Hard to Hate: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Hard to Love Book 1)

by L. M. Reid

  He doesn’t seem fazed by my words. “Griffin won’t mind, we go way back,” he tells me.

  “Still, he wouldn’t like this. And…”

  “And, what?” he asks as he pushes me up against the wall.

  “You just really need to go,” I say.

  It’s as though he doesn’t even hear my speaking. He grabs a lock of my hair and begins to twirl it around his thick fingers. “You are so beautiful.”

  “Th- thank you. But…”

  “Don’t fight it Chloe.”

  His words sound more like a warning than a seduction tactic. Without warning, he presses his lips to mine. With everything in me, I fight back. Screaming for help isn’t going to do any good. Between the sound of the music and the crowd, no one is going to hear me. I’m on my own. So I fist my hands and pound on his chest in hard and swift motions.

  When that doesn’t work, I flatten my hands on his chest and shove him with all the force I can muster. He’s stronger than he appears so he doesn’t even budge. He grabs my wrists and slams them against the wall above my head, his hips pressing against me to pin me to the wall. Tears form in my eyes when I feel the hardness of his dick against me.

  “Please stop,” I cry.

  “Don’t play hard to get. We both know you want me.”

  He releases my wrists as his hands drop to my breasts roughly grabbing and groping at them as I struggle against him. Unable to overpower him, I close my eyes trying to escape the reality.

  “Hands off, Abrams,” a deep voice that most definitely belongs to Griffin says through gritted teeth. The sound of his voice forces my eyes to snap open. Relief washes over me.

  Dylan begins to speak but before he can get anything out Griffin’s hands are on him pulling him off me. Dylan’s the one pinned against the wall now with Griffin’s forearm against his neck.

  “How does it feel?” Griffin taunts pushing his weight against Dylan.

  Tears are rolling down my face as I sink to the floor. Ginger is at my side, her arms around me.

  “We were just talking,” Dylan gasps.

  “You had your hands on her,” Griffin shouts.

  “She was asking for it,” he tells him.

  Rage steams off Griffin. “Bullshit.” He points at me. “If that is what you think desire looks like, you’re even sicker than I fucking thought.”

  Dylan begins to swing and punch at Griffin who is trying to hold him off.

  “Call Micah on the radio,” he says.

  I hear the crackle of the radio, then Ginger’s voice. She calls out for Micah as she helps me to my feet. Within seconds Micah, the bouncer, is storming toward us, his humongous arms grabbing a hold of Dylan and pinning them behind his back. Dylan may have had a chance against Griffin, but Micah? He can’t even so much as squirm in Micah’s hold.

  “Take care of him,” Griffin tells Micah. I’m not sure what the statement means exactly, but I’m fairly certain that it doesn’t just mean toss him out.

  Micah begins to move Dylan out of the area but Griffin steps in front of him one last time, his face inches from Dylan’s. “She’s mine. Stay away from her or I will end you.”

  “Are you okay, honey?” Ginger asks, her arms still around me.

  “I’m fine,” I tell her. I don’t want this. I don’t want the attention. I don’t want to think about it.

  Griffin steps in front of me, his hands examining me for injury. “Are you hurt? Did he…”

  “I’m fine I said.” I push against Griffin. “I overreacted. I just want to go back to work.”

  “Overreacted? He had his hands on you Chloe,” Griffin says.

  “It’s not a big deal,” I lie despite the tension in my muscles that say otherwise.

  “Like hell it isn’t,” Griffin barks. He turns to Ginger, “You’re in charge. I’m taking her home.”

  Ginger nods and heads back to the floor. She might follow his direction, but I sure as hell don’t. I’m sick of everyone telling me what’s best.

  “I don’t want to go home,” I argue. “I’m going back to work.”

  I yank myself out of his hold. His hand reaches for me, but he pulls it back.

  “Chloe.” His voice is so soft and gentle. When I look back at him, what I see astonishes me. The man who never shows emotion? Well, his handsome face is full of it at the moment. There’s concern and pain in his eyes, his jaw is clenched, and his fingers are clenching at his sides.

