Kiss by Kiss (Riggins Brothers 3)

I can only assume it’s one of his brothers. Trying not to listen and give him privacy, I unlock the screen of my phone and see a text from Aspen.

Aspen: I want details, sister!

Aspen: The suspense is killing me.

Me: We just woke up.

Her reply is immediate.

Aspen: You slept until after 8:00 a.m.?!

Me: Yep.

I can’t help but grin, knowing giving her little bits and pieces is indeed driving her crazy—however, the joke’s on me when my phone rings. I fumble with my phone and quickly answer it. “Hello?” I greet in a rushed whisper, as Grant’s deep chuckle meets my ears, and his hand slides under the blankets and rests on my bare thigh.

“You are not holding out on me,” Aspen says into the phone. “That man is hot, and I need to live through you.”

“I’m good,” I tell her.

“He’s there, isn’t he?”

“Yep.”

“Rory,” she whines, and I can’t help but laugh at her.

I tune her out when Grant smiles down at me. “I’ll check with Aurora and call you back.” He ends the call and bends to press his lips against mine. “I’m going to go make us some coffee.” Another quick kiss, and he’s off the bed and striding toward the bedroom door.

“Like that?” I blurt.

He stops and looks over his shoulder. “It’s just us here, baby.” He follows it up with a flirtatious wink and walks out of the room for the second time this morning in nothing but his birthday suit.

“Aurora!” Aspen scolds. “What’s happening? What did I miss?” she demands.

“Nothing. Grant’s making coffee.”

“Oh, I heard that. I also heard the kiss he gave you.”

My cheeks once again betray me as they flood with heat. “I’ll fill you in when I get home.”

“And when will that be, my dear sister?”

“I-I don’t know.” She’s silent, and I’m sure I’ve shocked her just as much as I’ve shocked myself. I’m not ready to leave him. Not yet. I’m afraid that if I do, this bubble of bliss that we’ve created will pop, and that will be the end of the fairy tale.

Before either of us can formulate a reply or try and decipher what it means, Grant’s walking back into the room. “Aspen, I’ll call you back. I’m going to see what the plan is for today.”

“I’ll wait,” she sasses, and I can hear the laughter in her voice.

“Fine.” I pull the phone from my face. I don’t want to sound needy, but let’s face it, I’m needy as hell when it comes to Grant.

“That was Owen. He wants us to come over and move some furniture to get ready for the wedding.”

“So soon?”

He chuckles. “He’s not taking any chances of Layla backing out. Tipping their house upside down is his way of making sure she’s committed.”

“She is.”

“We all know that, but Owen is crazy in love with her, and well, he’s my brother, and we’re going to be there regardless. I told him I would meet them there in an hour. Do you want to come with me?”

“No, you and your brothers have it handled. I’ll have Aspen come and get me.”

“I can take you home.”

“I know, but she won’t mind.” To prove my point, I lift my phone to my ear. “Aspen—”

She cuts me off. “I’ll be there in forty-five,” she says, ending the call.

“She’ll be here in forty-five minutes,” I tell him.

“I only need five to shower. So what shall we do with all of our extra time?” He leans in close, and just when I think he’s going to press his lips to mine, his head drops to my neck, and he kisses me there.

“I need coffee,” I say, deflecting. Now that it’s the light of day, it’s different. I’m different, and I need some time to process that.

“Fine,” he grumbles good-naturedly. “Meet me in the kitchen in five.”

“Grant.” He stops and turns to look at me, giving me a full view of his hard length and the sexiness that is his body. I take my time, letting my eyes roam over his tattoos, and memorize his chiseled abs.

“Aurora,” he says, his tone is filled with heat and warning.

“Sorry.” I shake my head. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. “Can you maybe cover up?” I ask him.

“Is my sexiness distracting you?”

“Yes.” I nod vigorously, making him toss his head back in laughter.

“Sure thing, baby.” I watch as he walks to his dresser and pulls out a pair of well-worn gray sweatpants, and slips into them. “Better?” he asks.

I take in the V of his hips, the abs and tattoos that are still on display, and the bulge between his legs. “No.” I shake my head.

“Get moving, baby.” He smirks and walks out of the room.

As soon as the door closes, I’m patting my chin to make sure I’m not drooling before pulling myself out of bed and getting dressed. I reach for my clothes and decide to mess with him like he’s messing with me. I grab the T-shirt he gave me to sleep in and slip it over my head. My hair is a hot mess, but there is nothing I can do about it. I have nothing here. I wasn’t ready for this. Hell, I’m not sure I’m ready for him. Pushing my shoulders back, I pretend I’m my sister, always full of confidence, and stride out of his room and into the kitchen.