CHAPTER SIX
Feeling out of sorts, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I’d tried wandering down to the kitchen to hang out with Chef Depardieu but on my way there I became aware of club staff looking at me strangely. When I got to the kitchen Chef was polite but distant and I realized why.
Word had filtered down to the staff about who I really was. It hadn’t affected me yet because Xavier and Wells were true professionals and their congenial behavior toward me hadn’t changed. But now I sensed the staff were uncomfortable around me, probably unsure how to act with me now that they knew I’d been deceiving everyone for weeks. I left quickly. The truth was I wanted to cry. I already felt so alone and now the only people in the club who used to talk to me didn’t want to anymore.
Needing distraction, I floundered. I didn’t feel like finishing the book I’d been working on now that the truth had been revealed. Deep down I guess I thought it was pretty noble of me to put my life on hold to help my sister. What a fool! There was nothing noble about any of this. It was a reality built on lies and deception.
If not for my sister I’d never have met Griffin Mandeville and my emotions would not be in turmoil.
I was still reeling from yesterday and had decided to put visiting Angela at the library about my old job on hold until the next day so that option was out as a current distraction. Thinking perhaps a book might help, I could find nothing in my ereader library that I felt like diving into. Then I remembered the club library. Deciding to see if there was anything to read in there I’d just ventured out of the elevator onto the ground floor when Amelia Danvers swept inside The Patrician on a pair of high-heeled court shoes and a cloud of designer perfume.
Her eyes lit up when she saw me while my heart started to beat a little faster, wondering what she was doing here.
“Scarlett!” She called out, striding toward me. My cheeks colored at her use of my real name. Whatever she saw in my expression made her wave her hand dismissively. “Oh Griff told Quentin everything and then Quentin told me. And I knew I just had to come over here and make sure you’re alright.”
Surprised by her kind and forgiving attitude, I’d barely opened my mouth to thank her when she continued, “Grab your purse, I’m taking you to lunch. You need girl time.”
My stomach flipped at the idea of telling her new lies. “Well—”
“No excuses.” Her lovely eyes flitted over my shoulder and she smiled. “Griff, there you are!”
I glanced over my shoulder and sure enough my fake fiancé was coming down the stairs. When he reached us he greeted Amelia with a kiss on her cheek. “What brings you here, Amelia?”
“Your lovely wife-to-be. I’m taking her to lunch.”
“Good. She needs a break.”
“I do?”
He gave me a pointed look that reminded me of yesterday and what my sister had done to me. “Yes, you do. Go.”
“Then I guess I’ll just grab my purse.”
“I need to see Chef about something.” He leaned in and brushed his mouth against mine, leaving my lips tingling in want for more. “Enjoy yourself.”
“I will,” I practically whispered.
He gave me a smug half-smile like he knew what his mouth on mine did to me. I just refrained from scowling at him.
“Amelia.” He nodded to her and strode off toward the kitchen.
“If I wasn’t completely and utterly in love with my husband, I think I’d be infatuated with yours.” Amelia turned from watching Griff depart and grinned. “Not that he would notice me. Or any woman when you’re in the room.”
That wasn’t quite true but, of course, I wasn’t going to tell Amelia that.
***
Amelia drove us in her dark red Audi convertible to a place near the harbor called Menton. Even I had heard of Menton—a fine dining restaurant with an amazing reputation for French-Italian cuisine. Apparently, Amelia was friends with the chef and was able to get a table whenever she called.
“I can’t believe you’ve never dined here,” Amelia commented as we were seated in the modern restaurant with its naked plaster walls, oak tables and white geometric drop chandeliers. “I recommend the roasted sirloin. Divine.”
So that’s what I ordered even though I wasn’t sure I’d be able to eat anything considering the way my belly fluttered continuously with butterflies.
Finally, unable to bear the suspense of our coming discussion any longer, I enquired, “So Griff told Quentin about my real background?”
“Yes. That man overthinks everything, no? But why the name change? Quentin said it was so it would make you harder to find if anyone did real digging but,” she shrugged, “It’s so much to put you through.”
“I’m fine. Really. Griff was just trying to avoid scandal.”
Amelia eyed me and I swear I saw suspicion in her expression. But just like that it was gone. “Scarlett, you couldn’t have been fine. You must have been on pins and needles anytime that man took you anywhere. I know he was trying to avoid a scandal but now he’s merely created one.”
“Do you think it’ll be that bad?”
“Honestly?”
Yes, as much as it might hurt, I wanted the truth. Always. “Yes.”
