Page 32 of Stay With Me (Griffin’s Den #2)

THIRTY-TWO

Luna

I’m greeted by the cold air of the air conditioning as I walk into the post office in the next town over, thankful that Ann had a hair appointment and Jess was willing to stay with Joe as they wait for one of the horses to give birth.

It’s been far too long since I’ve been able to check the PO box I set up so Aspen and I could communicate. I hate that I’ve been so swept up in everything that I haven’t prioritized a trip here.

I’m a horrible friend.

It’s been months since I’ve heard from her.

I checked the date of the last letter, and it was two months before Jess arrived. I worry that The Family found out about Aspen and me still being in contact.

As I walk to the far back corner of the block of mailboxes, I grab my key out of my pocket. My hands shake with nerves as I open the PO box.

Nothing.

Taking a deep breath, I close the door and lock it. The pit in my stomach grows with each breath.

After slipping the key back into my pocket, I pull out the folded letter to Aspen. I know she most likely won’t get it since we know The Family has left their land, but I drop it in the mailbox as I leave anyway. I’m heading back to the hair salon to wait for Ann when my phone vibrates.

Pam: Who is ready for tonight bitches?!!

Am: That would be me!

Abs: God, the way I need this night out is unreal. It’s been a fucking week.

Me: Agreed. I can’t wait for tonight.

Pam: Have we decided if we want to go to The Bar or do we want to go to Am’s house?

Abs: The Bar is my vote. I need alcohol

Am: I’m down for either.

Me: I’m down for The Bar. Some mozzarella sticks sound amazing, actually, and Sarah has some of the best.

Pam: Yesssss.

Abs: Yeah, she does.

Am: Agreed. Okay, so The Bar at what 6?

Pam: I’m good with that!

Abs: Same! Luna, I’ll swing by and pick you up around 5:30?

Me: Sounds perfect! I can’t wait!!

Back at the salon, I open the door and smile when I see Ann under the dryer.

“Hi, sweetie. Did you have a good walk to the post office?” she asks as I sit down.

I shrug. “No letter still, and that worries me, but I mailed my letter to her. I’m hoping that she got away and is still back at The Family’s land.”

Ann pats my leg. “She’s okay. I have a good feeling about it. You’ll see.”

I nod, and her beautician walks up to tell her it’s time to come back for her to finish styling her hair. When they walk away, I pull my phone back out to text Noah and let him know about the plans I finalized with the girls. He responds instantly.

Noah: You got it, baby. I’ll see you before you head out. I got off work on time, so I’m heading to the farm and will meet you there to bring you and Jess home.

Me: Perfect. Jess and Joe should be in the barn if they aren’t at the main house. See you soon.

Noah: See you soon, Lunabella

A smile breaks through even though I feel like the world is falling apart around me. He feels like the glue that holds me together in the storm.

With one last look in the mirror, I walk out of the bathroom to the room I used to sleep in before I started staying in the main bedroom with Noah so I can grab the cowboy boots I want to wear.

My outfit’s simple, just a pair of shorts and a tank top.

My hair is out of its usual braid and is in loose waves down to the middle of my back, and my makeup is simple, with just some mascara and lip gloss.

It’s not the fanciest of outfits, but I feel pretty, and that’s what matters the most. As I get to the door, Jess is walking toward me and smiles.

“Can I do my reading in my room instead of the living room today?” she asks.

“Of course. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I just want to sit on my bed and read.”

“Okay, no problem. I’ll tell Noah where you are since I think he was just finishing up mowing the lawn.”

“Yeah, he just finished. I saw him parking the mower in the garage.”

“Perfect. Have fun with the guys. Kick their butts in some Mario Kart if you play, alright?” I tell her and pull her into a hug.

She hugs me back. “Of course I will, but I might let Sam win once to let him feel good.”

I can’t help but laugh. “That’s nice of you. Have Noah text me if you need anything, okay?”

“I’ll be fine. It will be a good night.” She breaks her hold and walks to her room.

I slip my feet into my boots and hear the front door close. Heading out to the living room, I want to make sure it isn’t Abby. I don’t see anyone in the kitchen and living room, so I walk to the fridge to grab a water bottle.

The door to the walk-in pantry is partially open, just enough that from my first look, I didn’t see it ajar. “Noah? Are you in there?”

“Yeah, I’m just grabbing a granola bar,” he says, and when I peer around the door, my breath catches.

Good lord, this man is good-looking.

He’s wearing athletic shorts low on his hips with no shirt.

His skin is tanned, but his shoulders are slightly red from being in the sun, and his tattoo of a griffin spans across his broad upper back.

He looks over his shoulder and moves his eyes down my body.

When his eyes meet mine, his pupils are blown wide, and he takes in a deep breath.

“Lunabella?.?.?.” He groans.

“Yeah?” I say breathlessly.

Before I can blink, he turns around and pulls me into the pantry, lifting me up and bringing my back to the shelves.

