Page 131 of Rough and Rugged

Monday morning dawns, and I grip the brown handle of her luggage and swing it into the back of my truck with a thunk. “How did you travel with this stuff on the way up?” I ask, looking at the large painted canvases she put into protective cloth covers.

“I had to request an SUV.” She shrugs. “It’s a little extra, but it’s worth it.”

I don’t like the idea of her having to spend more money just to come up here. “Next time I’ll just come get you,” I say without thinking.

A smile graces her lips as she pulls the zipper on the canvas bag and sets it against the truck. Her steps toward me are quick and excited. “Next time?” She throws her arms over my shoulders, showing off her perfectly white teeth.

We talked about this yesterday; this isn’t the last we will see of each other. We are going to keep things casual for a bit but attempt a long-distance thing. I’ll drive down to Milwaukee, and she will travel back up to me.

We will see how it’ll go.

“Planning for next time already?”

Her words have me fighting a smirk at the corner of my mouth as I grip her waist. “Maybe.”

“You miss me already?” A glint in her eye tells me she’s enjoying this a little too much.

But it doesn’t annoy me like it would if anyone else did it. Instead, I lean down and press a quick kiss to her soft lips. “I’m definitely going to miss you.” My palm slaps down against her jeans covered ass, and she yelps in response before leaning into me.

Her lips move against mine as she speaks. “Casual.”

“Casual,” I echo.

My thumb runs across the small of her back, the exposed skin warm beneath my touch, but the glint in her eye dims with what I assume is disappointment. I understand how she feels. But we’ve only known each other for a weekend, so it would be insanity to consider anything else.

Right?

Her hazel eyes gleam with consideration as she bites the inside of her bottom lip, contemplating the words before they come out of her mouth.

“Spit it out,” I say through a chuckle.

“Casual or not, this weekend has been amazing.”

I nod, agreeing with her. “It has been.”

“I’ve never felt this way with anyone else so quickly.” The corner of her mouth curves into a smile, and my heart feels like it’s ready to lift right out of my chest. “I’m yours, Griffin. This is going to work out, I can feel it.”

I smirk, the certainty in her voice filling with pride and something else that I can’t seem to put into words. If this were anyone else, in any other situation, I’d tell her she was being ridiculous. I don’t believe in fortune tellers or magic, but being with Nora the last few days… I feelsomething,and whatever it is, it’s powerful and consuming.

Normally, it’s an emotion I’d push away. Yet I find myself holding on to it for dear life. My gaze bounces between hers. “Me too,” I say before leaning down to press my lips against hers. The smell of honey and almonds fills me, and I commit it to memory, something to last me until we see each other again. Her hand presses against the side of my face, a smile blooming on her face. “I’ve never been more grateful for a visitor on Lake Bluff.”

THE END

About The Author

Hi!I’mMeagan.Iwrite beautiful, steamy romances.

I live in Wisconsin with my beautiful children and wonderful husband! I am a debut author with one published piece of work, and many more waiting to be sent out into the world. Check out my social media for regular content.

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