Page 15 of No Going Back
He was so close.
So warm.
So freaking handsome.
He smelled so good that her lungs sucked in a breath all on their own. She didn’t even care that the dampness of the shirt he was wearing was starting to sink into the dry fabric of the one she wore.
“Thank you.” Somehow she found the ability to speak, which was particularly impressive given the circumstances. “For helping me.”
Griffin brought one of his hands to her face, the tips of his fingers dragging over her skin in a touch that was both rough and careful. “You don’t have to thank me, Di.” His calloused touch slid along her jaw before brushing over her lower lip. “I will help you whenever you need me.”
It was the first time in longer than she could remember that an offer of assistance didn’t make it hard to breathe. In her experience ‘help’ ended up being less about aid and more about a takeover.
Not just of her business, but of her life.
But Griffin’s offer seemed different, which was confusing since there was actually nothing different about it. Nothing except the fact that it came from him.
Dianna swallowed hard, fighting through the yearning she’d been struggling to contain for nearly a year. “I’m okay. I’ve got it under control.”
It was a lie. One Griffin could clearly see through since he was standing in the center of the waterlogged proof.
“I know you do.” His thumb slid back across her lip in a slow drag. “And I know you could figure this out on your own.” Another tortuously slow pass of his thumb. “I just don’t want you to have to.”
As much as she hated to admit it, neither did she. She’d been so very alone for so long. Even when she was legally bound to another individual she’d been by herself. No one else she could rely on. No one else she could trust.
That was the most exhausting part about all of this. Knowing the only time she was truly safe was when she was alone. It left her isolated and lonely. No one but the birds and the squirrels to keep her company.
Griffin’s thumb made another glide over her lip and for some reason, one she didn’t want to dwell on, her tongue flicked against it, teasing his work roughened skin.
Griffin’s nostrils flared as his gaze locked on hers, intense and utterly focused as he slid his thumb back against her mouth. Almost as if he was daring her to do it again.
What would happen if she did? Would it break the tension hanging in the air? Would it lead down a path she hadn’t been on in forever and swore never to follow again?
Or would he laugh at her? Shake his head over how silly Dianna could’ve ever thought for a second he would be interested in a woman like her.
A woman with thighs that were too thick. A belly that was too soft. Goals that were too high and dreams that were too big. There was too much of her. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. It’d been thrown in her face a thousand times, and no matter how much you don’t believe what you’re hearing, at some point it still sinks in.
Even if you know your thick thighs are beautiful and your soft belly is perfectly normal. Even when you love your dreams and are willing to work for your goals.
“I wasn’t supposed to come here today.” Griffin’s voice was so soft she could barely hear it. Almost like he was talking to himself and not to her. “I was supposed to stay away from you.” He traced her lip again, eyes locked on that slow pass of his thumb. “But I can’t.”
She should be upset that he wanted to stay away from her. Offended that Griffin was trying to keep his distance.
But instead she was relieved.
Because she felt the exact same way.
The last thing she needed in her life right now was Griffin Fraley. She was supposed to be straightening herself out. Fixing all the parts of her that Martin messed up. Focusing on her business and herself.
But this man wasn’t easy to ignore. Especially when his solid body was pressed tight to hers.
“Tell me to leave you alone.” Griffin dropped his forehead to hers, eyes closing even as his thumb continued that same slow path. “Tell me to go.”
It would be the right thing to do. For both of them. She had plans and Griffin was clearly struggling. But after months of telling herself she wasn’t good enough for him, knowing Griffin wanted her soothed a part of her that had been raw and painful for too damn long.
Maybe that’s why she was struggling to move forward. Maybe deep down she believed Martin was right when he said no one else would want her.
But Martin was wrong. The proof was standing right in front of her, looking at her like he was two seconds away from devouring her whole.
