Chapter 9

9

HARPER

T here have been a few times in life when my brain has felt so full, like a mug with coffee right to the edge, that one small tilt will send it everywhere.

Like when I've been studying for exams. Every time I've had to move and organize everything into yet another tiny, lousy apartment. Book reports. At the end of a project, doing the final proofread.

This is so much more.

After spending most of the day at Fran's Diner, jotting down the town news as people chat, I drive to Valley Automotive. When I pull in, I see a group of men standing and sitting in lawn chairs in front of the open garage door of the shop area. Before I can even open my car door, Griffin is there to open it for me and take my hand.

"Hey, baby."

I love that he kisses me in front of everyone. It doesn't feel like a performance. It feels like he honestly missed me, even after just one day. Which is completely illogical. Human beings don't form connections this fast. There's no evidence-based research to suggest this. Yet it feels completely real.

"Do you want to meet everyone?" he asks brightly, as if he's excited to show me off.

"Sure."

Griffin squeezes my hand gently. "You see that elderly man in the black shirt?"

He looks slightly familiar, but I can't quite place him. "Yes."

"That's Spencer Wolfe. His son, Carver, is the guy we saw in the truck the other day."

"And Carver is Jonah's dad?"

"Yeah. Carver has two other sons, Josh, and Jace. Spencer's dad, Adler Wolfe, built this town. His cousin and best friend was my great-grandfather, Aiden Dirty."

"So your great-grandfather built the town as well?"

Griffin shrugs. "Maybe. I mean, he was here. We all kind of assume he helped." His sexy smile makes my lower belly flutter. "That's something you’ll learn about a small town. Layers of family, and neighbors who might as well be family, means there's always help around." He kisses the top of my head. "You'll always be safe here, darlin'."

He takes me over to meet the men. They're polite enough, but I get the distinct impression that this is "guy's night" and they're not sure what to do about the sudden female intrusion.

Griffin picks up on it as well and guides me back to my car. To my surprise, he jumps into the passenger seat. "My place?"

It feels important that he doesn't mind that I drive. So many guys insist on doing all the driving. That feels like yet another green flag in a whole stadium full of them.

When we get to Griffin's house, I sit on the couch flipping through my phone for a few minutes as he jumps in the shower. Then I hear him clear his throat from the hallway.

I look up, and my phone clatters to the floor.

Griffin looks like a freaking Greek god. He's leaning against the wall, wearing nothing but a towel slung low over his hips. "I know my name is Dirty, but women prefer a clean man, right?"

It's like a gravitational field has taken hold of me, pulling me toward him. Openly staring at him, my hands begin to drift across his sculpted chest, down his chiseled abs. My left fingertips get lost tracing the sexy groove over his hip, as my other hand grips the back of his neck, pulling his lips to mine.

I'm in a trance. My arousal has taken on a life of its own, and there's no sense trying to fight it even if I wanted to, which I don't. Whatever is about to happen, I've been curious about it for ages.

Griffin takes over our kiss, possessing me with a hunger that might be normal for an auto mechanic mountain man. For me, though, it's overwhelming, but in a good way. Like a thunderstorm breaking overhead.

He lifts me, backing us toward the bedroom, then setting me gently down on his bed. His lips drift along my cheekbone as his hand runs down my side to my hip. "Should I stop?"

"No."

"Is there any particular point I should stop?"

I hesitate for a few seconds before realizing I should just spit it out. "I'm on the pill. And I want you."

His cheekbones lift as he grins while turning on the tiny bedside lamp. "My turn to appreciate the clarity."

It feels like I'm in a dream as Griffin's strong hands move slowly, pulling off my shirt and bra. The fabric hasn't even hit the floor before his lips capture my nipple, sucking and licking, finding every nerve that is directly connected to my pussy.

Everything he does feels incredible, but it's what I sense behind every touch that really makes me ache. Griffin wants to pleasure me. Care for me. I feel it in every caress, in the way he checks my eyes as he unbuttons my jeans. I've been ready for this for a while, and I'm thrilled to share it with a man who's going to take his time.

