Page 6 of Dirty Whispers

"Jim's Pizza on Main Street. It looks like a quiet place."

"Perfect." Nikki jumps up and grabs my arm, dragging me to the guest room.

When we first arrived, we drew straws to see who got which room. I got the cozy little guestroom, Nikki got the main bedroom, and Jocelyn is sleeping on the fold-out couch in the TV room in the basement. She says she prefers it down there because it's quieter.

The next forty-five minutes is a blur as they make me try on several outfits, fuss with my hair, and add a bit more smoky eyeshadow.

"Do we think she needs a little lip gloss?" Jocelyn stares at me with the analytical eye of a surgeon.

"No gloss." Nikki grabs my lipstick, dabbing a touch of it on her finger, then bouncing it slightly across my lower lip. "Her lips can't look sticky. He can't be afraid to kiss her." She fusses with my hair one more time, then steps back. "Perfect. Casual, but pretty, and dressed up enough that he'll know you're excited about the date."

I have to say, they did a good job. Nikki's navy dress with a slight royal blue filigree pattern is incredibly comfortable. Paired with Jocelyn's slouchy, leather boots and my plain black jacket, I look like a relatively sharp, normal young woman, not a slightly obsessed study nerd.

There's a tap at the door, and we all look at the hallway clock. "A minute early," Jocelyn murmurs. "That means he's eager to see you."

When I go to answer it, the other two scramble to sit on the couch, attempting to act casual but leaning back into the couch way too much to pull it off.

The second I open the door and our eyes meet, a swarm of butterflies starts dancing some sort of forbidden boogie in my lower belly. Griffin looks devastatingly sexy in black dress pants, a black button-down shirt, his thick hair pushed back a bit. Although his muscular frame is slightly more concealed in this outfit, the thick curve of his shoulder is clearly outlined as he leans on the doorframe.

"Wow," he breathes. "You're even more gorgeous than yesterday."

He holds out three small mixed bouquets of flowers — bright Gerbera daisies, fuchsia Peruvian lilies, lavender, and a few little white and yellow carnations. He looks in and grins at the other girls on the couch, who are clearly listening to every word. "I figured that three lovely ladies should each have some flowers to brighten their week."

I was already stunned by the photo of flowers he texted earlier. Real flowers? For a first date? And he included my roommates? This feels serious already. It's amazing and unsettling at the same time.

Jocelyn jumps to her feet to gather the bouquets. "That's incredibly thoughtful of you, Griffin. Thank you." She shoots me a pointed look.

"Thanks bunches," Nikki calls out. "Get it? Bunches? We'll get these in water for you, Harper. Have a great time."

"Yes, thank you, that's very sweet." I grab my purse and take his arm. It feels like I'm floating out the door and across the porch, then I blink in disbelief. My car is in the driveway, next to Griffin's. "How did you?—"

"Two older brothers and a lot of vehicles. You'd be amazed at what I can get done." He grins. "Your car's old suspension shook the starter connections loose. We had it fixed in less than an hour."

"Thank you." At the door of his car, I turn to face him. The part of me that follows written instructions to the letter is floundering without a shred of guidance. "I should tell you something." My voice is so soft I'm surprised he can hear me. "I've never been on a date before. So if there are any rules or anything I should be aware of, or if I do anything wrong, please just tell me. Okay?"

His hand lands on my hip, then the other tangles into the back of my hair. "There's only one rule, Harper." His deep, rough voice is quiet as his warm breath drifts across my ear. "And that is that we have a good time. If you don't like anything, or want to change anything, just say so. You're completely in charge of this entire evening. Got it?"

I start to nod as his lips land on my cheekbone. "I shouldn't have stolen a kiss last night before I took you on a proper date." His voice is even smokier when he speaks so quietly, making me feel the vibrations in my inner thighs. "But I couldn't resist you. Even now, I shouldn't be thinking of kissing these perfect lips before I feed you. And yet I am."

A wave of resolve flows through me. If I act timid right now, it's going to set the tone for our evening. But if I let him know I'm interested, everything's going to be smoother. All I have to do is let my actions say what I don't have the words for.

Turning my head quickly, I catch his lips against mine. Once again, it takes just a few seconds for our soft, almost innocent kiss to turn savage.

When Griffin's lips part slightly, I feel transformed. Captivated. At one with the universe. My body has taken control of my mind and is desperate to explore this incredible sensation.

And I already know that I want to be at one with him, if you get my drift.

4

GRIFFIN

Kissing Harper is like nothing else in the world.

Holding her close to me, I turn so my back is against the car, so she doesn’t feel caged in. She keeps her body tight against mine, fingers tangling in my hair as we both moan from the pressure of her firm breasts against my chest. I'm slouching down for her, loving that she's only about five foot three.

As her lips part more, our mouths move as one, the fierce energy of the kiss making me feel flushed as a strange darkness bubbles up from the base of my throat, making me want to growl like an animal. I've never felt so possessive, so nearly at the edge of my control. I want this woman more than I've wanted anything else in my entire life.

It takes all my strength to gently press against her, creating an inch of space between us. "I could kiss you all damn night, darlin'," I growl, "but I have a feeling your friends will keep staring out the window. Plus, I really do want to feed you the best pizza on this side of the mountain."

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