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Her gaze hit the floor. “I’m scared, Grif.”
He approached her slowly and lifted her chin with his hand. She didn’t back away. “I know. I sense it all the time. I was trying to take this slow. Let you tell me in your own time what’s wrong. I’m having a hard time doing that now.”
“How did you know?”
His hand lowered to his side. “As Juliet said, classic signs. She would know as her ex-husband is currently sitting in prison for beating her.”
Eve flinched, her eyes widening in surprise.
“She didn’t tell me or Bryce for a long time. I couldn’t be mad at her because I was more mad at myself for not seeing it. But as soon as I knew, I made sure that bastard never hurt her again. I will do the same for you.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
He frowned. “Why the hell not?”
She bit her bottom lip. “You’ll hate me for some of the things I had to do. For…for some of the lies I had to tell. I think it’s best I leave. For everyone.”
“Why don’t you tell me those things and I make my own decision on how I feel about it.”
Because Griffin didn’t think he’d hate her for any reason, no matter what lies she might’ve told.
“I can’t.”
“No, Eve, you won’t. There’s a difference.”
“See, you are mad at me. You do hate me.”
He groaned in frustration, shaking his head. This woman could drive him insane with the least provocation. She had no idea the ache she filled him with every day. Every night.
He framed her face and pressed his lips to hers before he could change his mind and she could protest. He waited a moment for her to push him away and break the touch, and when she didn’t, he deepened the pressure.
She leaned into him, opening her mouth. He didn’t delay in the small victory, in the acceptance she bestowed upon him.
His tongue dipped in, coaxing her to play, to enjoy the kiss with everything she had. Her low moan was all he needed to know that she wanted this. Wanted him.
His hands moved from her cheeks to her backside, crushing her to his chest. Her hands wound around him, holding on. The way she clung to him, her hands gripping the back of his shirt ignited the fire even more inside of him. The kiss turned hotter, his tongue now dueling instead of playing. She matched him twist for twist of the lips.
His fingers slid down her back, cupping her ass. Another moan slipped from her lips, encouraging him to keep going. He picked her up, groaning in approval when her legs attached around his waist. He walked until his legs hit the mattress. Then he lowered her to the bed, pinning her down but not crushing her.
The kiss slowed, then ended, his lips trailing across her chin to her neck where he took tiny nibbles.
He was hard as a rock and his cock nestled perfectly in the right place. The only problem was the clothes acting as a barrier and the things left unsaid. They should talk more before anything else happened.
He lifted his head, meeting her dazed eyes. “Does that feel like a man who hates you? Or is mad at you? The only thing I feel is torture of not having you. Of wanting you day after day knowing I need to take it slow. I know you’ve lied to me. I know you have secrets you’re not ready to share. And I’m telling you right now that I will wait for you to confess them in your own time.”
“That scares me too, Grif. How much I want you in return.”
He brushed a lock of hair away from her cheek. “Promise me one thing, Eve. Only one thing.”
He waited for her to acknowledge his plea. She gave a tight nod.
“You’ll tell me you’re leaving. Don’t run from me. I need to know if you want to leave.”
She inhaled a deep breath and let it out in slow increments. “I promise.”
“How about those steaks then?”
“I’ll make the salad.”
