Keeping You (Destined Love #3)

22. Grayson

CHAPTER 22

Grayson

W e continue swimming in silence. I watch as Hannah floats on her back, smiling when she gets close enough to the waterfall that the mist hits her face. When she rights herself, she gives me a soft smile before swimming to the shore, and I follow behind her. I grab towels out of the backpack and hand her one. When I’ve dried off, I grab our stuff and move to a spot in the grass that’s in the sun, laying out my towel and settling on it before pulling out the food I packed. Hannah joins me, and I pass her a sandwich.

“This place is gorgeous,” she says before taking a bite.

“Yeah, it’s one of my favourite places on the property. No one really comes out here, so I can just be alone with my thoughts.”

Her eyes are soft as she looks at me. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”

I clear my throat quickly and say, “Of course.” Hannah still doesn’t know I want to share everything with her.

“So, Chloe doesn’t come out here?”

I shake my head. “Not really. We each have our own little places that we like to visit. I’ve brought her here before when we were younger, but it’s not really the place she likes to come.”

Hannah adjusts herself and stares out over the pond and the waterfall. “I could spend hours out here and never get bored,” she whispers. I knew this would be a place she’d appreciate nearly as much as I do.

When we finish eating, we lie back on our towels, staring up at the sky. Birds fly overhead as they move from tree to tree. Hannah’s hand reaches for mine, and she entwines our fingers. My breath catches. It’s such a small act of affection, but here, where no one else can see and it’s not for show or for anything other than to be close to me, it means everything.

I turn my head and look at her. She looks so peaceful, a small smile on her face as she just enjoys being out here. My phone eventually rings, and I look over and see my mom’s face flash across the screen.

“Hi, Mom,” I answer.

“Hi, Honey. I just thought I’d check in. I’m getting everything ready for dinner and wanted to make sure you two are joining us.”

“Yeah, we’ll be back for dinner.”

“Okay, Honey. Well, it’s getting late, so if you’re in the woods, I’d start to head home soon,” she says in her overprotective, motherly tone.

“Yes, Mom. I’m only twenty-nine and grew up on the property.”

“Grayson, I will always be your mother and will always look out for you.”

I sigh, knowing her heart’s in a good place. “Thank you, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Now get home safe.”

Hanging up, I check the time and realize we’ve been out here for hours. Time with Hannah is flying by, and while I love that we can just enjoy each other’s company, I worry that the ninety days will be up before I know, and it scares the crap out of me.

“We should probably head back,” I say as I sit up and pack the last of our things.

She nods and reaches over and grabs fresh underwear out of her small bag. She looks at me. “Do you mind?”

I shake my head.

“I mean, will you turn around?”

“Spitfire, we’re way past you hiding yourself from me. I’ve seen all of you and love every inch of your body.”

She stands while holding eye contact with me and unties her bikini top, dropping it on the towel in front of her before doing the same with her bottoms. She’s so confident as she stands in front of me fully naked.

“Enough of a show for you?” she asks, sass filling her voice.

I rise up on my knees and shuffle towards her, stopping right in front of her. Her breathing picks up, her chest rising and falling faster. “I’ll never get enough of you,” I whisper before kissing her hip. I move back slowly before standing to my full height and placing a finger under her chin, tipping her head back. “Like I said earlier, you’re gorgeous.”

Despite wanting to take her right here and now, I turn around and throw the towels and her swimsuit into the backpack and go check on Rosetta. Hannah joins us, and she has an easier time getting on this time. We make the ride back to the house in silence, much like the ride here, but this time, it feels different. It feels like Hannah is holding something back, like she has questions she’s not asking.

When we get back to the barn, I help her off before I follow suit and get Rosetta back into her stall and brush her.

Hannah leans against the wall and watches me, when I finish and join her she says, “You’re good with her.”

I smile and look over my shoulder at the horse I’ve grown attached to over the years. I remember when we got Rosetta, she always preferred me when we would all go to the barn. It was like an instant connection, and every time I come home, I make sure I go for a ride with her and spend time brushing her. She’s also a great listener. Around her, I’m always relaxed and I can verbalize things I would never talk about with people. When everything happened with Rebecca, I was out here with her a lot. We’d go for rides and would head to the pond. I found solace in her presence. I know some people may think it’s weird, she’s a horse, but she’s a living soul. I will be forever grateful for her.

“She saved me. I’ll always be grateful to her. I make sure to come see her every time I’m home.”

Hannah and I stare at each other. Her brows furrow, but she doesn’t ask me the questions I can see swirling behind her eyes.

“Mom’s making dinner, we should probably head up,” I say, and she falls instep beside me as we leave the barn.