“If he had just let you be and introduced you as who you are, Scarlett Jennings: Librarian, people would have barely cared. Yes, there would have been the jealous few who live in the dark ages who think he should marry someone from a well-to-do background… but they would have gotten over it. Now he’s made it look like even he’s ashamed of your background.”
“He’s not,” I defended him. “He just wanted to make life easier for me and as soon as he realized he wasn’t, he tried to fix it.”
She sighed. “Yes, but what he should have remembered is that people are quite afraid of him. He knows the financial backgrounds of everyone who matters in east coast society. Some are even in debt to his hazard bank. And let’s face it, most people find him intimidating. He could have said he was marrying a sheep farmer from Wales and no one would have blinked an eyelid.”
Wanting to change the subject so I wouldn’t have to keep lying I tilted my head and studied my new friend’s pretty face. She looked like she’d topple over with a mere push, verbal or physical, but I suspected Amelia’s spine was made of steel. “You’re not intimidated by Griff, however, are you?”
She grinned. “Are you?”
“Sometimes. Not that I’ll ever let him know that.”
Amelia chuckled. “Good for you. That’s why he’s with you, you know. You’re not afraid of him and you’re not impressed by his money. Anyone with eyes can see you want Griffin Mandeville for reasons other than the size of his pocketbook. You fascinate me, Scarlett, because although I joked about it earlier, I know that Griff can’t be the easiest man to love.”
I smiled. “He is very mercurial.”
“Mercurial indeed. The man is a cave of hidden depths. I think only Quentin and you must really know him, and I’ve tried to get Quentin to tell me something real about Griff but he won’t share…”
Realizing Amelia was trying to unearth secrets she thought I knew I gave her a mock-chastising look. “Would you share Quentin’s deepest thoughts and feelings?”
“No, I absolutely would not.” She smiled. “I do like you, Scarlett. And that names suits you so much better than Melanie.” She turned contemplative. “I know I can be a little pretentious sometimes —it can’t be helped because I grew up privileged and I won’t apologize for that. But I really do appreciate people who understand what truly matters in life. Love and loyalty.”
“I know that, Amelia. You wouldn’t be with Quentin otherwise.”
“No, I wouldn’t. My father was very against it, you know. Quentin and I. Quentin’s father was a miner in the Appalachian mountains and his mother died in childbirth. He lived a hard life and had a difficult childhood. They were practically starving during bad winters. Quentin was very malnourished as a child. Eventually Quentin’s aunt offered to take Quentin in. He moved to Mattapan. Life wasn’t easy there but he had the opportunity to work hard at school for a scholarship. He made a success of his life but he’s never forgotten where he came from. I admire that about him more than I can say. I adore him.” She laughed softly. “It’s awful really. I never wanted my heart to be so dependent upon another but I’m afraid I was rather helpless against him.”
“Did you fight it? Loving Quentin?” I didn’t want to delve too deeply into why I asked that question.
“I tried. It was pointless.” She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not thinking of fighting your feelings for Griffin?”
Every. Damn. Day.
“I tried.” I shrugged, hoping my smile wasn’t as weak as it felt. “It was pointless.”
“Well, what a fine pickle we’re both in.” Amelia reached across the table to place her hand over my left one. “The reason I wanted to bring you to lunch was to reassure you that I am here to help you weather this storm. There will be some talk but I assure you another scandal will blow through society soon enough and you and Griff will be old news. But while the waters are a little rough, I’m here by your side to help you navigate them.”
An ache flared in my chest as I covered her hand with my right, feeling more gratitude than I could express. And more guilt. Never, not in my life, had I ever had a girlfriend like Amelia Danvers and it caused me anguish that I was forced to lie to her.
***
It was strange stepping into the South Boston branch of the Public Library. Rather than months it felt like years had passed and I think it had a lot to do with who I was then and who I’d become in just a few short months.
Back then I’d held onto the idea of me and my sister being a family. I’d loved her despite her many mistakes and negligent attention. Moreover, I’d been content to be alone, not interested in a relationship or sex.
Now I had no sister, just a hollow ache where my love for her used to be.
Now I wanted one man even though I knew he was all wrong for me and was determined to keep a distance from him.
Now I knew what explosive sex was really like and how frustrating it felt to be without it.
Because of all that, I walked into that library with an empty discontentment in my heart.
I was lonely.
The sight of Angela behind the main desk lightened my mood a little, and I smiled as her eyes grew big at the sight of me.
“Well look what the cat dragged in,” she announced.
