Page 20

CHAPTER 20

Grayson

I let the water run over me, my hands braced against the stone wall. The heat and steam felt good, especially after sitting for the last few hours outdoors.

Not to mention, I was still overly stuffed from dinner.

Though after spending the evening mostly sneaking glances at Henry—who’d been avoiding me all night by talking to his sister and her beau—I was more than frustrated.

But I also had to remember that Henry didn’t really owe me anything, and talking to people who actually knew him, well, was probably a sort of comfort.

But damn it if I wasn’t jealous.

I wanted to be the center of Henry’s attention.

That wasn’t like me, at all. I didn’t chase after men, nor did I throw myself at their feet.

But I would have thrown myself over the fire pit and roasted my ass like a marshmallow if it would have caught Henry’s attention, which is why I’d taken it upon myself to leave the party early. Both me and my unruly cock had had enough taunting for one night.

Besides, it would probably be best to be by myself if only so I could take care of said frustrations and just pass the fuck out.

No doubt my sister had us scheduled for an early rise. Something I was not looking forward to.

Honestly, I barely registered anything except the sound of the water, and my own relief. I breathed much easier as I let out a deep groan, watching my release as it slid down the drain, along with my pent up frustrations.

I turned the water off, pulling the towel off the rack and wrapping it around my waist. In the dome, it was quiet, save for the melodies of easy listening jazz coming from my phone. Opening the door, I grabbed my phone, padding out of the bathroom, and almost stopped in my tracks as I laid eyes on Henry.

Who was in nothing but Star Wars printed pajama pants, on top of the bed.

Browsing his phone, but...

Panic laced through me as I wondered how long he’d been there.

What if he’d been there when I...

Or perhaps he’d been too engrossed with his phone.

“When... when did you get here?” I asked plainly as I headed over to my dresser.

Henry’s gaze shot up to me immediately, his eyes darkening. “I literally just came,” he said, his voice breaking into a cough as he shook his head. “Came in the door, I mean.”

“I see,” I said, watching his pink tongue dart out to lick his lips.

A part of me wanted to drop my towel right there and really give him something to lick, because the unexpected heat that had formed in his gaze was driving me wild.

It was almost as if... as if maybe, Henry felt this undeniable connection too.

But I got the feeling Henry wasn’t the type to take risks, so I needed to tread carefully.

“Any... anyway, I was just setting my alarm,” he said hurriedly, keeping his gaze fixed on mine as I pulled out my boxers from the dresser. I made a point to hold his gaze as I dropped my towel, waiting to see if he’d take the bait.

Henry bit his lip, swallowing harshly, but he didn’t look. Not even a glance.

Though by the scarlet flush in his cheeks, he didn’t need to.

Well, I’ll be damned.

“Can you believe my sister expects us all up at the ass crack of dawn? It’s absurd! We are supposed to be relaxing...” I said, snapping the band on my boxers until they smacked my skin.

Henry pulled his legs up, crawling underneath the covers as he looked away. “Yeah... right. Relaxing,” he said with a sigh as he lay on his side, presenting his back to me as he touched the base of his lamp on his side, making the room darken.

And just like that, the spell was broken, and Henry had clammed up once more.

I sighed in defeat. Judging from Henry’s reaction, I knew perhaps he felt something . I just wasn’t sure if it was something he wanted to act on. Though why he would fight such feelings, I did not know, but I garnered whatever the reason was, it must be a good one. No one goes through life with walls like that unless they’d been shattered before.

Which made me want to find the man responsible for such atrocities and give him a piece of my mind.

“Goodnight, Grayson,” Henry murmured as I slid into my side of the bed, careful to leave an ample amount of space between us. A part of me wanted to pry, to press. To tell him it was okay, he didn’t have to hide from me, but as I opened my mouth, I heard the softest sound coming from him.

Almost like a purr.

I watched the rise and fall of his shoulders as he breathed, his breath slow and steady, and the sound of his soft snores filling the quiet air. The light from my side illuminated him.

I didn’t know Henry well yet, but I knew he deserved every bit of light and happiness this world had to offer, and whoever had made him think otherwise would get their just desserts.

Karma, and all.

Suddenly, exhaustion hit me and the sound of his soft snores were almost melodic, hypnotizing even. I couldn’t help but smirk, knowing there was no use fighting the slumber I was about to fall into.

“Goodnight, Henry,” I whispered as I touched the lamp on the nightstand.