“Wow, you sneaky sneaky man.” Lilly giggled.
Grayson smiled and pressed a hand onto Lilly’s “Only the best for you… Here” he paused and pulled away from Lilly to dig into his pocket. “I have something for you.”
“Gray… you didn’t have to.” Lilly huffed and shook her head.
“I did so. You’re my best student and I think I am falling for you…” Grayson said quickly.
She smiled, pulling Lilly’s hand out Grayson smiled back. “I saw this and I knew I had to get it for you…” he said latching a bracelet around Lilly’s delicate wrist.
“Oh Gray…” she cooed.
“And look what the cat drug in!” That horrible voice of the man Lilly had been avoiding for a long time finally came filtering into her ears.
“Bobby.” She gasped and spun around. Bobby Whit, Jake’s father was one of the worst of her stepfather’s friends. Grayson had already zoomed into the sound and was quick to stand, glaring angrily at the man.
“What do you want?” Grayson snapped.
“So is this where you’ve been hiding? With the neighbor boy?” Bobby questioned.
“None of your business,” Lilly snapped.
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” Someone from the restaurant said placing a hand on Bobby’s shoulder in warning.
“I’m leaving!” Bobby snarled turning toward the man. He took a step then paused “He will find you, Lilly!” He yelled. “I’ll be calling him! Remember once you’re back, I get first dibs.”
Lilly was shaking, scared, angry, and annoyed that Bobby was trying to ruin their day. Gray stood his ground and glared after Bobby’s retreating back until he knew that the man was gone.
Slowly turning around Grayson knew within an instant he had a job to do and that job was to console the beautiful girl he was with. Grayson’s shoulders slumped down slightly and he half frowned as he slid into the booth beside Lilly. “I won’t let him get to you,” he whispered.
“That’s not it Gray. He’ll find me. He’ll kill you.” Lilly whispered.
“Lilly…” Gray sighed. “Why don’t we take our meal to go?” he suggested.
Grayson summoned the waitress and had her box up their meal before it even arrived. Together they stood to pay and Grayson walked with Lilly protectively tucked into his side.
With their meal bagged up, the two hopped in Grayson’s mustang. After Grayson began to drive away, Lilly had felt comfortable enough to speak up. “Where are we going, Gray?”
“I was thinking that we could go back to the gym for a few hours and you can beat out that pent up anger,” Gray suggested.
Focus
Chapter 24
“Calm down and focus!” Gray snapped.
“Shut up!” Lilly screamed. “I don’t want to hear it!” She yelled as she punched the bag again.
Gray braced himself; her punches were stronger and more powerful than even ten minutes before. “You’re getting sloppy!” He told her. “Lilly, stop. I think that’s enough for today.” Grayson said.
It had been hours and Lilly’s temper was just getting fiercer. “I am not finished!” She huffed as she round kicked the bag.
Gray groaned. He pushed the bag out and away from his chest then walked toward the fuming girl. “Lilly come on,” he said softly. The lights were already turned down low and it was getting late. Everyone had gone home beside them.
“Stay back Gray!” Lilly hissed angrily. Grayson stepped closer.
Lilly took up a fighting stance. Her feet slightly apart, knees bent, and fists tightly waiting; shifting from foot to foot she glared at him, “leave me alone Gray.”
“Lilly calm down,” Gray said putting his hands up in surrender.
He slowly stepped forward and Lilly lost it, she swung. Her fist flew forward, but Grayson was ready. He caught her fist and collapsed his hand around her fist. With trained speed and practiced agility, he whipped her around and crossed her arms over her chest holding her back to his front. “Calm down, you’re safe with me.” He murmured in her ear as he pressed a gentle kiss to Lilly’s neck.
Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as Lilly let go. Grayson was the only person she would yield to and he knew she wouldn’t protest his embrace. Within a few moments, Lilly was nearly Jell-O in his hold. Slowly he turned her around and pressed her tightly to his chest.
“Look at me,” he whispered.
Lilly shook her head ‘no’ and Grayson sighed. “Look at me,” he said again this time placing a finger beneath her chin and tilting her face up to his. “Can I kiss you?” He asked.
