Shadows and Stars: The Light of You

Chapter Twelve

GRAYSON

I don't want to give in so easily, but I can't ignore the strenuous urge inside of me that pummels me when Mia is near. I've resisted so much, but now I'm weak. And she is the only thing that makes me strong.

I turn my body so that our chests align, giving into the fire that licks my skin as I position myself over the top of Mia.

Her skin is hot and made of a trillion bolts of electricity. I smile when Mia's hands curl around my large, tight shoulders at the same time her lips find mine, tender and aggressive all at once. 

I claim her just as she claims me. It seems that no matter what, we just keep finding our way back to one another.

    "I just can't be apart from you baby," I whisper against the inflamed skin of her neck, my hand grazing down the side of her body and over her hip. "Please promise me that this is it. No more funny business."

For a moment Mia can barely respond, her chest rising and falling so harshly that I feel fucking glad that I still have that effect on her. Eventually she lets out a sigh. A slight moan that escapes her lips.

"I need you Grayson," she pants. "I've always needed you and I'm so sorry."

I dip my head so that my nose grazes hers, my lips sucking against hers and relishing the taste that I've missed so very much. More than anything. "We have to move on from it all. We have to Mia. You are more than everything to me and I will spend the rest of my life proving that to you."

"And I'll spend the rest of mine doing the same."

"It'll be different this time. I promise you."

Outside, the screech of cars and hubbub of civilians reminds me that life still goes on around us, but, in here, in this very room, time stands still.

Me and my girl. It's all I've ever wanted.

Mia's small yet smooth hands caress my cheeks, her swollen lips working wonders against mine; like she can't get enough.

"I owe you so much Grayson," Mia says, her quiet voice carrying through the small room. "I don't even know where I'm going to begin I—"

     "Shh." I find my finger over her warm lips, delicately motioning against the skin in an attempt to keep her words at bay. "Mia. We'll have the time to speak about this all when we're home. If we really have to. In London. But right now I just need you."

My heart swells inside of me. Torn between the pain of the thought of another man having Mia and my desire to take her myself, I find my mind in a constant state of confusion.

Sensing just that, Mia's fingers trail down my face and over my lips. "Please just be here with me Grayson. Please. Set your mind free."

I close my eyes and swallow hard. Her voice does things to me that she'll never understand. Her words are intoxicating and I just want to take her wholly and without a thought in the world.

     "There's so many things that I could do with you tonight baby," I groan, my lips planting quick, sharp kisses against hers. "So many things that I want to do that'll ensure you'll never leave me again."

     "Then do it," she urges.

I shake my head. "Not tonight. I owe you that much. I owe you time and respect. You're everything I need yet I have to be strong for us."

Mia sits up as I scoot off of her. Her saucepan eyes don't move from mine as she dissects and digests my words. "Grayson," she whispers. "It's fine. I want you too. You're all I've ever wanted."

I smile at my girl. And this time I'm confident that she is mine. Or at least, she will be. "I know darlin." I reach out and run my thumb across the necklace around Mia's hot neck; the necklace I bought her what felt like a lifetime ago. My insides go fuzzy just seeing her in it still. "I know baby. But we've got all the time in the world."

If Mia wants to discuss everything, despite us agreeing it was best not to, then I'll let her. If it means progressing into a healthy future with her, then I'll take it.

The room is silent despite the whir or the city outside of us. Mia stares downward, her breathing having evened out. I move my hand to her shoulder where I caress the bare skin, making my insides quiver with a strange form of happiness.

"What are you thinking?" I ask quietly, shifting under the duvet so that I'm side by side to my girl.

Mia turns to me and smiles. "That this is the most peaceful that I've felt in a long time."

I smile harder now, but equally I can't help but feel guilty for everything I've put Mia through. She's a young girl who should have life easy and I've made it nothing but problematic. "We should sleep," I say warmly. "We have a long day tomorrow."

Mia nods, lying back onto the pillow. She turns to face me just as her smile gives way for something more serious.

"What's up?" I ask, my large palm against her flushed cheek.

Mia swallows, before whispering, "can you at least hold me? For tonight?"

I'd be lying if I said my insides didn't explode with fireworks at this point. Holding Mia is all I ever want to do. With her in my arms, I'm home. With her in my arms, nothing else in the world matters.

I place a delicate kiss against Mia's lips and hold out my arms, feeling high on ecstasy when she curls herself into my embrace and I hold tight, never wanting to let go again.

"Thank you," she whispers.

I kiss her head and smile. "Always."