Silver & Black (29 page)

“What do you mean?”

“Look at you, you’re perfect. Everything about you is perfect.”

“You keep saying that. I’m not at all, Greyson. I’m afraid if you keep thinking that, I’ll let you down.”

“That can never happen.” I watch him get off the bed and walk into the bathroom. He returns with a warm washrag and a dry towel. He hands it to me to clean up as he gets back into the bed. Finishing cleaning up and drying off, I reach over and turn off the light next to the bed. He pulls the cover up over us and wraps his arm around me. I don’t care what he says. He’s completely perfect in my eyes.

Lying in bed with his arm around me for several minutes, I contemplate everything: him, me, us… this day. Emotions swirl through my mind. I dust my fingertips over the dark hair on his arm. I let out a slow breath building up the courage to say what I’m feeling. “I think I’m falling in love with you,” I whisper into the night air. He doesn’t respond. Glancing over my shoulder, I find him fast asleep. Probably better off, now isn’t the time for that. It’s way too soon.
Or is it?
I settle comfortably in his arms and fall peacefully asleep.

~Chapter Thirty-Three~

I wake and stretch inside the blankets. I turn to check on Silver, but he’s gone. My eyes are still adjusting as they skim the room to look for him. There’s no sign of him. I glance at the alarm clock in the room. It’s the middle of the night. “Silver,” I call, but get no answer. I sit up in the bed and notice a fresh cool breeze coming through the sliding glass door that leads to the balcony. Wrapping the blanket around my naked body, I walk to the door. He’s standing there in the moonlight resting his elbows on the balcony, wearing a pair of grey lounge pants and no shirt. “Silver?” He turns to face me.

“Did I wake you?” he says, placing his phone on the ledge of the balcony.

I shake my head. “No. I just woke up and noticed you were gone. What are you doing? Are you ok?” His face is full of stress. I jump up and sit on the top of the patio table.

“I couldn’t sleep. I have too much on my mind.” I glance toward the phone on the ledge. Being away from work must be really eating at him. He strolls to me. Settling between my legs, I wrap the blanket around his chilled chest.

“Silver, if you want to check in on work, please do. I know it’s probably bothering you.”

“That’s not it. I haven’t even thought about work.”

“You had your phone.”

“Yeah, I was checking messages, is all.”

“Then why couldn’t you sleep?”

He shrugs and nods his head lightly. Gripping both sides of my face he stares deep into my eyes. “I need to tell you something.”

“If this is about how you’ve been giving Levi extra money to support me, I already figured that out.”

He smiles and sighs a laugh. “That’s not it at all.” He lets out a long breath. “I heard what you said. You thought I was asleep, but I heard you.”

“And that scares you? Silver, look, it’s ok if you don’t feel the same way. I’m not even sure what I feel. I got caught up in the moment and you. Please, don’t let this consume you.”

“You consume me,” he says honestly. He lightly pecks my lips. “It’s not that I don’t feel the same way.”

“I understand, Silver. It’s way too soon. There’s no such thing as insta-love,” I say, interrupting him. He tilts my chin up to look me straight in the eyes. His piercing stare makes me nervous and turns me on at the same time.
How does he do that?

“I never want to lose you. Promise me, Greyson.”

“Promise you what?” He’s so serious right now. Something has really gotten him upset. Maybe he had a bad dream. “I’m not going anywhere, baby,” I try to assure him the best I can.

“That’s all I want to hear.” He wraps his arms around me and hugs me strongly. “I meant it when I said that I’m addicted to you. I’ll do anything to keep you here with me and safe.”

“Safe? I feel safe with you, Silver. Where’s this coming from? Did you have a bad dream or something?”

He closes his eyes and rubs his eyebrows. “Yeah, I guess. I just woke up feeling uneasy, and it scares me when I feel like I have no control.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I repeat. “I think you might be stuck with me for a while,” I flirt. He grins then seals his lips to mine. “Why don’t we go back to bed? It’s a little chilly out.” He helps me off of the tabletop. He shuts the sliding glass door as we go back into the warm bedroom. He watches me climb into the bed. Pulling the covers down, I pat the bed wanting him to join me. He curls next to me and I press my chest to his back, wrapping my arm tightly around him. I don’t know what happened. But whatever it was, it was enough to worry him. It takes a while, but soon he’s back to sleep. For some reason, I wanted to make sure he was asleep first.

