Call Me Gray Ch. 02

Why did she have to have such an effect on him? He hadn't been this taken with a woman in... well...ever- not that he recalled anyway.

Amanda was already dressed and collecting what few possessions she had by the time he stepped out of the bathroom in only his underwear and jeans. He dropped the towel he'd been using on his hair, which was becoming quite scraggly since it had been nearly two months since he'd cut it and moved to embrace her. She deftly dodged his arms, forcing him to reach further to catch her around the waist and draw her in. Instead of a smile that he hoped the playful maneuver would bring, Amanda's features tightened with annoyance.

"What's wrong?" Gray asked with tender concern. He released her, but blocked her immediate escape with his body.

She shook her head and tried again to move around him. "Nothing."

He stepped away, letting her wander and watching each set of muscle groups tense throughout her body. Honestly, he felt momentarily at a loss at what to do.

"Amanda?"

It took her several moments to slow down, but finally she paused and lowered herself into the bedside chair. "I'm sorry," she uttered, wrapping her arms protectively across her middle.

Gray slipped to her side, kneeling beside the chair and slowly reaching out to touch her thigh. "Did I hurt you?" he asked, keeping his voice barely above a whisper.

Her eyes met his, looking confused and sorrowful. Her face was still tense and her bottom lip quivered. He speculated that she could begin crying at any moment.

He had to say the right thing, but what was it?

"Take me home," she begged. "I can hardly stand to be here another minute."

He stood, gathering his clothes and dressing as quickly as he could manage. Amanda sat almost comatose in the chair until he started to pull on his coat. Then she stood, pulled on her own coat and grabbed her bag.

In the hallway, Gray noted that she kept her head down and gaze averted from anyone they passed. Her strides were stiff, fast and seemingly angry; and it took actual effort on his part to keep up with her.

Dr. Brown stepped into the hall and attempted to call them over, but Amanda shot silently past him as if she hadn't noticed him at all. Gray stopped beside Brown, calling out to her, but she didn't stop or slow or even flinch at his beckoning tone. She rounded the corner and was gone.

"You're sure you want to do this?" Brown asked, looking stunned at her behavior.

Gray stated with firmness, "She wants to go home."

"Yeah," he uttered, "but you and that house are not her real home, Gray."

The emotion these words triggered in him was not anger. The psychologist was being insightfully honest; and that made Gray's insecurities rise to the surface. It appeared that he too was conveniently forgetting who and what she really was...a stranger.