Page 89 of A Little Secret
“I think we both know the answer to that,” I volley back at him. Tilting up my face, I wait for him to lean closer and kiss me, curious if he’ll take the bait after everything that just happened. When he does, I swear I feel it all the way down to my toes.
Pressing my body against him, I tug at the towel around his waist but keep it wrapped around his hips, teasing, “Don’t tempt me, Griffin, or I just might seduce you again.”
“Is that what you’re doing?”
With a nod, I smile against his lips. “That’s exactly whatI’m doing.” My heels hit the ground a second later, and I add, “So, are we good?”
“Good?”
“You know…are you still mad at me?” I prod.
“Are you gonna go out with anyone other than me?”
I shake my head. “You’re the only one I want, Griffin Thor—Ouch!”
With a loud smack against my ass, I yelp.
“Then, we’re good,” he replies, squeezing the tender flesh with his massive hands. “And now that your brother knows, does this mean our little secret has been blown out of the water?”
I shouldn’t find the spark of hope in his eyes so damn endearing, but I can’t help myself. Nibbling on the edge of my lip, I murmur, “I’m thinking…it might be, but we probably want to give my brother a day or two to warm up to the idea before we announce it to the world.”
“Yeah, you might be onto something,” he agrees. “Maybe we keep a wide berth from each other until tomorrow when I can talk to Ev?”
I nod. “Sounds good to me. But, uh, I did tell our friends you’d drive me to the party.”
“So, now you try for honesty?” he quips.
“Pardon me, sir, but the trick with lying is to weave them with as many truths as possible.” I give him a cheeky grin. “Now, get dressed. I’m almost finished chatting with my”—I lift my hand and do air quotes—“friendand could really use a ride home.”
He rolls his eyes but steps toward a row of lockers so he can get dressed. “You know, it’s a good thing you’re not an evil mastermind or anything.”
“Don’t worry!” I reply, shamelessly checking out his broad shoulders and tan skin on full display. “I only use my powers for good.” I hesitate. “Well, most of the time.”
His laughter bounces off the cinderblock walls. It turns my insides into goo as I soak it up. Because that sound? I did that. Even after tonight’s game and my brother walking in. I still managed to make Griffin smile. And it makes me feel lighter than air.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
FINLEY
There are pros to not touching alcohol. Remembering the night before. Saving money. Always being the designated driver. No one questioning why you’re not drinking tonight and if it’s because you’re most definitely pregnant.
See? Pros.
Taking a deep breath, Griffin and I walk up the steps to the house when someone almost knocks into me as they stumble to the edge of the porch. Falling to their knees on the freshly shoveled cement, their body lurches forward near the bushes, and they spew vomit all over the snow-covered plants, staining the white with an orange-ish red.
My stomach churns as I watch helplessly.
Aaaand, there’s another pro.
No vomiting in public. Scratch that. No vomiting. Period. Yup. Sounds like a solid win to me.
Speaking of which, I kind of think I might puke. The putrid smell clings to my senses, and I press my fingers to my mouth in an attempt to keep from joining the inebriated partygoer on the ground when Griffin grabs my side.Tugging me closer to him, we give the stranger, who clearly doesn’t feel well, some extra space as he leads me inside the house.
“Boyle!” Griff calls. “Go check on the person out front. If they need an Uber, let me know.”
“Will do.” The freshman rushes outside, and Griffin drops his hand from my waist. A frown threatens to take over my expression, but I keep it in check. Because we’re pretending again.
Right.