Author: Jaci Burton

Pretty interesting stuff. Evelyn knew a lot off the top of her head, which led him to believe she was very knowledgeable about her job. And his dad didn’t once look at her boobs, her legs, or her ass, but instead kept eye contact, which of course could have been because Gray was right behind them. But he’d also watched his father during the day today, and hadn’t once noticed him looking at any other woman— except his mother. His dad had caught his mother’s gaze several times throughout the day today, and smiled at her. She’d smiled back. Hell, the two of them had looked more in love with each other than at any time Gray could remember.

Campaign strategy? Something put on for the public? Who the hell knew? He dragged his fingers through his hair, more confused than ever.

They stopped at a table just off the main stage where the band had been playing.

“Gray,” his father said. “I want to tell you how much I appreciate your being here.

How much I appreciate your agreeing to do all of this, especially since I know you didn’t want to.”

“I’m doing it because Mom asked me to,” he said before thinking.

His father lifted his chin, then nodded. “Well, for whatever reason, thank you. I know we’ve had our differences in the past. I hope we can come to an understanding in the future.”

“An understanding about what, Dad?”

“You know. The past. I want to move forward, not look behind.”

“Yeah. That would be easier for you, wouldn’t it?”

His father laid his hand on his arm. “Gray, let’s not do this today.”

Or, ever? That would be the Mitchell Preston way. Sweep it all under the rug, never talk about it. There were so many things he wanted to say, so many things that had been left unsaid in the past. So many things he wished his father would voice right now. He waited, but nothing was forthcoming.

He didn’t believe the pain he saw in his father’s eyes, didn’t care to see it. How could his father be in pain? Gray had never done anything to him. Gray hadn’t cast him aside and told him to get the hell out of his house, out of his life, and go fend for himself because he hadn’t lived up to expectations, because he refused to be molded according to someone else’s whims and ideals.

Screw his father and his fake pain.

“Gray.” Evelyn’s voice penetrated the haze of anger that shrouded him.

He shot his gaze to hers. “What?”

She blinked. “Are you ready?”

Fuck that. “No.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“I said no.” He started to walk away, but she grabbed his hand.

“Don’t do this. Don’t walk away.”

He pulled his hand away from hers. “Don’t fucking tell me what to do.”

Anger, old hurts, and just plain fury blazed the path in front of him. He didn’t even see the people around him as he made his way toward the house. The only thing he knew was he needed to get away from his old man before he suffocated, before the old memories choked him.

Evelyn followed him, all the way into the house, up the stairs, and into one of the bedrooms. He needed an escape, away from this place, from the memories of all the disappointments, the times when, according to his father, he’d failed to measure up.

Would one goddamned apology have cost him so much?

He paced the room while Evelyn sat on the bed and watched.

Finally, she asked, “What’s gotten you so pissed off?”

“I don’t want to talk about this.”

“You have to talk about it with someone. Holding it inside isn’t going to solve anything.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Obviously there is.”

He stopped, looked down at her. “Get out, Evelyn.”

She didn’t budge. “I’m not leaving you like this.”

“I said get out. This is my house and I want you out of here. I need some time alone.”

“That’s the last thing you need right now. You’re upset and you need someone to talk to.”

He let out a laugh. “Trust me, the last thing I need right now is to talk.”

She stood, came over, and grasped his arms. “Then tell me what you need. Let me help you.”

He needed to not think about his father, about his past and all the hurts that he’d buried for so long. One visit home, one short conversation, and the memories were all here, choking him, making it hard for him to breathe.

His salvation stood right in front of him, the concern on her face tearing right through him.

“You know what I need? I need you. I don’t want to talk, Evelyn. I need to put my mouth on you and sink inside you and just not fucking think for a while.”

She lifted up and swept her hand around his neck, placing her trembling lips against his.

“Then take what you need, Gray.”

It was all he needed to hear. He wound his arm around her waist, picked her up, and moved a foot toward the door. He pressed the lock button, then carried her to the bed. He laid her on it and followed her down, his mouth on hers in a frenzy of passion and need. Her tongue wound around his, her whispered moans a balm to his aching psyche.

He lifted her shirt and found the silken softness of her skin, not realizing how much he’d missed touching her until that very moment. He raised her top and unclasped her bra, cupping a breast in his hand, soaking up her cries with his mouth as he teased her nipple. Each sound she uttered made his dick harder. He rocked his hard-on between her legs, the driving force of his need.

He raised up and slid between her thighs, teasing her. She licked her lips and raised her legs, locking them around his hips.

“Please,” she whispered.

He needed to make her come, wanted to hear her cries as she came apart for him.

He drew down her pants and underwear and buried his face in her pussy. She smelled and tasted like sweet heaven, soothing his soul as she grasped a handful of his hair to hold him in place as he licked and sucked her clit, holding on to her as she writhed in pleasure beneath him.

