Against All Odds (10 page)

The sun beats down on us as Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball”
croons in the background. We’re on the deck with the grill open and steaks sizzling. It feels good, calm, and almost blissful. There’s nothing like a beautiful day at the lake.

I glance at Gray, zoning in on his black licorice-colored hair and toned back. I watch him lift the spatula to flip something, and his muscles showcase how ripped and rugged he is. I swallow hard, my face flushing, and peer at the tattoo on his back. It’s a black tribal inspired cross.

The design is so delicate and intricate, I have the urge to trace it with my fingers. My eyes travel from his back to half-sleeve tattoos. They begin at his shoulder blades and dance to his elbows. The deep red, burnt orange and black swirls, create a design of thick flames that lick up the sides of his arms. They stand out against the sun kissed hue of his skin. His body is divine, a work of art, and watching him stand around shirtless feels dangerous. But I continue my seductive sweep of his body, landing on his plump, tight ass.

Mmm…

I should stop staring, but I can’t. His thighs are thick, firm, and I can picture him standing in front of that grill naked. I feel my arousal simmer, and I internally slap myself. I flip my eyes to the crystal blue water.
What the hell am I doing?
This is Gray… He’s just Gray.

Feeling irritated with myself for looking at him, I decide to go for a swim to cool my raging libido. “Hey, how long before the food’s ready?”

“Another twenty, I think.” Beer in hand, he turns to me with a lazy smile. “It’s hot out here. I’m surprised.”

“Yeah, it’s really hot. I think I’m going to take a quick dip.” I point at the lake and stand.

“It’s going to be cold,” he warns.

“Ah, I’ll make it.” I wink and saunter off the deck.

When I get to the edge of the water, I shrug out of my sundress, leaving me in a black bikini adorned with turquoise gems. I dip my foot in the water and trudge in slowly. It feels good, which is surprising. Once it reaches my stomach, I take a deep breath and dive. I swim out farther into the lake. The sun is warm against my face as I float and close my eyes. My thoughts meander to Cooper.

I miss my husband.

I wonder if he’s still with Blondie, kissing her neck or holding her hand. I wonder if they stayed together after I left. That thought hurts.
How many times have they had sex?
As quickly as that thought floats in, I shut it down. I can’t think about Cooper with other women.

I open my eyes and look at the clear blue sky, trying to recall the last good time we had. The last time he touched me lovingly or kissed my neck or whispered in my ear. What was the last moment we shared that left me happy? When was the last time he looked at me as though I was his world?

I honestly don’t know…

I’m not sure how long I sit lost in thought, but eventually I hear a whistle. I smile, knowing that’s Grayson’s way of saying lunch is ready. I swim back to shore, get out, and grab my dress. As I head for the house, I notice him standing on the deck with both hands on the railing. Our eyes connect, then his leave mine and trail a path down my body. My heart thuds when they linger on my breasts.

What is he doing?

He swallows and skips his gaze down my length again, landing on the V of my bikini. Heat rises from my cool, waterlogged skin. After a couple of seconds, he continues his leisurely perusal down my legs.

He’s taking me in, every curve and bow of my figure.
Heat prickles through me hard and fast. The way he’s looking at me… it’s as if he wants to eat me for lunch. And while that’s arousing, it’s also extremely intimidating. Gray’s never looked at me like this. It’s startling.

His body is tense. I know him well enough to know he’s holding back. His body tells me that if he could, he’d sweep me off my feet and make love to me right here.

My pulse races as if I’m sprinting the hundred-meter dash. What’s happening with us? Why is he doing this now? I’ve always noticed he was sexy, but I never allowed myself to go there. He’s off limits.

But with that look on his face and the way he seems to be struggling with his attraction to me… It’s becoming difficult. The lines are blurring. I reach the deck stairs and take them to the top.

Once there, Gray looks down and grunts. “I’ll be right back.” He laughs, then shakes his head and adjusts himself.

