Lying in the Sand (14 page)

He stared at her for a long time. “You’re the perfect woman. You have the face of a young woman but the wisdom of someone who’s lived and died a hundred times.”

She shrugged. “I’ve just lost a lot.”

His eyes softened. “I can tell.”

Silence stretched between them for a long time. She kept her arms tight around her body, feeling cold without Gray’s touch. He stared at the wall, rubbing the back of his neck. Their conversation took unexpected turns, and she wasn’t sure if they would recover from them.

Gray turned his gaze on her. “Let’s just forget about it and go back to what we were.”

“I’d like that.”

He came closer to her then hooked one arm around her waist. “Dance with me?”

That was unexpected. “There’s no music.”

He walked to the back door then opened it. The sound of the waves reached their room. “Now there is.” He came back to her, his eyes soft. He took one hand in his then held it to his chest. Then he rested his hand on her back, pulling her close. Then he swayed her from side to side.

She let him lead, and instantly, she fell into him again. His face was pressed to hers and he closed his eyes, feeling her step with him. Cheyenne rested her hand on his shoulder, feeling the broad muscle underneath. Wordlessly, they danced together, holding each other like they never would again. The ocean waves crashed in the distance, hitting their ears. She closed her eyes, sharing the moment with him. His lips brushed against hers before he pulled away, making her heart move into her throat.

It was a moment she would never forget. It was deeply romantic and spontaneous. If things were different, she could see a future with Gray. But with the way their lives were placed it wasn’t possible. The smart thing would be to walk away, to end it on a happy note before she got hurt. But she couldn’t pull away. Bryce was the man she initially wanted, but he turned her down. And now everything was different, complicated.

Gray pulled away slightly, looking down at her. “Billions of stars in the sky. But only one you.”

His words echoed in her mind indefinitely, but she couldn’t think of a response. He let the silence stretch, the music of the ocean forming a sound cocoon around them. He pressed his lips to her forehead, making the skin burn. He’d done it once before, and it was an embrace she never expected to feel. She’d seen Derek do it to Paola countless times. But never once did Ryder do it to her.

The knock on the door announced the room service.

Reluctantly, Gray dropped his embrace. “Thank you for dancing with me.”

“It was my pleasure.”

He gave her a faint smile before he answered the door and took the cart. Then he placed everything on the dining table. They sat together and ate, both pretending they didn’t just have a serious conversation that only reminded them that the path they walked together would end sooner rather than later.

“Do you like yours?” he asked.

“Damn, the Four Seasons has good food.”

He laughed lightly. “You’ve never eaten at the place you work?”

“Like I could afford it,” she said with a laugh.

“I’m glad I can help with that.”

She finished the food then looked at his plate. “Did you like yours?”

“It was exquisite, like always.”

Her plate was wiped clean. “I’m stuffed. My stomach looks like I’m having twins.”

He smirked. “I highly doubt that for some reason.”

“You only fooled around with me before food, not after.”

“Um…are you forgetting our rendezvous on the beach?”

“But you didn’t see anything. It was dark.”

“But I could feel everything. And m’lady, you’re divine.”

“Divine?”

“There is no better word.” He stacked the dishes on the tray then moved to the couch. “Do you have to work tomorrow?”

“In the evening.”

“Stay with me tonight.” It wasn’t a question.

“Don’t you have to work in the morning?”

“Not until nine. If you want to sleep in, you can leave whenever you want. You have my key.”

It was hard to say no, especially when she had no reason to. “Okay.”

He smiled then pulled her close to him on the couch. “What would you like to watch?” He turned on the TV, flipping through the channels.

“Anything but the news.”

“Not a fan?”

“Too depressing.”

He laughed. “It can be a party pooper.”

She snuggled into his side and he kept his arm around her. It was nice to do something other couples did. There was a friendship between them as well as a sexual attraction. The fact there was more below the surface made their relationship more enjoyable.

When it got late, he turned off the TV. “I think I’m ready for bed.”

“Me too.”

He opened his bag and tossed a t-shirt at her. “You’ll look hot in this.”

She turned it over and looked at the front. “USC basketball?”

“I played for a few years.”

“You aren’t black,” she blurted.

He laughed. “This white boy could keep up—most of the time.”

She unzipped her dress then let it fall off her body. He stared at her, not being discreet about it. When it was around her ankles, she kicked it away then slipped her heels off. Gray continued to stare at her, his eyes lingering on her legs.

Knowing he was staring at her, she unclasped her bra and pulled the straps down. His breathing increased even though he tried to hide it. She let it fall to the floor before she pulled on his t-shirt. It almost reached her knees.

“Fuck, darling.” He growled from deep in his throat.

She had a feeling they wouldn’t be sleeping tonight. “Your turn.”

He unbuttoned his shirt then pulled it down his arms. She stared at his muscled chest and toned arms. Her eyes trailed down to his abs, seeing the grooves and lines.

Gray unbuckled his pants then undid them. He kicked them off along with his shoes. Then he put one foot on the bed. “I left the socks on—for you.”

She laughed lightly. “Thank you. I like the look.”

He turned off the lights then pulled back the covers. They both got inside.

“Oh my god…” She melted into the sheets. “This is the most comfortable bed in the world.”

He laughed. “That’s the Four Seasons for you.”

“They need one of these in the break room.”

“I have a feeling productivity would take a dive.”

She sighed as she felt the soft fabric beneath her.

