"Baby girl," her mother gushed, her arms opened wide. "You were incredible. I never had any doubt but seeing it in person…wow!"
"Thanks, Mom," Simone replied, then finished her greetings with the rest of the family. "Thank you, everyone."
"Babe! That was amazing!" Jax rounded the corner and kissed her hard right on the lips.
Simone kissed him back, a little flustered at the public display, considering she hadn't said anything to her family about Jax yet. Teagan was the only one who knew they'd been seeing each other, but she'd sworn her to secrecy. There was no real reason why. For some reason, she just didn't want the world to know. She didn't want it to be so real.
"Uh, guys, this is Jax." Simone gestured between him and her family as he wrapped an arm around her back. "Jax, this is my family." She introduced everyone separately, and they all greeted him with open arms, but she could see their hesitancy. She doubted Jax could tell, but she knew her family. They weren't on board.
Her mother squeezed her hand. "Honey, show me where the bathroom is?"
"Sure, Mom," she agreed, leading her off the sides to a hallway that would lead to the bathrooms.
The moment they were alone, her mother began. "I don't see it, honey. I love you, but I don't see it."
"See what?"
"Jax." Her mother shook her head. "It's not like you not to tell us you're dating someone, first of all. Red flag."
"Nothing wrong with a little privacy," Simone argued.
"We've never done privacy in this family. Not from each other," her mother teased. "But what about Grant? I just saw him before the show started. He's here, and you two were so good together."
"Mom, he doesn't live here. He doesn't want a relationship with me."
Her mother scoffed. "Bullshit."
"Mom!" Since when did her mother curse like that? Simone showed her into the bathroom and waited outside the stall while she used it.
"I'm just saying—the way Grant looks at you, the way he watched you tonight? That boy is not over you." Her mother washed her hands, giving her a hard look through the mirror. "Give the poor guy a chance."
Simone shook her head. "I'm with Jax now, Mom. I can't just give Grant a chance."
"You're young. Life is all about chances at your age."
They exited the bathroom and, thankfully, her mother dropped the conversation. It wasn't forgotten though. Even as she went through all the celebrations among the cast throughout the rest of the evening, she couldn't help but look for Grant in every crowd.
She didn't see him once though, and when it was finally time to head out for the night, she told Jax she was too tired and wanted to go home alone. He agreed, but she could see his disappointment.
Honestly, she was tired of disappointing him. She made a decision then and there that she was going to end things with Jax. He was sweet and wonderful, but there was just something missing that didn't excite her. He should. God, he should. Everything about him was thrilling and passionate and invigorating, and yet…she came up empty.
As she rounded the corner to her apartment, she came to a sudden stop. Grant was leaning against her doorframe. His eyes met hers, and he said nothing. They both just stared at one another for a moment.
Finally, she put one foot in front of the other and walked the rest of the length of the hallway. She pulled out her key and placed it in the lock, still saying nothing to him and refusing to look at him. The door swung open and she stepped inside, leaving room for him to follow her.
He closed the door behind him but didn't leave the entryway.
Placing her bags down on a side table, she finally turned around to face him. "What are you doing here, Grant?"
"I'm honestly not sure," he admitted, shaking his head. His perfect blond hair fell around his face, moving with him. "I couldn't not see you. Not tonight. Not after so many months apart."
"It hasn't been that long." Three months wasn't the end of the world, even though after he'd left, it sure as hell felt like it.
"Long enough for you to move on and find someone else." He raised his green eyes to stare at her. His comment was cutting, but his tone wasn't. It was full of remorse and sadness, and she wanted to put her arms around him and assure him…but how?
Simone shook her head. "That's not fair."
"I know." He stepped closer to her now, trailing his fingers down her arm. "But fuck, Simone…seeing him with his arm around you? Seeing you two in the tabloids all happy and smiling?" He put his hand on his chest, his expression twisted in pain. "I nearly broke."
"Is that why you're here?" she asked, her voice strengthening now. "Now that someone else wants me, you've suddenly realized you still want me? Do you really think that's fair?"
"It's the furthest thing from fair possible." Grant swallowed hard. "It's fucking bullshit, honestly. But just because I'm an asshole for showing up now doesn't make my feelings any less valid."
"Grant…" she began.
"Simone, these last few months apart didn't change anything for me," he said, cutting her off. "I still thought about you every day. I still wanted you. I've never stopped."
She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "You left, Grant. Not only did you leave, but you made damn sure I knew before then that we were casual. We were nothing."
"We were never nothing." He grabbed her upper arms and pulled her body to his, their lips pressing together fast and hard.
He kissed her like he was starving and it was a stark contrast to the gentle and sweet moment they'd shared before the show. Her arms snaked around his neck, anchoring her to him as her knees shook and threatened to buckle. He wrapped his own arms around her waist and pinned her against him, devouring her mouth with every passing second.
Need built in her core, tension filling her body until she wasn't sure she could take it anymore. With a tiny hop, she bounced up and wrapped her legs around his waist. He held her, walking them toward the bedroom where they'd made love so many times before.
