Fate (The Edge of Forever) (28 page)

“It’s alright, mother. I didn’t really expect him to relinquish his hold on me. But one can hope, right?”

“They certainly can.” I could hear the sound of her breathing, “Will you be coming home to stay tomorrow?”

I sighed deeply. “I’m not sure yet. I know I should. But...” I looked at Grayson who was in the kitchen cooking dinner. He was a billionaire who sat on the throne of his business empire, yet he was the one cooking dinner. He could most certainly hire someone to do it, but that wasn’t who he was. How many billionaires cooked their own dinner, much less cooked for someone else and serve it as well? That just made me realize why I loved him so profoundly. Even though he had money, he was still grounded enough to not let it go to his head. I watched as he rummaged through the drawers look for something and I couldn’t help but look at him longingly. This past week had been almost amazingly perfect. I woke up with Grayson. I came home to him. We ate dinner and talked together. Then we went to bed to together. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was what it would have been like had I been human. Would I have lived here with him and fallen into a familiar pattern?

He smiled at me when he caught me watching him, but I didn’t look away. I loved the mundane normalcy that was running through my mind. He was the reason I wasn’t sure if I was going home. He didn’t want me to and I didn’t want to do anything he didn’t want. And deep down, I wanted it too.

“I know you don’t want to be around Anton any more than you have to.” She spoke with understanding. Well that was part of the reason, the other part was now watching me intently from the kitchen.

“I love you mom. Even if I don’t stay, I’ll make sure to stop by and see you.”

“Alright, Gabriella. I love you too my darling.”

After hanging up the phone, I made my way to my regular bar stool, observing Grayson. His face was unreadable. “You have to see him tomorrow, don’t you?” He didn’t look up from his task.

“Yes,” I sighed.

He didn’t say another word. He put the final touches on what I believed to be lasagna before sliding it into the oven. He stood there with his back to me. I saw the tension rise in his shoulders. I didn’t like seeing him like that, especially not because of me. Suddenly, I had the urge to help relax him. I was moving to Grayson before my brain fully processed what was I was doing. I sped into the kitchen, wrapping my arms around his waist. Grayson tensed for a moment under my touch then visibly relaxed. He turned in my arms, wrapping his around me.

“How long until dinner is done?” I asked.

“About forty five minutes. Why?”

I looked up at him from under my lashes, showing my intentions with my expression. “You haven’t made love to me in a week.”

Grayson gave me a small smirk. “I don’t need sex to enjoy being with you. It’s just a plus. And after...” His words drifted off. “I don’t want to rush you to do it until you were ready.”

My last sexual experience had been with Anton. Even if it hadn’t actually been sex, it had still been intimacy. I could still feel his cold skin on me. I wanted a new memory to replace it with. Being with Grayson had always been intoxicating but natural. I needed that, more than ever.

“I know. And I appreciate that. But I want you. I want you to help me erase the memory. Erase his touch from me. Please, Grayson? Make love to me.”

Grayson ran his knuckles down my jaw. I could see he was struggling with the decision. I rubbed my palms on his chest hoping to show him how much I did want him. I could see his resolve give way slightly.

“If at any point you feel uncomfortable and want to stop, you have to promise me you will tell me. I don’t want you suffering through it for me. This is all about you. You understand?”

I nodded, licking my lips. Like being with him could ever be uncomfortable. My eyes locked on his mouth, begging for him to use it on me. He smiled, grabbed my hand, and led me to the bedroom.

The moment we were next to the bed, Grayson grazed my mouth with his. It started lightly, almost like he was afraid to hurt me, then slowly it grew to more demanding. His tongue penetrated my lips, gliding against mine. When I started to fumble with my clothes, Grayson grabbed my hands stilling them.

His mouth moved to my ear. “There is no rush, baby,” he breathed. “Let me cherish you.”

Slowly, in between kisses and light caressing, Grayson removed every piece of our clothing.

