RIVAL: An Enemies to Lovers Why Choose Country Romance

Chapter 21

“Read to me, darlin’.”

I can’t help but feel all swoony when Griffin speaks to me like that, and every time he does it, I find myself essentially speechless.

“Looks like you need some help there. Want me to carry you up? I very much need to hear how Edmond is gonna get out of prison.” He’s teasing me and when he takes a step toward me as if he’s going to pick me up, I jolt and run around him to my room.

Griffin laughs as he chases me up the stairs, but he stays far enough behind that I feel like I’ve outrun him until the moment I’m next to my bed. He wraps his arms around my waist and takes us down.

Laughing and breathing heavily, I wiggle away from him when he tries to kiss me. “The book! You wanted to read the book!”

“Give me a kiss and I’ll grab it.”

Halting my struggles under him, I cup his cheeks and give him a quick peck on the lips, making him scowl. “There. You’ve had a kiss,” I tease.

With a groan, he pushes off me and reaches over to pluck the book up and hands it over.

“Shoes,” I remind him when he goes to climb on the bed. Quickly, he shucks them off before finding the same position we were in last time, with his back against my headboard and me between his legs. “Alright. I’m ready to hear how he escapes. Get to reading, darlin’.”

Leaning back, I let my body rest against his chest while his arms wrap around to pull me closer. Griffin brushes my out-of-control hair from my face, then drops his chin on my shoulder to read along.

It’s hard to believe my father isn’t in the house for the night. I still feel the urge to look toward the door every few moments after I start reading, keeping my voice low as I did the last two times we read together.

As I turn the page and glance at the door once again, Griffin rests his hand over mine to stop me. “You’re worried your dad is comin’ home. Want me to check in and see where they’re at?”

Chewing on my lip, I meet his eyes and nod my head. “Yes, please. Just to make sure.”

His smile is warm as he leans sideways, adjusting with me as he pulls his phone from his pocket. Keeping his screen in my line of vision, he opens his contacts and finds his brother’s number, then calls him.

Since I’m so close, I can hear it ringing a moment before his brother picks up.

“Hey, Fin. What’s up?”

Griffin tightens an arm around me and says, “Just checkin’ in. Wanted to make sure the truck was doin’ okay and you guys were makin’ good time.”

“Goin’ good. There’s literally no traffic, so I don’t think we’ll have any issues drivin’. We’re pushin’ to get to a hotel halfway through. We’ll finish the drive in the mornin’, do the drop off, then catch some sleep again before headin’ back. ‘Bout a ten-hour drive one way.”

He nods his head while listening, then finishes his call. “Sounds good. Let me know if ya’ll have any issues or need to come back early. If Jessie needs anything, tell her to give me a ring. I’m turnin’ in for the night. Drive safe and I’ll talk at you tomorrow.”

“Sounds good, brother. Night!”

As soon as he hangs up, he stretches to the side to set his phone on my side table. “They’re well on their way. No worries tonight. Now,” he says, kissing my temple. “Get to readin’, darlin’.”

I fully relax into him and with Corbin’s reassurance that they’re well on their way, I let myself just exist for the evening. As I read page after page, Griffin’s hands slowly roam over me. None of his touches are anything more than grazing his fingers up and down my arm, but I notice enough to trip over my words a few times.

He chuckles each time I stumble, and changes tactics with how he’s touching me. Those fingers of his move from my arm to stomach, then to my shoulder, and eventually drag across my collarbone.

No matter how much I try to read, his distractions slow me and I’m sad to shut the book before Edmond is freed from his years in prison.

“He’s not free yet,” Griffin whispers against my ear, his upper lip grazing against the shell of my ear and making me shiver.

“No,” I breathe out. “You’re, umm, you’re kind of making it hard to read.”

He lifts his hips and I feel how hard he is as he presses into me. “Shame,” he murmurs, then goes back to running those fingers of his across my exposed skin at my neckline. “I really wanted to learn how he got out.”

Turning my head so my chin rests on my shoulder, I peer up at him. “Do you want me to spoil it for you?”

His answer is to pluck the book from my hands and just before he shuts it, he notes the page, then sets it down. Settling back, he stretches his legs out and moves his hands over my shoulders more firmly.

“Nope. I want to be surprised.” We’re both silent as his impromptu massage continues, then asks, “You hungry?”

“Nope.” My answer is quick. I am hungry, but not for food. Nerves and need well inside me, but I’m not sure if I should just turn around and kiss him or wait for him to make the next move.

Closing my eyes, I decide to wait in case this is all he’s meaning to do tonight, which is okay with me. I’d love to experience what he implied the last time he was in my bed, when things go further than they have, but this is incredible as well and makes me feel… well, it makes me feel seen.

I drift on a cloud as his fingers roam over my skin, dipping every now and then to places I’ve never been touched, but never far enough to make me think he’s going to change things up.

