Page 27 of Players and Pages
“It is. That and early morning coffee on the dock are my favorites. I actually have a paddle boat at home, too, if you guys are ever brave enough.”
“I’ve never been on one but I’m not afraid to try new things,” he said. Another flash of those damn, knee weakening dimples.
This man was trouble, but gods, I wanted him.
Griff and Cy joined us, splashing each other in the process and bickering again.
“They do this often?”
Jackson snorted. “All the time.”
I kicked the water, splashing them both. Their gazes snapped to me, both narrowing their eyes.
“That was dirty, gorgeous,” Griff said, running toward me now. Cy joined him, my eyes widening as I turned and ran, a squeak echoing out.
They let out a little rumbling growl before I heard more splashing as they gained on me.
There was no way I was winning this one.
My own shrieks filled the night as I was snatched mid-stride and thrown over someone’s shoulder. The breath was knocked out of me as I hit their broad shoulder, head hanging down so I had a nice view of a perfectly biteable ass.
“Let me down!” I demanded, gasping for air as he ignored me. My nose filled with the tart hint of apples, cedarwood, and warm spice. “Griff!”
“Nah, gorgeous. You want to play games, now it’s on,” he said as Cy snatched my purse and carried it to safety, not helping me at all.
My palms rained down over Griff’s muscled cheeks, which only earned me a swat on my own ass.
“Behave back there or I’m tossing you in,” he warned.
“What if I can’t swim?!” I demanded, my red hair hanging in a curtain around me as I continued to smack his ass like a drum, trying desperately to argue my way to freedom.
He wasn’t having it.
“That’s it,” he growled around a laugh, running full tilt into the waves as I screamed out my protests now. “Hold your breath.”
There was no fear in me. I trusted these men already, I simply sucked in a breath and plugged my nose as he plunged us into the water.
The shock of cold was over quickly, leaving behind perfectly cool water. I stayed there, treading underneath and letting it wash away the sweat from the day.
Strong arms curled around me and I was dragged to the surface. Griff was different now, his face open and full of amusement. His dark blue eyes reflected the setting sun and his hair was slicked back now, his bright smile on display. The smile that not many people saw in the public eye, had me breathless.
“Can I kiss you, gorgeous? Having you this close is killing me in the best way,” he said as he pulled me closer. I wrapped my legs around his waist, holding onto the alpha who was testing my resolve yet again.
“Yes.” It was a whisper but he didn't hesitate to lean in, brushing his lips over mine in a ghost of a kiss. “Just don’t tease me.”
My demand was met with a wolfish grin before he moved closer again, tilting his head and wrapping one of his hands in my hair, holding me in place.
He wasn’t gentle like Jackson, or playful like Cy, he was demanding. Possessive. All consuming.
His tongue danced against mine as he dominated me with his mouth. Each stroke of his tongue and teasing of his teeth had my body aching for him.
It had been too fucking long.
As if he knew I wanted to take it slow, he gentled the kiss into something different. Sweet, but just as controlled.
When he pulled away, his lips were puffy and hair sticking up where I’d unknowingly held onto him.
His cheeks were flushed with lust, eyes almost black as the sun dipped even lower on the horizon.