It was on occasion when Grayson took control but today Lilly needed the control in her court. She looked up through teary eyes and breathed out a nearly silent, ‘please.’
Grayson grinned as he dipped his head down to collect her lips in his. Lilly’s arms entangled up and around Grayson’s neck trying to pull him in deeper. She needed him. She wanted him for all he was.
She pulled away slightly and let out a breath, “Can we take a shower?”
A grin formed on Grayson’s face and he looked around before nodding. The gym had been empty for a while now and he was not going to let this chance slip through his fingers.
Together they walked toward the locker rooms. Though it was not the ideal place for an intimate shower, they both didn’t really care, their bodies had been hot and sticky from working out, no one was around, and it was there; plain and simple. Grayson’s hands held to Lilly’s slender hips and when they finally reached the locker rooms Lilly stopped and stared at the two doors.
“Pick one. Doesn’t matter which,” Grayson chuckled softly. He didn’t mind being in the girl’s locker room, but he figured she would mind going into the men’s; so when Lilly didn’t move a muscle, Grayson chuckled again and pressed his body into Lilly’s guiding her toward the woman’s locker room.
Once inside he ran his hands up Lilly’s body as he began to pull off her tank top. Lilly sucked in a breath raggedly. She had never done something like this before, but it felt right with Grayson. She leaned her head back against his chest “I love you.” She murmured softly. The words were so soft and muted that Grayson wasn’t quite sure that she had really said them, so he didn’t reply. Instead, he bent his head down and pressed warm kisses against her shoulder.
Lilly turned around in Grayson’s arms and ran her hands up beneath his shirt, caressing the tight abs beneath. She had no idea what she was doing. “Gray,” she breathed nervously, as Grayson’s hand slowly slid down her thigh tugging her shorts down as he went.
“Shh…” he murmured as he reached over and turned on the shower water.
“I have no …” she begun, but Grayson put a stop to her worries by pressing his lips to hers. He gripped her body and pressed her back against the wall gently.
Let’s Hang
Chapter 25
Grayson had been gentle and caring as he made love to Lilly. They both took their time rubbing body wash over each other’s bodies and even went as far as helping each other dry off.
“Are you ready to head home?” Grayson asked softly.
Lilly chuckled. Home. She had no home. “If you are.”
Grayson took Lilly’s hand and lead her to his car. Opening the door for Lilly, Grayson stood and waited patiently while she slid in. It was the same every night Lilly had stayed with Grayson. They would work out, go to school, work out some more and then he would sneak her into the house. Tonight was no different.
The two had grown quite accustom to the living situation. Gray sat back and watched as Lilly tugged on one of his baggy sweatshirts, pulled her hair up into a ponytail, and then covered her head with the hood. To anyone paying any bit of attention, Lilly’s small frame was definitely female, but to the busy father police chief it was just another friend coming to study.
“Gray is that you?” Bryan, Grayson’s father called.
“Yeah dad, I’m just going up to my room,” Grayson called back as he look
ed over at Lilly and pushed her gently toward the stairs urging her to move quickly.
“Oh son, wait a moment,” Bryan called. “I bought some pizza.” Bryan’s voice boomed as he came out of the kitchen. “We haven’t seen much of each other in a while, I thought we could have dinner together.”
Grayson sighed softly and plead with Lilly to understand. She nodded and moved herself up the steps stealthily.
“How have you been Gray? I’m sorry I haven’t had much time together lately, how about a movie?” Bryan asked.
“I’m fine dad. How was work?” Grayson replied casually.
“I finally got some help, I hired a new deputy and promoted Jonas as the assistant chief.” Bryan boasted.
“That’s great dad!” Gray smiled. He loaded his plate up with half of the pizza casually.
“You interested in a movie tonight?” Bryan asked again.
“I’m sorry dad,” Grayson said shoving a piece of pizza into his mouth. “I’ve got a lot of homework. Do you mind if we hang this weekend maybe?”
“That sound great. I know you’ve been working really hard in school lately. I don’t want your grades to slip. I understand. I got a lot of work to do anyway,” Bryan replied.
