Grump Gone Wild (Grumps Unleashed Book 1) by Cassie Mint

Author:Cassie Mint [Mint, Cassie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Cherry Publishing
Published: 2023-05-03T16:00:00+00:00

Seven

Fliss

This maze feels like something out of a myth. You know: towering green hedges, roots twining through the packed dirt, birds rustling and a distant blue sky overhead. Though we’re not super far from the lawn games, we can’t hear a peep from the other guests.

It’s just me, my boss, and our rasping breaths.

He solves the maze almost on the first try. With the couple of wrong turns he takes, he curses like a sailor under his breath then backtracks, jaw clenched. It’s so unlike him—so uncontrolled.

Sebastian’s muscles are tense. His heartbeat slams against my side.

Using my fingertip, I nudge his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“Thank you,” he mutters.

When we spill into the center of the maze, I suck in a wobbly breath. It’s even more otherworldly in here, with a fountain spraying crystal-clear water and stone tiles forming a mini terrace in the shaft of sunlight. Two statues frolic in the water, frozen in their poses: a satyr and a nymph. They are wearing the tiniest scraps of carved cloth.

“You know, that satyr’s pretty ripped,” I say.

“Don’t make me jealous of a statue, Felicity. Have mercy.”

There are two wrought iron benches, but Sebastian carries me right to the fountain. He sits me down on the stone wall, then kneels at my feet.

“Your blisters?” A strong hand wraps around my ankle, and lifts my foot like I’m delicate. My boss rubs the arch of my foot, and I choke back a groan. That should not feel so good.

“They’re fine,” I grit out. “I haven’t walked a single step since you checked them before. You can’t carry me for this whole weekend, you know.”

“Of course I can.” Sebastian lifts a shoulder. His white shirt strains against his muscles. “You’re my girlfriend, remember?”

…Right.

This is make-believe. A weekend of weaving our own private myth.

But even though we’re alone here, with no one else to impress or convince, my boss doesn’t move away. And maybe he’s a method actor too—maybe he wants to stay in our roles.

Fine by me. Disneyland, baby.

Sebastian swaps to my other foot, rubbing his thumb over my sore arch. Shuddering out a sigh, I tip my head back and let my eyes flutter closed.

“Felicity.”

“It’s Fliss,” I tell him for the millionth time.

A long pause.

“Fliss, then.” Clever fingers smooth over my foot, my ankle, my bare calf. They trail all the way up to my knee, whisper-light, and I’m so freaking glad I shaved my legs this morning.

My thighs part an inch. My teeth dig into my bottom lip.

Nerves squirm in my belly, and our stolen sunshine licks over my skin. It’s shockingly nice after the cool, dark maze.

Sebastian places a steady palm on my leg. “Would you still like me to warm you up?”

I nod so fast my teeth clack together. And my eyes are still closed, but I hear his smoky laugh; I sense him shift closer, tiny stones crunching under his knees.

His hand slides an inch higher. The thumb strokes inward, tickling my inner thigh, and I can’t breathe.

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