Chapter 14 #2
Riley kicked her under the table.
"She has," Grant said, his thumb tracing circles on Riley's knee. "Very good company."
"I'm excellent company," Riley agreed, her voice slightly breathless.
They were flirting. Openly. And Grant was finding it very hard to remember why he was supposed to be playing it cool.
The door opened, bringing a gust of cold air.
Tessa Martin walked in.
Grant felt Riley tense beside him before he even turned around. Tessa swept into the bar like she owned it—leather jacket, designer jeans, heels that clicked against the floor. Her eyes scanned the room and landed on their booth.
Her smile widened.
"Well, well," Tessa said, appearing at their table. "Looks like the whole gang is here."
"Tessa," Hannah said, voice carefully neutral. "Didn't expect to see you."
"I heard this was the place to be." Tessa's gaze landed on Grant, and she moved closer—too close. "Grant Lawson. Long time no see."
Before Grant could respond, Tessa leaned down and hugged him, pressing against him in a way that was definitely not casual or friendly.
Grant awkwardly patted her shoulder and extracted himself. "Hey, Tessa."
Under the table, Riley's hand had moved from her drink to his thigh, her fingers digging in just slightly.
Tessa stepped back but stayed close, one hip leaning against the table. "I was thinking about stopping by the farm this week. My mom's hosting Christmas dinner and wants fresh garland for the table. You still make those custom arrangements?"
"We do," Grant said carefully. "You're welcome to stop by."
"Perfect." Tessa's hand landed on his shoulder, her fingers trailing down his arm. "Maybe you could help me pick out the best pieces? I trust your judgment."
Grant was hyperaware of Riley vibrating with tension beside him.
Tessa's gaze shifted to Riley, as if noticing her for the first time. "Riley! I didn't see you there. You two are just so cozy." Her hand was still on Grant's arm. "It's so nice seeing you back together. Very…nostalgic."
"It's been great," Riley said, her voice tight.
"I'm sure." Tessa squeezed Grant's arm. "Grant's always been such a catch. So helpful, so dependable. Mr. Reliable."
The way she said it made "reliable" sound boring.
Riley's fingers dug harder into Grant's thigh.
"He's definitely dependable," Riley said, and Grant could hear the edge in her voice.
Tessa finally removed her hand from Grant's arm, but her smile stayed predatory. "Well, I should let you all get back to your evening. Grant, I'll text you about that tree."
"Sure," Grant managed.
Tessa walked away, heading toward the bar, and the table was silent for a beat.
Then Riley set down her drink with more force than necessary.
"I need another round," she announced. "Anyone else?"
"I'm good," Hannah said, eyes bright with barely suppressed amusement.
"Me too," Emily added.
Riley stood, smoothing her sweater. "Grant? Walk with me?"
It wasn't really a question.
Grant followed her to the bar, where Riley flagged down Mike for another drink. She was vibrating with barely contained energy.
"You okay?" Grant asked, trying not to smile.
"Fine. Why wouldn't I be fine?"
"You seem a little—"
"A little what?"
"Tense."
Riley's eyes flashed. "Tessa Martin just put her hands all over you."
"I noticed."
"And you just let her."
"What was I supposed to do? Shove her away?"
"Maybe!" Riley's voice rose slightly, then she caught herself, lowering it. "She was all over you. 'Oh Grant, you're so helpful. Let me touch your arm. Let me come to your farm.'"
Grant's smile broke through. "Are you jealous?"
"No."
"Riley."
"Maybe a little."
"A little?"
"Fine. A lot. Happy?" Riley grabbed her fresh drink from Mike. "She was being inappropriate."
"She was," Grant agreed. "But you know what?"
"What?"
"I didn't care about anything she was saying. Because I was too busy thinking about you."
Riley's anger flickered, replaced by something softer. "Really?"
"Really." Grant stepped closer, backing her against the bar. "You think Tessa Martin touching my arm matters when I woke up this morning with you in my bed?"
Riley's breath caught. "Grant—"
"When I've been thinking about last night all day? When I drove here specifically at this time today because I knew you'd be here?"
"You said it was for the barrels."
"The barrels were an excuse. I could have come any time today. I wanted to see you."
Riley's eyes searched his. "This is a bad idea."
"What is?"
"This. Us. Getting this—" She stopped. "Invested."
"Too late."
"Grant—"
He kissed her, cutting off whatever rationalization she'd been about to make. Riley melted into him immediately, her drink forgotten on the bar, her hands fisting in his shirt.
When they broke apart, both breathing hard, Grant rested his forehead against hers. "You don't have to be jealous of Tessa."
"I'm not jealous."
"You just said you were."
"I changed my mind."
Grant laughed. "Liar."
