Chapter 9 #2
No matter how many times I tell myself that, it hasn’t gotten easier.
I briefly considered finding a sperm donor, but it’s not just the baby I want; it’s the family that goes along with it.
Growing up as an only child was lonely at times, through no fault of my parents—they were wonderful, present, and attentive—but I always planned to have more than one child so they would have a sibling to play with. Those plans are all but forgotten now.
The fire alarm stops, but nobody moves to head inside.
Despite the acrid smell permeating the air, it’s a beautiful evening.
The sun is just setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and yellow.
The horses are grazing in the nearby pasture, and all of my favorite sounds can be heard for miles.
I didn’t grow up on a ranch, but I’ve worked at enough of them to know nothing beats the peace that can be found out here.
“So… Griffin…” Olivia says with a smirk. “How did that happen?”
Now would be a great time for a margarita.
I sink onto the other rocking chair opposite Callie.
“Alcohol and a broken heart are a lethal combination,” I say, keeping it purposefully vague.
I can’t tell them I’ve been harboring feelings for the man for years, even though he ghosted me and I was engaged to marry his best friend.
And I certainly can’t tell them I never stopped thinking about the things he promised me back then—those whispered words in my Colorado apartment when he said he’d never felt so connected to another person before.
It’s all in the past.
Olivia props her elbow on her knee, resting her chin in her hand. “Why Griffin?”
“I was sad. He was there.” The words pale in comparison to all we shared, but I haven’t wanted to dig deeper.
I already know what I’ll find there. A part of me wanted it to be Griffin—wanted him above anyone else, maybe even above Tyler.
As hard as I tried, I never got over the weekend we spent together.
Somewhere in my subconscious, I held onto him.
She huffs a laugh through her nose. “There has to be more to it than that. I doubt you would've married the first man to cross your path.”
I offer a dismissive wave. “Doesn’t matter. I filed for an annulment.” I’m starting to sound like a broken record, and I can’t tell who I’m trying to convince anymore.
Callie and Olivia let out a synchronized “no,” drawing out the word like I’ve just told them their favorite show was cancelled.
“Are you sure there isn’t something more between you two?” Olivia asks.
“I’m not ready for something more. It’s too soon after Tyler.”
“The heart wants what it wants,” Olivia says, ever the hopeless romantic.
I have to admit, it hurt to see Wilder with Olivia when she first arrived at the ranch, but anyone could see how perfect they are together. She’s good for him, and he deserves to be happy.
Olivia’s phone chimes with a text. “It’s Wilder. They rode out to the creek, and they need me to bring them towels and a change of clothes.”
“I think I’ll just head home,” I tell them, grateful for the chance to flee. It’s nothing against Callie and Olivia, but I don’t think I was ready to face Griffin’s family yet. Adding more of them into the mix would be exponentially worse.
I start to stand, but Callie’s pleading voice stops me. “Come see the waterfall with us. It’s really beautiful this time of day.”
Olivia nods vigorously, her hopeful gaze chipping away at my resolve. “It’s worth it, I promise.”
I wrinkle my nose and release a long breath. “Fine.”
Olivia loaded up the side-by-side UTV with clothes and towels, even ransacked her closet for something Ruby could borrow, then we headed out to the creek as the vibrant colors of the sunset deepened.
They weren’t lying; the waterfall is more beautiful than I imagined, dimly lit by the sunlight filtering through the trees, casting a faint glow on the creek bed below.
I find Griffin before I’m conscious of the choice.
His brown hair with golden streaks is pulled up into an effortless messy bun, and he’s floating in a halo of sunlight like some kind of Greek god.
His shirt has been discarded on the rocks, leaving him bare from the waist up, water droplets glistening on every inch of his upper chest and arms. It feels like I should be paying a subscription fee for this show.
Jaxon spots us first and rushes over to Callie.
He reaches for her, but she takes a step back. “Don’t even think about touching me. You’re soaked.”
With a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he shakes out his hair like a wet dog, spraying everything in the vicinity, including Callie. A few drops land on my arm, but Olivia manages to sidestep the incident.
