Page 43 of Dangerous Secret

He hadn’t meant to claim her…yet. “Only if you want to be.”

“That would mean you’re my what?”

“I’ll be whatever you want me to be.” He could happily fall into those sea blue eyes looking at him with desire in them and never care about finding his way back. “Why do you still have clothes on?”

She laughed, and it was such a beautiful sound. “Because you haven’t taken them off.”

“We need to rectify that. Right now.” She lifted her arms, and he pulled her top up and over her head. He blew out a breath. She didn’t have a clue what she was doing to him.

Her skin was soft and warm under his fingertips as he traced the curve of her breast. He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers, and when she opened up to him, he deepened the kiss. He slid his hand down to her waist, his fingers trailing along the edge of her shorts.

With their mouths still fused together, he deftly unbuttoned her shorts and slid the zipper down. He broke away so he could remove them. “Up.” She lifted enough for himto tug them down, revealing white bikini panties. “Killing me,” he murmured.

“Aren’t you going to take off my panties?” she said when he stretched out next to her.

“Not yet. I’m not done looking at you in them.” From her soft smile, that pleased her.

He lifted onto his elbow, leaned over her and brushed his lips over hers. From there, he trailed kisses down her neck and across her collarbone. She moaned and arched her back when he twirled his tongue around a nipple. He inwardly smiled when she clutched his hair, urging him on. He moved to her other breast, and while he lavished attention on that one, he slid his hand down her stomach to her sex.

Even though he was dying to be inside her, he locked his need down. Her pleasure came first. He eased his hand under her panties and a finger inside her. The scent of her arousal was in the air, and he inhaled her essence deep into his lungs. Sweetest smell in the world.

He’d barely touched her wet heat when her body tensed, and he knew she was on the edge of falling. “Let go,” he whispered, then took her mouth again as a shudder tsunamied through her body. She was so damn responsive.

“Grayson! Oh God,” she said through gasps to catch her breath.

When her eyes—amazement in them—latched onto his, he wanted to promise her that he’d dedicate his life to hearing her rasp those words every night for the rest of her life. He wanted her in his life. He wanted to sleep next to her every night. He craved her in ways he’d never craved anyone before. He hadn’t been looking to fall in love. Wasn’t sure that was where he was headed, but he’d never felt this way before.

He stayed with her until early morning, once making love to her hard and fast, later making love to her slow and easy. Slept for a few hours with his body curled around hers. Made love again. Wondered if he really was falling in love with her. Decided to think about it later.

In the early morning, he slipped out of her bed, and after dressing, he cleaned up the kitchen from the dinner they didn’t eat. He left a note on the counter in front of the coffeepot, and while it was still dark, he left the way he’d arrived.

Chapter 20

Harlow opened her eyes and smiled as she turned toward Grayson…who wasn’t there. Her smile dropped when she slid her hand over the sheets where he should be. Cold. When had he left? As soon as she fell asleep? Had he gotten what he wanted and then been anxious to leave?

That’s what happens when you spread your legs like a slut,Anthony’s voice said in her head. She slapped her hands over her face. “Shut up, Anthony!” Gah, now she was screaming at an imaginary voice.

Angry at herself for the doubts tumbling around in her head, she headed straight for the coffeepot to get some caffeine in her. She’d think better after a cup of coffee…or six. A piece of paper was propped up against the coffee maker. She picked it up and read it.

Good morning, kitten. I’m going to think about you all day. I’ll call you tonight.

XO

Gray

Wow! Just wow. She fanned her face as she read his note for the second time. She grinned. Then she laughed. He hadn’t bolted in the middle of the night with no intention of seeing her again after getting what he wanted as Anthony’s voice would have her believe.

Even though she hadn’t gotten much sleep thanks to Grayson—she wasn’t complaining, not at all—after reading his note, she made plans for her day with a light heart and a smile on her face.

She had her assignment from Grayson to do, which she would do this afternoon. First, she needed to prepare for Lena’s visit. A trip to the grocery store was necessary, so she wrote out a menu for the meals on the days her friend would be here.

Halfway to the store, she thought about what she’d wear when Lena visited. She hadn’t bought much on her recent shopping trip. Just a sundress, some shorts, a pair of jeans and a few T-shirts. She wanted some nice things to wear while Lena was here, and on a spur-of-the-moment impulse, she turned the car for the mall.

Two hours later, and with several shopping bags hanging from her arms, she walked by Victoria’s Secret. With new clothes, panties and bras, she returned to her car. That had been fun, and she had some pretty new clothes and underwear she wouldn’t be embarrassed for Grayson to see…and soon, she hoped. The next stop was the grocery store.

Back home, she put the groceries away, then took her new clothes to her bedroom. How long had it been since she’d bought something really pretty? It was such a good feeling to even want to shop again for pretty clothes.

“No, Einstein, no cat hairs on the panties.” She picked him up from the bed and set him on the floor.

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