Page 24 of Property of Grifter
“I think you can understand why I doubt that, Griffin.”
“I do, but I’m begging you to give me another chance.I’ll make sure that you never regret it.”
“I want to go home,” I tell him, not willing to give him an answer.
“Let’s get back to my bike.I’ll take care of you,” he promises.I shouldn’t, but I nod my head yes.It’s weak of me, I know it.It’s just that right now, I’m upset and even though he’s the reason, being in his arms makes me feel better.
It just does …
12GRIFTER
I kickmy ass all the way back to my bike.The only thing keeping me from completely losing it is the fact that Georgia is my arms.I’ve fucked up tonight so damn bad that even I can’t believe it.I don’t understand the emotions that this woman brings out of me.I wanted to prove to her that she’s gorgeous and someone any man would want to lay claim to.The minute I go about trying to prove it, I want to kill the asshole.I’m so possessive of Georgia that if I’m fucking honest, it kind of scares me.I’ve never been like this.The emotions that come out of me when I watched another man look at Georgia were violent as hell.The worst thing about it is the way I’ve hurt my woman.I have to make it up to her but fuck me if I know how.
“I promise you, Georgia, this wasn’t how I planned the night.Tonight was supposed to be all about getting to know you and making you feel like the most important woman in the world to me because that’s exactly what you are.”
“You kind of missed the mark,” she says with a forlorn sounding sigh.
“I know, but if you think about it, you at least know that being with me is never boring.”
She shakes her head.“No—just heart wrenching.”
“Would you allow me to start the night over?”I ask, hoping with everything in me that she says yes.
“It’s late and honestly, I’m worn out.”
“That’s fair and I understand, but will you at least give me one dance?”
She blinked, looking at me wide-eyed.“Dance?Here?”
“Yes.Here.With me.”
“There’s no music,” she says, looking around.
I reach over and turn my bike on and then start the music.Instantly, the beginning strands of Georgia On My Mind, by Ray Charles fills the air around us.She looks up at me in shock.
“I thought you didn’t know this song,” she whispers.
“I didn’t, but since you mentioned it, I asked my men.I’ve listened to it every chance I got since,” I explain, taking her in my arms.
She’s stiff at first, but I just hold her close, keeping my hands on her lower back.She has hers around my neck and her head on my shoulder.Nothing has ever felt this good.I make a small circular motion with my hand on her lower back and eventually, I can feel her muscles relax.
“I’m not good at dancing.”
I hold her close, swaying gently.“Nothing has ever felt as good as you do in my arms right now, Georgie,” I whisper in her ear.I let my lips graze the side of her neck, kissing the area where her pulse is running away with her.I could stay here all night and die a happy man.This woman is everything.
“The song is ending,” she murmurs.
“Shh,” I whisper back.“It will play over.I have it set to do that.I want to keep you in my arms … for a little longer.”I know I just lied to her.I wanted to tell her that I planned on keeping her in my arms forever.Considering the mess that I’ve made tonight, I didn’t say that.I don’t want to give her more reasons to run away.
“Why couldn’t you be this man in the restaurant?”she asks quietly.
I pull back just enough to stare down at her.“I was, it’s just the asshole side of me came out first.”
“I don’t like him at all.”Georgia stares up at me, her beautiful, heavy-lidded, blue eyes and her full lips—shiny from whatever gloss she has on them—beckon me.
“I like everything about you, Georgia Cutter.”
“Griff …”
