Darling Read online

  I swallow back the growl that wants to tear from my throat. “Donovan Chadwick?” My teeth are clenched, along with my fists, and my blood is now running hot through my veins.

  “Yep, the dreamy owner of the coffee shop next door. I just went over for my morning latte and found that little cutie of yours perched on the counter with a hot toddy of her own.”

  I shake my head, annoyed by Trix’s obvious amusement, but I say nothing.

  “Donovan mentioned they’re going out to dinner tonight,” she adds, twisting the knife already plunged into my heart. “But you clearly don’t mind. I’m glad to hear she’s just a friend of Esme’s.”

  “Alright, Trix. I get the hint,” I hiss. “Thanks for the heads up.”

  “Anytime, buddy. Happy writing,” she giggles, and I disconnect the call. I place the phone face down on the desk and squeeze my eyes in frustration.

  I had Amelia in my arms just last night and I blew it. Everything I’ve wanted since college was in reach mere hours ago, and I had to open my big mouth. Now she’s seeking comfort in the arms of my friend, the smooth former athlete who always knows the right thing to say.

  Anger and disappointment are warring in my chest. I don’t know whether to punch Donovan or to drown my sorrows at the bar. I reluctantly conclude that Donovan doesn’t deserve a broken nose... yet.

  I decide to channel my feelings into my writing and settle in to work. Hours pass and I find myself reaching the climax of my story in record time. Something about Amelia’s presence has me feeling inspired like never before. Even when I went through a bad breakup last year, I didn’t feel this level of creativity. There’s no other explanation—Amelia's my muse.

  Pickles is rubbing at my ankle incessantly, and I force myself to pull away from the keyboard to feed us both. When I glance at the clock, I’m startled at how much of the day has already passed. I grab a can of cat food from the pantry and open the lid, smirking when I hear the excited scrape of Pickles’ claws across the tile floor behind me. As I pour the food into his dish, I imagine Amelia still sitting on Donovan’s counter at the coffee shop. The thought of them together has me angry all over again. I’m still seething moments later when she opens the front door.

  Our eyes meet and she looks distraught. I hate that she feels that way, after we’d gotten so close just last night. “Hey,” I say softly, but she shifts her gaze away from mine.

  “Hey. I’m just going to go change.” She starts up the stairs, and I swallow my pride.

  “Change? Did you have plans for the evening?” Though I try to sound nonchalant, I can hear the twinge of jealousy in my own voice.

  “Uh, yeah. I’m meeting someone for dinner. I think you know him—Donovan Chadwick?”

  Though I knew it was coming, I am surprised by the jolt of rage his name causes to spark in my chest. “Yeah, I know him. He’s a good guy.”

  She’s studying me, watching my reaction carefully. A flicker of disappointment crosses her face, and she turns her head away. “Yeah, that’s the impression I got, too. Alright, well... enjoy your night, Griffin.” She rushes up the steps before I can stop her.

  “Goddammit,” I grunt as I move over to the steps. I sit down on the bottom and cradle my head in my hands. Do I stop her from going out with Donovan? Tell her how I feel? Though I’m fairly certain she’s just embarrassed by the way I stopped things last night, self-doubt is gnawing away at me. Maybe she’s attracted to Donovan, and it has nothing to do with me. I go back and forth with myself for a few minutes and before I know it, Amelia reappears at the top of the steps. I rise to my feet, taking in her beauty.

  She’s nothing short of stunning, her platinum hair falling in a cascade of curls down her back. Her long legs are on display in a tiny black dress that reaches her neck but leaves her back completely bare. I hate the thought of her looking like that on Donovan’s arm, but I bite my fist to stop myself from saying something I’ll regret.

  “See you later,” she mumbles, not meeting my eyes. I can feel the hurt radiating off her in waves, and want to reach out and stop her.

  “Amelia.” My voice is soft, not conveying the urgency I am feeling.

  She doesn’t turn around. I can’t tell if she’s heard me or not as she slips out the door and into the night.

  Ten

  AMELIA

  “You alright, sweetheart? You’ve barely said two words all night,” Donovan says, and I lift my eyes to meet his imploring stare.