It was more than obvious that Bryan was upset getting to watch a movie with Grayson. Grayson felt horrible lying to his dad, but he did have someone upstairs waiting patiently for something to eat and strong arms to comfort her. He knew his father truly would understand.
“Hey, dad?” Grayson just had to ask.
“Yeah?” Bryan looked up from the table more hopeful than before.
“How’s mom doing?” Gray asked.
“She’s good. She’s trying to get her hours switched around you know, so she can be home more often.” Bryan smiled. He would do anything for his wife and Grayson was proud of that. “One more days and she’ll be home every night for a month.”
“That’s great!” Grayson beamed and then his face paled. If his mother was going to be home at night, she surely would notice Lilly’s presence.
“Grayson is something wrong?” Bryan questioned as Gray stood up and pushing his chair back away from the table.
“Uh no… I’m just going to grab a few extra pops and go up to do my homework.” Grayson replied. “Thanks for the pizza dad.”
Coming to an End
Chapter 26
Grayson had done as he said. Somewhat. He did grab a few drinks and some more food, but he didn’t go do homework. No, he went up to his room where Lilly waited.
Once Grayson was out of the room he broke into a sprint and raced up the steps, taking them two at a time. Lilly had been lounging on the bed listening quietly to Grayson’s television. Grayson’s body slammed into his bedroom door and he burst inside causing Lilly to screech and bolt upright.
“Gray?” She scolded quietly.
“My mom’s coming home from the hospital tomorrow.” Gray burst out breathing heavily.
“Your mom’s in the hospital? Oh my gosh!” Lilly replied astonished, jumping up she quickly making her way over to Gray so she could comfort him with a hug.
“Lilly,” he sighed pushing her back a bit. “She’s the head nurse practitioner. She lives at the hospital one week out of every month. I just…” Grayson sighed a he ran his hand up across the top of his head. His face contorted slightly as he begun again, “she’s more observant. She’ll notice you’re here.”
Lilly’s lips formed and ‘o’, but words didn’t come out. “Hey, I brought some food.” Grayson shrugged. “Don’t worry about it, we’ll worry about that later.”
Gray stepped forward and offered Lilly food along with a drink. Then he set the remainder down on his side table and climbed onto the bed behind her. His hands softly wrapped around Lilly’s waist and tugged her back into his chest as he flicked the remote, changing the channel and turning it up louder.
Lilly munched on her food and when she was finished she curled herself into Grayson’s warmth falling asleep quickly to the sound of the movie he had chosen.
Kidnapped?
Chapter 27
Then next morning, Grayson awoke with a start. Pounding on the front door made him curious. Releasing his arms from around Lilly’s waist he sat up slowly trying not to disturb Lilly as he did so.
“Gray?” Lilly grumbled.
“Shh… baby, go back to sleep.” Grayson replied softly pressing a kiss to Lilly’s cheek.
“Where is she!” Frank’s gargled roar came from downstairs and Grayson’s eyes flew wide open.
“Crap.” Grayson hissed.
“Gray?!” Lilly whimpered sitting up now suddenly alert.
“Shh… baby, I’ll handle it. Just sit up here and be quiet.” Grayson said softly. He wished so much that he could stay up here with her, hold her and stop her shaking from fear or nervousness but he couldn’t.
“Grayson!” Bryan called.
Grayson hurried his way down the stairs coming face to face with the drunken man and his angry father. “Grayson, Frank here says that his daughter has been missing for a while. I guess…” Bryan’s voice was cut off by Frank’s ramblings.
“You stole my daughter, you kidnaped her!” Frank slurred.
“Frank,” Bryan said rather calmly. “That’s some rather harsh words.”
“I didn’t kidnap your STEP daughter, you bastard!” Grayson barked.
Frank took a wobbly step forward, swinging his fist and missing. “I want her back.”
“Grayson, do you have any idea where Lilly might be?” Bryan asked slowly.
Grayson looked at his dad and groaned out, “Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell that asshole.”
