Pieces Of You & Me (9 page)

Chapter 16

Grey

Olivia…

Olivia—

Olivia.

I was going crazy, livid with this strong, desperate need to have her. Taste her. God, how I wanted to taste her.

All night I had studied her dark window, hoping she’d wake up from the noise, and when I’d gotten my wish, I had timed myself to enter the main house when I knew she would be downstairs. I was expecting her to be in the kitchen, though, not at the bar.

At first, her intentions hadn’t gone along with what I’d had in mind the second I saw her trying to choose a drink, but it had been a great opportunity and I always lived on the edge, so I had tested her out to see if I could get her to do what I wanted.

And now I was kissing her.

Finally, after all these years of wanting her, I was possessing what I had ached for. She was all melted sweetness; rough, and yet, ready to be savored. She was all that I’d ever hoped for.

Her soft moans and short breaths made me want to bury myself all the way inside her soft, warm heat. I wanted to watch her face as I took control of her body, letting me drive it hard, pounding raw sex, until we were out of consciousness.

I wanted her so badly that, had she asked me anything, I was willing to give it up, but thank goodness it didn’t come to that. Her surrender was unexpected. I thought that I was at least going to see her fight me off, but she’d kissed me back in the same hungered kind of way that I was obliterating her mouth.

She knew how to get me fired up, gearing towards an unknown place where I hadn’t been before
; somewhere dangerous but magical at the same time. I found it beautiful.

Damn it was fucking beautiful
.

However I wanted more, so much more. I longed to see this beauty slowly unfold for me, blooming gradually, giving me her all, giving me everything she had until I’d consumed her whole.

Everything. I was ready to consume every last thing.

Self-control was slipping away. It was almost non-existent when the tip of my dick felt the heat of her entrance. Pushing it against her, I wanted her clothing to rip apart, welcoming me in. Roughly, I shoved the top of her cami underneath her breasts, which were shaking each time I thrust. Then, groaning out a pained sound, I captured her dusky pink nipple in between my lips and slightly tugged at it. “Give me everything, Liv. I need you so much.” The sound of her shorts giving the sharp, unmistakable sound of being slowly ripped apart at the seams only made me go out of my mind.

Any second now, I can have her…

“We can’t keep going.” Her voice broke into my thoughts. “Please.”

The pleading in her voice tugged at my heart, making me stop all of my actions. I was breathing heavily from going over a hundred miles per second to all of a sudden the emergency break was being pulled. I wanted to ask why, but my eyes must have questioned her enough because she simply gave me the answer without me having to ask.

“This is getting out of control. We can’t want each other this way. Brett, my mom…” Her face frowned, seeking my understanding. “I’m so sorry,” she finished.

We felt so good together, though. In fact, I hadn’t felt this with anyone. Olivia tasted like something different… and I wasn’t ready to stop. “Let’s take it slowly. Let’s take it however you want, but don’t push me away. I want you too much to pretend anymore.”
Please
, I wanted to add, although I think my tone already had the word all over it.

“I don’t know how. Liam, and everyone else—”

Fuck them all. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about Liam,” I grunted out. “But as for the rest, who fucking cares? This is between you and me. What’s the harm in getting to know each other a little better? I don’t want to stop. I want to keep kissing you.” My lips lightly tasted her. “We don’t have to answer to anyone, but if it makes you feel better, I’ll keep my mouth shut about you and me. I want a clean slate. With you.” Liam was in Australia. I had the rest of senior year to prove her wrong, that I wasn’t all that bad. As for the rest, I was leaving it to the stars to dictate our future. “Keep me.”

“Grey…” She looked unsure. “What if one of us gets hurt?”

Then fuck it. “I’m willing to risk it,” I breathed out, not willing to back down. I had never wanted anything this bad in my life, and for a change, there was something that got my blood thriving other than my usual adrenaline fix from speed. I was not letting up, not by a fucking mile.

“But you might end up resenting me…  and—”

She needed me to say it, I knew. “I already hate you, so there’s no harm of that happening.”

She bit her lip, leaning in closer, tempted as her nose touched the tip of my own. “Oh, God… what the hell am I doing…” she moaned. “You’re too much. I don’t know if I can handle you—”

I silenced her with my kiss; softly, gently. “We’ll take it slow. There’s no pressure on you, just don’t shut me out. You call the shots; I promise.” It was a big promise, but shit, I would’ve promised anything she wanted.