Callie squeals and shoves him away from her, but he’s not having it. He wraps his arms around her from behind, peppering her neck and shoulders with kisses.
She giggles. “Stop! Stop! It’s cold.”
He kisses her one last time. “How are you feeling?”
I tune out the rest of the conversation, shoving down the rising tide of sadness. Will I forever be grieving the future I’ll never have?
Wilder wades out of the water and takes a towel from Olivia, running it through his dark hair. He leans over and presses a soft kiss to her lips. “You ladies having fun?”
“Somebody interrupted all of the good gossip,” Olivia replies.
A hollow laugh bubbles out of me, and Griffin’s dark gaze rakes over my body from head to toe. That molten stare is like a hit of adrenaline straight to my greedy pussy. I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to.
Memories from our wedding night come flooding back like the rushing waterfall before me. Griffin’s hands on my body, stroking and caressing my soft curves, whispering reverent words against my skin.
“You were made for me, Angelina.”
He strides out of the creek as if in slow motion, like some sort of swimsuit model, water cascading down his body in rivulets of shimmering light.
His jeans cling to his muscled thighs like a second skin, hanging low on his hips.
His softness calls to me like a beacon, begging to let him wrap his arms around me and cocoon me in his warmth.
My heart is screaming mine mine mine, and my mind is blissfully empty—devoid of all thoughts, rational or otherwise.
My gaze returns to his stupidly handsome face, and he winks. When he gets close enough that only I can hear, he whispers. “Look all you want, baby girl. I’m all yours.”
A shiver courses down my spine at the gruffness in his voice.
It’s silent for a long minute, then a loud splash echoes around us seconds before we’re both drenched.
Griffin whirls around and rushes toward the culprit—his sister.
As he nears the middle of the creek, she surges at him and pushes him under, her melodic laughter reverberating through the open air.
When he comes back up, he lifts her and tosses her several feet away. Ruby squeals at the sudden movement.
Griffin’s attention lands on me. “Are you just gonna stand there, or are you going to defend my honor?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m kind of fond of dry land.”
“You’re already wet,” he says, oblivious to how true that statement is. “Get in here, Angel.”
My eyes dart to Ruby, her arched brow raised in silent challenge.
I give her a subtle wink, then rush at him. Griffin doesn’t have a second to react as I shove my hands forward and douse him again.
He grabs me around the waist. “You little traitor.”
“Us girls have to stick together,” I say.
I’m soaked from head to toe, my long hair sticking to my shoulders and back. He tickles my ribs, and I shove at his hard chest, struggling to escape. He doesn’t let up, so I spit a mouthful of water at him.
He lets me go, wiping his eyes. “I’m gonna get you for that.”
Adrenaline pumping, I swim toward the waterfall for refuge, diving beneath the surface to emerge on the other side.
I climb onto the rocks and peer through the liquid veil, my chest heaving as I catch my breath.
My heartbeat thrums in my ears, the sound mingling with the constant rushing of the water.
Time seems infinite here, like a thread with no ending or beginning. I could get lost in the simplicity of it all, in the laughter and unfettered joy. I haven’t felt this free since… Vegas.
Griffin was present at both scenes, I realize, but it’s hard to trust him after what happened five years ago. As foolish as it seems, in hindsight, those two days meant something to me, and when I didn’t hear from him again, it hurt more than I thought possible.
Griffin materializes in front of me like a fantasy come true, his dark eyes shadowed in our hidden corner of the world. He takes a step closer, and I press my palm against his chest.
“I swear to god if you pull me under, I’ll fucking kill you.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Try me.”
“I’ve already had you.” He lowers his voice an octave and leans in the barest amount, his beard brushing against my cheek. “I’ve sampled every goddamn inch of you, Angel, and I’m addicted.”
I draw in a shuddering breath as my wet clothes stick to my body. “We should get back out there. They’ll think we ditched them.”
His fingertips trace a water droplet down my arm. “They’re gone. It’s just you and me.”
I peer through the cascading water, confirming the worst. “What the fuck. So much for girls’ night.”
