Page 60 of Holding Out

“Maybe because if you can have any woman you want any time, you don’t need to pick one?”She bit her lip.“Anyway.It’s just a fling.And that’s all Iwantit to be.I belong in Seattle.And probably I should just take this salon job if I get it.I worked hard at a lot of shit salons to get myself that job at Julia’s, and, like you said, I’m too young for a mid-life crisis.I finally have enough money to have my own space and not to depend on Alia for anything.If I stayed in Oregon, it would be that old routine of Alia feeling like she has to take care of me, which isn’t good for meorher.I’m done with that.”

“That’s not true anymore, Becca.They love having you there.And you’re watching Robbie—you’re taking care of them now, not the other way ’round.”

Becca rolled her eyes at that.“Mantra of couch-crashers everywhere: ‘I’m doing them a favor.’”She tossed another dress into her suitcase and zipped it closed.“You have time for lunch?”

“Lunch with my best girl?”Jenina demanded.“That’s a big fucking hell yes.”

29

Griff approached the desk where Becca sat with Sibby, their silver and platinum heads inclined toward each other as Sibby showed Becca something on the computer.

It was Wednesday afternoon and the first time he’d seen her since Friday.He’d spent the last five days trying to make sure their paths didn’t cross, telling himself he was going to leave her alone.Because Nate had asked him to, and Nate was his best friend.Because Nate wasrightthat he didn’t have anything to offer Becca.Because even though Nate underestimated Becca’s strength, the last thing Griff wanted to do was pile more hurt on her.

But as soon as he saw her, her hair a glossy fall of blond, her lower lip caught in her teeth as she followed Sibby’s instructions, he knew it was a lost cause.

He wanted her to look up and smile at him with that sunshine smile.He would do just about anything to make it happen.

Two weeks.They’d agreed, they’d set the ground rules.There was still a week and a half left, and he wanted the time with her.Nate didn’t know everything.

Sibby looked up and smiled at him.“Hello, Griffin.How are you feeling?”

She was probably the only person at R&R who insisted on calling him by his full name, because that was how all his appointment slots on the computer had read when he’d first come here.Also, she still always asked him how he was feeling, despite the fact that it had been a long time since he’d needed an appointment.

“Feeling great, Sibby, feeling great.”

“Hi, Griff,” Becca said, not quite meeting his eyes.So much for the sunshine smile.He’d have to earn it back.Alia had definitely gotten to her.

“Can I use the copier?”he asked Sibby.“I have to make a stack of fliers for the Fourth of July Fun Run.”He flashed the poster he’d been working on.

“Absolutely,” Sibby said.“Actually, Becca needs a copier tutorial and I haven’t gotten to that yet.Can you give her one?I’m going to run downstairs and see if I can get some mac and chili.”

“Oh, is it mac and chili for lunch today?”Griff asked.“Get me one too?”

“Of course,” Sibby said, grinning at him.“Becca?”

“You want one,” Griff supplied.And not just because it would give him great pleasure to watch her eat it.Because the mess hall’s mac and chili was an epic experience.

Sibby pushed back from the desk, crossed behind Becca, and patted him on the arm on the way out.

Becca got to her feet more slowly, still not looking straight at him.Alia must have made him out to be a total man-whore.

The problem was, Becca’s hesitancy didn’t make him want to lay off.It made him want to use every tool in his arsenal to melt her resistance.

She came out from behind the desk and he caught his breath.She wore a royal purple dress that clung to her breasts, nipped in at the waist, and swung loosely around her hips, ending at mid-thigh.Her legs beneath the hem were long, tanned, and smooth, and the urge to reach out and swipe his palm over one was almost overwhelming.

She saw him looking and caught the plump red flesh of her lip between her teeth.

God give me strength.

She followed him into the closet where they kept the printers and copier.The scent of vanilla filled the small room and wrapped itself around him.He was not going to be a good person here; he already knew it.He could still feel her mouth on him, her hand wrapped tight.

“I’m sorry I disappeared for a few days there.”

“It’s okay,” she said, with a shrug.“I figured you got the same speech from Nate that I got from Alia.”

“I did,” he said wryly.“He made some mighty good points.”

“Yeah.Alia, too.”

---