Caught off guard by the sudden lump in my throat, I nodded my permission instead of speaking aloud. My eyes stung a little. But these weren't the kind of tears I'd become all too used to fighting. They were happy tears. It’s like my life had pulled a one-eighty, in the best possible way. I'd never imagined getting a second chance at a happily ever after – I thought those only came about once. And with Greyson Archer, no less?

  A quiet beep made me turn my head. There was a deluxe rice cooker by the sink, opposite the kitchen's stove side, and its light was flashing. I took off the lid, inhaling the jasmine-scented steam that billowed from the fluffy white grains.

  “If you're dying to help, the dishes are in the cupboard just to your left,” I heard Grey say.

  I found two wide bowls, heaped rice into each one, and placed them on the counter at Grey's elbow. I added a couple cooled spoonfuls to Maple's plate and she promptly mushed her hands into the soft white stuff like modeling clay. As I filled our water glasses, Grey brought the bowls to the table, now piled high with spicy peanut stir-fry. My mouth watered. This was a weird breakfast for me, but it looked and smelled so amazing that I didn't care.

  “So,” Grey declared as we sat down, “what's on the agenda? I've taken the whole day off. We can do whatever you want.”

  My mind instinctively started calculating how many hours I had left until my shift, whether we needed anything from the store, how I would handle dinner. Then I remembered: I'd quit my job yesterday. And I didn't start my new one until Monday. Grey's fridge and pantry were fully stocked. I didn't even need to cook.

  My free time was, in fact, free. I actually could do whatever I wanted.

  ...What did normal people do on their days off? I was drawing a blank. This whole arrangement would take some getting used to.

  “Maple loved playing in the pool yesterday,” I mused, raising a forkful of food to my lips. “Maybe we could do that.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Grey said. “That thing has sat empty for so long, it'll be good to see it get some use.” Then his warm smile turned sly. “But make sure you're ready to go out at five tonight. I've got a surprise for you.”

  * * *

  “I wish you'd told me we were going to Doma Vaquera,” I said as soon as the waiter had left with our orders. I awkwardly smoothed my faded cotton miniskirt as far down my lap as it would go, then gave up and draped my napkin to cover the rest of me. “I would've dressed nicer. I feel so out of place.”

  “Don't worry, babe. This place isn't that fancy...and you look beautiful. Nobody would ever think you didn't belong here.” Grey raised his eyebrows in a way that added: And if anyone implies otherwise, I'll examine their eyes with my fist.

  My stomach gave a hot little flip and I couldn't help but smile. Damn his stupid sexy voice, telling me exactly what I wanted to hear. I hadn’t had a man in my life for so long, all his sweet declarations were making me melt.

  At five o'clock sharp, Nolan and his new fiancée had knocked on our front door. They had introduced themselves as Maple's new babysitters. Sensing that I was about to protest, Grey had pulled me aside and checked that I was okay. I thought it over and nodded my consent. I knew Nolan well – he’d been one of my husband’s closest friends. And based on the stories I’d heard from Grey about Lacey, she was a sweetheart. And they already had Maple giggling in the other room. So I’d let Grey sweep me into his car and on our way to the swankiest steakhouse in town, with tickets to the theater for later.

  Dinner and a movie. Our first official date together was sweet and simple. But I hadn't done anything like this in so long—and it meant so much. I let out a quiet chuckle.

  He cocked his head slightly. “What's funny?”

  “I was just thinking...we've done our whole relationship backwards, haven't we?” I teased. “First raising Maple together, then sleeping together, then dating.”

  I'd only been joking. But his smile faded instantly.

  Shit. The last thing I'd wanted was to hurt his feelings. “Oh, Grey, I didn't mean...”

  He reached across the table to take my hands. “I know,” he said soberly. “I'm sorry our road's been so rocky. You deserve better. So from now on, I'm going to do this thing right.”

  I bit my lip, willing myself not to choke up in front of the whole restaurant. I hadn't known just how badly I wanted that until he said it. Something normal, something easy. A man treating me like a woman. Greyson Archer specifically, clearing a space in his life just for me.

