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“Sure,” my voice is breezy even though I’m worried he’s done talking to me and wants to find an out.
As we stand and he leads me over to the bar, the hand he places on my lower back feels like a brand against my skin. I shouldn’t read too much into it, but it’s difficult not to. I want to believe it could mean something…or everything.
There are a lot of people around the bar and people start recognizing me instantly while giving sidelong looks at Griffin. I smile up at him, hoping he won’t leave my side. There’s something about him that makes me feel stronger and, as if in response, he puts a little more pressure on where he’s touching my back. It’s reassuring and grounding which is just what I need.
Sharon is there along with a man I assume is her husband. There are other people who were on the student council as well as some former football players. I talk politely with them, but I don’t give any of them as much information about myself as I already have given Griffin. He might not have judged me, but they will.
The only time Griffin steps away from me is to grab another beer for himself and another drink for me. I almost melt into a puddle when he leans down, his lips brushing the shell of my ear as he whispers, “I’ll grab you that drink, Starshine, and be right back.”
I believe him too and he doesn’t disappoint, appearing back at my side moments later. People start asking him questions about what he’s doing with himself, which he answers honestly and without being boastful. He could brag about his accomplishments left and right just like most of the people around us are, but there’s something sexier about him being confident in himself and not needing to use his deeds to impress anyone.
When the night starts to wind down, my heart sinks. I don’t want to leave him. I want more time.
I can’t remember the last time I wanted more time around a man, and I have no idea what to do about it.
Griffin, being the gentleman he is, doesn’t leave room for argument when he tells me, “I’ll walk you out to your car, Sienna.”
The glint in his eyes tells me there’s no use in trying to argue with him. All I can do is nod, not wanting to end this any sooner than I have to. He wants to walk me out? It means I get a few more minutes.
I was dreading coming tonight and as I say goodbye to a few people, I know it would have been awful if I hadn’t found Griffin as early as I did or if he had left me to the wolves. I’m grateful. But there’s something deeper I’m feeling as well.
Every step has my chest feeling a little hollower. It’s a loneliness I’ve been able to ignore over the last 12 years because I was focused on Callie. Even when she went to school and didn’t need my undivided attention, she still needed me more than I needed to find something or someone to fill that loneliness. I never wanted her to feel like she wasn’t enough.
I point out my SUV and notice how my hand is shaking. Griffin doesn’t comment, but he must see because he grabs that same hand and gives it a squeeze. It’s only when we’re standing next to my vehicle that I get the courage to look up at the man who has made this night bearable. No, he’s made it exceptional and far better than bearable.
“Thank you for hanging out with me tonight,” I force the words past my lips.
Griffin huffs out a breath, his dark gaze gaining intensity as he looks down at me. My mind races with the desire growing in me to pull him down and kiss him until we forget everything but each other. I don’t get the chance though.
Because my mind blanks when he wraps his hand around the nape of my neck again. It’s warm and comforting, but it only makes me want him more. The next thing I know, his lips are pressing against mine and we both make noises of contentment in the back of our throats.
The idea that he wanted to kiss me just as much as I wanted to kiss him settles in me and makes me feel brave. I wrap my arms around his shoulders, my fingers playing with the short hair on the back of his head, not caring even a little bit who is seeing us like this.
Why does kissing him feel like coming home?
When he nips at my bottom lip, I gasp and his tongue is there, exploring my mouth and making my knees go weak. His strong arms keep me in place—plastered against his firm chest as tingles spread through my body. They tell me that this man is more than I could hope for but is still right here with me.
It’s almost too good to be true.
When he slows the kiss down and pulls back from my lips, I groan in annoyance. Griffin’s dark eyes sparkle under the moonlight shining down on us as we stand in the parking lot of our high school, a place which changed both of us and never knew the people we would become.
He presses his forehead against mine and takes a deep breath. “I want to see you again,” he rasps. “Can I take you out on a date? It can be just us; I can plan for that. Or it can include you and Callie, I can plan for that too.”
I blink up at the man in front of me as he tugs free a piece of my heart and soul, capturing it as his own.
“I’d like that,” I whisper, afraid to talk too loudly and ruin the gentle peace existing around us, one I haven’t felt in so damn long.
After exchanging numbers, he opens the door for me and then buckles me in once I’m inside. The chaste kiss he gives me has me wanting more, but he pulls back. It won’t be the last time I see him which is what I hold onto as I head home.
After so many years alone while wondering about my path in life, I think I’m finally right where I’m supposed to be.
CHAPTER 4
GRIFFIN
While walking up to the townhouse where Sienna lives, a peace settles over me. I’ve been nervous to see her again all day. It was so bad that the guys in my crew were giving me shit most of the day, not that I would expect anything less from those asshats. Now though, when my heart should be pounding in my chest from nerves, all my worries seem to melt away into excitement.
I knock and I can’t wait for her to open the door. I desperately want to see her. I can’t even put it into words how much I’ve been looking forward to this.