  He’s right—my mind has been elsewhere since I left Griffin’s house. I thought this date would be the perfect distraction from my mortification, but I can’t seem to shake Griffin’s sad eyes from my thoughts. I wasn’t deliberately trying to make him jealous... okay, that’s a lie. I was hoping he’d hear I was going out with his friend and the territorial side of him would come out. He’d want to claim me as his own and forbid me from going out with Donovan. Instead, all he did was watch as I walked out the door.

  “I’m sorry, Donovan. You’re right. I’ve got a lot on my mind, I guess.” I trace the rim of my wine glass absentmindedly.

  “Would this have anything to do with a certain tall, brooding, British friend of ours?” His full lips curl into a gentle smile, though I can see the disappointment flicker in his eyes.

  I drop my eyes back down to my lap, toying with the cloth napkin as my lips remain closed.

  “It’s alright, Amelia. I can sense your indecision.” I watch as he takes a long pull off is beer bottle, his tongue peeking out to swipe along his lip. “I just want you to know that if it doesn’t work out between you and Griffin, I’d be happy to try this again. But for now, could we at least be friends?”

  “Of course,” I smile, covering his hand with mine. Donovan is a fantastic guy—smart, sweet, and undeniably handsome. It’s just that I can’t seem to get Griffin out of my head. “Thank you for being so understanding, Donovan.”

  He shrugs, an adorable blush covering his cheeks. “Anytime, gorgeous. Griff’s a lucky guy.”

  “Let’s hope he thinks so, too.”

  We finish our meal, the conversation becoming more comfortable once everything was laid on the table. I realize that under different circumstances, I could have easily fallen for Donovan.

  Whoever ends up with him will be one lucky woman.

  Donovan offers to take me home, but I decide to walk through the town to gather my thoughts before returning to the house. I want to have my speech planned out for Griffin before I rush through the door and lose my nerve. My heels click against the cement walkway as I rehearse my words over and over.

  I think back to the night in college that the match had been lit, the night the flames of desire began to burn for my friend’s brother. I smile at the memory playing out behind my eyelids, and feel a sudden burst of confidence. I turn back to head to my car, passing by the local bar. It’s brightly lit and I debate dashing in for another glass of liquid confidence, when someone catches my eye.

  It’s Griffin.

  He’s sitting on a stool, his large hand wrapped around a glass mug of beer. His head is bent down and he looks so forlorn, my heart feels as if it could crack down the middle. Is he sad because of me?

  I grab the door handle and pull it towards me. As I make my way to the bar, I spot a gorgeous, petite redhead as she saunters over to Griffin. I freeze in place as his eyes light up in recognition.

  A sinking feeling grips me as I watch her wrap her arms around Griffin. I don’t stick around to see what happens next, instead fleeing the bar as fast as I can.

  Eleven

  GRIFFIN

  “Lilly? What are you doing here?” My voice is as rough as sandpaper once my ex-girlfriend releases me from her embrace. Her auburn hair has grown long since we broke up, falling over her shoulders in elegant waves. She tucks a strand behind her ear, her emerald eyes shining as they meet mine.

  “I was working a private flight from London, with a two-day stopover here. I called your sister to meet up, but she told me she
wasn’t in town.” Lilly’s soft voice, the one I’d adored for so long, is no longer welcome in my ears.

  I pull away from her and turn back to the bar. “I’m surprised she even spoke with you at all,” I admit, taking a sip of beer. Lilly and I broke things off without animosity, parting as friends. However, I’d found out soon afterwards that she’d been seeing a pilot behind my back. Esme took it harder than I did.

  “We used to be close once,” she tries, but I shake my head. I don’t want to see her now, not after everything I’m already feeling for Amelia. “Griff, I think we made a mistake ending things.”

  I snort, and my eyes roll back so fast I get dizzy. “Lilly, I can’t do this right now, okay? I’m not in the mood.” I pull a few bills from my pocket and slam them down on the bar. “Jack? I’ll catch you later, man.”

