“You have my sympathy.” Gray winked at his sister-in-law. “Can we keep this between us until Kiera’s ready?”
Trent nodded. “When the media finds out, it won’t be from us. Allison wouldn’t tell anyone either if you change your mind about tomorrow night.” His brother smiled at him. “Of course if you find yourself busy with other activities, I understand.”
Gray certainly planned to be busy, but a night with Kiera and his family might be nice, too.
A few hours after dinner, Gray left his brother’s and drove to Kiera’s apartment. When they’d messaged each other that afternoon, he’d told her he’d see her in the morning. Now, the idea of waiting until then wasn’t acceptable.
As he sat in the parking lot, he promised himself he’d only visit for a short time. She’d had a busy day and they did have the next two days together.
Headlights shone on him, blinding him as a car pulled into the parking lot. Once his eyesight returned to normal, he determined the make and model of the car and then confirmed the license plate number. Confident it was Kiera, he got out and crossed the lot.
“Hi,” Gray called when he got closer so he wouldn’t surprise her.
Kiera was reaching across the passenger seat when Gray spoke, and she pulled back so fast that she whacked her head on the doorframe.
“Gray, what are you doing here?” Kiera rubbed her head.
He stepped closer and put his arms around her. “I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. I missed you.” He kissed her before she could speak.
Gray had intended the kiss to be a greeting, nothing more. She’d just gotten home from work and didn’t need him sticking around for a long make-out session. However, the kiss he’d intended as a hello changed from casual to hot the moment she put her arms around him. Then, before he’d realized it, he’d pushed her against the car trapping her there.
When he broke off their kiss and moved his lips to her neck, she titled her head to one side. “I’ve missed you, too. Do you want to come inside?”
He wanted to. That didn’t mean he should.
“Depends. How tired are you? Be honest.”
“Not tired at all.”
Gray kissed her lips again. “Okay.”
Tired? He thought she was too tired. Other then when she’d been at work, she’d thought about nothing other than seeing him again all week. The weekend before, they’d had only one day together because of her work schedule, and she’d missed him ever since. When she’d turned around tonight and saw him, a second wind surged through her.
“I’m sorry about this afternoon. If you’d told me that you were arriving today instead of tomorrow, I would’ve rescheduled with Stephanie.” Kiera unlocked the front door and headed inside.
Gray’s fingers wrapped around her hand as they walked up the stairs. “I wanted to surprise you. Next time, I’ll call earlier.”
Kiera pushed open her apartment door and switched on the lights. “Make yourself at home. I need to change. I smell like the kitchen.”
Rather than release her hand, Gray tugged her to him. “You smell fine to me.” He kissed her neck. “Better than fine.”
Kiera laughed. “Always full of compliments. A girl could get used to that.” She tickled him just below the ribs. “I’ll be right back. Promise.”
“Don’t suppose you need any help?”
She almost said yes. If he helped her undress, she’d be able to return the favor and she was dying to see him without clothes on. Just the thought took her breath away, so she could imagine what the actual sight would do. That particular activity would lead to others, and she didn’t want to smell like a kitchen the first time they made love.
Kiera walked backward toward the stairs to the loft, her eyes never leaving his. “Can I get a rain check on that offer?”
“Definitely.”
She saw the heat in his eyes and hurried to her room.
On a normal night, she’d shower after work then put on some pajamas or sweats. Tonight, showering would mean wasted time, so instead, she tossed her uniform into the laundry hamper and put on jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt and washed her face. Before she went back down, she checked her reflection. Several pieces of hair fell around her face, no longer happy to be part of the bun she’d fashioned hours ago. Kiera yanked the hair tie out and ran her fingers through her curls.
“Feel better now?” Gray lounged on the couch when she came back down.
“Better, not perfect.” She stopped beside him. “Do you want anything?”
His smile should’ve clued her in. “Yes. You.” He tugged her down on top of him. Not that it required much effort on his part.