“Edith,” he murmurs, part statement, part question. I can’t force my eyes open, enjoying this too much, so I just hum at him.

He rests his hand just above my breasts, holding me tight, and asks, “Will you lay with me? Let me really touch you?”

Is it possible to panic, soar, melt, and scream all at the same time? It must be because that’s what’s happening inside of me as he shifts to the side and moves over me. Oh God. You’d think someone gruff like him would be ungainly, maybe jerky in their movements, but he’s slips over me like a trickle of water.

This kiss? This one is going to be different. I don’t need him to tell me. I can see it written in his clenched jaw and muscles. He’s fighting himself to stay controlled and slow with me, which I appreciate.

Lowering his head, he drags his tongue across my lips, and I part them, giving both of us the connection we want. The longer we kiss, the more his hands roam, cupping my breasts and sliding down along my side. His fingers dig into my waist, forcing a gasp to leave me as I push my mouth closer to his.

“Griffin,” I breathe against his lips, his smile spreading when he hears me.

“Whatcha need, darlin’?”

He punctuates his question with a thrust between my legs and we both groan loudly. Another wave of fear hits me, and I twist my head away from him to glance toward the door.

“He’s not comin’. No one is here. Nobody will hear anythin’.” Whispering all his reassurances again, I relax into my bed.

I drag my fingers over his chest and finger the front of his shirt. “I’ve never done anything like this.” My confession doesn’t seem to bother him but understanding flits across his face.

Bringing his face back to mine, he asks, “You tellin’ me you’re a virgin? That no one’s ever seen you like this before?” He pauses and leans back to drag his eyes down my clothed body. “No one’s had you beneath them?”

I blush, but I can’t help my bubble of laughter at his teasing. Biting my lower lip, I shake my head slowly, then whisper, “No. Never.”

Griffin sits up further and grins down at me. “Well then, if you’ve got no complaints, I’d like to change that for you.” Trailing his fingers over the front of my shirt, he plucks at the fabric. “I’m gonna take all of this off you, then mine. We don’t have to have sex if you have second thoughts, but I’d really like to feel your skin touching mine.”

A tiny part of me says I should stay covered, stay hidden from him, but a larger part of my mind is screaming to push forward. Let him feel me and experience sweet touches and affection from someone who’s never hurt me before.

I deserve to feel loved, even if it’s only for a moment… for a breath of time.

Digging my fingers into the old, thin sheets stretched across my mattress, I push myself up and raise my arms as his fingers play with the bottom of my shirt before lifting it up and over my head.

The amount of control I need to not cover my bra-clad chest is unreal, but I don’t do it. Instead, I lean back and let his eyes rake over me before his fingers at my back dance across the clasp, quickly releasing it with a practiced ease. The straps fall from my shoulders, then slip down my arms before he tosses it to the side of my room.

Scooting back on the bed, he removes my pants and underwear with less finesse, yanking them down my thighs and off my feet until I’m laid bare beneath him.

Griffin’s fingers trail over my exposed skin, goosebumps erupting along the path he takes to just below my belly button. My skin jumps under his touch when he flicks his eyes to mine, approval heating his gaze.

When his chin drops to roam over me again, he asks, “You want to help me? Otherwise, I’m just gonna yank everything off.”

Swallowing hard, I finally let my nerves make a decision instead of me pushing through them. “You, p-please. I don’t know what I should do…”

As my voice trails off, he’s already jerking his shirt over his head, one handed as he reaches behind his head. His pants are gone just as fast. Before I can even suck in some much-needed air, he settles his body back between my legs. This time his hardness presses against me with no barrier.

“You don’t need to do anythin’ darlin’. The great thing about this is there are no rules. We can just have fun. You tell me when to stop. Until you do, I’m gonna take my time with you if that’s alright?”

I give him a full smile, teeth and all, while threading my fingers through the medium length hair hanging over his forehead. “You need a haircut.”

“Nah,” he says, pressing kisses along my jaw. “I like the whole rugged, country boy look.” More kisses up to the corner of my mouth, but he only whispers over my mouth to the other side and works his way to my neck, then the skin along my shoulders. Nuzzling his face against the swell of my breast, he smiles at it and peeks up at me. “You believe me?”

I hum, pausing long enough to tease him. “Not really. I think you’re just putting off a haircut.”

Kissing lower, his tongue drags over my nipple and I gasp, freezing under the unfamiliar touch. “Maybe.” Another swipe of his tongue and he glances up again to watch me as he moves over to the other one, giving it the same attention. “Your skin tastes amazin’, Edith. Bet the rest of you does, too.”

My brows furrow slightly, not sure what he’s implying, so I lift myself up to watch him trail his mouth down my stomach, turning his head now and then to rub his rough cheek against me. He hasn’t shaved for a few days, so his whiskers are coarse, reddening every spot he nuzzles slightly.