  “So, Finley...” Still holding my hands, Grey slid out of his seat and onto one knee, startling me. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

  I couldn't breathe. “G-get off the floor, you big crazy man,” I stuttered, the urges to laugh and cry welling up at the same time. “People are going to think you're...” I couldn't say the word proposing.

  Chuckling, he finally let go of my hands and sat back in his chair. “Sorry. It felt like the right thing to do in the moment.”

  He sure didn't look sorry. I rolled my eyes—but I couldn't wipe the huge, stupid grin off my face.

  And it wasn’t as if I could say no to this man. Even when I’d been cold and aloof to him, he’d still been part of our lives – under the guise of being there for Maple, when in reality, that was one of the things that had won me over in the first place.

  “Is that a yes?” he prompted. “I promise you won't regret it.”

  His earnest desire stole my breath away. I let myself giggle like a schoolgirl, joy surging through me. “Sure. I'm all yours.”

  That wasn't entirely true; a part of me still belonged to Marcus. But for the first time, I wanted to change that. I wanted to let Grey have a piece of me, too. I could see the path ahead and I knew, deep in my bones, that it was the right one. We'd get to the end when we were ready.

  Grey's dark eyes flashed. “Oh, you shouldn't have said that,” he murmured, his voice low and sinful. “Now I'll never let you out of my bed tonight.”

  A whisper of heat pulsed through me. Suddenly I wasn't sure if I wanted to sit through dinner and an entire movie. But I knew that the wait, the anticipation, would just make this evening's grand finale even more satisfying. And it gave me time to plan my own surprise.

  * * *

  We didn't get back home until eleven. After we thanked Nolan and Lacey, then checked that Maple was sound asleep in her crib, I told Grey to wait for me on his bed. He obeyed—though not without stealing a toe-curling kiss first. I dug through my closet in the guest room with a naughty thrill. I may not have been a stripper anymore, but I'd kept all my dancing gear, and I vividly remembered how Grey had devoured me with his eyes on that first night. I would give him his own private show again. And this time, I'd go all-out.

  I wriggled into my outfit—a matching set of crimson lace panties, stockings, garter belt, and push-up bra—and refreshed my makeup, letting my hair flow over my shoulders. As I sauntered into Grey's room, I faltered for a split second at the luscious sight before me. Grey had taken off his shirt and was reclining like a Greek god on his bed, sculpted and sensual. Holy hell. How does he look so good just lying there like that? My mouth somehow watered and went dry at the same time.

  Luckily, Grey was even more stunned than me. He sat bolt upright. “Jesus...you look like a dream come true, baby.”

  I quickly picked my jaw up off the floor and got back to business. “Always glad to hear from a fan, Mister Archer,” I purred. Slowly I came closer, swaying my hips, letting him admire my round, toned ass and deep cleavage. “Now sit back, relax, and enjoy...but no touching.”

  “Fuck, Fin, you're going to kill me,” he said.

  I gave a throaty chuckle, my pride thoroughly stroked, even though I wanted my “customer” just as badly as he wanted me. There was no telling whose willpower would give out first...but either way, I was betting it wouldn't take long.

  I closed my eyes for a moment to call up the memory of my favorite routine. I heard that old familiar song in my mind—a story of dangerous seduction, electric guitar riffs like cries of pleasure. I let its sultry rhythm roll through my body in sinuous waves. Raising my arms to flaunt my breasts, I tossed my head back, running my hands through my long blonde hair. I could feel Grey's eyes burning on my skin.

  This right here was what I loved about dancing. I could forget everything about the outside world and just live in the moment, rejoicing in my body. My blood sang hot with the music's beat. I was falling under my own spell—all the good parts of working at the club, with none of the bad. And it was time to start my routine's main attraction.

  Still rocking my hips to the beat, I gradually turned around, hugging myself. My hands slid up the curve of my waist and stopped at my bra's clasp. One by one, I undid the tiny hooks, until the bra hung only by its straps. I paused to let them slide from my shoulders. Finally, with a coy glance over my shoulder, I tossed the bra into the corner of the room. By the time I completed my excruciatingly slow turn, I was topless—but I kept my hands covering my breasts.

