Page 44 of Griffin

“Where are you taking me on our next date?” he teased, his voice light but his gaze steady.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, leaning down to nuzzle against his neck, breathing in his scent.

It was soothing and maddening all at once.

“That’s a secret,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to his jawline.

He let out a soft laugh, the sound rumbling through me, grounding me. This—right now—was enough.

I didn’t need to think about the mate mark, or the future, or anything beyond this moment.

I could focus on the present, on holding him, on keeping him close.

The conversation drifted into comfortable silence, Michael’s breathing slowing as he began to nod off.

His head nestled against my chest, his hand stilled against my stomach.

Soon, the soft sound of his breathing filled the room, and I smiled, brushing my fingers gently through his hair.

I was close to dozing off myself when the faint buzz of a phone broke through the quiet.

At first, I ignored it, unwilling to move and disturb Michael. But it buzzed again, more insistent this time.

With a sigh, I carefully untangled myself from him, making sure not to wake him as I slid out of bed.

The phone was buried somewhere in the pile of our discarded clothes, the faint glow of the screen leading me to it.

It wasn’t mine. Todd’s name flashed across Michael’s phone, the screen lighting up the dark room.

I frowned, my jaw tightening. Even if Todd was a good friend, he shouldn’t be disturbing Michael at this hour.

Whatever it was could wait until morning.

As the phone buzzed again, I debated answering it just to tell Todd off but decided against it. Let it go to voicemail.

Placing the phone back on the nightstand, I returned to the bed, sliding under the covers.

The moment I settled, Michael stirred, reaching for me in his half-asleep state.

“Griffin, where did you go?” he mumbled sleepily, his voice soft and drowsy as he wrapped an arm around me.

I pressed a kiss to his cheek, my heart clenching at how easily he sought me out even in his sleep.

“I’m here,” I murmured. “Go back to sleep.”

“Mm, kay,” Michael said, snuggling closer.

As his breathing evened out again, I rested my chin atop his head, letting his warmth seep into me.

Chapter 11

Michael

Ishifted slightly onto my side to face Griffin, careful not to move too much because of how close he was—his arm draped over me, his solid warmth pressing against my back. It felt like he’d been molded perfectly to fit against me.

Whenever I stayed over, every morning I’d wake up just before him, savoring how peaceful these moments were.

His dark blond hair would shimmer in the morning light, with hints of gold. I reached out, brushing a stray strand from his face. And every time, like clockwork, he’d stir, lips twitching into a faint smile.

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