“I call the shots,” she repeated my words. “Don’t make me regret this, Greyson.” She sought my eyes, needing me to assure her.

“Promise.”
For you, I’ll try to be good… for you, Olivia…

Kissing her neck, I breathed her in. I wasn’t sure if this was the best time to keep on going and pick up where we’d left off. Olivia had the steering wheel, so if she was uncomfortable pursuing getting physical with me, then I had no choice other than to bow down to her decisions, even if my cock was protesting wildly.

My needs—the physical ones—could be taken care of in the shower later. As for the rest of my needs, I was satisfied because she’d agreed to give me a chance; a shot. I was going to make her see that I wasn’t all about sex. That I could be more than that.

“Don’t look down,” I whispered before slowly pulling my pants up. Once I knew that I was decent, I looked back to see if the party was still going. It was, however I didn’t want to leave Olivia.

Cupping her cheek, my eyes bore into her vivid blue ones. “Let me take you upstairs. I don’t want guys seeing you dressed like this.” Her “simple” nightwear was somehow indecent because her breasts were easily seen if you stared at it long enough.

“Thanks, Grey.”

Guiding her towards the stairs, I held her by the hip and strolled silently until we reached her bedroom door. The urge to kiss her again was strong, but I didn’t want to push it too far. I was leaving it all up to her. Thinking like a good guy sucked, yet at the same time, I only needed a little patience to get her to trust me, then maybe—hopefully—things would smooth out and she would be mine.

Clearing my throat, I reached for her hand and gave it a light squeeze. “I guess this is goodnight.” Her hand was soft and very feminine, the total opposite of my rough, calloused ones from working on my car and the other careless things guys did.

“You don’t want to go in?” she hesitantly asked.

Did she really want me inside?
On her bed?
She trusted me not to touch her intimately? “I don’t think that’s a great idea. After downstairs, I’m not too sure if I can handle being next to you.” I sure as hell didn’t trust me. “I have to get back downstairs anyway; they might be wondering what’s taking me so long to get some wine.”

She shifted her feet, looking away then back at me. “Why don’t you come back after you’re done partying?” She licked her lips. “I’m not going to have sex with you, but if you’re okay with that, then I’d like it if you slept in my bed tonight.”

Did she assume that I was going to fuck someone else after what had just happened? Crazy girl.

Cradling both of her cheeks, I kissed her deep. “I’d love to sleep next to you, Olivia Taylor.”

***

One hour later, I was still grinning like an idiot as I drank my last bottle of beer. Tonight had turned out better than expected.

People were wondering what had gotten me in a good mood since I had been acting like a bear with a sore head before I had gone inside to get more alcohol and then had come back out smiling and playful almost an hour later. Even though I wanted to celebrate and tell everybody why I was so fucking happy, I knew that I couldn’t. I had made a promise and I was going to stick to it, even if it killed me.

“You won the lottery or
somethin’? You’re lookin’ fishy, man,” Jet muttered as he opened another bottle for himself.

“Nah.” I tried to look serious. “Just having fun, nothing more.” I avoided the subject, hoping he’d drop it.

He gave me a suspicious look, though. The SOB knew me too well. “Uh-huh.
Really fishy
. Stinkin’, rotten fishy fish, I say.”

“Fuck off, dude! Just back the fuck off,” I grunted out. He knew better than to push this stupid subject after that. This was closed for discussion. It was between Olivia and me.
No one else.

The party lasted another hour and I had to basically kick everyone out even then. I didn’t want Olivia waiting, and I hoped to God that she was fast asleep. What really got me going, however, was how excited I was to go to my first sleepover.

I had never thought sleeping next to someone was exciting, but this was Olivia we were talking about. Anything about her got me excited. I was a sad excuse for a sprung puppy, yet fuck, I was fucking sprung. Pussy whipped like never before.

Taking my time, I went inside my place and showered before joining her in the main house. My usual quick showers lasted longer. I wasn’t jacking-off or anything—not like the thought hadn’t crossed my mind—I was more…
nervous?

Given the excitement still humming in my blood, I was afraid that I was going to mess this up, and I badly wanted everything to go well. I guess my thoughts dwelled on the things I shouldn’t do tonight. I mean, come the fuck on, we would be sharing a bed. A thousand things could go wrong from that alone.

