“I can get on board with that.”
“Did you bring your suit?”
“Yep.”
“Good. Let’s go get changed, and we’ll soak up some of that Florida sun you seem to love so much.”
“Sounds good to me.” Hand in hand, we make our way inside and up to his room to change.
I don’t know how long we’ve been sitting out by the pool when my phone rings. Keeping my eyes closed behind my sunglasses, I reach for it on the table between the two lounge chairs and squint to swipe at the screen. “Hello?”
“Are you soaking up the sun?” Karina asks.
“You know it.”
“I’m jealous. It’s raining here today.”
“You were invited to come with me.”
“I know. I didn’t expect him to show up here and stay.”
“I’ve been trying to tell you that he’s into you.”
“Yeah, I kinda figured that out when he asked me to go out with him.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That I didn’t think I could do long distance like you and Griffin do.”
“You can.”
“I know, but I don’t know if I want to.”
“That’s only a choice that you can make.”
“Yeah. I really like him.”
“Then go for it. You don’t want to have any regrets.”
“I’m thinking about it. Anyway, what time is dinner?”
“Change of plans, Gary took Anna back to their college stomping grounds for the weekend. They’ll be back on Monday.”
“So it’s just you and Griffin for the rest of the weekend?”
“Tragic.”
Her laughter fills my ears. “I’ll let you go. Oliver’s in the shower. I just wanted to check in with you.”
“All good, and Karina, follow your heart. It may be the best choice you ever made, and it may end in heartbreak, but at least you’ll have no regrets.”
“Do you have regrets?”
I glance over at Griffin, who is stretched out on the lounge chair next to me, sleeping. “Not one.”
“Thanks, Peyton. I’ll call you later.”
“Have fun.”
“You too,” she says.
I place my phone back on the table and stand from my chair. I settle next to Griffin on his. “My girlfriend’s gonna kick your ass,” he says huskily.
“Oh, yeah? I think I can take her.”
He wraps his arms around me. “Sorry I fell asleep.”
“It’s fine. I was dozing off too. Karina called and woke me up.”
“Everything good there?” he asks.
“Yeah. I guess Oliver asked her to try a long-distance relationship, and she’s not sure she wants to do that.”
“Sounds like he needs to be more convincing.”
“Like you were? I remember you telling me you weren’t going to let me on the plane unless I agreed to keep in touch.”
“And look at us now.” He grins, kissing my cheek. “It’s hot as hell. You want to go for a swim?”
“Yes.” He moves quickly and has me in his arms. “Griffin! You better not be tossing me into that pool,” I warn.
“Not this time,” he says. He walks us to the steps and carries me into the water. I move to where my legs are around his waist and my arms around his neck. He walks us deeper into the water, where nothing but our heads are above water.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. But I did have an ulterior motive.”
“What’s that?”
“Getting you wrapped around me like this.”
“I can’t believe we’re here.” I hug him tighter. “It’s so nice not to have to rush off and only have a few hours with you.”
“Agreed. After we get cooled off, we should make some lunch.”
“Babe, it’s almost four. We’ve been out here for a while.”
“No wonder I’m starving. Okay, so dinner.”
“Then what?”
“Movie night? Where we get to watch with me holding you and not my computer.”
“I can get on board with that,” I tell him.
“Yeah?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’ve fucking missed you,” he says before his lips crash with mine. I can feel his hard length between us as his tongue explores my mouth. His hands are gripping the back of my thighs, and even though there is very little clothing between us, it’s still too much.
“Inside,” I manage to say between kisses.
He pulls back from the kiss, his chest rising and falling at a rapid pace as he pulls air into his lungs. “Inside?”
“Not out here.”
Understanding crosses his face, and he moves us to the steps. He doesn’t put me down until we reach the lounge chairs so we can gather our phones and towels to bring them inside. With his hand on the small of my back, he guides me to the back door.
The air-conditioning hits, causing a chill to race over my body. “I’ll warm you up,” he says, his lips next to my ear. He trails kisses down my neck, driving me crazy.
“You hungry?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“What sounds good?”
“You.”
“Me?” He smiles.
“With a side of you.”
“Do you know how much I love you?”
“If your heart is beating as fast as mine right now, I do.”
He grabs my hand and places it over his heart. “It only beats this way for you.”
“I need you.”
“I’m right here.” The next thing I know, he’s lifting me in the air and tossing me over his shoulder as he makes his way up the stairs and to his room. My laughter bounces off the walls as he takes the steps two at a time.
CHAPTER 20
Griffin
Making it to my room, I kick the door closed behind me and move to lay Peyton on my bed. She’s so damn beautiful. It takes my breath away to look at her. Her hair is fanned out over my pillow, and her tiny purple bikini easily shows me the curves of her body.
“Griff?” She holds her hand out for me. “You all right?”
“I don’t know,” I confess.
“Talk to me.”
“My palms are sweaty,” I say, placing my hand in hers. “My heart is beating so hard I fear it could beat right out of my chest.” She moves to sit up and places the hand I’m not holding over my heart. “My knees are trembling, and my cock is so hard it hurts.”
“It’s just me.” She smiles softly, and that gesture reaches into my chest and grabs my heart.
“That’s just it, baby. It is you. You’re the reason for all of it. I’ve never felt any of this before, not all at once.”
“I feel it too,” she confesses.
My hands move to her face, and she tilts her head back. I study her closely. I never want to forget this moment. The love I see in her eyes is shining so clearly, and it’s all for me.
“Griffin?”
I have to swallow to get past the lump in my throat before I can speak. “Yeah?”