She huffs a laugh through her nose. “There has to be more to it than that. I doubt you would've married the first man to cross your path.”
I offer a dismissive wave. “Doesn’t matter. I filed for an annulment.” I’m starting to sound like a broken record, and I can’t tell who I’m trying to convince anymore.
Callie and Olivia let out a synchronized “no,” drawing out the word like I’ve just told them their favorite show was cancelled.
“Are you sure there isn’t something more between you two?” Olivia asks.
“I’m not ready for something more. It’s too soon after Tyler.”
“The heart wants what it wants,” Olivia says, ever the hopeless romantic.
I have to admit, it hurt to see Wilder with Olivia when she first arrived at the ranch, but anyone could see how perfect they are together. She’s good for him, and he deserves to be happy.
Olivia’s phone chimes with a text. “It’s Wilder. They rode out to the creek, and they need me to bring them towels and a change of clothes.”
“I think I’ll just head home,” I tell them, grateful for the chance to flee. It’s nothing against Callie and Olivia, but I don’t think I was ready to face Griffin’s family yet. Adding more of them into the mix would beexponentially worse.
I start to stand, but Callie’s pleading voice stops me. “Come see the waterfall with us. It’s really beautiful this time of day.”
Olivia nods vigorously, her hopeful gaze chipping away at my resolve. “It’s worth it, I promise.”
I wrinkle my nose and release a long breath. “Fine.”
Olivia loaded up the side-by-side UTV with clothes and towels, even ransacked her closet for something Ruby could borrow, then we headed out to the creek as the vibrant colors of the sunset deepened.
They weren’t lying; the waterfall is more beautiful than I imagined, dimly lit by the sunlight filtering through the trees, casting a faint glow on the creek bed below.
I find Griffin before I’m conscious of the choice. His brown hair with golden streaks is pulled up into an effortless messy bun, and he’s floating in a halo of sunlight like some kind of Greek god. His shirt has been discarded on the rocks, leaving him bare from the waist up, water droplets glistening on every inch of his upper chest and arms. It feels like I should be paying a subscription fee for this show.
Jaxon spots us first and rushes over to Callie.
He reaches for her, but she takes a step back. “Don’t even think about touching me. You’re soaked.”
With a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he shakes out his hair like a wet dog, spraying everything in the vicinity, including Callie. A few drops land on my arm, but Olivia manages to sidestep the incident.
Callie squeals and shoves him away from her, but he’s nothaving it. He wraps his arms around her from behind, peppering her neck and shoulders with kisses.
She giggles. “Stop! Stop! It’s cold.”
He kisses her one last time. “How are you feeling?”
I tune out the rest of the conversation, shoving down the rising tide of sadness. Will I forever be grieving the future I’ll never have?
Wilder wades out of the water and takes a towel from Olivia, running it through his dark hair. He leans over and presses a soft kiss to her lips. “You ladies having fun?”
“Somebody interrupted all of the good gossip,” Olivia replies.
A hollow laugh bubbles out of me, and Griffin’s dark gaze rakes over my body from head to toe. That molten stare is like a hit of adrenaline straight to my greedy pussy. I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to.
Memories from our wedding night come flooding back like the rushing waterfall before me. Griffin’s hands on my body, stroking and caressing my soft curves, whispering reverent words against my skin.
“You were made for me, Angelina.”
He strides out of the creek as if in slow motion, like some sort of swimsuit model, water cascading down his body in rivulets of shimmering light. His jeans cling to his muscled thighs like a second skin, hanging low on his hips. His softness calls to me like a beacon, begging to let him wrap his arms around me and cocoon me in his warmth.
My heart is screamingmine mine mine, and my mind is blissfully empty—devoid of all thoughts, rational or otherwise.
My gaze returns to his stupidly handsome face, and he winks. When he gets close enough that only I can hear, he whispers. “Look all you want, baby girl. I’m all yours.”
