Sterling’s POV:
“Hm… I think so. There wasn’t anything you needed, right? I could run out and grab stuff while you’re in the shower,” I offered, sitting up and watching her with a carefully guarded expression. “There were a few things I needed to grab, anyway.”
Eden's POV:
I was thinking yesterday about doing something today. We would have just lazed around, so it was better to do something precious than just waste time.
I reached over to the drawer and pulled out a list of a lot of things I needed, and handed them to Sterling sheepishly.
"I need these," I grinned at him. "Sorry for the short notice. I decided this literally yesterday. Since these are for me, you can have my card."
Sterling’s POV:
I let out a long whistle as I saw the list, then looked up at Eden. “What’s all this for, babe?” I asked, glancing between it and her curiously.
Eden’s POV:
“I was thinking yesterday, and I thought it would be nice to volunteer at an orphanage,” I replied softly, yet excitedly at the same time. “I already talked to the managers about it, and they want us there by six pm. I was also thinking of inviting the others.”
I wasn’t very good with kids, but I thought it was a nice experience. I also thought about it because of my upcoming niece or nephew. I needed some experience to get along with the baby.
Callie can we do the jealousy thing? Not it)
Callie can we do the jealousy thing? Not it)
(All right~ We don't need to skip much. We can just make them walk around and stuff, and Gray goes to get something? and she gets flirted with.)
(Yeah sure, who’s playing the guy flirting?)
(Can you? shrugs)
Alright)
Gray's POV:
"Shit, wait," I stopped, feeling my pocket. "Damn, I think I left my phone back in Amanda's office."
I wanted to slap myself but took a deep breath to calm myself down.
"I'll be right back, okay?" I said to Violeta before running off. I was so glad I remembered it, and not later on.
I gave an amused smile and watched him go, inhaling deeply to regain the breath he’d so easily stolen just minutes ago.
Running a hand through my messy hair, I slipped an elastic band off my wrist to tie it back into a low bun to keep it out of my face. Suddenly, a heavy hand landed on my shoulder from behind. I whirled around, startled, only for my eyes to clash with the steel-blue ones of a tall, clearly older student with short, dark hair.
“Can I—Can I help you?” I flinched back from him, but he took a step closer.
“What’s a pretty girl like you doing all alone?~”
Gray’s POV:
After nearly getting scolded by Amanda, I ran out of the bakery, trying to get to Violeta as quickly as possible.
I did, but saw exactly what I didn’t want to see. A guy had a hand on her shoulder, and she looked uncomfortable. I gritted my teeth.
“Do we have a problem here?” I hissed out through clenched teeth, trying to keep control of the anger I was feeling. How dare he try to touch my girlfriend? Make her uncomfortable?
The older guy raised an eyebrow at Gray, before turning back to me and tugging me towards his body. I jerked away, but his grip was like iron.
Gray’s POV:
I’ve been furious plenty of times before, but this was definitely in the top five. I wanted nothing more than to throw my fist in his face, but I didn’t want to accidentally hurt Violeta.
“Let my girlfriend go,” my voice was shaking with fury, fists clenched until they turned white. “And I promise you, you’ll end up leaving with your limbs attached to you.”
The guy gave Gray one long look, and finally released me. “What’s your name?” I stumbled backwards and into Hray, heart pounding. “C’mon, sweetheart, what’s your name?”
Gray’s POV:
I caught Violeta, holding her tightly, lightly touching her cheek.
“Are you okay?” I asked her softly, although I was burning with fury.
The stranger sneered and muttered something under his breath before turning on his heel and walking away.
I nodded, exhaling slowly. “Yeah, I’m fine..”
Eden’s POV:
“I was thinking yesterday, and I thought it would be nice to volunteer at an orphanage,” I replied softly, yet excitedly at the same time. “I already talked to the managers about it, and they want us there by six pm. I was also thinking of inviting the others.”
I wasn’t very good with kids, but I thought it was a nice experience. I also thought about it because of my upcoming niece or nephew. I needed some experience to get along with the baby.
Sterling’s POV:
My amused smile softened as I stood up and wrapped my arms around Eden. I kissed her forehead, letting my lips linger there.
“You’re amazing, Eden. Really. That’s a great idea,” I murmured against her before kissing her again. “I’ll go get this stuff and make sure I’m home before six.”
Gray’s POV:
I glared jokes in the back of the arsehole, tempted to draw my fist and beat the life out of him. But I couldn’t fight, so I didn’t want to resort to that.
