Page 24 of Fighting the Forbidden

“Pretty.” The corners of his mouth lift. “Looks like a sunset.”

“Thanks.” I beam, pleased he noticed. Most guys would probably roll their eyes and make fun of me doing something “girly” like painting my nails. Griff never belittles my interests. “That’s what I was going for.”

He glances at my supplies and picks up one of the bottles of polish. “Mango For It. Clever.”

“Give me that.” Laughing, I snatch the bottle of orange polish out of his hands. “Unless you want me to give you a mani before your party?” I wiggle my eyebrows.

“Nah, maybe next time.” His happy grin fades. “You know I wanted you to come with us tonight, right?”

Ignoring the rapid fluttering in my chest, I shrug and focus on neatly swiping fresh rows of color on my sponge. “It’s fine. I told you guys, I have my own party to go to.”

He leans closer and lowers his voice. “I’d like having you on the back of my bike, though.”

Forget fluttering. My heart’s about to explode. “I like riding with you.” I turn my head, and he’s closer than I realized, our lips mere inches apart.

“Molly.” Griff’s raspy voice tickles every pleasure zone on my body.

Is he going to kiss me again? Would he risk it?

I part my lips.

A thud, thud, thud down the stairs shatters the moment. My brother with his perfect timing. I jump so fast, I jostle the polish bottles precariously balanced on my leg. Thank God, I twisted the caps tight.

Wait, some of the jostling was from Griff shifting his big body to the farthest end of the couch. As far away from me as the dimensions of our furniture allow.

Disappointment snakes through my chest. Why couldn’t Remy stay upstairs for five more minutes?

“You spill nail polish on that couch, you’re scrubbing it clean.” Remy stops in front of me, a scowl creasing his brow.

I narrow my eyes and slowly run my gaze over my brother’s outfit. According to my friends, Remy’s “hot.” Unfortunately, he’s aware of his appeal, so it’s my sisterly duty to keep him humble. “All that time spent primping in front of the mirror, and that’s the best you could come up with?”

“Yee-ouch.” Remy shakes his hands in front of him, like he’s trying to put out a fire. “That stung, little sis.”

What a liar. He’s grinning from ear-to-ear.

Griff rumbles with amusement. I bite the inside of my cheek to hold in my own laughter.

“Stop running your mouth and look at how talented your sister is.” Griff nods to my nails. “I should have her come into the shop and help me with some paint jobs.”

Warmth from Griff’s compliment slides over my skin. Then his words sink in. Does he really mean that? I’d love to work side by side with him at the garage again.

Remy snorts. “Yeah, just what those bikes need. Some girly colors.”

It’s like he thinks I’m still a little kid you’d ask to “help” hand you tools while you’re working in the garage.

“You’re an asshole.” Griff glares at my brother. “I’m serious. She already helped me out with Black Beauty.” Griff glances at me with admiration in his eyes. “Those sweet pinstripes were her idea.”

The flutter of hope returns to my chest.

Remy’s gaze slides between the two of us, then finally lands on me. “Aren’t you going to your party?”

“Yeah.” I wiggle my fingers at him. “What do you think I’m doing this for?”

“Fancy.” Remy smirks. “Who you tryin’ to impress?”

“Myself.” I roll my eyes. “As if boys even care about this stuff.”

“I care,” Griff says.

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