“Gray,” she said. “I’m going to come. Oh, yes, I’m going to come.” He lapped at her pussy, then latched onto her clit and took her there. She grabbed the nearest pillow and screamed into it as she let go. He held on to her hips and licked her until she was moaning again, and then he unzipped his pants and sank into her while she was still quivering.

Her eyes widened with shock as he grasped her hands and lifted them above her head.

“I want you to scream again for me,” he said, pulling back only to thrust harder and bury himself deep.

She reached underneath his shirt and scraped her nails down his back. “Yes. Just like that. Harder.”

He loved that she matched him, that she arched against him, squeezing his hand as he powered inside her, faster and faster, grinding against her until she tightened around him.

He kissed her, his tongue sucking hers inside until she whimpered and bucked against him. He wanted her to come again, wanted to feel her pussy grab his dick in a tight vise and squeeze the come right out of him. And when he felt the tremors, he rubbed against her, rocking his pelvis over her sensitive flesh until she cried out against his lips. He raised her knee and buried himself deep, lifting her butt with his hand and powering up into her as he came with a harsh groan, emptying himself into her.

Out of breath and sweating, he rested his lips against her neck, loving the feel of her soft fingertips stroking his back.

When he came to his senses, he realized what he’d done.

He’d taken her, fast and furious—and without a condom.

He’d used her. He’d satisfied his own needs and taken, without thought for her needs or what she wanted.

He was no better than his father.

NINETEEN

EVELYN FLOATED BACK DOWN TO REALITY, NOT EVEN caring they were at his parents’ house, that someone might have heard. What they’d shared was passionate and wild and like nothing she could have ever imagined.

But she could tell the moment everything had changed. One minute she and Gray were locked together. He was kissing her neck, lazily stroking her leg. The next, he tensed, and his head shot up, panic written all over his face.

“Oh, shit. Evelyn, I’m so sorry.”

She frowned. “For what? For this? I’m not. I know it’s a little unorthodox, being at your parents’, but honestly—”

“No.” He jumped off the bed and she realized they were both still half clothed, which made what had just happened between them so much—sexier.

She sat up. “What’s wrong?” He’d been so upset earlier, and she had no idea why, though she suspected it had something to do with his father. She wished he would open up to her, talk to her about what bothered him.

He grabbed his pants, slid them on, and zipped them up. “I didn’t use a condom. I am never—and I mean never—irresponsible like that. I can’t apologize enough.”

“Oh. I’m on the pill, Gray. You don’t have to worry about me becoming pregnant. I assume you’re always careful about protection, as am I.”

He sat on the bed next to her and picked up her hand. “I am always careful. I’ve never been with a woman without protection before. I hope you believe that. I’ll get tests. I get tested frequently. Jesus, I am so sorry.”

She felt so bad for him, for this day he was having. She stroked up and down his arm. “Quit beating yourself up over this. I loved sharing this moment with you today.

Didn’t you?”

“I used you to make myself feel better.”

“You made me come—twice. I hardly feel used.”

His lips curved in a hint of a smile. “That’s good. But I still feel shitty.”

“Well, if you’re going to continue to self-flagellate, I suppose you could buy me some diamonds.”

He snorted out a laugh. “You don’t seem like the diamonds-as-apology type of woman.”

“That’s quite possibly the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

She got up and went into the attached bathroom to clean up. Lord, her hair was a mess, her lips were puffy, and she had to do some definite damage control. She smoothed her hair and corrected her clothing, but there was nothing she could do about the flush on her face. Hopefully people would think it was the heat.

Gray came in and wound his arms around her, then kissed her temple. “I love making love with you. But I was wrapped up in my own head—” He pointed to his forehead. “This one. And not thinking about covering up the other one. I’m sorry for not thinking about your protection.”

She turned in his arms, then lifted up to kiss him. “Thank you. But I got caught up in the heat of the moment, too. Remember, it takes two people. We’re fine, okay?”

“Okay.” He kissed her. “And I’m sorry about that shit with my dad. He screws with my head even without trying. I ruined your day.”

“You didn’t ruin my day at all.”

“Let’s go do the speech and photos thing.”

“Don’t do that on my account, Gray.”

“I am doing it for you. And for my mom. But most important, I’m doing it for me. I made a commitment and I’m going to stick with it. The old man isn’t going to run me off anymore.”

She slid her fingers up his arms. He was relaxed, no tension in his muscles. “If you’re certain that’s what you want, let’s go.”

“I’m sure.”

They found the senator outside with Loretta. He looked concerned when they met up, not upset or angry.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

Gray gave a curt nod. “Fine. Sorry for the delay. Are you ready to get started?”

Evelyn squeezed his arm. “I’ll get the media in place, then we can begin.”