“Griff!” She squeals and grips the bowl even tighter.
I sigh and move my hand down. “Fine, but I wouldn’t want you to get the wrong idea. I’ll have those panties off you and in my mouth before this night is through.”
She wiggles in her seat.
“Here we are.” We’re ushered through the gate by armed guards, and I ease up the smooth drive to the house.
Vivian’s eyes widen. “Wait. What does Grant do for a living?”
I shrug and maneuver around a couple of peacocks encroaching on the driveway. “He’s a businessman.”
“Like you?”
“Somewhat, but Grant dabbles in a few things that aren’t exactly legal.”
“Oh.” She blinks.
I pull to a stop and lean over to whisper in her ear. “So do I.”
Her breath catches when I graze my lips along her ear.
When she sighs and turns to me for a full kiss, I grab her bowl before she drops it, then I kiss her hard.
She opens for me, and I swipe my tongue against hers, my body heating. Forgetting about the bowl entirely, she clutches my shirt, and I start wondering if I can somehow get her to straddle me in this sports car.
A loud shriek has me pulling away and turning, determined to protect Vivian, but then an odd-looking chicken lands on the hood of the car.
Vivian bursts out laughing. “My goodness!”
I can’t help but smile. “Come on, love. Let’s go in.” Hopping out, I go around and open her door, help her up, then retrieve the rest of her ingredients.
Grant opens the front door and welcomes us inside.
Vivian immediately shows Amelia her supplies, and they head off to the kitchen. I notice a strained quality in Grant’s manner.
“What’s wrong?”
He glances down the driveway then closes the door. “I received a message from the Santivascis. They intend to drop by tonight.”
I tense. “And?”
“I told them in no uncertain terms to fuck off. But if this means what I think it does, you need to watch your back, because they’ve got eyes on you. Want to tell me why?”
I stare down the hall and listen to Vivian and Amelia laugh amid the clatter of pots and pans.
He follows my line of sight. “Her?” He shakes his head, his own tension falling away. “Then I’m not worried. There’s no way you’re letting any of them near her, are you?”
I turn to him, ice in my veins. “Over my dead fucking body.”
20
VIVIAN
I watch Amelia as she holds her daughter Phoenix in her arms. Tonight has been more fun than I thought it would be. It’s interesting to see such intense men all paired up with women that I would never think would go together. Then again, Griff is everything I didn’t know I needed. Opposites really do attract. I can’t even imagine anyone else for me but him.
Amelia rocks her little girl back and forth. I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to have a baby with Griff one day. We girls had retreated to a sitting room shortly after dinner. We’re all on a sugar high—or maybe that’s just me. I can’t explain how ecstatic I am that I nailed my dessert. I was so nervous. It was so delicious that people even went back for seconds. There wasn’t one bite left even after everyone claimed they were too full for dessert after dinner.
Phoenix makes a cooing sound, breaking me from my thoughts. I’m not sure how, but somehow Amelia knows that means she wants her binky. It dawns on me that never in my life have I been around many little ones. I’ve never even held a baby before. I wouldn’t have the first clue of what to do with one.