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  “Do what?”

  “I can feel you tense up at just the mention of his name. Do you not like him? Is he not a good person?”

  “Roman’s okay.”

  “Then what is it you don’t like? I’m not judging here, Griff. I’m trying to understand. My dad never dated. Or if he did, he never did it around me. Still doesn’t. I often wonder what it would have been like if he did. Would she have accepted me? Taken some of the rough off?”

  “You’re perfect the way you are.”

  She laughed and rubbed the back of her hand along his thigh again. “No I’m not. If you get to know me better, you’ll see it.”

  “I’d like that. To get to know you better.”

  He didn’t miss the look in her eyes. He’d swear it was fear.

  “No changing the subject. Why don’t you like Roman with your mom?”

  “I don’t know, and that’s the honest truth. I look at them and it just reinforces how my dad isn’t here. That all the stuff Roman is doing with my mom is stuff my dad should have been here doing.”

  “I see. Does your mom know you feel that way?”

  “I haven’t really spoken to her for a while. We say hello. I tell her I love her and I go on. I know it hurts her. But I just can’t.”

  “If your dad is even half the man you say he is, I can’t imagine he would be happy with you right now.”

  “My dad’s the one who made me promise to watch out for her. I didn’t even know she and Roman were together until she showed up at the hospital when he was hurt. There was an ugly scene. I left.”

  “I want to ask you something. Hypothetical.”

  “Okay.”

  “Imagine you met and married the woman of your dreams. Your best friend. She and the children you two had were your entire world. Then one day something happened and you were taken from her. You could still see her, but you weren’t there anymore.”

  “I see what you’re getting at.”

  “Just go with me.” He glanced over and saw the sincerity in her eyes. “Would you want her to mourn you forever? Or would you pray she found someone else? Someone to put the light back in her eyes. To make her smile and laugh. To make her live.”

  “That’s not fair.”

  “Neither is how you feel. It’s not fair to you, your mom, your dad, or Roman. Sometimes it’s easy to stand on the outside and look in. Maybe I’m way off base. It’s just something to think about.”

  It was. He threw a quick glance her way again. He’d been driving aimlessly while they were talking. He wasn’t surprised to notice they were right back where they’d started. The parking lot was just down the street from them. He’d planned to take her around, show her some places of interest, hoping she’d want to stay around when the dust settled. If he had his way, she wouldn’t be leaving Legacy when it was all said and done. Not when there was obviously so much to explore between them.

  Chapter Eight

  They’d barely been gone an hour and hadn’t even stepped out of the car. She was ready to call him on it when he pulled back into the lot and parked his car. Then she’d seen the heat in his eyes and just like that she was primed and ready. One look and she was practically running up the stairs, eager to see what he had in mind this time.

  He fumbled the keys in the door. She laughed. Their eyes met and his deep rumble melted with hers. He pushed the door open and she stepped through with his heat right behind her. The door closed with a slam and she was pulled back and pinned against it by his body.

  His mouth found hers and invaded, conquered. No light, teasing nips or subtle exploration. This was take, consume and devour. She felt the hard thrust of his cock where he settled between her thighs and her arms grasped his shoulders and held tight. He slipped a hand between their bodies and she expected, no anticipated, the feel of those talented fingers on her breasts, her nipples. But he slid it lower, unsnapping her jeans and spreading the zipper apart.

  He slid it inside her pants, down into her panties and she felt the jolt as he found and played with her clit. A moan spilled from her throat as she pulled from his kiss, panting for breath. His lips skimmed over her cheek to her ear where he sucked and nipped at her lobe before moving down to her jaw. He set her on fire. She burned, ached for him. Just for him. Never had she experienced this type of desire before.

  “Griff,” she moaned his name. “Naked. Let’s get naked.”

  “Hell, yes.” His finger gave her clit one more tap that had her entire body quivering before he pulled it free and grasped her shirt, ripping it up and over her head.

