She sighed and rubbed the condensation from the glass, lost in thought.
“That’s a heavy sigh,” a deep voice said behind her.
Scarlett dropped the glass and screamed. The glass shattered on the floor. Muscular arms wrapped around her waist and whisked her away from the glass shards and water spraying every direction.
She screamed again and kicked against her captor, throwing her head back into his chest as her fingernails clawed at his arms. Her attempts to free herself didn’t seem to even faze the well-built man, but she was just getting started. She’d starred in too many action shows to not know how to fight. Slamming her heel down on his instep, she immediately regretted not having shoes on. She tried to pull her arms free so she could claw at his face.
“Calm down, Jane.” The man flipped her around and glowered down at her.
She stared at his perfect face. It was a good thing he still held on to her waist, because she would’ve fallen over. Relief rushed through her, and warmth and desire for the man touching her quickly followed. He was here. Griff Quinn. Had he finally come for her?
“Griff …” She was at a loss for how to respond to the vision before her. “Only you call me Jane,” she whispered, barely louder than the pulse still pounding in her ears. Even her parents and college friends had moved on to Scarlett.
Griff arched an eyebrow at her, released her waist, and stepped back. Why did he step back? He’d finally come, and she was ready for an Oscar-worthy reconnection scene. He’d lift her high into the air, pivot while holding her aloft and staring up at her as if she was his world, all the glorious muscles in his arms bulging and her body filling with love for him. Then he’d slowly lower her and capture her lips with his own, and the world would explode with light and happiness as they were finally together again.
She’d dreamed about it so many times. Why wasn’t it happening? Why was he staring at her, with his brilliant blue eyes all cold and his muscular frame all tight and military-looking as he clasped his hands behind his back? Release those hands and use them to hold me, you big jerk. He’d deserted her and now he’d scared her sneaking into her house like that, but if he’d really come for her, they could talk through all the pain and lost years.
“That’s still your real name, correct?” he asked brusquely. “Or did you legally change it to fit in your fantasy world, like you changed your hair and your life?”
Why was he being so surly? The Griff she remembered was serious about life and his purpose in it, but he loved and laughed with her. Long-anticipated dreams were shattering faster than the glass shards at her feet. He obviously didn’t approve of her stage name, her brilliantly dyed red hair, or her success in acting. The chill in his blue eyes and his condescending words had her backing away.
Griff reached out and pulled her closer to him. “Glass,” he muttered, but he didn’t release her. Her breath shortened, and warm tremors spread from where his hands wrapped around her upper arms.
He was fully focused on her, all broody and perfect-looking, with his dark blond hair cut short, his sculpted face clean-shaven, and a fitted T-shirt that showed off every one of his glorious muscles. She’d co-starred with men who honed their bodies to perfection in the gym and never used their muscles for anything but looking good. Griff looked much better than good—he was the real-life version of what her actor buddies portrayed. He could rescue any woman from a terrifying situation and make them pine for him as he stayed aloof and perfect.
Scarlett couldn’t pull her gaze from his blue eyes, which seemed to soften as he stayed right in her space. He smelled clean and crisp, but Griff had never been one to pile on cologne and ruin his natural tough-guy smell. She loved his smell and was thrilled that it hadn’t changed. She wished she could lay her head against his chest and just inhale his scent, right after he kissed her. They were close again and in the perfect position for that kiss. He was the one who’d tugged her into his arms, with an excuse of saving her feet from the glass. He needed to apologize for a whole slew of things, and he could, right after the kiss.
What was he waiting for? Worry traced through her as she wondered why he wasn’t claiming her lips. Was he going to kiss her? What would she do if he didn’t kiss her? Why was he finally here, breaking into her house and scaring her like that, if it wasn’t to reconnect? Griff had never been like normal men who would knock on the door or beg for her attention, but those were just more reasons why she loved him.
The concern disappeared and warmth pooled in her abdomen as he leaned a fraction closer. Scarlett arched up toward him as he bent down. Both his hands trailed up her arms until he was cupping her neck with his palms, his thumbs gently tracing along her jawline. Her heart thudded quicker and quicker as her bare skin tingled from his touch. Griff. All those years of waiting, and now he was truly here. He’d come for her, and finally she would feel the pressure of his mouth on hers. He would remember how much they’d loved each other, and they could start all over again—not as innocent college students, but as adults who had been through a lot and were now choosing to be together again.
His breath warmed her lips, and she loved that he seemed as out of breath as she was. She almost cheered out loud to know she was affecting him. She was way past him affecting her. She was ready to forget that he’d abruptly stopped responding to her emails, texts, and phone calls when he was deployed. Only a short note came, telling her they couldn’t together. They could easily move past his years of coldness and her years of pain. She could forgive and forget and soften him with all the love she still had for him.
She wrapped her hands around his perfect shoulders and snuggled in close to his beautifully formed chest. He felt so good. She’d missed him so much. Her heart was cheering, Griff, Griff, Griff. Her lips were begging, Just kiss me already.
“Jane,” he sort of groaned out.
