Page 81 of Tangled Kisses
Her throat bobs as she swallows, the weight of my words sinking in. “And you’re okay financially?”
I force a small smile, not wanting her to see how close to the wire things really are. “I’ll be fine. Things have a way of working out.”
She tilts her head with a grin. “Sometimes life works out in the weirdest and best ways. Look at me.”
“Yeah,” I murmur, unable to look anywhere else. “Look at you.”
Her eyes spark, playful and daring. “How about we watch a movie? Your choice, since I’ll likely be passed out within fifteen minutes.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
But as she curls into my arms, one thought won’t let go:God, please let this work. Just once, let something this good stay.
Chapter Eighteen
Reese
It’s been ten days since the cat tree incident, ten days of dinners and movies and falling asleep tangled in Griffin’s arms. Ten days of him holding my hand like it’s second nature, kissing me like he’ll never get enough.
And ten days ofnothingelse.
“Okay,” Piper says, plopping onto my couch and propping her boot-clad foot on the coffee table. “How does it feel to finally have good and proper orgasms?”
I nearly choke on my coffee. “What?”
She narrows her eyes. “Don’t play coy with me. You and Griffin have been attached at the hip. Every free moment, it’s Griffin this, Griffin that.” Piper jostles me with her elbow. “Don’t tell me you two haven’t done anything.”
I set my mug down a little too hard. “We haven’t.”
Her jaw slackens. “Are you kidding me? You’re denying yourself orgasms with that man? Sis, you deserve it. And the word on the street?” She leans in conspiratorially. “He’s gotverytalented hands.”
Just what I need—confirmation that other women know exactly how skilled Griffin is. I don’t care to imagine his pastlovers, but unfortunately my brain insists on serving up a highlight reel, anyway. Still, I can’t deny that the manistalented, from what little I’ve experienced. He makes kissing feel like a slow-burn seduction, like he’s memorizing me one sigh at a time.
“Well,” I murmur, “he’s an incredible kisser.”
“That’s all?”
I avert my eyes, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. “It’s not my choice. It’s his.”
With anyone else, I’d just assume he wasn’t interested. But this is Griffin—the man who used to trade sex for money. Maybe that’s why he hasn’t taken things further with me. Maybe he wants something different. Something special.
Or,my mind whispers sadistically,maybe he doesn’t really want you.
For a split second, Piper gives herself away—her shoulders stiffen, her eyes widen before she recovers with a too-bright smile. “That’s sweet. He’s taking his time.”
I narrow my gaze. “I know your tell. You think it’s weird too.”
She sighs, caught. “Honestly? Yeah. But maybe he’s just different with you. More careful.”
“Careful,” I echo, the word bitter in my mouth. “Honestly, what did I expect? It’s not like he enjoys sex anymore.”
“That’s a load of crap. Men love sex. It’s biology.”
Not helping, sis.
“You know what the most important thing is between Griffin and me? We’re friends. I’m blessed to have him in my life.”
Yes, I’m shifting into my normal persona—that of the unbothered, perpetually grateful, plaster-a-smile-on people pleaser.