Grinning, I leaned my elbows on the counter. “I’ve never really understood that saying.”
“It’s not flattering.” She pursed her lips.
I winced. “You’re still mad.”
“Well that depends.”
“On?”
“Whether or not you’re here to give me a proper explanation.”
“I am.”
We found ourselves quickly locked in Angela’s office. She perched on the desk while I sat in a seat opposite, feeling like I’d just been sent to the principal’s office. “So explain.”
Of course I couldn’t give her the truth about my arrangement with Griff so I had to give her the story we were telling everyone else. Modified.
“So you’re telling me you had to up and leave at the drop of a hat because you’re marrying some rich dude?” She quirked an unimpressed eyebrow.
I frowned. “I was confused. We’d decided to lie about my background because Griff didn’t want there to be a scandal and… I wasn’t thinking clearly, Angela. And I’m so sorry.”
“But now this guy is letting you be you.”
“It wasn’t that he wasn’t letting me. I agreed to the ruse. I soon realized I couldn’t do it and Griff agreed we should just tell the truth and to hell with everyone else.”
“Man oh man.” Angela stood up and started pacing her office. “I will never understand rich people.”
I chuckled. “Me neither.”
“Well, girl, you’re about to become one.”
“True.” Not really. I sat up straight. “I told Griff I wanted to come back to work and he wants me to be happy.”
Angela gave me a half-irritated, half-sorry look. “Scarlett, even if you hadn’t upped and left me in the lurch because of some English lord or whatever, I’ve already replaced you.”
Disappointed flooded me, adding to that ache of loneliness. “Of course. It was probably brazen of me to walk in here. I’m so sorry, Angela.”
My old boss suddenly leaned down and pressed a hand to my shoulder, expression concerned. “Girl, you sure you’re happy?”
Mustering all the enthusiasm I had left in me, I nodded. “Yes. I just miss the library.”
She gave me a squeeze. “I know you’re a good girl, Scarlett. That’s why you leaving like you did shocked the hell out of me.” She straightened. “Look, if a job opens I’ll give you a call.”
“Thank you.” I stood up. “That’s more than I could hope for.”
“And, Scarlett.”
“Yes?”
“I’m here if you ever need to talk.”
Realizing Angela was not so easily fooled, I gave her a tight smile and got the hell out of there before she discovered all my secrets. As I practically ran down the library entrance steps, struggling to breathe through a sudden tightness of panic in my chest, my phone rang. Pulling the cell out of my purse I saw it was Hayley, our wedding planner. Although Griff and I were planning to elope this weekend, I was supposed to be keeping up the pretense of planning a grand society wedding.
“Hayley,” I greeted, trying to force enthusiasm into my tone.
There was a moment of hesitation before she replied, “Scarlett.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. “You’ve heard?”
“Yes. Gossip moves quickly in Boston society.”
“I’ll explain everything at our next meeting.” I was looking forward to that. Not.
“Actually that’s why I’m calling. Kiersten Van De Beer is also my client and, uh, well, she heard that I’m your wedding planner too. I’m afraid she doesn’t like the association and has asked that I remove you from my client list or she will find another wedding planner.”
Shocked, I couldn’t say anything.
Why would someone I had never even heard of do something so petty and childish?
“I can’t lose a Van De Beer’s good opinion, Scarlett. I am sorry… Scarlett?”
Hayley did sound genuinely sorry and I understood the predicament she was in. Her business depended on the upper crust of society. She couldn’t get blacklisted because of me. No matter how ridiculous the situation.
“I understand.”
“I wish you and Mr. Mandeville a lovely wedding.”
“Yes. Thank you.” I hung up, feeling dazed.
What on earth?
I got into the town car Xavier had coerced me into using and immediately dialed Amelia’s number.
“Do you think yellow would be a nice accent in my kitchen?” she asked without preamble.
Thrown, I stuttered, “Y-your kitchen is fine.”
Amelia sighed. “That’s what Quentin said.”
Hoping to cut her off before she launched into something else about interior design, I asked, “Who is Kiersten Van De Beer?”
My friend grew silent.
“Amelia?”
“Whatever you’ve heard, Griff never felt about her the way he feels about you.”
What? WHAT? “Uh… are you telling me they dated?”
“That’s not why you’re calling?”
“No. I’m calling because my wedding planner just fired me. Fired me. And all because some person called Kiersten Van De Beer is also her client and she told Hayley that if she didn’t take me off her client list she’d find another wedding planner.”
“That spiteful bitch!”
