“Grayson?” I whisper nervously.

My heart clenches as his eyes meet mine, a pained expression marring his handsome face.

I shake my head, not wanting this to ruin the moment. A moment I desperately need with him. “Take them away. Erase them with your touch.”

A heavy breath escapes him as he dips his head and gently places his lips to the faded black and blue blemishes. “Never again.” He softly trails his mouth over every mark I bear, erasing the hate with love. “Never again.”

My hand drifts into his soft hair as I stare up at the ceiling, my throat burning with emotion. We have this moment to ourselves and with each other, it’s raw, intimate, and somehow—healing. Like we’re laying all the demons to rest.

After he’s lovingly soothed every mark, his mouth moves to my center, placing a gentle kiss over my wet bottoms. Heat sparks inside of me, hot and fast. I bite my lip to keep from moaning, but my hips thrust up greedily toward his mouth, seeking more. His eyes find mine, and I know by that cocky smirk he’s heard my silent plea.

He dips his head, tugging at the strings of my bottoms with his teeth. The black material falls away, revealing my most intimate part. I swallow back a moan as the cool air from the room whispers over my swollen clit.

“Jesus, Liv, you’re so fucking pretty.” My breath stalls with anticipation. The way his gaze fixates on me leaves me feeling a little vulnerable, yet also beautiful. “I can’t wait another second. I’ve been dying to taste you.” His mouth settles on my core, his tongue immediately lavishing my throbbing bud.

I gasp, my back bowing off the bed as exquisite pleasure ignites inside me.

“So sweet.” He groans with appreciation against my sensitive flesh as he dives deeper, spearing me with the tip of his tongue.

Heat surges through my blood, spreading through my body like molten lava oozing from a volcano just before it erupts. I’m so close already, teetering on the edge of imminent destruction.

“Oh God, Grayson.” My fingers grip his silky hair, tugging gently, while my hips thrust greedily to meet his mouth.

“That’s my girl. Come in my mouth, baby. I want to taste every last drop of you.” He slips a single finger inside of me before drawing my clit into his mouth with a hard suck. White-hot shards of pleasure tear through my body, reducing me to a withering mess beneath his ruthless mouth. I cry out, unable to harness the unrelenting pleasure he’s giving me. Every lick and suck draws out another shudder, my blood humming with release beneath my skin.

As I float back down to reality Grayson trails kisses up my body, worshiping every bare inch of skin he passes. A moan slips through my lips as he closes his mouth around my sensitive nipple, bringing a newfound pleasure to flare inside of me.

I’m lost to his touch.

It not only grounds me, but sets me free in a way I never thought possible.

My arms wrap around his neck as he settles between my open thighs, his hard body blanketing me with warm contentment. He seals his mouth over mine, giving me a long, drawn-out kiss. The taste of us mixed together is so erotic, driving my need higher.

Pulling back, he rests his forehead on mine, lust and something else staring back at me, something that makes me feel cherished.

“Do we keep going? Or am I holding you for the rest of the night?”

Warmth invades my heart when he offers to stop here, but I’m ready. I want Grayson to heal these wounds, not only the ones on my body but also the many that mar my soul.

“Keep going,” I whisper. “I told you I want all of you. I want you to erase the ugliness and replace it with something beautiful.”

Rising up, he sheds his swim trunks then sheathes himself with a condom. My eyes explore his powerful body, taking in all its male beauty and my mouth turns dry. “Keep looking at me like that and this will be over before it even starts.”

My eyes snap to his, my face heating. He comes to settle on top of me again, situating himself between my legs. I moan at the feel of his hard length against me as he coats it with my arousal. My heart hammers in my chest, both in nervousness and anticipation. “If you want to stop at any time just say the word.”

I nod.

“Ready, baby?”

“Yes.” My answer is soft but assured.

Leaning down he presses his lips to my forehead, then enters me slowly with one smooth thrust. I gasp at the welcomed invasion, feeling fuller than I ever have in my life. It’s a little tender, more than I expected, but not enough to make him stop.

I never want him to stop.

“Ah, fuck.” He groans then stills, giving me all the time I need to adjust. “You okay, Liv?” he asks, his face only a breath from mine. “You still with me?”

“Yes, I’m with you. Completely.”

How can I not be when he looks at me like this—makes me feel the way I do.

Safe and beautiful.

I lift my hips to reassure him, earning myself another tortured groan.

Jaw clenched, he begins rocking back and forth with slow, gentle strokes. His hot gaze locks with mine, blue eyes so bright they light up the dark spots hidden inside of me. Tears blur my vision at how amazing he feels, my entire world shifting on its axis at the perfection we create. And for the first time in my life, I feel complete. That whatever I’ve gone through in the past has led me to this one person, to this moment.

To him.

A tortured groan erupts from him. “You feel so fucking incredible wrapped around me, so fucking tight.”

I whimper, my body arching to be closer to his.

My reaction has a sly grin tugging at his lips. “You like it when I talk dirty to you, baby?”

I clench around him, an incoherent sound falling past my lips. I can hardly breathe at the moment, much less speak.

He smiles with deep satisfaction, bringing a hand between us to stroke my clit. “You’re close, Liv. I can feel it. Your pussy is on fire. So hot. So fucking wet. Come for me.”

His dirty words do something to me, untie some invisible knot deep within, unleashing a need like I’ve never known, and flings me over the steep cliff of pleasure. I cry out, digging my fingers into his back as ecstasy soars through me with rapid speed.

He plunges into me again once, twice, before finding his own release on a strained groan.

Eyes closed, I bask in my euphoria, taking my time to find my breath after the tidal wave that just washed through me. When I open my eyes I find Grayson watching me, his expression soft.

“You’re fucking perfect,” he says, his handsome face hovering above mine.

I smile, my throat tight at the sincerity pouring from those words. I reach up and trace his lips. “We’re perfect together.”

His hand encircles my wrist, pressing a kiss to my fingertips. “Yeah, baby, we’re fucking explosive.” He cuts off my giggle with a long, deep kiss. “I’ll be back. You need anything?”

I shake my head. “No. Just you.”

That has another growl erupting from him. “Don’t you dare move,” he says, shifting to roll off the bed.

“Yes, sir!” I salute to his retreating back as he walks into the bathroom, his grunt cut off as he closes the door.

I pull the covers up with a smile on my face as I reflect on the monumental moment I just had. Being intimate with someone was a part of my life I thought I’d never get back. But Grayson was able to erase not only the screaming uncertainty but also the inevitable scars.

The sound of the bathroom door opening pulls me from my blissful thoughts. The bed dips with Grayson’s weight as he lies next to me. I turn to face him as he pulls my body flush against his.

“I still can’t believe I’m here. Everything has been so perfect,” I tell him with a soft smile. “Thank you for bringing me, Grayson. Thank you for sharing this place with me.”

His expression is somber as he stares back at me. “There’s no one else in the world I would share this place with, other than you.”