“Now you ask for permission?” she teases.
“I just wanted you close so that you can’t escape, but I’d never force you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
“I believe you.”
“Do you believe me that I didn’t know who you were when we met?”
“You didn’t even react in there, Griffin. There was no shock on your face.”
“I was shocked, trust me, but I was trying to impress your family, Peyton. I didn’t want them to think I was some fan using you. That’s not who I am or what I’m doing.”
“What would make you think that? You had to know who I was to come to the conclusion so quickly,” she says, folding in on herself.
I hug her to me. “I read your body language. Your shoulders were tight, and you barely made eye contact with me. I could tell that you were uncomfortable with the situation, and the only thing I could think of was it was me being there. You didn’t want me to come to your room, and it’s my guess if I read the room correctly, Cameron and Holden weren’t supposed to be there.”
“Pretty much.”
“Let me show you. Spend the day with me. Karina is probably waiting for us in the lobby.”
“I live in Tennessee.”
“I know, and that sucks, but that doesn’t change the fact that I want to get to know you.”
“This can’t go anywhere.”
Hearing her say those words brings out the competitive side of me. I want to prove her wrong. I’m starting to think that Oliver’s right, and she did cast some kind of voodoo spell on me. “Please?”
She bites down on her bottom lip, and I can’t help but wonder what those lips would feel like pressed to mine. “Okay. We can hang out.”
“What about this?” I ask.
“What about what?”
“Can I hold you like this?” I ask, not even recognizing myself.
“Do you want to?”
“More than anything.”
“I’m not sleeping with you. You can’t pull out all of your charms to convince me otherwise.”
“Who said anything about sleeping?” I tease.
“Sex, Griffin. There will be no sex.”
“Get your mind out of the gutter,” I fire back, pretending to be horrified.
“Stop.” She laughs, pushing at my shoulder.
“I’m kidding. I just want to hold you. Like last night. I just want you close.” For the first time in my life, I’ve found someone I don’t want to let go of.
“This doesn’t make any sense.”
“Trust me, I know. I’m not this guy. I don’t chase, and I don’t beg for more time, but here I am.”
“Why me?”
“Because I knew the minute I laid eyes on you that you were special. I felt it in my gut. It’s a feeling I can’t explain, and it’s one I’ve never felt with anyone but you. I always trust my gut, Peyton. So even if this is out of character for me, I’m rolling with it.”
Her only reply is to rest her head on my shoulder. I don’t understand my reaction to her, but I meant what I said. My gut has never steered me wrong.
“Come on, let’s go get Karina and head to my place. The guys are waiting on us,” I say just as her phone rings. She stands and pulls it out of her purse and shows me the screen. She smiles when she places the phone to her ear.
“We’ll be right there.” She pauses. “Me and Griffin.” Another pause. “I’ll explain later.” She ends the call and slides her phone back into her purse. I stand and offer her my hand, and she takes it.
I feel ten feet tall walking into that hotel to meet her best friend with her hand entwined with mine. I should be worried that this is happening too fast, but I can’t seem to care when she’s this close. Who am I kidding? I didn’t care this morning when I couldn’t stop thinking about her either.
I’m in trouble with this one.
“Look at you two,” Karina says as we approach her.
Peyton tries to pull her hand away, but I hold strong. “Are we all set, ladies?” I ask them.
“Yep.” Karina grins.
“Peyton? Do you have everything you need?” I look her in the eyes, making sure she knows she has my full attention. I don’t know why, but it’s important to me that she understands that it’s her, not her family, and not her last name. Just her.
“Yes. My suit is on underneath this. Oh, I guess we should go get some towels from our rooms.”
“No need. My mom has a million beach towels at our place. Sunscreen too.”
“Well then, we’re all set,” Karina chimes in.
“I told Ollie to fire up the grill at noon. He’s a master on the grill, at least he thinks he is. We pretend to go along with it.” I laugh. “Anyway, he’s going to throw on some burgers, and it should be ready or almost ready by the time we get there.”