  “Alright, buddy. Take it easy,” the bartender calls from behind the bar. He’s drying glasses and eyeing Lilly suspiciously, and I feel grateful for the protective nature of the locals of Sugar Creek. They have my back already after just a few months.

  “Griff? Wait! Let’s talk about this, please?”

  I march over to the exit without a backwards glance at the woman I once thought could replace Amelia in my heart, but who never even came close. The drive home feels like it takes forever. I’m imagining how I will react if Amelia doesn’t come back tonight. She’s definitely not the type of girl to go home with a guy on the first date, but I know how charming Donovan can be. The thought of his lips on her makes my stomach clench, and I punch the steering wheel with all my strength. I continue punching until my fingers are bloody and stinging.

  I walk through the door a few minutes later, and my eyes land on Amelia. She’s sitting on the counter, her feet bare, and her petite hands wrapped around a cup of coffee. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.

  “Hey. How was your date?” I don’t know if I want to hear her answer, but the early hour at which she’s returned has me feeling hopeful.

  “It was nice,” she murmurs. She seems sad, but I can’t imagine why. I eye her with concern as I step closer.

  “You’re back early.” I grab a bottle of beer from the fridge and pop the cap open against the countertop. My knuckles are still red and torn from punching the steering wheel, but I don’t want Amelia to see them. “Did you and Donovan not hit it off?” I take a sip to hide my scowl.

  “He’s a great guy,” she says, and my fists clench. “Just not for me.”

  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to jump up with my fist in the air, like at the end of that ‘80s high school detention movie Esme loves. I focus on keeping my expression stoic. “Oh?”

  “Yeah. I passed by the bar after I left him, and I saw you through the window. You had a cute little redhead wrapped around you,” she says, with a hint of bitterness in her voice.

  I grimace. “That’s my ex, Lilly. She’s a flight attendant, in town for a few days for work. But I don’t care to spend any time with her.” My eyes flick over to meet hers, and I see her aqua gaze shimmer with relief.

  “Oh, she’s your ex. Gotcha,” she breathes. The room suddenly feels thick, as if the air has been sucked out. I swallow hard, preparing to speak when Amelia beats me to it.

  “Griff... there’s something I need to get off my chest.”

  “Okay, then. Go on, darling.” I narrow my eyes, searching her face for some hint of what she wants to say. All I see is hesitation.

  Her hands reach out to grab my arm, pulling me between her open thighs. We’re in the same position as we were last night, when my lips were pressed up against hers. My cock jumps at the reminder.

  “Remember that night you came and picked up Esme and me from that frat party when we were freshmen?”

  How could I forget? That night changed everything for me. I nod, not certain where she’s going with this. “I do. You’d both gotten plastered on Jungle Juice and had no idea where you were. Esme called when those bloody cretins wouldn’t leave you alone.”

  She reddens, biting down on her lower lip before continuing. Her eyes are burning as she watches me, her face so close to mine I can feel her breath tickle my cheeks. “You took us home, and Esme fell asleep on the sofa. You and I stayed up for a while to make sure she didn’t have alcohol poisoning.”

  “And you had changed into those sweet little Christmas pajamas with the feet,” I add. We both smile.

  “You remember that?” Her voice is so soft and sweet, I can barely hear her.

  “I remember everything, love.” I run my hand down her cheek, before cupping her chin in my hand. My thumb strokes her soft skin.

  “We were having so much fun, despite being so nervous about Esme. And then I tripped and fell over that stray slipper,” she recalls. I watch her speak in disbelief, as I was certain she had no memory of any of this.

  “And I caught you in my arms. Our faces were so close together I could feel your heartbeat.”

  “But just when I thought you’d kiss me, you pulled away. And you never came around again,” she says, her voice ringing with disappointment.

  “I didn’t want to take advantage of you that night, Amelia. I may be a grouch, but I’m still a gentleman.” I run my thumb across her full lower lip. Now that I know how sweet she tastes, I’m not about to ever let her go. “If I kissed you and you regretted it, I would feel awful.”

  “Just like last night,” she finishes, her eyes twinkling with understanding.

