Page 58 of Accepting Fate

I want to protest but I don’t. I like the idea of not having to do everything for myself anymore.

“I'm going to hook up a chain to the rear bumper and pull you out. It shouldn't take me too long. When you see me place the chain, take it out of park.”

I nod. “Okay, do I need to do anything else?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Just sit there and don't touch anything. When you’re back on the road and I stop pulling, put it in park so you don’t slide back.”

I nod and he motions for me to turn back and face the wheel. Once I'm situated, he gently closes my door and walks back to his truck.

Grayson wasn't exaggerating, it took him maybe five minutes to hook up the chain and pull me out. Once he's done putting the chain back in his truck, he walks back over to me.

I open the door, wrap the blanket around my still soaked scrub pants and hop out to look at my Jeep. From what I can tell, with Grayson’s headlights shining on it, my shiny black Jeep is in desperate need of a car wash or five.

I turn to look at Grayson who is standing behind me. “Thank you, I really appreciate your help,” I say shyly.

He smiles. “Anytime you need me, don't even think, just call.”

I shake my head. “Is that what you tell all the ladies?” I say jokingly. The second it comes out of my mouth, a ping of jealousy hits me.

Grayson notices the change in my mood because he lets out a small laugh, grips my hips, and pulls me closer to him. I place my sleeve covered hands on his upper arms to steady myself. He looks down at me through those long eyelashes and says, “Don't be jealous, Angel. And no, I don't. You're the only girl, besides my mom, I’d jump out of bed at one in the morning for.”

I know he’s not lying. He has been telling me every day that I am his girl. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

We stand there for a moment holding each other.

Fuck, I’ve missed him. I have done nothing but work and think about Grayson for the past six days. Standing here in his arms, I feel like he would do anything and everything to protect me.

Maybe that’s what I need. I have been saying I want to let go of the fear and live my life. I have been so on edge ever since I left New York that I haven’t ever let myself relax and live life. Grayson could be that stepping stone to allow me to live more freely.

I’m fucking terrified that letting him in would cause him harm becausehe who shall not be namedcould be lurking around any corner.

The thought of that sends a shiver up my spine. Grayson wraps his arms around my middle and hugs me tighter to his chest. I wrap my arms tight around his waist. He probably thought I was cold but I’m not complaining. Being this close to him feels so right.

Grayson tilts his head down to rest his chin on top of my head. “So, does this mean you will hear me out? Because I respect you needing space, Angel, but I can’t wait any longer.”

Sighing, I rest my chin on his chest and look up at him. He gives me a small smile and my heart melts instantly. I don’t know how he does it, but he can go from total caveman to sweet teddy bear with the flip of a switch. And I fucking love it.

I’m tired of fighting what is inevitable at this point.

My voice drops to a whisper, “You promise that whatever happened that night was unavoidable, and you really thought you sent that text?”

“I promise, Angel. Trust me, I would have rather spent the night with you than doing the shit I had to.”

“Okay. I won’t make you tell me the full story, but I want an explanation of what happened. Not right now, though, because I'm really fucking tired, and my back is killing me. But tomorrow?”

He doesn’t reply, he just nods and smiles. I can practically feel the tension drain from his shoulders as he relaxes. I guess this week has been hard on both of us.

Grayson moves his hand off my back and tucks a hair behind my ear. His head slowly starts to lower, and I know what’s about to happen. My resistance breaks as his eyes search mine for an okay.

Instead of telling him, I show him. Rising up onto my toes, I kiss him.

I think I surprised him because it takes a second for him to kiss me back. His hand on my back presses me closer and the other goes around the back of my neck and tangles in my hair.

His lips are soft and like little pillows. Untangling my arms from his waist, I rise further on my toes and wind my arms around his neck.

His tongue pokes at my lips and I open up for him. Our bodies are so close now that we are practically one. The kiss turns from a slow exploration to hunger. Grayson nips at my lip with his teeth and before I can stop it, I let out a soft moan. This only drives him crazier, and I feel his dick getting hard on my stomach but ignore it.

The moment I feel his hands slip under my shirt I know I need to stop it before we end up fucking in the back of his truck.