"Where did you park your car? I'm hoping it's not a mile away. I am exhausted for a long walk." She flashed a teasing smile, but her eyes darted to the shadows, half-expecting Bailey or Meredith to pop out like scandal-sniffing bloodhounds.
James had grinned, jerking his thumb toward the Aston Martin gleaming across the street. "Right there, Grey. No marathon required." The car's curves had glinted under the streetlights, a silent boast.
Lexie's jaw had dropped. "New car?" she'd asked, one brow arching, her tone playful but impressed.
James shrugged, his grin widening, a swagger in his step as he led her toward it. "Why not? I don't like to brag, but I'm rich enough to spoil myself a little." He winked, his voice dripping with self-aware charm, and reached for the passenger door, opening it with a flourish. "Your chariot, Dr. Grey."
Lexie laughed, her nerves easing as she slid into the leather seat, the scent of a new car wrapping around her. "You're ridiculous," she said, buckling her seatbelt, her cheeks pink.
"But I'm not complaining." She sank back and watched James round the car, his confidence magnetic. As she sat in and started the engine, the low purr vibrated through her, a thrill that matched the butterflies in her stomach.
--------------------------------
As the Aston Martin glided through Seattle's streets, Lexie broke the silence. "James, about you staying in Seattle…"
He'd cut her off, his tone gentle but firm, his hands tightening on the wheel. "Lex, let's not do this tonight. Let's talk about it tomorrow. We've got this beautiful night—let's not spoil it with heavy stuff." His hazel eyes had softened, a playful edge returning. "Besides, are you free tomorrow? Gotta know if I'm losing you to the hospital."
Lexie's heart had sunk, but his deflection was so James that she'd smiled. "Shift starts at six p.m., so I'm free till then. Why? Planning another fancy car escape?"
He'd chuckled, his hand near hers on the gearshift, a spark in the air. "Tempting, but I'm flying to Boston tomorrow evening. Surgery I've been planning for months—aortic dissection, tricky stuff. Can't reschedule." His tone had been casual, but his glance held regret, like leaving her stung.
"Boston, huh?" she'd teased, hiding her unease. "Saving lives cross-country. Very you." She'd focused on the city lights, pushing thoughts of his departure aside.
--------------------------------
They pulled into the Archfield Hotel's circular drive, its modern glass facade gleaming under soft spotlights like a promise. The doorman barely had time to approach before James tossed him the keys with a confident nod and circled the car to open her door.
Lexie stepped out, boots clicking softly against the stone, her fingers brushing his for a second longer than needed. Every cell in her body felt like it was holding its breath.
Inside, the lobby was hushed and glowing, all polished marble and understated elegance. Couples sat in plush armchairs sipping drinks, and a pianist played something jazzy near the fireplace.
Lexie shrank slightly into her scarf, her voice low. "What if someone from the hospital sees us?"
James leaned in close. "Then we say we're discussing a complex valve procedure over mineral water."
"Sounds legit," she murmured, rolling her eyes. But when his hand found hers and their fingers grazed, the warmth that surged through her silenced the worry.
The elevator opened. They stepped inside.
James hit the button for the top floor, then leaned against the mirrored wall, tilting his head to watch her.
"You're nervous," he said.
She glanced sideways. "A little."
"Because of me?"
"No," she said, almost too fast. "Because this feels too good to be a reality."
"Wait," he said with mock offence. "You haven't even seen the petals yet."
Lexie blinked. "There are petals?"
He smirked. "Maybe."
The elevator dinged.
--------
In his suite, Lexie's breath caught as she stepped inside. A trail of crimson rose petals wound across the wood floor like something out of a dream, leading from the entrance to a candlelit table set for two. The table was small and intimate. It had white linen, stemmed glasses, and silver cutlery that gleamed in the flickering light.
She blinked.
"James…"
He shrugged out of his coat and tossed it over the arm of a nearby chair. "Overkill?"
Lexie turned to him, still in awe. "It's beautiful."
"Figured we deserved a night away from hospital chaos. You like?"
