Thunder and Heat
Maisie
The look on his face was priceless.
I hadn't known what to expect when I'd tossed out that line about Wednesday, but it wasn't the stunned silence I'd gotten in return.
I should've been embarrassed. Maybe later, I would be. But right now? I felt surprisingly empowered.
It wasn't because I'd shocked him, although I definitely had. It was because, for the first time all day, I didn't feel so helpless. The rough ferry ride, the tense meeting, the looming disaster with the loan – I'd been stuck on a sinking ship with no good options.
But this? This moment, right here?
This was my own choice.
And if I wanted to spend my storm-soaked Tuesday getting naked with the hottest guy I'd ever met, well, why shouldn't I? And besides, it wasn't only his looks that made me want to fall into him and forget the world.
It was the heat in his eyes, the quirk of his mouth, and the fact that he'd proven himself to be surprisingly decent after that terrible first impression.
In spite of what Griff thought, my only regret would come from playing it too safe when my whole life was headed for danger – or at least, my whole financial life. And besides, this was a perfect reminder that money wasn't everything.
It was a reminder I desperately needed.
So I waited, letting the silence hang like an invitation, which I guess it was.
When his lips twitched, I knew I had won – even if he hadn't said so.
Still, I continued to wait with high hopes and a racing heart along with more than a little curiosity. What would he say?
Finally, he spoke. "You're killing me. You know that, right?"
I fought a sudden urge to giggle. "Well…at least you'd go out happy." I felt nearly dizzy with my own daring. Normally, I'd overthink this to death. But I had this crazy idea that if I didn't grab onto this now, whatever it was, it would slip away, leaving me nothing but regret.
For months, I'd been working my tail off, keeping my shoulder to the grindstone, doing everything a good girl should. And what had it gotten me?
Nothing much.
Not even the shop I'd been killing myself for.
The way it looked, it wouldn't be mine for much longer.
But I refused to think about that now. The loan wasn't due for two whole months. But Griff? He was right here, right now, standing so close, I could see the surprising warmth in his steely blue eyes and track the slow, steady rise of his chest with every breath.
Helpfully, I added, "I've got camping gear in the back."
His breath hitched – just a tiny catch – but I heard it loud and clear. I felt it, too, as I savored the promise of what it meant – or rather, what I hoped it meant.
Emboldened, I kept on going. "And my sleeping bag? It's really fluffy. And big enough for two."
The heat in his eyes turned molten, but he still didn't move. In a near whisper, he said, "Is that so?"
I drank in the sight of him. "Totally. And the back room? It has no windows at all."
He knew this, obviously, considering that the back room was his normal domain. But hey, a reminder never hurt, especially now, with the windows out front rattling something fierce.
Absently, I added, "So, it's not like we'd be putting on a show."
His lips curved with a slow, knowing smile. "Yeah?"
I glanced toward the connecting door. "I'm serious."
"Me, too." And with that, he finally moved forward, standing so close I could feel the heat of his body along with the energy crackling between us.
His hand reached up and cupped my cheek like he was still waiting for me to back out.
I didn't.
Instead, I leaned into him as my pulse jumped and I nearly forgot to breathe.
His voice was low and hoarse. "Maisie."
I could hardly get out the word. "Yeah?"
"Tell me to stop."
I looked up. "I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want you to."
That was all the permission he needed.
He kissed me.
It was slow at first, like he was trying to hold himself back.
But me? I wasn't trying at all. My hands slid under his damp T-shirt and found the warm, hard muscle underneath. I caressed his back and deepened the kiss, wanting to get lost in everything that was him.
And soon, he wasn't holding back anymore. His hands were in my hair, on my back, gripping my hips as he backed me into the front counter. Wood met spine, but I barely felt it.
All I could feel was him.
His mouth was warm, and his hands everywhere – roaming, teasing, worshiping. And mine? They weren't much better. They roamed under his shirt, loving the way his skin felt under my palms, the way he shivered when I traced the hard lines of his stomach, and the low noise he made deep in his throat.
He tasted like rain and adrenaline and sweet temptation, something I'd been resisting for a long, long time.
I gasped when his lips left mine and moved to my throat, trailing fire along my jaw and down to the sweet spot just below my ear. He nipped me gently, and I moaned – an actual moan – while his answering growl made me burn even hotter.
Against my skin, he asked, "Want to hear a secret?"
I smiled, breathless. "Definitely."
"I've wanted this since the day I saw you."
"You did not." A soft giggle escaped my lips. "You didn't even like me."
"That's what you think," he said, chuckling against my neck. "I didn't like the guy stealing my bag." He gave me another playful nibble. " You , I liked."
I couldn't help but tease him just a little. "You had a funny way of showing it."
He pulled back and gave me a wicked grin. "Want me to show you now?"
"Definitely," I said again. My fingers sifted through his hair as he kissed me again, harder now, his body pressing fully against mine.
I was soaked. I was exhausted. I was probably insane.
But I had never felt more alive.
And right now? I didn't give a single damn about anything else.
Not the storm.
Not the bank.
Not tomorrow.
Only this.
Only him.