She's My Kind of Girl Page 7

  Gracie sat back in the booth, and her expression turned serious. “I think the town needs it, Darcy. Revival needs to be dragged into this century. Without it, the town will slowly perish. I honestly believe it will help revitalize the economy here. This is only the first step of Griffin’s plan; the next phase is development by putting money back into the community and businesses. He’s worked really hard and faced a lot of opposition, but he believes in what he’s doing, and so I do.”

  Darcy’s shoulders slumped. “That’s what I thought.”

  Gracie reached across the table and touched Darcy’s hand. “I’m sorry it has to hurt your mom, but the reward is great. It will help a whole lot of people in this town. I know you don’t have any fondness for this place, and I don’t blame you, but it’s a good thing for Revival. Even if your mom doesn’t see that yet.”

  “I read the plans.” Darcy looked out the window and toward city hall. “It’s hard to see a downside.”

  “It is.”

  “She wants me to save her, you know?”

  Gracie offered a soft smile. “Who knows, maybe you are. Life has a funny way of working out in ways you don’t expect but are better than what you thought you wanted.”

  Darcy grinned. “Are we talking about you now?”

  Gracie raised her hands in a helpless gesture. “What can I say? I’m living proof. James is nothing like the man I envisioned myself with, but he’s about a thousand times better. He gives me everything I didn’t even know I needed.”

  Darcy stared down into her pop glass, bubbling away. Griffin was exactly the man Darcy envisioned herself with. Even after all these years. She compared any man she dated to him and they always came up short. There was always something.

  They weren’t as smart as him.

  Or as handsome.

  They weren’t as sexy, or as open.

  They didn’t know where the clitoris was or how to fix a broken window.

  They didn’t listen when she talked. Didn’t care about her dreams.

  But the truth was, they just weren’t him.

  “Are you thinking about Griffin?” Gracie asked, her voice soft and curious.

  Darcy looked up and shrugged. “He’s hard not to think about.”

  “I can imagine.” Gracie tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “At poker night there were a couple times I thought you two might go at it right on the table.”

  Darcy laughed. “He’s too proper for that now.”

  Gracie rolled her eyes. “Do you honestly think he’s fooling anyone with that act?”

  The fine hairs on the back of Darcy’s neck rose. “Isn’t he?”

  Gracie huffed. “Oh please. That man has more sex appeal than he knows what to do with. Why do you think every single woman in a fifty-mile radius wants him?”

  “Because he’s good-looking and in a position of power? Those are the classics, aren’t they?”

  Gracie laughed. “They don’t hurt. But he’s got that way about him, doesn’t he? He just looks like he fucks dirty and mean.”

  Darcy had been taking a sip of her soda and at Gracie’s words she started to choke, coughing and sputtering.

  Gracie winked. “Tell me I’m not wrong?”

  Darcy went hot remembering Griffin and sex, remembering the other night and how crazy he made her. She shrugged. “I haven’t slept with him in forever.”

  “Maybe you should,” Gracie said, her tone sly.

  “You’re a horrible influence.”

  “I know, everyone says so.” Gracie leaned forward and put her elbows on the table. “Every single woman in town has been working on breaking him, but nobody has been able to manage it. I think he needs to be broken, and I think you’re the woman to do it.”

  Darcy bit her bottom lip not wanting to think about Griffin in bed and thinking about it anyway. Her chest felt heavy with want, and she decided to admit the truth. At least to someone, and she could trust Gracie. Everyone knew she kept secrets. “As much as I’d like to, I can’t.”

  “Why not?” Gracie asked, as though it was easy.

  Darcy looked out the window and pressed her fingertips to her lips. “I don’t think I can and not fall right back in love with him.” Her eyes filled with tears, and she shook her head, feeling ridiculous. “How stupid is that?”

  “Not stupid at all,” Gracie said, her voice lowered with sympathy. “I do understand.”

  She looked back at the other woman. “He’s my weakness.”

  Gracie nodded, her expression twisted and then flashed with guilt. “You’re probably not going to like this.”

  “What?” Darcy said, her heart speeding up to a gallop in an instant.

  Gracie handed her a napkin. “He’s coming this way.”

  Darcy frantically wiped under her eyes. “What? Why?”

  Gracie’s features turned chagrined. “Um, I’m sorry, but I kind of texted him and told him you were here.”

  “You did? Why?”

  “Because I asked her to.” Griffin’s voice filled her senses and sent a rush of goose bumps over her skin.

  She turned and met his gaze. It had only been five days since she’d seen him, since he’d touched her, and it felt like an eternity. “Why would you do that?”

  “I wanted to make a grand gesture.”

  Her head hurt. She was so confused. “What are you talking about?”

  “You’re not my dirty little secret, Darce.”

  Her heart gave a hard thump.

  He cleared his throat and said in a loud, booming voice, “Attention, everyone. Can I please have your attention?”

  The room seemed to still and go eerily quiet as a hush fell over the diner.

  Darcy glanced frantically around and hissed, “What are you doing?”

  Across from her Gracie grinned, her expression extremely excited.

