“Sure, but I’m not going to change my mind.” Dipping my head, I kiss down her chest, pulling a hard nipple into my mouth.
“You aren’t going to persuade me like that,” she pants.
I release her nipple with an audible pop and roll over, pulling her back to my front. “Not tonight. I know you’re exhausted, and I’m running on fumes. We can pick that up in the morning, as well as our conversation.”
She snuggles into my embrace, and I hold her tighter. We’re both quiet, and I’m pretty sure she’s already fallen asleep by the way her breathing has evened out. I close my eyes, savoring the fact that she’s here, and at this moment, I know I’ve made my choice.
I choose her.
Whatever I have to do to have this every day of forever, I’m willing to make it happen.
“I want it all too,” she whispers. “I would give anything to be with you like this every day.”
“Every day of forever,” I reply softly.
“I love you, Griff.”
“Love you too, baby.” Those are our last spoken words as we both drift off to sleep.
CHAPTER 19
Peyton
I’ve been lying awake well before the sun rose in the sky. I made sure to stay still and not wake Griffin. He had a long day yesterday and needs his sleep. I was content to lie here in his arms and let my mind drift to our conversation last night. I can’t believe that I blurted out that I’m in love with him.
He loves me too.
When I feel his lips press against my bare shoulder, I smile. He’s awake. “Morning, sleepyhead.”
“How long have you been up?”
“A few hours.”
“Hours? Why didn’t you wake me?”
I roll over and snuggle into his chest. “Because you drove all night long to watch my last game of the season. Because you flew home with me and held me in your arms all night long. Because I love you, and I wanted to make sure you were rested.”
He grins a boyish grin. “I wasn’t dreaming, huh?” he asks.
“Dreaming about what?”
“You telling me that you love me.”
“No. You weren’t dreaming,” I tell him as his phone vibrates on the nightstand.
Groaning, he rolls over and grabs his phone. “It’s my dad,” he tells me before answering. “Hey, what’s up?” he asks, his voice still laced with sleep. His eyes brighten. “Really? She’s going to love that.” He nods. “Okay, we’ll get ready and be down.” He ends the call and drops the phone onto the bed beside him.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Dad actually made a last-minute decision to take Mom away for the night. He said that we inspired him.”
“We did?” I ask, confused.
“Apparently, he’s going to take her back to their old college town in Ohio. That’s where they met. Their flight leaves this afternoon.”
“So, no dinner with them tonight?”
“No. Breakfast instead. Dad said it will be ready in thirty minutes.”
“Eeep.” I toss off the covers and climb out of bed, rushing to my bag.
“Want some company?”
“No. If you do that, we’re never going to make it downstairs for breakfast.”
“I think they’ll understand.” He winks.
“No, Griffin, this is their wedding anniversary. I’ll be quick,” I say, disappearing into the bathroom with my bag. I turn the lock on the door just in case. It’s not that I don’t trust him. It’s that I don’t trust myself with him. He’s too damn tempting.
Thirty minutes later, we walk hand in hand to the kitchen. Anna is sitting at the island with a steaming cup of coffee in her hands while Gary flips pancakes on the griddle.
“It smells delicious,” I tell him. “Happy anniversary.” I give his mom a hug, and Gary gives me a huge smile.
“Thank you,” he says. “Have a seat. Griff, get your girl something to drink. We’re almost ready to eat.”
Once we’re all seated around the island, Gary reaches under the bowl of fruit and produces a card that he hands to Anna. “Happy anniversary,” he tells her.
“Should I wait?”
“Never. Open it.”
All eyes are on her as she opens the card. I watch as she reads what’s inside and looks up at her husband with tears in her eyes.
“You can thank the kids for this one,” Gary tells her. “Seeing them together brings back some good memories.”
“Are we really going back? When?”
“We’re really going back, and our flight leaves in a few hours.”
“But we had dinner plans. Peyton came all this way.”
“Mom, Peyton isn’t going anywhere. There will be more dinners and more anniversaries for her to celebrate with us.”
She loses her battle with her tears as one slides down her cheek. “You remind me so much of your father.” She wipes her cheeks.
“What can I do?” I ask her. “Do you need help packing?”
“Yes. I would love that. Right after breakfast. You don’t want to miss Gary’s pancakes, trust me.”
I nod and cut a bite of my pancakes, and she’s right. “Oh.” I cover my mouth with my hand. “So good,” I say once I’ve swallowed.