TWENTY-SEVEN
Grant
He kissed her.
Grant couldn't help himself. The second Riley said she couldn't wait to talk, the second he saw her standing there in the firelight looking nervous and beautiful andhere, he had to kiss her.
She gasped against his mouth, and Grant took advantage, pulling her closer, his hands framing her face like she might disappear if he let go. The kiss was desperate and hungry and full of everything he'd been holding back for the past day.
When he finally pulled away, they were both breathing hard.
"I missed you," he said, his voice rough.
Riley's eyes were bright with unshed tears. "Grant?—"
"We need to talk." Grant's thumb traced her cheekbone. "But not here. Let's go home."
He took her hand, lacing their fingers together, and pulled her to follow him.
He led her toward his truck, acutely aware of their friends watching from the edge of the bonfire. Mark gave him a thumbs up. Ryan grinned. The girls were whispering excitedly, but Grant ignored all of them.
Riley didn't question where they were going. She just followed, her hand warm in his, and Grant was grateful. He wasn't sure he could explain right now. Wasn't sure he could put into words why he needed to take her to the farm, to his home, to have this conversation in private where it was just them.
He just needed to get Riley alone.
The drive was torture.
Riley sat in the passenger seat, her hand in his, and tried to explain. "Grant, I need to tell you what happened. With my job. I?—"
"I know." Grant's grip tightened on the steering wheel with his free hand. "I know you were trying to tell me something important, and I didn't let you finish. I'm sorry."
"No, you don't understand. I qu?—"
"Riley." Grant pulled her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "I know. And I want to hear everything. Just…let me get us somewhere private first, okay? We’re going to go home, and we’re going to talk, and I promise I’ll shut the hell up and let you speak. I promise. I have things I need to say too. Please just wait a couple minutes?"
She fell quiet, but her thumb traced circles on the back of his hand, and Grant had to focus very hard on not pulling over right there.
He was restraining himself by a thread.
Everything he wanted to say was building up inside him like pressure in a dam about to break.I love you. I've always loved you. Please stay. Please choose me. Please don't leave again.
But he needed to let her talk first. Needed to actually listen this time instead of shutting her down.
Even if it was killing him.
Grant pulled into the farm driveway, relief flooding through him when he saw his dad's truck was gone. Thomas hadmentioned something about poker night at Jim's house, but Grant hadn't been paying attention. Now he was grateful.
He needed Riley alone. Needed privacy for this conversation.
Grant parked and Riley looked around, confusion crossing her face.
"What are we doing here?" she asked.
Grant turned to face her, his heart pounding. "I told you I was taking you home so we could talk."
"Your home."
"Yeah." Grant's voice softened. "Home."
