Chapter 5: Invested

"Scarlett, don't you remember my cousin Lenore? You met her last year right?" Grayson asked. 

I felt like a complete idiot. Now that I could see her better, it was definitely Lenore. 

Later I would have to unpack why I felt so upset about seeing Grayson with other girls. Not right now though.

"Of course. I uh, couldn't really see you that well in this light." I laughed slightly.

"Totally fine. I've told Grayson his porch lighting is awful so many times," Lenore giggled.

"So have I!" I smiled. 

"Great minds," She winked. "Well, I'll get out of here so you two can enjoy each other. You'll fit in really well in this family Scarlett."

"Thank you, Lenore,"

"Of course hun. If you need anything, text me okay?" I nodded. She gave me a kiss on both of my cheeks before heading to her car.

Grayson was looking at me in amusement. 

"What's for dinner?" I asked brushing past him into the house.

"So we're not going to talk about that?" Grayson asked, helping me out of my jacket.

"Talk about what?"

"That's a no. Can you at least kiss me?" He turned me around and pressed me against the wall.

I rolled my eyes but nodded. He leaned down, pressing his lips against mine. He pressed against me harder, fingering the designs on my dress. 

"Were you jealous?" He breathed. 

"I don't do jealousy," I stated. I knew he could see right through me.

His thumb rubbed against my lips. "I love when you lie to me. It makes me want to break through those walls even more."

"Can we eat now, Wrenford?"

"Whatever you want," He released me from his body and allowed me to walk to the dining room.

Renaldo, Grayson's personal chef, was putting the finishing touches on the food. 

"Ms. Watson! Beautiful as always!" He announced. 

"Thank you," I smiled. "Glad someone noticed."

"Do you always have to show me up, Renaldo?" Grayson chuckled. 

"Yes, sir I do." Renaldo smiled. "Well, if that's all I can do for you, I think I'll be heading home. Dessert is in the fridge."

"Thank you Renaldo," Grayson said sincerely. "Give my best to Sheila. Oh, and tell her I may have found that figurine she's been dying for to complete her collection."

"Oh, sir please. You have given too much."

"What's one more figurine?"

I couldn't help but smile. Grayson was so different from any other guy I'd met, especially in the business world. He was so kind. And while he had no problem showing he had money, he did it in the least pretentious way. And he definitely never made me feel like shit for not having money.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Grayson asked, breaking through my thoughts.

I hadn't realized Renaldo had left.

"Just zoned out." I forced a laugh. 

"Right. Well are you ready to eat?" I nodded. He pulled my seat out for me.

Grayson kept quietly laughing to himself throughout dinner. 

"What is so funny?" I demanded. 

"You, babe. You really care about me. You're invested in this relationship the same way I am."

"Oh fuck off," I said. "You don't know how I feel about you."

"I didn't before tonight. Now I do." He grinned. 

"Anyways, when do you stop this investigator thing and start working at the company?"

"Guess we'll talk about pleasure later. Business first, just like always huh?"

"Yes. Answer my question, Gray."

"Next week babe. I'm starting as Chief Architect."

"Oh my god, Grayson, that's amazing! Um, congrats, really."

"I know everyone at the company will hate it, but it's what my parents want. They don't think I should start at the bottom."

"Like you'd know how," I teased.

"Oh shut up. When you start it will probably be entry level, but you'll move up very quickly." Grayson assured me.

"That's so exciting. I have so many ideas for WrenWorks."

"I know you do babe. That's why I'm so excited for you to work there. We'll get to spend all hours of the day together making this company even better. How incredible is that?"

"So incredible," I smiled. "Our life together will be perfect. Everything I've always wanted."

Grayson raised his eyebrows and laughed again. "I like whatever's gotten into you tonight."

"I hope you'll be getting into me too," I slowly took a sip of wine. 

He shifted in his seat. His eyes sparkled with lust. "I most definitely will."

***

After dinner and dessert, we settled on Grayson's couch to watch a movie. He would never admit it to anyone else, but he really loves rom-coms, especially ones with Sandra Bullock.

I stretched my legs out as I leaned against Grayson's chest. He absently stroked my hair while quietly quoting the movie. I always found it so cute. 

As the movie ended, I felt his lips softly brush the back of my neck. "What do you want to do now?"

"What do you want to do?" I whispered. 

"You."

I closed my eyes as his lips met my neck again. Grayson slowly tugged on the zipper of my red dress as his other hand gently wrapped around my neck. He brought my head back so that he could kiss my lips. 

A fire roared in the pit of my stomach. My body was screaming for him. I sat up slowly, unsatisfied with just kissing. I wrapped myself around him, straddling him.

Grayson's kisses become increasingly more desperate. His hands furiously pushed my dress up before he buried his fingers in my hair and pulled my head back. He now had full access to my neck. 

He lightly ran his teeth against my neck, before I felt his tongue. My eyes rolled back as the pain and pleasure of his sucking shivered through my body.

"You care about me," Grayson whispered against my skin. 

"Says who?" I asked as I rolled my hips, knowing the friction would drive him crazy.

He moaned. "I saw it in your eyes. It drove you crazy thinking I was with another girl. Admit it Scar."

"I thought we were gonna have sex," I murmured. 

"We are, but I need you to open up to me Scarlett. I already know I have your body. Do I have your heart too?"

I kissed him on the lips hard. I didn't want to admit my feelings for him, but I think I had to. It felt unfair to keep my feelings hidden, especially now that I knew exactly what they were. 

Grayson pulled away and looked at me intensely. His hands gripped my thighs as he attempted to stare into my soul.

"Tell me how you feel," His voice was barely above a whisper.

"I love you, Grayson." I said shakily.

I had never told anyone I loved them. I wasn't sure if I did it right or had enough feeling, I just knew that in my heart I did love him. I hoped that was enough.

A smile came across his face. "And I love you. You're going to be my wife."

Grayson kissed me again. His hunger and desperation had heightened. He was dragging my body back and forth over the bulge in his pants. 

He moaned into my mouth as his body twitched with pleasure. 

"Let's go to the room," I whispered.