Page 74 of Mr. Edwards

“I’m pretty fond of your cock too, just sayin’.”

“I’m happy to hear that, but what I’m trying to say is that you like me, Carlee.”

“I think you know I like you.”

I more than like him.

I can’t even put my feelings into words because they’re so foreign to me. All I know is that somewhere along the way he went from a good time to my entire world.

“You don’t just like me, Carlee, youlike me, like me.”

“Okay,” I say, filling my lungs with air. Where is he going with this?

“Admit it, I want to hear the words, pretty girl.”

I casually lift one shoulder. “I might be falling for you, so what.”

His fingers twirl around the ends of my hair, but his face gives nothing away. “Might be?” I don’t miss the twinkle in his eyes, he’s enjoying watching me squirm.

It’s hard for me to put myself out there like this. I’m so used to the rejection. “Don’t go getting too cocky, mister, I said I’m falling… that means I haven’t landed yet.”

His lips tilt up at the corners as he tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “Well, you’re lucky I have these exceptionally big guns,” he says, flexing one of his impressive biceps. He’s such a suavey bastard. “It means I’ll have no trouble catching you when you finally do fall.”

Reaching up, I squeeze his hard muscle, just because I love touching him. I don’t add any commentary because the last thing his ego needs is inflating.

“That’s very chivalrous of you, Mr. Edwards.”

He shrugs. “What can I say, I’m a great guy like that.”

I laugh at this because modesty has never been his strong suit. “Of course, you are.”

“On a serious note, I get you’re still working on it. With some people, it doesn’t always happen easily.” Lifting his hand, his finger gently skates over my lips. “I can wait, just don’t make me wait too long.”

“You’ve lost me. Are we still talking about the same thing?”

He blows out an exasperated breath. “We’re talking about your heart, sunshine. You know this thing in here.” His finger moves from my face to my chest, where he lightly taps the tip against my breastbone. “One day that little switch in here will flick on, and when it does, there will be no turning back.”

“Huh?”

“Sweet baby Jesus, woman.” He tilts his head back in frustration, staring up at the sky. When his gaze finally comes back to mine, his features have turned serious. “Let me make this a bit simpler. I love you, Carlee Just-Carlee, and I’m looking forward to the day when you love me back.”

I gulp in some air. “You love me?”

“You happened in a heartbeat for me. The moment I first saw you, I knew I didn’t stand a chance.”

His words almost knock me on my ass.He loves me.

“I—”

“Shh,” he says, placing his finger over my mouth. “I know this may seem too soon for you, but I can’t help how I feel.” When tears burn the back of my eyes, I instinctively raise my hands to cover my face. “Hey.” Grayson gently peels them away, and his brows draw in when he sees my tears. “Christ, Carlee.” He pulls my face into his chest when a small sob escapes. I have no control over my reaction; I’m feeling so overwhelmed. “Fuck, I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m sorry, I’ll take it back if you want me to.”

“Don’t you dare take it back,” I reply through a hiccup. How have I lived my entire life without feeling anything close to this?

“Sweetheart,” he says, tightening his embrace and resting his chin on the top of my head.

“I’m sorry for being a crybaby.”

“Don’t be. I’m not going to lie… it wasn’t the reaction I expected.”