Page 7 of Keeping You

I’m woken up by the smell of pizza. Stretching, I open my eyes and take in my surroundings and it all hits again.

Grayson. Ninety days.

I sit up and see him standing in the doorway, grabbing a pizza box from the delivery guy. He thanks him and turns back to me. He grins.

“Hungry, sleepyhead?”

God, that pizza smells good. My mouth is watering already.

He chuckles. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

He grabs a couple of plates and napkins and then joins me on the couch. He hands me the remote to find something to watch, and I open Netflix. We agree onBrooklyn Nine-Nine,and settle in with the pizza. We both laugh at the jokes, and I relax more as the episodes roll into one another. I feel myself crashing again despite the nap I took.

At the end of the episode, Grayson nudges my leg. “Take the bed. I’ll crash on the couch.”

I raise a brow.

“Hannah, go, take it.”

“I’m not sleeping in some bed that’s seen God knows how many women, Grayson. I’ll go home.”

His face turns from playful to serious as he looks at me. “First, you’re too tired to be going home right now, and you agreed to move in, so you’re not leaving. And second, no one but me has slept in that bed. So please, take it. You’ve already napped on the couch.”

Why is he bombarding me with so much to process all at once? A yawn tears through me, and I know I don’t have the energy to fight him on this. I get up and grab my bag, rollingit into his room. A large king bed sits in the centre of the room with a navy-blue comforter spread over it. The right nightstand is riddled with little things. His charger, a tissue box, a notepad and pen, a water bottle, and a pair of glasses.

I didn’t know he needed glasses.

I move into the washroom and quickly wash my face and brush my teeth before changing into my pyjamas. I’m glad I packed some for the work trip, because I usually don’t wear any. I prefer to sleep in the nude, or if I do wear something, it’s definitely sexier than the shorts and tank I packed.

Slipping under the blanket on the left side, I relish in the soft feel of the sheets against my skin. I don’t think I’ve slept on something so soft. I’ll need to ask Grayson for the brand so I can buy myself some. I stare up at the ceiling, trying to process everything. I can’t wrap my head around Grayson’s behaviour. He’s always been so laid back and go with the flow, but today, he’s been rigid. Firm in his decisions. Since the hotel, he’s said two very clear nice things about me.

Hannah, you never look like shit. You look beautiful.

I’m not treating this or you like a dirty secret, because you’re not one.

I fall asleep with his words bouncing around in my mind.

CHAPTER 4

Grayson

When I wake up, I decide to go on an early run. I have a plan to put into motion, and I need to make some decisions on how I’m going to proceed now that Hannah agreed to my terms.

I quietly sneak into my room and grab some clothes before slipping out. I stuff my house keys and phone in my pocket then put my earbuds in and leave the apartment. I run my usual path through the city and toward the seawall. Running has always helped me clear my mind. It gives me the opportunity to think with no outside factors or pressures. The feeling of my feet hitting the concrete and the light breeze in my hair is therapeutic.

Step one was getting Hannah to give this marriage an honest try, but now I need to show her we can work. Hannah has always had a way of pulling me in. She’s the one woman I’ve always wanted and told myself I can’t have. I know why Hannah hates me, and it’s my own fault for never correcting her assumptions, but at the time, I thought it was better for her. If it wasn’t for the fact we’re now married, I don’t think I’d be trying to convinceher that her view of me is wrong. I wasn’t deserving of her then, and I’m still not, but I’m going to fight for this.

I slow outside a local coffee shop a block away from my apartment and step inside to order coffee and breakfast for Hannah and me, hoping this can help us get off on the right foot.

I place the drinks and food bag on the kitchen counter and head to my bedroom to wake Hannah. When I knock on the door, I don’t get a response. I slowly open it and see the bed is empty. As I step into the room, Hannah walks out of the en-suite washroom in nothing but a towel. I freeze.

Fucking hell. As if she wasn’t temptation enough fully dressed.

Her long blonde hair is hidden in a towel sitting on top of her head, showing off her slender neck. Water still clings to her skin. What I wouldn’t give to lick it right off her. She raises an eyebrow at me as she cocks her hip.

I clear my throat and say, “I brought coffee and breakfast home.”

She nods, and I back out of my bedroom, closing the door behind me. I won’t cross any lines with her, but how in the world am I supposed to live with Hannah for ninety days and not touch her?

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