Across the Distance

by Marie Meyer

  * * *

  In the middle of the night, I was awakened by a strange movement beside me. At first I thought I was dreaming, but when I heard his voice I gasped. I sat up straight and stared at him. His head tossed side to side. “Griffin?”

  “Ugh,” he groaned. “Bean?” His voice was weak and raspy.

  For just a second I thought my heart had stopped beating. But watching his eyes focus onto me sent it into double time. I clasped my hands over my mouth, unable to speak.

  He blinked, searching my face. “Bean?” he said again.

  A smile blossomed across my face and I shook my head. “I’m here!” My voice cracked. “I’m right here.” I grabbed his hand in mine and squeezed as hard as I could.

  “Promise?” He asked in a gravelly voice.

  I leaned my forehead on his and whispered, “Forever.”

  Epilogue

  Two months later…

  From downstairs came the muted chords of the guitar. Smiling, I hung the last picture on our bedroom wall. With a hammer in one hand and a couple of nails in the other, I backed off the small ladder. It was nice to be home, settled.

  The last two months had been difficult and emotionally draining, but once Griffin came home from the hospital, things started to improve. I moved into his apartment and Thor moved out to get a place with Harper. I made a quick trip back east to complete the finals I’d missed, and Griffin took it easy at home, rehabilitating. Now that I’d returned, life was getting back to normal. We had at least a month before I’d have to head back to school.

  Stepping off the ladder, I put the hammer and nails on to the night table and pivoted backward. Shuffling through Griffin’s strewn clothes, I kicked them into a pile near the door as I caught a glimpse of the picture frames he’d given me for my birthday.

  A warm smile consumed my face. Mom, Dad, and a smaller version of me in one frame, Griffin and a much older me in another—we all smiled from behind the glass. The familiar pang of sadness pinched my heart. There’d never be a day I wouldn’t miss my parents, but at least now I could smile through the sadness. Griffin was right; they were my forever…forever in my heart.

  Admiring the pictures side by side, I crossed my arms and took a step back, bumping into a solid body. I glanced behind me. Griffin stood there with his arms folded across his chest. “Sorry,” I said, not realizing he’d come upstairs.

  Loosening his arms, he slid them over my shoulders, towering over me. With my back pressed to his abdomen, he rested his chin atop my head. “You busy?” he asked, the deep murmur resonating against my back.

  I closed my eyes, committing this moment to memory…the lingering sensation of his voice still beneath my skin, his warmth, the scent of his masculine body, the oxygen in his lungs, his beating heart…him.

  I’d never take our time together for granted.

  He ran his hands over my bare arms and I sighed at the pleasure of his touch. “Not really.” I rested my head against his strong chest.

  Griffin pressed his palms to my shoulders and gently spun me around, folding his hands at the small of my back. I lifted my head and he fixed me with a thoughtful gaze. “Already redecorating, huh?”

  “Well,” I drawled, looking around the cluttered room. “This place could use the help of a good designer.”

  “Anyone come to mind?” He unlatched his hands, guiding them over the curve of my backside.

  I cocked my head and stared at the ceiling, then shrugged, smiling. “Hmm, maybe. I think she prefers clothes to bedrooms, though.”

  His mouth pulled up into a playful smile, lighting his eyes. “Know what I prefer?”

  I shook my head, biting my lip. “Uh-uh.”

  He leaned down and pressed his mouth to my ear. “I prefer bedrooms and no clothes.”

  His warm breath and words sent shivers down my spine, while the stubble on his cheeks and chin scratched my face, leaving a fiery trail in their wake. Besides chaste kisses here and there, the last time we’d even come close to having sex had been on my birthday. But not because I didn’t want to—my body craved his touch. Recovery from a head trauma and brain surgery, however, trumped my wanton needs. He was under strict orders to abstain from all strenuous activities for at least four weeks, depending on what his body could handle. I didn’t push.

  Doctor’s orders didn’t deter him, though. In the last month, I’d exercised superhuman strength to ward off his advances, seeing to it he didn’t jeopardize his health.

  Has it been long enough? When his breath kissed my skin, my brain ceased to function, and my resolve disappeared. “Griff…” I trailed off, shaking my head. “I’m not so sure…”

  “Jillian,” he said, low and insistent. His eyes burned the color of charcoal. “I got the ‘all clear’ from my doctor today. As long as I’m not in any pain, no headaches, I can resume my normal level of activity.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded.

  I couldn’t help but smile. “Griff, that’s great news.” I stretched up on my tiptoes and kissed him. He caught my face in his hands, not allowing me to retreat. His lips brushed over mine, breaking down my defenses. Then he pulled away and I slowly lowered my heels back to the carpet.