Oh God…
I stare at his retreating form almost in shock. I can’t believe this. I’m turned on. Why am I turned on? Why does it feel so good to have his attention?

A moment later, he strides back out carrying two beers. Cheeks rosy, he doesn’t look at me at first but eventually lifts his eyes to mine and smirks. I laugh. It’s impossible not to. If he wasn’t so hot, that smirk would be incredibly corny.

“Grayson Walsh! What was that? Were you just eye fucking me?” I ask with a mixture of amusement and surprise.

He smiles a big goofy grin and sets the beers down on the table. “When? Right now?” He questions, innocently. I nod. “No. But on the deck, you bet your sexy ass I was.”

“Oh my God,” I groan in mock protest. “What the hell has gotten into you?”

His smile falls, hunger glazing over his eyes. “You, sweet cheeks have gotten into me, and you’ve gotten into me good.”

He’s serious. Is he making a play for me?
I think he is.

Looking away, I start to freak out. Why do I feel drawn to him all of a sudden? Gray’s hot, but I can’t go there. In my heart, I know I can’t do that to Cooper. But does Cooper even care anymore? He’s not here. He’s never here. He’s always gone and God knows who he’s with.

I’m playing with knives. I can feel myself getting cut. Not once, but repeatedly. The truth is… when we start crossing boundaries, things get messy. Often times, one boundary leads to another and another, and before we know it, we’ve crossed so many that we’re screwed. Blurring the line with Gray would be trouble.

I can’t lose Cooper.

“Kylie.”

Gray’s voice is sharp, causing my head to jerk in his direction.

He sees it. Oh, he sees my panic attack. “It’s okay. I’ll tone it down. I’ll never do anything you’re uncomfortable with. Never. Come on,” he coaxes. “Let’s just eat before it gets cold.” He points at the food he set out.

I nod, swallowing a knot of anxiety, and throw on my dress. I’m not going to dangle myself in front of a starving man, which is exactly what Gray is. I’m nervous about the change between us. I’m uncomfortable not only with his feelings but with mine.

He’s already sitting when I get to the table. I take a seat, grab my silverware, and cut into my steak. Silence hangs in the air as we eat, avoiding each other’s eyes. The tension is thick and awkward.

He clears his throat. “So have you bought any more shoes lately?” He puts a bite of steak in his mouth and chews, looking at me.

“What?” I ask, taken aback by the random question.

“
Shoes
, Kylie. You know, those things you have a million pairs of and love? Have you picked up any new ones lately?” He’s trying to cut the tension.

I can’t help the confused giggle that escapes me. “What am I going to do with you?”

He smirks. “I don’t think you want to ask me that. You don’t want to know.”

I feel myself blush. “Yeah, I have. I just ordered a pair from Nordstrom’s.” I take a green bean and put it in my mouth, looking at him.

“Only one pair?” He sounds surprised.

I laugh. “Do you really care?”

“Honestly?” he asks, grinning. “I couldn’t care less about your shoes, but someone needed to do something about this.” He gestures between us.

“Yeah, I guess it got a bit awkward,” I murmur, my face turning crimson.

“A bit?” He quirks a brow and releases a chuckle. “I’d say a lot, but let’s move past it. Why only one pair? That seems
tame
for you.”

“Good Lord,” I groan, taking a bite of food with a grin. “I bought only one because they’re expensive. Cooper’s going to flip when he sees the bill for the month.” I sigh. “I overspent last month, which led to a whole
discussion
. I promised I would tone it down. So I picked one. The problem is…” I glance at him, a reckless smile forming on my face. “One pair cost as much as two. They were two grand.”

Grayson chokes on his steak. “Two grand on
one
pair of shoes? Holy shit!”

What Gray doesn’t get is this is another way of saying
fuck you
to Cooper. It’s another way of getting his attention. He doesn’t like me wasting money on shoes, but they make me feel good.

“Looking hot isn’t cheap.”

“Jesus Christ, that’s a rip off,” he mutters, grabbing his beer and taking a sip.

