Page 18 of Griz's Edge

The difference being is that I change the top I’d worn throughout the day for a different one. Where the other was a silky blouse, this one is more fitted and shows off my ample cleavage. I also switch out my heels for boots that have a heel on them. Being that I’m only five-foot-five, I love wearing heels every chance I get.

Hell, I’m an expert on all things heels. I’ve done everything in them. Ran, fought, strutted, even in the rain. It’s surely not easy. I’ve sprained an ankle a time or two, but I learned not to do that in the process.

Clothes changed, I head for the bathroom to touch up my makeup and brush out my hair.

Once done, I take a good look at myself in the mirror.

Not bad.

I wasn’t being conceded by any means. I have my flaws, but I learned long ago to enhance the parts of myself I love the most.

Taking a breath, I make my way back out of the bathroom and through my room. I step into my office long enough to nab my phone and purse, then make my way toward the front door. I snatch up my keys from the hook I hang them on. Finally, I walk right out of the house and right into a wall of muscle.

“What the . . .” I snap, my head snapping back to glare at the face the wall of muscle belonged to. “What are you doing here, Griz?”

I couldn’t believe he was standing on my doorstep. Who does he think he is? Three weeks since I’ve seen him, and he’s back at my door. For what?

“Where ya going, sweets?” he asks, his arms going around me, pulling me even closer. Not that there was much space between the two of us.

“That’s none of your concern.” Planting my hands against his chest, I shove against him, only he doesn’t budge. “You can let me go, Griz. You can also leave.”

“Know you’re pissed with me, baby, but I’m not gonna let you go.”

Oh, the arrogant SOB. Who the hell does he think he is saying something like that to me?

“Let me go, Griz, I mean it.” I give another shove and lift my thigh enough for him to feel it against his groin. “I’m not afraid to put my knee to your balls in order to feed them to you.”

Griz gives me that shit-eating grin of his and presses me into my front door. “You wouldn’t do that to me, sweets. One, you might have your knee where you got it, but I won’t let you get thechance to actually use it. Two, if you try, it just means another reason to spank your sweet ass. Now, tell me where you’re off to looking sexy as you are?”

“I’m not telling you where I’m going because it’s none of your business. You aren’t going to be doing anything to me other than letting me go and leaving me the hell alone.”

Griz loses his grin and stares at me intently, but he does let me go. However, he doesn’t move far enough away from me for me to get away from him. I could at least breathe. Though with each breath I inhale his amazingly sinful cologne.

I suck in a breath and shove back my nerves at seeing him again. “I’m going to be late, so if you’ll please leave, that would be great.”

“I know I fucked up with you, Marley, and I’ll let you go wherever the fuck you’re going. Just know, though, when you get back, we’re talking. I don’t give a damn how late it gets.” Griz draws me close once again, his hand curling around the back of my head, and slams his mouth down on mine.

The kiss wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t sweet. What it was, was scorching hot that burned all the way to my toes. Just as quickly, he breaks his lips away from mine, releases me, turns, and makes his way down my porch to where he parked his bike right behind my car.

While he does this, I follow him with my eyes. Watching him walk, the way his jeans fit him, damn, it’s more than enough to make a woman swoon.

I don’t even want to go on this stupid date. I should just say screw it all and find me a hotel to hole up in to get away from everyone for a night. Maybe the whole weekend.

No, I can’t do that. I have plans tomorrow. Well, not really. It’s just some things I want to do, and I intended to do them tomorrow.

Griz’s gaze comes to mine as he swings his leg over, straddling his bike. The grin slides back into place on his lips. Oh boy, does that grin do things to me. Just as everything else about him seems to do. Even three weeks after he stood me up.

At that thought, I come out of the foggy daze of watching him and break eye contact with him. Gathering myself together, I make my way to my car while he starts his bike up. The thundering rumble of his beautiful bike comes to life, making me jealous of it. I don’t think I’ve ever been jealous of an object as such. In fact, I’ve never actually been jealous in my life.

I take that back. I was as a teenager, and the boy I liked started going out with a friend of mine. It didn’t last more than a couple of months, and that friend ended up ditching me, but it was whatever at that point. I figured anyone who would do that to a friend, knowing they have a crush on said boy, isn’t worth being friends with.

Shoving that thought away, along with all thoughts Griz, I start my car. When Griz is out of the driveway and gone, I back out, stopping to check for any coming cars before going out on the road.

It’s always best to be safe than sorry. I’d seen more than one car on this road nearly get hit by a speeding vehicle as it passed by. Driving toward the diner, I can’t help but check behind me, searching for Griz. I’m not afraid to admit to myself that I was hoping he’d be following me, wondering where I was heading.

The fact that he gave in and left without much fight baffles me. More, it doesn’t sit well with me. I mean, why on earth did he have to come this evening of all evenings?

God, I’m such a freaking idiot.

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