Riley pulled back just enough to look at him, something determined in her eyes. "Come on."
"Where?"
She grabbed his hand and pulled him back toward the booth. Grant followed, confused.
Riley slid into the booth, but instead of sitting across from everyone, she positioned herself right next to Grant—closer than before, her body angled toward his.
Tessa was making her way back from the bar, drink in hand, clearly intending to stop by their table again.
Riley saw her coming.
And then, with zero warning, Riley turned to Grant, cupped his face in her hands, and kissed him.
Not a peck. Not a quick brush of lips. A real kiss—deep and possessive and absolutely deliberate. Her fingers slid into his hair, angling his head exactly how she wanted it, and Grant's brain short-circuited.
His hands found her waist automatically, pulling her closer, and he kissed her back because there was no other option. Riley Monroe was claiming him in the middle of Hannigan's Bar, and it was the hottest thing that had ever happened to him.
When Riley finally pulled back, her lips were swollen and her eyes were bright with satisfaction.
Grant's heart was pounding. That kiss was a message, loud and clear—a public claiming that everyone in this bar had just witnessed.
Riley straightened, smoothing her sweater like she hadn't just made a public declaration. She glanced toward the bar where Tessa stood frozen, drink halfway to her mouth, eyes wide.
"Sorry," Riley called sweetly. "What were you saying, Tessa?"
Tessa's expression went carefully neutral. "Nothing. Nothing important." She turned and headed toward a different table, her stride quick.
The booth exploded with barely suppressed laughter.
"OH MY GOD," Hannah whisper-shouted. "That was AMAZING."
"Riley Monroe," Emily said, eyes wide. "I have never been more proud."
Jenna raised her glass. "To Riley. Queen of the territorial kiss."
Riley picked up her drink, taking a long sip like she hadn't just claimed Grant in front of half the town. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Grant couldn't take his eyes off her. She'd done exactly what he'd done to her—used a public kiss to mark territory, to send a message, to show everyone he was taken.
And the best part? She wasn't even trying to hide it.
"You just—" Grant started, then stopped. "In front of everyone."
Riley met his eyes, her expression challenging. "We're dating, aren't we? I'm allowed to kiss my boyfriend."
The word hit him square in the chest. Boyfriend.
"Yeah," Grant managed, his voice rough. "You are."
"Good." Riley's smile turned wicked. "Because Tessa Martin needed to know you're taken."
Hannah leaned forward, grinning. "So. Scale of one to ten, how jealous were you?"
"I wasn't jealous."
"Riley."
"Fine. Maybe an eight."
"Try a twelve," Jenna said.
Riley's cheeks went pink, but she didn't back down. "Okay, fine. I was very jealous. Happy?"
"Thrilled," Hannah said.
Grant couldn't stop staring at Riley. She'd kissed him because she was jealous. Because she wanted everyone—especially Tessa—to know he was hers.
Turnabout was fair play. And Grant had never been happier about anything in his life.
Mike appeared with a dolly. "Grant? Barrels are ready whenever you are."
Grant stood reluctantly. "I should get those loaded."
"See you later?" Riley asked, and there was something in her voice that made his pulse jump.
"Definitely." Grant leaned down, his mouth close to her ear. "That was quite a performance."
Riley's eyes gleamed. "I learned from the best."
Grant smiled and headed for the door, hyperaware of Riley's gaze following him the entire way.
Outside, the cold air hit like a slap. Grant loaded the barrels into his truck bed, his hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him.
Riley Monroe had just staked her claim in the middle of Hannigan's Bar.
Because she was jealous. Because she didn't want anyone else touching him. Because whatever this thing between them was, it mattered to her.
His phone buzzed.
Riley: That okay? The kiss?
Grant smiled.
Grant: More than okay.
Riley: Good. Because Tessa needed to back off.
Grant: Agreed.
Riley: See you tomorrow?
Grant: Yeah. Come by the farm if you want. I'll be there all day.
Riley: Maybe I will.
Grant: Riley?
Riley: Yeah?
Grant: I liked it. You kissing me like that.
A pause.
Riley: Yeah?
Grant: Yeah. Do it again sometime.
Riley: Careful what you wish for, Lawson.
Grant climbed into his truck, still grinning.
Riley Monroe was jealous. Territorial.
She could rationalize it however she wanted—call it vacation sex, pretend it was temporary, insist she was leaving after New Year's.
But that kiss told him everything he needed to know.
She was in deep. Just as deep as he was.
And Grant? He was going to make damn sure she knew staying was an option.
He drove home with the windows down despite the cold, his mind already planning tomorrow.
Two weeks. He had two weeks to show Riley what they could be.
And after tonight? He was more determined than ever.