“Don’t get too comfortable.” He moved closer to her, grabbed her leg and hooked it over his waist. His face was close to hers. His warm breath fell on her face, making the area between her legs burn.

He stared into her eyes, saying and doing nothing. She stared back, feeling the electricity course through her body. His hand moved up her thigh and under her shirt, feeling the smooth skin.

“I can’t sleep next to a beautiful woman and not kiss her good night.”

“Then do it,” she whispered.

He smirked then pressed his lips to hers. When their mouths found each other, they quickly devoured each other. His tongue lightly touched hers, making her hot and cold at the same time. He breathed into her mouth as the excitement coursed through him. His length was pressed against her, telling her what he wanted.

His hand moved back to her hips, gripping the thong she wore. Then he pulled it down, not breaking their kiss. When it was around her ankles, he yanked it off, leaving it under the covers. Then he lifted her shirt and kissed her stomach. She fisted his hair while she felt his warm kisses trail over her body. Her hands glided to his briefs then pulled them down while he pulled her shirt from her body. When her breasts were revealed, he sucked each nipple, his hand squeezing her like he might slip away. She dragged her nails down his back, clinging to him.

He moved his lips back to hers, kissing her in the darkness. She wrapped her legs around his waist and hooked her arms around his neck, clinging to him. He moved slightly over her, his cock rubbing against her folds. He pulled away and stared down at her. “I want to make love to you.” He kissed her neck then moved back to her lips. “Let me.”

Her body and heart wanted it. The chemistry between them was undeniable. She wanted to feel him like she never had. Even though their relationship would never progress, she didn’t want to miss the experience. It was better to miss something than to never have it at all. “Yeah…”

He kissed her gently before he opened his nightstand. He pulled the foil packet out then ripped it like he’d done it a hundred times. He was breathing hard in excitement. His cock twitched as he pulled the condom out of the wrapper.

“Allow me.” She pulled it out then fit it to his tip.

He stared at her face, watching her eyes as she rolled it to the base. When he was ready, he gripped her hips then lifted them off the bed slightly. Then he leaned back on his feet then pressed his tip to her entrance.

She breathed hard when she felt him, knowing she was going to get a lot more.

He slowly slid inside, letting her adjust to his size as he moved. He moaned quietly as he entered. When he was completely sheathed, he let out another moan. “You feel as good as I imagined.”

The fullness between her legs made her writhe on the bed. She hadn’t felt such goodness in a long time. Her hands moved to his hips, needing to hold onto something.

He leaned over her, his hands pinned under her knees. His face was pressed to hers and he watched her face as he started to move.

“Gray…” Her head rolled back because it felt so good.

He sucked her bottom lip as he slid in and out. The bed rocked, the headboard hitting the wall with every thrust he made. The wetness between her legs decreased the friction, making a smooth glide.

He moaned as he moved faster, the pleasure evident across his face.

She cupped his neck and held on while he rocked into her. He was hitting her in the exact place, making her crumble into pieces. “Right there…”

He moved harder, giving her his entire length.

“Yeah…”

He placed gentle kisses at the corner of her mouth, listening to her moan for him. He grunted as her moans turned into quiet screams. And then he panted when she yelled his name.

Cheyenne dug her nails into his back as the climax hit her hard in the center. She gripped him tightly, feeling a high that made her toes curl. “Oh Gray…”

“You’re so beautiful when you come.”

“Because I’m saying your name.”

“That might have something to do with it.” He pumped into her, rocking her back and forth across the pillow. The sweat formed on his chest in drops then started to drop onto her. She leaned up and kissed the drops away, feeling him stretch her over and over.

He stared at her, his eyes wide. Then he pushed her back to the bed, combining his lips with hers. He breathed hard into his mouth, finding his release. “Cheyenne…” He rocked into her hard, slamming the headboard into the wall. “Cheyenne.” He stilled as he filled her, breathing hard.

She massaged his back, making up for the savage way she gripped him earlier.

He stared down at her, his eyes wide. “Fuck, that was even better than I imagined.”

“You imagined being with me?”

He pressed a lip to the corner of her mouth. “Many times. Just ask my hand.” He slowly pulled out of her, moaning when he finally left her warmth, and then turned on his side and cleaned himself off. She lay there, tired and satisfied.

When Gray returned, he hooked his arms around her waist and pulled her to his chest, spooning her from behind. His hands felt warm against her stomach, inviting. He kissed the back of her neck then nuzzled his face into her skin. “I love the way you smell.”

She moved back slightly, feeling his hard chest against her. “I love the way you feel.”

“I love the way we feel together.” He pressed his lips to the shell of her ear then snuggled closer to her, his arms locking around her.

Cheyenne listened to him breathe before her eyes grew heavy. She felt comfortable sleeping in his arms, more comfortable than she felt in a long time.

“Good night, darling.”

“Good night.”

When she woke up the next morning, Gray was gone. A note sat on the nightstand, a Hawaiian flower covering it. She blinked her eyes a few times before she could make out his thin writing.

I almost cancelled my meeting because I’d rather spend the day with you. You look so beautiful when you sleep.

There’s breakfast on the cart. Make sure you eat before you go. I like your curves and I don’t want them to go anywhere.

Gray.

She smiled then read the note again, loving his tenderness. Their relationship was so perfect. It was sad to think it wouldn’t last, that he would disappear and become a memory that she would soon forget when she was married with kids. She pushed the thought away, realizing she was getting depressed.