Chapter 6: A Sexy Surrender

That night, Angela slept fitfully. Her mind raced with troubled thoughts of Cookie, Griffin, and Savannah. Things seemed to be going from bad to worse by the hour. Maybe it was time for her to return to Boston.

She'd started the conversation with her father about selling the ice cream shop and moving in with her after his heart trouble, but he'd resisted. Now that his energy was recovering, the color returning to his cheeks, it wouldn't be fair to force him into retirement.

Despite everything, she had to admit that it had been nice seeing Griffin again. Life without him had been lonely. Excruciatingly lonely. She remembered how her heart beat so wildly when he touched her that morning. She was relieved to discover it wasn't permanently broken, after all. It felt good to feel the blood coursing through her veins again, the heat returning to her loins, even if she could never be with Griffin again.

She kicked the blanket off her feet and flipped over onto her back. Just thinking about him made her pulse race.

Deep in thought, she suddenly became aware of a sharp tapping sound coming from outside her window. She turned her head to locate the source, surprised to see Griffin grinning at her through the glass. She leaped out of bed, pulling her silk robe over her sheer nightgown and tying the sash. "What are you doing out here?" she asked, pushing open the window. "It's past midnight."

"Just like old times," said Griffin, a broad grin still on his face. He wore a Yale sweatshirt and a pair of faded blue jeans. If possible, he was even more handsome than he'd been in his suit. He looked like the old Griffin that she had been in love with all those years ago.

"You better hope my father doesn't catch you," Angela teased. "He still sleeps with one eye open."

"That never stopped us before," said Griffin, taking a step toward her.

Angela backed away.

Griffin looked around the room, studying the floral wallpaper and pink furniture. When his eyes landed on the bed, they remained there. A sly smile slid across his face. "Everything is just as I remember it."

"Some things have changed," Angela said, pulling her robe tighter around her chest. "Like the fact that you're engaged."

Griffin's face fell as he looked at her again. "I know, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about you all day. I thought I was dreaming when I saw you standing in the park. I still can't believe you're real." He reached out to touch her again, but she ducked away from him.

"You should go," she said, swallowing hard. She couldn't guarantee she would say no a second time.

"Why?" he pleaded. "Can't we talk? You weren't just my lover. You were my best friend too. You don't know how much I've missed you. Does it have to be all or nothing?"

Angela shook her head sadly, her eyes brimming with tears. "I'm not strong enough to be your friend. It hurts too much."

Griffin reached out to catch one of her tears between his fingers. This time, she didn't back away. "I know," he whispered. "I feel it too. I never wanted it to be this way between us. So how did we get here?" His eyes pleaded with her for an answer.

She was suddenly seized with the urge to tell him everything. Why not expose Cookie and her evil plot to separate them? Griffin might be angry at first, but he would forgive her, wouldn't he? Eventually. Was there a chance he would understand why she did it? Could he grasp how she'd felt like her world had ended, like she'd had nothing else to lose? Could he imagine the depths of her despair? She'd never know if she didn't try.

"There's something we have to talk about—" she began, but Griffin cut her off by taking her in his arms and covering her lips with his mouth.

This time she didn't resist. She couldn't. As she opened her mouth, her resolve drained away. When he grabbed a handful of hair, and pulled back her head, she moaned softly in his ear. He was still the one. No matter how hard she'd tried, it was impossible to let him go. It would always be him. He was the only one who could make her feel this way.

Gently following the curve of her neck with his tongue, he nibbled gently on her ear as her knees buckled. Sensing her surrender, he caught her. Scooping her gently into his arms, he swung her around and carefully laid her on the mattress.

Angela lay motionless on the bed, eyes half closed, watching him unbutton his shirt. At the sight of his chiseled abdominal muscles and broad chest, fiery coals of desire smoldered in her belly. As he reached into her panties, the fire of their passion flared, the flames engulfing her. A searing heat burned between her legs. She arched toward him as he kissed her thighs, his hands teasing her breasts beneath her thin nightgown.

"Please," she whispered as his tongue found the spot that made her pulse with pleasure.

"Please," she repeated as he licked over and around it, bringing her to the brink. Her breath came in short bursts; her eyes rolled back in her head. At that moment, no one else existed in the world besides the two of them.

Then, just as she thought her soul would leave her body, he slid out of his pants and dragged his tongue from her belly button to her breasts, his fingers gently keeping her on edge with slow, long strokes over her mound. Finally, when his mouth reached her lips, he lowered himself onto her. "My Angel," he whispered in her ear.

Moaning again, she gently cupped his manhood, guiding him between her legs. She gasped when he entered her.

Taking his lip between her teeth, she bit firmly into his flesh. He tasted sweet yet salty. He groaned and thrust again. Releasing his lips, she sucked greedily on his shoulder as he moved faster and harder inside her. Riding the pounding waves of ecstasy, they ground their bodies together, momentarily released from the bounds of gravity.

When it was over, they fell back on the bed, hearts pounding, skin slick with sweat. Griffin propped himself up on one elbow and grinned at her. "That was even better than I remembered. I didn't think it was possible." He reached for her and drew her closer. "I think we need to try that again to ensure I'm not mistaken."

Too weak with happiness to resist, Angela ran her tongue around one of his nipples and down his chest. At that moment, despite the faint alarm going off deep in her head, nothing or no one could stop her or convince her that she wasn't exactly where she was supposed to be. Whatever price was to be paid, she would worry about it later.