A Silken Thread - Brenda Jackson [62]
“Well, once Erica marries, Mrs. Sanders will think differently.”
I doubt it, April thought, but refrained from speaking that thought aloud. She met his gaze. “So what do you want from me, Griffin?”
When his gaze darkened, she rolled her eyes. “Besides that.”
He chuckled as he eased down on the bed with her and pulled her into his arms. “I want for us to get to know each other better, and the only way we can do that is to begin dating.”
She pulled away from him. “That’s out of the question.”
“Why?”
“I told you why.”
“And you’re willing to let a town of closed-minded people keep us from developing a relationship?”
Yes, she was. “You’re thinking of running for mayor, for Pete’s sake. What on earth will people think?”
“That I refused to let the old ways dictate my life and that my platform actually does stand for change and a new beginning.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip and then said, “I hope you know that your parents fall within the category of closed-minded people, right along with Mrs. Sanders.”
“I’m very well aware of that. But I’ve never let my parents or anyone else dictate my life.” He paused a moment. “So, will you consider developing a relationship with me?”
“And what about Paulina? The two of you seemed pretty taken with each other in New York, Griff.” She hadn’t been able to resist calling him that, knowing he would get annoyed by it.
He did and it showed in his expression. “There’s nothing between me and Paulina. The only relationship we had was a sexual one and she’s been told more than once how I feel about being called Griff. Some of her antics she thought were cute really weren’t. I haven’t seen or talked to her since that time in New York.”
He then raised a brow. “And what about you and Neil? The two of you seemed rather chummy.”
Erica chuckled. “His partner knows I’m no threat.”
“Partner?”
“Yes, Neil is gay and Aaron is just as drop-dead gorgeous. They make a beautiful couple.”
She studied his features a moment, then asked, “Are you sure there’s nothing going on with you and Paulina?”
He smiled. “Positive. I knew my relationship with her was one that wasn’t going anywhere, but I don’t see that happening with us if given the chance, April. I can definitely see anything that develops between us going places. I think we owe it to ourselves to find out where.”
She drew in a deep breath. His offer was making her dream come true, and here she was thinking about turning him down, which would be refusing to take the one thing she’d always wanted. Him. Was she really willing to do that?
“Would you agree for us to date secretly, at least until after Erica marries?” she asked him.
He frowned as if he couldn’t fathom why she’d want them to do such a thing. “Is there a reason you wouldn’t want anyone to know we’re involved?”
“Yes. I couldn’t handle Mrs. Sanders’s wrath, which she will bring down on my head with a vengeance if she thought for one minute you and I were lovers.”
“It doesn’t concern her, April.”
She heard the irritation in his voice but couldn’t let that sway her. “But she’ll think it does concern her, and Erica has enough stress keeping her mother under control until the wedding without me doing something that could cause more problems. Let’s deal with one thing at a time, and the first thing on the list is Erica’s wedding. Until then, I don’t want anyone to know about us, Griffin.”
She couldn’t believe she was actually saying this. She was saying one thing but truly feeling another. She wished she could let everyone know that after all this time there might be a chance for her and Griffin after all. The very thought made her feel downright giddy, but the reality of how many people might be against it kept her feet firmly planted on the ground.
“I don’t like the