  He rested his forehead against mine. “I want you, Jillibean. I promise you, I’m fine.” His thumbs trailed lightly over my cheekbones. “These last eight weeks…hell, these last six months have been excruciating. I need to be inside you,” he rasped.

  I sucked in a breath. His words and his voice were my undoing. My insides melted. Smoothing my hands up his back, I drew him close and whispered in his ear, “And that’s right where I want you.” I stared at him, my resolve burned away by the heat we generated.

  “Fuck,” he moaned, crashing his mouth onto mine. Raw and hungry, he bit my lower lip, sucking it into his mouth. Circling his hands around my neck and into my hair, he pressed me closer and slid his tongue past my lips. I loved the taste of him. Our tongues swept against each other with fevered urgency while my hands kneaded the straining muscles in his back.

  Again I savored this moment. “Make love to me,” I sighed.

  Griffin glided his hands down my back and centered them at my waist, bending slightly to pick me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. He flexed his arms, securing my body to his, our tongues moving together.

  Griffin walked us toward the bed and lowered me onto the mattress. He slowed the kiss and stood, hovering. My eyes roamed over his clothed body. Maybe I wasn’t a fan of clothes anymore.

  I watched Griffin’s gaze follow a sensual trail over my face, down my chest, and come to rest at the hem of my dress. Starting at my knees, he slowly moved his hands up my thighs. “I’m tired of being apart, Jillian.”

  I nodded, finding it hard to concentrate on his words while his hands moved closer to where I wanted them. “Me too,” I breathed.

  A lusty smile curled his lips. “Did you make this?” He fingered the hem of my sundress before his hands disappeared beneath the lightweight fabric.

  I hummed. “Mmm-hmm.” His hands pressed upward while he lowered his body over mine. My muscles tightened beneath his touch.

  “It’s my new favorite,” he whispered.

  I pushed onto my elbows, our noses touching. Shifting my weight, I pulled the dress over my head and tossed it to the floor. “I was never fond of it.” I pecked his lips and smiled, flopping back down.

  Griffin’s eyes widened. “Jillian,” he stammered. “You are so damn sexy.” He smirked and shook his head. With his hands, he traced over every part of my skin, even the tattered and scarred parts. He loved all of me.

  Shuffling back a step, he stood and reached behind him, pulling his Chili Peppers t-shirt over his head and making quick work of the rest of his clothes, too.

  My eyebrows shot up, my heart raced, and I forgot how to breathe. As many times as I had imagined Griffin’s naked form, nothing compared to the real thing. I loved designing clothes, but as long as
I lived, I would never want to cover up his beautiful body. It was a work of art, on display for only me.

  With his hands he parted my legs, then slowly climbed on top of me. Sliding the palms of his hands over my shoulders, he dragged the straps of my bra downward, exposing my breasts. Then, ever so gently, he worked his hands to the back of my neck and lifted me up, unhooking my bra. Brushing his hands up my shoulder blades and around to the front of my body, he pulled away the pink fabric and tossed it over his shoulder.

  Griffin curved his body over mine, pressing tiny kisses to my scars before drawing a line along my jaw with his nose. He inhaled. “Flowers and the ocean.”

  My breathing hitched and caught in my throat. My hands went to his short hair. The shaved ends tickled against my skin. So many new sensations flooded my body at once. I’d never thought I’d experience this kind of passion. Who would ever want me?

  Griffin. He wanted me.

  His hand moved in lazy, seductive circles over my waist, at the waistband of my panties…the only strip of clothing keeping us apart. Resting his chin against my breasts, he looked into my eyes. I could see my reflection in his dark irises. “I love you, Jillibean.” His voice echoed through my body.

  I drew in a large breath and watched his head rise along with my chest. “I love you,” I whispered.

  He tilted his head to the side and closed his eyes while I ran my fingernails over the griffin stretched across his back. “I could listen to your heartbeat all day long.” His breath burned against my skin.

  Keeping his ear to my heart, he worked his right hand along the length of my arm, extending it above my head, lacing his fingers with mine. His left hand moved southward, dipping his fingers just inside the top of my panties. “Hmmm,” he crooned. “You’re changing the beat, Jillian.” He chuckled. “Much more syncopated.”

  My muscles clenched at hearing my name on his lips. I worked my hands to his lower back, pressing him closer while his hand slid further inside the flimsy material.

  Turning his head, he leaned up and put his mouth on mine, driving his hand further into my panties. His tongue licked across my lips, and I opened to him. He plunged his tongue into my mouth, claiming me.

  Oh god.

  His fingers slid over me and it felt like my heart would beat out of my chest. Stars burst behind my eyelids.

  Against my mouth, he murmured, “I’ve written songs about you—” he kissed me again— “but your heartbeat right now has to be the damn sexiest, most gorgeous song I’ve ever heard.”

  He picked up the beat with his expert fingers…playing me.

