Page 35 of In the Grey of Dawn

He's my kind of everything.

Soft and kind when it's just the two of us, fucks me senseless almost every night, makes sure I’m eating well, and he even made changes to his apartment to welcome me. Who knewbuying another pillow would be so romantic. I shake my head, smiling to myself.

He just seems to be an overall good guy ... minus the whole mafia thing. I checked in with Dimi a couple of times but he insists everything is fine and to quit worrying. Apparently, he's planning on a trip to see me but said it will just be for the day as he prefers to stay a few towns over at a hotel. I called him a snob and said my apartment was perfectly adequate but he's insisting, so I'm going to assume I'll see him whenever he decides to make an appearance.

Large hands envelop mine and I jerk off the wall startled at the unexpected touch, opening my eyes to find a deep chocolate pair looking back at me.

“Porter? What are you doing here?” I ask as he moves his hands to my waist, pressing me into the wall.

“Is everything alright? With the baby I mean? I couldn't get a read on your face when you came out of the room,” he says, practically holding his breath.

The level of concern he's showing only makes me fall for him that much harder. This big, bad, scary, tough guy, is worried over his friend's baby, and worried for me too. His hands rub my waist as he searches my face for answers.

Would I be okay if he never told me about his past?

It's moments like these where I genuinely wonder if this is enough for me, if I can be with a person who only gives me 95% of themselves.

“Everything’s fine. The baby is a great weight and has everything where it's meant to be. They’re all doing great.” I say, smiling at him, comforted by his presence. “Now, are you going to tell me whyyou'rehere?” I say, smiling up at him.

I love these moments when he traps me against a wall, the bar, a bench, anything really. The way his body pushes againstmine makes me feel so incredibly wanted by him. It's a feeling I’ve never had to navigate before as previous lovers had all been a bit transactional. To the point where I stopped expecting affection like this.

But Porter has this way about him. A light hand grazes my arm while his other firmly grips my waist.

Soft and firm.

It's a way to perfectly describe him. If we're in the same area, he's always touching me. A mixture of this gruff, alpha man who is somehow also charismatic and friendly enough to run a successful bar, and then this dominant man when we’re alone; one that is strong enough in his masculinity to kneel at my feet and worship me. I never would have expected him to be as affectionate as this, and that I would want it, crave it even. I seek out his touch when we’re together and I love that he seems to feel the same way.

“Dante asked me to come and pick you up. He said Mila was having a good day and wanted to take her to the lookout on their way home for a bit.”

Who would have thought that huge lug of man was so freaking romantic. All three of the men are the complete opposite of what you would expect.

Dante, this grumpy mega man mountain, who is so incredibly soft and kind with Mila. Ace, who is so warm and inviting with everyone, but the minute anyone oversteps he can apparently turn into a rabid beast, unleashing the fire of hell upon you.

I almost want to see someone cross him so I can witness it. I can't imagine the level of violence that Dante describes when they talk war stories around us. It’s just not something my mind can comprehend, these kind, loving men being brutal savages when they need to.

And then there's the guy in front of me, the quiet observer. He oozes mystery and seduction, but there is something curious about him too. It pulls you in, wanting to be closer until that little voice in your head tells you to run, get away, danger. I've seen it time and time again, the way people drop their gaze from him or take a subconscious step away when he's near. Even when he's smiling at you there's something people feel that's not quite right. When I look at him, however, he pulls me toward him like a moth to a flame, except I'm begging for him to scorch me. Let everything burn if we’re the only two left standing.

Just the two of usand his secrets.

“That's so sweet of him, Mila willloveit. What do you think about picking up some ingredients for dinner and making something for when they get home? Ace and Nova are at the house so we could sort out the accommodation and go over everything for when they leave on their mission next week?”

“That sounds perfect,” he says, giving me a fleeting kiss on my lips, taking my hand and leading me toward the medical centre exit, last night's snowfall slowly melting in the early afternoon sun.

???

“Okay, you go pick the steak and potatoes and I'll get the cream and broccoli. Meet you at the checkout in ten minutes,” I say, smiling and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“This is very domestic, baby. I could get used to doing this with you.” A big grin spread across his face.

We’re standing just inside the entrance of the supermarket, the occasional person walking past us as we smile stupidly at each other. The ironic thing about him saying that, is I could get used to it too.

Me, the self declared queen of situationships is getting rather comfortable playing house.

We’re together, but I still haven't called him my boyfriend, and there's not been a time he's needed to introduce me to anyone, so I'll take his lead and wait for him to call me his girlfriend.

I feel like I'm seventeen again with my first crush. He makes me smile and laugh and the sex is earth shattering, but it's little moments like this that I'm starting to enjoy the most. How can a simple task like getting groceries together be romantic?

“Ten minutes,” I repeat, taking a final look at my hunk of man before heading off to the opposite side of the store to get my assigned ingredients.

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