  Tears begin to fall again as I walk into his waiting arms. His arms envelop me, his voice filled with promise. “No one will ever hurt you again.”

  I let out a breath and relax into his embrace. I keep telling myself that I hate him, that he’s not the type of person I want in my life. And each and every time, he does something to prove me wrong. The man I thought he was, or rather, assumed he was, is so far off base. Sure, maybe he’s a little arrogant and entitled, but he’s also kind and thoughtful and caring. He’s not just what I want. He’s the only thing that I want.

  Two magnets, drawn to each other inexplicably, our lips meet. Slow and soft they move together, taking and giving equally. Everything that’s between us, everything that shouldn’t be is in this kiss. Things I’ve never felt before, things that he is fighting. His hands are on my face, deepening the kiss, pulling me into depths that neither of us understands. I’m tired of fighting it, fighting him. I just want to enjoy this, accept what it is he’s offering me.

  When the inevitable happens and the kiss ends, Griffin rests his forehead against mine. “May I take you home?” he asks.

  “Yes.” I say the words without hesitation.

  All fear, all worry, it’s gone. At least in this moment. Right now, I just want to feel. I want Griffin’s arms around me. I want his lips against mine. I want the safety and security only he brings me.

  His fingers intertwine with mine as he leads me to his shiny red sports car. He opens the door for me and helps me in. Then he just stands there, looking at me as though he’s trying to figure something out. He shakes his head before closing the door and it leaves me feeling uncertain. Sliding into the driver seat, he starts up the car. His hand finds my thigh and he gives it a gentle squeeze.

  His club, his rules and he has broken every single one of them because of me.

  We are silent on the ride back to my dorm, music softly playing in the background. I catch him watching me out of the corner of his eye.

  “What?” I ask.

  “You have no idea, do you?”

  “Idea about what?”

  I love the sound of his laugh even though I know it’s at my own expense. “You were singing with the radio. You really had no idea?”

  I shake my head. I was so lost in him, God knows what else I may have done had I not caught him looking at me.

  “You have a nice voice,” he compliments.

  Maybe I can carry a tune, but my voice is far from nice. He’s being so kind though that I can’t disregard his compliment the way I normally would by saying something weird like calling him a liar or telling him he must be deaf. Instead, I accept it, I thank him and then I make sure not to let it happen again.

  He pulls his fancy sports car, whatever kind it is because that’s not my thing, into a parking space in front of my building. With the turn of the key, he kills the engine and the music dies along with it. There is nothing left but the two of us and this oddly comfortable silence that falls over us. We both sit there for a moment, just enjoying the company and the quiet. If I allow it to go on too long though, it might get awkward.

  “Thanks for the ride,” I say before sliding out of the car.

  Behind me, a door shuts and footsteps quicken. Within seconds, there is a hand on the small of my back. I stop and turn to him. “You don’t have to walk me. I’ll be fine.”

  “I don’t mind. It’s kind of nice being on campus again.”

  I give him a knowing look. He’s on campus plenty. Based on the time of day he’s usually here, I assume that it’s too d
ark to admire. Not to mention the fact that his only interest is inside his latest conquest’s dorm room.

  “I don’t come here… that, often.” He manages to spit out the statement, but the lack of truth in it makes even him laugh.

  We make our way to my room. Standing in the open doorway, I contemplate whether or not I should ask him in. He was kind enough to bring me home, it would be the nice thing to do, right?”

  I open my mouth to ask, but I chicken out. Instead I thank him, for the ride, for the save, for everything, even things he doesn’t realize he’s done for me.

  “Nothing to thank me for. I’m the reason you were in danger tonight. I let that guy into the club. Because of me, he had his hands on you. I’m so sorry, Chloe, I failed you again.”

  “Again? Griffin, what are you talking about? You haven’t done anything except try to help me and tonight…. tonight you saved me.” My hand reaches for his cheek and I’m surprised when he doesn’t move it but instead leans into it.