Lexie's smile was radiant, her earlier nerves melting. "Like? It's… perfect." She stepped closer, her sneakers silent on the petals, and sat at the table, James pulling out her chair with a playful bow. As they settled, she noticed the main dish—lasagna, its rich aroma filling the air. Her eyes sparkled, a grin spreading as she looked at him.
"Lasagna?" she asked, her tone teasing, her smile wide.
James leaned back, his grin pure mischief.
"I may not have your photographic memory, Grey, but I'm pretty damn good at remembering your favourite dish." He winked, serving her a slice, the cheese oozing invitingly. "Also, I thought we needed something comforting. Familiar. Delicious. Like you.""
Lexie blinked. "Did you just compare me to lasagna?"
James grinned. "Only the best lasagna. Layers. Warm. Surprisingly spicy."
She dissolved into giggles. "You're impossible."
"You keep saying that."
"And it keeps being true."
He served her a slice, the smell of basil and cheese rising into the air. She picked up her fork, took a bite—and moaned.
James blinked. "Good?"
"This is better than it has any right to be," she said through a mouthful. "Are you trying to ruin every other dinner I'll ever have?"
"Absolutely."
James leaned forward, his tone warm but curious. "So, tell me about your day, Lex. Any heroics in the ER?" His hazel eyes held hers, genuine interest softening his teasing edge.
Lexie's smile brightened, a mix of pride and nerves.
"It was crazy, but I handled a bunch of lacerations in the trauma bay. I got them sutured clean with no complications. And Mark Sloan complimented my technique. Said I've got steady hands." Her voice was shy, but her eyes sparkled with rare praise.
James's smile tightened, a flicker of unease crossing his face. A memory surfaced—overhearing Derek and Mark speaking about "Little Grey". He'd assumed they meant Lexie, not Meredith, and the thought of Mark's eyes on her now caused a twinge of jealousy. But he buried it, his grin returning, his voice warm.
"That's my girl. Congrats, Lex." His hand patted hers, a gentle nudge, hiding the sting he felt.
Lexie beamed, oblivious to his unease, and they dug into the lasagna, their conversation flowing for twenty minutes. They swapped stories—Lexie recounting a patient who'd proposed to a crash cart, James sharing a Boston case where he'd nearly dropped a scalpel mid-surgery.
"Swear, the scrub nurse wanted to strangle me," he said, laughing, his hand brushing her arm, a teasing pat. Lexie giggled, swatting him, their banter a dance of ease and spark.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lexie leaned back as they finished the lasagna, her wine glass empty. Her cheeks flushed from laughter and warmth. Her eyes met James's, a playful glint dancing in them, and her smile turned suggestive.
"I'm gonna take a shower," she said, her voice soft but deliberate, her gaze lingering, a silent invitation flickering in her hazel eyes. She stood, her movements slow, and her look hinted that she wanted him to follow.
James's grin spread, slow and wicked, his eyes darkening with want, a pulse of anticipation thrumming through him. "Go ahead, Grey. Don't hog all the hot water," he teased, his voice light, but his gaze tracked her every move, hungry, like he was memorizing the way her sweater hugged her curves as she stood. He leaned back in his chair, fingers drumming on the table, letting the tension build, his heart kicking at the spark in her eyes.
"You're such a dork," she muttered, her smile shy but playful, and padded to the suite's bathroom, her sneakers squeaking faintly on the floor. The bathroom was a sleek escape, with marble tiles cool under her feet and a glass shower spacious and inviting, a world away from pagers and charts. She turned on the water, steam curling up, thick and warm, and peeled off her clothes, her sweater catching briefly on her hair, her jeans a tangle she kicked aside with a huff. Her bra and panties followed, pooling on the floor, leaving her bare and vulnerable. Stepping under the spray, the warm water cascaded over her, soothing the day's chaos. Her thoughts swirled around James, his teasing pats, his goofy grin, the way he made her feel like she could be herself, not just "Little Grey." She tilted her head back, the water slicking her dark hair, her hands gliding over her arms, her heart racing with hope he'd catch her hint, her body tingling with nerves and want.