She smiled, loving the sound of her real name on his lips, said with desire now instead of contempt. Having him close was heaven. The anticipation of his kiss was about killing her. They were centimeters apart. Their breath intermingled, and she could almost taste the peppermint-flavor of his mouth. She wouldn’t cross that distance, though. She knew she’d forgive him without missing a beat, but she did have a shard of pride left. He was the one who had deserted her and broken her heart all those years ago. She’d prayed for him to come, and now he was here, but it was on him to claim her mouth and secure her heart again. Griff was a man clear through, and she expected him to step up and be a man when it came to their reconnection.
He didn’t move, though. His hands stayed cupping her neck, his thumbs lining her jaw. His strong body overshadowed hers more beautifully than anything a movie screen could replicate, but his lips simply hovered. Move those lips, she tried to beg him without saying a word. She was an expert at that onscreen. Why wasn’t it working right now?
His blue eyes had settled on hers, drinking her in. She’d missed seeing that look in his beautiful eyes and dreamed about seeing it again—the look where she knew she was the one for Griff Quinn, the only man she’d ever wanted.
Scarlett waited and waited. “Griff?” she whispered, hoping it would come through in her voice—I’ve been waiting for you. I still love you. Please make me yours again with your mind-blowing kisses.
He blinked as if coming out of a trance. Then he did the unthinkable: he released his grip and stepped back, inadvertently breaking her hold on him.
Scarlett felt like she’d been dropped off a cliff. Her stomach plummeted and her head spun. What had just happened? “Griff?” she asked again. She wanted to fling herself back into his arms, but his eyes had turned cold and he was clasping his hands behind his back as if to restrain himself. The muscles in his neck, shoulders, and arms popped. She’d think he was gloriously beautiful … if he hadn’t just stepped away from their long-anticipated kiss.
“You need to pack a bag,” he said. “We’re bugging out of here.”
“Excuse me?” Her heart slammed against he
r chest. He wanted to take her away? Why? Did that mean he did want her with him again? If that was true, why hadn’t he kissed her? Why was he putting that military shutter over his emotions and pulling away from her? If he did care for her, he was hiding it well and was a better actor than anyone she’d ever starred with.
“I’ll explain on the way. Our vehicle will be ready for us soon, but we need to meet them down the beach to avoid anyone seeing you leave.”
He turned away. Desperation poured over her like a torrential spring rain. What was happening? She would willingly go anywhere with Griff, but not like this. He acted like she was a piece of baggage he had to pick up on his way to something more important.
She put her hand on his arm. He pivoted quickly back to her, sucking in a breath.
“Griff?”
He simply stared at her. Griff wasn’t one to waste words, but this was ridiculous.
She had to know. “What are you doing here?”
He pulled in and then pushed out a long breath. His eyes flickered over her face, lingering on her lips before meeting her gaze again. Hope rose inside of her. Griff had come for her. That was all that mattered. The kiss might take longer to get to than she’d like, but it would come. It was fine to draw out the suspense and make her want it even more.
Oh, how she loved this man. The only man who was real with her, who loved her as plain Jane, without all the makeup and glam and success. Griff was also tough enough to stand by her side and not need her holding his hand. He’d wanted her and loved her, but he wasn’t needy and could definitely hold his own in any circle. She yearned for Griff Quinn. No other man had been her equal in confidence and goals and the ability to take life on and come out the victor. Griff was all of that and much more. He was the love of her youthful heart, and now that he was here, she knew that love hadn’t dimmed.
“I came to protect you,” he ground out. There was something in his bearing that had her hoping still, but it was a very small something.
Her hand fell away from his arm. “You didn’t come for me?”
“I’ve been assigned to protect you.”
“Assigned?” All of her hope deflated, and her dreams of love were dashed by the coldness radiating off of him.
He nodded shortly.
“Protect me from who?” she asked, hating the way her voice pitched. He had to know he still affected her. Could he have forgotten how much she’d loved him? She doubted he knew how much she’d cried when he stopped responding to her. The military was an honorable career and she respected his desire to serve and protect, but three months after he was deployed the first time, he’d cut off all communication, never responding to her emails, texts, or phone calls. It had killed something inside of her. She’d thought him being here could resurrect it, but … assigned?
“Sutton Smith received intel that there’s a million-dollar request for you.”
“What?” Her stomach plummeted, and she felt like she’d been rammed into from behind.
He shrugged. “We don’t know the source yet, but the hit is real.”
Real. She didn’t like real. “A million dollars? To kidnap me?”
He nodded. The serious expression in his eyes horrified her as much as the million-dollar bounty. This was serious.
“Through the dark web?”
“How do you know about the dark web?” He looked her over as if she was an immature teenager. She was an accomplished woman, and even though the action she saw wasn’t real, she’d seen plenty of action.
“In The Fearless Warrior, they used the dark web.”
Griff raised his eyebrows in question. Apparently, he didn’t watch her movies.
“The heroine, Average Amy, does a reality show about trying the average person’s job out,” she explained. He didn’t acknowledge that he recognized the movie or her character. “Anyway, she has a hit out for her on the dark web.”
“That’s where the offer came through,” he admitted.
“Why would someone do that?” Her eyes darted around at her closed blinds and locked doors. Griff had easily bypassed her security, both the guards at the gate and her top-of-the-line system. What if those uneasy feelings she’d had earlier were from someone stalking her home?
Griff’s gaze swept over her. “You’re famous and the most beautiful and desirable woman in the world. Any man would pursue you.”
The compliment was sincere. Griff never blew smoke, but the way he said it was analytical—as if she were a beautiful and unique piece of artwork in a museum that anybody would want to steal because it was valuable, but the value had nothing to do with her. Nothing to do with the down-to-earth woman she thought Griff Quinn had loved. Lately, she felt like she’d lost that woman, and she really wanted her back.
Her eyes narrowed. “So you think I’m the most beautiful and desirable woman in the world, and you would pursue me?”
He gave her a practiced and very chilly smile. “I was speaking in the general sense. Any man who wanted women would want you.”
“So you don’t want women?”
“Stop it, Jane. Go pack your bag. Unless you’d prefer wearing that for the next few weeks.” His gaze swept over her comfortable fitted T-shirt and knee-length cotton skirt.
“What would you prefer I wear, Griff Quinn?” She was ticked off enough that she wanted to goad him into admitting he was, at the very least, still attracted to her. Her heart beat painfully.
He arched an eyebrow mockingly, his lips curving in a smirk. “Go pack, Jane.”
“Stop calling me Jane.” She folded her arms across her chest, her anger, frustration, and desperation deepening. Griff didn’t love her. Griff didn’t seem to care about her at all right now.
“Forgive me … Scarlett.” The slight smirk turned to a tight-lipped angry line. “Go pack,” he demanded in a voice that few would argue with.
“No.” Scarlett pursed her own lips. “Not until you tell me where we’re going and why I should go with you. If I’m in danger, I’ll hire my own security.” She was tough, smart, and wealthy. She didn’t need Griff Quinn, especially not the impenetrable Griff Quinn standing in front of her.
Griff slowly, deliberately walked toward her. He looked intimidating and so stinking attractive. He could give any action hero a run for their money. Even though he towered over her, she wouldn’t allow herself to back away from him. She glared up at him, borrowing on years of acting a part. If he could be cold and unattached, she could act that way too.
“I’m sure you could hire your own security, but Sutton’s team is the best in the world. His tech guys will find this threat. His team of former Navy SEALs and professional security specialists will neutralize it. And I will watch over you every second of the day.” His eyes traveled over her, and something in his gaze reached out to her. It heated her clear through, no matter how hard she tried to fight it, seeing how he didn’t love her any longer. “To make sure you’re safe,” he added.
“So this is only about my safety?” She begged him to open up to her, to tell her he was here because he cared. Everyone in her life, except her parents, acted a part, told her what she wanted to hear. Griff was real, and she needed to know the truth.
He studied her and finally nodded.
Scarlett shriveled inside. Griff wouldn’t lie to her. She straightened her spine and put on her tough action-star face. “I’m sure the famous Sutton Smith has many, many security personnel who could whisk me away and keep me safe. Why you?”
His smirk reappeared. “Because I’m the best.”
She gave him a saucy glare. “I don’t doubt that, but why would you accept an assignment to ‘watch me every second of the day’? Knowing our history, this can’t be easy for you.” She was projecting her own feelings. Being with him and knowing he didn’t love her would be horrific for her, yet he didn’t seem bothered by it at all.
His gaze never left hers, and she thought that deep down in those blue eyes she could see the Griff she used to love. He lifted his h
and and grazed his knuckles along her jawline, which set her panting for air again. He could have her at his mercy before she could blink. Sadly for her, she wanted to be at his mercy.
“Because I used to care,” he murmured in a deep, gruff voice.
“Used to?” No. It was all over between them. She didn’t want to be around him another second if he had no feelings for her.
A few beats passed. He pulled his hand back and nodded. “Used to.” His gaze left hers and swept around the room. “Nice place.”
Scarlett felt unsteady and chilled. Even when he’d stopped responding to her years ago, she’d held out hope that he loved her, that he’d dumped her because he was noble and good and wanted to serve his country without emotional attachments, or something along those lines. She’d been in many action flicks where the hero or heroine had issues like that. It was understandable, and excusable, as long as they came together and choose each other in the end.
Seeing him now, how cold and detached he was from her and their past love, made her shiver. Griff finally coming and then acting like such a heartless jerk was ripping her apart. Especially if some faceless person had offered a million dollars for her to be kidnapped. What kind of psychotic person did that?
“Why are all your blinds shut?” he asked.
Scarlett hugged herself for warmth. Griff knew her so well. Even at night, she rarely closed blinds, preferring to see the lights outside and not feel so alone. “I don’t know. I felt uneasy earlier, right before you came.”
Griff’s gaze darted back to hers. He knew all about her spirituality and intuition. She attributed it all to her Father above, but many people had scoffed at her when she shared impressions. Griff never had.
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