  She watched his eyes zero in on her breasts and her nipples tightened to impossibly harder points. His breath shuddered out and he stepped back without touching her newly exposed skin.

  “Get moving, Honor. I want you to the point I’m about to take you against the door.”

  She shrugged her shoulders. The door looked pretty fucking sturdy to her.

  “Hard door. Soft mattress. Your choice.”

  “The only wood I want is what you’re sporting,” she purred. She reached down and cupped his denim-covered erection, giving it a firm squeeze.

  “Then you better get your ass moving.”

  “Or what?” It was a dare and she knew it.

  “Honor.” He grunted her name as she gave his cock one more squeeze before letting go.

  “Prepared to take what you want?” She threw the words over her shoulder as she practically ran toward his bedroom.

  His laugh made her belly do flip-flops. The man was lethal.

  “Oh, I’m prepared. Prepared to fuck you senseless and then start all over again. Christ, you make me feel eighteen again.”

  “I can handle you.” She turned, reaching to unclasp her bra, and found herself tumbled to the bed.

  He came over her, pulled the unfastened bra away and tossed it aside. His mouth zeroed in on one nipple and he sucked it deep, working it with lips, teeth and tongue. She cried out, bowing her back up off the mattress in hopes of pressing more of her flesh into his mouth. He eagerly accepted before moving to the other and feeding there. Her legs thrashed. Too many clothes. They had on too many clothes.

  His lips slid down her abdomen, tasting, licking her flesh. He’d stop to nip here or there as if he was in no hurry. But she knew where his hot mouth was headed and she wanted it there now.

  “Griff,” she moaned his name again, tugging his hair with her fingers in a vain attempt to pull him where she wanted him.

  His laugh washed over her again just before his teeth gave her a sharp nip, which had her pussy clenching with need. His tongue dipped inside her open jeans, tracing over the skin at the edge of her panties. She really wished she’d forgone putting them on now. She bit her lip, softened her fingers to a caress where they were still buried in his hair and forced her body to relax.

  He rose up to his knees between her sprawled thighs. He gripped her knee and pushed her leg up, grasping her shoe and pulling it off to toss aside. Her sock followed before he moved to the other leg. She was panting and brought her fingers up to play with her nipples. They were so sensitive from his mouth and each tug sent a jolt of desire coursing through her womb to her pussy. She’d never been this primed and ready to go.

  He slid back until he was standing at the foot of the bed. Grasping the bottom of her jeans, he gave them a tug. She lifted her hips off the bed and moved her hands to help shove them over her hips as he pulled them free and tossed them aside. Her clothes were going to be everywhere by the time she was naked.

  “Take your panties off.” His voice was deep. His eyes glazed with heated desire. His hair had come free and spilled around his shoulders and face. She loved his hair. Especially when it was draped over her thighs while his mouth brought her pleasure.

  Honor lifted her hips and tugged her panties over her ass before sitting up. She slipped her panties down and off, then held them out to him on one ankle. He grabbed them and tossed them aside but held onto her ankle. Her hand slid to h
er clit and rubbed over it. His growl and the look in his eyes was all the warning she got before he gave her a jerk that had her falling back as he pulled her to the edge of the bed. He shoved her legs wide, knelt between them and buried his head in her pussy.

  His tongue jabbed her clit, flicking and licking over it while two fingers thrust inside her sheath. He fucked her mercilessly. No slow buildup. Just fast, furious strokes of his fingers while his tongue tormented her. She came quick and hard, her body bowing off the mattress as she screamed her release.

  He stood between her spread thighs and practically ripped his pants open. His cock was long, thick perfection as it was revealed and she wanted it. To taste it, suck it, fuck it. She didn’t care. She just wanted it. Every inch inside her somewhere.

  “Fuck,” he muttered the word as he looked over to the bedside table and the box of condoms.

  “No,” she whispered and his gaze snapped back to focus on her. “Just you. I want to feel you. Bare. Nothing between us.”