“What’s wrong? Worried you’ll give in to temptation?”
I huff out an indignant breath. “I’m only tempted to push you back in the water.”
The words echo in the dark alcove, taunting me with the lie.
He slides his fingers beneath my sopping wet hair and moves it away from my forehead.
The air crackles with something heady and unspoken, all hints of playfulness gone.
“Tell me you don’t want me and I’ll go.” His breath ghosts over the side of my face, and my breathing picks up.
“But I know you feel it too… this magnetic pull drawing us together.”
That infinite thread winds around us until I no longer know where he ends and I begin. “I can’t do this,” I whisper.
I don’t want to get swept up in his tide again and lose what little sanity I have left. I couldn’t bear it if he walked away again, taking whatever’s left of me in the process.
“Give me your eyes, Angel.”
I look up, and my heart skips a beat.
“Kiss me.”
“No.”
Yes.
He grins, weakening my defenses. “Just this once. What happens behind the waterfall stays behind the waterfall.”
“This isn’t Vegas.”
His thumb glides across my lower lip ever so slowly, and he brings his mouth a hair’s breadth away from mine. “God, I wish it were.”
Memories of our wedding night resurface, flashes from the chapel and the balcony, our bodies writhing in the sheets, sweat-soaked and blissfully lost in each other. Whatever resistance I have left crumbles.
“Fuck it.” I surge forward and seal my mouth to his.
It’s slow and sensual at first, like we’re learning each other all over again. Exploring, tasting, teasing. But it’s not enough. I nip his bottom lip, and he groans into my mouth, deepening the kiss.
He reaches under my ass and hefts me up his body, my legs instinctually wrapping around him. I’m dimly aware that we’re moving, but I don’t register what’s happening until we’re standing under the misty spray, water cascading on and around us as the kiss turns soft and sweet.
I’m not sure how much time passes. It all seems inconsequential.
He pulls back, his dark eyes crinkling as he lowers me back to my feet, but his arms stay banded around me.
His laughter catches on the breeze and wraps around me in a gentle embrace.
His happiness is contagious, and before I know it, I’m laughing, too.
A few heartbeats pass, and his expression sobers. “I owe you a trail ride.”
Griffin
This ride is five years overdue, but fuck was it worth the wait. We dry off on the shore, then Angie mounts Storm with ease. She looks damn good on a saddle.
The sun is all but gone now, giving way to the moon and stars glowing overhead. I guide Phoenix out of the creek bed and onto the trail as Storm follows in stride.
The silence lingers as Angie’s gaze sweeps over the landscape. I wish I could read her mind. Some part of me longs for her approval, and a distant hope that she’ll make this her home sparks to life.
When we reach the fork, I finally break the silence. “We can take these guys up to the barn, or I can drop you off at your car and tow Storm back.”
She hesitates. “It’s getting late. I should head home.”
Disappointment stirs in my chest, but I don’t give voice to it. With a curt nod, I shift my weight and guide Phoenix toward Wilder’s place. Storm instinctively follows the new path, and it’s not long before we’re pulling to a stop outside the old farmhouse with the butter-yellow door.
I dismount Phoenix, then help Angie down by the waist. Her hands rest on my shoulders for a split second before she takes a step back, putting some distance between us. It might as well be a million miles away.
We stand there awkwardly, neither of us knowing what to say or do next. When I can’t stand the silence any longer, I reach for her hand and press a kiss to the inside of her wrist, my lips lingering over her pulse point. Her heartbeat thrums in perfect time with mine.
“Goodnight, Angel.”
“Night.”
She heads to her van and pulls open the door. There’s a pregnant pause before she glances back at me over her shoulder. “Griff?”
“Hm?”
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime.”
As her taillights disappear from view, a persistent ache takes up residence in my chest. I should’ve asked about the phone number so we could move on from our past once and for all, but I couldn’t bring myself to ruin a perfect night.
If that kiss is any indication, she’s still in the thick of it with me, wishing like hell I’d never left her bed that morning. Things would be so different now if I’d stayed.