“I did take that money, but it was money he owed me, said he would pay but didn’t.”
“Well, he made you out to be a criminal. After you left, he became belligerent. He turned me in to the police, said I killed you.”
“What the fuck?” Griz couldn’t believe his father had done that. Then again, it was his father. “I’m so sorry. What happened?”
“I was questioned and ended up missing school because they locked me up for a week. No one believed me that I didn’t kill you. There were whispers, people weren’t nice.”
He pulled her to him and held her tight. “I’m so sorry. I ran away from him, not you. I shouldn’t have left.”
“No, it’s okay. It made me stronger. I learned and grew. I took jobs in construction and learned how to build. It’s what allowed me to buy this place and fix it up. My life is good now.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I’m so sorry you went through the hardships.”
“So what happened with you?”
“Navy. I joined up as soon as I could.”
“Was it good?”
He shrugged. “I’m happy. It has been good. The Navy has been my life.”
“So no wife?”
“No. What about you? No husband?”
“No. There was never anyone special. You were the only one who…”
Griz waited for her to say more. He went up on one elbow and stared down at her. “The only one who what?”
She bit her lower lip and shrugged. “The only one who ever meant anything to me. I’ve dated, but no one ever came close to what you were to me.”
His lips brushed over hers. The kiss was so sweet it took his breath away. This was supposed to be a one-off fuck session. They would get together each night and get their rocks off until they were both satisfied. This was more. How could he walk away at the end of a few days?
He didn’t need to answer that question now. He could figure it out eventually, but for now, he would relish this time with her.
Maybe she didn’t want more. This could just be a good time for her. Her life was full here. She had the perfect set up, living in the woods, making money, doing as she wished for most of the day.
“Tell me? Are you good with us having sex like this?” He hoped she said yes.
She sat up, not hiding any part of her naked body. He appreciated her confidence. Her lips tilted up. Was he that readable? He knew in his job he wasn’t readable. He easily hid his thoughts and emotions while working but with this woman, he couldn’t hide it.
“I want you. I don’t know what will happen after these few days together, but now that I’ve been with you, I can’t step away.” She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Don’t know what?”
“Would I have agreed to this if it hadn’t been you? I know I didn’t know, but what if I knew? What if we could sense—not the right word? What if we could tell?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. But I do know I was attracted to you from the moment I saw you.”
“I’ve never slept with anyone who has stayed at my cabin. I’ve seen their interest and rebuffed their flirting, but I never crossed that line.”
“I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had. We’ve both had pasts, so that’s not important.”
She shook her head. “No, now and what we do in the future is important.”
He leaned in so his lips were close to hers. She didn’t hesitate to seal that thought with a kiss. They fell to the mattress, and he knew he had to head to the closest store and purchase more condoms, because he just couldn’t keep his hands off her.
Chapter 8
