Page 165 of The Rookie

The phone buzzes again almost immediately.

Griffin: And I hope you know how to be quiet in that house. Because you might have a midnight visitor in your castle. Princess.

My breath catches, my pulse racing.

Me: You do realize there are, like, five other people here, right?

Griffin: Then I guess you better hope they’re heavy sleepers.

I bite my lip, trying to suppress the laughter bubbling in my chest, the sheer audacity of this man sending a mix of nerves and thrill through me.

Me: You’re so bad

Griffin: Guilty

I set the phone down, pressing it against my chest, the warmth in my heart spreading outward until it feels like I might burst.

This is madness.

Beautiful, reckless madness.

And I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything more in my life.

I glance toward the window, the cold night pressing against the glass, and wonder if I’ll be able to fall asleep at all.

Because if Griffin Knox says he’s going to do something, he damn well does it.

forty-one

. . .

Avery

The room isdark and quiet, the only sound the faint creak of the old house settling. I’m somewhere between dreaming and waking, my body heavy with sleep, my mind foggy.

At first, I think it’s part of my dream—a soft pressure, warm and familiar, brushing along the curve of my hip.

But then I hear it.

“I love you, baby.”

His voice is rich, gravelly, and unmistakable.

My eyes flutter open, my breath catching as I feel the sheets being slowly peeled back. The faint glow of moonlight streams through the window, casting a soft light over Griffin’s face.

He’s here.

I blink, half-convinced I’m still dreaming, but then his lips press to the inside of my thigh, and reality hits me like a tidal wave.

“Griffin,” I whisper, my voice hoarse with sleep.

He looks up at me, his green eyes dark and blazing. “Shhh. Go back to sleep.”

“What are you doing?”

“What I’ve been thinking about all night.” His voice is rough, low, and full of intent.

His hands slide over my thighs, gently parting them, his lips following the path, slow and deliberate. My pulse spikes, the haze of sleep fading as every nerve in my body comes alive.

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