Mr. Gray

by Hazel Parker

  “I do like to cook,” Grant admitted. “I guess I don’t do it as much.”

  Kelly smiled at that little piece of information about him. She figured him to be the type with a cook—the type of man who did not even know how to turn on a stove. Yet here he was not only telling her that he liked to do it, but showing her. How could Monica possible cheat on this man?

  Grant took the chicken out of the microwave. He set it on a plate. Kelly looked at the meat, feeling a sudden wave of nausea. She held her breath, hoping that it stayed down. She was hungry, but she was also nauseous. The joys of being pregnant.

  “Everything is going okay, right? With the pregnancy?” Grant felt bad because he had not been as focused on the baby as he should have been. No matter what happened between he and Monica, this was still his child. And he needed to remind himself of that fact. They had made a commitment to Kelly and this baby—one that needed to be followed through.

  “Oh…yeah. Everything’s great. I haven’t been to the doctor lately.” Kelly focused on something other than the nausea which was still running through her. “Um…do you think that you and Monica will come to appointments with me? Or should I just go solo and tell you guys after?”

  “Oh…uh.” It occurred to Grant that he had not considered such a thing. Everything had really fallen apart at the worst possible time. “Please, don’t let that worry you. Monica and I both love this baby. We are going to get all of this sorted out, and you will not have anything to worry about. I promise you that.”

  “Thanks.” Kelly gave him a faint smile. His words made her feel better, but not by much.

  “So how’s everything on campus?” Grant took an onion out of the refrigerator. He set it on a cutting board, grabbing a knife from the block. He brought the knife down, slicing into the vegetable.

  Kelly flinched. The onion’s scent was strong—too strong for her. The sight of the raw chicken, and the scent of the onion were just too much. She pulled back from the island, pressing her hand over her mouth.

  “Hey, hey.” Grant moved to stand beside her. “Hey, are you okay?” Kelly nodded.

  “Just…just a little nauseous.” She took a deep breath. “Sorry, it’s just one of those things that comes on some days.”

  “Is it the food?” Grant rubbed her back. “We can have something else.”

  “No, no. It’s just the sight of the raw meat…and the smell of the onions. Like I said, it just happens. I’ll go out of the room while you cut up the onion. I’ll be fine once everything is cooked.”

  “Okay, go ahead into the living room. I’ll be right in.” Grant patted her back gently.

  “Okay, thanks.” Kelly got up slowly. “Sorry, I really wanted to hang out with you while you cooked.”

  “We can hang out while we eat. And after. Go ahead.” Grant nudged her towards the doorway.

  Kelly went immediately into the spacious living room off of the front hallway. She sat down on the sofa. Lowering her head, she rested it on her knees. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly. She hated this part of pregnancy. She hoped that it faded out as the first trimester ended.

  “Here we go.” Grant entered the room. He was carrying a bottle of water and a sleeve of saltine crackers. “Just nibble on a few of these.”

  Kelly gave him a faint smile. She reached up, taking one cracker. Right now, these were the only things that looked appealing to her.

  “Thanks, Grant—really.”

  “Of course.” He sat down beside her. “The least that I can do is to help you out.”

  Kelly ate a few small bites of the cracker. It seemed to settle her stomach almost immediately. She sipped on the bottled water.

  “Thank you, Grant. This is a huge help.” She smiled over at him. He smiled back.

  “I’m glad.” She was conscious of his hand resting on her back. “So now I know: cook very carefully in front of a pregnant woman.” Kelly laughed.

  “Have you been around many pregnant women in your life?”

  “I can honestly say that I have not.” She wondered why he was not removing his hand. It was not that she was complaining, but it was a particularly intimate gesture.

  “Me either.” Kelly finished her cracker. She turned her head, looking over at him. She was suddenly conscious of the way his hand rested on her, of his weight beside her.

  Suddenly, Grant was leaning into her. His lips were pressed to hers. Kelly gasped. The last thing in the world she had been expected was for him to kiss her. She thought that perhaps she should have fought back, but she did not.

