Kiss by Kiss (Riggins Brothers #3) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,33

to take it from him and slide it over my eyes. That’s why I don’t see him coming until his lips press against my cheek. “It’s just a short drive.” He places his hand on my thigh, and instinctively, I place my hand over his and weave our fingers together.

I’ve not been much for surprises during the last few years, but something tells me that whatever he has planned is going to be good. Suddenly, I’m excited to experience it with him.

“We’re here,” Grant says. “Stay there. I’ll help you out.” He raises our joined hands and places a kiss to the back of mine.

I miss his touch instantly, but when I hear the door shut on the Ranger, I know that my time is almost up. All of the anticipation of the past few days and the ride here is going to be over. “I’ve got you,” he whispers huskily, reaching for my hand and helping me step out of the Ranger. “Watch your step,” he says. His hold on me is tight as he guides us to our destination. “Right here.” He steps behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Aurora,” he says sweetly. “Take off your mask, baby.”

My hands are shaking as I pull the mask from my eyes. I blink a few times and gasp at what I see. “Grant,” I whisper. “This is… incredible.” My eyes scan the vision before me.

We’re standing in front of the ice-skating rink on his parents’ land. There are lights strung up around the entire rink, and on the ice, rose petals are spread out on the ice, and they spell out Happy V Day, Aurora. Hot tears prick my eyes. This is the sweetest, most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.

“Well, what do you think? I bought you some skates. Aspen helped me with your size.” I blink hard a few times, trying to fight the tears threatening to spill. “Aurora?” he asks.

I can’t tell him with my voice. I have no words to explain what this means to me, what he means to me. Turning in his arms, I cup his face in the palm of my hands. His blue eyes are taking me in. I can see the worry when he catches sight of my tears. These are happy tears. Standing on my tiptoes, I press my lips to his. I kiss him with everything I have in me. With all the breath in my lungs, and all of the love in my heart. I kiss him until he understands that my tears are not from pain, but from the hope he gives me. The light he brings into my life.

I can’t get close enough. Can’t kiss him deep enough. It’s as if he can read my mind. He knows what I need, what I want without me having to pull my lips from his. Kiss by Kiss, I’m telling him that he’s everything. He bends at his knees and places his hands on the back of my thighs, and I jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist.

When we both need air, I’m forced to pull my lips from his. He rests his forehead against mine as we both pull in much-needed oxygen into our lungs. “Good surprise?” he asks.

“The best.”

“I want you, Aurora. All of you. The pieces I know, and the ones that I have yet to discover. Will you be my girlfriend?” he asks.

“Did you really just ask me that?” I’ve never met a man like Grant. He’s not afraid to express how he feels, and he doesn’t have a single care as to who knows it.

“I did,” he replies, pulling away to look at me. “I don’t want there to be any confusion as to what’s happening between us. I don’t want any other man to get your attention, or your hugs, or your kisses. I want them all for me.”

“And what about you?”

“All I see is you, Aurora. From the moment I walked through the doors of your bakery, you’ve been the only woman I see. I want us to be official. I don’t want it to be a surprise when I introduce you as my girlfriend. I want you beside me at family dinners. Hell, I want it all,” he says, kissing my forehead.

My arms tighten around his neck as I pull him into a hug. He wants me. Me. Aurora Steele, the chubby girl, the one who is always the