I took my time removing my makeup, jewellery, and gown, slipping into a pair of comfy flannel pyjama pants and enjoying the sensation of the soft fabric on my bare skin. After a moment of contemplation, I decided to leave my bra on and slip Gray's sweater over my head without wearing a shirt. I didn't want to overheat and get sweaty next to him—who knew how grossed out he'd be?
Breathing in his scent, I left the washroom and returned to his side.
Gray’s POV:
I laid back on the bed once I finished changing into soft pajamas, eyes closed, arm draped over my eyes. When I heard the bathroom door open, I immediately looked up.
And my breath was immediately knocked out of my lungs. The sweater she was wearing, mine, was too big on her. It practically swallowed her up, but she looked so darn attractive.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my erratic heart.
I swallowed, suddenly anxious. Looking down at the soft, navy sweater and pushing one hand into my hair, which was now messy and disorganized, framing my face while retaining remnants of the way I'd styled it.
"Is it too big? Should I change?" I turned towards the bathroom again, heart pounding.
Gray’s POV:
“No,” I breathed out. “Leave it on. It looks perfect.”
I dared to look up, to meet his eyes, but I was quickly lowering my head again, cheeks flushing pink. My heart thundered as I approached the bed, approached him, unable to lift my gaze.
Gray’s POV:
“Come here,” I murmured, sitting up so I could pull my girlfriend to me. “I’m sure you must be tired.”
"A little," I admitted, voice softening as I curled up in his arms. "But I want to stay up with you and talk."
Gray’s POV:
I tucked her under my chin, tightening my hold on her and pressing a gentle kiss on her shoulder.
“Okay,” I said softly. “We’ll talk for a while. Then you’ll sleep.”
"We'll sleep," I corrected, shivering slightly when I felt his warm mouth through my sweater.
Gray’s POV:
“We’ll sleep,” I repeated with a smile. “So, what do you want to talk about?”
(Did you want me to start for the Cash fluff? They could both end up staying in one of their rooms for the night…)
(Did you want me to start for the Cash fluff? They could both end up staying in one of their rooms for the night…)
(Yup, start!)
Gray’s POV:
“We’ll sleep,” I repeated with a smile. “So, what do you want to talk about?”
“The masquerade tonight—did you enjoy it?”
Just the thought of Gray in his suit, hair gelled back, sent my heart racing again.
Gray’s POV:
“I did,” I murmured. “I got to see my beautiful girlfriend dress like she was out of this world. I got blessed with the honor of dancing with her, kissing her. I had fun. What about you, my goddess? Did you have fun?”
I slipped my fingers between Gray’s and lifted his hand until it was pressed to the spot directly above my heart. “I understood the meaning of divinity today… I saw it when I first laid eyes on you.”
Gray’s POV:
I felt her heart beat against my palm and I swallowed thickly at her words.
“You think too highly of me,” I murmured, nuzzling her neck. “I’m nothing divine, Vy.”
A shiver raced down my spine.
“Of course you are, love…” I murmured, shutting my eyes briefly.
Gray’s POV:
“Only because you make me,” I held her tighter. “Only because you make me.”
Ashley’s POV:
As Lucas and I drove back to my parents’ house form the ball, I sighed and glanced over at him. I knew it was a good idea for me to leave, but he didn’t have to. I was carrying a child, and I was exhausted. He, on the other hand, was full of life, as usual. He shouldn’t have to leave yet.
Lucas’s POV:
“Ah, that was fun, wasn’t it?” I smiled, slowing down slightly. I didn’t want her to drive, not because I thought she couldn’t, but because I wanted her to rest. “I should give you a massage when we get home. How about it?”
Ashley’s POV:
“It was fun, yes,” I agreed softly, smiling over at him. “You didn’t have to leave, you know. You’ll just have to go home again once you drop me off… Unless my parents are all right with you staying for the night…”
Gray’s POV:
“Only because you make me,” I held her tighter. “Only because you make me.”
I shook my head, twisting my body and reaching forwards to thump a hand lightly against his chest. “Gray, no… you’re good regardless of me….”
Gray’s POV:
I looked at her like I’d never done so before. God, she was so perfect… every little part of her.
I traced her acne scars with my fingers, a dazed look in my eyes.
“Am I, though?” I murmured. “I always wanted to be a better brother for Ari so she could live happily knowing she had her parents in me, but I didn’t care about others. Because of you, though… I’m learning. I’m trying to be a better person. And don’t tell me I haven’t scared you before, because I know I have.”
I pulled my legs around until I was seated in his lap, lifting his chin with my finger.
“You have scared me before, I’m not going to lie to you,” I spoke, quiet but sure. “But you never wanted to scare me. You never wanted to hurt me. And… sometimes, you can only have the space to care for one person, at least for a while. You were practically a father, Gray, before adulthood. It’s not your fault that you didn’t have the mental space for anyone else…”
Gray’s POV:
How was it that she knew what I wanted to hear, even if I didn’t? How did she knew me better than I did?
I looked at her straight in the eyes, love and devotion bursting through them.
“I have two people in my life now that I would risk my life to protect,” I murmured, grabbing the hand on my chin and pressing a kiss to it. “And I swear to you, Vy, I’ll protect you both. I’ll protect you. You mean the entire world to me.”