Until You (Off-Limits, #1)

by Catharina Maura

I miss her. I miss hanging out with her, I miss the way she makes me feel like I’m the only one that truly knows her, the only one she confides in.

I miss the little touches. Throwing my arm around her on the sofa, holding her hand in mine whenever I think I can get away with it. I miss that. She’s right here, but it feels like I haven’t seen her in ages.

“I’ve got you, babe,” I whisper, my hand running over her hair soothingly. “You’re safe with me, Ari. You’ll always be safe in my arms.”

“Thank you.” “Anytime, sweetheart. I’ll hold you and keep your nightmares at bay, okay?”

I’ve been feeling conflicted. I’m falling for Grayson, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I can’t stop it. Every day, my feelings grow. It was easy to ignore at the start, but now? Impossible.

He’s adorable.

“Would it help you if I sleep with you?” My heart skips a beat and I feel heat spread across my cheeks, even though I know he doesn’t mean it that way. He notices my blush and smirks. “I mean… I can do that too, if you want. Might help you sleep,” he says, teasing me.

“I decided to study software engineering because I’ve always looked up to you. I didn’t know about your past, Gray. I only knew that you didn’t have a family, but I selfishly never stopped to think about why or how. Regardless of your childhood, you grew up to become my role model. You still are.”

“You’re better than I am, Aria. You’re a better person, you’re stronger, you’re smarter. Don’t look up to me. Look in the mirror.”

I’m done for. The way she makes me feel… yeah. There’s no point in fooling myself any longer. I’m falling for my best friend’s little sister.

She sighs and drags her nose across my throat before pressing a lingering kiss to my skin. I swallow hard. Fucking hell. Useless fucking Pi. All I can think about is how it’s going to feel when I sink my cock deep inside her. Aria is a fucking spitfire, and I just know she’d be soaking wet, her pussy squeezing me tightly.

She whimpers, and her hand finds its way underneath the T-shirt I’m wearing. Her fingertips graze my abs, and I tense underneath her touch. “Gray,” she whispers, and I tighten my grip on her hair. Fucking hell. She’s dreaming of me.

“Dreaming of me, baby?” I say, my voice sleepy and husky. Aria groans and buries her face deeper into my neck. I can’t help but chuckle and pull her closer, one arm around her waist and the other still buried in her hair.

“Tell me, baby… what did I do to you in your dreams? Did I kiss your neck the way you just kissed mine? Or did I do more than that? Did I get to have those sexy lips of yours? Maybe I pushed my cock deep inside you… tell me, were you hungry for me in your dreams?”

I grin as I get out of Aria’s bed, my dick still painfully hard. Fucking hell… I haven’t even had her naked and this is probably the most turned on I’ve ever been. I’m going to need to take care of this because there’s no way that’s going down. Not after the way she just touched me.

“Ari… you can’t hide forever. You’re hungry, aren’t you? I have croissants and I even bought you that sugary coffee crap you like but can’t ever finish.” I perk up, intrigued. “A caramel macchiato?” “Yup.”

“Up,” he says, and I blink in confusion. “My eyes are up here, babe. You keep staring at my dick like that and I’ll give you something to look at.”

Even back when we’d share meals just to save some money, Gray was my hero. He was the person I wanted to be like, the person I wanted to impress. He’s always worked hard, and he’s always been serious. He’s also always been one of the few people that believed in me. He’s always encouraged me to follow my dreams, and to ensure that those dreams are big.

Ash. Ash, the guy I’ve been talking to for years now, the one that continuously teases me and flirts with me… Could it be?

“Ari,” he says, his voice filled with an ache I didn’t think him capable of. Grayson is the strongest person I know. He’s without a doubt the most powerful man I know.

He hides his face against my neck, his weight pressing onto me. “Just a couple of moments, Ari. Please,” he whispers, and a delicious thrill runs down my spine.

“In the last couple of months you’ve been my solace, Gray. Now let me be yours.”

“You are, babe,” he whispers. “You are.”

“Don’t go, babe,” he murmurs, his voice groggy. “Let me hold you, just like this.”

She takes a sip of her coffee, and some of the foam sticks to her lips. I lean in and wipe it away with my thumb before raising it to my lips and sucking it off.

Aria glances at me while Riley takes the call, and I see the questions in her eyes. I’m struggling to push down my possessiveness today. I don’t know what it is, or what changed, but I’m no longer willing to risk letting her slip away. I know Noah would be furious if I make a move on her… but I’ll deal with that. I’m done sitting still and watching her slip away.