Minutes ticked by, the steam wrapping the room in a sultry haze, the water's steady pattern a soothing rhythm. The bathroom door creaked, and Lexie's breath caught, her pulse spiking as James stepped in, his silhouette tall and sharp through the fogged glass. He paused, his eyes finding her, and the sight of her hit him like a punch, raw desire mixing with a tenderness that tightened his chest. Lexie stood under the spray, her petite frame glowing in the steam, her skin flushed a soft, rosy pink, glistening like silk under the water. Her hair clung wetly to her shoulders, strands trailing down her chest and back. Breasts, full, rose with each quick breath, their gentle curves catching the light, her nipples taut and rosy, hardened by the shower's heat and her arousal, a delicate contrast to her pale skin that made James's mouth go dry. Her waist narrowed to a slender curve, flaring to hips that swayed slightly as she turned, her ass round and firm, toned from endless hospital shifts, the water tracing its smooth, inviting contours, accentuating its perfect shape. This sight sent a jolt through him. Freckles dusted her shoulders and chest, a charming constellation he'd traced in Boston's stolen nights, and her hazel eyes, wide with nervous excitement, locked onto his, shimmering with trust and a spark of daring. Her lips parted, a shy smile trembling there, her body quivering—not just from desire but from the vulnerability of being seen, bare and real, her thighs shifting, her breath hitching under his gaze. She was breathtaking, not a fantasy but Lexie—his Lexie, the girl who stole his heart.
Mind if I join you?" James asked, his voice low, rough with want, his eyes raking over her, a slow caress that made her skin prickle, her nipples tightening further.
Lexie's smile turned playful, a little wicked, her eyes blazing through the steam, though a nervous giggle slipped out. "Took you long enough, Blackwood," she said, her voice soft, a bit shaky, but dripping with invitation, her nerves sparking with bold desire. She stepped aside, making room, her heart hammering as James shed his clothes—shirt tugged off with a quick pull, slacks and boxers hitting the floor in a heap, revealing his lean, muscled frame, his arousal obvious, a sight that made her breath catch, her thighs clenching with need. "God, you're… wow," she mumbled, her cheeks flushing, a shy laugh escaping as she bit her lip, her eyes darting away, then back, bold and curious.
James chuckled a warm, goofy sound, stepping into the shower, the water glistening on his skin, his grin softening the intensity in his eyes. "Wow yourself, Grey," he teased, his voice tender, his hands finding her waist, firm but gentle, pulling her close, their slick bodies inches apart, the heat amplifying every touch. Lexie's fingers grazed his shoulders, tentative at first, then bolder, her nails scraping lightly over his taut muscles, a spark of courage as she pressed herself against him, her breasts brushing his chest, her nipples grazing his skin, sending a shiver through her core.
Their lips met, a slow, hungry kiss, messy and real, her tongue brushing his, her taste a mix of wine and nervous excitement, his breath hot and uneven. The water poured over them, slicking their skin, his hands sliding down her hips, gripping her thighs, her fingers tangling in his wet hair, tugging with a shy, teasing pull. Lexie giggled into the kiss, a nervous bubble of sound, pulling back to catch her breath, her cheeks flushed. "This is… intense," she whispered, her voice trembling, a smile tugging at her lips, her eyes searching his for reassurance.
"Intense is good," James murmured, his grin boyish, his lips brushing her jaw, then her neck, sucking gently, his hands steadying her as she swayed, her ass brushing against him, drawing a low groan from his throat. "You okay, Lex?" he asked, his voice soft, checking in, his fingers pausing on her hips, giving her space to breathe.
"Yeah," she breathed, her smile shaky but real, her hands clutching his shoulders, her nails digging in. "Just… don't stop." Her voice was bold, a little desperate, and she pressed closer, her breasts crushing against him, her nipples aching as they grazed his chest, sending sparks to her core.
