Page 82 of Pucking Grey

“We didn’t do anything. I took her upstairs to tell her that I won’t be hooking up with her anymore.” I nod. “She flipped out on me. I left the party because I couldn’t be there anymore. Truthfully, I thought you were done with me, and I thought I could –” I pause, staring at the ground.

She shrugs. “What?”

I sigh. “I thought I could hook up with someone to try to forget you. But I couldn’t do it. When Poppy threw herself all over me, I fucking took her upstairs to get her to stop. I didn’t want her causing a scene and making a fool of herself in front of the entire party.”

Maddie nods like she understands. The room falls silent as our eyes connect.

“What did you say before?” Maddie asks. “You wanted to forget me?”

“Did I say that?” I question, wondering what the hell I said to make her think I implied that. “I didn’t mean that I wanted to forget you, no. I meant it like I couldn’t shake what I felt. Poppy sat on my lap or whatever the fuck she did, and I realized right then and there, it wasn’t you. I desperately wanted it to be you.”

She smiles shyly. “Really?”

I nod. “You ghosted me,” I smirk. “Remember? And now you have brown hair. And your brother is being nice to me. It’s like I don’t even know who you are right now.”

She smiles brightly. And she is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on. How can she be so fucking perfect to me in so many ways? I don’t fucking get it. My heart is pounding because I have no idea what she’s thinking. I wish she would tell me everything she’s thinking.

“So,” I say, stepping closer to her. This makes her smile drop. “I’m going to ask you,” I take another step and another. “Again. Why did you ghost me?” I stop until I’m inches from her face. She peers up at me as I brush her hair from her beautiful face. “Hm?” I lick my lips as I look down at her mouth. “Is it because I asked you if you liked me?”

Her eyes flutter for a moment, and it’s endearing to see my effect on her.

“Madison Wilder,” I mutter. “If you don’t answer me…” I can’t even finish that sentence because all my threats will be empty. She can have every part of me. But if she tells me that she doesn’t want this, then I’ll have no choice but to leave her alone.

“What?” she breathes, observing my face.

I whisper, “I’ll have to start phase two and tie you up.”

She giggles softly with shaking shoulders. And then she covers her mouth to hide the obnoxious laugh I know is coming.

“And not let you go, but I’ll still feed you.”

“Okay, that’s good.”

I sigh. “Why are you ignoring the question?”

Chapter 26

Grey is staring at me intensely right now, and my heart is flying around my ribcage because of his gray eyes. He has no idea that he’s Greyson fucking Cress, every girl’s wet dream on campus. And I’m really so not his type. I thought he wasn’t my type, but right now, that idea is very wrong. I am ridiculously attracted to this man, and the way he’s acting right now has my breath hitched.

“Before I answer you,” I whisper, now looking down at his t-shirt. “Tell me why you didn’t mention that Matt is your stepbrother?”

His face almost falters, but he’s strong enough to keep his shield up. “I thought you knew. I figured Matt told you. Why do you think he hates me so much?”

Okay. I give him that one. I can’t be mad if he thought I knew about it beforehand. After all, Matt was my boyfriend for a few months before I even talked to Grey. I ask, “Well, do you go around and poke and prod everything that Matt likes?”

Grey smiles, keeping his body close to mine. “You’re a smart girl, Maddie. You tell me if you think I’m that kind of person.”

Person. I love that he said that. Any person would be spiteful. But Grey? I’m not so sure. Wouldn’t he have fucked me by now? Maybe kissed me a thousand times in front of Matt? Maybe there was a point when he was spiteful, but the guy standing before me doesn’t seem that way. As for Matt? He is spiteful, for sure.

I shrug. “You kept that very big detail a secret from me, so what else are you hiding?”

“I didn’t know it was a secret. I swear I thought you knew.”

I nod. “Uh-huh.”

He smiles at my sarcasm. “And I laid it on the table for you, Maddie. My only secret is that I want you. And not just some of you. Not just a fake relationship. Not just a random hookup.”

I lift a brow at him. “Really?” I like the sound of this. “What is it that you want exactly?”

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