  “Exactly.” I draw her face closer to mine. “But not like tonight.” I press my lips to hers, the gentle kiss just a prelude to what is to come. She has no idea what she’s in for now that we’re both fully coherent and our feelings have been laid out before us. She hums softly against my mouth, and I feel a rush of desire flood my veins. I pull her even closer, deepening the kiss. Her tongue sweeps inside my mouth, and I can taste how much she wants me.

  These are the only lips I want to kiss for the rest of my life.

  Twelve

  AMELIA

  I wrap my legs around his waist, drawing him in to press against my throbbing core. His tongue is gliding over mine, and my body is crying out for him in a way that is new and exciting.

  I know I want to give him my body tonight, and every night. When I feel his thick cock rubbing up against my warmth, I moan against his mouth. His lips curl into a smirk at the sound, before kissing down my jaw. His teeth gently scrape against my ear and I feel myself losing control.

  “Are you okay, darling?” His voice is husky against my earlobe, causing a shiver to roll over my spine.

  I realize I have to tell him the truth.

  “Griffin... I’ve never done this before. I mean, I’ve been kissed before, but I've never--” His eyebrows jump and I feel the heat creep over my cheeks.

  “You’re a virgin?” His gaze shifts from heated to tender, and as I nod, I feel reassured. I know he’s the one I’ve been waiting for. “We can take this as slow as you’d like, Amelia. I’ll never rush you.”

  “Oh, I think we’ve taken this slow enough.” I smirk as I pull his lips back to mine. Just before they touch, I whisper, “I’m ready.”

  I hear him groan as his hands tighten around my thigh. He kisses me until I’m breathless, panting and dripping with need for him. My hands run through his thick, dark hair as my head drops back, his lips trailing down my throat. His thick erection is pressed against my core, which is pulsing with desire. The ache is so profound that I find myself rocking against him in search of relief.

  I’ve never felt like this before, so wet and ready. Griffin makes me feel safe, of course, but he also makes me feel wanted. No man has ever looked at me the way he’s looking at me right now—like I’m the only woman in the entire world, and he could never get enough of me.

  He pulls his hips back, a soft smile ghosting over his kiss-swollen lips when I whimper at the loss of friction.

  “Come on, darling. Let’s go upstairs. No matter how much I enjoy the mental pict
ure, your first time shouldn’t be atop a kitchen counter.” He sweeps me into his arms and carries me up the stairs. I can’t help the shiver that wracks my body at the thought of spending the night in his bed.

  It feels like I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life.

  Thirteen

  GRIFFIN

  As I carry her up the stairs, I can’t believe she wants to give me this gift. She’s been waiting for the right guy, the right moment, and I’m elated it’s with me. I look down at her with love in my eyes.

  Maybe we’ve only been reunited a few days, but I can’t help the feeling of forever when we’re together. I think I’ve known since that first night back in college that she’s the woman I’m supposed to spend forever beside...

  And forever is starting now.

  Her body is trembling in my arms, but I give her a reassuring smile. I want her to know she has nothing to fear with me, that I would never let anything hurt her. I bring her over to my bed and lay her down gently. My heart is pounding and my cock wants me to claim her already, but I know I need to make this special for her.

  I turn on the music, letting the seductive sound of the saxophone fill my bedroom while I light the spiced rum scented candle beside the bed.

  “Ooh, fancy,” she grins, and my heart soars. She sits up against my pillows and watches while I strip off my shirt and unbuckle my belt. I lay it across the chair with ideas of how we can use it next time. This time has to be slow and sweet, everything Amelia deserves. I keep my jeans in place for now and shift my focus to her.

  “We’re going to need to take off that pretty dress now, love.” I slide up the bed beside her and reach for the material she’s been toying with. “Is that okay?”

  “More than okay, Griffin.” She shifts onto her knees and I move closer, pulling her chest into mine and kissing her roughly. Our tongues tangle until we’re both breathless, and I can tell she’s not quite as scared anymore. I slide my hands beneath the black silk of her dress and caress the skin of her thighs. My cock is standing at attention, and I’m certain she can feel it. She lifts her arms and I slide the dress over her head.