******

The sun shining through the window wakes me. Silver slept peacefully the rest of night, and so did I. I roll out of the bed trying not to wake him. He needs the rest. Deciding to shower and get ready before he wakes, I go into the bathroom and run the hot water. I slept in my contacts last night, and my eyes are burning. Must be all this nature, it’s bad on the allergies. I take them out, toss them into the trash, and then climb into the shower.

After taking a long shower, I peek out into the room. Silver is still sleeping. Good, the man works too much. He needs this. I get dressed, putting my glasses on and go down to the kitchen to get some coffee. Someone has already made it. By the looks of the breakfast tray left on the counter, the chef must have been in early to do this. I grab the tray and a cup of coffee and make my way back to the room.
Still sleeping
. I grab my phone off the dresser, set it on the tray, and tiptoe out onto the balcony. It’s a breathtaking view.

I put everything down. I sip the coffee and stare into the woodsy view. I need to tell Levi about everything Silver has done this weekend. He’s going to be so excited. I turn back on my phone. “Now who’s the early bird?” Silver sneaks up behind me. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You need the sleep.”

He presses to my back and sniffs. “And you took a shower without me?” I turn in his arms to face him. “Wow, you look so fucking sexy in your glasses.”

“So I’ve heard.” I kiss him. “I went and got the breakfast tray the chef prepared.”

“Why don’t you enjoy the view and some coffee while I go shower. Then after, we can eat and do whatever you want.”

“Ok.”

He releases me and smacks my ass playfully. Winking, he walks back into the room. I yawn and go back to trying to call Levi. All of a sudden, I hear a buzzing sound. I look around and I hear it again. It’s Silver’s phone. Shit, he left it out here from last night. I grab it and wipe off the dew that has gathered on it.
I hope it’s not ruined.
The phone vibrates again. I can’t help but see the message pop up on the smartphone screen.

You never answered me: yes or no, Brian. You have until tomorrow to make your choice or Greyson finds out everything.

“What?” I look into the room to see if Silver is coming out. He’s still in the bathroom. “What the hell is this?” I don’t recognize the number, but it beeps again.

You left me hanging last night. That will NOT happen again, do you hear me? What’s your precious boy going to think when he finds out Mr. Perfect is nothing but a big liar. Call me. I’m fucking pissed. You’ve messed with the wrong man, Brian.

My heart races, I run my hand through my hair nervously.
Should I read what they were talking about last night?
“Why is that even a question?” I scroll the phone open. No lock screen, thank God. I keep glancing into the room to watch for him. I click the number in his text messages. There are several communications between the two numbers from last night, and from the sounds of the messages this isn’t the first time they’ve talked. I skim the messages.

I’ve tried to reach you all day. Why is your phone off?

Silver: I’m with Greyson. I turned it off. I will deal with this when I get home.

You’ll deal with it now. I did what you asked. I followed through with my part of this deal, and you need to do yours. I want my money, Brian.

Silver: The money will be there like I promised. You better not even mess with him again.

LOL. That’s so funny. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black. Does he even have a clue what you’re doing? What you’ve done?

Silver: Don’t try me. I told you I will take care of everything.

You’re in no position to be making threats.

Silver: I never hurt him. You’re a fucking bastard.

True, but at least I’m an honest bastard. The money, Brian, or we go back to my plan. You didn’t like my plan.

Silver: I swear if you even come near him, I will find you.

Not very smart―not at all. You wanted it this way. This was your game and now you have to pay some way or Greyson will. That was the original plan anyway. It sucks when feelings get in the way of a business arrangement. Haven’t you ever heard the saying: never mix business with pleasure? It never goes the way you imagined it. The money. No more waiting.

Silver: I’ll take care of Greyson. You don’t worry about anything.

The next messages are from this morning that I already read. I nervously watch the door, still no sign from Silver. I don’t know what I just read. I can’t make sense of it. I feel like I’m going to be sick. I go to the door and peek around the corner. I can still hear the water from the shower running. I stand there and listen. I have to screenshot the messages and send them to me without him finding out. I snap the couple images of all the messages. Attaching it to a text, I send it to myself. My phone beeps. The water turns off.
Shit.
My hands shake as I delete the photos off his phone and the messages to my phone. He should never find out. I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest. “What the fuck is going on?”

