#Chapter11
Marnie
Lucille
I slept in, then got ready. Grayson had other plans for me.
My mom knocked on my door, and I turned to look at her.
/"Lucille. Grayson is here./"
What does he want? I walked to the door and answered it.
/"Grayson? What are you doing here?/"
/"I want to show you something./"
I grabbed my coat and purse, then left. I got into Grayson’s car, and he drove us to a cemetery. That wasn’t creepy.
He got out of the car. I followed him to a grave and looked at it.
Marnie Williams,
1946-1967
/"Who is this?/" I asked.
/"My fiancée./"
My brows lifted.
/"A month before we got married, she died in a car accident./"
My breath caught in my throat. Grayson walked over and kneeled in front of her headstone.
/"We graduated from college and had our lives set. Marnie had to work late. On her way home from work, someone ran a red light and slammed into her. They pulled her from the car and worked on her, but she died on her way to the hospital./"
I stood there and listened. Grayson stood up.
/"I got the call. When I arrived at the hospital, they told me. My world collapsed. The worst part is, Marnie didn’t want to drive, but I pushed her to learn. I wanted her to become independent. She said she was happy with our situation./"
I detected the anger in his tone, along with the guilt.
/"So, I got the job at the store and threw myself into my work. It was easier that way. I had no worries or complications. Then one day, this blonde came along and made me rethink my ideas. I didn’t know what to think until my mom told me I liked you. As much as I tried to avoid it, I couldn’t,/" he said.
I saw an exposed and honest side to Grayson.
/"Is that why you didn’t work?/" I asked.
/"It was the day she died. I needed to be alone./"
I walked over to him until I stood next to him.
/"Gray, when someone dies, doesn’t mean we do./"
He looked at me as I looked back at him.
/"We don’t stop living because we lose someone. We grieve and take it one day at a time, but we still live. I’m sure Marnie wouldn’t want you unhappy if she loved you. Don’t you think it’s time to be happy?/"
Grayson glanced at me.
/"What?/" I asked.
/"My mom told me the same advice./"
/"Your mom sounds like a smart woman./"
I grinned as he scoffed. I turned him to face me.
/"Sometimes, we have to see past the grief to see a future. One filled with love and happiness./"
He reached over and took my hand in his.
/"Is that what you see with me?/"
/"Whoa. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, babe. You still need to work for me./"
I gestured at myself, giving him a wink.
/"I can do that./"
He pulled me to him. My heart sped up, and my breathing hitched. I liked this side of Gray a lot. He captured my lips with his lips as he gave me a deep, fantastic kiss. Oh, wow.
As we kissed, it started raining. We pulled away, and Gray took my hand as we ran to the car. We got inside as he drove us to an apartment building. We got out of the car, and I followed him inside. He led me to a door and opened it. I stepped inside as he flicked on a switch. I stood there, shivering as he strolled into another room. He returned with a towel and clothes.
/"Here. I don’t want you sick again or deal with your mother. She’s scary when she’s mad,/" he said.
I took the clothes and laughed. I hurried into the bathroom and dried off. I dressed, tying the sweatpants’ drawstring, which is a little big but comfy.
I came out of the bathroom. Grayson made us coffee to warm us. I took a seat on a stool as he handed me a cup. Then he gave me some sugar and canned milk. I put it in my coffee and stirred it, taking a sip.
/"I’m glad you told me about Marnie,/" I said.
/"I’m glad you listened. Few people know. I prefer it that way./"
/"Your secret is safe with me./"
I placed my hand over my heart, making him smile.
/"Why don’t you have a boyfriend?/"
I knew this question was coming. I took a deep breath and sighed.
/"Because guys are tools. Who wants a tool to drag you down?/"
/"Luci./"
/"Okay. Fine. No one likes me./"
I crossed my arms. Gray furrowed his brows at me.
/"No one thinks I’m pretty or smart or even nice./"
/"I doubt that./"
/"It’s true! Gray, you were my first kiss. How sad is that?/"
I stared at my fingers, fiddling with them. Yep, I’m a loser with guys.
He got up and walked around the counter, and stood in front of me. He took his index finger and lifted my chin as he looked at me in the eyes.
/"Luci, you are brilliant, nice, and beautiful. I’m glad I was your first kiss because I want to be your last,/" he said.
He took my breath away.
/"I’ve never found myself this drawn to a woman. You’re feisty, funny, and independent. You love life and enjoy being crazy. I admire that about you./"
He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. I placed my hands on his waist to steady myself because I’m sure I would fall off my stool. He pulled back, and his steel-grey eyes met my golden-brown eyes.
/"I want you to be mine and only mine./"
My eyes widened. Oh, God.
He pulled me off of my stool and towards him as he held me close.
/"One day, I’ll make you mine,/" he said.
I had no words. If you’re in Grayson Gray’s presence, you would understand. He had this incredible sex appeal to him once you got past the dull facade.
I was in trouble.