“Get on the bed,” he whispered against my neck. I did as he asked without hesitation. Grayson climbed on top of me, his body warm against my skin. His fingers grazed over every surface of my skin as he moved up my body until we were face to face.

Sliding his hand under my hips, he lifted me to meet him. I felt him just at my opening, teasing me. I was moaning with delight. One week seemed so long, even though it wasn’t the longest we’d gone.

I slid my hands down his back to his hips, trying to urge him in. “Please,” I moaned.

Grayson gave me what I desired. He groaned, pressing himself deep, sheathing himself and stretching me until he filled me to the point where I could take no more.

“Damn baby, you’re so tight.” 

He pulled back then slammed into me. I cried out with pleasure. He did it a few more times before finding a steady rhythm that had me writhing, begging him not to stop. One final thrust had us both claiming our release together.

Thursday morning, I woke to warm breath against my neck being quickly replaced by soft lips. I moaned, turning toward the source of my pleasure. Grayson softly claimed my lips. His tongue plundered my mouth, enticing my desire. My hands fisted in his silky hair, pulling him deeper.

He chuckled lightly against my lips. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to tease you. I was just trying to wake you. It’s time for work.” I groaned with frustration, burying my head beneath my pillow. “If it’s any consolation,” he grabbed my hand, pressing it to his groin. He was hard. I stroked him without thought. He hissed through clenched teeth. “I’m just as frustrated as you. But now you have a reason to come home to me tonight.”

I pulled my hand back, sitting up on my elbow. “Is that why you did it? So I’d come back here instead of staying with my mother?” I spat. I don’t know why, but I was instantly mad.

“Of course not, Gaby!” His brows furrowed trying to hide the hurt in his eyes. “I just wanted to wake you up, gently, instead of being jolted awake by the alarm.” He threw the blankets back making his way to the bathroom. I was momentarily distracted by his defined naked body moving gracefully across the room.

“I’m sorry, Grayson. I’m just a little on edge,” I called after him. There was silence. Then I heard the shower start. I sat there wishing I hadn’t been so hot headed. I knew today was going to be rough on Grayson too. He felt powerless against Anton when all he wanted to do was protect me. I turned my head toward the bathroom when Grayson stepped out from behind the door.

“You coming?”

I smiled at his question and hoped that I soon would be.

***

Rachel and I went over the final guest list for Grayson’s grand opening. I never really understood why everything in Manhattan was made into a party. I guess I shouldn’t complain, the New York social events kept me in a job. My eyes locked on two names I hadn’t noticed before, Charles and Josephine Alexander. Of course his parents were going to be there. But they would certainly be staying for a few days if they were coming in from Boston. Why hadn’t Grayson told me? Did he not want his parents to meet his vampire girlfriend? 
Well, when I said it that way...

I had Rachel verify the numbers with the hotel manager to be sure they had plenty of seating for the entire guest list. There would be no more changes. My first client that I was took point on, was being completely finalized. Everything was coming together and I couldn’t wait to see my handiwork in action.

The day passed in a blink of an eye. My heart had begun to pound harder in my chest cavity as every hour passed, bringing me that much closer to meeting up with Anton. My stomach lurched at the thought. I didn’t think I could do it. I was in dire need of a pep talk. I looked at the time, it was close to six. Picking up the phone, I dialed the number I had memorized.

“Hey, baby girl.”

“Shawn, I need you.”

***

Shawn met me outside my office around six thirty; his expression grim.  “Let’s get this over with,” he said, hailing down a cab.

Shawn had agreed to go with me as far as the front door of the nest and would wait for me there. Relations between the werewolves and vampires weren’t the best and neither of us wanted to risk the unstable truce by Shawn, son of the pack leader, walking into the Manhattan vampire nest, no matter how awkward I worried my meeting/date with Anton might be. I had told Shawn my main concern was if things didn’t go well that Anton would try to follow me, which would lead him to Grayson. After my “date,” Shawn would escort me home. It was strange how I no longer thought of Grayson’s apartment as his. It was home. No way would Anton be able to sneak past a werewolf’s nose.

