Page 57 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

When it was clear that everyone was finished, Sam placed his napkin beside his plate and got to his feet. “Thank you, Sarita, for another tasty meal.”

Lori thanked Sarita and stood up to join the others.

Griff walked to Lori’s side. “I’ll walk you home,” he said with such firmness that she’d appear ungrateful if she turned him down.

“Okay, thanks,” she said. “Let me get my lantern.”

They left, then walked side by side onto the road.

As soon as they were out of sight of the house, Griff stopped her and faced her. “I’m glad to have this time to talk to you alone. Things aren’t what they might seem. Kayla and I aren’t really together. It’s a long story, but basically, I wanted to get Grandad off my back about finding a woman to marry. And Kayla wants to keep her relationship with Rosie private. So, we were both agreeable to making everyone think we’re together.”

“And how’s that going?” Lori asked.

“Well, it’s making it easier for me. I’ve avoided a lot of hassles with women in the area,” he answered. “And Kayla likes her privacy. Being gay isn’t easy.”

“And do you think your grandfather doesn’t see through this?” asked Lori.

Griff shrugged. “I don’t know. At least he hasn’t been hounding me about finding someone who’d help me carry on with the vineyard after he’s gone.” He studied her. “Why aren’t you more surprised about this?”

“Let’s just say someone mentioned it,” said Lori. “He thought I should know.”

Griff clapped a hand to his forehead. “It was my grandfather. Right?”

Lori smiled and nodded.

“I guess it’s time for all that mess to end,” said Griff. He took hold of both her hands. “When I entered the den and saw you sitting there with Grandad, I knew at that moment it wasn’t wrong of me to keep thinking about you. Even though you made it clear you weren’t interested in more than friendship, I’ve thought of you every day since I’ve come back to California. Are you willing to get to know me better?”

Lori’s eyes filled with emotion. Her heart was answering yes, while her mind resisted.

Griff gazed at her. “May I?’ He lowered his lips to hers, and everything clicked into place for her.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

GRIFF

Griff tasted Lori’s luscious lips and couldn’t hold back a soft sigh as he enjoyed the kiss. How had he ever allowed himself to play a stupid game with Kayla in an attempt to appease his grandfather? It seemed silly when he’d been thinking of Lori all along. It was apparent that Grandad adored her.

Over the past few months, Griff had told himself that taking a short break in Florida and meeting Lori was just a way to escape the humiliation he faced at home. Nothing more.

Now, with Lori’s arms around his neck, he felt complete. He wondered if this was what people meant when they said they’d found their true love, the person they were supposed to be with all along.

Griff pulled away and gazed into her eyes.

She smiled up at him.

That was enough permission for him to lower his lips to hers again, deepening the kiss to let her know what he was feeling.

Ah, sweet Loralie, he thought, as they clung to one another.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

LORI

Lori’s body came to life, lighting a path of desire through her. It had been such a long time since she’d felt this way, and yet, it was different. More intense.

She inhaled Griff’s spicy aftershave lotion and enjoyed the taste of his lips on hers, the sweetness of their dessert still on them.

He drew her closer, and she loved how they fit together in all the right places.