  Instead, she turned into him. Her arms raised to wrap around his neck. Grant took her encouragement, wrapping his own arms around her. Kelly had no idea what was about to happen—but she was not stopping it.

  Chapter 8

  Grant tried to get a grip on himself. He was doing something that he should not have been doing. He was still married. Yet here he was, sitting here in his living room, kissing a college girl…who was pregnant with his and his wife’s baby. There were too many things wrong with this to even begin to discuss it.

  But regardless of that, he did not stop kissing Kelly. He wanted her. He had wanted her for some time. And now, he could have her. Right then, all he wanted was to be in that moment, kissing her.

  Well, that was not exactly true. He wanted something else with her—something that involved more than kissing. And if he was going this far down this particular rabbit hole, he was going to do it all.

  “Let’s go upstairs.” Grant pulled back slowly. Kelly looked at him, wetting her lips.

  “Grant, are you sure? I mean, we—”

  “I know what you mean.” Grant got up, holding out his hand to her. “Come on, Kelly. Let’s go. Unless, of course, you don’t want to.”

  She wanted to—there was no question of that. She had been wanting him for weeks now—whether she had been able to admit it or not. She took his hand, letting him pull her up from the couch.

  “Yes.”

  He gave her a slight nod before leading her up the stairs. Kelly trailed after him, glancing around at the empty bedrooms. It was such a large house. She could only imagine how it felt for him to be there all alone. It had to be so incredibly lonesome—poor man.

  When they reached the master bedroom, Grant led her inside. He turned to face her, reaching down for her once more. Kelly instantly reached for him. Her arms found their way around his neck again and her lips back to his.

  Kissing him was exactly as she had dreamed. Now, she let her fingers play up to trace through his hair. That was how she had expected too. She smiled to herself at finally being able to touch this man like this. It was all so intimate, and passionate. It was a new world from the sex-crazed fraternity boys that Kelly knew so well.

  Grant was tugging at the edge of the red and white rugby-style shirt that she was wearing. She made him wait a moment as she stepped back to kick of her black and white sneakers, and then toe off her socks. Then she stepped back, pulling the shirt over her head. She wore a plain white bra underneath. She had plenty of sexy garments, but she had put all of that out of her head since she had become pregnant. She figured that she would put her own dating and sex life on hold until after the baby.

  This was a highly unexpected twist of fate.

  Grant’s hands reached behind her back. He unhooked the bra, letting her breasts fall free. Kelly let out a shaky breath as his hands moved up to cup her breasts. His thumbs passed lightly over the nipples, watching as they hardened under his touch.

  “So beautiful,” he murmured. Then he was leaning down to her, and his mouth was closing over one nipple. Kelly could not think any more. All she was conscious of was his hot, wet mouth tugging on her overly sensitive peak—and the heated arousal which was building between her thighs. She wanted him—need him.

  As if he was reading her mind, one of his hands reached up to pass lightly over her through her jeans. He rubbed in soft gentle circles t
hrough the denim. It was too much. Kelly wanted to get these clothes off.

  Grant released her nipple. Stepping back, he tugged off his shirt. Kelly passed her hands over his strong muscles. Grant’s eyes closed. Her hands felt so small and soft against his body. It was wonderful. It was easily one of the nicest sensations he’d had in ages.

  Kelly let her hands slip lower. Her fingers worked loose the top button on his jeans, followed immediately by his zipper. She reached into his boxer briefs, pulling out his erection. Grant let out a groan.

  Kelly closed her hand around him. She stroked him up and down, squeezing gently as she pumped. She looked at him, licking her lips.

  Grant tugged her closer to him by one hip. His fingers moved to open the front of her own jeans. He slipped one hand inside of them. Kelly did not let go of him, but let her head fall to rest on his shoulders as his fingers went under the waistband of her underwear.

