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“That’s a heavy sigh,” a deep voice said behind her.
Scarlett dropped the glass and screamed. The glass shattered on the floor. Muscular arms wrapped around her waist and whisked her away from the glass shards and water spraying every direction.
She screamed again and kicked against her captor, throwing her head back into his chest as her fingernails clawed at his arms. Her attempts to free herself didn’t seem to even faze the well-built man, but she was just getting started. She’d starred in too many action shows to not know how to fight. Slamming her heel down on his instep, she immediately regretted not having shoes on. She tried to pull her arms free so she could claw at his face.
“Calm down, Jane.” The man flipped her around and glowered down at her.
She stared at his perfect face. It was a good thing he still held on to her waist, because she would’ve fallen over. Relief rushed through her, and warmth and desire for the man touching her quickly followed. He was here. Griff Quinn. Had he finally come for her?
“Griff …” She was at a loss for how to respond to the vision before her. “Only you call me Jane,” she whispered, barely louder than the pulse still pounding in her ears. Even her parents and college friends had moved on to Scarlett.
Griff arched an eyebrow at her, released her waist, and stepped back. Why did he step back? He’d finally come, and she was ready for an Oscar-worthy reconnection scene. He’d lift her high into the air, pivot while holding her aloft and staring up at her as if she was his world, all the glorious muscles in his arms bulging and her body filling with love for him. Then he’d slowly lower her and capture her lips with his own, and the world would explode with light and happiness as they were finally together again.
She’d dreamed about it so many times. Why wasn’t it happening? Why was he staring at her, with his brilliant blue eyes all cold and his muscular frame all tight and military-looking as he clasped his hands behind his back?Release those hands and use them to hold me,you big jerk.He’d deserted her and now he’d scared her sneaking into her house like that, but if he’d really come for her, they could talk through all the pain and lost years.
“That’s still your real name, correct?” he asked brusquely. “Or did you legally change it to fit in your fantasy world, like you changed your hair and your life?”
Why was he being so surly? The Griff she remembered was serious about life and his purpose in it, but he loved and laughed with her. Long-anticipated dreams were shattering faster than the glass shards at her feet. He obviously didn’t approve of her stage name, her brilliantly dyed red hair, or her success in acting. The chill in his blue eyes and his condescending words had her backing away.
Griff reached out and pulled her closer to him. “Glass,” he muttered, but he didn’t release her. Her breath shortened, and warm tremors spread from where his hands wrapped around her upper arms.
He was fully focused on her, all broody and perfect-looking, with his dark blond hair cut short, his sculpted face clean-shaven, and a fitted T-shirt that showed off every one of his glorious muscles. She’d co-starred with men who honed their bodies to perfection in the gym and never used their muscles for anything but looking good. Griff looked much better than good—he was the real-life version of what her actor buddies portrayed. He could rescue any woman from a terrifying situation and make them pine for him as he stayed aloof and perfect.
Scarlett couldn’t pull her gaze from his blue eyes, which seemed to soften as he stayed right in her space. He smelled clean and crisp, but Griff had never been one to pile on cologne and ruin his natural tough-guy smell. She loved his smell and was thrilled that it hadn’t changed. She wished she could lay her head against his chest and just inhale his scent, right after he kissed her. They were close again and in the perfect position for that kiss. He was the one who’d tugged her into his arms, with an excuse of saving her feet from the glass. He needed to apologize for a whole slew of things, and he could, right after the kiss.
What was he waiting for? Worry traced through her as she wondered why he wasn’t claiming her lips. Was he going to kiss her? What would she do if he didn’t kiss her? Why was he finally here, breaking into her house and scaring her like that, if it wasn’t to reconnect? Griff had never been like normal men who would knock on the door or beg for her attention, but those were just more reasons why she loved him.
The concern disappeared and warmth filled her as he leaned a fraction closer. Scarlett arched up toward him as he bent down. Both his hands trailed up her arms until he was cupping her neck with his palms, his thumbs gently tracing along her jawline. Her heart thudded quicker and quicker as her skin tingled from his touch. Griff. All those years of waiting, and now he was truly here. He’d come for her, and finally she would feel the pressure of his mouth on hers. He would remember how much they’d loved each other, and they could start all over again—not as innocent college students, but as adults who had been through a lot and were now choosing to be together again.
His breath warmed her lips, and she loved that he seemed as out of breath as she was. She almost cheered out loud to know she was affecting him. She was way past him affecting her. She was ready to forget that he’d abruptly stopped responding to her emails, texts, and phone calls when he was deployed. Only a short note came, telling her they couldn’t together. They could easily move past his years of coldness and her years of pain. She could forgive and forget and soften him with all the love she still had for him.
She wrapped her hands around his perfect shoulders and snuggled in close to his beautifully formed chest. He felt so good. She’d missed him so much. Her heart was cheering,Griff, Griff, Griff. Her lips were begging,Just kiss me already.
“Jane,” he sort of groaned out.
She smiled, loving the sound of her real name on his lips, said with desire now instead of contempt. Having him close was heaven. The anticipation of his kiss was about killing her. They were centimeters apart. Their breath intermingled, and she could almost taste the peppermint-flavor of his mouth. She wouldn’t cross that distance, though. She knew she’d forgive him without missing a beat, but she did have a shard of pride left. He was the one who had deserted her and broken her heart all those years ago. She’d prayed for him to come, and now he was here, but it was on him to claim her mouth and secure her heart again. Griff was a man clear through, and she expected him to step up and be a man when it came to their reconnection.
He didn’t move, though. His hands stayed cupping her neck, his thumbs lining her jaw. His strong body overshadowed hers more beautifully than anything a movie screen could replicate, but his lips simply hovered.Move those lips, she tried to beg him without saying a word. She was an expert at that onscreen. Why wasn’t it working right now?
His blue eyes had settled on hers, drinking her in. She’d missed seeing that look in his beautiful eyes and dreamed about seeing it again—the look where she knew she was the one for Griff Quinn, the only man she’d ever wanted.
Scarlett waited and waited. “Griff?” she whispered, hoping it would come through in her voice—I’ve been waiting for you. I still love you. Please make me yours again with your mind-blowing kisses.
He blinked as if coming out of a trance. Then he did the unthinkable: he released his grip and stepped back, inadvertently breaking her hold on him.
Scarlett felt like she’d been dropped off a cliff. Her stomach plummeted and her head spun. What had just happened? “Griff?” she asked again. She wanted to fling herself back into his arms, but his eyes had turned cold and he was clasping his hands behind his back as if to restrain himself. The muscles in his neck, shoulders, and arms popped. She’d think he was gloriously beautiful … if he hadn’t just stepped away from their long-anticipated kiss.
“You need to pack a bag,” he said. “We’re bugging out of here.”
“Excuse me?” Her heart slammed against her chest. He wanted to take her away? Why? Did that mean he did want her with him again? If that was true, why hadn’t he kissed her? Why was he putting that military shutter over his emotions and pulling away from her? If he did care for her, he was hiding it well and was a better actor than anyone she’d ever starred with.
“I’ll explain on the way. Our vehicle will be ready for us soon, but we need to meet them down the beach to avoid anyone seeing you leave.”
He turned away. Desperation poured over her like a torrential spring rain. What was happening? She would willingly go anywhere with Griff, but not like this. He acted like she was a piece of baggage he had to pick up on his way to something more important.
She put her hand on his arm. He pivoted quickly back to her, sucking in a breath.
“Griff?”
