Page 47 of Rival

It’s hard to believe my father isn’t in the house for the night. I still feel the urge to look toward the door every few moments after I start reading, keeping my voice low as I did the last two times we read together.

As I turn the page and glance at the door once again, Griffin rests his hand over mine to stop me. “You’re worried your dad is comin’ home. Want me to check in and see where they’re at?”

Chewing on my lip, I meet his eyes and nod my head. “Yes, please. Just to make sure.”

His smile is warm as he leans sideways, adjusting with me as he pulls his phone from his pocket. Keeping his screen in my line of vision, he opens his contacts and finds his brother’s number, then calls him.

Since I’m so close, I can hear it ringing a moment before his brother picks up.

“Hey, Fin. What’s up?”

Griffin tightens an arm around me and says, “Just checkin’ in. Wanted to make sure the truck was doin’ okay and you guys were makin’ good time.”

“Goin’ good. There’s literally no traffic, so I don’t think we’ll have any issues drivin’. We’re pushin’ to get to a hotel halfway through. We’ll finish the drive in the mornin’, do the drop off,then catch some sleep again before headin’ back. ‘Bout a ten-hour drive one way.”

He nods his head while listening, then finishes his call. “Sounds good. Let me know if ya’ll have any issues or need to come back early. If Jessie needs anything, tell her to give me a ring. I’m turnin’ in for the night. Drive safe and I’ll talk at you tomorrow.”

“Sounds good, brother. Night!”

As soon as he hangs up, he stretches to the side to set his phone on my side table. “They’re well on their way. No worries tonight. Now,” he says, kissing my temple. “Get to readin’, darlin’.”

I fully relax into him and with Corbin’s reassurance that they’re well on their way, I let myself just exist for the evening. As I read page after page, Griffin’s hands slowly roam over me. None of his touches are anything more than grazing his fingers up and down my arm, but I notice enough to trip over my words a few times.

He chuckles each time I stumble, and changes tactics with how he’s touching me. Those fingers of his move from my arm to stomach, then to my shoulder, and eventually drag across my collarbone.

No matter how much I try to read, his distractions slow me and I’m sad to shut the book before Edmond is freed from his years in prison.

“He’s not free yet,” Griffin whispers against my ear, his upper lip grazing against the shell of my ear and making me shiver.

“No,” I breathe out. “You’re, umm, you’re kind of making it hard to read.”

He lifts his hips and I feel how hard he is as he presses into me. “Shame,” he murmurs, then goes back to running those fingers of his across my exposed skin at my neckline. “I really wanted to learn how he got out.”

Turning my head so my chin rests on my shoulder, I peer up at him. “Do you want me to spoil it for you?”

His answer is to pluck the book from my hands and just before he shuts it, he notes the page, then sets it down. Settling back, he stretches his legs out and moves his hands over my shoulders more firmly.

“Nope. I want to be surprised.” We’re both silent as his impromptu massage continues, then asks, “You hungry?”

“Nope.” My answer is quick. Iamhungry, but not for food. Nerves and need well inside me, but I’m not sure if I should just turn around and kiss him or wait for him to make the next move.

Closing my eyes, I decide to wait in case this is all he’s meaning to do tonight, which is okay with me. I’d love to experience what he implied the last time he was in my bed, when things go further than they have, but this is incredible as well and makes me feel… well, it makes me feelseen.

I drift on a cloud as his fingers roam over my skin, dipping every now and then to places I’ve never been touched, but never far enough to make me think he’s going to change things up.

“Edith,” he murmurs, part statement, part question. I can’t force my eyes open, enjoying this too much, so I just hum at him.

He rests his hand just above my breasts, holding me tight, and asks, “Will you lay with me? Let mereallytouch you?”

Is it possible to panic, soar, melt, and scream all at the same time? It must be because that’s what’s happening inside of me as he shifts to the side and moves over me.Oh God.You’d think someone gruff like him would be ungainly, maybe jerky in their movements, but he’s slips over me like a trickle of water.

This kiss? This one is going to be different. I don’t need him to tell me. I can see it written in his clenched jaw and muscles. He’s fighting himself to stay controlled and slow with me, which I appreciate.

Lowering his head, he drags his tongue across my lips, and I part them, giving both of us the connection we want. The longer we kiss, the more his hands roam, cupping my breasts and sliding down along my side. His fingers dig into my waist, forcing a gasp to leave me as I push my mouth closer to his.

“Griffin,” I breathe against his lips, his smile spreading when he hears me.

“Whatcha need, darlin’?”