Walking up the stairs to the back deck, Hannah grabs my wrist, and I stop in place and face her. She smiles. “Thank you for today. I had fun.” She goes up on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek before walking around me and inside the house.

I follow behind her and join Mom in the kitchen and set the table. Watching how easily Hannah has integrated herself into my family in just a couple of days has my insides in knots. I have no idea how they’ll react when we get a divorce. Mom has completely fallen for Hannah, and how could she not? Hannah is amazing. I fell for her long ago, but these last six and a half weeks have proven to me that I don’t think I’ll move on from her. When she asks for those papers to be signed, I’ll need to put as much space as possible between her and I if I’m to survive it.

After dinner, she says she’s going to read her book for a while. She grabs her Kindle and makes her way to the back deck with a blanket. Mom convinces me to join her for a game of cards like when I was a kid, and Chloe joins us while Dad settles in his recliner and watches the news.

We play for hours, and I remember how much I love being with my family when it’s just us in our own little bubble. Chloe yawns and Mom starts to pack the cards, saying, “It’s late. I’m gonna head to bed.”

Chloe nods and agrees, both wishing me a good night before heading upstairs. I go outside to find Hannah. She’s curled in a corner chair, wrapped in a blanket, her Kindle in her lap, her hand only popping out to tap the page before finding its way back into the warmth. I walk up to her and before she even notices me, I scoop her up. She squeals, and I settle into the chair with her in my lap. She looks at me, and I grin.

“Whatcha reading?’

She settles into my lap more, finding a more comfortable position. “A hockey romance.”

“Hmmm,” I say. “What’s it about?”

She looks at me, her brows furrowing before she says, “A social media manager of a team and the silent player she’s somehow become roommates with.”

“Is it any good?”

“Yeah.”

I nod and rest my chin on her shoulder to read over her shoulder. She’s right in the middle of an explicit scene, and I’m not sure how she continues reading with a straight face. I’m getting harder as the scene progresses. She adjusts herself a little, and I hold back a groan, the feeling of her wiggling in my lap driving me crazy. She looks at me over her shoulder before her gaze returns to her Kindle.

After a minute, she asks, “Can I flip the page?”

I clear my throat. “Yeah.”

She taps the screen, and we continue reading. The scene is amping up, and I don’t know how the hell she reads this shit in public, because there is no way someone wouldn’t notice how hard I am.

When we finish the chapter, she locks her Kindle and climbs delicately off my lap before saying, “Good night,” and heading inside.

I lean my head back against the chair, trying to calm down my dick that just wants release now. My mind can’t move away from those scenes, though. All I want to do is head inside and ask Hannah if she wants to recreate them with me. After a few minutes, I know I’m not going to get this erection to go away and I head inside and straight for the bathroom. Luckily, Hannah’s done and in our bedroom when I get there.

I turn the shower onto cold and step inside. I look down at myself and decide fuck it, I need to rub one out. Gripping myself tightly, I stroke my cock from the base to the tip, taking my time. I picture Hannah naked at the waterfall and how much I wanted to fuck her there. Hannah riding me this morning. My need for her is consuming. I don’t want her to think I only want her for her body, though. The sex is amazing. And I love having sex with her, but I want more.

I remember the feeling her body pressed against mine.

The way she tastes.

Her voice when she calls my name as she comes.

That does it. That sends me over the edge, coming with her name on my lips.

I turn off the shower and quickly dry off before quietly making my way into the bedroom, not wanting to wake her if she’s already fallen asleep. Standing at the edge of the bed, I stop in my tracks, noticing she’s in bed completely naked. Dropping my towel, I climb in behind her, and pulling her into me. She wiggles against me, settling in, and a contented sigh leaves her. I fall asleep to the sound of her soft breathing.

Hannah’s not in bed when I wake up. I dress in a pair of gym shorts and a T-shirt and head downstairs. I lean against the entryway to the kitchen as I watch Mom and Hannah move around, cooking together.

“What was your favourite thing to cook with your mom?” Mom asks.

Hannah stiffens a little, and as she avoids looking at Mom, I know she has a fake smile plastered on her face, hiding the pain from her mom not doing those types of things with her.

“I didn’t cook with my mom growing up. I did occasionally with my dad, but he was busy working full time. We’d make dinner together when he was home early and could show me what to do. Mom was never interested, though.”

Mom nods as she listens, absorbing Hannah’s words. Mom has always known just how to respond to all types of news, and as I watch her, I know she knows all Hannah needs is someone to truly listen to her. Not someone to try to fix problems or tell her it’s alright.