James's grin turned wicked, his hands sliding to her ass, kneading its firm, rounded flesh, his touch possessive but tender, making her hips rock toward him, a soft moan escaping her lips. He pressed her against the glass, the cool surface a jolt against her flushed skin, her back arching, her breasts thrusting forward, her nipples rosy and taut, begging for his touch. His lips trailed lower, kissing the swell of her breasts, his tongue flicking over one nipple, then the other, slow and deliberate, drawing a whimper from her throat, her head tilting back, water streaming down her face. "James," she gasped, her voice needy, her thighs trembling, her ass sliding against the glass as she shifted, craving more.
"You're so damn beautiful," he growled, his voice raw, his lips returning to hers, the kiss deeper, messy, his hand cupping her breast, thumb circling her nipple, the rosy bud hardening further, sending a pulse of pleasure through her. Lexie's moan was soft, her body responding, arching into him, her ass pressing against the glass as his other hand parted her thighs, his fingers finding her heat, slick and ready, a slow, teasing stroke that made her gasp, her hips bucking. "God, Lex, you're… fuck," he muttered, his voice breaking, a rare crack in his confidence, his eyes locked on hers, full of awe and want.
Lexie laughed, giddy sound, her hands sliding down his chest, her fingers bold, wrapping around his length, stroking him with a shy, curious rhythm, her touch igniting a groan that vibrated against her lips. "You're not so bad yourself," she teased, her voice trembling, her cheeks flushing as she bit her lip, her eyes flickering with daring and nerves. The steam swirled, their bodies entwined, the water a sensual rhythm to their urgency. James lifted her thigh, hooking it around his waist, her body opening to him, her eyes wide with raw desire.
He pressed closer, his tip teasing her entrance, a slow, torturous slide that made her moan, her nails digging into his back, urging him on. "Please," she whispered, her voice a mix of need and vulnerability, her hips rocking, and he thrust into her, deep and deliberate, filling her with a heat that made her cry out, her body clenching around him, her breasts bouncing slightly with the motion, her nipples grazing his chest. Their rhythm built, a primal dance of thrusts and gasps, her hips meeting his with a fervour that matched his own, the glass creaking under their weight, her ass sliding against it, the friction amplifying her pleasure. Lexie's moans grew louder, her body trembling, her hands clutching him, her nails leaving faint marks, a spark of boldness that made him groan, his lips capturing hers in a messy, desperate kiss.
James's hand slid between them, finding her clit, his fingers skilled, circling with a pressure that made her vision blur, her body tensing as pleasure coiled tight. "James, I'm—" she gasped, her voice breaking, her eyes fluttering shut, her thighs quaking. Her climax hit, a shuddering release that tore a soft scream from her throat, her body convulsing around him, pleasure flooding every nerve, her hands clinging to him as she rode the wave, her breath hitching, a nervous laugh bubbling up as she trembled in his arms.
James followed, his groan raw and primal, his thrusts slowing as he spilt into her, their bodies locked in a sweaty, trembling embrace, the water cooling around them. They panted, their foreheads pressed together, laughter mingling with the steam, a shared release of tension and desire. Lexie's giggle was soft, her voice shaky but teasing, her eyes sparkling through the haze. "I love you, Blackwood," she murmured, her cheeks flushed, her wet hair clinging to her face, her lips swollen from their kisses, a shy smile tugging at them.
James grinned, his hand cupping her face, his thumb tracing her swollen lips, his eyes soft with adoration. "I love you too, Grey," he said, his voice warm but a little hoarse. He kissed her softly, a tender promise. He reached for the faucet, the water slowing to a drip, the steam fading, leaving them wrapped in each other's warmth, real and raw.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They stepped out, wrapped in plush hotel towels, their laughter echoing as they dried off, teasing each other about slippery tiles. Lexie's hair dripped, her smile radiant, and James pulled her close, kissing her forehead, his warmth a shield against the night's chill. They padded to the bedroom, the rose petals still scattered, the candles burned low. Slipping under the covers, Lexie nestled against James, her head on his chest, his arm around her, their breaths slowing. "Best night ever," she murmured, her voice sleepy, her heart full.
James's fingers traced her arm, a gentle pat. "You're my best, Lex." His voice was soft, and as sleep claimed them, the world faded, leaving only their shared warmth.