“You have my phone?” he says and I jump.

“Yeah, you left it out here. It was wet so I was drying it off.” I’m holding it tightly in my hands.

“May I have it?” he says, putting out his hand. I nod and hand it to him. “Were there any messages or calls?”

“Not that I noticed. I never looked. I just noticed it while I was talking to Levi.”

“You look flushed. Are you ok?” he says, and then touches my hand. I pull it away. “Greyson?”

“I’m sorry. I thought it was my allergies acting up. I woke up and my eyes were really red, but now my throat is killing me. I feel like shit.” I had to think of something, fast. The wording in the message scares me. What did he mean when he said he would take care of me?

“You look pale as a ghost. Do you need me to call a doctor or something?” He tries to hug me and I scoot backwards, bumping into table. “Ok, what’s going on, Greyson?”

“I feel sick, very sick. I don’t want you to catch it.”

“I’ll take my chances,” he says, pulling me into a hug. My mind is reeling with scenarios, but my body and my heart love the embrace. “What can I do?”

“I… uh.” I know I need to confront him, but not here. If I get him home, I can confront the situation without being stuck in the middle of nowhere.
I hope I’m reading too much into this.

“Do you want to go home? I don’t mind,” he offers without me saying a word.

“I feel bad cutting the trip short,” I lie.

“Don’t. If you’re sick, you’re my main priority, Greyson. I’ll call the pilot and make sure everything is set to go.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure,” he says and pecks me on the lips and then walks back inside with the phone to his ear.

I exhale heavily. “Please let this be nothing,” I whisper under my breath. “I’m just being paranoid,” I say to myself. “Maybe he’s being blackmailed? But for what, what does this person know that Silver’s willing to pay money to cover up? He obviously doesn’t want me to know or find out. He’s fucking lying to me.” I pace anxiously on the balcony, I hate feeling vulnerable. “We’ll just get home and I’ll call him out on the text, that’s what I’ll do.”

“Who you talking to?” he says, putting his phone in his pocket.

“Myself.” I chuckle to cover my nerves. “Everything ok?”

“Perfect. The plane should be ready within the hour. If you feel up to it, we can pack and go whenever.”

“Thank you, Silver.”

“You never have to thank me. I’ll do anything to keep you safe and healthy. Shall we pack?” I nod, my heart sinks into my stomach. He looks so sincere. The way he says it, I believe him, or maybe I just want to.
Fuck.

It doesn’t take us long to pack the few things we brought. He arranges a car to pick us up and take us back to the small airport. We don’t talk, except for him asking how I feel. The drive seems to last forever. I know it’s just my anxiety. He’s scrolling through his phone and every once in a while replies to an incoming text. My curiosity is killing me. Is he texting the person behind the mystery number? If so, what is he saying? I realize I’m staring at him a little too long. He turns his head and looks at me. He grins, and then rubs my thigh.

We’re finally at the airport, and not a moment too soon. I need some air. “I’m going to go check with the pilot to see if we’re clear to leave. Will you be ok?” I nod and pace. I watch him walk to the plane. He looks like the perfect man for me. Why do I keep doing this to myself? I fall too hard, too soon. I stand still and stare at the man I thought I knew, and then it all comes rushing back.

Chance is sometimes man-made.

The world is far too large for everything to be coincidental.

I’m very specific, Mr. Black.

I want all of you.

I’ve done my research on you, Mr. Black.

I take a deep breath. The words he spoke that I thought were playful, seductive….
Maybe they meant more. Maybe they were warning signs. Fuck, I don’t know, maybe they were innocent. I need a cigarette. I glance into the small terminal and see a young woman. I run into the building. “Excuse me you wouldn’t happen to have a cigarette, would you?”

“Yeah, don’t tell my boss,” she says, smiling at me. “Here.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem. Are you worried about flying?”

“Something like that. I actually should go. Thank you again.” I go back outside and light up. Silver glares at me with his head tilted. He shakes his head. I turn away from him. I haven’t smoked, except an occasional one, in almost two months. I finish and toss it to the ground. As I turn, Silver is standing right behind me. I jump.