Page 100 of Fury
"I love you too," I reply, leaning into his touch. "Even when you make me risk traumatizing my clients."
He laughs, the sound warming me from the inside out. These moments of lightness, of joy—they're precious to us both after the darkness we've survived.
As he helps me straighten my clothes, his hands linger on my hips, unwilling to break contact completely. "Dinner tonight? I thought we could try that new place by the water."
"It's a date," I agree, reaching up to press a kiss to his jaw. "Now go, before I get fired for improper use of salon facilities."
He grins, that devastating smile that still makes my heart skip a beat. "Worth it."
After one final kiss, he unlocks the door and slips out, leaving me to collect myself before my next client arrives. I smooth my skirt, check my reflection in the small mirror on my desk, and take a deep breath.
My phone buzzes with a text message. Greyson, of course.
Already counting the minutes until dinner. And dessert after.
I smile, typing back, Insatiable.
His response is immediate. Only for you. Always for you.
I tuck the phone away as the bell above the door jingles again, this time announcing my three-o'clock appointment. As I greet her with a professional smile, I can't help but think about how far we've come. From nightmares and terror to this rich, full life we're building together.
Some scars remain, invisible but present. Moments when a sudden noise makes me jump, nights when Greyson wakes reaching for weapons that aren't there. But we heal a little more each day, finding strength in each other that neither of us knew we possessed.
And in moments like today—stolen passion in my office, promises of dinner and forever—I'm reminded that what we have is worth every battle we fought to protect.
I leave the salon, practically floating on air despite the lingering soreness in my ankle that still flares up occasionally. The evening air carries the scent of autumn, crisp leaves and woodsmoke, as I make my way to my car.
My phone buzzes with another message from Greyson. Wear something nice. Special night.
I smile, wondering what he's planning. With Greyson, "special" could mean anything from a candlelit dinner to a midnight ride along the coast. Whatever it is, I'm looking forward to it.
At home, I take extra time getting ready, selecting a deep burgundy dress that Greyson once said brought out the fire in my eyes. As I'm applying the final touches to my makeup, headlights sweep across the bedroom window. Greyson has arrived to pick me up.
He's standing outside the door when I open it, breathtaking in a charcoal button-down and dark jeans, his hair slightly tousled as if he's been running his hands through it nervously.
"You look beautiful." He sounds almost reverent as he takes me in.
The restaurant is intimate, tucked away on a cliff overlooking the water. Our table sits by a window with a perfect view of the sunset, painting the ocean in shades of gold and crimson. Throughout dinner, Greyson seems distracted, his hand repeatedly touching the inside pocket of his jacket.
"Is everything okay?" I finally ask as our dessert arrives.
"Perfect," he assures me, reaching across the table to take my hand. "Just thinking about how far we've come."
After dinner, instead of heading to the car, he leads me down the path to a secluded overlook. The moon has risen, casting silver light across the waves below.
"I wanted privacy for this," he says, turning to face me, his expression suddenly serious.
My heart begins to race as he takes both my hands in his.
"Livie," he begins, his voice low and intense, "when I thought I might lose you that night with Volkov, I realized something. I realized that life without you isn't something I can face. Not ever."
He drops to one knee, still holding my hands, and my breath catches in my throat.
"You are the strongest, most beautiful soul I've ever known," he continues, reaching into his pocket to withdraw a small velvet box. "You faced down hell itself and came out fighting. You've seen the darkest parts of me and loved me anyway."
He opens the box, revealing a stunning vintage ring. A large oval diamond surrounded by smaller stones that catch the moonlight and throw it back in brilliant flashes.
"This was my grandmother's," he explains, his voice rough with emotion. "She made me promise I'd only give it to someone who owned my heart completely."
