Kiss by Kiss (Riggins Brothers 3)

Chapter 15

Grant

Looking across my brother’s living room, I watch as Aurora covers another yawn. “We’re out of here,” I say, finishing off my bottle of water and tossing it in the trash.

“You don’t have to run off,” Owen says.

“Aurora has been up since three. She’s dead on her feet,” I tell him.

“You good to drive?” Royce asks.

“Yeah, just had water.” I look at my two younger brothers. “You two need a ride?” I ask.

“Nah, Mom and Dad said they would drop us off,” Conrad says, tipping back his beer.

My eyes scan to Marshall, and he nods, letting me know that’s the plan. “All right, see you tomorrow,” I say, walking toward my girl.

“Hey, babe. You about ready?” I ask Aurora. I’m leaning over the back of the couch. She tilts her head back to look at me and nods.

“Aw, don’t leave,” Layla begs.

“Sorry, my girl’s been up since three. I need to get her home,” I tell her.

“Call me next week, and I’ll bring you by a couple of samples,” Aurora tells her.

“You don’t have to do that. I trust you.”

“I want to,” Aurora assures her.

We spend the next five minutes saying goodbye, as the woman in my life hugs it out with each of my sisters-in-law and then my parents. By the time I get her to the SUV, it’s nice and warm. “Thank you for that,” I say once we’re on the road.

“For what?”

“The cake. That was nice of you.”

“Of course. I’m happy to do it.”

“I’ll pay you. Just let me know what it costs, and I’ll cover it.”

“What? No, I want to do this for them.”

“Rory, you’re a new business. You can’t afford to just give your cakes away.”

“I can when it’s my boyfriend’s brother’s wedding,” she fires back.

“Is this our first fight?” I ask, not able to hold my grin.

“No.” She crosses her arms over her chest in a pout. I pull up to the Stop sign at the end of Owen’s road and glance over. That’s when she realizes she’s stood up to me. Her body goes stiff, and she bites down on her bottom lip. “I-I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for.” I pull my eyes from her and back to the road. “I’m proud of you. You told me how you felt.” I reach over and place my hand on her knee. “I want you to always tell me how you feel. Even if you think that it’s going to upset me, that’s how this works, Rory. It’s a relationship. It’s going to take work and give and take from both of us.”

“How did you get so smart?” she asks, finally releasing the grip her teeth had on her bottom lip.

“What can I say? When you’ve got it, you’ve got it,” I say, tapping her knee and making her laugh. “I thought we could go to my place. I know you’re tired. I just… I’m not ready to take you home yet.”

“So… you want me to stay with you?”

“Yes.” I don’t hesitate with my answer. We’ve been dating for a couple of months, and I’m fine taking it slow, but having her in my bed, in my arms, that sounds really damn good right now. “I’ll be on my best behavior,” I tell her.

“Okay.”

“Okay,” I repeat. I keep my eyes on the road and fight like hell to keep the smile off my face. Gloating that I got my way is not a good idea. At least not until I get her in my place, in my bed where she belongs.

“Go ahead,” she says a few minutes later.

“What?” I ask, glancing over at her.

“Let it out.” She laughs.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My grin says otherwise.

“Come on, let’s hear it.”

“Finally,” I say, releasing a heavy breath. “I’ve been waiting forever to have you in my arms all night.”

“Forever,” she repeats dramatically.

“Exactly,” I say, turning into my driveway. “You better call Aspen and let her know you’re not coming home.”

She nods and pulls her phone out of her purse. I expect her to call, but as her fingers fly across the screen, I know she’s texting her instead. I was hoping to hear that conversation, knowing that Aspen would more than likely have something hilarious to say about her sister finally staying with me. Those two could not be more opposite, yet they are so alike in many ways too. I know without a doubt they share a bond, much like the one my brothers and I share. I know they will always have each other’s backs.

That’s why I’m not worried about what they’re texting. I know Aspen is team Grant, and they both know that I’m team Aurora—whatever that looks like. I’m all in for whatever she wants or needs.

“All set,” she says, sliding her phone back into her purse.

Reaching up, I hit the button to close the garage door and climb out of the SUV. She meets me at the door to enter my condo. “Are you ready for bed?”