Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
“I’d like that,” I murmur.
“Yoo-hoo! Hate to interrupt!” Hayden shouts.
Griff chuckles softly and pulls away. “You’re wanted at the starting line, birthday girl.”
We join the girls. The scent of singed rubber and motor oil hangs in the air, triggering a flood of happy memories—afternoons learning how to drive, nights watching my brother and his friends race. This was the perfect place to celebrate my eighteenth birthday.
Excitement shimmers all over Hayden’s eager face as I approach her. “Ella said I can test the BMW on the track.”
I flick my gaze toward Ella, who shrugs. “I’ll ride shotgun.”
Griff keeps his arm around me while we watch Hayden ease her car to the starting line. Like she’s done to me and everyone else she teaches, Ella has Hayden back up and approach the line several times until she gets it just right.
Laughing, I stare up at Griff. “Ella did the same thing when she taught me.”
But he’s not watching Hayden’s BMW. His adoring eyes are focused on me.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Nothing.” He leans down and kisses my cheek. “I love you,” he whispers against my ear.
Emotion ties a knot around my throat. My heart thumps faster. Nothing will ever top this birthday. “I love you too,” I rasp.
He pushes my hair off my cheek. “I don’t think I’ve ever not loved you, but—”
“This is different,” I finish for him.
He nods once. “Yeah, a lot different.”
He’s so serious. Almost sad.
“Is that my birthday present?” I tease, poking my finger against his side.
“Nope.” He drapes his arm over my shoulders and tugs me closer.
“Wait, maybe we shouldn’t?” I shift and pull away slightly. “Everyone’s here.”
He slides his hands around me and strokes the bare skin exposed by the low back of my dress. “Let them enjoy the show.”
My heart thumps. “You don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do.”
“I don’t want Remy mad at you.”
“He’ll get over it.”
Remy gave permission for us to date. Getting cuddly in public, in front of all their friends, might be a different story.
Then again, I’m the birthday girl. If I had a cake and candles in front of me right now, this would be the wish I’d make.
I loop my arms around Griff’s neck and pull him down for a long, slow kiss.
Griff
“This is now officially the best birthday I’ve ever had,” Molly says when I release her.
“You mean that?”
“Yup.” She leans up and kisses me again. “We can do this in the open today. And not just because of Remy.” She raises her eyebrows and wiggles them a few times.
“It’s not even my birthday, and I’m getting presents too, huh?” Finally telling her I love her and hearing it in return was enough of a gift.
She lowers her lashes and teases me with a coy smile. “I can think of one I’d like to give you.”
Pure fire races through my veins.
My body goes completely still, absorbing her words. I lean down and brush my lips against her ear. “You know what you need to say to unlock that present.”
A quick shiver races over her body. I pull away and stare down at her. Pink stains her cheeks and forehead as if the mere thought of asking for what she wants is making her blush.
My gaze lowers to the swells of her breasts, revealed by a dress that must’ve been sewn by Satan himself. Compared to other dresses, it’s probably tame. But on Molly, it seems designed to drive my brain straight into forbidden territory. If I rest my hand on her back, I’m touching skin. If she twirls too fast, I get a glimpse of her thighs. It’s nipped in to show off her waist and flares right over her hips, like it was made to highlight every inch of her I’m dying to explore.
“Molly!” Hayden calls.
Fuck, I’ve been trying not to monopolize her time at the party. “Now that she’s run a few laps, you should go with her,” I suggest.
She glances up at me, excitement dancing in her eyes. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Of course not. It’s your day.” My hand drops to her hip, and I give her a light squeeze. “I’ll be at the grill helping Pax.”
“Okay.” She bounces up on her toes and kisses my cheek.
“Do you need your other shoes?” I ask.
“Nah, I’m just going along for the ride.”
As she bounds over the grass onto the track, her hair billows behind her and her dress swishes around her legs. Before she ducks into the back of Hayden’s car, she turns and waves at me.
“Where’s Molly going?” Remy walks up behind me and slaps my shoulder.
“She’s doing a few laps with Hayden in her new car.”
“Aww, how nice of you to take your filthy mitts off my sister for a few minutes.”
I roll my eyes and slowly turn my head toward him. “Are you okay with us together, or not?”