I hum in the back of my throat, pushing him just a little further. “She’s sweet too. Wait until you get to know her.”
It’s fucked-up, but I need him to like her. More than I should. I search him for signs of being uncomfortable, anything that shows he doesn’t like the way the conversation is going, but he just looks past me again.
His gaze goes hooded, and then he clears his throat. “Let’s get dinner started, then you can go get her.”
I join him in the kitchen, our movements coordinated after years of living together. I duck naturally as he reaches over me, his back grazing my shirt. A shiver runs down my spine at his closeness. I’m not attracted to him, but there’s something about him being near that’s always interested me. Like I want to share more with him than is normal.
He pulls back, holding a large salad bowl in his hand, and cool air replaces his heat. He puts it on the table and gestures to me. “Handle this, and I’ll take care of the steaks.”
I give him a quick nod and get to work on cutting the vegetables, making a spring salad to go with the meat and potatoes. I glance at the clock for the fifth time. I can’t stand being away from Eve even for a second, and at this point, I don’t care who knows it. By the way she stays close to me, I’m sure she feels the same.
I finish mixing in the dressing when Griffin bumps his shoulder against mine. “Go get your girl so we can get the awkwardness over with.”
I’m not exactly sure how this will work, but I put down the tongs and make my way back to our room.
Eve’s still wrapped up in a ball when I enter, and I climb over her, unwrapping her like a present. Her cheeks are still flushed when she looks up at me.
I brush a strand of her hair back. “I talked to Griffin. I told you it would be fine.”
“Really?” She bites the corner of her lip, and it takes all my willpower to stop from running my thumb along it, freeing it from her teeth.
“Really. He knows he should have texted us first. He feels guilty that he embarrassed you like that. So come out and help put him out of his misery.”
It’s wrong of me to play on her people-pleasing tendencies, but she’d stay in here forever, given the opportunity.
“Promise to stay with me? Don’t leave my side.”
“I’d never dream of leaving.”
I get up, and I’m so proud of my girl when she kicks off her blankets. I know how hard this is for her. How shy she can be. Even at school, she seems to hide behind me, almost acting like she’s not there. It’s more than just shyness. It’s like she doesn’t believe she belongs by my side, and I will do everything in my power to prove just how wrong she is. If the people around us can’t see how perfect she is, that’s on them.
Taking her hand, I lead her through the hall and give her a little tug when she pauses.
She follows me, tucking herself close, and I wrap my arm around her, enjoying the way her body molds to mine.
Griffin looks up from the grill and gives her a warm smile. “Hi, I’m Griffin. It’s nice to finally meet you. Cole hasn’t stopped talking about you.”
Her gaze meets mine, a soft flush taking over her cheeks, and I lean down to whisper in her ear.
“I told you I’m head over heels for you.”
Chapter 3
Eve
Goose bumps risealong my neck as Cole’s breath fans over my sensitive skin. He’s a little too close for being in front of his stepdad, but I can’t help but relax at his words. He’s been doing everything he can to make me feel comfortable since we met. I cling to him when I finally face Griffin, still unable to meet his gaze.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Eve.” I’m proud that I stopped my voice from cracking. No need to make this any more embarrassing than it already is. I’m about to apologize when Griffin cuts in.
“I’m sorry. I should have let Cole know I was coming in early today. I didn’t mean to give you such a shock.” He says it in a low timber that sends a shiver down my spine.
My body tenses at its reaction, and it’s only Cole’s thumb grazing back and forth on the back of my neck that stops me from running back to the room.
“I told you it wasn’t a big deal.” Cole kisses the top of my head, our height difference standing out with the action. He’s at least half a foot taller than me, and by the looks of it, Griffin is even taller. I finally get the courage to look at him, and mybreath catches in my throat. The same way it did when I first saw Cole.
He’s broad, his shoulders spanning several feet across, the muscles underneath stretching his navy henley shirt. His sleeves are rolled up, revealing thick forearms with defined veins that have me wanting to touch them. Heat warms my chest as my gaze travels upward over the thick tendons of his neck to his brown hair, slightly graying at the temples. Cole mentioned he was in his late forties, but somehow, that just makes him hotter.Shit.I definitely shouldn’t be thinking about him like this. I am a horrible girlfriend. Theworst.
Cole’s hand wraps around the back of my neck, giving it a small squeeze, easing some of my discomfort. There’s no way he hasn’t noticed me check out his stepdad, but for whatever reason, he doesn’t seem to mind.