I blinked in surprise at the vehemence of Amelia’s reaction. “Is this because she dated Griff?”
“Of course it is. I bet she was just waiting for something like this so she had an excuse to try and blacklist you. Oh she’s awful. Just awful. You have to tell Griff. He needs to put a stop to this before that little cow turns this minor scandal into the biggest one this year.”
My heart thudded as I realized how completely out of my depth I was in this world. “Amelia, I don’t know what’s going on. Who is she?”
“Oh right. I keep forgetting.” She exhaled heavily. “Kiersten is the granddaughter of Charles Van De Beer.”
The name was vaguely familiar but I didn’t know why.
“Charles Van De Beer,” she reiterated. “One of the biggest oil tycoons in this country.”
Oh.
So off the charts rich then. “Great.”
“His son, James, is Kiersten’s father. James is a club member and he likes Griffin a lot. Two years ago Griffin started a relationship with James’ daughter. Griffin was up front with everyone, Kiersten included, that he was a perennial bachelor and he was not looking for anything serious. In saying that, his relationship with Kiersten lasted longer than the others. It must have gotten her hopes up. According to Quentin she told Griff that she loved him. He told her that was impossible because he never let her get to know him. Not really. And he ended things. She accepted it with what we all assumed was quiet dignity especially when James made it clear to Griff that he didn’t want it affecting their friendship. Griff certainly didn’t want that either. At the time I felt sorry for Kiersten. She thought she could make Griff change his mind and when she got her heartbroken all her father cared about was that it didn’t affect his standing at the club. Rumor has it his mistress is also a club member and they make use of those private rooms all the time.”
Ugh. “Nice.”
“Very. But don’t feel sorry for Kiersten. She’s obviously furious that Griff has decided to settle down with someone and being the raging snob she is, horrified that you’re not from money. So she’s gunning for you.”
Feeling sweat gather under my arms at the mere thought of the drama unravelling around me I leaned my head back against the car seat and closed my eyes. I’d lived my life drama-free for a reason. Yes, I’d missed out on the excitement of new friendships and the passionate ups and downs of relationships, but I’d also missed out on the petty jealousies and wicked games people could play.
“Amelia, I can’t handle this. I’m not built for this. I don’t play these kind of horrible games with people.”
“You don’t have to handle this. Tell Griffin. One word to James and he’ll make sure his daughter plays nice.”
“It can’t be that simple.”
She huffed, “Scarlett, Kiersten is marrying a lawyer. He makes what the rest of the country would think is excellent money and he comes from a good family. He does not, however, come from Van De Beer kind of money. They live in a mansion in Brookline, for God’s sakes. Even on his salary they couldn’t afford that. No, they will be living primarily off Kiersten’s incredibly generous allowance. And who handles that allowance? Dear Papa. Everyone knows he’s kept that girl in line because he holds the purse strings. And there’s nothing that scares Kiersten more than the idea of not being fabulously wealthy. She’s the chip off the old block as they say — Grace Van De Beer knows all about her husband’s mistress. But will she leave him? No, because that means losing the Van De Beer name and wealth.”
I sighed. Rich people, indeed. The thought of taking this to Griff made me want to run in the opposite direction from the club. However, I’d have to tell him about Hayley anyway. “Great.”
“Griff never loved her.”
Realizing Amelia thought I was worried about Griff having feelings for Kiersten I shook my head. Having lived with Griff for months I couldn’t imagine him having feelings for any woman. His love was his club and his career. He’d said so himself. “I’m not worried about that.”
“Good. And you know Kiersten has only set herself up for gossip here. Everyone will be talking about how she’s not over Griff.”
“Hayley won’t tell anyone she did this.”
“No, but I will.”
“Amelia, don’t.”
“You’re my friend, Scarlett, and no one tries to harm you or make you sound the way you sound right now. You haven’t lived in this world your whole life and you don’t know how to play the game. Frankly, you don’t need to. But I know how to play and that spiteful little cow is going to rue the day she came after my friend.”
I laughed a little nervously, at once warmed by her loyalty and a little anxious about the entire situation. “I’m glad you’re on my side.”
Amelia laughed. “Now go tell Griff. He’ll take care of everything else.”
By the time we hung up, the driver pulled up to The Patrician. The club was open. As I walked inside there were some members standing talking to each other by the seating area in the grand foyer. They looked over as I strode in. Up until recently they would have smiled, said hello. Now they just watched me curiously before exchanging knowing looks with one another.