  Grey's tongue snuck out to wet his lower lip. I wasn't sure if he realized he'd done it, but the thought of him losing even that small amount of control just excited me more.

  “You fucking tease,” he groaned.

  I giggled. “That's generally the idea of a striptease, soldier. You want to see?”

  “Jesus, who wouldn't?”

  With a smirk, I replied, “Flattery will get you everywhere,” and I slowly let my hands drop.

  This time Grey made a show of licking his lips. I remembered how good his mouth had felt on my breasts before, and the tension between my thighs curled tighter. God, I was sopping wet already. And he could probably tell, with how skimpy this thong was...no, no, don't think about that yet. I still wanted to finish the foreplay I'd planned. The time to rip off his pants and free that monster of an erection would come soon enough.

  I turned around and ground my ass into his lap. I knew how much he liked my ass—and avoiding looking at his handsome face and sexy, rippling muscles would help me control myself. But I could still feel his huge, straining bulge. I could hear him, too, and his husky groan shot white-hot sparks straight to my clit. Damn, maybe I couldn't wait after all.

  Getting close to him again, I murmured into his ear, “You ever wonder what happens in the champagne room?” I was totally bluffing, I didn’t know either.

  “I take it you're going to show me,” he replied. I shivered at the rough note in his voice, he was just barely restraining himself.

  Kneeling on the bed to straddle his toned thighs, I ran my hands up my stomach and over my breasts. My nipples were already so stiff, even that slight touch zinged through me. I pinched them and ground against his bulge just to hear him moan again. If he hadn't been able to tell how wet I was before, he sure as hell knew now. Then I reached between my legs and unzipped his fly. His cock sprang out, hard as steel, its head glistening. I ran my thumb through the slick wetness of his excitement. I could feel our pulses throbbing together where my clit touched his hot shaft.

  “Finley...” he groaned.

  The desperation in his voice made me look up—and then I was lost forever. His eyes grabbed mine, holding them fast as he said, “You’re so beautiful. Perfect inside and out.”

  It was such a serious, honest declaration, so heavy with longing, that it knocked me breathless, leaving me flushed and dizzy. “Grey...”

  “And now that you’re mine I'm going to worship you.”

  My heart quickened at the raw need in his voice. What drove him was so much more than simple lust. His whole being, body and soul, was focused on me. This was going to be the ride of my life—and I couldn't wait a single second longer.

  I fumbled to grab a condom from his nightstand drawer and roll it on, as we decided together that we better start using those, at least for now. Then I yanked aside the crotch of my panties and sank down onto his thick cock, groaning aloud at the burning stretch, the sensation of fullness that promised so much pleasure. Fuck, how had I survived without this for two whole years? With a growl of triumph, Grey flipped us over and drove into me. I kissed him hard to let his mouth muffle my greedy cries.

  We made fierce love—not impersonal screwing, but not slow and sweet, either. We had denied ourselves too long for that. We were starving, and we wolfed down our fill of each other. His hips pistoned faster as I urged him on with mewling moans, overwhelmed yet still needing more. Each thrust hit deep and hard enough to make my head spin. The fiery pleasure built higher, hotter...Then suddenly flared, flooding heat from my core all through my body. My eyes flew open in shock as I trembled and spasmed around him. I'd never come so easily before. Yet here I was, exploding like a supernova without a direct touch on my clit. And the tension immediately began to wind up again. Jesus, what's this man done to me?

  Greyson was searing hot and achingly tender all at once. His long, thick cock rubbed sensitive spots I didn't even know I owned. He knew what I needed without my having to ask, and he gave it to me without expecting anything in return. Just one meaningful glance from him could make filthy thoughts rush into my head. And I felt so safe around Grey. I knew he would never judge me or put his desires before mine. I could let myself go, fully and completely, and trust him to catch me.

  “One more time, baby,” Grey growled. “Come for me. You can do it.”