  Measure after measure, my song built, and his skilled fingers coaxed noises from me that added the melody to his perfect rhythm. I squeezed my eyes shut. “Oh…my…Griffin…” I panted and arched my back. My body shuddered and my heart thumped in my chest. He slowed his deft fingers and used both hands to slowly peel my panties away.

  I opened my eyes.

  There was nothing between us, yet we were still so far apart.

  Then he pulled away and got off the bed. Oh no. Something’s wrong. My brain flipped through a dozen scenarios, each one worse than the previous. I sat up, chilled. “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

  He shook his head and smiled. “Relax, Bean.” Holding up an index finger, he pulled open the drawer to his night table, rummaged through it quickly, and returned to my side, tearing open a condom wrapper with his teeth.

  Oh.

  My cheeks flushed as I watched Griffin roll the condom into place. His smoldering eyes never left mine, but I had to look away, distracted by the way his tattoos rippled with each contraction of his muscles.

  Sliding back on top of me, he pushed me back onto the pillow. He brushed the hair away from my face and peered down. “Are you sure?” he asked.

  I memorized everything…the weight of his body on mine…our hot, damp skin pressed together…sharing this experience with my best friend…

  My lover.

  Griffin searched my face, still waiting for my permission. I nodded. And it was all the invitation he needed. Leaning forward, he gently pressed his lips to mine, easing himself against me.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, securing my lips to his. My tongue pressed into his mouth at the same moment he pushed inside me.

  The distance between us…

  Obliterated.

  Every nerve ending fired at once, sending a current of electricity through my body. The song my heart had played for him earlier had just been the prelude to the symphony it played now.

  Griffin took it slow for my sake, filling and stretching me, then pulling away, repeating the same rhythm over and over again.

  Our hands explored the landscapes of each other’s bodies, our tongues danced. No space. I was all him…he was all me.

  His hands ran up the length of my arms, holding them above my head. Our fingers laced together and he pressed them into the pillow. My fingers squeezed his, holding on to him with everything I had. I’d never let him go.

  “Griffin,” I moaned. I couldn’t breathe, yet I’d never felt more alive.

  Pressing further into me, he brought his mouth to mine, hard. He thrust his tongue into my mouth, and I bucked my hips beneath him.

  He groaned against my mouth. “Jillian…”

  Releasing my hands, he placed his strong arms at each side of my head, caging me beneath him. My hands were free to touch him. I dragged my fingers over his sweat-slicked skin, feeling him move inside me. I cried out, “Griff!” I didn’t recognize my voice—primal and confident. He consumed me, body and soul.

  Griffin worked his hands to my face, and I felt him shudder, “I’m so close…” he muttered, kissing my jaw.

  I gripped his shoulders, feeling my muscles clench. Griffin leaned in close to my ear and whispered, “Come for me, Bean.”

  He thrust into me once…twice…three times…

  My eyes closed and I arched my back, moving my body in time to his. My toes curled. Rainbows exploded behind my eyelids. And I was…flying.

  I’d always hated flying…until now.

  Then with two more long thrusts, Griffin moaned in my ear and his body trembled in my hands. He fell against me, his chest rising and falling…breathing…alive. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

  Together, we caught our breath. Griffin pressed close and kissed me, then propped his head up with his hand. He smiled and brushed my hair away from my face. “Sorry, Jillibean, I lied.”

  I wrinkled my nose in confusion. That was an odd thing to say after what we’d just done. “Huh?”

  His fingers brushed lazily over the crown of my head. “Remember when I told you I planned to hold you hostage for days?”

  “Yeah.” I nodded, licking my kiss-swollen lips.

  He shook his head. “Try forever.”

  I laughed. “Promise?”

  “Damn straight.” He bent close, sealed his lips to mine, closing the distance between us.

  About the Author

  Marie Meyer was a Language Arts teacher for fourteen years. She spends her days in the classroom and her nights writing heartfelt new adult romances that will leave readers clamoring for more. She is a member of RWA and the St. Louis Writers Guild. Marie’s short fiction won honorable mentions from the St. Louis Writers Guild in 2010 and 2011. She is a proud mommy and enjoys helping her oldest daughter train for the Special Olympics, making up silly stories with her youngest daughter, and bingeing on weeks of DVR’d television shows with her husband.

  Learn more at:

  MarieMeyerBooks.com

  Twitter, @MarieMwrites

  Facebook.com/MarieMeyerBooks

  Did you love Griffin as much as we did?

  Stay tuned for Griffin’s story in

  CAN’T GO BACK

  Available Summer 2015

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  Contents

  Title Page

  Welcome

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Epilogue

  About the Author

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  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Copyright © 2015 by Marie Meyer

  Cover design by Elizabeth Turner

  Cover copyright © 2015 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.

  All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.