“I’ll wait for you here,” he said as we stood on the stoop of the building where the vampires resided. Still having some time to kill before I met with Anton, I went to see my mother.

“Gabriella!” She blurred towards me as soon as I entered the dining room. Her nose crinkled in disgust. “Oh, Sweetheart, you smell like a wolf!”

I rolled my eyes, nodding my head, letting her know I was obviously aware of that. “Well I guess that’s what happens when you spend a week with one,” she said nonchalantly. Of course if she knew where I had really been and what I had been doing, she wouldn’t be so calm. I hadn’t really thought about the whole scent thing, but I was instantly glad that I had decided to bring Shawn. I had never told her where I was staying. She assumed and I let her. It was rude to correct people, after all.

“Is he here?” she asked looking around like Shawn might walk in.

I nodded. “He’s waiting outside,” I said pointing over my shoulder to the door.

My mother puckered her lips at me, blatantly bothered by something. “I take it you won’t be staying here then.”

“Mother,” I sighed heavily.

“I don’t like it, Gabriella. You belong here. Although, of course I no longer have any say in what you do.” She glared at something over my shoulder. Instantly, I felt the hairs on my neck stand up. Chills ran up my arm, like a cold breeze had just blown when there wasn’t one. I didn’t need to look behind me to know what my mother was glaring at. Everything inside of me became aware and guarded, alerting me to Anton’s presence.

“Persephone,” he spoke with a warning tone obviously hearing her condescending tone. “All of you leave us,” he spat. It did nothing to calm my nerves. My mother pressed her hand on my shoulder gently, like she was trying to reassure me before she left. While everyone filed out of the room, Anton stood unmoving, glaring at me until the last person left. He walked over to the table, taking a seat.

“Where have you been?” he demanded.

I looked at him bewildered. Was he really trying to pretend that my being gone for a week was really the problem after what he had done?

“Are you serious? You practically date rape me and you have the audacity to demand to know where I’ve been? Screw you! Oh wait, you tried that already, didn’t you?” Fury spread through me. I wanted to hurt him. To make him feel as violated as he had made me feel. Or worse.

“I am still in charge of this nest...” His own anger was only fueling mine.

“You knew if I fed from a male, what it would do to me!” I shouted.

“I fed from the female. You cannot hold against me what the blood made us do.”

“Us!” My voice rose louder than I thought possible. “I don’t recall me pinning you against a wall down a sleazy ally.”

“No?” He tilted his head to the side like he didn’t believe me. “What about you grinding against that human,” he hissed.

I gaped at him in disbelief. “What the hell are you talking about?” I yelled throwing my hands in the air.
 

“I had to pull you off of him, but without him beneath you, you began rubbing yourself against me. I am only a man, Gabriella. What man could deny a beautiful woman throwing herself at them?”

My eyes narrowed to small slits as I glared at him. I couldn’t believe what he was saying. “Even if what you’re saying is true,” and I wasn’t sure I believed him, “none of it would have ever happened if you hadn’t made me feed from that guy. You practically set the whole damn thing up. You know what feeding from someone of the opposite sex does!”

“Made you? I did not force you, Gabriella.” His face scrunched up with disgust.

“How dare you!” My voice was low and dripping with rage. “You threatened his life if I didn’t do it.”

He shrugged. “One human life is insignificant. Perhaps,” his eyes darkened with lust, “subconsciously, you wanted it to happen. Otherwise you could have just called my bluff.”

Without thinking, I wielded my hand back connecting it to his cheek. It was like it had a mind of its own. Anton head spun. I’m sure if he hadn’t been sitting, that slap would have knocked him over.

“Perhaps that was clear enough for you and what I want.” I blurred out of the apartment before he could recover.