  My pussy clenched when his fingers brushed my clit. All it took was a few rubs of that swollen, slick bud. Once again, my legs tightened around his hips and my nails dug into his back. I almost sobbed at the pleasure washing through my oversensitive flesh.

  “I'm never letting you go,” Grey panted harshly. Then he bit his lip and groaned aloud with release, his cock throbbing deep inside me.

  I collapsed bonelessly when he pulled out, as if he'd been the only thing keeping me up. He threw away the condom and lay down beside me. I kissed the SEAL trident tattoo on his bicep, then squirmed close to pillow my head on his strong arm. I inhaled his masculine scent, sweat and sex and musky cologne; his chest hair tickled my nose.

  I had meant to take off the rest of my lingerie at some point. But I was so exhausted, so satisfied and warm. We fell asleep with our legs entwined.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Greyson

  For the last six weeks, my world had revolved around my two leading ladies. Six weeks of family dinners, of Finley sleeping in my bed each night, of simple pleasures like playing tag in the backyard and shopping for fruit at the farmer’s market. It was a small slice of heaven that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. Maybe ever.

  I felt better than I had in years. My step was lighter, laughter came easier. I generally just felt more rested and at peace than ever before. Who knew being in love would do that to a man? It certainly explained a few things–like how my buddy Nolan’s life magically transformed from a sworn bachelor playing the field to laying aside all his bad habits for the right girl. There was not a damn thing wrong with monogamy in my book. Two people who loved and trusted each other enough to stick together through all of life’s ups and downs was something to be cherished.

  And Finley? She’d transitioned into her new life beautifully, even better than I could have hoped for. She worked part time for Redstone from my home office we’d fixed up for her with a new laptop. We bought a desk in cream-colored wood, light gray gauzy curtains, and a tufted purple armchair. She’d definitely taken it to heart when I told her to make it her office. She’d even hung a couple of framed photos. My favorite was a painting with various sayings about strength and determination and having the courage to live your dreams – even though the damn thing was hot pink. Her new position at Redstone had her fielding phone calls, typing up memos, and handling the business expenses and reimbursements. She’d impressed Jerry Barton right away with her attention to detail and initiative. He didn’t need to know that office work was a far cry from what was on her past resume. These days, she danced only for me.

  Maple was thriving, too. She was enrolled at a nearby preschool for the couple half days that Finley worked. She’d caught onto everything so quickly, trying to sing along to her ABCs and everything.

  Life was pretty close to perfect. Except ...

  I couldn’t help the pit of dread churning in my stomach. Today was the two-year anniversary of Marcus’ death.

  I left a single light pink rose on Finley's bedside table and left before sun up. It wasn’t my busy work obligations driving me – it was fear. I couldn’t face her this morning. It was one of the most important dates in her life. Right up there with the day Maple was born, the day she lost her husband would always be burned into her brain, just like it was in mine.

  I’d left the long-stemmed rose, its color signifying sympathy, along with a note:

  I’ll be thinking of you today.

  And then I’d escaped into the darkness like a coward. Again. I didn’t know the right things to say, didn’t know the pretty words that could soothe her heartache and the gigantic hole his loss had left.

  I’d been at work for several long, distracted hours when it suddenly struck me. I was sitting at my desk, looking at pictures of Maple on my phone instead of working. Her unruly hair stuck up in the back just like Marcus’s used to. I realized that I couldn’t keep trying to shove their past underneath the proverbial rug. This entire time, I'd been tiptoeing around the facts. I was still trying my damnedest to push all thoughts of Marcus out of this relationship.

  But I couldn’t keep doing that. Because even though he wasn’t walking this earth anymore, he’d never truly be gone. He was in Finley’s heart. My memories. A piece of him was in that little girl I loved. It was time to do what was right. I’d been trying to shove him out...when what I needed was to bring him in.

  I had a plan.

  * * *

  I made it home from work in record time that evening and found my girls lingering at the kitchen island over their finished plates.

  Finley lifted up on her toes and pressed a kiss to my cheek. When she pulled away, the worried look in her eyes almost undid me.

 

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