“I think he’s hiding her up in his room. Probably has her sprawled out waiting for him! I’m not letting that happen!” Frank roared as he pushed Grayson and tried to make his way up the steps.
“Now listen here Frank,” Bryan said as he quickly made his way after, “I’m not going to let you go looking through my house. I’m going to have to ask you to leave or we’ll be calling a deputy to bring you on down to rest up in a cell for the night. Your intoxication is causing you to overreact.”
Grayson grumbled as he hurried up the steps. What would his father think if he caught Lilly in his room? He sure hoped she would hide and save both them the trouble.
“One of my closest friends saw her with your boy the other night.” Frank slurred once again now glaring.
“Is that right Grayson?” Bryan questioned stopping in his tracks halfway up the steps.
“It is.” Grayson nodded. “And like I said, I wouldn’t tell him if my life depended on it where she is,” he hissed.
Bryan groaned audibly and stepped further up the steps cutting Frank off. “I’m sorry Frank, but I really think you should go. I’ll talk with my son and see what I can find out,” Bryan offered.
Though Bryan said that Frank was determined to find Lilly, he trudged on. Grayson pushed his father aside and demanded his way in front of Frank as well by grabbing hold of Frank’s shoulder and pulling him to a stop. “You aren’t going any further,” he said slowly, “now leave.”
“You better move boy,” Frank growled.
“Ha! And you scare me?” Grayson barked in laughter as he stood his ground before the man.
By this time, Bryan had his hand on the hilt of his gun just in case and was staring at the man uneasily. “Frank, let’s go.”
Frank wobbled forward as his fist once again lurched toward Grayson, this time coming in full contact with Grayson’s face. “Whoa whoa whoa Frank!” Bryan belted out. “I’m going to have to place you under arrest for assault,” Bryan said quickly, “Frank put your hands up.”
Before Frank could respond, Grayson’s fist flew out and he punched Frank as hard as he could, clobbering the man. “Grayson!” Bryan yelled.
“Self-defense,” Grayson mumbled.
Bryan had already been radioing to the station to send a cruiser to arrest the man. He really had hoped his son wa
sn’t involved in something he shouldn’t have been. Leaning down to examine the man, Bryan cuffed Frank and then began to check him for any weapons.
“Damn-it,” Frank hissed as he looked past Grayson and saw Lilly peeking out into the hallway.
“Gray,” Bryan shook his head in disbelief.
Grayson quickly followed his father’s gaze spotting Lilly he groaned and held out his arm. “Come here.”
Lilly stood stone still with the exception of her eyes, which glanced between Grayson and the unconscious Frank on the floor. Grayson smiled softly and lifted a finger, motioning Lilly to come to him as he took a step closer to her. She looked at him cautiously then hurried across the space.
Lilly froze when Frank groaned but what happened next made Grayson chuckle and Bryan stare wide-eyed and gawking at the small girl.
Discovered
Chapter 28
“Lilly!” Bryan yelled out as he witnessed Lilly’s swift kick to Frank’s gut.
“Asshole!” She cried out angrily and let loose another few kicks. Grayson laughed as he moved quickly to wrap his arms around Lilly tugging her away.
“Easy tiger,” he cooed soothingly. Lilly turned her head and crushed her face into Grayson’s shoulder as tears began to build in her eyes. He pulled her into his chest tightly as he tugged her away from the horrid man.
“Gray, take her downstairs and get the door,” Bryan said at the sound of the sirens blaring. “We’ll talk after he’s gone.” Bryan groaned.
“Yes sir,” Grayson muttered leading Lilly away.
While Grayson lead Lilly out of sight and into the kitchen, Bryan cuffed and searched Frank. “I’ll be right back. Please, please, please just stay here. Maybe get yourself something to eat? I have to get the door and talk with the police.” Grayson said pleadingly as he leaned down and kissed Lilly’s cheek. “I love you,” he whispered so softly Lilly wasn’t even sure she heard it.
Grayson opened the door just as his father’s deputy was about to knock on the door. “Morning Grayson,” the man said then he chuckled “well, afternoon, I guess,” he said after a quick check of his watch.
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