I know he’s still thinking about my panic attack earlier. “Stop worrying about me, I’m fine,” I whisper.

Reaching over, he cups the side of my cheek, the warmth of his touch spreading through my chest. “I can’t help it. I’ll always worry about you.”

A sad smile graces my face. “That day when I left work,” I start quietly, “I was so upset. So hurt that the school I loved, and had done so much for, would let me go over what happened to Jamal. As I got into my car I remember thinking how my entire world was crumbling around me. Then my tire blew on the way home, and I remember saying, ‘This day can’t get any worse’.” I shake my head at the irony. “I regret those words now, because it did, it got so much worse.”

His eyes turn hard, a horrible rage lighting the blue depths, and it’s not what I want him to feel, not anymore. Moving in closer, I reach up and brush my fingertips across his swollen jaw. His arms come around me, holding me close.

“But I’ve learned something through all of this,” I whisper. “As horrible as it all is, I now know it can always be worse. What if I hadn’t woken up at all? No matter what I went through, I’m grateful for my life, Grayson, and I’m grateful for you. You saved me.”

His jaw flexes as he stares down at me, emotions storming in his eyes. He slowly leans down, bringing his warm lips to my forehead. My eyes close as I revel in the intimacy the small kiss brings. He trails his smooth lips down to the corner of my eye, laying another soft kiss, then across my cheek all the way to my ear. Fisting his shirt, my heart completely stops as I wait to see where he’ll go next.

“I’ll always save you, even if there is nothing to save. I’ll always be there.”

A breath locks in my throat at the beautiful words. He draws back so he can look down at me, his eyes meeting mine before dropping to my mouth. Secretly, I wish for those lips to meet mine. I crave it, pray for it.

He brushes a stray hair from my face with the faintest touch of his fingertips then leans down, and I know he’s about to make my wish come true. My heart stops altogether and I close my eyes, waiting to feel his warm lips on mine.

The sound of the front door opening pulls me from our intimate moment. I spin around in surprise and watch Pap peek around the door. With a smile he lifts a hand and waves to us. “Heya there, Grayson.”

I turn my attention back to Grayson and witness the same disappointment I feel. “Hey, Walt,” he calls back, then looks down at me. “I like that old man but fuck does he have bad timing.”

I cover my mouth with a giggle, completely agreeing with him, Pap’s timing sucks.

I hear the front door close, signaling Pap’s exit. A disappointed groan escapes Grayson as he pulls me against him, enveloping me in his arms. “You want me to be with you when you tell Walt?” he asks, breaking the easy moment.

I step back and shake my head. “No, I’m good. I think it might be better if I tell him alone, but thank you.”

He nods but doesn’t make any effort to move. We stare at each other, both wishing for the lost moment Pap had unintentionally interrupted, at least I know I am. He leans in, pressing another kiss to my forehead. “Go on, Liv, fill him in. I’ll be in touch soon.”

How soon? I want to ask, but don’t want to sound needy. So instead, I plaster a smile on my face. “All right.”

Turning around, I start heading to the house when a low growl comes from behind. “Fuck it.” Suddenly, I’m spun around, pulled against the hardness of his chest before his mouth claims mine, making my wish a reality.

All the oxygen leaves my body, but I don’t care. I don’t care if I ever breathe again as long as he keeps kissing me. His lips are warm and firm yet slow and cautious, coaxing mine with a skill and grace that has my heart soaring.

I wrap my arms around his neck and reciprocate the kiss. A kiss that is everything I knew it would be. It lights up my soul, the heat of it spreading straight to the tips of my fingers and toes. His tongue licks the seam of my lips, seeking permission, and I give it to him whole-heartedly. A whimper escapes me as his flavor floods my senses and sends my head reeling.

With a groan his arms lock around my waist and he lifts me off my feet. The entire world disappears as we lose ourselves in one another, and for the first time in weeks I feel a little like my old self again, remembering the woman I once was.

Grayson breaks the kiss when he senses I need air. My eyes stay closed as I take in lungfuls of much needed oxygen. I slowly open them to see him watching me, his eyes hooded with dark desire.

A small smile touches my lips as I stare back at him. “You kissed me,” I whisper stupidly.

He smirks. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time now.”

“I liked it,” I admit, feeling my smile growing bigger.

He grunts. “Like is an understatement.”

I giggle, my excitement showing through as he holds me in his arms.

With a sexy smirk he leans in and gives me another kiss. This one is brief, yet no less intense. “Go inside now, Liv, before I don’t let you go at all.”

I personally like the idea of him never letting me go. I’d love nothing more than to stay in his arms, but I know I need to face Pap and fill him in on everything.

“Okay,” I reluctantly agree, sounding as disappointed as I feel, which he finds funny, if his chuckle is anything to go by.

Putting me back on my feet, he kisses the corner of my mouth before stepping away and putting unwanted distance between us. “I’ll be back, baby. Soon.”

My tummy flips like always at the endearment. “Bye.” I wave before turning back around and heading to the house, feeling his eyes on me the entire time.

The closer I get to the front door the more my euphoria dims. By the time I walk inside and see Pap at the kitchen table, my nervousness returns with a vengeance.

“There’s my girl,” he says with a big smile.

“Hey, Pap,” I greet softly as I walk over and take the chair next to him.

His smile fades as he notices my sullen expression, sensing my anxiety. “Livy, what’s the matter?”

I reach over and grab his large, warm hand in mine. “Everything is okay, but I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Grayson came to the house earlier to tell me they caught the man who hurt me. Or at least one of them.”

“What?” he shouts, jumping from his chair, shock and rage transforming his expression. “Why didn’t you call me? Who’s the son of a bitch?”

I reach out and put a hand on his arm. “Pap, please calm down, I don’t want you upset. It’s not good for your blood pressure. Have a seat, and I’ll tell you everything… Please.”

He scrubs a hand down his tired face, exhaling a deep breath, and sits back down. I take his hand again, hoping to keep him calm, then I tell him everything, right down to me doing the lineup.

“Oh, Livy. Why didn’t you wait for me? You shouldn’t have done that alone,” he says, guilt and concern thick in his voice.

“I wasn’t alone. I was with Grayson, he took care of me. I’m sorry if you’re upset, but I didn’t want to wait, I wanted to help any way I could. I…” I pause and take a moment to collect myself, “I recognized him, Pap,” I whisper. “His voice. It’s him.”

Rage darkens his eyes, covering the deep concern he had moments ago. “Who is he?” The question is asked through clenched teeth. “Do you know him? Do we know him?”

I shake my head sadly. “No, we don’t. His name is Reggie West. He’s Jamal’s cousin.” He drops his head in his hands, clutching his hair. For the moment I remain quiet, letting him have time to absorb it. Finally, I can’t take the silence anymore. “Say something,” I whisper.

He lifts his head, and I suck in a sharp breath at the sight of his bloodshot eyes brimming with emotion yet still plagued with anger. “I knew it had to do with what I did. It kills me to know they hurt you because of me.”