The Breakup Plan, page 17
Whitney stiffens beneath my body. Instead of pulling me closer, she shoves at my chest. “Get off,” she hisses.
And just like that, sexy time is over.
Figures.
There’s a bit of banter before everything goes silent.
And when I say silent, what I really mean is that the sounds of people getting it on fill the room. Sexy time might be over for us but not for these two. I smirk as my eyes meet Whitney’s wide ones. Then I waggle my brows and jerk my chin in their direction.
Getting turned-on? I mouth.
She grimaces and swats at my chest.
My shoulders shake as I pull back and allow Whitney to scoot up to a sitting position. We both peek over the edge of the couch and stare at the couple who’s making out like he’s about to be shipped off to war. One of his hands is shoved up Katelyn’s shirt and going to town on her boob.
All right…this is getting weird.
Clearly, we need to let them know that they have an—
Whitney gasps and the couple jumps apart. Katelyn stares at us with a dazed expression on her face.
Then I get a good look at Casanova.
Well, well, well. Who do we have here?
Evert fucking Monroe.
Unable to resist, I smirk and move closer to Whitney.
Katelyn turns about fifty shades of red as Evert glares at me. I don’t know if he’s still pissed that I’m pursuing Whitney or if he’s mad that we’ve interrupted the daytime action he was about to close the deal on.
Probably both.
Since no one has uttered a sound, I clear my throat and say nonchalantly, “Hey, Katelyn.” A grin lifts my lips as I take in my teammate. “Monroe.” I slowly run my tongue over my teeth. “Seems like we’ve interrupted something here.” I get to my feet and pull Whitney up with me. “Whit and I were just about to leave.” I glance at her. “Right, babe?”
“Um, yeah.”
When she remains frozen in place, I squeeze her fingers. “Why don’t you grab your bag and we’ll head out.” I give Katelyn and Evert a wink. “Let’s give these two crazy kids a bit of privacy.”
Galvanized into action, Whitney sprints to her room, grabs her bag, and beelines for the door. Not about to be rushed, I take my sweet damn time grabbing our coffees and trailing after her.
“Now,” I say, my gaze bouncing between the pair of them. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Which, let’s face it, isn’t much.
An embarrassed groan rumbles up from Katelyn’s throat and I press my lips together so that I don’t burst out laughing before slamming the door shut behind me.
Guess I don’t have to worry about Evert fucking Monroe going after Whitney. Looks like he’s moved on.
As soon as I step into the hallway, Whitney meets my gaze and we both lose it.
And that, my friends, is how you start the morning off with a bang.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Whitney
I glance around the restaurant as the hostess seats us at a small table for two near the window. In a way, it feels like we’ve circled back to the scene of the crime. A little more than a month ago, I was pulling up in front of Calliope’s to meet my dad after spending the night in Gray’s bed.
How did I go from hating him to dating him?
None of this makes any sense.
And yet…
I wouldn’t have it any other way. What I’ve found with Gray feels special.
“Your server will be with you in just a moment,” the hostess says with a smile.
“Thank you,” I murmur as Gray does the same.
As soon as she disappears, he reaches across the table and snags my fingers. That’s one thing I love about him. He’s so free with his affection. It’s like he always wants to be touching me. When we walk around campus, his arm is slung around my shoulders or he’s holding my hand.
Our gazes collide and a zip of energy hums through my veins. It’s always been like that between us, but now there’s an added layer to it. A deeper, more meaningful connection.
This isn’t just me crushing on him, this is me falling for him.
Hard.
Oh my God, did I just think that?
Am I really falling for Grayson McNichols?
Am I totally crazy? Especially after everything that’s happened between us?
Gray squeezes my fingers, drawing me out of my head. “What are you thinking about?”
Ha! As if I’m going to share that with him. I need more time to mull this over. I clear my throat, giving him a partial truth. “Just how weird it is that we’re a couple.”
“Hmmm. Weird?” He quirks a brow. “Is it possible that you meant to say amazing instead?”
I chuckle and glance at our entwined fingers in order to escape his penetrating stare. He’s right. This is pretty amazing. But still…it’s weird as well. “Did you ever think we’d get together?” I waggle a finger between us. “Because I never saw this coming.”
Not in a million years.
“I…” His voice trails off as the waitress stops by our table to take our drink order. Once she leaves, Gray picks up the thread of our previous conversation. “I don’t know. Hockey has always been the most important thing in my life. It’s taken up every spare moment of my time. And I never wanted anything to get in the way of that.” Looking restless, he glances around the crowded restaurant.
Is he having regrets?
Is that why he asked me to dinner?
To break the news to me?
My heart clenches as I lay my other hand on top of his. “I get it,” I say softly. “You don’t have to apologize for having goals. You’ve worked so hard to get to the NHL. Nothing should stand in the way of that.”
Including me.
Gray blows out a breath before shaking his head. “What I’m trying to say is that after the accident, my goals are what kept me going. I didn’t want the distraction of a relationship. It never seemed worth it.” He shrugs. “But I don’t feel that way anymore. I want this.” He moves his hand around until he’s able to squeeze my fingers. “I want you.”
