Page 21 of Stay With Me (Griffin’s Den #2)

TWENTY-ONE

Luna

Taking another handful of popcorn, I glance out of the corner of my eye at Noah.

Tonight has been amazing, and I don’t want it to end.

When he wouldn’t tell me what we were doing, I wasn’t sure what to wear, and when I asked, all he said was to dress comfortably.

Nervous that I would wear the wrong thing, I called the girls.

We settled on jeans, a T-shirt, and a flannel in case I got chilly.

While I see him in casual clothes often, Noah looks drool-worthy in his fitted jeans with his tennis shoes and a dark blue Henley.

Times like tonight, I wish I were like the women in the books I read, knowing exactly what to say or being brave enough to kiss him. I feel like he can do so much better than me. He deserves someone who isn’t always thinking about running to the next town to stay off The Family’s radar.

As I grab another handful of popcorn, I realize I’ve been hogging it. “Noah,” I whisper.

“Yeah?”

“Do you want some popcorn?” I ask, holding the bag out to him.

“Yes, please,” he says, and I put the bag between us.

Just when I think he’s going to grab the bag, he puts one hand on my leg and the other on my upper arm.

“Instead of the bag being in the middle, you just scoot closer and hold it.” He smirks at me.

“Okay,” I say, sounding breathless.

He leans over and kisses my temple. Using his far hand, he grabs a handful of popcorn while keeping his other arm slung over my shoulder, brushing his fingers up and down my arm and causing me to shiver.

“You cold, baby?” he says and pulls his blanket over my lap since mine only half came with me when he scooted me over.

Cold is the last thing that I am, but I don’t know how to tell him that every touch causes butterflies to take flight in my stomach. So, instead, I rest my head on his shoulder.

Safe.

That’s the first word that comes to mind.

For the first time in my life, I feel safe, which, after ten years on the run, is an amazing feeling. Since leaving The Family, I’ve only focused on two things: staying hidden and money. Everything else I figured out along the way.

As Noah’s fingers continue to rhythmically brush up and down my arm, I stop focusing on the movie. Lifting my head, I turn toward him, causing him to look down at me.

“You okay? Are you enjoying the movie so far?” he asks, concern showing in his eyes.

“I want you to kiss me again!” I blurt out, and he just blinks at me.

Oh god, did I just ruin our entire night?

“I mean, if you—”

That’s all I get out before his lips land on mine.

I moan at the contact, allowing his tongue to brush against mine, causing the butterflies to take off again.

This kiss is the kiss I’ve read about in the romance novels I have been reading.

It’s gentle and not rushed, like he’s savoring it. Bringing his hand from around my shoulders to my face, he moves my head to the side and deepens the kiss.

Slowly, he pulls away, and I fight to catch my breath.

Opening my eyes, I’m met with his clear blue eyes filled with so much lust. He brushes his nose against mine and brings his lips back to my mouth. This time, his kiss is more dominating than before, like he can’t get enough.

My body leans into him.

I open for him, and he rolls his tongue with mine.

He threads his hand through my hair, and I grab his arms, latching on.

He moans and tugs on my hair a little, tilting my head for a better angle.

We pull apart, our panting filling the space between us.

My eyes scan the drive-in.

“No one can see inside the truck, but if you want to stop, we can.”

Do I want to stop?

What if someone knocks on the door because they recognize his truck?

I don’t think I care if we’re caught.

“I don’t want to stop,” I tell him.

A smirk takes over his face, the cabin illuminated by the movie in front of us.

“Do you trust me?” he asks.

I nod. “Of course.”

He nuzzles my neck and places soft kisses along my jaw. “Just remember, you’re in control here. Okay?”

“Y-yes,” I whisper.

He slides the hand in my hair down my neck and gives a light squeeze.

I feel like my senses are in overdrive.

I don’t feel like I’m in control.

Once settled, he brushes his thumbs up and down my sides, featherlight across my skin.

I shiver at his touch, my heart pounding in my ears. Even though we’re right next to each other, the desire to be closer consumes me.

I give into the pull, kneel on the seat, and shuffle toward him, crawling into his lap.

Slowly, I meet his eyes. “Is this okay?” I whisper.

“Of course it is, my Lunabella,” he says, fingers brushing the underside of my breast before he cups my breasts and squeezes lightly. “Is this okay?”

I nod as my groan fills the cabin.

He leans forward and kisses my shoulder. The heat of his lips burns through my shirt, and I can’t take my eyes off him.

“You might miss some of the movie,” he whispers.

“We can watch it again another day, right?”

He chuckles. “Yeah, baby, we can watch it another day.”

I lean down and kiss him again.

His strong hands pull me closer, my hips rolling through the movement. My core throbs, and my brain short-circuits.

My pulse quickens as I work to figure out all the emotions rushing through me, causing me to freeze.

Like he can pick up on my inner war, he asks, “Still with me?”

“Yes. I… I just don’t know what to do.”

He stops, letting go of my hips. “We do what feels right. There is no rush.”

I swallow hard as I nod.

“Just tell me if you want to stop. We won’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with.”

“I know. I trust you,” I tell him honestly.

He moans as I run my fingers through his hair, and his breath dances across my skin.

I don’t know what to focus on.

He brushes his fingers up and down my sides as he slowly pushes and pulls my hips over him. A foreign sensation starts to build low in my stomach.

“Noah,” I moan, unable to put into words what I’m feeling.

I lean forward, taking his lips with mine, and gasp when I feel him harden beneath me.

Moving his hand to the back of my neck, he holds me in place.

I clench my eyes as the pressure sends electricity shooting to my core.

Slickness pools between my legs, and nerves begin to mix with the desire building within.

Am I doing this right?

Does he like this the way that I do?

I try to focus on enjoying the moment.

“I got you, baby.” His voice is gruff.

My eyes snap open to see his crystal blue eyes staring into mine as the pleasure explodes through me like a freight train. White spots dance in my vision as the truck fills with my soft cries.

I let myself drown in the sensations as waves of pleasure flow through me.

The sounds from the movie come back into focus as I fight to catch my breath. Slowly, I drift back to myself as he holds me close and kisses me languidly.

“We have to stop,” he says softly against my lips.

My cheeks flame as I pull away.

“No, don’t go be embarrassed. I just don’t want your first time to happen in the truck.” He reassures me.

I wiggle in his lap to try and go back to my seat.

He groans and holds me still. “Please don’t move. I’m barely hanging on, and I really don’t want to come in my pants in public.”

I freeze. “Sorry,” I whisper.

“Don’t be sorry. I just need you to not wiggle for a minute or two,” he says, wrapping his arms around me.

I don’t know how long we stay like that, wrapped around each other. But soon, he takes a deep breath and rotates me to the side so I can see the movie screen again. Placing a hand on my head, he pushes slightly to signal he wants me to rest my head on his shoulder.

He pulls a blanket around us and kisses my head. “Thank you.”

“For what?” I ask.

“For trusting me with that gift.”

I place my hand on his thigh, not really sure how to respond.

“Lunabella,” he growls, taking my hand in his and placing them on my lap. “We’re going to sit here and finish the movie and eat our snacks.”

I giggle as I reach over, grabbing more popcorn.

A smile takes over my face as happiness I’ve never felt fills my heart.