Trying to maneuver my way through the shrubbery and branches lining the hidden pathway is a lot harder to do at night. I've already tripped on a few rocks and exposed roots popping out from the ground.

"Oof." I grunt as a branch whacks me across the face.

God damn. Stupid Greyson for being out here stupid late at night and making me stupidly come get him.

Okay, maybe he isn't making me come get him, but what am I supposed to do when I find out he was still out here? Leave him working until morning? Certainly not.

"Greyson?" I ask as I continue to make my way through the path.

No response.

I'm going the right way, aren't I? At this point I can't second guess myself, I know this is the path. I've been making this trek since I was a little kid, it has to be the right way.

My eyes finally start adjusting to the dark and I can almost see where I am. I'm pretty sure that the training area is only a few feet ahead.

As I get closer, I can hear the faint clicking of someone struggling to pick a lock. I laugh to myself. This is the right place. Maybe I can sneak up and scare him? That would be a good way to break the ice between us. He hasn't talked to me since I yelled at him this morning...

Slowly I creep up to the edge of the pathway. Smirking, I get ready to pounce his way. Three, Two, ONE!

I jump forward, well at least I attempt to jump forward. Apparently I miss calculated and didn't see the rock in front of my right foot. I fall face first into the dirt covered training ground.

Thud.

"Ow." Old-dried leave crunch underneath me as I moan and sit up a bit.

I look up and see Greyson sitting pretzel style in front of a box with his head turned my way, staring at me. Now that I'm in the small open area, there are less trees blocking the sky. The moon reflects lots of light down onto the training ground and I can see Greyson's outline and the sparkle of his green eyes.

"Oh, it's you," he says, almost annoyed.

He proceeds to turn around and continue his mission to unlock the box. I grunt, wow what a gentleman. Way to help the damsel in distress.

I mean, it's not like I wanted to be helped by him or anything...

I push myself off the ground, "Why do you keep saying 'oh its you'? It's degrading you know."

I dust myself off. Scrapping the remaining wood chips, leaves, and dirt patches left on the front of my shirt as I wait for his response.

Nothing.

So I sigh. He really must be pissed that I yelled at him. So I get closer. That's when I notice the pile of locks on the ground.

"Shit Greyson, how many did you unlock." I kneel next to him.

"Thirty two." He states plainly.

He is so much quicker than I was on my first day training. There is no way he hasn't done this before.

"Who taught you to pick a lock?" I ask.

Without turning my way he says, "No one, this is my first time attempting it."

"Jesus. You are almost done."

I watch as he struggles with the next lock. He tries and tries, but cant seem to get it.

"You know, you don't have to finish this tonight. I can teach you the proper way to do it in the morning. I was just testing you both today." I say to him.

He sighs and stops fiddling with the lock. He looks towards me, "I know but I need to finish this."

"Why? Greyson it's freezing out here and you're not even wearing a shirt. Plus you have a good eight locks left. Just come inside."

He shakes his head, "No Lucia, I need to open this box."

"Why?"

He looks away for a moment, "Because I crossed the line this morning and I wanted to make it up to you."

Wait, what?

Did he just say he is doing this, for me?

He turns back to me. I must be wearing a stupid expression because he starts to laugh, "You know, you could say something instead of sitting there like a lost puppy." he adds.

I clear my throat as my cheeks redden, "I was just thrown off a bit, I didn't realize that you were trying to get me to forgive you... All day I was trying to figure out how I was going to apologize to you about my overreaction..."

He laughs, "I guess we are two pees in a pod huh?"

"I guess so," I laugh. "Well if you really want to pick the rest of these locks, let me at least get you a shirt and a blanket."

I stand from the ground a turn toward the pack house. I take a step toward the path when a hand connects with my wrist. In the next moment, I am pulled toward the ground again and roughly land on something soft.

"Oof." I grunt as I fall.

"It's okay, you can keep me warm as a way to apologize." Greyson says in a deep voice. Hot breath scrapes my ear.

I open my eyes to find myself being cradled in Greyson's lap. My cheeks flame up. Holy crap, I can't believe this is happening.

My heart pounds roughly in my chest as butterflies tear through my stomach. Is this feeling normal? I can't tell if I like it or hate it?

I look down, hiding my face from his, "As an apology? Weren't you the one trying to make things up to me after your harsh comment?"

He laughs. I can feel it rumble deep in his chest since I'm being hugged tightly to his body.

"Yes, but didn't you say that you were thinking of a way to apologize to me? So thank you Lucia, your apology is accepted."

Is it bad that I feel like I'm in heaven right now? I don't know if he is doing this as a joke, but I'm enjoying every second. His presence makes me feel at ease yet at the same time so nervous and excited. I find myself sinking closer and closer to his body.

Greyson reaches his hand up to my chin. He raises it, causing me to gaze into his darkened emerald eyes. Something about him and this moment just seems so perfect. I'm at a complete loss for words.

"And this is my apology to you."

He gently pulls my chin closer as he leans toward me. His lips approaching mine. As they are about to touch, I feel my breath hitch in my throat.

I close my eyes in anticipation, and just like that they collide in synchronized harmony. Sparks fill my body. The kiss quickly turns from passionate to heated in a matter of seconds. His tongues gently running against my lower lip, teasing me.

I moan slightly as his hands grab my hips. With ease he picks me up, laying me on my back against the grass. Our kiss was only broken for a second before we quickly return to each other, like magnets.

A need to touch him washes over me. I reach my hands up and run my fingers along his chest. Trailing them down and over his abs, he growls gently.

He quickly deepens the kiss, finally mixing his tongue with my own. I happily welcome him, allowing him to explore every inch of my mouth.

My heart never fails to slow as his right hand slowly trails up my side and under my shirt. His touch tickles a bit, but in a way that feels so good that I crave more. He makes his way to my bra, trailing the skin right beneath the wire with his finger. A moan escapes my lips as a sensation of want fills my body.

He slows the kiss, trailing his hand back down my shirt and over my stomach. I take in as much as I can, knowing the moment is almost over.

His hand fixes my shirt, pulling down to cover my stomach. He stops the kiss, peering into my eyes with his beautiful green ones.

"Well that, was a great apology." I manage to let out through ragged breaths.

He laughs, "Well I don't mean to flatter myself, but yeah, it was pretty awesome."

I grin but gently smack him on the chest. "Cocky bastard." I say, making us both laugh.

He pushes up from the ground and I follow suit. We are still very close, but not touching anymore. I can't say that I'm not disappointed.

"So are you actually going to sit out here and finish the locks tonight?" I ask him gently, looking over at the chained up box.

He snorts, "No way, you got your apology, don't go getting greedy on me."

I laugh, "I never wanted you to stay out here in their first place!"

He smirks this hot, know-it-all smirk, and reaches out to ruffle my hair, "I know shorty. Let's head inside now. It really is starting to get cold."

He stands, offering me a hand that I gladly accept. He pulls me up and I say, "Too bad you already accepted my apology, now you will freeze until we get inside." I add with a smirk and strut toward the path.

"Oh no I won't" Greyson swiftly scoops me up and cradles me princess style against his chest and I feel my cheeks flare up again.

"Greyson! No fair, put me down!"

He laughs, "No way. This is my apology from you. You're my personal heater whenever I get cold."

I roll my eyes, "I didnt realize that my apology was a forever kind of thing."

He laughs, "Don't worry shorty, my apology is too."