Grant touches his finger to my chin and demands my eyes meet with his. That little alpha move right there solidifies that what I’m feeling for him is far more than some simple schoolgirl crush. I want Grant. I want him in every single way. Not just for a few stolen kisses—I want Grant for keeps. I’ve always been ten steps ahead of myself in every capacity, so this leap from a kiss to forever doesn’t come as a shock to me. If Lucky and Harper were here, they would tell me to shut the hell up and kiss him already—so I do.
Grant meets me right there with his mouth warming mine as I walk us backward and land us onto my mattress.
Mybed. I have a boy in my bed, and if Owen hears of this—sees this on the nanny cam he’s most likely planted somewhere in the vicinity, he will turn to stone and crumble to dust on the spot. But this isn’t any boy. It’s not like I’ve dragged some drunken frat brat to my lair. This isGrant—my best friend, my favorite person to spend every single hour with, my big brother.
A laugh rattles my chest as Grant lies over me. The heft of his body feels like heaven, and I groan as he laces my fingers with his.
He pulls back to get a better look at me, those perfect lips of his red from his hungry kisses. “What’s so funny?”
“You’re funny.” I loop my legs over his thighs, imprisoning him in the event he decides to bolt. “You know—the fact you’re getting off kissing your little sister.”
He winces. “Let’s shelf that thought for now. And I’m not getting off. I’m showing you how I feel because I suck at words.”
My thigh glides over the hardness blooming in his jeans. “You’re a big,bigliar—but not to worry because I happen to find that terminally sexy.”
“Terminally?” His brows hike, amused. “Okay, so maybe I’m getting off, but with you beneath me, it’s impossible not to.” A dark laugh rumbles from him. “There’s something I need to tell you.” His mood grows heavy, and my imagination goes wild in the worst way.
My chest bucks with a silent laugh just as a horrible thought comes to me. “You’re not ch-cheating on your girlfriend with me, are you?” Just saying the words out loud brushes a stroke of sorrow over my soul, and for a second, I think I might cry, try to pass the tears off as rain.
“No.” Grant doesn’t hesitate with the answer. “We’re not together. She was just”—he blows out a breath—“visiting. I’m sorry if I hurt you.” His lips dip down a moment. “Like I said, I’m not great with words.”
“Says the English m-major,” I tease, but a part of me is craving the very words he won’t give me. “Sorry about that—the stuttering. It happens sometimes when I’m nervous. It’s n-not so bad.” It’s bad. Tonight it seems to be on turbo.
His mood deflates as his brows all but weep for me. “I don’t mind.” He dots a kiss to my lips. “And I promise, there’s no need to be nervous. I wouldn’t want you to be. I care about you, Ava.” He swallows hard. His eyes expand for the briefest of moments as if his vulnerability has finally been exposed.
“I care about you, too, Grant.” I do more than he’ll ever know, and then some. “Thank you for making it clear.”
All of time solidifies in this moment. A smile twitches on the corners of his lips. His breath peppers my face with kisses all its own, and I feel far more content, far more satiated than I’ve ever been in my life. Grant cares for me. He wants me.
“I’m glad that’s clear.” His chest expands over mine as his grin grows wide. “But I’d rather show you than tell you.”
Grant lands his mouth over mine once again, and I’m melting, pushing down deep over the bed until it feels as if I might fall right through.
This right here is the way to end a perfect night.
A rumble comes from the door and Grant jerks as if to move, but I hold him closer for one more second. The door squeaks open, and the two of us jump to our feet. A small part of me expects to see Owen wielding a hatchet, but it’s not my older far more disgruntled brother. It’s Lucky.
“Shit.” She fumbles for the overhead light before slapping it on. “What the hell’s going on?”
Grant offers my hand a quick squeeze. “Just making sure she got back to her room safely.” He makes a beeline for the door. “Night,” he offers Lucky a wave, but she’s too stunned to reply.
Grant and I head out, closing the door behind me. “Um—I’m not sure what just happened, but I’m sort of hoping it’s not a one-off.” My shoulders hike to my ears a moment.
Grant leans in, his hand gently cupping my cheek. “Maybe I can take you to breakfast tomorrow, and we can figure it out.” He leans in and touches his lips to mine one last time, and I clasp him by the back of the neck, forcing him to give me something deeper, longer, and stronger. Grant obliges on all accounts.
We say goodnight, me with a bashful grin, and Grant with those serious eyes speaking to mine in a language all their own.
I slip back into the room as Lucky pounces on me with twenty questions. But I don’t say a word. I let the goofy grin on my face answer them all.
“We’re going to breakfast.” I crash onto my bed and take in his scent still lingering over the sheets.
It’s real. It’s happening.
Grant has feelings for me.
I’m on top of the world.
Breakfast turnsinto a bagel run as Grant and I hop on our bikes and ride the mud-soaked trails up to the top of the switchbacks.