His knees hit the edge of the bed and they fell forward, collapsing onto the blankets while never once breaking their kiss. Her fingers slid through his hair, pulling him as close to her as they could possibly be. His hands hooked the bottom hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, tossing it onto the floor. She shimmied quickly out of her jeans, then unhooked her bra, and rid herself of her panties. He undressed just as quickly and when they came back together, she relished the feeling of his hot skin pressed to hers.
"God, I've missed this, Simone," he whispered against her neck as he kissed, licked, and nibbled his way down to her chest. He cupped one of her breasts against one palm while his mouth took the other—slow, small circles of his tongue around her nipple before taking it between his teeth.
Simone cried out at the pinch of his bite, but her core tightened at the deliciously confusing sensation. Pushing her hips up, she moved against him, trying to satisfy the ache.
Grant's hand slid down between their bodies, dipping between her thighs and rubbing across her. She moaned against his neck, her face buried in the apex between his neck and shoulder as she clung to him. His member was hard and pushing against her thigh, but as much as she tried to move closer, he kept his distance.
With skilled fingers, he ran small circles around her clit. Her entire body shook and trembled with every second of contact, and then when he dipped a finger inside of her, she nearly exploded off the bed. Quick, deep thrusts of, first, one finger, and then two, he deftly hit the rough bundle of nerves inside her. Within seconds she was coming against his hand, crying out as she completely unraveled.
"I love feeling you come." His voice was husky and gravelly, and it danced across her skin like a rough whisper.
As the waves of her climax finally subsided, her need for him only grew rather than lessened. Her hands slid down his chest until she found his length, fisting her fingers around him.
"Fuck." Grant groaned, pumping his hips against her hand. "I need to be inside you."
"Yes…" She reached over into the nightstand next to the bed and pulled out a condom, handing it to him.
He made quick work of putting it on then returned to between her legs. Positioning himself at her entrance, he teased her at first. Small presses and circles until he finally slid inside in one long thrust.
"Oh!" Simone gasped, her fingers gripping his back as she held on.
With perfect rhythmic strokes, he slammed into her again and again until she could feel her second orgasm beginning to splinter inside her, teasing its imminent approach. Every move rubbed against her clit, stimulating her in every way possible until she wasn't sure she could take it anymore.
The way he looked at her, his gleaming emerald eyes hooded with desire, made her skin prickle with excitement. It was everything that they'd once been and more, as if not a second had passed since they'd last been together. She tried to push her thoughts away, keep her heart at bay, but it throbbed in her chest like a forgotten muscle she'd spent months ignoring.
One look from him, one touch, and she fractured open in every way.
"I'm going to come," she said, panting as she curled against his body. "Grant…oh, God…"
He gripped her hips, angling her higher so he pushed in deeper. His lips came down on hers, hard and hungry, absorbing every pant and moan as she finally came apart around him. Only moments later, she could feel him let go inside of her.
"Fuck…" He groaned, his forehead pressed to hers. "You feel so damn amazing around my cock."
She couldn't stop her grin. She'd missed his dirty talk, his lips, his dick…she'd missed all of him. As guarded as she'd tried to be the last few months, her heart was shattered open and stretched wide for him. She let out a deep sigh as he slid to the side and fell onto the mattress next to her. His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close to him.
"Grant…what does this mean?" she whispered, turning her body to face his. Her arms were squeezed between them as he held her. "All of this."
His tongue slid across his lower lip. "I wish I could tell you that I put a lot of thought into this, but all I knew was that I needed to see you. I needed to be with you."
There was such intensity to his words, such honesty. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and she swallowed hard in an attempt to keep them away.
"You needed to be with me for today?" she asked. "Or…forever?"
Grant pressed his lips to her forehead, kissing her. He was quiet for a few moments and her nerves went into overdrive with every second that passed.
"We tried casual, Simone," he began. "I don't think it worked. This doesn't feel casual. But…do you want to do long distance? I have to go back to London for a few weeks after this, and then I have a longer job in New York, but there are planes and video calls and other ways to still see each other. Is that something you're open to?"
Her heart leaped at his words. "I'm actually moving to New York for a role. Well, I'll find out this week for sure, but it's looking pretty likely."
He sat up, his eyes lighting up along with the smile on his lips. "Really?"
"And I don't mind long distance," she admitted. "I mean, it's not ideal and in the long term, I'd want to be with you, but…I'm willing to try if you are."
Grant wrapped his arms around her so tightly that it almost hurt. "Hell, yes, I'm willing to try."
She couldn't stop the tears this time from sliding down her cheeks. "We're really doing this."
He glanced down at her. "Are you crying? Babe…"
Simone laughed, which came out sounding more like a choking sob since she was also crying at the same time. "I'm sorry. I know it's dumb. I'm just overwhelmed."
"It's not dumb," he replied, kissing her tears away. "I'm a little overwhelmed, too. I haven't done anything like this since…well, since my ex-wife. When that ended—damn, I was shattered. It's frightening thinking about putting myself out there again like that."
"I would never do what she did," Simone said. "Never. I promise."
He kissed her forehead. "I don't think you would. But…Jax? What’s going to happen there?"
She shook her head. "That's nothing to worry about. I'd already decided earlier tonight to end things. We had never even talked about what we were."
