In the Gray

by B.B. Reid

Roc had rich brown skin, long lashes, chestnut eyes, a thick patch of hair adorning his chin, a thin mustache and beauty mark above his thick lips, and enough waves in his close-cut hair to make you seasick.

I finally allowed myself to meet his gaze, letting him see my sincerity as I said, “I’m sorry.” Freeing my hands from the ice packs, he stared at them for a long moment, some indecision in his eyes that melted away a second before his head lowered, and he kissed my cold fingers. Warmth pooled in my belly and pussy as I gaped at him. “Me too,” he whispered. He carefully tucked my trembling hands back under the ice before meeting my gaze.

He thought I forgot that time in the third grade when I caught him leaving the bathroom after taking a piss and not washing his hands. His smile wavered at my pointed stare before he awkwardly dropped his hand.

Really holding a grudge from elementary school 😭 honestly me AF 😂😂😂

Above all else, guard your heart,” I recited to Rowdy’s bent head. I could have sworn he stiffened as if he knew what I’d say next. “For everything you do flows from it.”

“You demand things from me I’m not ready to give, but you’re so good at making me want them too—so much sometimes that nothing else matters. But then…then you make me feel like a fool for feeling that way, and I’m lost all over again. I know what I said before, but I lied, Owen. I don’t think I can give you my body without giving you my heart too.” Rowdy was still as if bracing himself for what I would say next. “But you said it yourself. You’re not interested in that part of me, and I couldn’t trust you with it even if you were.”

“Let me know if you have any more trouble,” I told her quietly. And then, not so subtly, I squeezed her ass, earning a glare from her. “It doesn’t matter how small; I want you to come and get me. It doesn’t even need to be work-related. Anything you need, and Daddy will make it happen. And Atlas?” I gripped her chin when her stubborn ass looked away. “Only me.”

“I’d miss you,” he told me. “And if you left, I’d follow you. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than on your bumper, Dream.”

From the moment she’d tried to kill me in a jealous rage three nights ago, I decided I was ready for a girlfriend, and I wanted that girl to be Dream.

“I want to give you shelter and be your peace. I want to take care of you, Dream. I want to be yours. I won’t ask if you like me too because I don’t waste time with stupid questions. Instead, I’ll only ask one.” I held my breath and waited even though I already knew what his question—and what my answer—would be. “Can I be your boyfriend, Atlas Ilana Beck?”