I latch on to my craving for him, unwilling to let go, and throw a leg over his hip to bring myself closer to him. His steady hand coasts up and down my bare thigh, drifting to my hip before pushing me onto my back, covering me. I wind my arms around his neck, sighing into his mouth as he continues his delicious assault, his tongue tangling with mine in a fevered pitch of give and take. The hardness between my thighs begs for the lift of my hips, seeking more of him. I whimper when the hard denim of his jeans graze my wet panties.

A groan erupts from him before he rips his mouth from mine to trail his lips along my throat, sucking and nipping the tender flesh. My sweater slips down one shoulder as he continues to rain warm kisses across my collarbone, coming to a stop just above the swell of my breast, silently awaiting permission.

“Yes.” My breath locks in my chest as his fingers slip the straps of my nightgown past my shoulders, baring me to his stare. My nipples pebble beneath his heated gaze, straining for his touch.

My imprisoned breath is released on a gasp when his hand brushes across one sensitive bud. “So pretty,” he whispers, “just like I knew you would be.” His mouth moves to my other breast, sucking my aching nipple while his fingers tweak the other.

With a whimper I arch up, threading my fingers through his hair as I revel in the pleasure he brings me. Lifting my hips, I seek friction, the ache between my thighs growing painfully intense. “Grayson, please.” I beg, completely unashamed of my need for him.

A primal growl rumbles from his chest as he looks into my eyes. “What do you want, Liv? Tell me, baby. I need to hear you say it. I don’t want to fuck this up.”

I quickly realize he’s being cautious—holding back—but he doesn’t need to, not with me. Especially right now when I’m desperate to remind myself of the woman I am and not the victim I have become. “I want you to touch me.”

He moves his hand to the center of my thighs. “Here?” he asks, gently skimming his fingers over the center of my panties. A shiver ripples through me, bringing with it wave upon wave of desire. “You want me to touch you here?”

I nod, unable to speak for fear of the sounds that will come out of my mouth.

“I was hoping you’d say that,” he says, a playful grin tugging his lips.

His hand reaches between us, slipping inside my panties and swiping his fingers through my wet flesh. “Oh God!” The words are spoken on a hot whimper when he finds my swollen clit.

“Shh, easy, baby,” he croons. “I don’t need Walt coming in here with his shotgun.” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip in an effort to stifle my moans, but continue to move my hips with his skilled fingers. He leans down and kisses me, continuing to stroke me where I need it most. “God, Liv, you’re so wet. So hot.” His words are tight with restraint, and I can feel him hard against my leg.

I move my hand down to his belt buckle, wanting to touch him too, but he backs away from me. “No.” He shakes his head. “If you touch me I won’t be able to stop. And when I finally take you, Liv, there will be no keeping quiet. Not from either of us. Tonight is for you.” His fingers speed up, his pressure intensifying, bringing me to teeter on the edge, and he senses it. “Give it to me, baby. Let me feel it all over my hand.”

Those words send me flying over the edge. His mouth covers mine, devouring every single tremor and moan that escapes me. Although his fingers slow, they continue drawing out every last bit of pleasure until I’m boneless and content beneath him.

It takes me a moment to join reality once again. As my eyes flutter open I see Grayson watching me, in a way that has my heart stalling in my chest. He stares down at me like I’m the only other person in the world besides him, as if I matter, as if…I’m his.

Reaching up, I cup his swollen jaw. “Thank you,” I whisper, not knowing what else to say in fear of what I will reveal.

He kisses the inside of my hand, then mouth, and then one to my forehead before shifting beside me and pulling me close. “Sleep, baby.”

My eyes fall closed, the safety of his arms allowing me to embrace the peaceful slumber that awaits.

CHAPTER 19

Grayson

Sunlight peeks through the sheer curtains as I slowly open my eyes. Glancing down next to me, I find Liv sleeping soundly. She looks every bit of the angel she is, with her head buried in the crook of my shoulder and an arm draped over my stomach. Heat invades my blood as I remember last night. Jesus, the way she felt beneath me and how she fell apart from the lightest touch of my fingers… It has me dying to know what she’ll be like when I take all of her.

I had no intention of doing any of that when I brought her to bed. I only wanted her to feel safe so she could sleep but when she begged me to touch her—I was fucking done for. After last night I realize it’s time to take this to the next level. With everything that’s happened I’ve been taking things slow, not wanting to rush or scare her. Last night proved she’s as ready as I am, which is why I’ve made the decision to take her to the cabin for a few days—if she’ll come.

I want to get her away from all this bullshit before the trial starts. Hell, I want to get away from it. After what I witnessed yesterday, I know shit is only going to get worse before it gets better, and I need to decide how the hell I’m going to handle Prichard. No way am I going to let him get away with what he pulled. He can’t be trusted and shouldn’t be on the force. I just need to figure out how to tell Dixon that.

While sitting at Clover Hill for hours yesterday, trying to clear my head, I thought about what my father would do, how he would handle this. His last words continued to echo in my mind…

Seek the truth and you will find justice.

It’s exactly what I’m going to do, not only regarding Prichard but Liv’s case, too. I will find out who else was there, and I’ll find the evidence needed to put West away along with everyone else.

With or without the badge, I will find justice.

I shake myself from the thought and ease out of bed, careful not to wake Liv. Leaning down, I drop a light kiss to her forehead before quietly leaving the room.

I walk into the kitchen, hoping Walt might still be in bed, but skid to a halt when I see him sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other.

Shit!

“Mornin’,” he greets.

I’m having a hard time gauging his mood by the indifferent expression on his face. For all I know I’ll soon meet the barrel of his shotgun after walking out of his granddaughter’s room.

“Morning, Walt.” I tug the back of my neck, feeling awkward as hell and a little guilty. I’m well aware that Liv and I are adults, but this is Walt’s house and the last thing I want to do is disrespect him. “Listen, I’m sorry. I wanted Liv to sleep so I laid down with her, I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I meant no disrespect.”

He glares at me, his hard features not wavering in the least. I start wondering if I’m about to find a bullet in my ass when he raises a mug. “Cups are next to the sink, help yourself and have a seat. We need to talk.”

This is about to get real awkward.

After pouring myself a cup of coffee, I take my time sliding into the seat across from him, scanning the room to make sure there’s no sight of that shotgun. Without a word he pushes the newspaper across the table. I take a tentative drink from my cup, swallowing hard as I focus on a disturbing image staring back at me from the front page of the Harmony Falls Herald. The photo has my forgotten rage spiking hard and fast, reminding me of the madness that took place yesterday.

The headline reads: