Rock-a-Bye, Baby

Griffith picked up on the awkward tension and led me over to an alcove. Knox followed us until Griffith pointed a finger at the opposite wall and grunted, “You’ve already fucked this up enough. Go stand over there and give us some privacy so I can fix things. Once I’m done talking to your sister, you’re more than welcome to try to kick my ass. But be prepared because I’m not going to just stand there and take your punches, not after you’ve hurt Belle by sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

The promise of a fight must’ve temporarily appeased my brother because he crossed over to the wall and leaned against it. When it was just Griffith and me, he tried to pull me close, but I jerked away from him. Pacing back and forth in the small space, I tried to understand how things could’ve gone wrong so quickly. After I got the tears that threatened to spill down my cheeks under control, I turned to Griffith. “Are you really leaving today?”

“No.” His purple-blue eyes burned with a sincerity that was impossible to miss.

“Then why does Knox think you’re getting on a plane in a few hours? My brother doesn’t make mistakes when it comes to stuff like this.”

I let Griffith come near without jerking away again. “He was half right. I was supposed to fly out today, but I bumped my flight because I’m not ready to leave you. I want as much time with you as I can get before I have to be in the studio with the rest of the band to start recording our next album the day after tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow?” I echoed softly as the tears started to fill my eyes again.

“Please don’t cry, baby.” Griffith pulled me into his arms and brushed his lips over each of my eyes. “I know the timing sucks, but this isn’t something I can get out of. Not when we already signed the contract.”

“I really wish I’d known that before I slept with you last night,” I sniffled. “And this morning.”

Griffith tilted my head back and stared down at me. “Would you really have made a different decision if I’d told you?”

“Yes.” My answer burst past my lips without any thought. After I considered everything that had happened between us for a moment, I corrected myself by saying, “Maybe.” I shifted in his hold and felt his dick press against my belly. If I’d been wearing panties, they would’ve combusted. It was the nudge I needed to admit, “Probably not, but I still wish you would’ve been honest with me. I know I was a virgin before last night and don’t have any experience with stuff like this, but that didn’t mean that you had to act like this was more than a one-night stand to get into my panties.”

“I was honest with you,” he growled, one hand going to my lower back to press me closer. “Did I fuck up by not telling you that I had to leave for LA soon? Yeah, I’m willing to admit to that. But I didn’t lie to you about anything, and there’s no need for me to pretend this isn’t a one-night stand because it’s not. You gave yourself to me last night, and I have no intention of letting you take that back. Now or ever. You’re stuck with me, baby.”

I loved the sound of that, but I couldn’t see how that was possible. “How’s that supposed to work if you’re in LA, and I’m in Vegas?”

“I’m not sure yet, but I have no doubt we’ll figure it out.” He brushed his lips against mine. “We’ll have to because this thing between us is a done deal, even if it means we’re doing it long distance for a while.”

“You really mean it, don’t you?” I looked up at him with wide eyes. “You want to have a long-distance relationship with me after only one night together?”

“First of all, it’s going to be after two nights together, not one,” he corrected. “And of course I’d prefer if it wasn’t long distance, but it’s not like you can just pick up and leave when you’ve got a business to run.”

My lips curved up in a small smile. “Did you think about asking me to?”

“Yeah, for about half a second.” He ran his hand through his hair. “But I knew it wasn’t a good option, not with the way your eyes lit up when you were telling me about the flower shop and working with your sisters at the chapel.”

I loved his answer because it meant he’d really listened to me last night. It hadn’t been only about the sex for him; he cared about me as a person. “Well, then. I guess you’d better have your talk with Knox, and I’ll see you at the flower shop when you’re done.” I rose up on my toes to give him a kiss. “Just do me a favor and clean up the blood before I see you. I wouldn’t want you to scare off any of my customers.”