Page 73 of Tangled Kisses
Griffin frames my face, planting a loud kiss on my mouth. “Fuck, I can’t wait to blow apart your theories on sex.”
“I don’t have any theories.”
“You will, and a ton of stories, too.” He shifts his stance, a subtle roll of his hips like he’s trying to ease the pressure straining his jeans. “Let’s go.”
A crash sounds from the front of the bar, followed by a loud string of curses.
Shit. I know that voice.
Perfect timing, universe.
Ducking around Griffin, I race toward Piper, who sits on the floor, clutching her ankle, Colton by her side.
I kneel next to her and gently loosen her grip. “What happened?”
“You’re going to yell.”
You prevented me from getting an orgasm, so yes, probably.
“Don’t tell me you were dancing on the bar.”
She winces as I gingerly press around the area. “Fine, I won’t tell you.”
I lean back on my haunches and glare at my sister. “Piper.”
“I know. Colton told me not to do it.”
“Glad someone was using their brain.” I lock gazes with Colton, who is shaking his head, a look of exasperated concern on his face.
Come to think of it, that probably matches my expression.
“It was stupid. I’m stupid and—ouch.” A few tears roll down her cheeks as she holds her foot, rocking back and forth.
“I can take her to the emergency room and have them rule out a fracture,” Colton states. “But only if she promises to be more careful next time. Damn it, Piper, if I’d known you were going to do that, I could have caught you.”
“I wanted to be spontaneous,” she sniffles, her blue eyes glassy with pain and embarrassment.
Colton presses a soft kiss to her hair. “And I’d like you in one piece. Come on, let’s get you looked at, so I can grab a couple hours of sleep. I start a 48 in the morning.”
“I’ve got her, Colton,” I reply. “Go home and get some rest.”
That’s when Griffin finally moves. No hesitation, no debate—just a low grunt of effort as he bends, sliding his arms beneath Piper like it’s the most natural thing in the world. One second she’s on the floor, the next she’s gathered up against his chest, safe and steady.
“No way,” Piper argues. “I’ll be fine. I refuse to be a cockblock.”
“Too late,” Griffin says with a smirk. “Can you settle her bill, Reese? I’ll put our little mountain climber in the truck.”
I settle the tab and follow them out to the parking lot, watching as he eases Piper into the passenger seat of her truck. She’s fine—already cracking jokes through the pain—but the heat from earlier feels like it’s been doused with cold water.
Griffin straightens, shutting Piper’s door with a soft click. The dim light casts shadows over his face, but I see the way his jaw flexes before he speaks. “Maybe it’s better this way.”
The words hit like a punch to the gut. Exactly what I’d feared deep down—that he’d realize I’m nothing but another mess. Another complication he doesn’t need.
I force a thin smile. “Yeah. Obviously.”
Two strides and he’s in front of me, his hands firmly gripping my shoulders. “Get out of your head right now. That isnothow I meant it. But there’s something to be said for taking it slow. Letting it build. Delaying the pleasure.” His mouth curves into a wicked grin. “Because I know you’re going to give me a whole lot of it, belleza.”
Damn, but that sounds so good, and my body is threatening to revolt from the sudden one-eighty in plans.