“Really?” My insides turn to mush as a hopeful note fills my voice.
He lifts my hand to his mouth and presses a gentle kiss against my knuckles. “Yeah. It’s always been you.”
I tug my hand free and rise to my feet before coming around the table.
“Whitney?” His brows draw together. “What are you—”
Once I’m beside him, I lay my palms against his cheeks and lower my lips to his. He growls as his arms snake around my waist, hauling me onto his lap.
As soon as his mouth collides with mine, everything around us fades. It’s like we’re alone in a world of our own making. All I’m cognizant of is Gray. Slightly out of breath, he pulls away. There’s a heated look simmering in his blue depths. One that makes my core tighten in response.
“You know, it’s not like we’ve ordered dinner yet.” His gaze falls to my lips. “Maybe we should grab the check and get the hell out of here. I just want to get you alone.”
Yes! That sounds like the best damn idea I’ve ever heard.
I’m about to nip at Gray’s sexy lower lip when I hear—
“Whit? Is that you?”
Holy crap, that sounds like—
I whip around and my forehead bangs into Gray’s nose.
“Ow!” he mumbles, hands flying to his face as I scramble off his lap.
Oh.
My.
God.
Please tell me this isn’t happening.
Heat floods my cheeks as I stare at my father. “Um, hi Dad.” I glance at Gray’s mom, who stands next to him. Her lips are pressed together as if she’s fighting back a smile.
Oh, the horror.
“Hi, Veronica,” I mumble, wishing the floor would open and swallow me whole.
No such luck.
She gives me a wink and then turns her attention to her son. “Grayson.” She beams a full-on smile at him. “You seem to be doing rather well.”
“Hi, Mom,” he grunts and flicks his eyes to my father. “David.”
I glance at Gray and bite my lip. His fingers are still pressed against his nose. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah,” he says, sounding nasally. “I’m fine. No worries.”
Tentatively, he removes his fingers and I realize there’s blood smeared beneath his nostrils. “You’re bleeding!” I must have knocked him harder than I realized. Forgetting all about our parents, I grab a linen napkin from the table and dab at his nose. “Tip your head back,” I instruct quietly, stroking his hair with my other hand.
My gaze shifts from his nose to his eyes. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper. Could I feel more like a doofus?
Nope. Don’t think so.
One corner of his mouth hitches. “It’s fine, babe. Trust me, I’ve taken far worse beatings on the ice.”
Closing my eyes, I shake my head. This was supposed to be a nice dinner and it’s turning out to be a disaster.
With bloodshed.
Dad clears his throat impatiently. “I think Grayson will live. Maybe you should return to your seat, Whit.”
Oh, right. I almost forgot about Dad and Veronica. I’m tempted to brush my lips across Gray’s mouth but resist the urge. It’s as if he knows what’s going through my head because he winks at me as I slip onto my chair and fold my hands demurely on my lap.
One small consolation is that we’re seated at a table for two, otherwise I suspect they might join us.
Dad stuffs his hands into the pockets of his slacks and rocks back on the heels of his wingtips. “We certainly weren’t expecting to run into you guys here.” His eyes bounce between the pair of us as he slowly swipes his tongue across the front of his teeth. “Have you ordered dinner yet?”
Gray and I speak at the same time.
“No, not yet.”
“We were just about to grab the check.”
Dad’s eyes narrow as I glance at Gray. Heat floods my cheeks. Any moment, I’m going to burst into flame.
“Oh?” He glares at the younger man. “You weren’t going to have dinner?”
I keep my mouth firmly closed as Gray clears his throat. “Umm, we both—”
“Let me guess…” With a look of annoyance, Dad taps his finger against his chin. “You both have a lot of homework to do?”
Gray snaps his mouth shut and mutters, “Yeah. Something like that.”
The smile my father gives Gray is thin and tight. “I think you can push that off for an hour to have dinner with your parents.” Dad’s penetrating look shifts my way. “Don’t you think so, buttercup?”
Oh boy. He’s trotting out the pet name he used to call me when I was a kid. I have the feeling that Dad knows exactly why Gray and I were in such a hurry to leave the restaurant.
“Yeah,” I murmur, my eyes flicking apologetically to Gray who looks none-too-pleased with the change in plans. “That works.”
Dad snorts and mutters, “You’re damn right it does.”
Veronica rubs my father’s back in an attempt to calm him down. A smile simmers on her lips.
“I’ll let the hostess know that we need a table for four.” With that, he stalks to the front of the restaurant.
When he’s a safe distance away, Veronica releases a chuckle. “Well, this should certainly be enjoyable.”
I catch Gray’s sullen gaze.
Enjoyable seems like the last thing this dinner will be.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Gray
Whitney’s hand is firmly ensconced in mine as I haul her from the restaurant and into the parking lot. It’s like we’re two fugitives running for our lives, trying to get the hell out of Dodge before we’re caught and dragged back inside Calliope’s. Knowing the reason for it, she chuckles, trying to keep pace with me.
Two freaking hours…
That’s how long David kept us. Every time I glanced at my phone and began to make noises about leaving, he ordered something else off the menu. First dessert. Then coffee. Then another coffee which he took his sweet damn time drinking.
