Page 63 of Small Town Frenzy
He says, “I want to show you around inside.”
Holding my hand like it’s the only hope of keeping me from floating away, which he might be right about if swoons come in the form of helium, he opens the back door for me. I step inside, unable to hold my mouth closed. “Griffin.” It’s all I can manage as I look around the house.
I expected old-fashioned and dated, dusty, and doilies for some reason. I suppose because Mr. Riggins was older. That’s not what this is. A lamp in the corner illuminates the living room in a golden hue, bouncing the light off brightwhite walls and delicate sheers on the windows. The furnishings are simple in a structured design, beige with blue pillows, and yellows to highlight the contrast. The blanket tossed over the arm of the couch even appears to be modern in design.
He says, “I haven’t touched the other rooms, but I really think I can turn this place around. My brother said he’ll help.” I turn back to look because I’m not sure I’ve heard this kind of excitement from him before. “He’s just finished renovating his home a few miles up the road from here. That one was in terrible disrepair?—”
“This home isn’t.”
“No, this home is structurally sound and has solid bones to work with. Mr. Riggins was a home builder back in his day. He had things that homes of his time didn’t have, like the pot filler in the kitchen. His wife was Italian and loves to cook.” He crosses the room and pats the side of a wall that divides the space from the kitchen. “This isn’t load bearing, so we can open it up like at your place if that’s your preferred style.”
I sit in a leather chair, keeping myself perched on the edge of the cushion. I watch Griffin disappear into the kitchen. There’s a light, but it’s not bright enough to be the overhead. He says, “There’s a banquette. I’ve always liked banquettes.” Returning to the living room, he sits on the couch. “I can see a family gathered around the table puzzling together.”
“Puzzling?” That’s different. “Not playing games?”
“Sure, we can play games, but it would be fun to puzzle together, too.” When he jumps from using the word “family” and “we” when this all started with designing it inmyfavorite style, I’m inclined to ask, “Who are you remodeling this house for?”
“I . . .” Pausing his words, he sits forward, turning his gaze to the coffee table in front of him. My heart starts to beat out of my chest waiting for him to reply. For such a large man, his frame is bent forward, the excitement he just had lost to stormy clouds in his usually clear blue eyes. When he stands, he scratches the back of his neck, clearly choosing his next words carefully. He finally looks over at me and says, “I thought it would be easier for Jacob to be in a home like his own.”
“Oh . . . um.” I blink several times in hopes of keeping humiliation from burrowing under my skin. “Sorry. Of course.” I wave my hand for no reason other than those nerves I thought I didn’t have are now running rampant through my veins. “Jacob will love it.”
I pop to my feet and drag my sweating palms down the front of my jeans, hoping he just thinks I’m straightening the wrinkles out. They’re denim, so it’s highly unlikely he’ll fall for that excuse.Why is my heart a little broken?The more we say, the worse I feel. I walk toward the door, thinking it’s best if I just remove myself from the situation. “I’m going to get some fresh air.”
“Are you okay?”
I look back with one foot on the porch. “I’m fine.”
Outside, I turn to see the daybed, made pretty for me. That’s something I can hold on to, something just for me. For tonight, at least.Why am I upset?Is it really embarrassment over a simple mistake?
Warm hands cover my shoulders from behind, and then he rubs. “You have a really nice home.”
I nod, choking on my gluttony of wanting more . . .more with him. “It is. It’s really nice.”
His breath coats my neck before he plants a kiss on the side of it. He comes around and sits on the bed in front ofme. “Then what’s going on?” Taking both my hands in his, he says, “Talk to me, Little Chirp.”
“I got caught up, that’s all. It’s fine. You don’t need to worry. I think it’s great that you’re doing all this for Jacob. He’ll need a place to sleep when he’s with you.” A pang shoots through my chest. I grab at my shirt as if that will relieve it, but it still clenches inside me.
Griffin pulls me closer to lean against the inside of his legs. “You’re always welcome here, babe. Not only when Jacob is here. My door is always open to you.”
Finding comfort in his words, I arch into him and loop my arms around his neck. “You’re quite the charmer when you want to be.”
“Shh. Don’t let my secret out.” His arms fall around my lower back before his hands slide down to grab a good handful of my ass. That doesn’t even make him less charming. It just spurs me on to want more with him on this daybed.
“If it matters, I think your secret is already out.” I pull my grin to the side to keep it from growing.And fail miserably.
Squeezing my backside, he says, “It only matters whatyouthink.”
“And there you go again, making me fall for your smooth lines and stupidly handsome face.” I kiss him because when I’m honest with myself, I know that’s why I wanted to meet up. Does that make me weak to him? I don’t think I care anymore. Life just feels good with him, and I want to enjoy it.
But he pulls back, looking me in the eyes, and says, “You think I’m stupidly handsome?” His brows waggle once, but it’s that roguish grin that’s driving me wild.
“Devilishly good-looking.”
Sliding his hands higher, he drags the hem of my shirt with them. “Go on.”
I roll my eyes and chuckle. My chest feels less constrained, and my feelings are not hurt anymore. “Deliciously doable.”
“Deliciously doable?” He chuckles. “That’s a new one, but I approve. Give me more.”
