Chapter 9

Lena beamed as they finished dessert—a delicious homemade Crème Brulée. Gray had been shocked when she'd produced the tiny torch to crystalize the sugar. They'd turned out perfectly though—rich and creamy inside with a crisp, decadent top.

"Tell me you didn't use to make these for Jett every week," Gray said with a chuckle.

Lena burst into laughter. "Of course not. I used to prepare many of his meals in advance, but unless Jett was hosting a large gathering, it wasn't anything fancy. Besides, I'm mostly running errands and doing tasks around the office ever since Anna came into the picture."

Gray nodded, rubbing a hand over his short beard. "That makes sense. I know that you and Anna have become friends, but I can surmise that she wouldn't want another woman hovering around all the time."

"Definitely not," Lena agreed. "I helped out with dinners when Brody was born, but she and Jett generally manage meals on their own now." Lena shrugged. "Things have changed. When Jett first formed Shadow Security, it was a group of single guys—including him. I still do some shopping for him, but he's got a wife now. Life moves on."

"Don't I know it," Gray agreed, his lips quirking. His gaze fell on the flowers. She'd sent him back to the living room for the forgotten bouquet while she'd been plating the food. The colorful arrangement looked pretty in the glass vase she'd put them in. Their eyes met, and for some reason, Lena found herself blushing. Gray was an intense guy. While dinner with him had been easy, the two of them talking as they ate, she hadn't missed his heated looks or occasional light caress.

He was into her, and that was flattering as anything. Gray had seen Lena at her worst, completely drugged and out of it. He never made her feel lesser for being unable to protect herself or escape. Her gaze trailed over him, taking in the veins on his forearms and muscular hands. The bulk of his biceps. Breadth of his shoulders. He was good looking enough that he could easily get any woman he wanted. Yet he was here. With her.

Gray licked his lips, rising to clear the table. She smoothed her hands over her thighs, suddenly feeling nervous. Gray caught her around the waist after she'd set her wineglass in the sink, moving to cage her in against the counter. His big hand brushed back her hair, and she felt a flurry of shivers washing over her. One simple touch from him made her heartbeat increase, but she loved the way he couldn't seem to keep his hands off her. Gray both made her feel safe and made her heart race.

"Dinner was incredible." His dark eyes were intense as he looked down at her, his full lips looking positively kissable. He smelled faintly of pine again, mixed in with the clean, masculine scent that was pure Gray.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," she said, lightly running her hands up his chest. She could feel his firm muscles beneath, the heat radiating off his bulky frame. He was wearing short sleeves yet again, and she could see the hint of his tattoo peeking out beneath one sleeve. "This is okay, right?" she asked, suddenly realizing her hands on his chest might bother him.

He looked surprised for a beat then relaxed. "Oh. Yeah. I have scars on my back, but my chest doesn't ever bother me. I did have a few broken ribs, but those have long since healed." Lena's mouth dropped open, surprise washing over her. He said it so casually, she almost wondered if she'd misheard. He'd been beaten. Hurt. "Hey," he said huskily, lightly dragging his knuckles over one cheek. "I'm okay. It was hell at the time, and like I said, I have nightmares. You won't hurt me, Lena."

Tears filled her eyes, and Gray's gaze softened. "I promise it's okay," he assured her. "I love your hands on me."

She giggled, suddenly feeling foolish, and a stray tear spilled over, running down her cheek. Gray gently thumbed it away, and she closed her eyes, trying to keep her emotions in check. She felt Gray lean closer, and then he was softly kissing one eyelid, then the other. Lena's breath caught. She opened her eyes and stared into his, trying to read all the emotions dancing within them. Tenderness. Affection. Arousal, too, his pupils widening as they both became aware of their bodies pressed together. She could feel the bulge in his jeans, Gray already hot and hard for her.

Gray was pure male. More gruff and masculine than any guy she'd dated before, but she was drawn to him in a way she couldn't explain.

Unable to stop herself, Lena rose to her tiptoes and kissed him. It was the first time she'd taken the lead, but Gray let her have control for the moment. His hands were gentle as he held her, and Lena kissed him deeper, her hands moving to his short-cropped hair. His beard rubbed against her sensitive skin, and she slid her tongue inside his mouth, exploring. When she pressed her body even closer to him, Gray growled, lifting her atop the counter. She gasped in surprise, but then his mouth was on hers again, hot and hungry.

Shamelessly, she spread her legs, letting him edge even closer between her thighs. One big hand cupped her neck, his thumb sliding over her throat as he took control of their kiss. She whimpered as he claimed her mouth, and then his hand was trailing lower, skimming over her cleavage, cupping one breast through her dress. She arched against him, moaning. Gray was big everywhere. His hands. His muscles. His cock as he pressed against her core.

He squeezed her breast gently, his thumb toying with her nipple through the material of her dress and bra. Arousal dampened her folds, and suddenly, she wanted to feel Gray everywhere.

"Take me to bed," she told him between kisses, the heat rising between them.

"Are you sure?" he asked, pinning her with his dark gaze.

