The Running Series Box Set: Books 1-3 Read online

  “Well,” I breathed, “you have eight minutes. Go!”

  While he was out, I left a note for Cooper explaining Grayson was staying over, and I would see him in the morning. I guess it would have been really weird for Cooper to be home right now, but I could have really used his style advice now! What do you wear for a grown-up sleepover when it’s with the gorgeous and very sexy Grayson Brooks?

  Grayson returned to find I had already brushed my teeth, brushed my hair, and changed into a long, emerald green silk gown and matching robe, a birthday gift from my stepsister Bethany. At the time she gave it to me, I was puzzled, but tonight, I could have kissed her for thinking ahead.

  Leading him to my bedroom, I found him to be extremely irresistible in the soft light of the lamp. I could still hear his iPod playing over the intercom.

  Grayson took his things into the bathroom and came out in a T-shirt and scrub pants. He looked as heart-stopping as always, but I still frowned. Was he working or sleeping? He shrugged good-naturedly when he saw my expression.

  “Hey, there’s nothing like scrubs for sleeping. It feels like I get to go to work all day in my pajamas.” He laughed at me.

  True, very true. I laughed with him.

  “Do you need to keep your phone close for your patients?” I asked, holding out the end of the charger I kept on my nightstand.

  “No, I’m not on call tonight. I’m all yours,” he promised seductively, simultaneously thrilling me and scaring me just a little bit.

  Having Grayson in my room with the door shut was a big hurdle. For years after that happened to me, I was never able to be alone with a man—in any room, not just a bedroom—without having an anxiety attack.

  Grayson must have noticed I was getting anxious again because he sat across the bed from me, giving me the closest route to my door. He made small talk for a few minutes, seeming to purposely steer clear of the conversation he knew I didn’t want to have at that moment. We talked for a few minutes about nothing important, and eventually, the heat went out of my shoulders, and I was even able to lie back on my pillows.

  Cautiously, like he was approaching an unpredictable wild animal, he eased himself back on the pillows on his side of the bed, watching me with a mask of complete calm on his face. He slid one open hand toward the middle of the bed on top of my comforter. “Is this okay?” he asked with a very sincere tone.

  I paused then nodded and reached my own hand toward his. When my fingers found his, he didn’t hold mine, making me wonder if he was already thinking I just wasn’t worth this amount of effort. Tears were on the brink of spilling from the corner of my eyes. I knew this was a bad idea. Grayson couldn’t even hold my hand.

  “Alexandra,” he whispered, “don’t be scared, but I’d like to hold your hand now.”

  The tears that wanted to choke me suddenly had no control over my heart anymore. He wasn’t unwilling to hold my hand; he was trying not to terrify me! What had I done right to deserve someone so wonderful? I held his fingers between my own even tighter and brought his hand slowly to my lips, kissing him softly on one fingertip.

  Moving more slowly than he probably ever had in his life, Grayson held out his arms, pulled me in toward him, and just held me.

  As I breathed him in, he smelled so good, of crisp bergamot and cotton, the sexiness of his scent piercing my senses. I could stay right here for eternity.

  “Alexandra, you call all the shots here. Say one word, and I’ll move back.” He started slowly nuzzling my hair, taking at least a minute just kissing my cheek before attempting one soft kiss on my mouth.

  I surprised myself even more by melting into his kiss and returning it, responding in a way I never thought I could. His teasing was more intense when he carefully made his way to my neck, being sure I didn’t feel trapped by his strong arms.

  This was completely new, not just because I was letting him in, but because this wasn’t a place I’d ever been by my own choice. I wanted this. I wanted him, all in a way I’d never wanted anything before. I went to slide my robe off my shoulders, but suddenly, I knew I wanted to let him do it by guiding his hand. I don’t even know where that came from, but I wanted more of him touching my skin. I wanted to be completely close to him, but I was scared my own walls would come up, and I would push him away. Even worse, that might be the final shove he needed to decide I was too needy, and he would run away for good.

