Page 117 of Outcast
“You’re right, Shay. I’m just not great with rich douches.”
She laughed. “That’s our whole job, isn’t it?”
“Nah. I like working for the people in our community who need our help. The first-time homebuyers. The small entrepreneur with a business idea.” I shrugged. “These spoiled assholes aren’t my cup of tea.”
“I guess that’s commendable,” Shayla said as she stood and tossed an advertising proof on my desk. “Just came by to get the official okay on this.”
It was an ad about our sponsorship of a youth event that was coming up.
“Looks great. You don’t really need my approval.”
She shrugged. “You’re technically my boss. I kind of need your approval for everything I do.”
After she left, I finished up some paperwork, then shut down my computer and headed out. Gray had texted about meeting up, saying he’d buy dinner this time.
Meeting him after work was getting to be a habit. Even if he hadn’t texted, I would have headed that way. Ever since my overnight at his place, we’d seen each other nearly every day—except the one evening my parents had invited me over for dinner.
Mom kept asking me if something had happened with Allison. “You seem more content than usual,” she’d said.
I wouldn’t have equated Gray withcontentedness, but maybe talking about Adam and the guilt I felt about his death had lightened the weight on my chest a bit. Plus, seeing all that Gray lost gave me some perspective. I still had my parents, my home. So much to appreciate.
I wondered what horrors Gray’s brothers had been through. It was a wonder they all functioned as well as they did, but then Gray had mentioned his foster mom getting them all into therapy.
Maybe that’s why Gray was so good at giving me the space to be me without any pretense or hiding.
I could breathe when I was with him. I could taste the freedom of a life without the weight of expectation.
Gray accepted me as I was. I could see it in his eyes. He didn’t judge me or find me lacking. And damn, I sure as hell liked him too. Probably too much if my mom was noticing how content I was.
But that didn’t stop me from getting in my car and driving straight to the auto shop to meet Gray as he finished up work for the day.
I parked and entered through the open garage door. Gray was putting away tools. A single motorcycle stood in the narrow space between a large SUV on a lift and the wall. A smaller sedan was parked on the other side of the garage.
“You’re all staying busy,” I said. “I guess that’s a good thing.”
Gray turned with a smile. “It sure is. Especially since we brought on Matteo.”
I approached. “You didn’t have to hire him if it was too much.”
“Nah, it’s a good thing.” Gray drew me into his arms. “At a small business, margins are always tight. But Matteo is a good guy. He deserves a chance.”
“Allison is really grateful.”
“Allison, huh?” He bent to nuzzle my nose. “What about that cute banker guy I wanted to impress? Do you think he’s grateful?”
“Maybe,” I teased. “He’s pretty easy.”
Gray slipped his hand down, grasping a handful of my ass. Guess his brothers were already gone, then.
“As long as he’s only easy for me,” he murmured.
My heart fluttered. Even though we should be keeping it casual, I was powerless before his dark, intense eyes.
“Only you,” I agreed.
His mouth came down on mine, hot and wet and greedy. I threaded my fingers through his thick, silky hair, groaning as his tongue stroked mine.
I was aware of a motor, then a car door.
