“Is she ok? Is something wrong? Did something happen?” The questions fly out of my mouth rapidly and I’m not even sure if she heard anything more than an incoherent mumble.

“Grayson, she’s fine, there’s no need to get your thong all twisted.”

“Then why isn’t she answering her phone? Can I talk to her?”

“She’s been sick since yesterday Gray. I turned her phone off after a while so that she could get some sleep. She’s been sleeping all day. Do you boys need me to come get you?”

I look over at Brody and see that he has his truck here. “No, I’ll get a ride with Brody. We’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“Gray, stop worrying. She’s fine. We think it’s just a flu virus or something that’s got her stomach out of sorts.”

“Alright Dem. Thanks for taking care of her. We’ll see y’all in a little bit.”

“Ok Gray, see you boys soon.”

I end the call and walk to where Brody is parked.

“Mind if I get a ride home with you bro? Huntley’s sick, that’s why she isn’t here.”

“Of course Gray, hop in. Might as well see Demi anyway, she’ll have my balls if I don’t see her before heading to our place.”

I chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” He looks at me and frowns, which only adds to my amusement.

“You are so far gone not even Columbus will find you.”

“Oh yeah? Well you’re right alongside me then dickwad. At least I don’t get that starry eyed look the way you do when Huntley is around.”

I punch him the arm. “I do not get that look.”

He throws his head back and laughs a full belly laugh. “Oh hell yes you do! You’re eyes sparkle and shit!”

Now it’s my turn to laugh. “If you think you look at Demi any differently then you are sadly mistaken.”

He sighs. “I can’t disagree with you there man. That girl drives me crazy. But I can’t imagine my life without her next to me.”

“I get it.”

Brody laughs again. “I used to make fun of guys like us.”

I look at him quizzically. “Guys like what?”

“Pussy whipped.”

I laugh with him. “Yeah, who knew right?”

We both sit silently, caught up in our own thoughts. A few minutes pass and we come to a stop outside Huntley and Demi’s apartment building. When we reach the door, Demi swings it open before we can knock and jumps straight to Brody’s arms. When her legs lock around his waist and she starts kissing him passionately, I take that as my cue to leave and walk down the passage to Huntley’s room. I creak open the door and slip my shoes off so that my footsteps don’t wake her.

She’s curled into a ball in the middle of the bed with her hair splayed out on the pillow. We’ve been apart for just over forty eight hours but my body yearns for her touch, and the feel of her soft skin. I pull the covers away and slip in behind her, careful not to move her. My arm wraps around her middle and instinctively pulls her closer. Her vanilla and strawberries scent assaults my nose and I get lost in the familiarity of it. She feels like home.

I feel her stir and turn to face me. She blinks a few times, trying to rid the sleep from her eyes, and then smiles timidly at me.

“Hey beautiful girl,” I whisper.

“Hi baby,” her voice is unintentionally husky and I can’t help my physical reaction to her. “When did you get back?”

“A few minutes a go.”

Her face falls slightly and she frowns. “Oh no! I totally forgot I was supposed to meet you at the stadium. I’m so sorry Gray.”

I hug her tighter. “It’s fine, I got a ride from Brody.”

She shakes her head and burrows further into my chest. “I’m so sorry,” she mumbles. I left her chin so that I can look into her gorgeous blue eyes.

“It’s fine baby. Demi told me you’ve been sick. Are you feeling better?”

“Much better now that you’re here.”

Part of me believes her but the other part isn’t so sure. She looks tired and slightly pale. I’m glad Demi was here to look after her, but a small twinge of guilt settles in my stomach because I wasn’t here to do it.

“Can I get you anything? Are you hungry?”

She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and starts to nibble on it. The small action makes my blood warm and travel south. Her lips are one of the things I love most about her body. They’re soft, and full, and lightest shade of pink. I clench my jaw to stop myself from crashing my lips to hers. Her eyes roam my face and land on my lips. I swallow audibly.

“Grayson?”

“Hmmm?”

“Kiss me.” Her words come out a breathy whisper and her hand slides up my chest, gripping my neck.

My head lowers as if it’s the most natural thing to do and my mouth gently connects with hers. Our tongues collide in slow, leisurely strokes, taking time to become reacquainted after our short time apart. It will always be like this with us, and it brings me an inner peace like no other. I will never grow tired of these timeless stolen moments with her wrapped up in my arms, wrapped up in me, wrapped up in us.

I pull away gasping for air even though our kiss wasn’t heated or passionate. I’ve come to accept that no matter how we spend time together, whether it’s intimately or not, the fire inside me will ignite and burn fiercely. Just for her.

She pouts and I can’t help the shit-eating grin that covers my face. “Why’d you stop?”

“Because there can’t be any hanky panky until you’re better.”

“Did you just say ‘hanky panky’?”

“Yes, what’s wrong with that?”

She giggles and her cheeks flush. “It just sounds so….conservative.”

I smirk. “I’m nothing if not a gentleman.”

Her lips brush my ear and I can’t hide my shiver when her hot breath hits my skin. “I don’t want you to be a gentleman,” she almost growls, “I like it rough.”

I blink. And then I blink again. She’s coming onto me and I want nothing more than to show her how rough I can be. But she needs to get well again and get some of her strength back. The light bags under her eyes convey her weariness, even if she denies it.

“You don’t play fair,” I kiss her under her ear and lick the sensitive skin until I feel the goosebumps rise. “But I know exactly how to fix it.”

I feel her heart start to race and smile smugly.

“Really?” she breathes, unable to contain her pulse. “How’s that?”

I pull away quickly and jump off the bed, leaving her wanting. “A bath.”

Her mouth shifts into a full on pout and I struggle not to laugh at how silly she looks. She huffs and crosses her arms over her chest.

“You jerk.”

I feign hurt and place my hand over my heart. “You wound me.”

“Good, serves you right for getting me all hot and bothered and then leaving me hanging. Looks like I’ll just have to schedule a date with my B.O.B later.”

She climbs off the bed and struts to the bathroom, swaying her hips and distracting me with her butt.

I follow after her. “A B.O.B? What the hell is that?”