“Forget it,” I tell her. “Flirt with him all you want. Date him, for all I care. I’ll stay out of your business.” “Oh, so you won’t care if I take him home one day, then? You won’t care if I date him, or if I sleep with him?” Rage almost consumes me at the mere thought of her with him, but I force myself to stay calm.

“I didn’t realize that was on your mind at all,” I tell her. “You can do whatever you want, Aria, but don’t you even fucking dream of bringing him into my home. I promised Noah I’d take care of you. I’m going to do just that.”

“Did you eat?” he asks, his tone rough, and I glare at him. “I did. Not that it’s any of your business. I’m not a child, Gray. When Noah asked you to look after me, he didn’t mean literally.”

“Seems to me like you need a babysitter. You can’t even tell that Riley wants you. Or did you knowingly ask him out for coffee today?” I grit my teeth, anger making me lose all rationality.

“So what if I did, Grayson? What if I just wanted to go on a date? What’s wrong with that? It’s been months. I was bound to move on someday.” He bark...

“And you thought you’d move on with Riley? Riley? If you’re going to spread your legs for someone, then at least choose someone better. You’re not exactly picky, though, are you? You’re literally going with the first man that showed any interest.”

Oh god.

“What did you just say to me? Are you seriously standing there and acting like I’m some sort of slut?” Gray pulls his tie off and throws it onto the dining table. “I’m not doing this,” he says. “Fuck whoever you want. I don’t give a shit.”

“How fucking dare you,” I snap. “How dare you act like I’m seducing Riley?” Gray smiles humorlessly. “You wanna fight, babe? We’ll fight.”

“You’re a fucking hypocrite,” I tell him, attempting to throw a punch the way he taught me. I miss, of course. He evades me with ease. “You act like you’re a saint, but I see you flirting with Laura. I know she’s not the only one either. Who else is there, Gray? How many girls are you leading on? You’re a fucking asshole, making people feel special when they’re just one of many.”

Omg the angry sex please?!

“What the fuck are you talking about?” he snaps. “Laura? What the fuck?” I glare at him, trying my hardest to hide how badly my heart is aching. “I see you disappearing for lunch with her all the time. Do you think I’m blind? I see her sneaking into your office during office hours. Tell me, Gray. Have you been sleeping with her? Office quickies, maybe?”

“No. I haven’t. She’s setting up a subdivision of my company, baby. That’s all. The only one I’ve been sleeping with is you.”

“I know I’m not the only⁠—” He cuts me off before I can even finish my sentence. His lips come crashing down on mine, and he moans at the same time as I do.

“Aria,” he whispers, his lips dropping to my neck.

He rests his forehead against mine, his breathing labored. “It was always you,” he tells me. “You’re the only one for me.”

“Am I? Am I the only one for you, Gray?” He nods and leans in, his lips brushing against mine. “Of course you are, Ari. I’ve thought of no one but you ever since you walked into the house on Noah’s birthday a few months ago. It’s you, and no one but you.”

“You’re staring at me,” she murmurs, her cheeks rosy, and I smile. “I can’t help it, babe. You’re beautiful, and now I no longer need to steal glances. I can just stare at you as much as I want, and I have every intention of making full use of that right.”

“Aria,” I say, my hand reaching for hers over the table. “My lips were assaulted today. My innocence is forever gone. You must take responsibility for me,” I tell her, my tone dead serious. She bursts into laughter, and it’s a beautiful fucking sight.

“Your innocence is gone, huh? You’re in for a surprise, Gray. You’ll be forever tarnished by the time I’m done with you.”

“Tell me you’re mine, Aria. Tell me that from this day forward, I get to call you mine.”

“Gray,” she whispers. “Don’t you think we’re rushing into things? It was one kiss. I’m worried you aren’t thinking clearly. It was just a heat of the moment thing, and that’s okay. I don’t need you to suddenly… I… I get it.”

“I don’t think you do,” I tell her. “Because that question was really just a formality. You are mine, Aria. I’m fine with taking a bit more time to convince you, but that won’t change the facts. I’m fucking crazy about you, a...

“I’m yours, Gray.”

“Good girl,” I murmur.

“I’m yours, Aria. I think I may well have been yours from the second you first smiled at me. When you welcomed me into your home and showed me what family looks like, what it feels like. Over the years you’ve stolen more of my heart, until eventually, I had none of it left because it was entirely in your hands.”