Page 69 of Comforting the Grump

Be still my beating heart. No, he’d never be a romantic, but that was okay. My heart still soared at Marnin’s declaration, his words igniting a fierce, unquenchable joy within me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, and kissed him. His tongue slid against mine in a sensual dance, stoking the embers of desire that always seemed to smolder between us. We kissed unhurriedly until my neck started to hurt from craning.

“We should probably rejoin the party,” Marnin murmured against my lips, though he made no move to pull away. “People will start to wonder where we’ve disappeared to.”

I grinned up at him, feeling giddy, reckless, and utterly, incandescently happy. “Let them wonder,” I said, trailing my fingers along the sharp line of his jaw. “I want to stay right here with you for as long as possible.”

Marnin’s eyes darkened, and he leaned in to nip at my earlobe, sending a shiver of anticipation down my spine. “Careful, baby,” he growled, his voice low and rough. “Keeptalking like that, and I may have to drag you off to some dark corner and have my wicked way with you.”

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in years. “Is that a promise?” I teased, running my hands over the broad expanse of his chest.

“Oh, it’s definitely a promise,” he said, capturing my mouth in another searing kiss that left me breathless and aching for more.

We lingered for a few more stolen moments, trading kisses, before reluctantly disentangling ourselves and returning to the party. As we stepped into the crowded living room, Marnin’s arm came around me in a silent affirmation of what was happening between us.

I caught sight of my father across the room, deep in conversation with Auden and a few of their friends. As if sensing my gaze, he glanced up, his eyes widening slightly as he took in my flushed cheeks and swollen lips and the possessive way Marnin’s arm was slung around my waist.

For a moment, I tensed, bracing myself for a look of disapproval or disappointment. But instead, my father gave a small, secret smile that made his eyes crinkle at the corners. He nodded once, almost imperceptibly, before turning back to his conversation.

My tears returned, and I leaned into Marnin’s solid warmth, overwhelmed by the love and acceptance radiating from every corner of the room. For the first time in my life, I felt truly seen, truly cherished, for exactly who I was.

23

MARNIN

The fresh air nipped at our cheeks as Ennio and I strolled down the sidewalk of Main Street. His arm brushed against mine with each step, sending little jolts through my body. I tried to focus on our conversation but found myself distracted by the way the light caught his blond hair.

“I’m telling you, Marnin, that new moisturizer is a game-changer,” Ennio was saying, gesturing animatedly. “My skin feels softer than a baby’s bottom.”

I quirked an eyebrow at him. “And you know this from extensive baby-bottom-touching experience?”

He swatted my arm, laughing. “You know what I mean, you grump.”

I grinned despite myself. Ennio’s enthusiasm was infectious, even if I didn’t share his passion for skincare routines. As we walked, I found my eyes drawn to his hands—slender fingers tipped with shimmery blue polish that matched his eyes. He had such elegant hands. I’d never thought of myself as someone who would be attracted to hands, but his were as perfect as the rest of him.

And also, when the fuck had I started noticing things like that?

“Earth to Marnin.” Ennio waved a hand in front of my face. “You in there?”

I blinked. “Sorry, I was…admiring the view.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Ennio’s eyes widened slightly, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. “Oh? See something you like?”

I caught myself a fraction of a second before leaning in and kissing him. In public. In broad daylight. In fucking Forestville. Not that the news about us hadn’t made the rounds already, but still. I was usually more discreet than that, never providing the town with fodder for gossip.

“Yeah.” I cleared my throat. “You look nice today. Very nice. I love your, erm, nail polish.”

Ennio’s smile stole my breath. “Thank you.”

My heart raced. What was I doing?

We lapsed into silence for a moment, the air thick with unspoken words. As we approached Billy’s General Store, Ennio headed for the door. “Oh, let’s pop in and say hi to Patty.”

I followed, breathing a sigh of relief at the change of subject.

The bell above the door chimed as we entered. Patty—who’d been working here for at least the last twenty years—looked up from behind the counter, her face lighting up when she saw Ennio.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite customer!” she called out. “And you brought the grumpy one with you.”

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly as Ennio made his way to the counter. “Now, Patty, you know Marnin’s a teddy bear under all that scruff,” he said, reaching back to pat my bearded cheek.

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