What do your parents do? Not much because they are dead.
Do you have any other family? Yes.
Do you talk to them? No, not really.
And so the night went on. It turned out there were multiple forks, and Grayson started laughing when I gave him a look that said ‘I told you so’. Grayson’s mother, Laura, is the epitome of sophistication. She has dark hair, cut in a severe bob, light brown eyes, and a soft voice. His father, Derek, looks like an older version of Grayson with dark hair and eyes, and a set of dimples. The only difference being his eyes aren’t playful or amused like Grayson’s usually are; instead, they seem shrewd and slightly calculating.
“Would you like dessert, dear?” Laura asks me.
“No, thank you,” I say with a polite smile. Grayson glances at me and frowns. He knows I love dessert, and I’m not usually one to turn it down. However, I’d rather this dinner end as soon as possible. They have been nothing but kind to me, but with the questioning and looks in their eyes, I can tell they would rather their son be with someone else. I don’t know if it’s for the fact I obviously don’t have any money or what, but I don’t think I’ll be bonding with them any time soon. Grayson sits next to me, his arm rested casually on the back of my chair. He’s been sweet and attentive all night, even telling his parents to stop with the questions. I appreciated that—a lot.
“Do you want to go, babe?” Grayson asks, softly so only I can hear.
“Do you?” I ask, not wanting to be rude and leave if he wanted to stay. He kisses me and then stands up.
“We have to go. We have classes in the morning. But thanks for dinner,” he says casually, putting out his hand to me. I take it and stand up, thanking both his parents and telling them it was nice to meet them.
“Are you okay?” he asks me as he opens the car’s passenger side door.
“Fine. Why?” I ask.
He leans on the car door, watching me silently. “You were perfect,” is all he says. He closes the door and walks over to the driver’s side. Perfect? I felt awkward as hell.
“Are you staying at mine tonight?” he asks as we pull onto the main road.
“No, can you take me home?” I ask.
“Why?” he asks, his lips turning into a frown.
“I have work tonight,” I tell him. I start in two hours. It’s my second to last shift, and then I’m free. No longer a Toxic Girl. No longer Snow. Just plain old Paris. And I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Grayson sighs. “I hate you working late. I can just imagine all the men hitting on you.”
He has no idea. “This is my second to last shift, remember,” I tell him.
“Good. You know I can help you if you need…”
“Grayson,” I snap, not wanting to hear his offer. He’s mentioned it once before, and there is no way in hell I will become a kept woman.
“Yeah, okay,” he mumbles, sulking.
“I thought you wanted to show me how much you loved this dress?” I ask in a sultry, suggestive voice.
“Fuck,” he says under his breath, glancing at me before tightening his fists on the steering wheel.
The car goes a little faster.
Chapter Fourteen
The next day, I stare at the missed calls on my phone, wondering why my sister and brother are both calling me. I send London a quick text message, asking her if everything is okay, and then head to class. It’s not unheard of for London to call me, usually when she needs something, but my brother? He never contacts me. I put my sunglasses on, and walk quickly to campus, not wanting to be late for my class. As I walk toward the building Leah, Grayson’s sister, stops me.
“Hi, Paris,” she says as she walks toward me. We haven’t really spoken before, apart from a few hellos and smiles. As petty as it may seem, Leah is Dylan’s friend, so I didn’t really see her becoming my best friend any time soon. Having said that, she seems to be a nice girl, always smiling, and I know she loves her brother a lot by the stories Grayson has told me.
“Hey, Leah, how are you?” I ask her, offering her a small smile.
She pushes her hair behind her ear. “I’m good. Just thought maybe we could hang out some time? My brother is crazy about you, and I don’t know you at all.”
She wants to hang out?
“Umm, sure,” I say, not sounding convincing even to my own ears.
She gives me a knowing look. “I’ll get your number off Grayson and send you a text.”
“Leah!” someone calls out. We both look in that direction. When I see Dylan walking over, I stifle a groan. Not someone I want to see right now… or ever.
“Hey, Dylan,” Leah says, giving me an apologetic look.
“Hey. I didn’t know you two were friends,” Dylan says, shooting a sneer in my direction.
Leah shrugs and says, “She’s dating my brother. I’d like to get to know her.”
Dylan’s face drops at that reminder. “Everyone dates your brother. You going to make friends with the whole school?”
Leah scowls. “Paris is different. He’s crazy about her.”
Dylan makes a scoffing noise. Bitch.
“Anyway, Paris, we’ll catch up soon, yeah?” Leah says, pulling the strap of her bag.
“Umm, okay,” I say, blinking slowly. “See ya.” I walk off, ignoring Dylan’s dirty looks.
Maybe Leah and I could be friends? I shake my head and head to class.
Priorities.
Grayson releases a guttural moan as he finishes. Panting, I slide off him and lie down next to him, smiling as I catch my breath. This is the first time we made love without a condom, because I’m now on the pill, and it was incredible.
“I’m getting kind of good at that,” I boast.
Grayson grunts. “More than good. You’re amazing, babe.”
I smile wider into the dim light, and then move into the crook of his arm. He turns to face me, moonlight on his face, our eyes connected. “Want to go again?” I ask into the silence.
He chuckles. “I’m going to need a minute.”
“A minute? You old man,” I joke. I squeal as he rolls on top of me, pushing me into the mattress. I love the feel of his weight on top of me.
“Old? I’ll show you old,” he says, tickling me until I scream. He rolls me so I’m lying completely on top of him.
“Is it always like this?” I ask, lifting myself up so I can see his face.
He tenderly touches my cheek with his fingers. “It’s never been like this.”
“I thought so,” I choke out. I kiss him, threading my fingers through his hair and pulling gently. I feel him grow hard again and smile into his mouth.
“You asked for it,” he growls, flipping me over and slowly sliding into me. He lifts my arms above my head and pins them down. “I think I love you, Paris O’Sullivan,” he says.
I think I love him too.
I wake up in Grayson’s arms. Wriggling, I disentangle myself and sit up, taking in the view. He’s sleeping on his side, facing me, completely nude. I’m one lucky girl; that’s for damn sure. Last night, he told me he loved me. At least he said he thought he did. Is that the same thing? Or does that mean he’s falling in love with me? I wanted to tell him that I loved him too, but I couldn’t. Until I’m free of Toxic, it wouldn’t be right for me to tell him that. When I do tell him I love him, I want it to be with no secrets between us. I devour the sight of him, unconsciously reaching out and running my fingers down his rippled abs.
“Mornin’,” he says, making me jump. I look up at his face to see his eyes wide open and on me.
“Morning,” I reply, licking my bottom lip. I look down, a little embarrassed and turned on at being caught ogling him while he slept.