Savage's

CHAPTER 21

*Gray*

I couldn't find Daisy in the bedroom anywhere, and wondered if she was already downstairs. I wanted to take a quick shower before dinner, so I decided to use my own bathroom this time. I gathered some fresh clothes from the closet, and opened the bathroom door. I stopped in the doorway, staring straight ahead at the sight before me.

Daisy was in a bubble bath, staring at me with wide eyes, but sitting straight up. I could see the curve of her breast on the side, and felt my stomach tense up with excitement. s**t. No, no-- that's not what's happening-- I cleared my throat, looking the other direction.

"I'm sorry," I quickly stated, feeling my face heat up in humility.

"Oh my gosh..." She lightly cried to herself.

"I didn't know you were in here," I said defensively, turning around to leave.

"Gray?" She asked, and I paused in disbelief, what the hell was she about to do?

"Yeah?" I said, without turning around.

"Can I ask you a weird question?" She asked.

"Sure, what is it?" I agreed, still facing away from her.

"Can... uhm... can you stay in the same room as me?" She asked, and I felt my lips pull into a smile.

"Stay in the same room?" I asked, unsure of what she was asking.

"Yeah, you know, tonight?" She responded, her voice so small.

"You want me to sleep in the same room as you?" I clarified, turning my head slightly, but not enough to see her.

"Yes..." She responded, her airy voice starting to make me hard.

"May I ask, why?" I asked, hoping she'd devulge that information.

"Because I don't like being alone... and--" She stopped, which caused me to turn around completely, "Gray!"

"I can't see anything, don't worry," I chuckled, "But please, finish what you were going to say."

"You help me feel safe." She whispered, giving me a look I'd never seen before.

I watched her stare at me with uncertainty, and hope. I couldn't believe it, I actually made her feel safe? I was thrilled to hear that, but also shocked, I never would have guessed. I smiled at her, studying the soapy bubbles that are sliding down her silky shoulder, revealing more skin the longer I stay.

"I'll stay," I said, "I'll bring another bed in after dinner."

"Thanks, Gray." Daisy smiled, relieved.

"I'll see you downstairs." I shut the bathroom door behind me, and turned around to leave the room.

I don't know what changed, or when it happened, but Daisy appears to have built a trust in me. I was thankful, but also confused as to where it came from. I couldn't stop thinking about it, as I walked downstairs into the dining room, where everyone else was already eating dinner.

"Someone looks happy." Alexa snickered, as I entered the room.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, sitting down at the head of the table.

"I think she's talking about that dopy grin of yours." Shwinn added, and everyone chuckled.

"Mind your business," I growled, "Can't a guy be happy?"

"Yeah, a guy, but you're Gray Savage..." Alexa joked, and I glared at her.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, dishing up food.

"It means you're normally stoic as f**k," Shwinn remarked, "and here you are with a swooning grin."

"Just eat your food." I grunted, ignoring their jokes.

Soon Daisy entered the room, and the joking stopped. She sat beside me and Alexa, dishing herself up a small plate of food. I didn't want Daisy to think that we were talking about her behind her back, so I quickly changed the topic of conversation.

"Looks like you guys made a lot of progress today," I said, glancing around the dining room.

"Yeah, those movers don't waste any time!" Alexa giggled.

"Good," I scoffed, "I'm paying them enough."

"Are you going to be working this whole week?" Alexa asked.

"I'm going to take Thursday and Friday off," I responded, "But I didn't want my family to notice."

"Why don't you use me as a cover story?" Alexa asked, and Daisy shot her a look of dismay, "I could be your fake girlfriend, take the heat off you and Daisy?"

"Because they know who you are, Alexa, remember?" I scoffed.

Just thinking about the last time Alexa was around my family, makes me cringe. Alexa is a good person, and my family is not, it was like water and oil mixing. I know my family wouldn't believe that Alexa just forgot about her morals, and ended up back in a relationship with me.

"Yeah... I guess you're right." Alexa shrugged, discouraged.

"Once we're situated in the new house, I'll feel more comfortable leaving." I admitted, finishing my dinner.

I noticed Daisy was done eating too, so I grabbed our plates and brought them into the kitchen sink. Everyone went their seperate ways, and I watched as Daisy slowly made her way back upstairs. There was something bothering her, and I wanted to know what it was. Now that we'll be sleeping in the same bedroom, I'll have more time to talk to her.

I went into the guestroom where I had been staying, and dragged the mattress off the frame, down the hall and into where Daisy is staying. She was sitting on the bed when I walked in, and she acted surprised to see me. I dropped the mattress on the floor, in front of the other bed, and walked back out of the room. I went back to gather the rest of my belongings out of the guest room.

Though I'd do anything to keep Daisy safe, and feeling safe, I knew us sleeping in the same bedroom was a bad idea. At some point, I would make a move on her, and she won't deny me... and I'll never know why. It could be that she's attracted to me too, or that I 'own' her... and she knows that's to be expected. Though I want so badly to sleep with her, I know I can't. I would always feel like I took advantage of her, and I couldn't live with myself.

When I walked back into the bedroom, I found Daisy tidying up the blankets on the mattress on the floor. She turned around and briefly smiled, before quickly climbing back into her own bed. I smirked, setting my things down, and walking into the closet to change. Normally, I'd only wear boxers to bed, but I know that will scare her. So instead, I wore a T-shirt with pajama pants. When I walked out, though, I heard her gasp.

She was biting her lip, staring directly at me, with the blankets pulled up to her chin. Her eyes scanned my entire body, and I could feel myself getting turned on. s**t. This is a terrible f*****g idea! Why did I ever agree to it?

"You have a lot of tattoos..." She whispered, a soft sweet sound that vibrated off her lips.

"There's more," I smirked, unable to help flirting with her, "Maybe you'll see them sometime."

"Maybe..." She breathlessly muttered, staring at me like I was some sort of work of art.

I chuckled, sitting down on the mattress in front of her bed. I laid back, listening to her shallow breaths, knowing damn good and well I stole her breath away again. Something about that made me grin, but I also knew that Daisy didn't know how to handle it. She is an absolute mystery to me, and I'm dying to solve it.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked, hoping I wouldn't offend her.

"Okay..." She whispered.

"How long were you at your last residence?" I asked, already feeling tension grow thick.

"You mean the w***e house?" She crassly asked, scoffing, "I don't really know... I lost my memory. They're all I can remember."

"What exactly do you remember?" I pried, knowing it could affect her in one of two ways.

"I remember things I wish I hadn't..." She truthfully admitted, and I grew increasingly concerned for her.

I get the feeling Daisy was subject to abuse for a while, maybe even before her time at the brothel. I stood to my feet and looked at her, surprised when I was gutted the second I made eye contact with her glossy eyes. She had been crying the whole time, and I had no idea. I was worried that she could hide her feelings so incredibly well, that's not a good quality to have, I should know.