Page 47 of Small Town Frenzy
Griffin
Cricket Dover is unequivocallythe most captivating woman I’ve ever met.
Her laughter is music, her body a map I want to travel every inch. Those green eyes are electric when she’s happy and softer when she’s deep in thought. That smile, though . . . it had my attention the first time I ever saw it. It made my heart ache to leave her behind when I walked out of that hotel room, and seeing it now shining for me,because of me, I’m already too deeply invested in this woman.
I don’t have the strength or desire to take my eyes off her. Me and half of Whiskey’s. She’s owned this bar since the moment she walked in. She didn’t notice how everyone stopped to look at her, how conversations altered to the topic of her entrance, or the way men were about to line up to talk to her. Did I stake a claim?Fuck yeah, I did.
The way she can’t keep her hands off me, she’s done some staking herself tonight. I even caught her giving a nasty glare to Maple Thornton, who works down at the feedstore.The crime?Maple had the nerve to look at me. Granted, it was a certain way that gave her intentions a specific direction, but no one stands a chance with me when I’m standing next to the prettiest woman in two counties. I can easily say two countries. And since I’ve traveled so much of the world, I can confidently back that claim as well.
With her arms around my neck, she sways to the right and then the left with her eyes closing as she takes in the music. It doesn’t matter that it’s a line dance. Cricket is happy just slow dancing with me without a care for what’s happening around us. She’s not alone. I don’t even like dancing, but I like doing it with her. She spins away, raising her arms in the air. I swear the world just shifted beneath my feet as I watch her skirt twirl away from her legs. The long strands of her hair are sent flying around her shoulders, but it’s the lights reflecting in her eyes that have me wanting to make sure that light never leaves them, not when she’s this carefree and happy.
Fuck, I’m sunk.
Not sure when it happened because I was blindsided, but I’m in way deeper with her than I realized.
She does a quick toe-tap dance step and rushes back to me. Falling against my chest, she grabs my shirt, laughing like nothing can dampen her mood. “Let’s get a beer,” she says, looking up at me like this just might be the best idea she’s ever had. Just as she pulls away, I capture her around the waist, bringing her against me, her back to my front, my lips to her neck as a slew of giggles escapes her. “Why do I get the feeling you’re craving something else, Greene?”
My hat falls off, but I don’t care, I’m exactly where I want to be—with my lips pressed to her skin. I move higher just behind her ear to steal one last kiss before whispering, “I’vebeen thinking about you more than would be considered healthy . . . or legal.”
Her laughter quiets, and she leans into me. Taking a breath, she bends to pick up my hat and turns around. Setting it on my head, she gives it a little tug into place, then admires her work, or maybe it’s me that puts those stars in her eyes. A guy can hope. Arching into me, she says, “I don’t know what you did with that guy I met earlier in the week, but I really like this one.”
Wrapping my arms tight around her waist, I lean over her, ready to kiss those tempting lips once again, but tease by replying, “Same guy. You just get the real version now.”
Her hands brush against my cheeks, and her smile ascends into place. “The real version is dangerous to my heart, Griffin Greene.”
“Don’t worry, Cricket Dover. I won’t hurt you.” I kiss her as a promise to both of us.
This time, she leans back, and says, “I think I need water.”
“Come on.” I take her hand and lead her to the bar to order two cups of water. Cricket promptly takes one and starts sipping. Guess she’s feeling the heat as much as I am. I’m left wondering if it’s this overcrowded bar or the chemistry between us. Though I already know the answer, it’s fun to pretend that she isn’t the best thing to happen to me since the last time I spent with her.
This vibe in Whiskey’s is going strong. The music is getting louder, and the hustle over on the pool tables involves throwing in more money in the late hours if you want to play. But I’m only into the woman at my side and wouldn’t mind being alone with her again. Lifting my hat to cool off, I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand, and ask, “Do you want to get out of here?”
She stands straighter as if an opportunity has just presented itself. “Where do you want to go?” Knowing she’s up for anything with me feeds a part of me that has been starving for so long. I just didn’t know how much I was missing until she brought it to light.
“Anywhere with you.” Setting my hat on my head, I take another drink of water.
A smile tickles her lips as she glances down at my chest. Fidgeting with a snap on my shirt, she peers back up at me, and says, “Anywhere, cowboy? You sure about taking that risk? I’m a Dover, after all. The D stands for dangerous.”
She holds a straight face long enough for me to second-guess that she might not be joking. When a laugh bursts free, she pokes my chest. “You looked worried.”
“Not worried. I was thinking it was dessert.”
“Oh,” she starts, her brows wriggling into concern. “Are you hungry?”
Should I tell her?Nah.Showing her is best.
Taking hold of her hand, I bring it to my mouth and kiss her fingers. Turning it over, I place another kiss on her palm and then lower on her wrist, letting my lips linger in hopes of feeling her heartbeat. “Risk doesn’t scare me, especially not if you’re involved.” I chuckle, though. “The legendary feud between our families will either end or continue with us. Which will it be?”
“There’s only one way to find out.” She lifts on her toes and kisses me as if she’s stealing from a candy shop, and when she lowers, the grin on her face shows me she got away with it. She takes a drink of her water and then another. When she drags the tip of her tongue over her lip, she’s got my full attention, as if she didn’t have it already. She did.Wholly. Appallingly consuming every minute she gives me. Why the fixation? The fascination? Why her?
She’s unfinished business from years prior, the one time I made a mistake in my personal life, and the second chance I’ve been given. I’m not fucking it up this time. She was worth the wait, better than I imagined. Vibrant and drop-dead gorgeous. Funny with her quirks and full of secrets I want to uncover. Got a hot little temper and a side of vinegar to her snapbacks. I like that she holds her own and find her whip-smart wit so fucking sexy.
Cricket Dover is the full package.
Not that I could have known what I do now, but I was stupid for letting her slip away in the first place. I knew it then, and now I regret leaving her behind.
She grins with a tilt of her head and bats her eyelashes. “Should we get out of here?” Gotta love how she takes ownership of the idea. I don’t mind letting her take credit.She’s hot as fuck.That also gives her a lot of leeway in my book. “I need to let Savvy know. Be right back.”
