Call Me Gray Ch. 02

They were soon in the guestroom where he'd been sleeping at night. Gray removed an older-looking leather briefcase from the closet and brought it over to the bed where Amanda had seated herself. He put the case into her hands.

"This is all that was salvaged from the wreckage of the moving truck." At least, that was the story he was offering for the multitude of documents, photographs and such that Mr. Green had delivered to him in the wee hours of the morning, compliments of Mr. Red's handiwork.

Amanda laid the case across her lap and popped open the clasps. As she lifted the lid to peer inside, Gray noticed that her tension had not alleviated. In fact, it had spread, wrinkling the smooth skin of her forehead. She stared at the strewn pile inside, reaching nervously forward to extract a photograph by the corner that stuck out. Amanda soon held a photo of the two of them standing barefoot on a beach at sunset while the breeze off the ocean rustled their wedding clothes and hair. Even Gray was taken back by the professional look of the picture, which he hadn't even been asked to pose or provide any photographs for, aside from the ones already in his file at the agency.

The photo kept Amanda's gaze for several long moments before she put it aside and began to look through the pile. There were legal documents mixed in with photographs, which she spent more time looking at than the papers. She unearthed a wedding invitation, reading it over and over several times with a deepening frown. Finally, Gray had to step in and say something. He hadn't given her these things to distress her, after all.

"Amanda, I can tell you're getting upset," he said, reaching out to lightly touch her knee. "Perhaps I shouldn't have pulled this out so soon."

"No, it's just that," her voice choked with emotion and she could not complete her sentence right away. Tears started in her eyes, which she brushed away with irritation. "I just don't remember any of it, Gray; and I should." She held up the small pile of photographs that she'd been making on her opposite side. Shuffling through them, she held them up in turn as she spoke. "Our wedding, vacations and blowing out candles on a birthday cake, none of it...not one instance, triggers a memory."

"Dr. Brown said it would take time," Gray said reassuringly, though wishing in the next instant that he'd left the psychologist out of this talk. There were still issues to deal with in that area.

"I want to remember now," she insisted vehemently. "Our first date, kiss, your proposal...it's all gone; and I want it back."

Gray was speechless and unable to organize his thoughts for several moments. He watched her wipe away more tears as she stared longingly at the photographs. Instead of feeling proud of her growing attachment to him, he was suddenly filled with tremendous shame to be passing this stuff off as their previous life together. It was too much, too wrong, too cruel. Without a word, he reached out and took the photographs from her and dropped them into the case. He closed it, being mindful of her hands, and placed it on the floor out of her sight along the side of the bed.

"This is our life now," he began softly, reaching out to touch and pull her close. "You say you want out of the limbo, Amanda, but longing for those days will not achieve that goal. We must live for today and the days still to come."

Amanda turned to nestle against his front. Her body trembled within his strong embrace. She kept her face averted so he could no longer see the wet trails down her features. "Dr. Brown said it would be hard, but I don't think I really believed him until now," she admitted. "I feel at such a disadvantage."

"Don't," Gray said gently, leaning down to bury his face against her dark brown hair, inhaling the sweet lavender smell of her shampoo. "I'm not the same man I was back then either."

"Will this make us stronger?" she inquired with true doubt in her words. Gray assumed from her trembling that would not abate, that Amanda was contemplating the chance of losing him. Mission or not, he would not let her dwell on such an agonizing thought for long.

He coaxed her chin up so they could look at each other. "We already are," he assured her, not planning to dredge up stories of past marital obstacles or such to make a point. In fact, weaving a web of detailed lies wouldn't assist him as much as a simple promise at this junction in their relationship. "We're going to take this life and make it our own. The rest will fall into place when the time is right."

She did not answer at first, taking several moments to wipe at her face and breathe deeply. Finally her gaze shifted back to his, looking worn yet hopeful. "You're right, of course."

Gray shook his head, not wanting the moment to be about psycho babble or Hallmark sentiments. "I said those things because I believe them- not just to make you feel better."

"I know." Her head lowered to rest against his upper chest and Gray held her for several silent moments before her trembling truly stopped. "We should head back," she said sorrowfully. "I'm feeling tired."