I knew what he looked like, so all I needed was a little background information and I could bring him down.
I looked back at Violeta, dipped my head down and claimed her lips, fury still rolling off of me.
Eden’s POV:
I leaned into his embrace, sighing softly. He was proud of me. I loved it. I wanted him to be proud of me all the time.
“What if… I go with you?” I asked, tilting my head. “We could get the presents from them together, and it’ll be quicker. It’ll give us some time to wrap them up, too. And I can call Gray to order those desserts he got for the party. I’m sorry, I should have planned ahead, but I like to jump at the chance.”
I succumbed to the kiss, to him, but my heart wasn’t in it. Being flirted with hadn’t been some major traumatic event, but it’d been enough to make me uncomfortable, especially since the guy looked to be at least a few years older.
Gray’s POV:
Still too caught up in my anger, I failed to notice what my mouth was doing. I didn’t feel the emotions I usually used to feel when we kissed. I didn’t realize she didn’t want to be kissed. I simply broke off the kiss and trailed light pecks down her neck. I nipped at the skin softly, wanting others to know that she was mine, and no one could touch her until she decided she didn’t want me anymore.
When I realized what I was doing—without her approval—, I immediately pulled back.
“Shit,” I cursed, stepping back, shame replacing the anger I was feeling. “I’m so sorry, Vy. He pissed me off so much… I shouldn’t have done that. Not without your permission.”
I pulled back from him, eyes wild with panic. My hand flew to my throat, brushed against a bruise, which only served to agitate me more. Breathe. Stop overreacting.
“I—It’s fine,” I lied quickly. I should have been disappointing him like this… Just let him have what he wants. Swallowing thickly, I took a step forward. “I don’t—I don’t mind.”
Gray’s POV:
She was lying. She did mind it. The look in her eyes… the utter panic proved it. I wanted to punch myself for doing that to her. I should have had more control over myself. Why was I such an idiot?
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, contemplating whether I should hug her or not. I decided not to because I didn’t want upset her any more. “I’m not going to do it again. Not unless you genuinely tell me you’re ready for it. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m not even going to make an excuse for it.”
I wrapped my arms around my middle, lowering my head as shame burned through me. “I’m sorry…” I whispered, wishing I could shrink, melt away into a shadow. “I’m overreacting. I’m stopping you from taking what you want.”
Gray’s POV:
“No,” I immediately answered heatedly. “I’m not with you because I want you sexually, Vy. I’m with you because I love you. And what I want is for you to be comfortable, safe and protected when you’re with me. I do want you, Vy. I won’t lie about that. But there’s no way I will take the next step until you’re genuinely ready. Not being ready isn’t something to be ashamed about. And really, it doesn’t matter to me if it takes you a while to be ready for it. I’ll wait patiently all the same.”
Eden’s POV:
I leaned into his embrace, sighing softly. He was proud of me. I loved it. I wanted him to be proud of me all the time.
“What if… I go with you?” I asked, tilting my head. “We could get the presents from them together, and it’ll be quicker. It’ll give us some time to wrap them up, too. And I can call Gray to order those desserts he got for the party. I’m sorry, I should have planned ahead, but I like to jump at the chance.”
Sterling’s POV:
I blinked a couple of times before grinning down at her. If she came with, I wouldn’t be able to get something that I needed, so I shook my head.
“No, that’s okay, babe. You enjoy your shower,” I said softly, capturing her lips for a moment. When I pulled back, I winked teasingly. “Though I’m sure you would enjoy it much more if you had company.”
I felt like a small child next to him, averting my eyes and biting my lip anxiously. “Thank you..” I murmured, then tried to explain myself, “I just—You know how I can be with—with my body, and I don’t——yeah. Can we just…. forget this ever happened?”
(😱 WHAT DOES HE NEED?)
Eden’s POV:
I hid my face in his chest, gripping his shirt tightly as I turned red.
“I would…” I mumbled into his chest, not knowing where I gained the confidence to say that. “Enjoy it if I had some company. Why did you have to shower without me?”
Gray’s POV:
I chuckled softly at her.
“Vy, like I said, I love you no matter what,” I said gently, finally reaching out to pull her into my arms. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. I understand. I just want you to know that I love your body just the way it is. C’mon, let’s go.”
"Alright…" I murmured, leaning against him. Sorry.
"Where are we going?"
Gray’s POV:
“Do you know how to roller skate?” I questioned her, peering down at her. “I’m thinking of taking you there as an apology. And to cheer you up.”