Page 41 of Griffin

Instead, he pressed into me, his body fitting against mine like it was meant to be there.

The heat between us flared, and I lost track of where I ended and he began.

My hands slid down his waist, holding him firmly but carefully.

The world around us blurred into nothing but the intoxicating press of his lips, the faint taste of his dinner still lingering, and the way his breath hitched when I deepened the kiss.

When we finally broke apart, both of us were panting, our breaths visible in the chilly air.

Michael’s pupils were blown wide, his lips slightly swollen from the kiss. The sight of him like that, flushed and affected, sent a possessive thrill through me.

“My place?” I asked, my voice rougher than I intended.

A small growl followed the question, one I couldn’t suppress, and Michael didn’t look even the slightest bit alarmed.

“Yeah, okay,” he whispered.

Without another word, he slid into the passenger seat, and I shut the door behind him before making my way to the driver’s side.

As I climbed in, my wolf stirred again, pleased but restless.

The ride to my place was filled with a charged silence, our earlier kiss hanging between us like an unspoken promise.

Every glance Michael shot my way as I drove made my grip tighten on the steering wheel.

My mind replayed the feel of his lips on mine, the way he’d tugged me close like he couldn’t bear to let go.

When we finally pulled into the driveway, I turned off the engine and looked over at him.

Michael’s gaze met mine, steady and filled with something that made my chest ache and my wolf snarl softly, eager to claim.

“Michael,” I began, my hands resting on the steering wheel longer than necessary.

I turned to face him, the dim glow of the porch light highlighting his profile.

“Tell me if we’re going too fast. I don’t want to rush you,” I said.

Michael looked at me, a small, reassuring smile tugging at his lips.

“You’re not rushing me,” he said. “I want this. Want you.”

His words hit me like a tidal wave, sweeping away the lingering doubts I hadn’t even realized I was holding onto.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear those words,” I told him.

Michael widened his smile as he unbuckled his seatbelt. We finally got out of the truck.

As I hurried toward the front door, eager to get us inside, Michael reached out and slipped his hand into mine.

I froze, the simple gesture sending a jolt straight to my chest. Turning back to him, I caught the soft, almost shy look on his face.

Without a word, I lifted his hand to my lips and kissed his fingers, letting my gaze linger on him.

“You surprise me sometimes,” I told him.

“Yeah? Is that a good or bad thing?” Michael asked.

“Good. Definitely,” I told him.

---