around the living room, inspecting it more carefully. He frowned briefly when he came to the doorway marred with hash marks denoting Avery and Andy’s heights at various dates throughout their childhood. He gently traced the indents with his fingertips. “I can imagine this being a great place to grow up.”
“It was. There were other kids on the cul-de-sac, although most of them have moved away.” She watched Grey study the family photos on the mantel. “So many people always looking for someplace more exciting, like the location will make their lives more fulfilling. I don’t get it. How could any place be better than this one?”
“Well, having moved around a lot, I can vouch for the fact that some places are better than others.” He walked over and wrapped his arms around her. “This town is great, but what matters is the people in your life, not the place where you live.”
She couldn’t help but detect a double meaning in his words, but she brushed it aside when he continued the conversation.
“When I first met Bill Batton, I thought fate brought me here to buy his business.” His drew his thumb along her jaw. “Now I think it meant for me to find you.”
“So the accident was destiny forcing us together?”
“No, not the accident. I saw you before that happened. If I’d have made it home safely that night, I’d have found some way to get to know you better.” He kissed her forehead. “Now you’re the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I picture at night. You occupy a lot of my daydreams, too.”
“I don’t know what I did to earn such devotion, but I won’t complain.”
“Speaking of devotion,” he said, molding her against his body, “how about you let me show you instead of just talking about it?”
“Good idea.” Her arms wound around his neck. She loved the solid feeling of him. His sexy smile. The grabby hands that always sought her out.
“Can’t wait to see where you sleep most nights.” He flashed a wicked smile. “I’ve been trying to picture it for months.”
“I suppose we’ll see how good an imagination you have, then.” She led him to her room. He squeezed her from behind, resting his head on her shoulder as he took in her white wrought-iron bed and floral-print bedding.
“Very feminine. I guessed pretty well, though honestly I expected brighter colors instead of these soft pinks and yellows.” She felt him grin against her cheek as his hands began to caress her abdomen. His voice dropped to a low, sexy tone. “Wrought iron gives me some ideas.”
Although he left the details of his naughty thoughts unspoken, her body tingled in anticipation.
Suddenly, he turned her to face him. “Thank you for bringing me here tonight. I know how hard it is for you to trust in us, but I swear you won’t regret it.”
Letting go of her just long enough to close her door, he then returned and cradled her face, kissing her in a way that made her feel precious. He stroked her neck, shoulders, and ran down along her waist. Easing away, he held her arms out to the sides, letting his gaze roam her entire body.
“I love looking at you,” he said as he gently slid her top up over her head. “These pretty sky-blue eyes, flecked with sunlight.” His lips landed on her jaw and worked their way down her neck. “The little freckle behind this ear,” he whispered. “The notch at the base of your neck,” he said before kissing it. “The swell of your chest.” A soft groan vibrated in the back of his throat as he unclasped her bra. His response elicited a tremble from her.
He continued kissing her while unzipping her jeans.
“Grey.” She yanked his shirt off him and ordered him to take off his cargo shorts. He sharply inhaled as her fingertips traced the sculpted muscles of his torso and chest.
Her breath came a little quicker each time they were so close, so exposed, so vulnerable.
Both of them were still in their underwear when she tugged him onto the mattress. She could easily put into action the emotions she struggled to put into words.
The moonlight cast shadows around them, shrouding them in a private cocoon. She watched Grey’s muscles flex, his wavy hair falling across his face, the intensity in his gaze. “You make me so hot.” His roughened voice rasped across her neck.
Grey kissed her stomach and stroked her thighs, hips, waist, scorching her skin with his touch. His hands then cupped her breasts until he drew one into his mouth, the tender ministrations stoking a need deep within her. Making her want more.
He slid his body along hers and held her face in his hands. Then he closed his eyes and kissed her like it was the most important thing he could do. Like she was the most important thing in his life.
She felt hot and dizzy with lust before he’d even moved his hands along her inner thigh. Her eyes closed and her back arched as he used his mouth and fingers to stoke the excitement building inside. Her hips gyrated, seeking him out, needing more.
She ran her hands down his back, reaching for his hips, urging him to enter her body. “I want you now.”
He opened his eyes, which reflected everything she felt. “I want you always.” His deep voice rumbled over her skin, causing her to shiver just before he drove inside her. “God, I love being with you.”