Wearing only light sweatpants and a white shirt, I left my place and anxiously made my way towards the other house. Quietly, I let myself in the double doors and sighed at the sound of stillness that greeted me inside. Was she sleeping? I guess I would know very soon.

Our parents were arriving tomorrow afternoon; guess we’d worry about that later on
; if things worked out between us.

Climbing up the steps, I had to tell myself to calm the fuck down because I was way too fucking nervous. If I went inside her bedroom like this, she might think I was on something. And
fuck no, I wasn’t high. Though it had been passed around earlier at the party, I hadn’t touched that shit. Not tonight. I needed my senses on full alert. I needed to remember everything.

Staring at her door handle, it took me a good
thirty second pause before I finally opened that damn thing. If Jet could’ve seen me, how I stared at that thing, he probably would’ve thought I had started meditating or something. The idea actually made me smirk as I stepped into her comfort zone, which was dark with no light on.

“
Grey?
Is that you?” she whispered in the dark.

Her sleepy voice made me smile. She was waiting for me. I liked that. In fact, I liked it very much.

“It’s me,” I murmured, going over to her bed. I knew my way around so it didn’t take me that long to join her.

I almost let out a moan when I felt her body sag
against mine, spooning into me and fitting my body like a glove. She felt so delicate, so precious, and for some odd reason, I just wanted to protect her, hold her for as long as I could.

“Goodnight, sweet Olivia.” I kissed her behind her neck, wanting to sleep with her forever.

“Thanks for coming…” she dozily murmured, the words trailing off.

Sleepy head
. “Always.” Baby, count me for always.

I listened to her sleep, taking everything in with enthusiasm. Everything was so new to me; cuddling wasn’t my thing—well, the women cuddled me, not the other way around—and it felt good to hold someone and listen to them dream away.

Here’s hoping that she was thinking about me and not him. Well, fuck that Aussie guy. She was here now, with me, and nothing else fucking mattered.

“You are definitely
here with me
,” I whispered against her skin before closing my eyes, drowning in her warmth.

Chapter 17

Liv

“Is it true? That you kissed Greyson Edwards yesterday right after I told you that he was my boyfriend?” I questioned one of my third grade best friends, Edith.

Rumors were spreading around and I wanted to make sure they were right before I started accusing her.

“I liked him first, Olivia.” Edith glared at me, folding her arms across her chest, pissed off. “He was my crush and you took him from me.”

What was she talking about? All three of us did, even Josie.

“But he likes me. He told me so himself!”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter now. He’s mine,” she said it like he was some piece of property or something. “If you try to take him away, I’m going to spread rumors about your parents and how they sleep in separate rooms!” she threatened.

The moment she mentioned my parents, I knew I had lost the argument. Edith was my friend, but for a boy—a boy we all liked—she became my enemy. So I promised that I would never, under any circumstances, break my promise to her.

Even though I broke it off with Greyson through a short letter, throughout middle school he tried to catch my attention and tried to apologize hundreds of times, but each and every time, I got reminded of their betrayal as well as that threat Edith made about my parents. She knew my family, so who knew what else she had up her sleeve?

It wasn’t until freshmen year that I really started hating Greyson. During art class, he sat ahead of me. So when he started carving Winnie the Pooh, I knew right then and there that he was trying to mess with me. Each project that we did, he would make something that related to the past. He got creative. Roses with dramatic thorns stuck with poop.
My initials of O and T with evil horns in them.

It wasn’t until that last week of school during our class when he indirectly spoke to me. He said, “Kissing all the frogs won’t make you a princess. It only makes you pathetic.”

I went on two dates that week where I kissed a boy in one and all of a sudden, rumors were spreading that I was giving it up for everyone. I was nicknamed bookworm slut from then on.

For a while, I tried to ignore him and the constant companionship he had with Edith, but when a picture of Edith surfaced, naked with Grey on top of her, that made me loathe them more. It was just like looking at two selfish people, rutting with their need for sex and not caring what others thought of them, that really sealed it for me.

Grey’s taunts never ceased through the years. We bickered constantly, but each and every time, Edith would give me those death stares that held threats about spreading lies about my family.

She had only issued that one vital threat, yet it held me in check.

***

It took a good minute to realize that I wasn’t in bed alone. Well, if the warm breath hitting the back of my ear wasn’t indicator enough, Grey’s body caging me in was, making me unable to move without having to lift his heavy arm, which was conveniently located right below my breasts.

“Did you sleep well?”  a soft, sleepy, husky voice whispered into my ear, sending goosebumps all over my body.

