AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It just feels different to me.”
“Because there’s no secrets between us anymore. That’s a good thing, Eve.”
“There’s still a few.”
Griffin’s eyes narrowed. “Then let’s get them out in the open. We’re done with secrets. We have to be.”
“Or what?”
What was she doing? Why couldn’t she sit down and enjoy a nice steak with potato salad and whatever else was on the menu?
A muscle in his cheek bunched as he clenched his teeth. Yeah, she was purposely trying to upset him and she had no idea why. Maybe because it would be easier to flee if he hated her. Didn’t he understand that a little piece of paper wasn’t going to keep her brother away from her? Too much money was at stake. Too much power he wanted, and she stood in the way.
“Or I’ll take you over my knee and spank you. That’s what.”
Bryce chuckled, then coughed, turning it into a weird snort as if he hadn’t meant to react at all.
She didn’t know what to say to that either. Her body, on the other hand, sizzled with desire at the thought of his hands anywhere on her.
Griffin shook his head, groaning. “No, I won’t. I don’t know why I said that. I would never hurt you. Not even like that.”
Well, the way he had said it didn’t sound painful. More erotic than anything else.
“I don’t know how to alleviate your fear. I imagine it will take a while, and I understand that. Don’t push me away, Eve. Whatever you’re doing right now, don’t do that to me. We’re in this together. We’ll figure this out together. Starting with an order of protection—”
“He’s not going to listen to a dumb piece of paper!”
“But at least there’s a paper trail. You’re going to have to do something about him. You can’t look over your shoulder your entire life.”
“I planned to.”
Griffin grimaced. “Not anymore. Not with me.”
“Stop telling me what to do.”
Eve caught Bryce bobbing his head back and forth between them, relaxed in his chair as if the conversation wasn’t an intense one. It almost made her laugh. If it wasn’t Griffin putting her at ease at times, it was another one of the Stuart siblings doing it.
“What’s your plan then, Eve? To run? To run forever?” He exhaled as if admitting defeat. “To run from me?”
The thought of running from him gutted her. Yet, her feet ached to move toward the exit. It’s what she knew. It’s all she ever did. Run from problems instead of facing them head-on.
“I don’t know how not to run.”
“Then I’ll help teach you.” He held out his hand. “Trust me that I won’t let you fall in the process.”
He had yet to do so. Always catching her in her moment of need.
She took two steps and placed her hand inside his. He pulled her closer until she was wrapped in his warm embrace.
His lips hit her neck and his warm breath teased her ear. “Later, you can tell me these other secrets. When we’re alone. Because when it comes to me and you, I want nothing hidden.”
Well, the last secret she had was a doozy. She didn’t know how she’d confess it.
“So…should I start grilling the steaks or wait?”
She peeked at Bryce, her lips turning up at his silly grin.
It wouldn’t be easy, but this family would teach her how not to run for once.