  Griffin smiled what Darcy was sure was his politician’s smile. “As many of you know, Darcy Miller and I used to date. And we caused our fair share of trouble.” He gave the crowd an “aw shucks” look.

  People laughed and looked at her with interest.

  She tugged at his arm. “Griffin, stop this.”

  He ignored her and continued to address the townspeople. “We’re older and wiser now. And I wanted to let you know that I intend on resuming my relationship with Darcy for as long as she’ll let me. If she’ll let me. If you have any objections, I don’t really care what they are. My personal life has no bearing on my ability to run the town. All I can promise is that if Darcy agrees to go on a date with me tonight, our activities will not include defacement of public property.”

  There was another laugh.

  Griffin turned to her and smiled down at her, his dimples flashing. “So, Darcy Miller, what do you say? Will you go out with me? To Rock’s Steakhouse and sit at the center table while the town of Revival judges everything we do?”

  She stared at him for a good fifteen seconds, her mouth hanging open, her eyes wide with shock. She thought about the risks and then thought of being on her deathbed. If she said no, she’d regret it.

  Gracie kicked her under the table, shaking her from her stupor.

  She cleared her throat. “How can I say no to an offer like that?”

  “You can’t.”

  Before she could speak, he leaned down, wrapped his fingers around her neck, and kissed her in front of half the town. And it wasn’t just any kiss. It was mean. Full of aggression and tongue. When he let her go, she was breathless, panting up at him. He brushed her mouth with his and said, “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

  Stunned, all she could do was blink at him.

  He straightened. “For those of you who didn’t hear that, I said I’d pick her up at eight and then we’re headed to Rock’s.”

  He turned back to her. Touched her cheek, rubbed his thumb over her wet, swollen lips. “See you tonight.”

  Then, whistling, he waved to the crowd, and walked out of Earl’s Diner and down Main Street like he didn�
�t have a care in the world.

  Dumbfounded, Darcy stared unblinking at Gracie who wore a huge grin.

  She laughed. “See, this is why I meddle.”

  Darcy pointed out the window. “Am I going on a date with Griffin?”

  “You are,” Gracie said.

  Wow. She blinked. Opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again. She shook her head and met Gracie’s amused eyes. “I need to go shopping.”

  Gracie grabbed her purse. “I know just the place. It’s not Nordstrom’s, but it will do.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Griffin was a civilized man. Really he was. Or at least he claimed to be. That was until he’d picked Darcy up and civilized flew right out the window.

  He’d been a perfect gentleman, he hadn’t even kissed her, but honestly that was only because if he’d kissed her he wouldn’t have been able to stop. One kiss and she’d have ended up on the foyer floor with her clothes shredded to pieces, probably while her mother watched.

  Because, Jesus Christ, that dress. He worried he might be salivating.

  It was black, slinky, and hugged every curve. It went perfectly with her shiny black hair, red lips, and exaggerated cat eyes. She looked gorgeous, exotic, and so sexy he thought he might pass out from lack of blood flow. For the first time since she’d been back in town she looked like she’d been living in New York for all these years. Sophisticated, seductive, and intoxicating.

  She was like crack.

  As promised, he’d picked her up exactly at eight, and they were now seated in the middle of the crowded restaurant, pretending to look at menus while what seemed like half the town watched.

  He hoped Barry appreciated the business, because for a Thursday night the place was packed.

  Darcy tucked her sleek hair behind her ear and glanced around before leaning over the table. “Everyone is looking at us.”

  “They are.” He gave her a long, slow once-over. “Or looking at you, is probably more accurate.”

  Her tongue darted out to wet her lower lip. “Are you sure this is a good idea? I don’t want to hurt your reelection campaign.”

  “I’ve got time before I have to worry about that.” He couldn’t concentrate on any of the words in front of him but made a good showing. Without looking up he said, “Have I mentioned you look very fuckable tonight?”

  A tiny intake of air from across the table, before she said in a hushed tone, “Griffin, the people.”

  He still didn’t look up. “The people are the only reason I didn’t take you back to my place and drag you to bed like a caveman.”

  Another soft huff. “Do you have to talk like that?”

  He raised his head to meet her gaze. “Why? Have you changed?”

  Cheeks pink, her brow furrowed. “I . . . um . . . don’t understand the question.”

  He picked up a glass of wine and took a sip. After he swallowed, he raised a brow. “I’m assuming talking dirty still makes you wet.”

  Her blue eyes flashed, and she darted a glance around the room again. “This isn’t proper mayor behavior.”

  He waved an arm. “By all appearances I’m being a perfect gentleman and on my best behavior. They can’t hear me.” He gave her a smile, shifting his attention to her mouth. “But you know the real me, don’t you, Darce?”

  “Yes, I do.” Her expression changed from nervous to sly before a smile graced her red lips. “You know, two can play at that game?”

  He put his menu down and folded his hands on top of it. “Oh? Do tell.”

  “It means I can still suck your cock so good it will bring you to your knees.” She raised her glass. “Cheers.”

  He was thankful he wasn’t drinking anything or he would have choked. As it was, he was lucky he didn’t break the stem of the wine goblet. God help him but he loved this about her.

  He touched his glass to hers. “Here’s to licking you to orgasm.”