By the time I'm completely naked, I'm practically twitching from head to toe. Anticipation, lust, and curiosity are an intense cocktail surging through my veins.

"Look at you," he growls. "Luscious. Gorgeous." The left side of his full lips quirk up. "And all mine."

His towel hits the floor and he lies down beside me, cuddling our naked bodies together before I can get a good look. Something comes over me, and much of my natural shyness disappears. My hand runs along his ribs, his chiseled, flat stomach, then the heel of my hand bumps into his erection.

"Go ahead," he murmurs. "Do whatever you want."

My palm closes around the thick round head as I massage his length carefully. At first I worry that I'm not being gentle enough, but then I see the way his eyes half close when I stroke harder. After several long firm strokes along his entire huge shaft, it gets so thick and stiff I honestly wonder if it's even going to fit.

I gasp as Griffin's hand massages my pussy, my thighs falling open to give him better access.

He drops a line of kisses along my jaw and collarbone, then up my throat as his fingers spread me open, caressing every nook and curve. My skin is on fire. For the first time ever, my analytical brain is operating on pure animal instinct, and it feels amazing.

As I continue stroking him, Griffin groans deeply. "That feels too good, gorgeous. I need you to stop, please."

I release his huge cock, my hand gliding up his abs to caress his chest. "Why?"

"I don't want to explode in your hand," he chuckles. "I'm gonna have a hard enough time keeping it together for more than ten strokes as it is."

I gasp and shudder as two of his thick fingers glide inside me. Wow – I'm so wet. It feels wild that my body is instinctively taking over. His lips meet mine, as two fingers continually plunge deep, his thumb brushing lightly over my clit. He already knows how to work my body and knows everything I need. My hands are trembling as I reach for his shoulders, holding onto him as I begin to quiver.

"I can practically hear your sexy mind racing," he murmurs against my lips. "Can my smart girl try to relax and let go for me?"

I've been described as "the smart girl" many times, but it's always sounded dismissive to me. Griffin makes it sound sexy and possessive, and before another thought can enter my overwhelmed mind, a climax rushes over me like a waterfall.

My weak, breathless cry makes him growl even louder, kissing me hard and deep as his hips lurch toward mine. My pussy rides his hand, begging for more as my thighs tremble.

"So hot," he groans, rubbing my slick juices against my clit until I gasp again. "Do you think you're wet enough to take me, baby?"

My chin jerks up and down. I'm beyond ready for this wild experience with such an incredible man. He rolls over me carefully, his warm breath against my cheek. I can feel the slippery tip of his cock grazing the skin of my pussy as I spread wide open for him.

Griffin surprises me by taking his time. He drags his length slowly through my crease, teasing me by rubbing against my clit, pleasuring both of us by stroking our skin together, getting us nice and wet.

I tense slightly as he slips inside me just a bit.

"It's okay." I can hear the excitement in his voice. Reaching down, he wraps one of my legs around his hip, then eases inside just an inch. "Look at me, darlin'. You don't have to say a word. Just let me watch your eyes."

Nodding, I take a slow breath in, exhaling as he pushes inside me. I had no idea how hot it was to feel so sexy and vulnerable. His thick cock is a tight fit, and he takes careful strokes, stretching me open. The question in his eyes is clear. I nod, smiling with encouragement.

His palm caresses my breast, thumb flicking gently over the nipple as he rocks his hips slowly, easing in and out while studying my every reaction.

It's not just the feeling of being taken. The way Griffin cares for me so intensely touches me as deeply as his cock bottoming out inside me.

He wants me desperately.

He makes me feel like a sexy, magical creature of desire, not just a studious bookworm.

And as my body begins to move with his, I realize there is definitely a chance I might decide to stay here in Old Hemlock Valley.

Maybe. If there was some sort of sign that this could be permanent.