Southern Gentleman (Charleston Heat 3)

So much feeling I’m positive I’m going to burst. I close my eyes, overwhelmed.

“Grey,” I plead, pulsing around him.

“I got you.” He wraps a hand around the back of my neck and curls me into his body, thrusting through my orgasm. “I’m here.”

He comes a thrust and a half later, letting out a low growl. His body going still above mine.

I don’t know how he manages to hold himself up so he doesn’t crush me. Maybe it’s because he clings to me, same as I cling to him. The echoes of our orgasms leaving us sated and breathless and sweaty.

Grey pulls out of me with a wince and rolls onto his back. He takes care of the condom, and then he pulls me against his side. Kissing my forehead. I snuggle up against him, running my fingers through his chest hair.

“All right?”

“I liked that.”

“Me too.”

“Last night was good bad. This morning was just really, really good.”

His lips curl into this cocky little smirk. “I’m good all around.”

“What’s my line again? The one about not stroking your ego?”

He laughs. Moves an arm across his torso to cup my breast, gently drawing his thumb across my nipple. “How’s sex when you’re pregnant? Any different?”

“Oh yeah. My orgasms are insane right now. One of the few perks so far.”

“Well. Let’s make you come a lot then. Try to even the score.”

I grin. “I like the sound of that.”

“I really am sorry you’ve been having a rough time,” he says.

I snuggle a little closer. “Not gonna lie, this first trimester has really sucked. But now that the worst of it is over, I’m starting to feel the excitement everyone talks about. Seeing our baby on that ultrasound screen—that was pretty damn cool, wasn’t it?”

“I just can’t wait to meet this baby. Who is she going to be like? What will she love? Will she have a love/hate relationship with me the same way her mom does?”

I smile. “You think it’s a she?”

“I do.”

“Why?”

He shrugs. “Just have a feeling.”

“I have that feeling, too.” I glance up at him. “Do you want to find out? The gender?”

He looks down at me. “I’m down to do whatever you’d like. But if I had to pick, I’d like to be surprised.”

I pull back. “Really? You, the control freak, really want to be surprised?”

“Maybe you’re rubbing off on me,” he says with a grin. “In every way.”

“I like the sound of that, too.”

Grey is quiet for a moment. His hand moves from my tit to my arm, where his fingers rove over my skin.

“I know you shot down the idea of us getting married,” he says at last, making my heart skip a beat. “Which was the right call, by the way.”

“I agree,” I say slowly. “Don’t get me wrong. I love love, and I love weddings. I can’t wait for Olivia and Eli’s. But why rush it, you know? If I’m with the right guy, in the right relationship, it will just feel…right. Whether or not a ring is on my finger.”

He’s quiet again. My heart is pounding. I glance up at him to see him looking at me intently. Softness in his eyes.

“Julia, I’d like to be that guy,” he says. “The right guy. For you.”

My heart is beating its way out of my chest now.

I want that, too.

I want that so badly I feel like I’m going to cry again.

But aren’t we rushing? We went from enemies to friends to lovers in what feels like a flash.

Then again, getting pregnant will push things up a bit.

Finding out the guy you thought was a jackass is actually an excellent human being will definitely move things forward.

I love the way this man loves me.

I love the way he shared his family with me, knowing how much I miss mine.

I love the way he makes me feel. Like I belong. Like I’m sexy and admirable, just for being myself.

Cupping his face in my hand, I kiss him. Morning breath and everything.

“You already are that guy, Grey,” I reply.

He looks at me. “Let me take care of you the way I want to. I want to be good to you, Julia, and the baby, too. I want to be your date to Olivia and Eli’s wedding and every wedding after that. Even if we never end up having one of our own.”

I smile. Smile and laugh.

He’s opening up.

Putting himself out there.

This is not what I planned.

But it’s still fucking beautiful.

“Yes. Yes. I’ll take that leap with you,” I say. “Gladly.”Chapter Twenty-SixGreysonJulia: You know what I could go for right now?

Greyson: Please say an orgasm

Greyson: Please

Julia: Well that’s a given. But you already gave me several of those this morning. And last night. And the night before that. I’m starting to forget what my place even looks like.

Greyson: My bed is bigger, but my backseat works too