“Dinner? We’ve not long ago had our picnic.”Grayson, Luna, and Alice had polished off huge amounts of food,too.
“That was hours ago,” said Luna. “I’mstarving.”
“So am I,” said Grayson and Alice together.
Jamie laughed. Must be a wolf thing. “I’dlove to stay for dinner.”
She did.
And the next night too, and the night afterthat.
* * *
A month of glorious, head-spinninghappiness followed, something Jamie never thought she wouldhave again, but Graysonhad filled a huge hole in her heart as though the empty cavern hadbeen waiting for him all along.
Jamie finished her mojito—Grayson madeeven better mojitos than Willow, although she didn’t tell herfriend that—and put the glass down. She rested her cheek on Grayson’s chest, hisarm wrapped around her as they snuggled together on the sofa in hislounge.
It was past nine p.m.; Alice had taken Lunato bed and they were alone. She loved this time with him, but shewanted more.
Woozy with alcohol, or the heat from the fire, she wasn’tsure which, Jamie stared into the flickering flames and sighed. “AmI doing something wrong, Grayson?”
He shifted to look at her. “Why would you saythat?”
With her fingertips, she traced a patternover the curve of hispecs until she found the slight mound of a nipple protrudingthrough the fabric of his T-shirt, and circled itseductively.
He moved away, albeit gently, but he stillwouldn’t allow her to touch him intimately—the only irk to herhappiness.
“That’s why,” she said. “You keep pushingme away. It’s like you don’t want me to touch you.” She tilted herface and gazed into his eyes. The firelight reflecting in their depths competed with thegolden flecks. “Don’t you want me like that?” Her voice soundedsmall, desperate. She craved his touch, yearned to make love to himfor hours, wanted to know every beautiful part of him.
Grayson gasped. “Don’t ever think that, Jamie. Believe me, Iwant you so much I can barely control myself when you’re nearme.”
Encouraged by his words, Jamie inched forwardand tucked his hair behind his ear. “Then make love to me,Grayson.”
He leaned his face into her hand, closed his eyes for a moment. Heexpelled his breath and then met her gaze again. “There’s nothing Iwant more than to take you up to my bedroom right this minute, but…but I’m terrified I’ll hurt you.”
“How? You’re a kind, gentle man. Youcould never hurtanyone.”
“But what if I lose control of my wolf?”
Was that what was bothering him? She’dwondered why he’d never shown her his wolf side, but would itreally be that dangerous? “You won’t, and even if you did, I don’tcare.” She lowered her voice. “Because I’m crazy in love with you, wolf andall.”
His smile made its way straight to her heart.“You are?”
She nodded.
He cupped her jaw. “You came into my life,and Luna’s too, and it’s like you made us complete. I want you, Iwant this, Jamie. I wantus to be a family.”
Jamie’s heart pounded. “What are you saying,Grayson?”
“Not saying, I’m asking.” He swallowed. “Willyou marry me?”
She gasped.
“I know we’ve only known each other for ashort while,” he continued, “but I love you so much, Jamie.I have since that firstawkward kiss on the top of Gray’s Point. I love your smile, yourbeautiful eyes. I love how you challenge me to be a better person,and I love how you are with Luna, and Alice too.” His wide grinreminded her of a daft, adorable Labrador. “They adore you, andthey keep nagging me if I’ve asked you yet.”
“You’ve already spoken to Luna and Alice?”Now she understood the odd exchanged glances lately.
Grayson rummaged in his pocket and broughtout a small box. “I’ve been carrying this around for over a week, trying to pluck upthe courage to ask you.” He opened the box to reveal a sapphireengagement ring. The stone was small, not too ostentatious, butstill stunning. “I know you’ve been hurt in the past, but thesapphire represents faithfulness and sincerity. This ring was mymother’s—who incidentally didn’t like anything too flashyeither—but I would be honoured if you would accept it. Say yes,Jamie, put your trust in me and I promise I will never let youdown.”
Her head spun. His wordsrolled over each other as hepoured out his heart to her, warming every part of her.
“If it’s too soon, we don’t have to getmarried straight away—”
She cupped his jaw. “Yes.”
He carried on talking. “We could wait awhile, have one of those ridiculously long engagements. Anything you want, Jamie. Pleasesay you’ll at least consider it?” He finally stopped speaking, asthough he’d only just heard what she said. “Wait, what?”
Jamie smiled. “I said yes, Grayson. A hundredtimes yes! I will marry you.”
Grayson inhaled sharply, stared at her trance-like, as thoughhe didn’t quite believe it. “You will?” He swallowed, then took thering out of the box.
Jamie held out her left hand and heslipped it on. Turning her hand so the sapphire caught thefirelight, she whispered, “It’s perfect, Grayson. I love it; I love you.”She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
He deepened the kiss in an instant, hisarm snaking around her waist as he crushed his body to hers.“Jamie…” he murmured against her lips. “I’m so happy I could howl.”
He didn’t, but she wondered what it would belike, seeing him in all his werewolf glory.
His kisses turned frantic, hot and needyas he trailed them along her jaw. He buried his face in her neckand nipped her earlobe, making goosebumps dance across her skin.
The urgency to his actions ignited desireswithin. He’d never shown such abandoned passion, as though he’dbeen holding back until now. Maybe he was old school, preferring towait until they were married before they made love,and it was kind of sweet, butshe couldn’t wait that long. She wanted him now. Jamie grabbed afistful of his hair and returned his kisses with equalfervour.
Grayson withdrew a fraction, his darkenedgaze fixated on hers. He took her hand and moved tothe edge of the sofa.“Upstairs. I want you in my bed. Now.”
Her breath hitched. Her sex throbbed with aneed only he could sate. She was kind of liking his demands. Maybeshe was wrong about the old-fashioned values. “I
