Page 74 of Fairy Tale Lies
“You’re not a fling. Jacob, you mean everything to me.” She grabbed the sides of his face, making him meet her gaze. “I love you.”
He stared at her, not sure he’d heard correctly. She repeated it, her words hitting his heart like a defibrillator.
“Really?” he stammered. It wasn’t smooth or manly, but shit, his brain needed to catch up with his emotions. Going from misery to elation in a matter of seconds was difficult to process.
“Yes.” Her tone was a mixture of frustration and unhappiness. “I know what I said, what we said. I couldn’t help falling. I love you.” Her hands slid from his face, and she stared at them. “Do with it what you will. I just wanted you to know, no matter what you decide. I’d like you to come inside with me. Will you forgive what happened? Are you interested in trying the long-distance thing?”
Any and all thoughts of leaving scattered. Slipping his arms around her, he kissed away most of their sorrow, answering the most important thing. “I love you too.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her. “I love you, Greta, with everything I have. It scares the hell out of me, but you have me. Heart and soul.”
“God, yes. All of you. Please, come inside and stay. At least tonight.”
Jacob wanted to scoop her into his arms and run full tilt inside. He couldn’t. Not yet. He needed to make something clear. “You understand I can’t offer you the lifestyle you’re used to, nor the approval of your family. Tonight could be a preview of things to come. Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Let go of this lifestyle you believe I need. I want happiness and passion in my life. I have it with you. Also, you’re wrong. What happened today was a bizarre misunderstanding, a mere glitch in our relationship. We love each other, and everything else will fall into place.”
She ran a hand up his neck and into his hair, tugging gently and pinning him with eyes overflowing with hope and yearning. He almost believed her words. Nodding, he buried his doubts and let her lead him to her apartment.
Reaching the main door, she twisted around and rested against him. “Let’s forget tonight, and no worrying about the future. We’ll enjoy the now,” she whispered, offering a gentle kiss.
His response wasn’t tender. He slammed his mouth to hers, wanting to forget his concerns. If she was willing, he was more than happy to use each other’s touch and bodies to silence their worries.
Greta eagerly accepted his roughness, matching it. She ran her hands through his hair and down to the back pockets of his jeans, palming his ass and tugging him closer. He was already hard, and the contact, along with her soft moans, inflamed him to desperate levels.
He didn’t get the chance to do more than slide a hand under the hem of her silky blouse before a blonde woman barreled out the doorway, almost plowing into them. She stopped short, missing them by mere inches.
The man coming behind her wasn’t as agile and collided with the woman, who, in turn, slammed into Jacob. He toppled into Greta, and she yelped as they started to fall.
They were a confusion of chaos and limbs, heading straight for the pavement. Hands grabbed Jacob’s shoulders, roughly steadying him and allowing him to right his feet and keep Greta from landing on her ass.
Once he was sure she was okay, Jacob thanked the guy.
The man’s smile was full of chagrin as he offered his hand. “Sorry. I didn’t see you two until I was on top of you both. I’m Miguel. You okay, Greta?”
She nodded as Jacob accepted the man’s outstretched hand, examining him. His grin was wide and friendly, at odds with his hulking frame, shaved head, and scarred eyebrow.
“No problem.” Jacob shrugged. “No harm, no foul.”
From behind came feminine squeals. Both men turned and found the women embracing.
Greta pulled back, hands on hips. “What the heck were you doing, Susan? You almost killed us.”
“Sorry. I bet Miguel I could beat him down the stairs. I won,” Susan gloated then waggled her brows at Greta. “What were you and mystery man doing? From what I saw, something way more exciting than our race.”
Color climbed up Greta’s cheeks. Her eyes sparkled with amusement. She was stunning.
“Jacob meet Susan Herbst and her fiancé Miguel Torres. They live across the hall from me.” She pointed. “Meet my boyfriend, Jacob Grimm.”
Man, he liked the title and the delight in her voice when she said it.
“Rumor was you dumped that arrogant ass.” Susan surveyed Jacob, gaze running over him. “Traded up.”
“I like you already.” He chuckled.
Susan had the whole girl-next-door thing going on, open pleasant face with wavy strawberry-blonde hair and a warm smile. Jacob suspected it hid a devilish personality.
