“Gray…” I began, my voice barely above a whisper as gently tilted his chin up to meet his eyes. “The only reason I’d leave you is if you consistently scared me by not respecting my boundaries, being overly-possessive, or doing something seriously wrong. But I know that you’d never do any of those— so there’s nothing to worry about. Okay?”
Gray’s POV:
I smiled, relieved, leaning down to press a gentle kiss on her lips.
“I won’t do that,” I promised. “I’m… possessive, I can tell you that, but there’s a limit I won’t cross. I won’t get angry at you being friendly with a male friend. I won’t get angry at you doing things without my permission. I’ll give you space when you need it, and I’ll treat you like you’re meant to be treated—a precious, precious gem too good for this world. I will never, ever cross your boundaries. Unless you tell me ‘yes’, I will never take the next step. I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
“Thank you….” I whispered, letting my eyes drift shut again. “You have no idea how much that means to me..” Now that the adrenaline rush had mostly worn off, I was left in a hazy fog of bliss, wanting nothing but Gray and only Gray. “Just… remember hat we’ve only been together for two days. I don’t want to rush something as precious as this.”
Gray’s POV:
God, she was so beautiful…
“I don’t want to rush this,” I told her seriously. “I’m willing to take this slow and easy. I wouldn’t want anything else. I don’t want you to think I’m only using you. I’m here with you because I—“ realizing I was almost going to say something I hadn’t even realized yet, I immediately changed my words. “—I care about you. More than you realize.
I know a while ago, I said I wasn’t interested in love or relationships. I didn’t think I would be, but I’m interested in you. You… make me want to change into a better person, accept the possibility of trying out a relationship. Quit the occasional one night stands and shameless flirting.” I bit my lower lip, wondering if what I was saying would scare her off. “I… want to try this out with you. So Vy, be my girlfriend?”
My breath caught.
My heart stopped.
My hand slipped from Gray’s hair to cup his cheek.
“Of course,” I managed, a huge grin on the curve of my still-puffy lips. “Definitely. I— I didn’t realize I meant that much to you— I’ve never meant that much to anyone before. For what it’s worth, you make me want to change for the better, too. And I care for you more than I ever thought I would.”
Gray’s POV:
It took a few scary, tense seconds for her to finally respond, her lips blooming into a grin that made my heart flutter. She liked it. She liked the idea.
“You mean a lot to me,” I repeated, confirming her statement, leaning into her touch. “And you’ll mean a lot to other people. Eden… I can tell she’s beginning to like you. Why else would she stay over at your place? And Sterling… he chose you out of several other girls to be his girlfriend’s friend because knew you were a wonderful person,” I paused my speech, not knowing what else to say. “Violeta, people don’t realize what a wonderful, angelic person you are. And they don’t have to as long as you know your worth. As long as you know you are worth more than any treasures in the entire world, you’ll be fine.”
I focused my gaze into her eyes, cupping the hand that was on my cheek, bringing it to my lips to press a light kiss on her knuckles. I let it go, leaning down to kiss her again, this time gently.
I softly cupped her cheeks, my eyes closing as my lips touched hers gently, careful not to use too much force.
“Thank you for giving me a chance, Violeta…” I whispered against her lips. “I won’t let you down.”
(I’m d y i n g
My heart)
Tears pricked my eyes, which I rapidly blinked away. My heart swelled in my chest, filled to the brim with immense gratitude and appreciation, affection and… hope.
“You’d never let me down…” I whispered in a voice thick with emotion. “Thank you. I can’t— I can’t express how happy your words make me— Just know that I’m eternally grateful. I hope I can return the favour one day..”
(Me, too!! ;^;)
Gray’s POV:
I gently wiped her eyes, a soft smile on my features as I looked at her, affection dancing in my eyes.
“I’m happy that you’re happy,” I said to her softly, pulling her close so her head rested on my chest, my arms around her waist, my chin on the top of her head. “As long as you’re satisfied, Violeta, I don’t need anything else. Just stay happy and that’ll be enough for me. There’s nothing else I would want.”
How had I ever gotten this lucky? Gray was…. God, there were no words to describe how amazing he was.
“I feel the same way about you,” I whispered, slipping my arms around his middle and leaning the side of my head against his chest in order to listen to his blessedly strong heartbeat. “You know, a few days ago, I never would have imagined any of this…”
Gray’s POV:
I ran my fingers through her hair, laughing softly.
“Me neither,” I said honestly. “I always wanted to see a smile on your face, but I didn’t even know why until a few days ago. I’m glad you feel the same way…”
This woman was perfect in any way and no one could ever change my mind. She had her flaws, but those made me adore her even more. She was absolutely flawless. And she was in my arms, as my girlfriend.
“You know, Ari likes you,” I chuckled, remembering how she bombarded me with questions about Violeta the second we dropped her off st her dorm. “Especially since you’re the first girl I’ve introduced her to.”