Gray released her, watching as she stood and moved from the room, heading for the stairs. He stepped over to his suitcase, opening it and removing the small ring box he'd tucked inside the previous evening. Now wasn't the time to present its contents to Amanda, he realized, but since it had been one of the principle reasons for their trip out here, he felt obligated to pocket the box before leaving.

Amanda was already belted into the Cherokee by the time Gray exited the front door and locked it. She wasn't crying anymore, but looked just as tired as she'd implied. Gray dreaded the drive back to Pinewood. The thought of putting her to bed one more night in that hospital room, made him feel angry and two-faced.

It was still early in the day when they arrived back at the hospital. Amanda kept quiet as she led the way back to her room. Once inside, she closed the door behind them, turned down the lights and crossed to close the window blinds.

Gray stood in the middle of the room, watching with rising fascination as she moved gracefully from one spot to another, effectively setting a mood with darkness, shy glances and the slight sway of her hips and bottom as she walked. They'd just left the solitude of the house, but she had waited until now to begin an attempt at seduction.

He was very aware of the mirror behind him and the observation room beyond. He was not the type of man who liked an audience to his activities, sexual or not, but Amanda's performance was equally as distracting, if not more so. He put his attention fully on her, reasoning that her psyche would feel more at ease here than at the house. This place had history for them, history that she remembered.

She slipped out of her jacket, throwing it across the bedside chair and stepped closer to him, reaching out to rest her hands on his chest and search his features. Gray embraced her at the waist, pulling their bodies together. In the low light, her eyes were more gray than green, but he could easily close his eyes and recall their true, spectacular color.

"You're beautiful," he whispered to her, tracing the lines of her features with his eyes. She smiled in a soft, almost shy fashion, averting her eyes until her courage returned. Even then, Gray felt a slight tremble move through her.

"Gray?"

"Yes?"

Amanda hesitated, obviously uncertain.

Gray leaned down to press his mouth to the side of her neck. He felt her stiffen in his arms and only tightened his hold on her frame. With great care and skill, he applied kisses to key pressure points along her jaw, neck, throat and shoulder. He worked his mouth in a gentle kneading motion to coax blood to the surface of her skin and increase the sensation of his kisses on her soft flesh.

In a very short amount of time, Amanda's breathing was coming in short pants which excited him. Then she let out a low moan and went slightly limp in his arms. Her pale features were relaxed and calm and her eyes closed in blissful resignation.

Gathering her close once again, Gray lifted Amanda on to the bed, laying her out and smoothing back her dark hair. "Are you alright?" he asked her softly.

Her eyes fluttered open, an adjective he never would have thought to use in describing such a simple action, but that was exactly how it happed. Her long eyelashes fluttered as if she'd been awakened from a wonderfully restful sleep.

"You stopped," she whispered in disappointment.

It was difficult not to smile at her eagerness or let his mind run wild with possibilities. Yet, somehow he stifled both with some determination. "You practically fainted, dear."

She shook her head, perhaps denying the accusation or trying to dismiss it as a good reason for the halt in the proceedings. "Kiss me more," Amanda begged, pushing up to catch his mouth with her own. Gray let her lead, accepting her lips' caresses and admitting her tongue as it slipped in to lightly lick across the surface of his own.

Gray was quickly growing uncomfortable in the standing position and assumed she must be straining to reach him. Trying not to disrupt the kiss, he shifted his legs to get the right balance before maneuvering onto the bed with her. He straddled her hips as her tongue slipped away and his followed after it, invading her mouth with great yearning. Immediately she began sucking on his tongue; and he realized she was quite skilled with her mouth- an observation that resulted in a stirring in his groin.

Though they were both trying to breathe through their noses, quickly her panting was back and she had to release him to take in some deep breaths. She fell back against the pillows, still managing to look aroused, yet fearful as she cupped the back of his neck in her hand and gently pulled him down.

Flattening out on top of her, Gray ignored the strain of his growing erection and put his mouth back to work on her throat, slowly working down her chest, nudging aside material with his nose and chin as he eagerly sought out the firm mounds of her medium-sized breasts, held captive in a simple, silky white bra. He planted his elbows into the mattress on either side of her and used his hands to work the buttons and open up her shirt front completely.