“What are you—” My question is cut off when his shoulders part my thighs and I clamp them shut when his face drops to my sex. Holy mother of…

“Oh my God. What are you doing?” I cry out, my fingers scrambling to grasp hold of anything, only finding his hair as his tongue swipes through my folds for the first time. He burrows deep, and I try to tug him away. “Y-You shouldn’t do that!”

Humming, he licks his lips crudely and squints at me. “I absolutely should be doin’ this.”

His head lowers, and he trails his tongue over me again, licking harder as he drags it over my clit and I shriek. I tug at his hair hard, panicked, but unsure why. It feels amazing, but also nothing I anticipated.

Lifting up, he rests his chin just above my pubic bone and waits for me to catch my breath. “Edith, darlin’. Look at me.”

My wild eyes find him, mouth parted to suck in air. As soon as I focus on him, his smile is full of understanding and patience.

“If you don’t like it, I’ll stop. I just think you’re just worried about the unknown. Will you let me show you how good I can make you feel?” His fingers walk up my thigh and he drags the tips of them through my wetness, a blush exploding through me when his eyes heat. “I think you taste amazin’, but I want you to be comfortable. What do you want?”

Part of me relaxes under the slow stroking of his fingers as he distracts my body from knowing that he’s putting his mouth there. I consider it for only a moment, then take a deep breath. Blinking up at my ceiling, I nod once.

“I don’t want to stop.”

“Good,” he murmurs, then dives back in, using more pressure and circling my clit with his tongue before sucking it lightly into his mouth. Those damn fingers never stop roaming over me and my head swirls trying to keep up with his ministrations.

Covering my mouth, I cry out when my body starts trembling slightly, a pressure builds low in my stomach, and a gush of wetness leaks out of me.

He must hear the hiccup in my breathing because he increases the pressure. With my back arching, my breasts thrust up as I reach for him. I’m not sure where he’s taking me, but it’s scary and I feel like I’m about to lose control, about to be lost once he lets me go to the other side.

“Gri-Griffin! I—God!” My words are broken. With blood rushing to my head, I squeeze my knees harder just as he drives a finger inside, a deep ache exploding inside me when he sucks on my clit hard.

And I fly…

Curling up, I scream into my room, digging my fingers into his shoulders as he braces an arm over my abdomen to hold me still, my lower body pinned below him.

My orgasm is sharp and intense, and over before I even have a chance to understand what he just did for me. He’s opened my eyes and I’m seeing color and life for the first time.

In shock, I meet his gaze as he waits me out, but something has shifted for him as well. Griffin is breathing heavily, his muscles coiled and lips shining from my arousal. I just know he’s not finished with me.

The playfulness is gone. It’s gotten quite serious, and I think we’re both realizing the gravity of what’s about to happen. And I’m definitely not saying no.

Answering his unasked question, I dip my chin slightly, giving him permission, and his body surges up against mine. He keeps an arm hooked under my knee and opens me to him. Without even a chance for doubt to sink in, he takes over completely and surges inside my body.

A murmured, “I’m sorry,” escapes his lips as I feel every thick inch of him slide deeper and deeper into me, a sob wracking my chest when I feel my body tear from his intrusion.

In a whoosh, all the air is expelled from my lungs, and I jerk under him, stiffening from the unfamiliar feel. Griffin seems just as shaken as me as he reaches out to brush a sweaty strand of hair plastered to my face.

“Darlin’… are you okay?”

I know I have tears in my eyes, but I give him a wobbly smile. “I’m fine.”

He eyes me as if he doesn’t believe me, then gives me a kiss to swallow my moan as he shifts his hips, pressing further.

With his tongue lazily working against mine, he begins to move at a slow but steady pace. Dropping his forehead to mine, we both lose our concentration on this kiss, keeping our parted mouths just touching as he drives in harder and harder.

“Fuck. Fuck… I can’t even apologize for not lasting long. You’re so goddamn tight, Edith.”

There’s nothing I can say, nothing I would even be capable of speaking as I cling to him, hanging on while he takes me toward that cliff again. The room is filled with only our breathing and the sound of our damp skin crudely slamming together.

I want this to last forever, but the ache is there from my newly abused tissue along with another building orgasm, and Griffin seems like he’s lost to his own pleasure.

Without the same controlled movements as before, his fingers fumble over my clit and he circles his thumb quickly as his hips pound against me.

My eyes squeeze tight and just as he shouts, “Shit, I’m going to come!” I tighten around him with my completion, legs crossing over his back to hold him against me.

Griffin was holding himself slightly above me, but as he groans out unintelligible words, he drops to his elbows on either side of my head and buries his face into my neck as his body twitches against mine, the warmth of his release heating me from inside out.

Tears escape my eyes as my body locks around him, and this time, it’s a long time before I’m able to let him go.

Our harsh breathing is loud, and eventually he shifts to the side, tugging me along with him. His length slips free from my body with a pinch, and I pass out to his muttered, “Fuck. I didn’t pull out.”