“You should head out, sweetheart.” I step away from her and take a deep breath. She regards me quietly. Something in my tone must have given away the fact that I don’t want her to go, because for a moment, she simply watches me.
It’s our silent standoff. And just like her cousin, she offers me a smile that could break a million hearts. I’m too old for her. She’s too young for me, but deep down, all I want is to bend her over my desk and drive myself into her tight, young body. “Would you prefer if I called you, Gabriel?” She quirks her brow and her icy-blue eyes shimmer like diamonds. They’re like glass orbs, piercing my restraint.
“Jesus, you need to go. Please?” My voice, filled with need and hunger, implores her, but she’s stubborn. It runs in the fucking family because Mila is exactly the same.
“Gabriel Connor.” Her tone lightens, and she beams. Her face lights up, brighter than any fucking star, and I’m a goner. She’s all grown up. No longer the young teenager that used to love popsicles and candy.
Jesus, Gabe.
What are you doing?
“Melissa Reyes, you need to get your pretty little ass out of here.” I stalk around her, trying to keep my distance. But her scent is like a fog, like an intoxicating essence made to tempt and lure.
“So, you admit you’ve looked at my ass?” She giggles behind me, and I shake my head, not taking the bait. I pull open the door and regard her with a small smile.
“I’ll see you soon, Lissy.” I utter, but using the nickname I gave her when she was younger doesn’t help. Looking at her as a woman rather than a girl is easy, because she stands almost at my height with those fuck-me heels she’s wearing.
With one manicured nail, she trails it down the front of my shirt, button by button, until she reaches the waistband of my jeans. Thankfully, she stops and leans in, her mouth at my ear. “I’ll see you very soon, Uncle Gabe.” And with that, she’s gone. Strolling to her little red Mini Cooper.
My gaze is locked on her ass and hips as they sway. My mouth waters for a taste. Just one fucking taste and I know I’ll be fucked. So, I turn and head back into the office.
You can’t do this, Gabriel.
Grabbing my phone, I hit dial on Brigitte’s number. “Darling, are you missing me already? It’s only been three days.” As much as I need to fuck out my frustration, I wonder if this is a good idea. Everything about this woman screams marry me, and that’s not what I need.
“I just need to bury myself in someone,” I bite out.
“I’m home tonight,” she sighs. I knew she wouldn’t deny me.
“See you later.”
With that, I grab my keys and head out. Staying in this office with Lissy’s sweet scent lingering will drive me insane.
Chapter 10
Mila
The drive is quiet, and I glance over at Grayson, taking in his profile. The fact that he had a car pick us up so he could focus on me is something I’d have to get used to. Dad normally drives me everywhere, even though he can get a town car to chauffeur us. “So . . .” I don’t know why I feel insecure, but Grayson is older. He’s used to women, not girls.
He turns to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders, tugging me into the crook of his arm. “So, I love how you fit in my arms. Perfectly. Like you were always meant to be there,” he murmurs, planting a kiss on my hair.
“I . . .”
“Look at me.” Lifting my gaze to his, those dark pools of desire tighten everything south of my belly button. “You’re mine now.” He drops his mouth to mine in a soft, sensual kiss. Our lips mold together, fusing with heat and desire. His tongue sweeps into my mouth and duels with mine.
A whimper falls from me, but he swallows it. He inhales me as I do him. As if I’m his breath, his lifeforce, and he needs me to survive. The realization hits me, deep in the depths of my young, teenage heart that this man loves me.
When he finally breaks the kiss, his stare bores into mine. Then he grins. Not the cocky smirk I’m so used to, this one is filled with affection. It’s sweet and romantic. “I love how pliable you are in my arms.”
“Mr. Connor, we’re here,” the driver calls from the front of the car. And we’re dragged from the cloud we’re in.
“Thank you, Graham.” Grayson opens the door and exits the car. Turning, he offers me a hand, which I accept. The sun is high, and when Grayson grabs the basket in the trunk, I’m giddy with excitement. “I’ll call you when we’re ready.” And with that, we walk down toward the water’s edge. I know I’ll be wanting to come out here more often, especially with the man who’s made me happier than I’ve ever been.
We’ve been in Seattle for almost all my teenage years, and I’ve never been on a date at the beach. Finding a secluded spot is easy since it’s so quiet. “It’s so gorgeous out here today.” I watch him lay down a blanket. Something too romantic, too intimate. It’s a real date.
“Are you going to watch me all day?” he quips, one side of his mouth lifting in that signature smile. The one that sets my heart alight.
“Maybe.” I reach for the hem of my tank top. Pulling it off, I launch it at him, and he chuckles a deep, sexy rumble. Shoving my shorts down, they pool at my feet, leaving me in a string bikini. His gaze scorches me as if he’s touching me. A slow lick of heat trails from my feet, up my legs, and slowly up to my breasts.
“Jesus, Mila . . .” When those mocha pools meet mine, they’re molten.
“I’m going for a swim.” I giggle. Toeing off my sandals, I turn and run toward the water. The waves crash against me. It’s cooling, but it doesn’t calm the fire burning inside me for him. For Grayson Connor.
Diving into the waves, I relish the water. When I break the surface again, I turn to find Grayson standing on the sand inches from where the waves are crashing. “Are you going to come have lunch? Or am I going to come out there and drag you out?” he calls to me with a smile on his face. Warm and inviting.
I pad through the water, pushing my way toward him, and as soon as I have purchase on the sand below my feet, I break into a run. Crashing into his arms, earning me the warmth of his embrace, I nuzzle into his neck, inhaling his cologne, the scent that’s him. Only him.
“Cold out there?” He lifts me easily, walking us back to the blanket.
“It’s a bit chilly, but it’s refreshing. Are you going to join me?” I murmur as he sets me down. Shaking his head, he pulls his T-shirt up over his head, and I take in the taut torso. His chest has a light dusting of hair, dark and masculine. Everything about him screams man.
“I don’t swim, sweet cheeks,” he tells me with that signature smirk. “Let’s eat.”
The spread of food is incredible. How he managed this in only an hour, I don’t know, but it looks delicious. “You trying to fatten me up?” I quirk, popping my hip and crossing my arms in front of me. His dark eyes trail up my body in a heated gaze.
“Sweetheart, you’re going to need your energy for what I have planned, so why don’t you eat up?” There’s something illicit in his voice, and I can’t stop my thighs from squeezing together.