“Grayson was always in the kitchen with me when he was young. I’m not sure I could have kicked him out even if I wanted to.” Mom laughs.

The smile that spreads across Hannah’s face as she turns to look at her is genuine.

“I’m not surprised with the way he cooks.”

“Oh, good. He cooks for you,” Mom says, her smile matching Hannah’s.

“Yeah. He always makes sure I’m fed, especially after a shift at the hospital. My dad will be grateful. He’s always on me, making sure that I’m taking care of myself, especially with the shifts I work.”

“And how did your parents take the news of your wedding? I know I was a bit shocked when Grayson first told us.”

I watch as Hannah’s shoulders slump. “My mom didn’t take it so well. I haven’t told my dad yet. I want to tell him in person.”

Mom nods. “How do you think he’ll take it?”

“He’ll be hurt. I’m his only daughter. I know he wanted to walk me down the aisle, and I took that from him, but he’ll be happy as long as I’m happy.”

Mom stops what she’s doing and wraps an arm around Hannah’s shoulders and squeezes her. “Are you happy?”

Hannah’s silent for a few seconds before she nods slightly and says, “Yeah. I’m happy.”

My heart feels like it might burst from my chest. I work to contain my smile as I push off the wall and make my way towards them.

“Good morning,” I say, and both of them look over their shoulders at me and smile.

“Good morning, Honey,” Mom says as I kiss her cheek.

I move and kiss Hannah’s cheek, my lips lingering a little longer as I whisper, “I missed you when I woke up.”

Her cheeks flush pink, and her smile turns shy.

“Whatcha makin’?” I ask.

“Pancakes with fresh fruit, eggs, and bacon,” Mom says.

“How can I help?”

Mom shakes her head. “We’ve got this. Why don’t you go see your dad. He’s on the back deck reading the paper.”

I do as I’m told and grab a cup of coffee before joining Dad. Dad doesn’t look up from his paper as I settle in the chair across from him. We sit in silence as I look out over the property. After a few minutes, he folds his paper and sets it on the table.

“You happy, Son?” Dad asks.

I set my coffee cup on the table and contemplate how to answer his question. “Right now. Yes.”

Dad nods. “And in general?”

“It’s complicated,” I say.

He turns his chair so that he’s facing me instead of the yard. “How’s that?”

“There’s just a lot going on. It’s stressful.”

He stares at me as he clasps his hands in front of him and rests them on his stomach, leaning back in his chair. “Stressed at work or in general?”

Dad’s really digging in with the questions. He’s usually the silent type. I’m not sure what’s changed.

“General.”

Dad sighs. “Son, what’s going on?

I continue looking over the yard, not able to look at him. “I’m not sure my marriage is going to last,” I finally say.

“Why? Don’t you love her?”

I lean forward and rest my arms on my thighs, rubbing the heels of my hands into my eyes. “More than anything, but the feeling isn’t mutual.” I sigh. “We were drunk in Vegas when we got married. I woke up and thought I finally had a shot with the girl I’ve loved for years while she woke up pissed. When we got back to Vancouver, she told me she wanted an annulment right away. I convinced her to give me ninety days to show her we could work. It’s been forty-one days, and I’m not sure I’m any closer to convincing her.”

“I see,” Dad says, and it hurts to think I disappointed him. My parents raised me to respect women, and I do. I respect Hannah, even though keeping her in this marriage doesn’t exactly show that, but I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I just gave up without a fight.

“After the ninety days, I’ll sign the papers if she wants, but I couldn’t not fight for her.”

“You’ve always loved hard, Grayson. We’ve watched it with how you love your sister, mother, and I, and we saw it with Rebecca. Just remember to be kind to yourself. Give yourself grace. Your family will always be here for you, no matter what happens.”

I release a deep breath, absorbing his words. Him saying I love hard isn’t wrong. I’d do anything for my family. “Thanks, Dad.”

He stands from the table, clapping me on the shoulder, and says, “I love you, Son,” before heading inside.

Hannah comes outside, and when she’s standing in front of me, I grab her hand and gently pull her towards me until I can wrap an arm around her waist and pull her onto my lap. I need her close. She giggles lightly as she settles in.

“Breakfast is almost done,” she says.

I reach up and run my fingers through her soft hair before tucking it behind her ear. “Thank you.”

She smiles.

“Did you have fun cooking with Mom?”

She leans into me more, and I hold her close. “Yeah. I never got to do that with my mom. It was nice.”

I lean in and kiss her temple. “I’m glad.”

I soak up every moment of holding her like this, knowing once we leave here, things will probably go back to the way they were before. She gets up, and I follow her inside.