  She sucked in a breath and took a sip of her wine. “More than one, I hope.”

  He scoffed and sat back in his chair. “Have I ever let you off the hook with just one orgasm?”

  “Nope.” Her gaze met his, and her blue eyes were smoky and hot.

  He could stare into them forever. “Did you come today?”

  She shook her head. “I wanted to wait for you.”

  He experienced a rush of male satisfaction. “Good. Because I am going to do things to you that are illegal in most states.”

  She took a sip of wine before giving him a killer smile. “I’m more than ready to break some rules.”

  * * *

  Three hours later, while the good people of Revival watched, Darcy and Griffin ate a dinner neither paid the least attention to and had the equivalent of in-person phone sex.

  On the surface, they looked like they were having a polite, very proper dinner date. They’d talked to the chef. The manager. The waitstaff. And half the town. Griffin had shaken a lot of hands and made small talk that would make politicians everywhere proud.

  But the second they were alone there was nothing proper about them. Their conversation had become so dirty, so obscene Griffin was almost ashamed of himself. Almost.

  He was so damn hard, and he wanted her so damn much, he didn’t know if he was capable of making it home. Twenty minutes—okay, fifteen—and he’d be inside her.

  Griffin handed over his credit card to the waiter before raking his gaze over her. “We made it through dinner.”

  “We did.” Her voice was breathless and husky, filled with sex and smoke.

  “Maybe a balance between decorum and debauchery is possible.” He’d been thinking about it all night. The idea that it was possible to coexist. That with Darcy, it seemed possible.

  Her expression flashed. “Maybe.”

  “I only have one regret.”

  “What’s that?”

  The waiter returned with the check, and Griffin filled out the tip and total before looking back up at Darcy. “If we were someplace no one knew us, you could have taken your panties off right here and I could have done all sorts of filthy things to you.”

  “That’s just the kind of thing I like.”

  “I know.”

  Her teeth scraped over her bottom lip. “Let’s go.”

  “Are you attached to that dress?”

  She looked down at it. “It’s new.”

  He stood, and she did the same. He walked around the table, took her hand, and entwined their fingers while Revival watched. He narrowed the distance between them, standing close enough to feel the heat of her body. He leaned down and whispered, “It’s going to be ruined.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  The car was dead silent, except for their too fast breathing. Not panting from exertion, but fast and shallow, thick with anticipation.

  Darcy didn’t know how she’d made it through dinner without attacking him. She was on fire.

  The tension felt as though the air between them waited to explode.

  She’d never felt anything like this. Not even back then when they’d been together.

  It was like all civility had been stripped away, leaving behind nothing but raw, aching need.

  With one hand on the steering wheel, his knuckles white from his tight grip, he placed his open palm on her bare leg.

  She jumped, before sliding back into her seat like melted butter.

  He squeezed her thighs. “Open.”

  She didn’t even hesitate. The fabric of her dress stretched, and he slid his fingers up her leg.

  The drag, the press of his hand, the feel of his skin against hers an exquisite tease.

  She moaned, arched.

  His grip tightened on her inner thigh as a low rumble sounded in the car. His hand moved higher, higher.

  She closed her eyes, exhaling in a harsh breath. Splaying her legs wider. Wanting him to touch her.

  His fingers slipped into her panties and played over her slick, swollen flesh.

  “So wet, Darce.” He stroked over her clit.
“So fucking wet.”

  She clutched the handle hanging next to the window and rocked into his touch.

  “All through dinner I thought about this. Thought about how wet you would be.” He circled the hard nub and sensation exploded over her. “How my cock would feel sliding inside you.”

  She tightened her hold. “Griffin.”

  He slid his fingers inside her welcoming body. Pumping once, twice. “You’re drenching my fingers.”

  His thumb rubbed a path. He was driving her so crazy.

  “God, Griff. Stop.” She was panting now. “Please stop. I’m going to come.”

  “I know.” He thrust harder.

  She shook her head. “No. I don’t want to. I want to wait.”

  He growled, slowing his pace to stave off her impending orgasm. “Until what?”

  She groaned. She was going to die. He was going to kill her. “Until you’re fucking me.”

  “This is not going to be a civilized affair.”

  “Good.” She couldn’t stand it any longer; she sat up and leaned over, trailing over the line of his jaw. “Civilized is overrated.”

  He turned the corner, his fingers sliding out from her panties, and trailed her wetness over her thighs. “We need to stop or I’m going to end up pulling over and pounding into you.”

  “Fine by me.” She scraped her teeth over his neck, and his groan vibrated along her lips.

  “I don’t want to chance being interrupted.”

  “Where are we going?” She put her hand on his cock and squeezed.

  “Jesus.” The car swerved. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “My house.”

  He swirled his tongue over her index finger before sucking it into his mouth. She felt the suction all the way down to her toes. “Are you sure?”

  He released her with a pop. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life.”

  “Okay.” He turned onto Clementine Street.

  When they pulled into the curved driveway, she stilled, blinking at the perfect white frame house, with the big wraparound porch and red door.

  Her throat tightened, and she sat back in her seat as her eyes grew wet with unshed tears. In a soft whisper she said, “You bought it.”