Her weeks in the hospital had softened what had been a very strong and well-toned body. Pushing aside that thought so that it could not spoil the experience, Gray leaned in to kiss at the flesh of her abdomen before returning to her covered breasts. He cupped one in each hand, rubbing and kneading them through the material while he watched Amanda's expression, looking for clues as to the right ways to touch her. He felt he had to be somewhat methodical if he was to learn everything necessary to believably pass off the role of her husband.

Amanda noticeably enjoyed this attention and began to shift beneath him. He paused to figure out what she needed only to feel her legs slipping apart. Gray quickly adjusted himself, pressing his pelvis up against hers just as her legs closed around him to complete the commitment. He wondered if she could feel his hard on through both layers of jeans. As they were currently positioned, he couldn't possibly get it out of his pants anyway, let alone into hers. If only he could read minds and know what she truly wanted from this encounter.

Suddenly Amanda thrust her pelvis up against him, a motion that both startled him in its fervor and put great pressure on his already swelled penis. He bit back the cry of discomfort and shifted himself just a bit lower, so that his genitals weren't rubbing directly against her pelvic bone. Then he returned the thrusting motion, watching her eyes light up at the change in sensation just a few-inches correction could make. Again she began to thrust against him, closing her eyes to fend off apprehension and intensify the sensations.

Gray gripped her at the hips and lifted her just enough so he could gather his knees beneath him for some added balance. Then he began to move with her, starting slow and steady because he doubted he could last long with his erection already bulging so tightly in his jeans. He had to get her to some form of release before he lost it, no matter how long it had been since he'd enjoyed the company of a woman.

An aroused flush of pink appeared on Amanda's upper chest. She was making low hums and taking in shallow, sustaining breaths as she picked up the pace of her thrusts against him. "Oh..." she gasped in a strained whisper, "I want to feel you in me, Gray."

He broke the rhythm to reach down and undo her jeans. She kicked off her shoes as he jumped down from the bed; then slipped off her pants and socks. Still in her underwear, Amanda reached for the belt loops of his jeans and pulled him back to her so she could toss away his jacket and attack his jeans zipper. Instead of pulling his pants down, her hand slipped in to grip his penis and pull it free.

Again her eyes widened, taking in the size of him. She gave him a few caresses that nearly sent him over the edge before she scooted back onto the bed to lie down and once again open up for him. He joined her on the bed, gathering her up at the hips as he had before. With his erection in hand, he pushed aside the crotch of her panties to reveal her vagina, pink and dripping. The sight and smell of her was incredibly erotic. Gray placed the head at her opening, pushing forward only enough to assure that he wouldn't slip out. Then he looked up at her, seeing the desperation in her eyes, the terrible need to have this connection with him.

"Take me," she ordered, sounding very determined to have her way. "Take me fast and hard."

Gray thrust forward with every ounce of strength he possessed. His shaft plowed into her womb, forcing her tender tissues to make room for him. Amanda let out a cry, causing him to pause and look at her. Her eyes were clenched in pain, but her words came out just as forceful and demanding. "Keep going. Make it hurt good."

Words that should have concerned and gave him pause only seemed to spur Gray on. He withdrew from her only to push back in with nearly as much ferocity as before. This time he didn't wait, he pulled back again, extracting his whole length before driving back into her with a low grunt. Then he began to pick up the pace, slamming into her again and again. The warm, building friction overwhelmed him, pushing him impossibly close to orgasm. He held on, forcing back the inevitable and trying to focus on Amanda's breathing, the changing expressions on her features and the likelihood of her coming before he did.

"Come for me, baby," he urged her, still grunting and beginning to sweat within his clothes.

"Harder," Amanda urged, letting her head fall back as she absorbed every sensation. "I'm almost...there."

He didn't think he could handle any more, but Gray slammed harder with each thrust, feeling his own release rising dangerously. Amanda began to scream in a rhythmic stream of phonemics as she built up to her own explosion, "Ah, ah, uuuh, uuuh, OOOOOH!" Her inner walls constricted around him and instantly the muscles in his body all clenched at once as Gray's orgasm hit him far more powerfully than any other he could ever recall. Months of pent up energy seemed to flow out of him with his release only to leave him feeling heavy and spent as it ended.