“Oh, thank god..” I murmured quietly, closing my eyes. “I was afraid she wasn’t going to like me.” Syncing my breathing with the steady ‘thump-thump’ of his heart, I gave a soft smile. “She’s adorable… looks a lot like you.”
Gray’s POV:
I pressed a kiss on top of her head.
“Who wouldn’t like you?” I asked her, smiling down at her as she continued to listen to the beat of my heart. “Isn’t she, though? I’ve tried my best in raising her, but I always feel like I haven’t done enough…”
Raising…. oh.
Even after he’d told me about his parents, or lack thereof, I’d always assumed that he and Ari had moved in with other relatives, or foster parents. But this? Somehow, it managed to make my heart break even more for him.
“You— You had to raise her? Gray… I’m sure you did more than enough. You did everything you could possibly do, and continue to— I don’t know many people who would have the courage to do that.”
Gray’s POV:
God, the more I thought she couldn’t get any more perfect, she proved me wrong. It made me want to try even harder to keep her as mine.
“We… moved in my aunt and uncle, but we uh… we didn’t have a very good relationship,” I said slowly, wanting to let her know but hesitant at the same time. “But thank you, Vy. That means a lot, coming from you.”
My arms tightened protectively around him at this. Screw anyone who had hurt him— I would murder them if they ever tried again.
“You don’t need to thank me..” I murmured, keeping my voice as soothing as possible.
Gray’s POV:
When her arms tightened around me, I smiled. She was simply the best. I was really grateful to have her by my side.
“You think Eden and Sterling got enough time alone?” I asked, kissing the top of her head.
Eden’s POV:
I gasped, letting my mouth open shamelessly for him to explore, practically begging to be devoured completely. My heart couldn’t handle it, and neither could my body. I felt my control over my body decrease as it sagged against the wall, the only thing preventing me from falling completely.
“Sterling…” I whispered his name in complete ecstasy, ready to let him do whatever he wanted despite being in public.
Sterling’s POV:
“Eden,” I groaned against her lips before slipping my tongue into her mouth.
Another groan escaped before I could stop it. I explored her mouth like it was the first and the last time I would ever do so. Like I never wanted to be anywhere but right here, right now. And truth is, I didn’t. I loved this. I loved her.
Gray’s POV:
When her arms tightened around me, I smiled. She was simply the best. I was really grateful to have her by my side.
“You think Eden and Sterling got enough time alone?” I asked, kissing the top of her head.
(They should definitely walk in mid-makeout session. Lol.)
Eden’s POV:
I clung to him like there was no tomorrow, my eyes screwed shut, adrenaline rushing through my body. I trembled, losing all of my strength, his kisses snatching it away little by little until I was no more than a puddle of goo at his feet.
My name rolled off his tongue and into my mouth, fireworks escaping. He always said it like he was talking about something special—like it wasn’t my name but something precious.
“Ster—Sterling…” feeling like I was running out of oxygen, I pulled away, resting my forehead against his chest as I gasped heavily, trembling al over, my legs shaking. I knew if I stood up right now, I’d fall back within a second. I couldn’t even support myself.
Sterling’s POV:
I grunted as her lips left mine, already wanting to be attached to her again. My eyes opened slightly, and I smiled at the look on her face. Leaning forward, I pressed a soft kiss against her forehead.
“Too bad we have classes later,” I murmured, my kiss still pressed against her skin.
Eden’s POV:
I hummed in agreement, to drained to muster up a response. His kiss sent a burst of flame through me, his words beating me up immediately.
We both wanted it, but we couldn’t have it because of class.
“I love you…” I couldn’t hear myself as I spoke. I wasn’t even conscious as I spoke, either, but I hoped he heard it.
Sterling’s POV:
I smiled against her forehead and pulled away to lightly kiss her lips again.
“I love you, too. Thank you for everything, Eden,” I said softly, reaching up to cup her cheek in my hand.
Eden's POV:
I leaned into his touch, eyes closed in bliss. His touch that drove me crazy. His touch that burned me, but did it pleasantly.
"I should be the one thanking you," I murmured. "You've shown me so many things–things I didn't think I was even capable of getting, or even doing."
Gray’s POV:
When her arms tightened around me, I smiled. She was simply the best. I was really grateful to have her by my side.
“You think Eden and Sterling got enough time alone?” I asked, kissing the top of her head.
“We haven’t gotten nearly enough,” I mumbled in protest, continuing to sync my breathing with his heartbeat. “Do we have to go back yet?”
Gray's POV:
I laughed, patting her on the head softly.
"Trust me, I would much rather kiss you than go back, but we need to eat."
I swatted his hand away, flushing beet red as I spoke again. “You were devouring my mouth a second ago…”
Gray's POV:
I smirked, leaning close to her face.
"I would do it again," he whispered. "Trust me, but I want you to eat something. Wouldn't want your stomach to start growling in class, now do we?"
Cheeks flaming, I averted my eyes before I dissolved into a stuttering mess.
"I'll eat a bit, I guess. And I wouldn't be the only one hungry in the middle of class, you should see some of the stuff other students sneak in."