Oh, God, could a guy sound this sexy first thing in the morning? Well, Grey did. His appeal knew no bounds. It was obscene. “I did…” I smiled, still hiding from him. Morning breath kills and I didn’t plan on killing anyone yet.

He softly groaned behind me. “You feel really good...” His thumb travelled around my belly area before it found a spot where my skin was exposed. Stroking it softly with his left thumb, he sent ripples of pleasure all over me, making me forget about everything  other than him; his scent, his voice, his warmth, and his hard delicious body…

“Grey,” I moaned, fighting this intense, deep need to kiss him. I was silently scolding myself for not running into the bathroom quick enough to brush my teeth—or even gargle my bad breath away—and then jump back in bed for a good heavy-petting session.

His lips were softly nipping on my lobe while his breathing became labored. “Can I get you anything for breakfast? I make amazing cereal,” he joked, making me melt some more.

I giggled like an idiot.
Damn you, did you have to be so adorable, too?
“I love cereal.” This was too good to be true. Was this really happening? I wanted to pinch myself just to make sure that this wasn’t a cruel dream out to taunt me subconsciously.

His arm tugged me closer against his chest. “Olivia, Olivia, Olivia…” he tsk-tsked. “I’m still keeping my promise, but I just want you to know that if it weren’t for that, you’d be right underneath me, legs apart and open. I would be looking into your eyes while I slowly—oh so fucking slowly—making this hot body all mine.”

Holy Bejesus
. I gulped some air into my lungs. Too freaking much. I was dying…

His powerful arms rolled me over to where his
tiger eyes were on me, intense and wild, as they roved over my face. “I want you… but I also want you to trust me.”

For some reason, I did want to trust him.
To believe in him and his words; his promises. “I’d want that, too.”

He took a full minute to study my face before his lips broke into an easy smile. “Meet me downstairs after you freshen up? I want to kiss you, but I have a feeling you’re not going to like that.” His eyes twinkled. “But I’m going to do it anyway just for kicks.” His lips took mine, kissing me softly. “See you in a little bit,
Pooh.”

He left with a mischievous grin on his face while I held myself back from begging him to stay in bed and cuddle me like I was the only thing that mattered in his life. That sudden thought surprised me. Since when did I want things from Greyson?

Never. So I’d better not start with this ‘cause I couldn’t afford the consequences. Too much was at stake.

In the meantime, though, I could enjoy and have fun. That way, my senior year would fly by, and before I knew it, it would be time to pack my things and move across the world to follow what I had dreamed of.

Ignoring my phone, I went straight to the bathroom and started getting ready to meet him downstairs. I didn’t want to read any messages from Mom or Liam. I could deal with them later. For now, I was going to focus on the right now, which was brushing my teeth and looking presentable.

I decided on wearing faded jean shorts and a sleeveless, loose,
baby-blue shirt. It was comfy and yet still showed a great amount of skin. My hair was tied up with a slim, white ribbon on the back of my nape. It provoked the thought of demure, however my clothes would suggest otherwise.

Barefoot, I stealthily made my way downstairs, feeling shy and exhilarated to see him again. It was odd how we had slept the entire night together, and yet, he didn’t cop a feel. I’d know because, well, I was in and out of sleep, thinking that he might just be tempted because it was Greyson Edwards sleeping with me in bed. I mean
, everyone knew that this man kept you awake, drunk off his charms and even more charming bedroom skills.

We shared a bowl of cereal that was a mixture of Cheerios and Lucky Charms. He spoon-fed me like a little kid. He even went as far as doing that dumb
airplane feeding thing.

“If you’re going to keep this up, I’m just going to get my own bowl,” I threatened, pouting.

“Aww, here you go, baby girl.” His eyes were trained on me, trying to hold back a laugh as he fed me again.

Opening my mouth, I felt a drizzle of milk on the side of my lip. Grey leaned close, sticking out his tongue, licking all the milk off before devouring my lips. He tasted sweet just the way I liked it.

In the background, I could hear him setting the bowl aside before bringing me on his lap. “Milk on your lips… Fuck,” he groaned. “I couldn’t help thinking—hoping—that it was mine.”

Mother fucker
, his illicit thoughts sent my body into a crazy haze. I wanted it and I didn’t. The fight to push further and explore what Grey could give me—show me—was too much for my brain and body to comprehend. Images of what he probably pictured in his own head made me clench my thighs together.

