Prologue #2
After a few more pulses, he pulls me to my feet and cradles my face, wiping his thumbs under my eyes. “Look at what a desperate mess you are. A beautiful fucking disaster.”
My heart pounds incessantly, blocking out all other sound as he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a condom, placing the foil between my teeth. “Put it on me.”
I press my lips to his chest as my hands work the latex over his hard length. When I pull back, he grips me under my ass and lifts me up, my legs automatically wrapping around his waist. I sink onto his cock, inch by torturous inch, stretched and filled beyond comprehension.
I never thought I’d find a man who could throw me around, but Griffin is doing it with ease. I’ve never felt small until now, and I might never feel this way ever again. My heart lurches at the thought, but I don’t have long to dwell on it.
Griffin drops his head to my shoulder and fucks up into me with a strangled groan. “Goddamn. You feel fucking incredible.”
My fingernails dig into his back as I cling to him for dear life, his cock hitting me impossibly deep with each fervent thrust. He grips my hair, tilting my head back to trail kisses all over my neck and collarbone, then he nips my shoulder and groans out his release.
“Holy shit,” I murmur breathlessly, running my fingers through his hair.
“Mm. Yeah.”
I throw my head back laughing, still clinging to his shoulders. “We didn’t even make it into the apartment.”
“Then it’s a good thing I owe you another orgasm.” He repositions me higher on his waist. “Where’s your bedroom?”
“All the way at the end of the hall, but you already gave me one.”
“And you should get at least two for every one of mine.”
I can’t help but smile as he takes off in the direction of my bedroom. “I like the way you think, Griffin Hayes.”
He comes up behind me in the kitchen, wrapping me in his arms to pepper kisses along my neck and jaw as the scent of fresh coffee permeates the air. We’re both half naked—me in nothing but his shirt and him in his underwear. Clothing has been rendered completely obsolete.
A giggle bubbles out of me.
“What are you laughing at?” he whispers against my skin.
I spin to face him, banding my arms around his back. “When Jess told me about you, I said I’d never go for a cowboy. Something about red flags.”
He laughs that deep, hearty laugh of his, and a riot of butterflies erupts in my chest. That’s been happening a lot the last two days.
His large hand splays across my lower back, and he pulls my body flush against his, lowering his mouth beside my ear. “The color red hasn’t once left your lips this weekend. Has your opinion changed?”
“Maybe.”
A twinge of pain radiates from my left ass cheek as his palm connects with it.
“How about now?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“That’s my girl.” He steps back, a soft smile spreading across his face as he tucks some of his wild hair behind his ear. “Any regrets?”
I swallow thickly, threading my fingers through his. “Not one. What’ll you do when you get home? Are you going to talk to your dad about opening the sanctuary?”
He rests his chin against the side of my head, his breath ruffling my hair. “I think so. I’ve wanted it for a long time, I just… I don’t know if I’d be any good at it.”
“You won’t know if you don’t try. For what it’s worth, I think you’re exactly the kind of person who should run a rescue—kind, gentle when the situation calls for it. Not a single red flag in sight.” I say those last words with a teasing lilt.
He laughs once, still leaning into me. “Yeah. Maybe.”
A long silence passes before either of us speaks again.
“Come to Oak Ridge,” he says. “Meet my family. I’ll take you for a trail ride. All of it.”
“I’m not sure—”
His grip tightens on my hands like he thinks I might run, his thumb making gentle patterns on the side of my palm. “This feels like it could be something, Angel. I’ve never felt this connected to anyone before. I don’t—I can’t let you go.”
I pull one hand free to stroke the side of his cheek, soft bristles chafing against my palm. “You didn’t let me finish, you overbearing ass. I was going to say I’m not sure when I’m free, but I’ll check my schedule.”
“Thank fuck.” He lifts me into his arms and spins me in a circle. As he sets me on my feet, the oven timer goes off. “Is that”—he sniffs the air—“potatoes?”
“Breakfast hash brown casserole.”
“Goddamn, Angel. You really are my dream girl.”
We spent two and a half blissful days together talking, laughing, and getting to know each other intimately. It was the best birthday I can recall in recent memory, and I didn’t want it to end.
I wake Monday morning with a dull, throbbing ache between my thighs, and a kaleidoscope of memories surges to the forefront of my mind.
I reach across the bed, craving the comfort of his arms. My heart sinks when the sheets are cold and empty.
I roll onto my side and check my phone. The only notification waiting for me is from Jess asking about our weekly lunch date.
I text her back to let her know I’ll meet her at Hoffman’s deli around noon, then I burrow deeper into the covers.
It was just a fling. It didn’t mean anything.
Griffin
Good morning, Angel. You were sleeping so well, I didn’t want to wake you. I almost said fuck it and missed my flight, but I have to get back to the ranch. I’ll text you when I land, and we can make plans for you to fly out. I owe you a trail ride. xo Griff
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