  He licked his lips and nodded. “Bare,” he murmured.

  “Lift.” He tapped her thighs and she lifted them letting his hands guide them where he wanted. She ended up with them high along his chest with the heels of her feet resting at his shoulders. Then he lined his cock up and thrust hard inside her. Holy mother of god! The penetration was incredible. So deep. She’d never had sex without a condom before. The sensation was indescribable.

  He wrapped one arm around her legs where they rested against his chest while the other held her hip as he thrust hard and fast. He turned his head and nipped her toe then sucked it softly. That quickly she was there again, trembling on the edge of an orgasm that was almost frightening in its promised intensity.

  “Griff,” she screamed his name, fighting. She wasn’t sure if she was fighting off the orgasm or struggling to reach it.

  “Come for me, honey.” His voice washed over her. “Show me how good my dick feels fucking into you.”

  He nipped her toe again and she bucked against him. She came with a low, guttural moan, which was all she could manage as she gasped for breath. Her pussy was squeezing down on him, making him fight for every thrust and retreat. She gritted her teeth and clenched her hands into the covers. Her nipples were turgid points that ached and throbbed. Her toes were curled and she felt strung like a bow, ready to snap with the least amount of pressure.

  Then she did break and realized she had merely been riding the crest of the orgasm. Now it washed through her, both soothing and electrifying every nerve in her body. She was weightless, floating in a sea of pleasure. Never had it been this good.

  She heard Griff groan and knew the moment he joined her. She felt the heat of him as he held his cock deep inside her and spilled inside her. His breath fanned over her toes as he panted. She smiled.

  “What’s that smile about?”

  She smiled wider. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this good before.”

  “Me either.” He eased her legs down his chest and shifted his hips back, pulling his spent cock from her pussy. They both groaned at the parting of flesh.

  “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  “No. It was the most incredible sex I’ve ever had.” She glanced at him. “And that includes last night.”

  His grin was all cocky arrogance and dark promise. “Wait until next time. It will only keep getting better.”

  She wanted there to be a next time. And a time after that. How long would she have with him before it was all over and she had to leave?

  “Need the bathroom?” He nodded his head toward the attached restroom she’d used since she’d been here.

  “No, I just want to lie here for a minute. Catch my breath.”

  “I like you all sprawled out, naked and satisfied, on my bed.”

  She laughed.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  He headed to the bathroom and she could hear him through the closed door as he moved around. She wondered if he was thinking about his cum still inside her. She felt as if he had marked her, claimed her in a way that no other man ever had. Or would again. She just couldn’t imagine feeling this much pleasure with another man.

  She was satisfied. And tired. She’d just let her eyes close until he walked out of the bathroom. Then she’d go clean up and see what else he had planned for the night. That was her plan. She never even realized when she drifted into sleep.

  * * * * *

  “I don’t think she’s realized yet.”

  Griff’s voice reached her as she stepped from the bedroom, wearing one of his T-shirts and her panties. It washed over her like déjà vu. Hadn’t she just been here with Vince? Panic wanted to set in but she shook it off. She might not have known Griff a long time, which was funny considering how many times they’d fucked. But the truth was she already trusted him. Her instincts were pretty good.

  Fuck being sneaky and slinking down the hall. She walked in and just stood there glaring at him.

  “I’ll talk to you later, Chetan.” He laughed at whatever Chetan said but never took his eyes off her face. She knew he could see how pissed off she was. “Yeah, you could say that.”

  He hung up the phone and tossed it aside before moving across the room toward her. She shifted, putting the couch between them.

  “You could say what?”

  “That I’m in deep shit.”

  “So you were talking about me.” It was a statement, not a question but he nodded anyway.

  “Chetan was giving me some information. I told him I wouldn’t lie to you. He asked if you’d figured it out yet and I said no.”

  Honor stood there letting everything run through her mind.

