Page 84 of Small Town Frenzy
Before I have a chance to close it, my dad asks, “What time is the party?”
I look back over my shoulder with my heart in my throat and happy tears threatening to fall. With a smile I give him wholeheartedly, I reply, “Two to four. Hope to see you both there.”
The smile doesn’t leave. I couldn’t wipe it away if I wanted, so I just wear it all the way back to my car parked in front of their house, get in, and squeal from joy. I don’t know what happens next in the big picture, but for me, I need to see Griffin.
CHAPTER 35
Griffin
“Griffin?”
I hear her before I see her. Standing on the roof of the porch, I look at where we park, and call out, “Cricket?”
“Griffin?”
Climbing down the ladder, I jump the last five rungs and land on the ground, racing toward the side of the house in a panic. “Cricket?”
“Umf!” Catching her as she collides into my chest, her arms thrown around my neck like a lasso, I lift her and then shift to tighten my grip. Our mouths crash together in a flurry of lips and tongues, passion and urgency. I plant my boots on the ground and slide my hand into her hair, kissing her glorious mouth like it should be. Appreciative, enticing, and sensual.
Left breathless and panting for air, she pulls back with a smile, cracking her cheeks wide open. “Griffin,” she starts, her breath coming out in heavy waves. “You’ll never believe what happened.” Tightening her legs around my waist, sheshamelessly rubs her center against my abs. I don’t mind, but there are growing consequences she’ll have to deal with.
“I missed you, babe.”
The corners of her eyes soften along with the tails of her smile. “I missed you so much.”
“Those twenty-four hours were hell.”
She laughs. “It was about sixteen, but who’s counting?” A melody of exhilaration rings through her words that has me smiling in response.
It’s early May, but it’s already feeling hot like summer here in Texas. Her body makes it even hotter, but there’s no way I’ll put her down. Grabbing hold of my face, she kisses my nose and bursts into laughter. “I did it,” she says. “I told my parents about you. About us. About you being Jacob’s dad.”
Shifting my gaze from one of her eyes to the other, I search for the background story to fill in the details. “And you’re here to tell the tale?”
“I am. I survived, but more than that, I told them everything. No more secrets. No more hiding. No more being the perfect daughter.” Tilting her head in amusement, she puckers her mouth wickedly. “Not that I ever was, but it’s so freeing.” She abruptly drops back in a trust fall with her legs still leveraged around me. She’s damn lucky I’m so strong and catch her in my arms. I have a feeling she knew I’d never let anything happen to her.
Throwing her arms wide, she closes her eyes and soaks in the feeling. She lifts, pulling herself up by holding my shoulders and coming right back in for another good kiss.
“I know the history of the feud. There are so many stories of broken hearts and tragedies over seven generations of our families. My dad?—”
“Your dad?” This news comes out of the blue. She’shappy, so that means I don’t have to go kick anyone’s ass, but this is quite the turnabout.
“Oh, Griffin, it’s been an amazing day. He and I spent time in the library talking.” She takes a quick breath, and then says, “I’ll fill you in on everything soon, but I need to tell you the most important part now,” she says, her words rushing from her mouth.
“What is the most important part, babe?”
“We are.” Pure delight lights up her expression. “We’re together. We broke the curse. You and I are ending the war between our families.”
It’s not just excitement; it’s love I see so boldly in her eyes as she stares into mine. It’s our future and life together. It’s grandkids and great-grandkids around us as we grow old. It’s a life we build as one. “I want to hear more, but I like this ending.”
“We’re the fairy tale.”
“I promise you happily ever after.” I kiss her again, though I’m a sweaty mess from working outside all day. It doesn’t seem to bother her because she doesn’t move an inch. She’s content right where she is. I move to the porch, though, carrying this gorgeous creature to where I really want her. The daybed. I stripped the sheets, covers, and pillows to keep them clean, but the mattress remains, so I lay her down and then take her in a solid once-over. Most guys wouldn’t consider work clothes sexy, but damn does she make me want to play office with her. Bent over the desk, fucking her from— “Hey, Twenty-two,” she purrs, bringing me back to her. “What’s on your mind?”
“You. Always you, babe.” Her top is light, the fabric shifting with the slightest of breezes and giving me a good view of the sexy line of her collarbone right now. The sky-high black heels have me thinking she most definitelyneeds to be wearing those once I get her naked. I kiss her, then pull back to take off my shirt. “No holding back anymore. No keeping secrets from anyone. Gossip be damned. You, me, and our son can now be a family.” Her breath hitches, her hand covering her chest like she might need help. “Is everything okay?” I ask, ready to resuscitate her, if necessary.
“Griffin.” My name is all she manages to say.
I bend over her. My eyes align with hers, and our mouths are just more than a breath away. “What is it?” I whisper, capturing wild strands of her hair and pushing them back from her face.