"Good." Grant chewed on the corner of his bottom lip. "Shit, it kills me to think of you with him. With anyone." He rolled his body on top of hers, pinning her to the mattress. "This is all mine. You're mine."
Simone grinned, lifting her head and kissing him. "If it makes you feel better, I never slept with him."
Relief flooded Grant's expression. His lips crashed against hers and he reached over into the nightstand for another condom. "I need you right now."
She lifted her hips, pressing against his length. "I'm yours, Grant."
"All mine."
Chapter Twenty-One
Grant's fingers slid across Simone's collarbone, then lower to her breast. He circled her nipple once, then twice. "Simone…" he whispered against her ear.
She stirred slightly from her sleep, leaning into his touch.
"Simone," he tried again, this time letting his fingers trail down her stomach to between her legs. "Wake up, beautiful."
"Mmm," she murmured, her eyelids fluttering slightly. Her legs parted, giving him access to every part of her.
His finger grazed her clit, rubbing slowly and firmly as her hips moved to meet him.
"Oh…" She moaned lightly, her eyes barely opening as she responded to his touch.
He loved seeing her like this—vulnerable and open. She was just rousing from sleep and yet, her body was wet and waiting. Everything about her—from the way her eyes were heavy with sleep to the way her nipples darkened with her arousal—made him know he'd made the right choice in coming here.
Hell, he hadn't known what he'd been thinking. It was insane to beg her to be with him when he had nothing to offer her—when she didn't even know his full story. He was being selfish. He knew that, and yet, he couldn't stop himself. He couldn't stop himself from wanting to be with her, wanting to touch her, wanting to claim every part of her as his own.
Why he hadn't done that months ago, he didn't know. Fear had let him almost lose out on the one woman who'd truly made him feel alive. Sure, he'd pretended that all the bucket list items they'd done together had been for her, but that wasn't the only reason. Everything about her made him want to really live. He'd spent so much of his life, of his marriage, just focusing on work. Maybe if he'd looked up every now and then, he never would have lost his wife. He’d pretended he'd been worldly, he’d had all these experiences and really lived, but until Simone came along, he hadn’t even known the meaning of the word. He couldn't change the past, but he could vow to never make the same mistakes again.
He wouldn't allow his past to ruin this. Simone deserved more. She deserved the best he could offer her, and, damn it, somehow, he was going to give it to her.
"Oh, God…" She gasped as his finger slid past her clit and dipped inside her, teasing the bundle of nerves deep inside.
He leaned down and kissed her, soft and brushing as his lips caressed hers and pulled her awake with every stroke. Her body began to tremble and soon she was spasming against him as she moaned and came apart around his hand.
"Quite a way to wake up," she whispered finally, opening her eyes fully for the first time that morning.
"I let you sleep in," he teased, nodding toward the clock. "But it's almost lunchtime, and your man is starving. Want to go get some food with me?"
She nodded, a big smile spreading across her face. "A man wanting to feed me? Hell, I could have another orgasm just from that."
Grant laughed then kissed her forehead. "You're ridiculous."
A loud knocking sound came from the living room, and they both glanced at each other for a moment.
"Did you order delivery?" Simone asked.
Grant shook his head. "Nope. I figured we'd go out. I don't know who it is."
She climbed
out of bed and pulled on Grant's T-shirt that had been tossed to the floor the night before. "Weird. Let me go see."
"If it's some sales pitch, they better have brought breakfast," he called after her. He located his pants on the floor and pulled them on but then realized Simone was wearing his only shirt. "Shit."
Trotting out into the living room, he went in search of the rest of his clothes. "Babe, you've got my shirt."
He came to an abrupt halt when he saw Jax standing in the doorway…and he was kissing Simone. Her eyes were wide open and she looked almost as shocked as Grant felt.
"Uh…" Grant coughed, alerting them to his presence.
Jax broke the kiss, his gaze reaching Grant’s, then slipping down to Grant’s bare chest. He looked down to Simone's shirt—which was actually Grant's—then back to Grant. Recognition dawned in his expression and fury suddenly took over.
"Um…Jax, we need to talk," Simone started, trying to step back from him.
Jax grabbed Simone's wrist and yanked her toward him. "Are you fucking kidding me right now? I put almost a month into this, and you just part your legs for the first dick to come along?"
"Ow!" She stumbled slightly, falling into him as she tried to extricate her wrist.
Grant leaped forward and stood directly in Jax's face, mere inches from him. "You have one second to let go of her before I knock you the fuck out."
Jax dropped her wrist but turned his fury toward Grant instead. He was at least three or four inches shorter than Grant, but he looked menacing as hell in that moment. "And who the hell do you think you are? You got a thing for sluts? Did you pay her? Is that the pussy magic I was missing—throwing a few dollars on the problem?"
Grant narrowed his eyes and grabbed the front of Jax's shirt, twisting his fist in the fabric. He lifted him straight off the ground and walked a few feet until they were standing in the apartment building's hallway. Placing him back on the floor, he gave him a hard shove until Jax fell backward. "If I ever see you near her again, I'll have you fucking arrested. Understand?"