  Kelly’s hand pumped his cock while Grant’s fingers worked through the wetness which met his fingers. He traced his middle finger over her swollen clit before he let it slip inside of her. Kelly whimpered as he pumped it slowly. Quickly, he added another finger.

  “Oh, Grant.” She bit out the words against his shoulders. “Please.”

  “I want you so badly.” Grant stepped back.

  “Me too.” Kelly leaned forward. She kissed him hard. Grant’s tongue slipped between her lips and met hers in a fierce tango. He had never been so turned on with a woman. He was pulling her backwards towards the bed.

  When he felt the mattress against the backs of his legs, Grant lifted Kelly into his arms. He spun her gently, and laid her down in the center of the bed. Then he stepped back to shed his jeans and boxers. As soon as he had, his hands were on the legs of her jeans. He pulled them down and off of her body, tossing them on top of his pants on the floor. Then he was leaning up to pull the flimsy strip of fabric which constituted her underwear down her hips. Kelly lifted her legs, and those too fell to the floor.

  Now Grant was climbing onto the bed with her. He nudged her thighs apart, settling down between them. Kelly looked up at him. She couldn’t believe how close they were to each other. She had never believed that this moment would really come—had never even given it serious consideration.

  “Grant.”

  “You want this?” he murmured. “You really, really want this?”

  “Yes.” Kelly lifted her head to kiss him once more. That was apparently the only encouragement that he needed. Kelly felt his tip press more firmly against her. Then he was pushing himself gently inside of her.

  “Just like that!” she gasped against him. Kelly quickly lifted her hips to ease him in more. When he slipped in to hilt, Grant stopped moving. He allowed himself to enjoy the sensation of holding her, being close to her.

  “So good,” he murmured. “So hot, tight.”

  Kelly squirmed beneath him, encouraging him to move. Grant did not hesitate. He began to move slowly inside of her. Kelly let her head fall back. She enjoyed the slow pace, but she was so very ready for him.

  “Please, Grant…faster. Harder.”

  He complied. Instantly, his movements were harder, rougher. Kelly cried out. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, clinging.

  Grant’s fingers slipped between them. They found her clit. Immediately, he began to rub circles on it.

  “I want to feel you come on me,” he panted against her ear. “I want to hear you scream, baby. Please.”

  She was so sensitive. She could only imagine that pregnancy had heightened her sexuality, because she had never felt like this before. Or maybe it was just Grant—maybe he was really just this good.

  “Oh, Grant…yes,” Kelly gasped against him. She squirmed, groaning against him. “You…oh yes!”

  Her body exploded around his. She clamped down on him, her eyes blurring as the sensations of orgasm flooded through her body.

  “Oh…yes.” Kelly nipped at his chest. Grant’s fingers continued on her, but his thrusts were more intent. He was close. She could tell from his movements, the way his breath came out.

  “Now, come for me,” she whispered as she lifted her head to him.

  Grant thrust hard into her a few more times. Kelly’s body continued to twitch and jerk with the actions of his fingers. Then Grant was burying himself into her, groaning into her ear. She felt the rush of his seed as he spilled himself deep inside of her.

  “Kelly,” he whispered as his fingers moved from her body. “Oh god.”

  Grant stopped moving. He sighed against her ear before dropping a quick kiss against it.

  “You are so incredible,” he said.

  “So are you.” Kelly opened her eyes to look up at him. “I’ve never, ever, felt anything like that.”

  “Neither have I,” Grant answered softly. “I’ve never felt anything like before.”

  “But,” Kelly began. Grant lifted his head to meet her eyes. Slowly, he shook his head.

  “No. No. Don’t finish that statement.” He pressed his finger lightly to her lips. “Let’s just enjoy this moment and what we have together.”

  Kelly could not argue that. She could get lost in this moment forever. Slowly, she let her hands drift up to trace through his hair. She smiled to herself at finally getting to indulge in the secret thought that she had had so many weeks ago.

  “Ok.” She smiled softly at him. Grant lowered his head once more, giving her a gentle kiss. Every time he touched her, Kelly felt something in her that she did not expect. But it was wonderful…beautiful. She did not want to think about just what that could mean was happening to her.

