grab Grant’s hand and kiss him hard. Really hard. And maybe nibble on that chin and chap her lips on his scruff. Yeah, that sounded good.
She took off at a run in her bare feet. Grant’s eyes widened, but he must’ve known what was coming, because he braced himself with a foot behind him, his hands out, as she took a jump and slammed into him.
He caught her.
His arms wrapped around her, and she hooked her ankles around his waist.
And then she was kissing him. She, Chloe Talley, was kissing the Ken-like Grant Osprey and it was everything she hadn’t imagined she’d ever have.
Because Grant was kissing back, chuckling into her mouth, the vibration tickling her tongue until she was laughing herself.
He pulled back, his eyes sparkling. “Goddamn, it’s good to hear you laugh.”
She pressed her lips together, her shoulders still shaking.
He raised his eyebrows. “And honestly, I think this should be a new rule.”
“What should?”
“Every time you see me, I expect a running leap.”
“I did a pretty good job, didn’t I? Like a gazelle.”
He threw back his head and boomed a laugh at the ceiling. “Exactly like a gazelle, sweetheart.”
As he helped her down, he stepped back and surveyed her outfit. She stared at her bare feet, toenails painted a pale pink.
“Damn you look sweet, Chloe.” His voice was a whisper, and she lifted her gaze to his.
“You look pretty sweet yourself.” She brushed his hand with hers. “How did you know I was here?”
He scratched the back of his head, his mouth quirking into a nervous grin. “I, uh, went to Ethan.”
“Y-you what?”
“Hey, don’t act so surprised. You beat me to the punch line by telling him about us.”
“Wh—”
“I went there, freaking out. Did this whole big-speech thing and then found out you’d already told him about us. You could have given me a heads-up,” he groused.
He was pouting, just a little bit, and she found it adorable. “I’m sorry. I…had a lot to talk to him about.”
He grabbed her hand. “It’s okay. I’m glad you told him. Because then I knew where to find you. Thought you’d throw me out, so the leap thing was welcome.”
“Why’d you come?”
“Because…” He squeezed her hand. “I can’t imagine how hard this is for you. Ethan not speaking to your parents. Being here, where you grew up. And…Samantha.” He blew out a breath. “I wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you. And you’re not alone. And if there’s anything I can do, I’m all yours.”
I’m all yours. His warm hand grasping hers, his voice, his smile, everything reminded her of why she was here.
“But why?” she asked. “Why do you want to be there for me? I’m a mess.”
He squeezed her hand. “Because I care about you.” He kissed her forehead. “Because I think you have the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met.” He kissed each eyelid, then the tip of her nose. “And I tried so fucking hard not to, but I think I’m falling in love with you, Chloe.”
She sucked in a breath at his words, reeling from what they all meant. When she spoke, her voice shook. “You’re falling in love with Sari and Sara. Not Chloe.”
He sighed, and his lips twisted into a small smile. “They’re all a part of you. I’m not separating them. Chloe, I don’t give a fuck what roles you played with me. That was your body and your mind and that was all you, the same woman who loves her family so much she’s placed all their problems on her shoulders. The woman who does penetrative testing.”
Chloe pressed her lips together to suppress a smile. He must have caught it because he grinned and kept talking. “The woman who drives me out of my mind. They are all you. And I’m falling in love with every piece of you.”
Never in her life did Chloe think that was a speech she’d hear. Not by a man as good as Grant, as amazing as Grant. Her whole body felt hot and electric, like a live wire. And really, the only way to celebrate was to…well, kiss him.
As Chloe.
So she grabbed the back of his head and didn’t let go. She parted her lips and the kiss deepened. And then she…lost it. Because this was her, Chloe, pouring her heart into his mouth, down his throat. He clutched her to his chest and held her face in the palm of his hot hand. And he returned the kiss as passionately as she