Fighting a blush, I gave them a small nod in hello and walked past them to the elevator. Up in the penthouse I knocked on Griff’s office door but got no reply. Growing more agitated by the second, I made my way down to the third floor and knocked on the office he used for meeting with club members.
There was some noise from inside and then Griff opened the door. He frowned at me and stepped outside, shutting the door behind him. “I’m in a meeting. What is it?”
Wondering if he was hiding whoever he was in a meeting with from me, I scowled. “Something’s happened. We need to talk.”
His frown deepened. “Give me a few minutes. I’ll meet you upstairs.”
I nodded but when he opened his office door I took the opportunity to look inside. I got the impression of an older man sitting in the chair opposite Griff’s desk and relief moved through me.
“Scarlett, upstairs.”
I glanced up at Griff and blushed when I realized he’d caught me being nosy.
Nodding, I dashed up the back staircase and waited for him in the sitting room.
Ten minutes later he marched into the room. “I’ve called for tea and coffee.” He loosened his tie and practically threw himself on the armchair adjacent to me. He slanted a look my way. “It’s been a bugger of a day. Is it about to get worse?”
For a moment I could barely talk. This was the most relaxed around me he’d ever acted. “What happened?”
“Aren’t I supposed to be asking you that?” He leaned forward on his elbows and studied me. “Here we’ve been talking about me trusting you all this time and you still don’t trust me. I saw you checking in the office. You thought I had a woman in there.”
I tried not to blush at being caught and failed. “Maybe.”
He sighed and dragged a hand through his hair before settling back against the chair. There was a weariness in his eyes I hadn’t noticed before. “I’m not going to fuck this arrangement up. There will be no other women until the inheritance is mine. I promise.”
The thought of him with another woman was like a knife slash across my chest.
Ignoring the hurt, I said, “Speaking of. Hayley, our wedding planner, called to remove us from her client list this morning. Apparently, Kiersten Van De Beer is also her client and she made it clear that she would find another wedding planner if Hayley didn’t break her association with me.”
Griff stared at me, expressionless.
“I called Amelia and she explained to me who Kiersten is. She thinks this is spitefulness.”
My fiancé shook his head and muttered a curse under his breath. Before he could speak Wells knocked on the door and entered the room with a trolley. It had a coffee pot, a tea pot, and an assortment of sandwiches and cakes on it.
“Thank you, Wells.”
He smiled widely. At least he and Xavier were treating me the same as they always had. “You’re welcome. Sir. Madam.” He nodded. “If you need anything else, I’ll be in the kitchen.”
“Thank you.” Griff dismissed him. As soon as the under butler was gone Griff turned to me. “I can’t believe this of Kiersten.”
Surprised, I reared back. “Why not?”
“Because one of the reasons our relationship lasted as long as it did was because she never acted like a bratty society girl.”
Jealousy pierced me. Had I been mistaken? Did Griff genuinely have feelings for this woman? “Amelia seemed to think differently. And some women hide who they really are to get a man exactly where they want him.”
“Yes, you’d know all about that.”
Hurt, I flinched.
Griff waved his hand impatiently. “I meant because of your sister. Not you.”
“Oh.”
“Christ.” He scrubbed his face. “What else did Amelia say?”
“She said that Kiersten was probably angry that you apparently are capable of settling down and horrified that you chose someone of a lower social status than her to do it with.”
He grimaced. “Right.”
“She said that she’s going to use this opportunity to blacklist me from society and turn this into a bigger scandal that it really is.”
Griff cocked an eyebrow. “That sounds a little extreme for Kiersten.”
Annoyed that he was defending this woman I snapped, “Our wedding planner fired us, Griff, because Kiersten told her to. Now I am not going to spend the next year being the target of a woman you scorned.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw and then he shook his head. “I guess I’m not entirely surprised, really. She was quiet and dignified about the break up in public but she gave me hell in private. At one point I thought she was going to claw my face off.”
“You shouldn’t be surprised at all. Remember. You once told me that people never surprise you.”
He shot me a look and smirked. “You did.”
Feeling pleased about that despite the circumstances I gave a huff of laughter. “I guess I did.”
Griff took a long sip of coffee while I sat waiting on his verdict of the situation. He shot me a look and then lifted a plate of sandwiches off the trolley. “You’ve lost weight. Eat something.”
“I have not.” I frowned taking a sandwich.
“You have.” He studied my face. “Your cheekbones are more prominent.”
I suppose my skirts had felt a little looser lately.
“I haven’t felt very hungry these days.”
Griff continued to study me. “Will you ever come to forgive her, do you think?”