  “Son of a bitch!” she exploded. “He called my dad. He fucking called my dad.”

  “He did.”

  “I have to call him. Where’s my phone?” Her movements were jerky. Was he okay? Had Vince and whoever was with him hurt her dad? She needed to hear his voice. Know he was okay.

  “Honor.” Griff’s arms wrapped around her, pulled her close.

  “Let go.” She fought to free herself. She didn’t want his touch right now.

  “Honor, it’s okay. Your dad’s okay.”

  His words reached inside her and freed her lungs to breathe.

  “How do you know?”

  “He called Jack just over an hour ago. They have Vince and two guys who were with him. They were cousins it seems. Your dad has it all under control.”

  “Good. Good.” She was fighting. Why did she feel tears gathering? Her dad was safe. Vince was taken care of. She could move on.

  “Relax, Honor.” Griff’s hands soothed up and down her spine. “Your dad’s okay. He’s okay.”

  She shuddered and finally gave rein to the tears. There it was, out in the open. She had been terrified something might happen to her dad. That he might not prove as immortal as she liked to believe.

  “He’s all I have.” She spoke the words as tears poured down her cheeks and coated his chest. “He’s all I have.”

  “Shhhh.” Griff scooped her up against his chest and carried her to the couch. “Everything’s okay. It’s all okay now.”

  She wasn’t sure how long they stayed there. She sat cradled on his lap while he stroked and soothed her with hands and words. It was as if years of pent-up emotions spilled out, as if she felt safe enough to let them go. He did that to her, for her. And she wondered how much of herself she would leave behind when she left.

  “I should call him,” she said when all her tears were spent. She could only imagine how she must look with red swollen eyes and a puffy, tear-stained face.

  “He’s a little busy right now. He said he’d give you a call as soon as the dust settled and he had some answers. That’s what Chetan said.”

  “Sounds normal.”

  She could be patient. Her dad was always telling her she needed to work on it. He’d call as soon as he could. She just had to keep herself busy. She could spend the time with Griff. If he wanted her
to. She was assuming a lot.

  “I’m hoping you’ll stay here.” He cleared his throat, tightened his arms around her. “With me. Until he does.”

  She looked up at him. “I’d like to.”

  He leaned down and softly kissed her lips, then her cheeks, the tip of her nose. When she let her eyes drift closed she felt the whisper of his lips over each eyelid.

  “Thank you.”

  “Anytime, Honor.”

  They sat there a while longer and Honor felt safe and secure wrapped in his arms. It scared her. The way she seemed to feel so much so fast for him. She tried to convince herself it was just sex. But just sex wouldn’t have him holding her, comforting her.

  He stood up and she automatically wrapped her arms around his neck. No one had ever carried her before. Not as a grown, six-foot-tall woman. He made her feel dainty, feminine.

  “Feel like sex?” she whispered as he entered the bedroom and nudged the door closed with his foot.

  “No.” He sat her on the bed and stood to shove his jeans down and off. His thick erection made her meet his eyes with a lifted brow.

  “No?”

  He smiled. “Honestly, I think we both could use a little more sleep. And I really want to hold you.”

  Her heart melted. Any thoughts of leaving were gone. She didn’t know what she felt for him or what he felt for her. But she did know there was something there, between them, with the potential to grow. She wanted the chance to see what it led to. She would just have to spend the next forty-eight hours convincing him of the same thing.

  Chapter Nine

  Griff was still sleeping when Honor awoke. She slipped quietly from the bed. How could a person’s world change so drastically in such a small window of time? Hers would never be the same. She glanced down at Griff. There was no way she was walking away from this unscathed. She wasn’t even sure it would be possible to walk away.

  Being with him made her realize what her dad wanted for her. It was frightening to realize how much she wanted it too. She wanted to go out, to date and to explore relationship boundaries. She wanted the potential of a happily-ever-after. Of living together, being part of a we instead of just a me. She wanted it with Griff.