  Sensing what I really feared, he stroked my cheek and said, “I’m not going anywhere. I will hold you and comfort you all night. I want you to feel safe with me. I don’t want you to fear anything ever.”

  Softly stroking my arms and shoulders, gently touching my skin, he started kissing me again, kisses so tender and with so much passion at the same time. He shifted on the bed to pull the comforter back and gently eased me down. Still holding my hand, he snuggled up beside me.

  “Did you take your pills?”

  I nodded yes, and he asked, “Are you sleepy yet? Because I won’t be accused of taking advantage of a comatose woman!”

  We both giggled furiously over the image of him trying to kiss me while I snored and drooled on the pillow. Oh, the delight of this patient, sexy god in my bed! Where on earth had he come from?

  Gently, he kissed me again, biting playfully at my lips, my earlobes, and my neck. I wanted him so badly. I just hoped I could make it live up to the beautiful expectation of when it finally happened.

  “Go to sleep, Alexandra,” he whispered close to my ear as I started to fall under the haze of my medication. “We have a big night tomorrow; you need your rest. When you get up in the morning, I may already be gone to the office early. You have to call me the minute you wake up. Good night, my sweet Red.”

  As I drifted off, I think I heard him say something about a delectable evening, but I was too far gone.

  I woke up in the wee hours of the morning, needing to pee badly, but Grayson was spooning me and all tucked in tight. I didn’t want to disturb him, but I had to get up. When I returned from the bathroom, he was awake and the bedside lamp was on.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Chill out. I just had to use the bathroom.” Not exactly a sexy conversation to have in the middle of the night. Back in bed with him, I intended on snuggling us back to sleep, but Grayson began kissing me again. The taste of him was so exciting it made me hot in places I didn’t know I had. I backed up to him and was shocked when I could feel he had a full erection.

  He pulled my hair to the side, kissing my neck and my shoulder as he began to touch my nipples through my silk gown, the fabric playing softly over my skin and making me draw in my breath. He trailed one finger lower and gently drew circles around my belly button. I shivered from the newness of the sensation. I couldn’t resist him any longer. I knew I needed to feel him, all of him.

  I turned on my side to face him and wound my hand behind his neck, pulling him closer. “Grayson, I want you. I feel like I’m burning from wanting you. I want you to make love to me…please.”

  He took a deep breath. “Are you sure about this? It could just be your meds talking, honey.” Pausing as if to get his breath, he promised, “We’ll take this slow, just stop me if—”

  I cut him off. “I don’t want to stop, not anymore.” I put my finger on his lips. Oh, those amazingly beautiful, full lips!

  I kissed them slowly, then more aggressively, biting his lower lip as I sucked it into my mouth. I could feel his heart beating hard through his chest.

  He continued to kiss my mouth, my neck, and my breasts. Then he found his way down, biting my fully erect and tingling nipples. I wanted him with my whole body.

  He pulled the straps down from my nightgown and continued to tease my breasts with light nibbles before stopping to slide off his T-shirt, sharing his gorgeous, strong chest and narrow hips. When he laid beside me, I could feel his full, stiff shaft pressing on my thigh. I knew he wanted me as badly as I wanted him.

  He continued to kiss my breasts and suck on my nipp
les as he brought his hand up my nightgown, gathering it up around my waist. Sliding his hand down my hip and thigh, he drew his fingernail back up the inside of my legs, almost causing me to lose control and scream out from the unexpected pleasure.

  I had never experienced anything like this before. Whatever he was doing to me, I didn’t want him to stop, ever. I was on the brink of almost losing control.

  Grayson froze. “Are you okay? Do you want me to stop?”

  “No, please don’t stop! I want you, I want all of you!”

  He laughed quietly against my skin as he nipped at me again. He slid his hands inside the elastic of my panties and carefully guided them down only a little, so he could massage me very slowly, gently exploring me. His touch so tender, like velvet, so cautious and so patient, yet so sensual. If I couldn’t get more, I felt as though I might explode. I could feel my body giving to him in many ways.