“You’re killing me in these shorts,” he says before slamming his mouth down onto mine.

I thread my fingers through his hair as he grips my hips.

His lips leave mine, and he moves to pepper my neck with kisses.

Tilting my head to the side to give him more room, I say, “I’ve worn these shorts before.”

“I know, and they killed me before. I just couldn’t do anything about it then. I can now.”

“Oh,” I pant as my heart races at his words.

I never thought that he’d look twice at someone like me, nor did I think I would be here long enough for something like this to happen.

“You have to be quiet with Jess here. But I can’t let you leave without tasting you.”

I nod quickly. “Jess went to her room to read.”

“Even better. We don’t have long, and Abby normally just walks in when she comes over.”

“Maybe we should wait till later,” I say as he lowers my legs, and I slide down his body. His hard dick rubs against my core, and I bite back a moan.

“No, baby, we should do this now. We’ll be quick,” he whispers against my lips and drops to his knees.

Slightly lifting my shirt, he kisses my stomach as he unbuttons my shorts and pulls them down with my underwear. He taps on one ankle for me to lift so he can pull my leg out.

“I wish we had more time, I want to savor this,” he says, his eyes connecting with mine.

Slowly, his warm lips kiss a trail up my bare leg until he latches on to my aching center. I bite back my cry as my hips buck against his mouth. I bring my hands to his hair as he wraps his around my bottom to pull me closer.

His groan fills my ears. “You taste so good, baby. The best I’ve ever had. I want to keep you locked in our room and show you how I can’t get enough.”

I bring my hand up to my mouth because I didn’t have to try to be quiet last time, and his words make me want to cry out. “Noah,” I moan softly.

I look down and see him lick up my slit and bring a hand to my core. With measured movements, he inserts a finger, and I hiss at how full I feel.

“So fucking tight, baby, but you take me so well, don’t you?”

I nod as words escape me. I can’t take my eyes off him, and seeing him enjoy giving me pleasure excites me more than I ever thought possible.

“You need to come, my Lunabella. I need you to come for me,” he says between twirling his tongue around my clit, matching the pace of his finger. “You’re close. I can feel your pretty pussy fluttering around my finger.”

I don’t fight the whimper that leaves my lips as I sink into the feelings that he creates through the connection we have.

My mouth drops open, but nothing comes out as I come. Hard. My orgasm rocks my body, and he slows his movements, bringing me back down to Earth. As the aftershocks wear off, he stands and brings the finger that was inside me to my mouth.

“Open up,” he rasps.

The look of desire on his face steals my breath as I comply, and he places his finger in my mouth. “Suck.”

I do, and my eyes close as I taste myself for the first time.

“You see how good you taste, baby? I could eat you all day.” He pulls his finger out and slams his lips down on mine.

I grab his waistband to push his shorts down, but he pulls away.

“We don’t have time. Later, okay?” He bends down and puts my one leg back into my underwear and shorts, pulling them back into place.

I pout until the screen door clatters open and Abby yells, “Where is everyone?”

“Oh my god, Noah,” I hiss as I push him away and finish buttoning my shorts. I run a hand over my hair as I turn to walk out the door.

Noah chuckles behind me.

“Right here. Well, Jess is in her room finishing her reading before the rest of the guys come over,” I say, coming out of the pantry.

She stops and raises a brow as Noah closes the pantry door behind us.

She looks between us, a smile spreading across her face, and a blush creeps down my neck. Noah steps up behind me and slings an arm over my shoulder.

“Ohhhh. Well then, are you ready to go, or do you need more time?” she says, working to hold back a laugh.

“Nah, she’s good to go,” Noah says and leans down to give me a kiss on the top of my head. “You ladies have fun tonight, and text us when you’re ready to get picked up. Abs, if you want, you can crash in the spare room tonight.”

“Thanks, but I have to work tomorrow. So I don’t plan on drinking too much,” she says.

“The offer is there,” he says as I pull away to grab my wallet and phone.

Shoving them into my pocket, I walk back up to him and go on my tiptoes to kiss the underside of his chin. “I’ll text you.” Turning back to Abs, I smirk and, avoiding her eyes, ask if she’s ready.

Before I get two steps away, I’m yanked back by my belt loop, and I hear, “Not so fast.”

Noah spins me to face him and bends down, kissing my lips softly. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

I just nod breathlessly and return to Abby’s side. Once we’re out the door, she starts to laugh.

“Not a word,” I say and walk to the passenger door.

“I’m so proud of you, getting it on in the pantry. I bet he’s happy he bought a house with a large one right about now,” she says, laughing as she climbs into the driver’s seat.

“Ugh, we didn’t get it on,” I groan.

“Close enough because you’re glowing as if you just went five rounds,” she tells me as she starts the truck and backs out of the driveway.

“Let’s pretend you didn’t just walk in as we walked out of the pantry and head to The Bar. I need a drink after that.”

“I bet you do” is all she says as she heads toward Main Street to take us to our destination.