Detonate: A Dark Mafia Romance (Beneath The Mask Series Book 2)
Detonate: Chapter 18

I grab my phone out to text Grayson. I know I was planning on “dumping” Gregory later. But after seeing Grayson looking all sexy in a suit, like he wants to eat me up, I can’t resist.

Gregory is a no-go for me now. I might as well bite the bullet and do it now that I’ve got the Dutch courage anyway.

Hiya, I won’t be able to make it over. Actually, I’ve been thinking. We’re better off as friends. I’m sorry I was planning to tell you later, but something came up. Sorry for wasting your time.

My phone beeps immediately with Grayson’s message.

Grayson: Are you ready to go? I can’t stare at your ass any longer without wanting to drag you into the bathroom and bend you over the sink. You are killing me, woman.

“Maddie!”

Oh, fuck.

Gregory.

What the hell is he doing here!

He approaches me with a wide smile, his dark hair spiked on the top. He looks cute in a navy polo and jeans, but he doesn’t make my heart flutter and my pussy throb.

“Hi, Gregory.”

He wraps me up in a friendly hug, tapping my back as he does.

“What are you doing here?”

“I thought I’d give you a lift to mine.”

I give him a tight smile, chewing on the inside of my mouth.

“Did you not get my text?”

Awkward. He rummages through his back jeans pocket.

Without turning, I know Grayson is behind me. The air crackles between us. Gregory is too busy faffing on his phone to notice the new arrival.

“The second your lips touched mine, you became mine,” Grayson whispers in my ear, pushing my hair away from my neck. My body shivers against his touch. “Now be a good girl and tell him who you belong to, before he loses his fucking hands for touching you.”

His arms lace around my stomach, pulling me in tightly against his frame.

Gregory’s eyes shoot to mine, focusing in on the big burly man behind me, basically claiming me as his. He nods at me.

“I get it,” he says, holding up my message on his phone.

“I’ll see you around, Maddie.”

He turns to start walking away. I spin around in Grayson’s arms, placing my palms on his pecs.

“I need to talk to him. He deserves an explanation. Just trust me, okay?”

“I trust you.”

I flash him a grin and pull his head down to mine, giving him a kiss. I spin on my heel before I lose the courage, and sprint.

“Gregory, wait!!” I shout. Gregory stops in his tracks. God, I’m sweating.

“Can we talk?” He nods, and I follow him out of the exit. The chilly air gives me goosebumps all over my bare arms.

“I’m sorry about that back there. It’s not me. I didn’t want to hurt you. I wanted to tell you the right way. I know we weren’t together, but you deserved a proper explanation. I’m seeing Grayson, and it’s complicated, but I think maybe, it could be something. I would regret it forever if I didn’t at least try. I hope you can understand. You’re a great guy. You deserve someone’s all. And I can’t give you that.”

“Hey, I get it. I’m surprised, though. I thought you hated him?”

“Yeah, me too. I don’t really think it was ever hate, though. It was irritation, yes. And the fact I wanted him and couldn’t have him.”

He nods in understanding.

“Hey, no hard feelings. I wish you all the luck. You’re an amazing woman. You deserve to be happy, however you replace it.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll see you around, Maddie.”

“Cya.”

He walks off down the sidewalk. I turn around to face the exit door and cock my eyebrow. Of course Grayson’s already there, holding my black leather jacket up for me. I walk over to him and turn around, sliding my arms in the sleeves.

“All okay?” he asks, and I nod in response.

“I’m yours, huh?” I bat my lashes at him.

“Damn right, woman.” He bends and tosses me over his shoulder. The cold air shoots straight up my short dress.

“Grayson!”

His hand grips my ass, so I squeeze his butt cheeks as he walks. Damn, they are solid. He walks us around the side of the club to his parking space.

He guides me down his body, holding on to my waist.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“Anytime.” He winks.

He leans around me and opens the passenger door. “Time to finally claim what’s mine,” he rasps, biting down on the sensitive skin just under my jaw.

“Are we really doing this?”

I want this. I want him.

“Baby, I wasn’t joking earlier. I’m fucking obsessed with you. Every single part of you. I can’t keep letting you push me away. I want this. All of this.” He pauses, searching my eyes. “The question is, do you?”

Without even a second of hesitation, I fist my hand through his hair and drag his mouth down to mine.

“I’ve always wanted you. What we have with each other… It’s special. It’s not something people replace in their lifetimes. Why do you think I kissed you in the first place?”I brush my lips against his earlobe. “Now take me home and claim me. I’ve been a good girl for you.”