“No, it’s not,” I say. “You have cars and golf. I have shoes.” I grin, popping a piece of meat in my mouth. “I like looking pretty and feeling good, Gray. Shoes do that. They give me confidence.”

“Shoes do that?”

“Yeah, they do, and as Carrie Underwood would say, they make my legs look like a cool drink of water.” I wink.

That gets a full belly-rumbling laugh. He shakes his head. “Well if you’re happy then I’m happy. But trust me, your legs are sexy as shit. You don’t need the shoes.”

I smile at his comment and shake my head. After we finish eating, I sit back and debate how to ask a question that’s been on the tip of my tongue all afternoon.

“Spit it out,” he orders, placing his silverware on his plate.

I roll my eyes, my lips pursing playfully. “You know me too well.”

He says nothing, just keeps those aqua beauties trained on me.

“Have you talked to Nate yet?”

He stills and his demeanor changes instantly. “Yeah, I called him when I dropped you off.”

“
And
?”

“And what, Kylie? I told him he might be my business partner, but he’d better stay the fuck away from you. He told me he was aware you were married. He saw Cooper at the bar and didn’t think he had a problem sharing you.” He slams his fist on the table. I flinch, feeling my body quiver. “I told him that if he ever touched you again, I’d fuck him up, and make sure he’d never use his dick again.”

I swallow, taken by his level of anger. Nate must be bad to stir this kind of reaction from Gray. I think there’s something more between the two of them though. “What did he say to that?”

Gray flips his fire-filled eyes to mine, his brows arching. “Not one damn thing. He knows me too well to fuck with me. He’ll leave you alone. It’s not going to affect business,” he assures me. “He’s not the only one with a part in our company. I own fifty-one percent of the stock, which means that I get
the
say. So things are fine. But I’m telling you now, stay away from him. He’s a bastard, and the only reason I’m in business with him is because of my father. Otherwise, I’d have bought him out a while ago.”

I take a minute to digest every word he said. If Gray owns all the stock, why isn’t he the CEO? Why Nate? His perfectly square jaw works back and forth as he waits for me to respond. I decide to save my inquisition for later. He looks too aggravated.

“Okay, I’ll be careful. I’m going to get my life together, Gray. I need to.”

He shakes his head and rolls his shoulders, trying to relieve his stress. “I’m glad to hear that. You’re too good for all of this, anyway.”

I smile, not feeling as though I’m good enough for anything.

“I’m going to clear the table,” he says, grabbing plates. “Just relax.”

I watch him head inside, and walk to the deck railing, taking a minute to think. I’ve screwed up so many things in my life. And now Gray’s had to deal with Nate. It’s ridiculous. He shouldn’t have to deal with my messes. The thought of putting him in situations that stress or upset him makes my chest ache. He’s been so good to me, and all I’ve given him in return is a mess.

I’m mulling over life when I feel an arm wrap around my waist. I gasp and look up at Gray. He looks playful and naughty. Laughing, he lifts me off the floor and tosses me over his shoulder. The next thing I know we’re moving and moving fast.

“What the fuck? Put me down,” I screech.

That makes him laugh harder, and the heavy bounce in his step causes my nipples to brush his back. Electricity sparks and arousal stirs as I slap his ass repeatedly, feeling the taut, firm muscles bunch beneath my palms. He picks up speed while I yell for him to put me down.

Once we hit the water, I feel his pace slow. I’m about to demand he set me down when I become airborne and hit cold water. I splash my way to the surface, sputtering.

His arms wrap around me again. “Get ready!” He picks me up and dunks me under once more.

I come up gasping and flailing. “You asshole! What the hell was that for?”

“You were being moody.” He chuckles. “I had to do something to take you out of it.” His face is alight with playfulness, and I can’t stop the fire kindling inside me.

“I keep saying this, but what am I going to do with you, Grayson?” My eyes hold his. “I need to swim back and drop my dress.”