“I love tasting you, but I have to stop. Dad just texted me that they’ll be back around lunchtime.”

That was in a couple of hours. Or less.

“How do we do this?” Could we keep this between the two of us? What if we got caught? Will Brett and Mom be furious? It wouldn’t look good if others knew…

“Don’t worry; it’ll be okay.” He caressed my cheek before planting kisses on my furrowed brows. “This will be our secret, for as long as you want it to be.”

Why wasn’t he freaking out? Men and their laid back approach in life were admirable and infuriating at the same time.

“Our secret.” I kissed him for the last time. “Now off you go back to your place because I have homework to do. Besides, I need space to think of other things.”

He nipped my lips, smiling. “But I like looking at you like this, as if I had done all the bad things I had in my mind with you all night long.” His arms held me around the hips, tightening his hold.

If they came home early, would he be around? “Are you going somewhere later?” He usually was never home during weekends. Except when he threw parties.

“I’m heading over to Jet’s pad,” he said, looking at me. “Is that okay with you?” He studied me closely.

Will he have girls over?
The thought popped out of nowhere. “You don’t have to ask. It’s not like you’re my boyfriend or anything.”

He stayed silent,
tiger eyes turning into molten lava in a heartbeat. It was magnificent to look at. It was as hypnotizing as the very man himself.

“Are you looking for one?” he managed to ask, breaking my hypnosis.

Confused, I frowned. “Looking for what?”

“A boyfriend.”

Why was he asking me that? Did he think that I was? Was he going to set boundaries about women being too clingy? I wasn’t the clingy type. Besides, this was physical. “I’m not. Don’t worry. You can still live your life. I won’t bother you much.”

He looked serious. “I don’t have any restrictions?” he asked in a whisper, but it was with a tone that held something I couldn’t pinpoint.

We were makeout buddies. What was there to restrict? What did he want me to say anyway? That he could still screw around? Right now, he didn’t look too friendly and I hated that. “You can do whatever you like, Greyson. I’m not stopping you from anything.”

“That’s nice to know.” He sounded anything other than nice.

I licked my lips. “Yeah.” He was too intense and I felt too much.

Closing my eyes, I dropped my head to the side, angling for his lips, initiating a kiss. My kiss was gentle, and for a second there, I thought that he wouldn’t accept it. It took him a good minute to respond, but when he did, his kiss lacked the fire it usually held.

Was something the matter? “Did I say something to make you angry?” I voiced, hating that our kiss had missed something.

He shook his head, kissing me on the cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“After you get back from Jet’s?”

He nodded.

“What time will that be?” I wanted to sleep early since tomorrow was a school day.

“I can’t say, but I’ll say goodnight now, too.” He sounded
detached, like that impassioned man from last night was only a figment of my imagination.

Nodding, I moved off his lap, feeling confused that his attitude had changed so abruptly. “Okay. Be safe,” I said, not looking at him as I gathered the cereal bowl. A moan escaped me when I felt him wrap his arms around me from behind.

He kissed the soft spot below my neck. “There won’t be a second today that I won’t be thinking of you.”

His words comforted me.

In a flash, he left me there still wondering what the heck was going to happen with us.

***

I tried to do homework, but my mind wasn’t in it. I kept rehashing what had happened last night, and my mind was still with Greyson when our parents arrived.

Since Brett had some last minute work to do in the study, Mom and I went out for a late lunch. We spoke about my plans for college and what I wanted to do afterwards. I was going to major in psychology and I planned to pursue a Masters degree in psychiatry thereafter.

Even with my scholarship, my tuition fees were still going to be costly. Mom was a dental hygienist, and she and my dad hadn’t put money aside for college, so they both would split the costs until I could afford to do it myself. My plan was to work while studying, but Mom insisted that I should focus in school and not get distracted; so did my dad.

I was grateful for the both of them. I knew we weren’t made of money like the rest of the people around us—like Greyson and Josie—but we were a tight unit, even if they were separated. Mom and Dad always put me first, and I would always be grateful for that. Forever.

My future had been mapped out. As long as I didn’t lose focus, everything would work out in my favor.

Liam left me messages, however I hadn’t gone through them yet because I didn’t know a reply to them. Once I had the answer, I planned to answer his questions accordingly. I wasn’t pushing him away, but I needed time to get used to things, and maybe then I would get the courage to face the questions he had for me.