  I lifted my hips up to meet his hand, and at the same time felt this incredible warmth and moisture. My body was responding and wanting him. He kept kissing me, biting lovingly at my jaw and my neck, exploring my breasts with a soothing touch.

  I couldn’t take it anymore. “I want you. I want to feel you inside me. I know I can do this. Please don’t make me beg.”

  Burying his face in my hair, he took in a deep breath and backed away to look at me. Those piercing blue eyes of steel were cutting holes in me, making me burn. “You have to know I want you, more than anything, but I want to take this slow. I promised you before I would just stay with you. I can’t go back on that and leave you feeling like you can’t trust me.”

  I started to argue, but he closed his eyes, shaking his head slightly.

  “I’m going to take care of you, but there are other ways, too,” he assured me with a devilish grin.

  Before I knew what was happening, Grayson pleasured me with his hands, his fingers inside me, his mouth and tongue on my cleft, teasing and arousing all of my senses and sensual parts of my body I didn’t know existed. He took his time learning my body and what felt luscious to me until I was able to achieve my very first climax.

  My body was left trembling and completely sated. Whatever he did and how he did it, I knew I wanted more!

  In the frenzy of my own passion, I never realized I was still partially dressed, and Grayson was still wearing his scrub pants, sans the T-shirt, but neither of us seemed to care. We were both breathing heavy, watching each other passionately, and still very much in the mood to cuddle and play.

  Lying on my side next to him, nibbling the corner of his mouth, his jaw, stroking his chest and exploring his tight abs, was pure heaven. He was still fully aroused.

  “What about you? I can’t get you all worked up and leave you…unsatisfied,” I whispered, but he put his finger over my lips and hushed me.

  “All I needed was the reward of pleasuring you. There’ll be time for me, but not right now, we both need to get some sleep. We have a big day and another big evening, so just lay here with me and sleep, my angel.”

  My angel… He just called me his…

  This feeling was one I had never known before, the complete satisfaction I felt in the arms of a man, and a beautiful, gorgeous, sensual man at that. My heart was still beating so fast, ready to leap out of my chest. Our breaths were deep and heavy, but in sync.

  I knew I was completely inept when it came to lovemaking, and it was a tiny relief I had a little more time to find out what I wanted to know and for Grayson to teach me.

  A mischievous thought came to my mind, and I decided I would look for a book on sexual gratification and try to learn a few things in private. I certainly didn’t want to disappoint Grayson or make him afraid to make love to me. I wanted to gratify him like he was eager to do for me.

  When the alarm went off too soon, I found us both still tangled together and Grayson asleep. I just wanted to stay here and look at him for a few moments, relishing in last night’s fantasy.

  Opening his eyes and giving me a slight grin, Grayson asked in a scratchy whisper, “Good morning, angel. How did you sleep?”

  “Well, I don’t think I slept much,” I answered, starting to giggle. “This big, burly guy hogged my bed.”

  Grayson suddenly snatched my pillow out from under my head and whacked me with it playfully.

  “Do you seriously want a pillow fight with me first thing this morning? Because you know I’ll win, Dr. Brooks. You know already I can take you down.” I joined in on his little pillow fight and before I knew it, we were in a full-blown wrestling match.

  “Alexandra, truce!” Grayson called after a few minutes, holding both hands in the air to show he was unarmed. “We have to get up. I have a busy clinic day today and have to hit the office first thing. What time are you heading out to pick up your boss? I’d like to meet him before dinner, if there’s time. Can you bring him by the office? Or I can drive us early to Sambuca’s so we can have a glass of wine and visit?”

  “About that, I need to keep this thing between us private for now. So tonight, you’ll have to keep our conversation light and platonic. That means no touching, and no, you can’t drive me!”

  “Pardon me, but I’ll do no such thing,” he countered warily, almost looking hurt I would even suggest it.

  “Grayson,” I argued, “how will it look to PMC and to the hospital board if you’re asking them to invest a lot of money in your girlfriend’s company? We need this deal to go through because it’s the best thing for your patients, not because you’re having sleepovers with the sales rep.”

