Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
I don’t mention me because I’m feeling too much. I’m ready to confess my undying love to her, and she’s not ready. She’s trying to heal from the hell she’s been through, and she doesn’t need me throwing my shit in the mix.
There’s a question in her eyes, but she doesn’t ask it. Instead, she leans her head against my chest again. We sit here like this for I don’t know how long. I continue to rub her back to soothe her all the while ignoring my attraction to her. She needs a friend right now, and I’m determined to be that. Maybe one day, when she’s ready, I’ll let her know how I feel. Until then, I’ll be whatever she needs me to be.
“Can we lie down, Gray?”
I look at the couch and wonder how we’re both going to fit on it. “You want me to move so you can stretch out? Or do you want to go lie down in the bed where you’re more comfortable?”
“Bed... but will you lie down with me?”
My dick twitches. I already know I can’t tell her no. It’s going to hurt like a son of a bitch to lie next to her and not have her, but yeah, I’ll do whatever she needs me to do. “You think that would help you sleep?”
She nods her head, and I release my hold on her. “Go ahead, I’m going to lock up and I’ll be right there.”
She stands up and walks down the hallway to the bedroom. I take my time, trying to calm my nerves. I pick up her teacup and wash it in the sink. I make sure the front door is locked and put my phone on silent and then I take my shoes and cut off and leave them in the living room.
By the time I make it to the bedroom, Ellie is already in the bed under the covers. “You okay?”
Her answer is to lift the edge of the blanket. Fuck me, she’s so enticing. I lie down next to her, and she scoots closer, laying her head on my chest and fitting her body against mine. “Is this okay?”
I put an arm around her. “Yeah. Try and rest, okay?”
She says, “Okay,” and already I can tell she’s close to sleep.
I lie here and listen to her steady breathing, wishing I could do this every day for the rest of my life.
Chapter 10
Ellie
“I’m not taking that.”
I’m about to leave for dinner with Tara, and Gray is trying to give me a check card to his bank.
“Yes, you are.”
I hold my hands up and back away from his outstretched hand. “No, I’m not. You’ve already done so much. I’m not just going to spend your money like it’s mine or something.”
He puts his hands on his hips. “You’re being ridiculous. My money is your money, Ellie, or have you forgotten that we’re married?”
I blow my bangs out of my eyes. Ha! Like I could forget that. Heck, having Gray for a husband is all I seem to think about. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to sit here on my ass and do nothing and just take your money. No way.”
He reaches for me and grabs my hand. He puts the check card in it and wraps my fingers around it. “You’re not sitting on your ass doing nothing. You’re taking care of you and the baby. We agreed that you’d wait to get a job until after the next checkup.”
I stare at him, a little bewildered.
He takes a step toward me, and we’re practically chest to chest. “We didn’t agree to anything. That’s what you wanted me to do... Gray, you’re trying to pay for my school, you’re paying for this apartment, food, baby stuff, all of this... and now you’re trying to give me open access to your bank account...” I look down at the card in my hand. “Oh my God, it’s got my name on it.”
He grabs both of my hands and pulls me to the couch. “Ellie.”
But I don’t let him finish. “Why are you doing this, Gray? Why? I thought it was because of Dawson, but it’s not, is it?”
I clear my throat. “I don’t think you’re ready for that answer, Ellie.”
The way he’s looking at me, it’s as if I can read it in his eyes. I’ve never in my life been around a man like Gray. He’s gone out of his way to take care of me. Waking up this afternoon in his arms was everything, and when I felt his arousal against my thigh, well, I know he’s attracted to me. I say the first thing that pops into my head. “I think you should move in here. You pay for the place; it should be your home too.”
He rears back in surprise. “You want me to move in here... with you?”