His father has always been a pig, but this is a whole new level of wrong. To sleep with your granddaughter’s mother. I mean, who does that? Seriously. I can’t understand the rationale he had to use to justify something like that, even if just to himself.

“I don’t know what to say, Grayson.”

He laughs once without humor. “Yeah, me either.”

All the plans I had for us tonight are shot. There’s no way I can tell him any of my news now. Tonight, he’s hurting, and . . . as much as it kills me to keep this from him, I know it’s not the right time, but I wish it was.

I mapped it all out in my head with preparation that he may not be happy that I’m cleared, but at least he’d know how I feel about him and that I want to stay. I want him.

Almost unconsciously, he grabs my hand. “I need you, Jess. I . . . I know I’m a mess, but I just need you.”

“You have me,” I tell him. “You always have me.”

We exit the car, walking up the stairs without speaking. I know he’s in a dark place right now, and I just want to be here for him. I know how hard it is when your thoughts are jumbled and you can’t make heads or tails of them.

Once inside, we remove our coats, tossing them over the back of the chair. He stands there, looking at me as his fingers slide against my cheek. I can feel the charge in the air, the mix of anger and need swirling between us. Before I can part my lips to speak, his mouth is on mine. The crashing feels like thunder, and his touch scorches like lightning. His hands in my hair as he backs me up against the wall. I let him kiss me, take my love, and feel that I’m here with him. My fingers are at the hem of his shirt, and I lift it up, throwing it across the room. The two of us move quickly, pulling at each other.

“Fuck, Jess.” He moans against my mouth.

He tries to nudge my legs apart, but my skirt is tight at the knee. Grayson’s hands slide down my body, pulling the skirt up to my hips. There’s no sweetness, no finesse, as he moves my underwear to the side, sinking his fingers in roughly.

I groan in pleasure as his teeth nip at my neck. The pressure increasing as he fucks me with his hand.

“You’re so wet.”

“Only for you.”

That response must be what he needed because he kisses me harder, moving his fingers in and out while his thumb circles my clit. “I can’t wait,” he says as his other hand fumbles with his belt. “I need to fuck you right here.”

“Good. Hurry.”