  “I am completely aware of your job and mine, thank you. And you need to be aware that trust is a huge obstacle for both of us. If this is going to work, we have to be honest with ourselves and everyone around us. That means from the very beginning.”

  “I do understand that, but we can trust each other without having to drag everyone we know into our personal business.” Who did he think he was, lecturing me on relationships?

  “I refuse to play games, Alexandra. No games…you got that?” He was actually yelling at me.

  This entire morning had gone from fun to furious in less than a second.

  “Grayson, you don’t get a say in this matter when it involves my career. It’s my choice, and if you don’t like it, maybe you should leave.”

  And just like that, Grayson threw on his T-shirt, grabbed his things, and left without saying another word. The look he gave me on his way out was filled with both pain and rage.

  I couldn’t be sure what was driving him more, the fact he wasn’t able to control me or his anger, or my not wanting a public relationship, which even I could admit had to hurt. Well, he would have to get past the issue, which was all his, not mine. I had just started my first real grown-up job, and I couldn’t risk getting in trouble at work. I would figure out a way to make our relationship known, but I needed time to do that, and tonight, in front of the board of directors and the CEO, certainly wasn’t the time.

  I still had a few minutes after finishing getting dressed before I had to leave to pick up Drew, but I didn’t want to push my luck in this wonderful world of traffic hell, so I quickly made some coffee and looked to see if Cooper was up yet. Strangely, Cooper wasn’t there, and it looked like he hadn’t been home all night, since my note hadn’t moved and his things were undisturbed.

  I checked my phone, and there were no texts or messages from him. This was going to bother me all day. I had to find him and know he was okay.

  “Hey, Cooper. Where are you? What’s going on? You didn’t call me, and I’m a little worried. Okay, call me, or I’ll just have to blow up your phone until you do.”

  Just then the door creaked open and Cooper walked in, still dressed to die for from whatever event had him gone overnight.

  “Coop, where have you been? And wait, why do you look so good? It’s not even nine o’clock,” I said, pausing to look him up and down. “I was just leaving you a message.”

  “I got a modeling gig last minute. They
wanted to do the test shoot last night at a really cool place called Off The Grid, cuz it has some great views of the lights of the Dallas skyline, or something or another. Anyway, we started doing the test shoot, and the photographer got some kind of minor family emergency call, and he was gonna have to go out of town, so he asked me to work all night, and we completed the entire shoot. Fortunately, the stylists and the rest of the team were willing to stay, and we just went for it. Sometimes the best things in life just happen.”

  “Uh huh, you could say that.” I turned and hid my expression because I knew my face would give me away.

  “Whoa, sweetie, I saw that! I saw that look on your face! What’s going on?” he demanded, rushing at me and scooping me up in a hug.

  I shook my head, not ready to tell him about how the best night of my life had exploded into one of the worst starts to a day anyone could have. An important day, at that.

  “Oh, no, you don’t. Sit down and dish!” Cooper pulled out one of the stools from the bar and plopped me onto it.

  I took a deep breath, then let the whole story out in a rush. I didn’t even peek at his expression, since I didn’t want to see the gloating look on his face while I told him about finally being so close and so physical with someone. I also couldn’t stand to see the hurt on his face when I told him Grayson had stormed out, furious with me for trying to be cautious and protect both our jobs.

  “Finally!” Cooper shouted.

  I jumped from the surprise of his victory whoop as his face broke out in an enormous grin.

  “You finally grew a pair and stood up for yourself!”

  “Hello? Did you hear the rest of the story? The part where I had an incredible evening and then blew it by running him off?” I tried not to let the mist in front of my eyes turn into full-blown tears.

  Cooper waved his hand to show it wasn’t a big deal. “He’s not going anywhere. By lunchtime, he’ll be begging your forgiveness and writing sonnets about your wisdom. You are making the right decision, by the way. No good can come from it if a doctor and a rep jump in the sack after a couple of surgeries. You’re the only one being smart here, you know.”