Worth Waiting For Read Online Free Page B

But…”
    “But…what?”
    His gaze brushed her like a caress. Their bodies so close they were almost touching, it took all her willpower to keep herself from swaying toward him, to feel that big, hard body next to hers once more. Her breasts ached to feel him press against them.
    He reached out and wound a piece of her hair around a finger. “I have friends,” he told her a bit obscurely.
    “That’s good,” she said, a little mystified. “That’s important.”
    He nodded, still looking at the strand of hair, rubbing it. His warmth was drawing her like a magnet. This was so not good. She tried to take a step back, but his fingers tightened in her hair, holding her there. She watched him.
    “Family’s important, too,” he said. “I kind of want a family.”
    What was he saying? What did that have to do with her?
    “Tell me about your mother.”
    “Oh. Well, soon after you left, she met this guy…his name is George Foster. He’s a very nice man. He’s a lawyer. Kind of old-fashioned and chauvinistic, but then, so is my mom. You know how she fell apart after my dad died.”
    “You were what…sixteen when he died?”
    “Seventeen. She was totally reliant on him for everything and then she transferred that all to me. I was just a kid and I was a mess myself.” She shook her head. “But helping her helped me get through it all. And you know the rest.”
    He knew the story of how, in her own need to be needed, she’d enabled her mother in her unhealthy dependence.
    “Anyway, it still amazes me that she found someone and fell in love again. He looks after her and he loves it.”
    “Was it hard for you to let him take over?”
    She laughed. “You know me too well. It was devastating. All of a sudden, nobody needed me any more.”
    “That can’t be true.”
    “Well, I did come to realize that. I had friends who were great. Abby was so supportive, and all those psychology classes came in handy. She really helped me see how much healthier it was for my mom and me to be apart. Now, I don’t know how healthy it is for her to be so dependent on George, but that’s not my problem.”
    “Wow. That’s quite a statement.”
    “I know. Believe me, I know.” She gave a little laugh. “Anyway, it was very eye-opening for me and also showed me what kind of relationship I don’t want with a man.”
    This time he did glide his big, warm hand down her bare arm, sending all kind of quivering tingles through her, and her hand slid into his in a natural fit that felt so familiar, so right. He walked on and she forced her legs to move, giving her hand a little tug to remove it from his. But he wouldn’t let go, pulling her closer.
    They walked out onto the pier and stood at the wooden railing looking out at the dark ocean rolling and shifting far beneath them. Griff kept hold of her hand and it was all she could do keep herself from throwing herself into his arms. He pulled her against him, releasing her only to slip his arm around her waist, holding her close.
    Oh, God.
    The heat of his body enveloped her, his muscles firm and strong against her. She barely topped his shoulder, even in her heels, and his size both comforted and intimidated. She couldn’t stop it, but images flashed through her mind—Griff naked, holding her, doing things to her that made all her inner muscles clench with excitement and throb with heat. She almost moaned aloud.
    “There’s something about the ocean,” he said. “I could never move far away from it.”
    “I know. I love it, too. But it’s scary.”
    He looked down at her, smiling. “Scary?”
    “It’s so huge and powerful.” She shrugged, feeling silly.
    “That’s true. You have to respect it.” He didn’t laugh at her or make fun of her, and she exhaled with relief. Eventually, they turned and headed back to the beach.
    “I should go home,” she said again.
    This time he nodded. “Um….can I ask a huge favor?”
    She tensed a bit, not sure what was coming. “You