Page 51 of Wrecked Rose

The entire group climbs the stairs together, Beau and Griff both pointing out spare rooms that Darla and Greta had readied for us to use to shower and change in.

I take one of the first ones offered, shut the door behind me, and immediately begin to peel off my cold, soggy clothes. Digging around in my bag, I pull out a fresh pair of boxer briefs, dark jeans, and a white Henley.

There’s no denying it, I feel a bit beaten up after the snowball fight and bail-out tumble we took on that first sledding run, so when I head into the bathroom and see jets in the shower, I know I’m going to take advantage of letting them soothe my rapidly stiffening muscles.

It’s very easy for me to lose track of time, especially when my mind wanders off in all kinds of directions it probably shouldn’t. And that’s exactly what happens in the shower a few minutes later with the steady stream of water beating against my back.

Griff flirted with me today. No doubt about it. He’s turned on his homing beacon and is drawing me in.

But he hadn’t done any of it when anyone but me could hear what he was saying, and only a select few people saw the looks he slid my way. I think back and wonder if I’m seeing and hearing what I want because I like him so much. It’s possible. If my mind is playing tricks on me, and what he said about maybe being ready isn’t actually what I interpreted it to mean, it’ll make for a sad Max at this party tonight. With a deep sigh, I decide I have to protect my heart in the event he decides to pull a reverse on me. How the hell I protect myself from the likes of Griff Danbrook, though, I don’t know.

Huffing out a breath, I turn off the water and step out of the shower. There’s a stack of huge, fluffy towels on the counter, so I grab one and dry off, all while I’m still stuck in my head. There’s no way I imagined some of Griff’s comments today. Or the way he’d looked at me, especially when we were tangled up on the slope together. No way. That was real.

I pull on my pants and am about to pull my shirt over my head when a tapping sounds at the bedroom door.

Crap.Maybe I took even longer than I thought in the shower.

Assuming it’s Daph or Scarlett, I hurry over and yank the door open. On the other side, Griff stands, wearing a pair of jeans that hug his muscled thighs just right and a deep-blue long-sleeved T-shirt that sets off his pretty eyes. I freeze in place, staring at him. “I thought you were Daph or Scar.”

“Hey. Nope. I told everyone I’d come up and drag you out of the shower. Darla is about ready with the hot cocoa if you want some.” His eyes coast over my bare torso. He swallows. Hard.

My brows raise, and I shoot him a little smirk. Can’t even help myself.

“Um. You know what I mean. I told them I’d come get you.”

He’s lucky I’ve engaged my emergency filter, not wanting to embarrass the hell out of him. Between our conversation at the match, the one on the phone, and all the damn flirting in the snow, I’m not sure where his head is right now. On the one hand, I’m excited he came up here, but on the other hand, I don’t want to joke too much if it’s going to send him running in the wrong direction.

“Uh-huh.” I nod and clear my throat, pulling my Henley on. I yank on the hem in front to get it situated and when I glance up, I don’t miss that Griff’s eyes are glued to my lower abdomen. “Griff?”

“Yeah?” His breathing has become shallower the longer he’s been standing there. His gaze travels down my body and back up. He’s totally checking me out.

I wish I knew exactly what he’s thinking. I cock my head to the side and wait for him to realize that he’s ogling me.Not that I mind.

After several more moments pass, he seems to shake himself out of it and pries his gaze from my groin, moving steadily up to my chest before finally reaching my face. “Um, what?”

“Tell me if I’m off base here, but are you having second thoughts?”

“About what, exactly?”

Oh, man.He’s squirming. It’s kind of cute.

“Well, you kinda told me a while back that you weren’t… ready. I think that’s how you put it. And I get that. It’s totally cool, if that’s where you’re at.” I slide my hand along my jaw until I’m gripping the back of my neck while I continue to eye him. “But you’ve been throwing out these signals all day, starting with a random conversation about porn, then all the flirting outside. I’m unsure what to make of any of it. Or you.”

He looks down at the floor between us, raking his teeth over his lower lip in a way that I find both fascinating and sexy as hell. Inhaling deeply, he looks me directly in the eye. “I don’t know what my deal is. Whether I’m just curious, whether there’s been a gay dude hiding inside of me all this time.” He sputters, laughing a bit. “That came out wrong.”

With all the patience I can muster, I simply nod. “It’s okay. I understood what you meant.”

He sighs, holding his hands out from his sides. “Maybe I’m bi?” He says it like a question, and based on what I know about him, that’s probably the closest to the truth. But that’s for him to figure out without pressure from anyone else, and definitely not from me.

I wet my lips, take a step forward, and reach for his hand. I hold it in mine, my thumb skimming over the back of it. “You can be whatever you want. You don’t have to label yourself.” I shrug. “It’s as simple as that. And as difficult as that, too.”

He squeezes my hand, and his warmth shoots right up my arm like a lightning bolt. “You are so in tune with yourself. So sure.” He pauses and his next words sound hoarse as they leave his lips. “I’m worried I won’t ever get there.”

“I’m a pretty patient person.” My gaze meets his again as I close the distance between us. “The only real question is if you like me enough to find out what it could be like between us. It’s not for me to decide the next step—or if there even is one.”

His blue eyes pierce mine as he whispers in a husky voice, “Kiss me again, Max?”

My heart drops into my stomach and then darts up into my throat. Not wanting to waste a second, I close the distance between us, cradling his neck with my free hand and bringing his mouth to mine. I kiss him slow and sweet, showing him how patient I can be. I take the time to feel the softness of his lips and revel in the warmth of his breath mixing with mine, to slide my tongue over his bottom lip, tasting him. He opens his mouth for me, and our tongues begin a sensual dance that leaves me absolutely shaken. The desire floating in the air around us is nearly palpable.

---