Page 12 of How He Got the Girl
My hands slide up to his chest, and his heartbeat pulses beneath my palm. The rapid rhythm matches my own.
If I told my friends that I was kissing a man I just met, they wouldn’t believe me. I don’t do this kind of thing. I’m slow to trust and quick to provide reasons why someone isn’t right for me.
It may sound crazy, because I don’t even know this man’s last name, but I think I know more about him than any guy I’ve ever dated. So, it doesn’t technically feel like I’m kissingsomeone I just met. But itdoesfeel like I’m kissing someone I’d love to spend a lot more time with. It’s an unusual but good feeling. There’s a comfort there that I only have with my family and closest friends.
A small gasp escapes my lips as he deepens the kiss. My fingers clutch the collar of his jacket, and he tugs at my waist, pulling our bodies flush together.
Someone across the street lets out a wolf whistle, and Griffin groans as he reluctantly pulls back. I giggle and press my forehead against his chest to hide my blush, feeling like a teen being caught making out under the bleachers at a high school football game.
“I love the sound of your laugh.” He gently tilts my chin up until my eyes meet his.
We stare at each other for a moment. I can’t get over how beautiful his eyes are with the snow falling around us. They’re like a bright blue sky that brings you immediate joy after days of thunderstorms. I’m usually a cloudy-skies girl, but his eyes may have me changing my tune.
Griffin smiles down at me. It looks genuine and unforced, like he couldn’t hide it if he tried. “Hi.”
The whispered word makes me giggle again. I’m not a giggly girl either. Giggles and being a realist don’t typically go together, but around him, I guess that’s what I’m reduced to.
My stomach growls again, and it’s his turn to laugh. “Let’s get you fed, beautiful.”
He holds my hand as we walk the rest of the way to his car and then opens the passenger door for me.
“What a gentleman.” I smile up at him.
“I’ll be sure to tell my mom and Granny they raised me right.”
Once Griffin gets in the driver’s seat, I say, “All the women of the world thank them.”
He places his hand on the back of my seat to back out, but pauses to shoot me a playful grin. “I only needonewoman to know how much of a gentleman I am.”
I suck in a sharp breath. “Is that so?”
Griffin leans over and kisses me softly on the cheek, his scruff tickling my face again, as he puts the car in reverse. “Mm-hmm.”
The low rumble of his voice sends a shiver racing from my head to my toes.
“Cold?”
I nod, unwilling to reveal thathe’sthe reason for my shivering. Mr. Hottie certainly doesn’t need the ego boost.
He turns the heat up and drives out of the parking lot, carefully maneuvering onto the main road coated in a dusting of snow.
I wrap my arms around my middle while my thoughts run rampant, trying to process everything that’s happened in the past day. It’s felt like a whirlwind, but I think it’s one I don’t want to forget.
Griffin nudges my arm with his elbow, pulling me from my thoughts. “What are you thinking in that beautiful mind of yours?”
The truth slips out before I can think twice about it. “I never kiss on a first date, let alone someone I just met.”
“Neither do I.” He laughs. “Well, I guess, except for now.” I glance over at him and watch as his grip turns white-knuckled on the steering wheel. His voice is softer as he asks, “Do you regret it?”
I take a second to think it over. “No, I don’t.”
“Good. Me neither.” He smiles. “It doesn’t feel like we’ve only known each other for a day, does it?”
“Not at all.”
Griffin surprises me by taking my hand again. He pulls it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my skin. “Thanks for letting me make up for my massive flub yesterday.”
“I’d gladly let you do it again if it means I get an endless supply of those snickerdoodle hot chocolates.”