She bit her lip and nodded, Gray's eyes shifting to her mouth. He slid his thumb over her lower lip, breathing heavily. As her gaze dropped to the impressive bulge in his pants, she could see the tension in his muscles, the way he was holding back. Her eyes once again slid to meet his. "You're so fucking pretty, Lena." And then he lifted her in his arms as if she weighed nothing, striding down the hall like he'd done it every night. She flipped on the light switch as they entered her bedroom, and Gray set her down, Lena wobbling slightly in her heels. They were instantly all over each other again, kissing, touching, Gray backing her toward the bed.

***

Gray's cock pressed against his boxers as he unwrapped Lena's dress between kisses. She'd tugged his shirt off when they'd gotten into her bedroom but still hadn't seen his back. His scars. He was too far gone to worry about that now. Lena looked like a goddess, all swollen lips and tousled hair, gorgeous curves, and breasts that rose and fell with every breath. She had on a sexy black bra, satin and lace that perfectly hugged her full breasts. Her creamy cleavage was mouthwatering on display like that, and he couldn't resist reaching out, skimming his fingers over her soft skin.

Her dress fell to the floor with a final tug of the tie, and his dick twitched. Lena in her lacy bra, matching black thong, and sky-high heels was a sight to behold. He was moving before he thought about it. His big hands gripped her hips, and then he was lying her down on the bed, coming down atop her, his forearms resting on either side of her head. Lena's arms wrapped around his neck. Gray could feel the heat of her core, and ran one hand down her side, cupping a bare ass cheek and giving her a squeeze. Her legs came up and around him, her heels digging into him, and Gray resisted the urge to groan.

Lena was an absolute vixen, sexy without even realizing it. Everything she did notched up his arousal another level. He nuzzled against her cheek for a moment, trying to keep himself in check, to make it good for her, and then his hands and mouth were everywhere.

Gray kissed his way across her cleavage, tugging one cup of her bra down. A rosy nipple drew his gaze, and he kissed it, listening to her short gasp before he began licking the pebbled bud. Sucking. Listening to Lena's pleas for more. Her short nails dug into his scalp, and he smiled. His girl was sensitive. Gray could spend hours feasting on her breasts, but then he'd miss out on the main course.

He wanted nothing more than to thrust into her silken walls, letting her cries of pleasure fill the bedroom.

Gray lightly bit down on Lena's taut bud, listening to her small moan. He blew gently on her nipple, soothing the sting, and felt satisfaction roil through him as she bucked beneath him. She was eager, and her responses gave him a thrill. Moving to her other breast, he tugged down that cup as well, her lacy bra now pushing both breasts up toward him like an offering. He kissed and laved at her other pink nipple, Lena squirming below him. Gray reached beneath her, unfastening the pretty bra, and watched in satisfaction as both breasts spilled free. He tossed the lacy lingerie to the floor, ready to simply devour her.

She lay topless on her bed, wearing nothing but a thong and those come-fuck-me heels. Both of Lena's nipples were hard, a pretty pink against her fair skin. It was a sight he'd never forget, Lena flushed and vulnerable, nearly naked, trusting him to give her what she needed. "You're gorgeous," he said huskily, kissing both breasts again. Squeezing. Playfully nipping. "So damn gorgeous."

Lena's hands moved to his shoulders, clinging to him, and he tried not to wince as she accidentally brushed over a scar near his shoulder blades. She'd discover them soon enough. In the meantime, he liked that she was already too far gone from his attention to think about them. Gray needed to taste her. See her pretty pussy. Hear her crying out his name.

Gray nuzzled against her breasts, knowing the scruff of his beard was teasing her sensitive skin. He kissed his way down to her stomach, slow and intentional. Lena sucked in a breath as he reached the triangle of fabric covering her pussy. Gray kissed her lower lips through the material, the sweet scent of her arousal teasing his nostrils. She was already soaked, so ready for him. He rubbed her clit through the satin material with his thumb, a wet spot already forming. "I bet you taste amazing," he murmured. "Is this all for me, baby girl?"

"Yes," she breathed, unable to hold back a moan as he slid his thumb over her swollen bud again.

Meeting her gaze, he shifted forward, lightly nipping at her hip. His teeth caught the edge of her thong, and her eyes widened as he began to tug it down with his mouth. She lifted her hips, urging him on, and then he was gripping her skimpy thong in his hands, dragging it down her legs.

Gray froze as he looked back at her. Lena's pussy was bare, glistening with her arousal. He ran his hands up her smooth legs, leaving her thong around her ankles. For the briefest flash of a moment, he wondered if that would bother her, give her a feeling of being tied down and trapped in a bed again. But there was nothing but arousal in her eyes. He eased her legs over his shoulders, Lena held in place by both Gray's body and the tiny scrap of fabric at her slender ankles. His mouth hovered over her sex, his hands wrapping around her hips. Lena's breasts rose and fell as she panted, both of them hanging in the moment. Gray met her eyes, and as Lena watched him, leaned in and put his mouth on her feminine flesh.