Page 57 of Yours, Always
“Was I?” Prudence asked angelically. “I don’t remember it that way.”
Greyson laughed as Prudence reached over to pluck a cherry tomato off his side salad. He didn’t even try to stop her. “I was reading the online edition of the Beewhen a classified ad for the university popped up. I clicked on it on a whim, and it happened to be for a teaching position in their drama department.”
“So, you called them?”
“I didn’t even realize I was doing it until someone answered on the other end. We talked for an hour, and he pretty much offered me the job right then.”
“What? That was like three months ago.”
“I didn’t really think much about it until closer to the Verity Awards. I’d left it open ended, but he must have heard something in my voice, maybe my longing to come home before I even knew I wanted to. He said he wouldn’t fill the position until January and to keep in touch.” Greyson shrugged his shoulders. “My heart has known for so long, but my head was still catching up. Then, I had to be sure. So, after the Verity Awards, I decided to come home and see if we could be a couple.”
“I’m glad we figured that one out quickly.” Prudence grinned. “Have you called the university to let them know you’re taking the position?”
“I emailed the dean that I would be in town and wanted to talk in person next week. I still don’t know why he was willing to wait this long just to see if I’d take it or not.”
“You know you’re a movie star, right? Imagine the coup they’d have pulled getting Greyson Atwood to teach at the university.”
“I guess. You know I don’t think of myself like that, right? I’m just some kid who got a lucky break.”
“You’re the most down to earth person I know, Grey.” She thought for a moment. “Did you really mean it, that you came home just to see if we’d make it?”
He shook his head. “No, it was more than that. I’d made up my mind that I wasn’t going to take a ‘no’ from you. I was going to come home, and you’d be mine.”
Prudence flushed at those words.Mine.She loved the determination she heard in his voice. “I’ve always been yours, Grey. Always.”
* * * *
Greyson held Prudence’s hand as they ambled around Main Street. They’d stopped at a good number of bars and were generally enjoying each other’s company, not forcing anything, no awkwardness of a first date. Just like at the pizzeria, people were not hiding their stares and Greyson couldn’t have cared less. He was with the woman he loved—yes loved—and didn’t care who saw them. He’d never paid attention to it, he was always open and affectionate with his closest friends, never caring that his movie star persona would render most people starstruck.
He was used to it and it had gotten easier each time he came home. The worst being after the first Ben Stone movie had been released. It was the sleeper hit of the summer, not making a big splash on opening weekend, but picking up steam as schools had let out and people were searching for the loud, boisterous type of personality in film that Ben Stone was.
Nadia had him doing press junkets wherever anyone would take him as the movie gained in popularity. It had been his first taste of getting burned out, so he’d finally told Nadia no—he was sure he was the first to ever do so—and had retreated to Amber Falls to re-group.
He’d taken refuge with Prudence, then, not even able to stay at his childhood home since the press knew that was where his parents lived.
Itwasdifferent this time, though, he could sense it in the air. People were staring, but they’d now heard enough about the hometown boy who’d made it big. They’d seen his films, read about his personal life in the gossip magazines. They were staring, but their curiosity had been sated.
It was this Amber Falls that he had pictured coming home to. The quiet, sanguine place where life moved a little slower and people nodded at him in recognition, but largely left him alone. It didn’t make any sense that Nadia would be here, Prudence must’ve been mistaken. He watched Prudence, who was walking beside him, a contented smile on her face. Yes, this was the Amber Falls worth coming home to.
He gently tugged her hand over to a corner ice cream shop with a take-out window facing the sidewalk. “I’ve had enough wine for now, let’s get some ice cream.”
“That’s a great idea.”
They ordered, continuing down the street with their cones, doing some window shopping until they reached a secluded bench. They sat, Greyson put his arm around her, and she laid her head on his shoulder.
“This is like a fairy tale,” Prudence said after a while, “and you’re my Prince Charming.” Greyson started to respond, but she cut him off. “I shouldn’t have said that. Your ego is big enough as it is!” she teased.
“I’m not ever above you stroking my ego, Prudence, my dear,” he whispered in her ear, making every hair on her body lift and she gave an involuntary shiver. “Are you cold, Pru?” Greyson asked, running a hand over her thigh. “I can make you very warm.” He slowly fiddled with the short hem of her dress, inching his fingers up until they brushed intimately against her.
She gave a small jerk of her hips, and put her hand over his, moving them ever so higher. “I don’t think anyone can see us here.”
It was late and full-on dark. They were in the farthest corner of the town square, where foot traffic was almost non-existent now that Wine Wednesday had concluded.
“No one can see us, Pru.” Greyson flexed his hand, slipping his finger into her folds. “So, this is Prudence with no undergarments on.” He found her clit and circled it hard. “I like it.”
She came in seconds, her cry muffled by his mouth. Prudence moved her hips again, then stilled his hand. “I need you inside me, Grey. But not here, at home.”
He nodded and helped her up, taking off his jacket and throwing it over her shoulders. “I’m glad you live so close.” He moved his hand to tickle the nape of her neck. It was taking an eternity to get back. He was ready to haul her against her door again as soon as they got there, but, after telling her the news of him moving home to Amber Falls, he felt a different kind of energy quickening his blood. A possessive kind of energy.