  “What is it about you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  His strong hand wraps around my wrist as he steps closer to me. His other hand holding my cheek, the same way I am holding him. “I want you Chloe. I want you like I have never wanted anyone before.”

  “You’ve already had me,” I remind him.

  He shakes his head. “I had a piece of you, Chloe. It’s not enough. I want it all.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  His lips brush against mine softly. “We had sex, but I want more than that. I want to get to know you, I want to… I want you. All of you. I shouldn’t, but I do.”

  “I want you, too,” I admit. “Ever since I lost my sister… The only time I feel okay, the only time I feel alive is when I am with you.”

  His grip tightens, his face moves closer. “Give me a chance, Chloe.”

  Give him a chance, I encourage myself. But the fear takes over. The Griffin I see flirting with women at the bar, the one that I’ve seen on campus leaving various dorm rooms with various females. I don’t want to be just another notch on his bedpost only be left broken and alone.

  Things are better this way.

  “I can’t Griffin. I’m just putting the pieces of my heart back together after losing my sister. I can’t risk you breaking it again.”

  “I won’t,” he says, giving me a promise that I know he can’t keep. No one could. Hurt and pain, it’s inevitable in relationships. It comes with the territory. Its why no matter how much I want him, regardless of how much I want to say yes right now, I just can’t.

  “One night,” I offer.

  “I need more,” he says his lips hover near mine.

  “It’s all I can give you,” I tell him.

  He stares at me for a beat before letting me go and taking steps toward the stairwell.

  “Please Griffin. Don’t go. I need you.”

  He stops, his head hung. “One night,” he says with trepidation. He’s agreeing to it unwillingly, but this draw between us right now, it’s fueling everything. It’s making us do what we know we shouldn’t.

  “One night,” I repeat.

  His lips are on mine, tasting, exploring, savoring. His hands tangle in my hair, his body pressing firmly against mine. Every piece of him is rock hard against me. With our bodies connected, he pulls us into the room. I can hear the door slam behind us, but my brain is so fuzzy with desire I can’t really compute what is going on. This man that I hate, turns out he’s everything I need.

  I deepen the kiss, harden it. My body and my mind becoming increasingly impatient for the satisfaction this man brings me. Something comes over me. I’m not sure what it is, but I do know what it does to me. It turns me into a woman with no control. I reach for his belt, then his shirt.

  “Tell me,” he says. Unsure what he’s referring to, I just stare at him blankly. “Tell me what you want, Chloe.”

  A nervous energy courses through me. I feel too embarrassed, too insecure to tell him how just his touch pushes me to the verge of climax. “I uh…” His hands are slowly undoing the zipper at my back, the dress ready to fall to the floor. My braless breasts moments from being exposed to him and a tiny scrap of satin hiding my dripping wet core. The zipper is down, his hands making their way to my shoulders, gently pushing the straps down my arms until the material pools at my feet.

  Griffin’s tongue darts out of his mouth, licking his lips.

  “Fuck me. I need to feel you in me.” I don’t know where the brazen words come from. They are so unlike me. Then again, Griffin is so unlike anyone I’ve ever known. He does things to me I’ve never felt before. He infuriates me and turns me on at the same time. He challenges me and makes me want to explore this new side to myself – the one that only he can bring out. Even if only for one night, it’s worth it.

  Without hesitation, Griffin pulls the shirt over his head and tosses it to the side. “Lie down,” he tells me as he works with the belt buckle, I had been fumbling with.

  I do as he asks. I’ll do anything he asks as long as he gives me what I need.

  Kicking away his pants, he stands before me in all his glory. I study him for a moment, chiseled face with his trademark smirk, rippled muscle, and a six pack that, if I wasn’t seeing it, I wouldn’t believe. All of it leading down to the cock that he is stroking in his hand as he stares at me from under hooded eyes. I gaze at him, appreciating just how damn sexy he is standing there before me completely naked. I note his size, something I felt, but never got the visual pleasure of last time. He’s big. Well endowed. Massive.

