Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
That’s exactly what I want too. I kiss the top of her head. “Sounds like a plan.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Molly
Griff’s “welcome back” party has so far been a success. The bar’s full of people. No customers, just friends from all the different social circles Remy and Griff navigate.
At the back door, I give Juliet a quick embrace. “Are you sure you guys have to leave so early?” I ask, feeling guilty that I haven’t seen her a lot since Griff and I got back together.
She glances out into the parking lot where Vapor’s talking to Eraser next to his Harley.
“I promised the sitter we wouldn’t be out too late. Let’s do something if you come home next weekend?”
“I’d like that.”
“Good.” She hugs me again.
I hold the door open and watch her cross the parking lot to Vapor’s bike. He starts the engine, the distinctive rumble deafening even from half a parking lot away.
I close the door and pivot on my toes, intent on returning to the party.
And smack right into someone.
“Shoot.” I glance up into Torch’s apologetic face.
“Hey, I’ve been looking for you.”
Oh, this is bad. Embarrassment, guilt, and anger all take a spin in my chest.
I clench my jaw and stare at him. “Why?”
“Look, I’m sorry. I realize what you overheard the other day sounded bad.” He blows a puff of air past his lips. “Really, I was just trying to save face in front of Griff.” He chuckles. “I mean save my face.”
My expression stays the same.
“Yes, your brother asked me to take you out. But like I said, I was going to ask you out, anyway. Just maybe not right after everything that happened.” He waves his hand over his shoulder.
“You could’ve told me.”
He tilts his head.
Right, everyone’s scared to challenge Remy.
Everyone except Griff.
Guilt needles me in the ribs. “Well, I’m sorry too.”
“Why?” He lifts his eyebrows. “Because you were using me to get over Griff?”
My jaw drops. That’s not quite how I was going to put it.
“I don’t care, Molly,” he continues when I still haven’t said anything. “I was fine with it. Figured you’d get over him, eventually. Or not.”
This is the worst conversation of my life.
“We’re still going to run into each other.” He circles one finger in the air. “So, friends?”
What else am I supposed to say? He’s right. “Sure.”
He opens his arms and leans in like he’s going to hug me. Oh, that’s not happening. I sidestep the embrace.
“Got it,” he says.
“I need to get back…” I keep walking sideways. Other people in the hallway glance over at us, but no one says anything.
Ugh, that was awful.
I speed walk into the main room, my steps slowing as I hit the crowd. Bikers, fighters, and racers from Zips fill the space. I recognize a few of the women and wave.
Remy lifts his hand, signaling to me from his place behind the bar. Instead of throwing up the middle finger I want, I glare at him.
Confusion wrinkles his forehead.
Good, let him wonder.
I’m so focused on shooting lasers out of my eyeballs, I slam into someone else. By the height, feel, and arms that close around me, it’s Griff.
“I was getting worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” I mumble against his shirt, taking comfort in his warm, solid presence.
He keeps his arm around me while he signals Remy to hand him drinks. Then we make our way over to my favorite table in the back.
“Hey, Griff.” Someone stops us briefly.
Griff keeps moving. “I’ll catch you in a minute.”
We stop at the table and Griff nudges me to slide into the booth first. Good. It’s dark enough in this corner to hide my face. My gaze scans the back hallway I just came from. Did Torch leave? Is that where he was headed when I ran into him?
“Did I tell you how pretty you look tonight?” Griff says, sliding all the way into the booth. I scooch over until I can’t go any farther.
My lips twitch. “Yes, but I don’t mind hearing it again.”
“I’d rather show you.” He leans down and presses his lips to mine. Soft and gentle at first, then slowly becoming more insistent. He trails kisses along my jaw, to my neck.
A pleasurable shiver races over my skin, momentarily making me forget where we are.
Griff isn’t usually this affectionate in public. Hold my hand, yes. Grab a quick kiss, sure. His teeth grazing my neck in front of everyone—not so much.
I press my hand to his chest. Not really pushing him away, more like a reminder to myself to stay in control, since he’s apparently lost his in public switch. “What are you doing?” My eyelids flutter shut from the shivery sensation of his tongue on that sensitive spot right below my ear.
He dips his head lower, brushing his lips in the crook of my neck. “Kissing my girl.”