Currently, I’m rocking a major case of blue balls. If I don’t alleviate the situation soon, they just might explode.
And that wouldn’t be good for business.
As soon as we reach the truck, I push Whitney against the door and I’m on her before she can draw in a full breath. I can’t wait another freaking second to have my mouth on hers. Despite David’s best efforts, my need for Whitney has been building all night and I’ve got to have a small taste until I can get her alone.
A gasp leaves her mouth as my lips crash into hers. My tongue sweeps across the seam of her lips and she immediately opens. With our mouths fused, I align my body against hers, wanting to be as close as possible. My erection juts insistently against the softness of her belly and I groan, wishing we were anywhere but here.
Between kisses I mutter, “Fuck, baby, I want you so damn bad.” I can’t remember wanting a girl the way I want this one. She’s all I can think about.
“Mmmm,” she says in agreement. “Maybe we should take this to my place before our parents walk out and detain us any longer.” She grins as I continue to nibble at her mouth. “Do you really want my dad inviting us back to your mom’s house for a fun-filled night of board games?”
Argh.
David had actually thrown the idea out there before Mom shut it down with a laugh and a firm no.
The conclusion I’ve drawn is that Whitney’s father doesn’t want me anywhere near his daughter.
Well, David, that’s too damn bad.
“You’re abso-fucking-lutely right.” I glance toward the entrance and reluctantly step away from her. “We need to get out of here before they take care of the bill.”
It’s a fifteen-minute drive to her apartment. With a growl of frustration, I smash my lips against hers, stealing one more kiss for the road.
Whitney’s mouth is addictive.
I yank open the door and hustle her gorgeous ass inside. Then I race around the front of the truck and hop in the driver’s seat. With my foot pressed against the accelerator, I peel out of the parking lot and head toward campus.
There’s no way in hell we’re going back to my house.
With my luck, Savannah will be lying in wait to ambush me. That damn girl needs to move on. I’m trying to be a nice guy regarding the situation but she’s not getting the hint that I’m no longer interested.
“You need to slow down,” Whitney says with a laugh, placing a hand on my thigh. “It’s going to be difficult to have sex if we’re dead.”
I snort but don’t bother to glance in her direction. My eyes are laser focused on the road. Right now, I’m a man on a mission.
Believe it or not, we haven’t slept together.
Oh, we’ve been making out like crazy, but I’ve been holding off, not wanting to rush her until she’s ready. Whitney needs to understand that I’m willing to wait for as long as it takes. I’ll wine and dine the fuck out of her because what we have is more than just screwing.
But tonight…it feels right.
The sexual tension between us has been building. I think we’re both on the verge of combusting.
Sure, I make about a dozen traffic violations on the way, but we arrive safely at her apartment in less than ten minutes which has to be a record. I throw the truck into park and I’m out like a shot. Then I’m yanking Whitney’s door open and hauling her into my arms before striding up the walkway toward the lobby.
“Gray,” she shrieks. “Put me down! I’m fully capable of walking on my own two feet.”
I smack a kiss against her lips. “Hell, no. You’re staying right here in my arms.”
“You’re crazy,” she sighs, nibbling at my mouth.
Gahhhh.
Tonight, I plan on making her mine. We may have hooked up freshman year, but what’s about to happen between us is different. It means so much more.
We pass a few people in the lobby. They openly gawk as I grin and tell them to have a good night as if nothing out of the ordinary is going on. Whitney buries her face against my chest in embarrassment.
By the time we reach her apartment, I can barely contain myself. I’m on the verge of busting out of my pants, but I want to make sure this is good for her.
Tonight is all about Whitney.
In the past, when I’ve had sex, it was all about me. Girls spreading their legs, down on their knees, wanting nothing more than to make me happy. Not that they didn’t leave completely satisfied…please, I’m not that big of a jackass. But still, the whole experience revolved around my pleasure.
And I loved it.
Reveled in it.
After all the grueling pain of the accident, the physical therapy that followed, and the hours I put in at the rink and gym to get back to where I was, it felt like my due.
What I have with Whitney couldn’t be further from that. I find myself wanting to please her instead of myself. I may have fucked my way through the female population at Hillsdale, but this is the first time that a girl has mattered. That it’s meaningful and not just a physical release.
This is the first time I’m going to make love to a woman.
And that, my friends, is a scary thought, but an amazing one as well.
I kick the door closed with my foot and scan the apartment. It’s dark inside, which means we’re probably alone. With Whitney cradled in my arms, I beeline for her room and set her in the middle of her queen-sized mattress. For just a moment, I stare at her as she meets my gaze with trusting eyes. My heart swells with an emotion I can’t quite identify.
There’s no way I’m going to say its love. It’s a little too early for that kind of declaration, but it’s getting damn close.
I drag a hand over my face knowing I can’t fuck this up. This girl means too much to me. Hell, she means everything.
“You sure about this?” Before she can answer, I add, “Because we don’t have to do anything. We can wait.” I clear my throat. “I can wait.”
Do I want to?
Hell, no.
But I will.