Gray withdrew before lowering himself beside her on the bed. Amanda turned toward him, burying her face against the front of his shirt. "Hmm...that was amazing," she purred.

"Yes it was," he agreed softly, the urge to fall asleep working against him.

"I didn't shock you, did I?" Amanda asked with noticeable concern. She lifted her head to look at him.

"No," he said automatically, though he truthfully hadn't reflected on the situation to its fullest just yet. "It was incredibly sexy. I loved it." The truth certainly couldn't hurt in this instance, he thought.

Even in the afterglow of undeniably satisfying sex, Gray's instincts kicked in at that moment. It felt to him that someone was watching them, which meant only one of a few possibilities.

Gray planted a quick kiss on Amanda's lips before rolling off the bed. He tucked his still softening erection into his pants and started for the door. "Be right back," he promised, trying not to sound the slightest bit unsettled. He slipped out the door and into the hallway, making sure to close the door completely before invading the observation room.

Even as he burst into the darkened space, he caught sight of some hurried movement on the far side. He closed the door and flipped on the light in rapid succession, catching Mr. Brown rising from an armchair with his cock in hand, trying to wrestle it back into his pants.

Gray swore and leveled an angry glare at the psychologist, who turned away in the attempt to find some privacy in completing his task. Finally, when the evidence was tucked away, Brown turned back to Gray, fighting to capture an expression on his features that didn't look guilty or embarrassed.

"Give me one good reason..." Gray began, but chose not to complete the threatening phrase.

Brown did not respond, seeming to have difficulty keeping up his brave façade. He stared back in silent defiance, clenching his hands into fists.

Gray surprised himself as he quickly got control of the anger that writhed within him. Perhaps he was too relaxed from the sex to get worked up at that moment. "You had no right; and I'm pretty sure you know that, doctor."

Though he still did not speak, there was obviously something running through the man's mind because his gaze shifted as Gray spoke.

"You've done a lot of things that I'd call questionable. You've tried to sabotage my relationship with Amanda. Plus, this, which isn't exactly something that I'd want to write a report on or seek disciplinary action over," he said, pausing to see if the doctor was considering his words. "So, I think you owe me a favor- a...very...big...favor."

"What do you want?" Brown asked. He sounded angry, but forcibly receptive.

"Amanda wants to go home."

"We've talked about that already," Brown began, but quickly deflated with one murderous look from Gray.

"You can't keep her here forever," Gray said. "You chose to play the roll of therapist, Mr. Brown. I'm sorry if you now feel differently."

His hunch had some credit to it, as the psychologist's face fell even more. "I'll sign the papers," he muttered, no longer willing to meet Mr. Gray's gaze. The doctor's eyes drifted to the view beyond the glass where Amanda had tucked herself into bed to await Gray's return.

"You think you want her," Gray said softly with an almost sympathetic tone, "but the hardest parts are still to come for her...and us."

"You still think you'll be able to kill her?" Brown asked. He turned his body in Gray's direction, but didn't actually look at him. "Either you're a better actor than I thought, or you're getting in way over your head."

"I guess we'll see."

"I suppose we will."

Gray left, taking a few moments in the hallway to gather his wits before re-entering Amanda's room. She turned to look at him, her expression once again uneasy.

"Everything alright?"

He nodded and offered a reassuring smile. "I thought I heard someone in the hall."

"You were gone a while," she pointed out as he stepped up to her bedside.

"I ran into Dr. Brown."

"And what did he have to say?"

"Well, he was wondering if you'd prefer to go home today or go home tomorrow?" Instantly a smile broke out on her face. "Really?"

He leaned in to give her a soft kiss and whisper that it was indeed the truth.

Her instant decision didn't surprise him.

They skipped cuddling to climb into a hot shower together, where she suddenly got shy again when he was just a little too obvious in appreciating her curves. Her 'mood swings' didn't bother him exactly, just threw him off. So, he kept his hands and eyes to himself, touching her only when it seemed helpful. With her gaze shifting constantly away from him, he wasn't sure if Amanda saw his stiffening erection, but when she vacated the shower first, he stayed behind a few minutes to collect himself.