  He releases his dick, his hands reaching for the waistband of my panties and sliding them excruciatingly slowly down my legs. He kneels between my legs as he lines up his condom wrapped cock at my slick entrance.

  My body freezes in anticipation of him entering me.

  He smiles at me, his lips pressing softly against mine. “I’ll be gentle.”

  “Don’t.”

  He kisses me again, harder this time. His lips leaving a trail of nips down my neck to my breast. My nipples are hard and when he takes one in his mouth between his teeth, I moan.

  His mouth covering my breast, he pushes into me firmly and deeply I cry out from the mixture of pleasure and pain. He’s deep inside me, filling me more than I ever have been before. Nerve endings that have never been touched ignited in a burning desire. I buck my hips up, encouraging him to continue without speaking because there just are no words.

  22

  Griffin

  She told me not to be gentle. The moment she cried out though, I instantly regretted listening to her. She surprised me though. Her hips bucking up to accept me even further. Her non-verbal way of telling me to continue.

  I don’t want to hurt her. It’s the last thing in the world I want to do. Savor her, that’s what I want. If tonight is all I get, then I want to savor every moment I have with her. Something tells me that one night isn’t going to be enough.

  Just because I take her hard and fast now, that doesn’t mean that I can’t savor her later. My hand holds her leg up at my waist, my mouth finding hers again, and my hips moving against hers. She feels like perfection and I find myself losing my restraint quicker than I would like.

  Her moans and screams so much different now than they had been initially. Any pain she felt is now gone, replaced by pleasure. She meets every one of my thrusts, her body moving with mine in perfect unison. I feel her tighten around me, her nails digging into my flesh. My name falls from her lips and I fall right over the edge with her.

  When I roll off her, my arm reaches for her and pulls her against me. I breathe in the scent of her hair as she lies against me. She’s only giving me one night and I sure as shit am not ready for it to end yet.

  “I didn’t take you for a cuddler,” Chloe says as she adjusts herself in my arms.

  “I seem to make a lot of exceptions for you,” I admit. My fingertips run up and down her arm. I can feel goosebumps form from my touch.

/>   We lay here, a comfortable silence hanging over us.

  “You don’t have to do this. You can go, it’s okay.”

  That is normally a statement I am dying to hear. I’ve spent the night with women, but usually because I pass out from the alcohol or pure exhaustion. Never because I just wanted to hold them in my arms. Certainly not because I wanted to sleep with them in my arms. With Chloe though, everything is different. It scares the shit out of me just how much I’m enjoying just being with her like this. Especially considering that she’s only giving me tonight.

  “I think I’m offended by that,” I say feigning shock.

  “You think?” she laughs.

  “Yeah, I mean, that’s normally the response I’m praying for. But tonight…”

  Her fingers trace the line of my abs and I’m so fucking glad I spend so much time working on them. “Tonight, what?” she asks.

  “Tonight, I want to be here with you. I want to…. hold you.”

  Not only do I want it, I’m loving every second of it. Chloe is worth breaking every damn rule for. Including convincing her to break her own. One night?

  No way in hell am I settling for that. Not now. Not after this. Not when I know she wants me the same way I want her. She needs time; I’ll give it to her. But I’m not giving up.

  “Can I ask you something?” she asks. Her question breaks me out of my thoughts.

  “Shoot.”

  “Is it true that Lust started here on campus?”

  I chuckle. “It did. Right out of my dorm room.”

  “How did you get away with it?” Astonishment is in her voice.

  I look at her in mock horror. “After what we just did, how could you doubt my abilities in anything?”

  She slaps my chest playfully. “Seriously.”

  “It’s all in who you know. I was friends with campus security. My father donated a shit ton of money to the school. Right or not, it’s how life is. Lucky for me too. Running that for three years gave me the money to start Lust.”

  “So, your dad can donate a shit ton of money to the school, but couldn’t help you start the club?”