  Chapter 9

  Kelly awoke early. Morning sunlight was just beginning to slip through blinds covering the large, master bedroom windows. Blinking, she made herself focus. It took a second for everything to come back to her.

  She was in the Stone’s house. More specifically, she was in bed with Grant Stone. She thought about how quickly it had escalated last night. They had sex, and then after Grant had returned to cooking their dinner. He had brought it to her upstairs. Kelly found that sweet. They had eaten, and had more of their conversation, which came so easily. Then it had turned into another round of sex. Kelly closed her eyes. What would Grant say to her this morning? Would he regret it?

  On top of all of that, Kelly felt a pang of shame. She had slept with another woman’s husband. It was something she had always sworn that she would never do. It did not matter if they were separated or not—they were not divorced. Grant was still legally belonged to someone else. And that made Kelly feel awful that she had crossed that line.

  Turning over, she glanced at Grant. He still lay asleep beside her. The light highlighted his features, and Kelly forced herself not to think about how attractive he was. She also forced herself not to study his naked body, and think about how good he had been in bed. He had been like no other man she’d had before. It was too good of a memory not to relive, but it was also terribly wrong.

  Kelly knew what she had to do. She had to get out of there, and get back to campus before Grant awoke. She could not run the risk of another awkward meeting—or worse yet, not being able to resist his amazing charms. Yes, she certainly could not let that happen again.

  Gently, Kelly pushed back the blankets. She eased herself out of the bed. She had to pause for a moment as morning sickness rushed to her throat and head. She felt even more guilty. What had she done to this poor child’s parents? Their relationship was already damaged; was she making it worse?

  Taking a deep breath, Kelly began to move through the room to collect her clothing. She pulled on her bra and underwear as she located them, and then tugged her shirt over her head. As quietly as possible, she slipped on her jeans. Her shoes were another matter. She stooped down to pick them up, and carried both them and her socks downstairs. She sat on the bottom step to put them on before she slipped quietly out of the front door.


  She did not want to be the person who simply ran out after a night of sex. So as she sat in the car, she pulled up Grant’s text message window.

  I’m sorry. Had to go. Keep me posted on things.

  She did not know what else to say. She was still carrying his child—that had to account for something. He could not cut her totally off. Besides, even if he and Monica did get back together, that was the best thing. Then the baby would have its family, just like everyone had intended.

  At least, that was what Kelly told herself on the drive back to campus. She was not quite ready to face the thoughts which were swirling in her head.

  Kelly parked her car in the student lot near her dorm. It was early enough that there were plenty of good spots. She headed back into the quiet building, and upstairs to her room.

  “Oh, hey!” Her roommate, Becca, turned from her mirror. “You’re up early!” Becca gave her a quick once over. “Or not. Are you just getting in?”

  “Mmhhmm.” Kelly sat down on the edge of her bed. She was already tired, and the walk had made her more nauseous. She needed a minute, and then she would grab herself a banana or something to ease her stomach.

  “Where were you? Did you stay over with the Stones last night?” Becca had been supportive of her decision, even though it seemed a bit odd to her. Actually, all of Kelly’s friends had been pretty cool about the decision. Most of them respected her for wanting to help out a childless couple.

  “Well, yes, but not how you’re thinking.” Kelly looked at the other girl nervously. Becca’s eyes widened.

  “Wait, what?”

  “I stayed over, but only Grant was there.”

  “Really?” Becca exclaimed. She abandoned her morning preparation, turning fully to face her friend. “What happened to Monica? You said that you couldn’t get in touch with either of them.”

  “I couldn’t,” Kelly told her. “So that’s why I went over there yesterday. Grant caught Monica cheating. So she moved out.”

  “Holy crap!” Becca pulled her desk chair closed to Kelly’s bed so that she could sit down. “So what, you guys like hung out all night? Was he confiding in you about his wife leaving him?”