Knowing he was talking about my sister, the sandwich in my mouth turned to ash. I swallowed hard and took a sip of tea to help it go down. My hands trembled as I put the china cup back on the table. “She didn’t come to our parents’ funeral.”
At his silence I looked up at him. He waited for me to continue.
I didn’t know why I brought it up. Maybe I just needed someone to talk to and he was the only person who knew the truth. “I forgave her for that. I told myself that she just couldn’t handle losing them. The same way I told myself she didn’t mean any harm when she pretended to be me and made out with Eric before he and I started dating. The same way I forgave her for nearly killing a woman when she got behind the wheel of a car drunk. And the same way I forgave her for only giving me one day a month out of her life when I’d up and moved to Massachusetts for her.” I leaned toward him. “Tell me, Griffin, should I keep forgiving her for the rest of our lives because she’s my twin and the only family I have left?”
His eyes blazed and it warmed me to realize the angry emotion in them was all on my behalf. “You bloody well do not. You’re worth more than that.”
I fought back tears and nodded. “That’s what I’ve told myself. That I’m better off alone.”
“You’ll make a new family. One day you’ll make a new family who deserves you. For now,” he reached for the plate of sandwiches and held them out to me, “She gets no more of you and that includes pounds. I know some women believe lean is the way to go but you have a beautiful figure, Scarlett. If you don’t want to lose it, I suggest you eat.”
My breath caught at the compliment and the spark of attraction in his gaze. I took another sandwich and tried to kill the tension with a joke. “Not to mention that closet with about thirty thousand dollars’ worth of clothes in it that won’t fit if I don’t.”
He smirked. “That too.”
We were silent a moment and then he sighed. “As for Kiersten, I’m good friends with her father. If my bride-to-be is distressed then of course I’m distressed and James won’t like that. I’ve never particularly liked the way he controls his daughter but she never made an effort to fight for her independence. One word and he’ll put a stop to her vendetta against us.”
“That’s what Amelia said you’d do.”
He finished his coffee and stood up, tightening his tie. It left it askew so I brushed off my fingers and stood up. “Here.” I gestured to him.
He hesitated a second before he stepped toward me.
Ignoring the heat of his body as I moved in close to fix his tie, I teased, “You can’t let everyone downstairs see you looking disordered.”
“No, never that,” he drawled.
Feeling his gaze on my face, I kept my eyes on the tie, realizing what a bad idea it was to touch him. My breathing grew shallow and I felt an almost compulsive urge to slide my hand down his chest and explore him. And then suddenly I was flooded by recent memories together.
“You have the most gorgeous fucking tits I’ve ever seen in my life.”
He sat back on his heels, stroking himself as he stared at me. “Just touch yourself. With your left hand.”
“Melanie!” he groaned and I watched through dazed eyes as a stream of cum shot out of him. His other hand had fallen against the headboard at the same time, rattling it hard against the wall. “Fuck. Fuck.” He dropped both hands against the headboard now, panting hard as he stared downward.
“Tell me you don’t want me,” he demanded.
I couldn’t. “Get off me.”
Instead he dipped his head to kiss me and I banged mine off the wall trying to escape him. “Try it and I’ll bite you.”
His eyes flared and he reached for my lips.
His fingers sought my sex and he grunted, deep and male, as they slipped over my clit. He dropped his forehead against mine and I felt him tremble. “You’re soaked. So fucking wet,” he kissed me, desperate. “I can’t wait. I can’t take this slow.”
“Then don’t.”
“Scarlett?”
I blinked, coming out of the memories. Looking up at Griff I watched as his eyes flared at whatever he saw in mine. I blushed and stumbled back. “All fixed.” My voice was hoarse with arousal.
Griff smoothed his hand over it, his expression fierce.
We gazed at one another, seemingly trapped in the moment.
Finally Griff cleared his throat. “I better get back to work. I’ll handle the Kiersten situation.”
“And the wedding planner?” I asked as he strode toward the door.
He stopped. “No need to find another. Our elopement is this weekend.”
“People will think we’re eloping because of what Kiersten did.”
“Let them think what they like,” he called over his shoulder as he left the room.
“Easier said than done,” I whispered, slumping back on the couch.
I winced, feeling the wet between my legs.
It was messed up that I’d give anything for Griff to walk back in here, get on his knees and put his head between my legs. Flushing hot at the thought, I squeezed my thighs tighter together.
If I didn’t have those damn memories of us being together I’d be able to control this foolish attraction! We never should have had sex.
It had ruined everything.
It had ruined me.